WO2009101618A1 - Wireless headset for reducing the exposure to harmful radiation based on estimated distance to wireless device - Google Patents

Abstract

Wireless Headset (2) for reducing the exposure to harmful radiation to which is exposed a person, and in particular a child, who uses a telecommunication device (1) - or in short TCD - being said headset (2) capable of estimating the distance between TCD (1) and User (5) and if TCD (1) is too close to the User's (5) head and/or body, responding by generating command/s including, but not exclusively, commands that warn the User (5) and/or motivate him/her to rectify the situation by positioning TCD (1) within radiation- safe range.

Description

Distance Responsive Wireless Headset and related Processes, and Systems Background of the Invention and Prior Art

The use of wireless telecommunication devices, in particular cellular phones, PDA,

Smartphones and other handheld devices - hereafter, collectively, TCD - is accompanied by the release of electromagnetic radiation.

TCD also include devices that can be used interchangeably on one or more of wireless, wan, Ian and fixed line systems.

The health hazard deriving from said radiation is yet to be precisely evaluated but accumulating medical knowledge seems to point towards the inevitable conclusion that the danger that the use of TCD poses a serious risk.

For instance, a study done by a collection of researchers from many universities and led by

Anna Lahkola of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Finland, found firm corollary evidence that using a cell phone causes the risk of getting a brain tumor called a glioma to rise on the side of the head preferred for using the phone.

The strongest evidence that nobody can dismiss the risk of exposure to radiation emanated by wireless devices, is found in virtually all User Manuals for TCD which inform the user that they comply with the FCC (Federal Communications Commission of the U.S.

Government as for the limit of RF (radio frequency) exposure generated by the specific

TCD.

Said limit of exposure is measured in SAR (specific absorption rate) and is not to exceed

1.6W/k.

Recently (January 2008), the French Health Ministry cautioned users against excessive mobile phone use, especially by children.

More disturbing conclusions regarding the health risk deriving from the use of wireless phones can be found in the article "Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Benign and Malignant Parotid Gland Tumors — A

Nationwide Case-Control Study" which describes an international research led by Dr. Sigal Sadezky and published in the "American Journal of Epidemiology" on December 6, 2007".

However we look at it, there is a great concern among the public and many of the medical authorities as for the hazard of radiation involved in the use of TCD.

This concern is particularly acute when kids are involved.

Since the skull of children is thinner than adults', their vulnerability to radiation is much higher. Radiation is also suspected of affecting the development of the nervous system.

Besides children, other groups are particularly at risk while using a TCD. Among these groups are people who have a pacemaker or similar instrument that can fail because of the interference caused by a cellular phone.

Another massive and proved hazard involved in the use of TCD is the loss of concentration while driving.

According to a study by University of Utah, Cell phones are as dangerous as drunk driving. Some effective solutions for reducing the above mentioned risks already exist. For instance, handsfree headsets, speakerphone functions, hands free car kits - all these allow the user to engage in conversation while keeping the TCD at some distance from the head and the body and, in some cases without having to hold the TCD at all.

These devices reduce the user's exposure to radiation, possible interference with pacemakers and the such, and loss of control while driving.

Still, the above mentioned solutions are not as effective as they could be because of the human factor: the solutions are there but the users neglect often to use them.

Thus, for instance, is very difficult and sometimes impossible, to force a child to use a handsfree headset or a speakerphone function.

It is also difficult to prevent a driver from talking while driving and sometimes even without using a handsfree car kit at all.

Therefore the potential benefit of available solutions is very limited.

Some inventions have tried to deal with the radiation problem at the TCD level.

US Patent 5,507,012 discloses a "shield apparatus for absorbing microwave energy from hand held telephones".

US Patent 6,166,707 discloses an "antenna shroud for portable communication devices".

US 23232597A1 discloses a "cellular phone that exposes the user's brain to much less microwave radiation than ordinary cellular phones with the help of a proxy intermediary device".

It is also worth mentioning that certain cellular phones like the TicTalk manufactured by

Enfora include some use parental controls but this monitoring relates mainly to the nature of the conversations the kids are allowed to carry out and does not deal with safety or radiation hazard reduction.

All the inventions disclosed in the above mention prior art cannot provide a solution for the hazards posed by the use of TCD because they involve either structural changes or the use of additional devices to be used in conjunction with a TCD, they are expensive, they are not applicable to many existing TCD and require a change in the user's habits. They are therefore, impractical and unlikely to be adopted by the public and manufacturers.

While only in 2007 about 900 million new cellular will be sold and being billions of old ones already in use, there is a need to provide a solution the will reduce the hazard involved in the use of TCD not only for future ones but also for the massive number of already existing ones.

An invention described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275 by the same applicant of this application, discloses telecommunications policy program systems, processes and devices for the reduction of radiation hazard and other risks involved in the use of wireless telecommunication.

According to the invention, a Policy Program allows the Authorized User who is the person that controls the telecommunication device (e.g. a parent or an employer) to enable or disable any sound input and/or output channels - e.g. the phone loudspeaker - of a telecommunication device thus establishing a policy that prefers safer channels.

In this way, the Authorized User, and in particular a child, may prevented from carrying out a conversation while holding it near the head.

The invention also aims to achieve its goals without having to structurally change the telecommunication devices. The invention described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275 reduces significantly the risk of radiation absorption to the user's head and in certain cases the risk a of radiation absorption to the any part of the user's body.

Still, while Israeli Patent Application No. 186275 may force the user to talk with a headset, or other devices that protect the head, it cannot prevent the user from keeping the cellular phone or any other TCD close to the body.

In fact, it is quite a popular use to hang TCD using a string around the neck so that the TCD is roughly positioned on the chest. Alternatively, some users clip the TCD to the belt. This exposes the user to testicle cancer or other internal organs cancer. In particular, pregnant women might be absorbing radiation in the vicinity of the fetus.

A solution to this problem is described in this application.

The invention relates to a novel headphone which, in addition to the functionalities of conventional headsets is capable of estimating the distance of the TCD from any part of the body and the head. This novel headphone is capable of responding to situations where the TCD is to close to the body or the head by generating commands the warn the user of the dangerous situation and motivate him/her to rectify the dangerous situation by positioning the TCD within safe range.

It is therefore a main objective of this invention to provide a headset that while retaining conventional headset functionalities is capable of estimating the distance between the TCD and the headset.

It is a further objective of this invention to provide a headset capable of generating commands that affect the functioning of the headset in order to promote situations where the TCD is in radiation-safe range from the user.

It is still another purpose of the invention to reduce radiation safe situations without having to structurally change the TCD involved in the conversation.

It is yet another purpose of the invention to offer an improvement applicable to future TCD and to ones that pre-exist the invention.

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide a way to reduce radiation exposure particularly in children who use a TCD.

Additional purposes of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention

Bearing in mind what has been said before and the purposes of the invention, we now disclose a Distance Responsive Wireless Headset and related Processes and Systems designed to reduced the hazards connected to the use of telecommunication devices and in particular cellular phones.

The meaning of some terms to be used in describing the invention will now be defined.

"Telcommunication Device" or, in brief "TCD", means any wireless telecommunication devices, in particular cellular phones, PDA, Smartphones and other handheld devices.

"Wireless headset" or in short "headset", unless explicitly stated otherwise, means the wireless headset which is the object of this invention. The wireless headset is designed to work in conjunction with a TCD.

In addition to the new features provided by the invention, the wireless headset preserves the features of conventional wireless headsets presently available on the market.

"Signal receiver" means a signal receiver or a transceiver or a sensor that receives signals emitted by a signal source, typically but not exclusively, a Bluetooth one. The signal receiver is located, typically but not necessarily, in the headset.

"Signal source" or "Signal emitter" is a signal source, typically but not exclusively, a

Bluetooth one.

The signal emitter is located, typically but not necessarily, in the TCD.

"Signal" included in the terms "signal receiver" and "signal emitter" refers to any kind of signal - non-harmful for a human being - used for communication between a headset, including already commercially available ones, and a TDC. Noticeably, but not exclusively, the term "signal" is applicable to Bluetooth signals used, for example, in a communication between conventional Bluetooth headsets and a TCD and, more generally, to any kind of non-harmful radiations.

"Sensor" is a type of transducer which uses one type of energy, a signal of some sort - and converts it into a reading for the purpose of information transfer.

"Radiation" as opposed to the term "signal", refers, unless explicitly stated otherwise, to radiation harmful for a human being. In this application the term "radiation" refers - noticeably, but not exclusively - to cellular radiation and, in general, to electromagnetic radiation or any other kind of radiation dangerous for a human being when exposed to it.

"Radiation-safe range" means a range of distances from the user's body and/or head. The radiation-safe range is such that if the TCD is positioned within it during the TCD functioning, the exposure of the user to harmful radiation is significantly minimized.

"Conventional functioning" refers to the functioning of wireless headsets pre-existing this application, to be used with a TCD. The wireless headset object of this invention is capable of conventional functioning as well as of the special, novel functioning deriving from the invention, as described in this application. "Conventional headsets" are headsets existing prior to this application.

"Bluetooth" is a short-range wireless communications technology described, among other things, at www.bluetooth.com.

"Microphone" is the voice input means of the wireless headset or of any conventional headset.

"Headset loudspeaker" or Wireless Headset loudspeaker" or "Headset speaker" or "Wireless Headset speaker" means the voice output means of the wireless headset or of any conventional headset.

Now that we have defined the meaning of some terms used in this application we can proceed with the summary of the invention.

The main purpose of this invention is to minimize the exposure of a person, and in particular a child, to harmful radiation while said person is using a TCD. Since the nature and intensity of the radiation emitted by a TCD cannot be changed by a user, the only way for that user to minimize the radiation hazard is to keep the source of the radiation as distant as possible from the head and the body.

The distance factor is crucial since cellular radiation declines very fast as the distance from the radiation source grows.

This fact can be expressed as follows: radiation intensity = radiation source intensity /

2 (distance from source) .

Now, manners to minimize radiation exposure suggested in the art have proved so far impractical as they generally require hardware restructuring of the TCD and also are not applicable to already existing TCD.

In other words, a practical manner to minimize radiation exposure should, preferably, not involve structural changes in the TCD.

Accordingly, the core of this invention consists of a wireless headset that helps minimize radiation exposure while a person is using a TCD.

One of the advantages of approaching the of cellular radiation issue by offering an innovative wireless headset, is that headsets are far more simple and inexpensive devices than a TCD, and easier to modify.

This application discloses a wireless headset capable of estimating the distance between the source of the radiation emitted by the TCD and the user.

The disclosed headset is preferably, but not necessarily, a Bluetooth one.

If the wireless headset, after having estimated the distance, detects a dangerous proximity between the radiation source and the user's body or head, that is, is not within safe range, it may respond in a variety of ways.

Said responses include a variety of commands that may - just for the sake of example - warn the user when the TCD is to close to the his/her body or head and/or make it difficult and/or impossible to use the TCD while TCD is to close to the body or head.

If the user positions the TCD within safe range, the conventional functioning of the headset resumes unless the communication between TCD and headset has already been terminated altogether. Given the physical closeness of the TCD and the signal emitter, the two can be considered, for distance estimation purposes as, to be located in the same place. The same consideration goes for the headset and the signal receiver and, in some cases, the body as well. Thus, for example, the expression "distance between TCD and headset" and the expression "distance between signal emitter and headset" are equivalent.

The invention provides a process for minimizing the amount of harmful radiation to which is exposed a person who uses a wireless telecommunication device (TCD), which process comprises the following steps:

(a) emitting signals from a signal emitter;

(b) reception of said signals by a signal receiver;

(c) if necessary, transducing said signals into a form that allows information gathering;

(d) estimating the distance from the signal emitter and the signal receiver;

(e) if the estimated distance is within radiation-safe range, allowing the conventional functioning of the wireless headset;

(f) if the estimated distance is not within radiation-safe range, generating according to predetermined rules, command/s that affect the functioning of the wireless headset in order to warn the person who uses the TCD and/or motivate him/her to position the TCD in radiation-safe range;

(g) if the TCD the wireless headset is positioned within safe range resuming, after a predetermined or according to predetermined rules, the conventional functioning of the wireless headset;

(h) Repeating steps (a) to (d) as long as the wireless headset is switched on.

New wireless headset apparatus adapted to carry out the said process which comprises: a) a signal receiver; for receiving signals generated by the an signal emitter present in the TCD used in conjunction with the headset; b) optionally, if required, a signal transducer; c) a distance estimation unit; d) a control unit capable, among other things, of controlling: general processes and/or distance estimation processes and/or software flow and/or timing and capable of generating commands that affect the functioning of the headset. e) Software for performing the distance estimation process and/or generating said commands; f) conventional headset components.

Some of aforementioned elements, hardware and/or software ones, if present, may be integrated and/or combined - internally or externally - in any advantageous arrangements and distributed in different ways between the TCD and the wireless headset, as long as the purpose of the invention is fulfilled.

Just for the sake of example and in a non-limitative way, in some cases, the signal emitter may be incorporated in the headset itself instead that in TCD.

Additional conventional headset components like, for instance, a microphone or a battery, are assumed and in any case not described in the detail. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Few observations are desirable before with proceed with the description of the embodiments.

Headset object of this invention are also capable of conventional functioning and are therefore also provided with the necessary hardware and/or software necessary to provide said functionalities.

conventional headsets' hardware and/or software are well known in the art and will, therefore, not be discussed in this application.

In all the described embodiments, an element may be mentioned interchangeably by its name or number or name and number.

Embodiment 1

Figure 1 and Figure 2 will be used to illustrate schematically Embodiment 1 of the invention.

In Figure 1 a User (5) is using a TCD (1) - a telecommunication device as defined in the summary of the invention - that works with a wireless headset (2) which could be of any type - and, typically, a Bluetooth headset. The wireless headset (2) is positioned in Figure 1 by the person's head, typically being mounted on one of the person's ears as shown in (6) of Figure IB.

In Figure 1 the TCD (1) is shown as held in the User's (5) hand.

Some of the other popular ways in which a TCD (1) may be carried by a User (5), is by hanging the TCD (1) to the neck, e.g. with a string, so that the TCD (1) is, roughly, positioned on the User's chest as shown in (3) or by clipping the TCD (1) to the User's belt or pocket as shown in (4). In the latter case, the TCD (1) is usually contained in a pouch which is attachable to the belt or the User's garment.

Although the use of a conventional wireless headset mostly - but not always - prevents the user from bringing the TCD (1) in close vicinity to the head, carrying the TCD (1) as shown in (3) and (4) entails contact with the User's (5) body. In other words, while using even a conventional headset and holding a TCD (1) at some distance from the head may reduce the risk of brain tumor and other health hazards, carrying the TCD (1) as shown in

(3) and (4) still exposes the User (5) to other risks, such as testicle cancer, other internal organs damage and - in the case of pregnant women - fetus exposure to radiation.

It is therefore desirable to ensure that the TCD (1) is held at safe distance not only from the head but also, as much as possible, from the all body.

In order to achieve this goal Embodiment 1 of the invention provides a solution structured as follows:

(1) - A minimal safe distance from the head is symbolized by "dl". This distance is the minimal distance from the head considered safe in terms of radiations. In fact, "dl", and all the other distances mentioned hereafter, are actually the distances - measured in specific measurements - between the signal emitter (22) located in the TCD (1) and the signal receiver (21) located in the headset (2).

The signal receiver (21) may be any of different kinds e.g., a receiver or a transceiver and "(21)" will refer interchangeably throughout this application either to a receiver or a transceiver, or to the receiving part of a transceiver or to the receiving part of a sensor - according to the case.

Still, because of the closeness of the signal emitter (22) and the signal receiver (21), respectively to the TCD (1) and the headset (2), said measurements can be considered as representing the actual distance between the TCD (1) and the headset (2).

(2) - A maximal safe distance from the head is symbolized by "d2".

"maximal safe distance" does not obviously imply that a distance greater than d2 might be harmful. On the contrary, the more distance from the head - the better. The maximal safe distance is such in that it takes into consideration other distances as d3 and d4 as hereafter explained.

(3) - The distance range dl to d2, is defined as "radiation-safe range". In other words, d2 > radiation-safe range ≥ dl .

Since, as graphically shown in Figure 1, d4 > d3> d2, than d3 - a point on the User's (5) chest where a TCD (1) may be placed (3) - and d4 - an point at the User's (5) waist where a TCD (1) may be placed (4) - do not belong to the radiation-safe range since they entail a close vicinity to the User's (5) body.

It is stressed that although the graphical representations in Fig. 1 are bidimentional, all distances mentioned in this application, including dl, d2 ,d3 and d4, can be seen as radiuses of spheres or of circles as well as radiuses of sections of spheres or of sections of circles - according to the radiation propagation pattern of the technology involved in a specific implementation of this invention.

Thus, for instance, in the case of Bluetooth transmission, the above mentioned distances can be generally seen as radiuses of spheres.

Further, is it is stressed that in Fig. 1 the use of one-head arrows originating form the headset (2) outwards, merely illustrate graphically the distance of the TCD (1) from the headset and not the direction of the signal transmission between the headset (2) and the TCD (1) .

Said transmission may be - according to technology involved and the specific implementation of the technology - one directional and/or bidirectional between the TCD (1) and the headset (2).

Lastly, it is stressed the magnitude of the radiation-safe range is different if the User (5) holds the phone with the same side hand of the ear on which the headset is mounted or if it holds with the opposite side hand. In the latter case, it could be roughly considered that radiation-safe range = radiation-safe range + head's width.

(4) The distance estimation unit (23) may consist of an already existing, available type of sensor and/or of such a sensor combined with additional components required to carry out the distance estimation process and/or of a new or dedicated combination of elements designed to enable such distance estimation process.

The estimation unit (23) is connected, physically and/or logically and/or integrated with all the other components necessary to carry out the distance estimation process and to further process the resulting data, including Control Unit (25). Furthermore, the estimation unit (23) may include, in certain cases, the signal receiver (21) itself. More generally, it is stressed that the specific configurations of the estimation unit (23) and/or of all other portions of the invention showed in the preferred embodiments of this invention, are not binding or limiting in way whatsoever. In other words, the hardware and/or software components described in this and other embodiments of the invention, if present, may be combined and/or integrated - physically and/or logically, in many different ways - as long as they preserve their functionality.

(5) After we have described the main elements of this embodiment, let us consider the distance estimation process and the ways in which the headset (2) responds to the results of said process.

Data about the received signal (or, according to different possible embodiments, the signal itself) is passed from the signal receiver (21) to the distance estimation unit (23) which carries out the estimation with different levels of accuracy depending on possible specific implementations.

Given that for most purposes of the invention a resolution of 1 - 5 cm. is sufficient, a reasonable approximation and not a precise calculation is, in most cases, satisfactory. The distance between the headset (2) and the TCD (1) is further marginally approximated since the distance estimation unit (23) actually estimates the distance between signal receiver (21) located in the headset (2) and signal emitter (22) located in the TCD (1). Still, for the purpose of this application, the receiver (21) located in the headset (2) can be considered, and referred to, as having the same position. The same consideration is applicable to the signal emitter (22) and the TCD (1).

(6) After the distance estimation unit (23) estimates the current distance between the headset (2) and the TCD (1), it compares it with the radiation-safe range values.

If said current distance belongs to the radiation-safe range, the headset (2) functions in its default mode, that is, in the normal way in which conventional headsets on the market function.

If the current distance between the headset (2) and the TCD (1), does not belong to the radiation-safe range values, the headset Control Unit (25), using suitable software, generates a command or a plurality of commands aimed to cause the User (5) to shift the

TCD (1) to a position that is within the radiation-safe range.

Said commands may be such as to attract the User's (5) attention to the fact the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range or such as to even make it difficult or impossible for the User (5) to use the TCD (1) unless he moves it within radiation-safe range. Few examples of commands - which will be also, sometimes, called hereafter "warning commands" - generated by the headset Control Unit (25) when the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range include: a - reducing the volume of the headset loudspeaker (26) in order to attract the User's (5) attention and to motivate him/her to bring the TCD (1) to a position that is within the radiation-safe range.

b- muting the headset loudspeaker (26) completely as long as the TCD (1) is not in a position within radiation-safe range.

c- generating an audible signal - e.g. a beep - through the headset loudspeaker (26) as long as the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range.

d - Terminating the connection between the TCD (1) and the headset (2) so that the conversation is interrupted. e - muting the headset microphone. d - any combination and/or sequence of commands (a) to (e).

The process of distance estimation and the generation of commands, if any, in response of the result of said distance estimation, may be repeated cyclically according to predetermined rules and/or frequency of time.

Accordingly, it is highly desirable, although not necessary, that the Control Unit (25) generates a command in response to the fact that the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range only after a number of measurements that show this result and/or after a predetermined lapse of time after which the TCD (1) is found not to be not within radiation- safe range and/or according other predetermined rules.

Said commands may consist merely of a single type of commands - e.g. only reducing the volume of the headset (2) - or may consist of a sequence of commands that take place according a predetermined order - e.g. first reducing the volume of the headset (2) and then, after a while, terminating the connection between the TCD (1) and the headset (2) unless the User (5) positions TCD (1) within safe range.

It is stressed that - preferably and according to specific embodiments - any and all warning commands generated by the Control Unit (25), are interrupted and that the headset (2) returns to conventional functioning after the User (5) has positioned the TCD (1) within radiation-safe range or after a predetermined lapse of time or a predetermine number of distance measurements during which the TCD (1) has maintained a position within radiation-safe range.

Embodiment 2

Figure 2 can also be used to illustrate schematically a Embodiment 2. Bearing in mind that, preferably, the fulfillment of this invention requires as little as possible changes in existing headset (2) and TCD (1), it is highly desirable - but not necessary -that signal receiver (21), signal emitter (22) and other elements required to implement the embodiments of this invention, be elements already present in the TCD (1) and/or in the headset (2).

To illustrate this point, we will assume in Embodiment 2 that headset (2) in Figure 2 is a

Bluetooth headset communicating with the TCD (1) through Bluetooth connection.

The ability of TCD (1) to communicate with the headset (2) by Bluetooth derives from the fact that the TCD (1) is already equipped with a built-in Bluetooth transmitting element which, in this case, constitutes the signal emitter (22).

At the same time, Bluetooth headset (2) is already equipped with an element (21) capable of receiving the Bluetooth transmission from TCD (1).

Element (21) thus constitutes the signal receiver (21).

Thus, in this case, there is no need to add an additional signal emitter (22) and an additional signal receiver (21) since they are already present among the TCD (1) and the headset (2) resources.

The signals received by signal receiver (21) are processed in order to become an audible output emitted through the headset loudspeaker (26). The term "headset loudspeaker" in this application means the usual speaker through which a user hears the sound output of any wired or wireless headset. Element (26') indicates that the headset (2) may, optionally, be a stereo headset - which is a quite common feature of conventional headsets.

The processes and the components required for this signal-to-sound processing are well known in the art for wireless headsets - and may relate, among other things, to any or more of the following ones, if present: transducing of the received Bluetooth (or in short "BT") signal, digitalization of the same, sound processing, signal amplification, digital to analogue conversion, volume control, voice synthesis, voice generation, speaker/s functioning, controlling functions and commands generation etc. - and are not therefore described in detail in Figure 2.

The unit comprising any one or more of the above mentioned processes and related components - hereafter the "signal-to-sound unit" - is symbolically indicated by (24).

Now, as already explained in Embodiment 1, as the signal receiver (21) receives from the signal emitter (22), a signal that is used to estimate the distance between (21) and (22). Then the signal receiver (21) passes to distance estimation unit (23) an input that includes the received signal and/or other data.

If said input does not already include the estimated distance between (21) and (22), distance, estimation unit (23) carries out the distance estimation.

In order to carry out said distance estimation, the distance estimation unit (23) uses some measuring routines (30) which processes the above mentioned input received from signal receiver (21) in order to return a value which reflects the estimated distance between (21) and (22).

In Embodiment 2, element (23) estimates the strength of the signal received by (22) basing on the fact that the strength of a Bluetooth signal is a function of the distance between (21) and (22). In other words, the greater is the distance between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21), the weaker is the signal.

The distance estimation unit (23) applies some distance measuring software - hereafter "measuring routines" to the data provided by the signal receiver (21). The accuracy of said estimation may vary according specific hardware and/or software of the distance estimation unit (23) but, in any case, even a rough approximation with a resolution of e.g. 5-10 cm. will be sufficient in most cases.

The measuring routines (30) may reside entirely or partially in the distance estimation unit

(23) and/or in the Control Unit (25) and/or in any other element of the headset (2), according to the specific implementation of the invention.

Now, the estimated distance value between (21) and (22) is passed from element (23) to a Control Unit (25) which may already be present in the headset or be a new, additional, dedicated one.

The Control Unit (25), using suitable routines, checks whether the estimated distance between (21) and (22) is within the predetermined radiation-safe range.

A clock (27) - or another suitable timing element - is shown as integral to Control Unit (25) but may be external to it or in addition to an existing to Control Unit clock element, if any.

Using clock (27) is used to time the frequency with which the Control Unit (25) repeats the process of calculating the distance between (21) and (22) by (23).

Clock (27) may also be used to time the program flow of software routines executed by

Control Unit (25) or under the control of the same.

These routines, which govern the timing and program flow of the distance estimation process, may, for instance, reside partially or entirely in the Control Unit (25) or be a part of the measuring routines (30) which reside in the distance estimation unit (23).

Now, if the Control Unit (25) finds that the estimated distance between (21) and (22) falls within the predetermined radiation-safe range, the functioning of the headset (2) is the conventional functioning.

If the distance between (21) and (22) is not found to be in radiation-safe range, then, the

Control Unit (25) generates a one or more warning commands that affect/s the conventional functioning of the headset (2).

These commands, which are sent, generally but not necessarily, to the signal-to-sound unit

(24) and executed by the same, are meant to drive the User's (5) attention to the fact that the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range and/or to prevent the User (5) from using the headset (2) as long as the TCD (1) is not within said radiation-safe range.

Some examples of warning commands have been described in Embodiment 1.

In Embodiment 2 as well as in Embodiment 1 or any other possible embodiment, any number of the above mentioned elements, if present, may be physically and/or logically separated and may be physically and/or logically combined and/or integrated.

Said elements include, but are not limited to the following ones: signal receiver (21), signal emitter (22), distance measurement component (23), signal-to-sound unit (24), control unit

(25), headset loudspeaker (26) and clock (27).Figure 2 can also be used to illustrate schematically a third Embodiment. Embodiment 3

As already mentioned in Embodiment 1, it is highly desirable, although not necessary, that the Control Unit (25) generates warning command/s in response to the fact that the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range only after a number of measurements that show this result and/or after a predetermined lapse of time after which the TCD (1) is found not to be within radiation-safe range and/or according other predetermined rules. This consideration is valid for all possible embodiments of this invention.

Hereafter is a non-limitative example of how a timing element - or distance measurements cycles counting - is added in order to evaluate weather TCD (1) is within radiation-safe range or not and, if needed, to generate warning command/s.

Accordingly to this timing element, as it will be explained hereafter, distances between (21) and (22) which are not within safe range as shown, for instance in Figure 1, by (3) and (4), are not considered automatically as being unsafe from radiation point of view.

Radiation-safe range has been previously defined as d2 > radiation-safe range > dl .

In the event that the distance between (21) and (22) is grater than d2, the average distance between (21) and (22) after a predetermined number (n) of measurements is considered.

The measurements are performed at a fix time frequency. The frequency of the measurements may vary according to specific implementations but should, preferably, be fairly high as to allow a number of measurements per second.

If the above mentioned average distance between (21) and (22) after n measurements differs in absolute value from d2 by less than a small predetermined amount - δ

(centimeters) - than it can be assumed that TCD (1) is fairly static.

This could reasonably imply that, for instance, the TCD (1) is worn by the User (5) or somehow in contact, or practically so, with his/her body as shown in (3) and (4) of Figure

1.

The ground for this conclusion is that if the User (5) is holding the TCD (1) in his/her hand in the course of a conversation, he/she is likely to shift the TCD (1) by distances that differ averagely from d2, after n measurements, by more than δ.

Accordingly, if the Control Unit (25) detects that the TCD (1) is likely to be in contact with the User's body, it can issue in response one or more suitable warning command/s that affect/s the headset (2) and/or the TCD (1) functioning as explained in Embodiment 1 and/or Embodiment 2 and/or in the hereafter described Additional Possible Embodiments of the Invention.

This condition is non-limitative and it is only one of many possible examples of logics applicable separately or in combination in order to generate suitable warning commands, if they are required.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 and Figure 2 have already been discussed in the description of Embodiment 1 and

Embodiment 2.

Figure 3 will now be described in detail. Figure 3 illustrates the process by which the wireless headset object of this invention, functions and responds to distance estimations it carries out.

The flowchart in Figure 3 is only one and non-limitative example by which said process may be carried out and different elements may be, optionally, added or removed from this flowchart without departing from the basic nature of the illustrated process.

Figure 3 assumes that headset (2) and TCD (1) are switched on and functioning.

In (31) a signal sent by (signal) emitter (22) is received by (signal) receiver (21). Typically, said signal is a Bluetooth one but it could be of other kinds, as described in this application.

In (32) the distance between (signal) emitter (22) and (signal) receiver (21) is estimated by distance estimation unit (23) e.g. as previously described in embodiments 1 to 3.

Decision point (33) searches an answer to whether the TCD (1) in within radiation-safe range. If the answer is negative, a counter, shown in (36), is interrogated as for its present value, "n" is the number of measurements after which, if the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range, headset (2) responds by issuing a warning command. As previously explained, for example in Embodiment 1, a warning command is a command that affects the conventional functioning of the headset (2) in order to warn User (5) that the TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range and in order to motivate him/her to rectify this situation.

Now, if the counter = n, than Control Unit (25) generates, as shown in (38), one or more warning commands. Than, steps (31) to (33) are repeated.

If at (33) the answer is again "no" and at (36) the counter still equals "n", than as shown at

(38) the Control Unit keeps generating one or more warning commands.

It is stressed that, in this case, "generating" means, according to the case, generating a new command and/or not maintaining in force and already generated one.

If at (33) the answer is "yes", that is, the TCD (1) is within radiation-safe range, than as shown in (34) the counter = 0 and the headset (2) functions in the conventional functioning. Than, the program continues to (31).

Two considerations should be made:

(1) Optionally, an additional counter (not shown in Figure 3) could be added. Let us call this additional counter "counter2".

Counter2 could be such as to enable the primary counter to be set to zero - as shown in (34) - only if counter2 equals a certain value that reflects the fact that the answer to (33) has been "yes" for a predetermined number of distance measurements. In other words, the conventional functioning of the headset (2) could be resumed, after a warning command has been generated, only after a predetermined number of measurements that show that the headset (2) is within safe range.

(2) If needed, and not already present in the conventional hardware and/or software, a clock and/or an other timing element, could be added in order to time the flow of the process described in Figure 3. Brief Description of Additional Possible Embodiments of the Invention

These additional possible embodiments of the invention apply to Embodiment 1 to 3 of the invention and/or to all methods and processes, including the process described in Figure 3 and/or any other possible embodiments of the invention and/or to any combination thereof.

(1) Distance estimation

The distance estimation process between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) may be carried out using different well know techniques according of the type of hardware and/or software employed in specific embodiments of the invention including, but not only, the ones expressly specified in this application.

Some non-limitative examples of said techniques include:

(a) estimating the distance signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) by using one or more of any of the following kinds of signals including: Infrared, ultrasonic waves, optical, and, in general, any RF and electromagnetic wave.

(b) estimating the distance by measuring the time required for a signal, for example an ultrasonic signal, sent by a signal emitter (22) present in a headset (2) to bounce back from a TCD (1) and to be picked up a signal receiver (21) located in the headset.

(c) estimating the distance by using more than a single signal emitter (22) thus allowing a more accurate distance measurement by using well know triangulation techniques as described, for instance, in the thesis named "Positioning with Bluetooth, IrDA and RFID" by Joseph Hallberg and Marcus Nilsson from Lulea University.

In this case one or more signal emitters and/or signal receivers may be external to the TCD (1) and derive from system/s like, for example, a local wireless network, a GPS system etc. In this case, a headset (2) may require more than a single receiver (21).

(d) estimating the distance between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) by using a signal receiver (21) and/or an estimation unit (23) that capable of calculating an angle between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) so that the horizontal distance between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) can be worked out.

Thus, for example and in a non-limitative way, in Figure 1 , x5 is the horizontal component of the distance D5 and y5 is the vertical component of the distance D5. If the angle θ between D5 and x5 is know than, x5 = D5Cosθ.

Since, in this case, x5 represents the distance between the TCD (1) - approximately signal emitter (22) - and the body or head of the User (5) - approximately signal receiver (21) -, it can be checked whether x5 is within radiation-safe range and warning command's may generated, if required.

Of course, according to different embodiments, the angle does not necessarily need to be known precisely and may be approximated, according to the case.

(e) Equipping a TCD (1) with tilt sensors of the kind of the ones described in US Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0092133 Al - "3D Mouse and Game Controller based on Spherical Coordinates System and System Use" - and by having the TCD (1) displacements read by said sensors transmitted to the headset (2).

(f) Any combination of techniques (a) to (e).

(2) Signal emitter and signal receiver location

(a) The arrangement described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 could be reversed in certain embodiments.

Accordingly, for instance, the signal receiver (21) and/or distance estimation unit (23) could be combined in any way, internally or externally — including in a removable device - with the TCD (1) instead that with the headset (2).

Conversely, the signal emitter (22) could be combined in any, way internally or externally - including in a removable device - with the headset (2) instead that with the TCD (1).

(3) Program Interface between TCP (1) and headset (2)

The communication between of TCD (1) and wireless headset (2) is bidirectional.

For instance, thanks to the bidirectional nature of a Bluetooth communication, the TCD (1) recognizes the presence of headset (2) when the latter is turned on and in functional range because headset (2) is capable of making itself identified by TCD (1).

Now let us consider the Policy Program described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275.

Simple routine/s added to the Policy Program will cause it to recognize warning command/s issued by the Controlling Unit (25) and transmitted to the TCD (1) through the Bluetooth connection available between the headset (2) and the TCD (1).

When the Policy Program recognizes the command/s transmitted to TCD (1) by the

Controlling Unit (25) of the headset, the Policy Program causes TCD (1) to react.

Some non-limitative examples of said reaction/s by the TCD (1) to warning commands issued by the headset (2) and execute by the Policy Program could include, for example one or more of the following: a - causing a text message or a graphic content to appear to the TCD (1) screen (28). b - causing the TCD (1) to vibrate. c - causing the TCD (1) to terminate the current communication d - causing the TCD (1) to emit a predetermined sound. e — any combination of two or more of the above a-e possibilities.

Optionally and advantageously, the Policy Program could enable the Authorized User (as defined in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275) to allow the Subordinated User to use the TCD only in conjunction with the headset object of this invention.

This could be achieved, for example, by enabling the headset after it has been identified by the Policy Program or by having the headset already listed in a list of input/output channels contained in the Policy Program. The latter option is particularly relevant in the case that the Policy Program is transmitted from the headset to the TCD, as described in the next section. (3) Files transmission between headset (2) and TCP (I)

Optionally, headset (2) could include a standard memory component like a W/R one, e.g. Flash one or even a R/O one, e.g. a ROM which contains the Policy Program to be transmitted to TCD (1).

Thus, the Policy Program described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275 could be preferably transmitted directly from the headset (2) to the TCD (1).

Said transmission, for instance, could be automatically triggered by the headset (2) the first time the headset (2) establishes communication with the TCD (1), without the User (5) having to request it. Alternatively, the User (5) could be offered the option to initiate the transmission.

The Policy Program may, optionally, allow the use of the TCD only when used in conjunction with the headset and/or others preferred input/output channels.

More generally, due to the bidirectional nature of the communication between headset (2) and TCD (1), different programs and data stored in a non-volatile memory component of the headset (2) - including programs and data with commercial messages, games, music and other programs and data not necessarily connected to the functioning of the headset (2) and/or the TCD (I) and/or the interaction between of the headset (2) and the TCD (I) - could be optionally transferred from the headset (2) to the TCD (1). By doing so to the headset (2) would gain commercial, functional and informative added value.

To conclude, it is stressed that the above description and examples illustrate but do not limit the scope of invention.

Furthermore, the invention may be carried out by implementing the described, or additional and possible, embodiments and/or methods and/or processes of the invention and/or any combination thereof.

Claims

Claims

(1) Wireless headset (2) capable of estimating the distance between itself and a wireless telecommunication device (TCD) (1) working in conjunction with said wireless headset (2).

(2) Wireless headset (2) according to Claim 1 capable of generating commands that affect the functioning of the wireless headset (2) in response to the estimated distance between the TCD (1) and said wireless headset (2), and/or in response to additional, criteria including, but not exclusively, timing criteria and/or estimated positioning of the wireless headset (2) within or outside predetermined distance ranges.

(3) Wireless headset (2) according to Claim 2 whereby the wireless headset (2) may shift, whenever required, between conventional headset functioning and the distance responsive and/or criteria responsive modes described in Claim 2, and vice versa.

(4) Wireless headset (2) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3 whereby the wireless headset (2) is a Bluetooh headset or a headset using any other kind of protocol and/or transmission technology that can be implemented in a wireless headset.

(5) Wireless headset (2) for reducing the exposure to harmful radiation to which a person, and in particular a child, who uses a TCD (1) is exposed, which includes:

(a) a signal receiver (21) for receiving signals generated by the a signal emitter (22) present in the TCD (1), which TCD (1) is used in conjunction with the headset (2);

(b) optionally, if required, a signal transducer;

(c) a distance estimation unit (23);

(d) a control unit (25) capable, among other things, of: controlling general processes and/or distance estimation processes and/or software flow and/or timing and/or capable of generating commands that affect the functioning of the headset;

(e) Software for performing the distance estimation process and/or generating said commands;

(f) conventional headset components additional to elements (a) to (e) and/or inclusive of one or more of elements (a) to (e) and/or performing equivalent functions.

(6) Wireless headset (2) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5 further comprising, if necessary and not already present - physically or functionally — among the conventional headset components, any one or more of the following:

(a) a signal receiver (21);

(b) a distance estimation unit (23);

(c) a signal-to-sound unit (24);

(d) a control unit (25);

(e) a headset loudspeaker (26), (26') or any other kind of loudspeaker;

(f) a clock (27);

(g) suitable software, including, but not exclusively, measuring routines (30).

(7) System according to one or more of Claims 1 to 6 whereby the signal emitter (22) and/or the signal receiver (21) make use of Bluetooth technology and/or of one or more among other technology/ies including: infrared, ultrasonic waves, optical waves, RF or, in general, any electromagnetic wave, tilt sensors, motion sensors or any other kind of sensors, emitters, receivers or transceivers.

(8) System according to one or more of Claims 1 to 7 by whereby one or more of the hardware and/or software elements mentioned in said Claims may be, if present, integrated and/or combined - internally and/or externally, physically and/or logically - in any convenient arrangement and distributed in different ways between the TCD (1) and/or the wireless headset (2) and/or a standalone device.

(9) System according to one or more of Claims 1 to 8 whereby one or more of the hardware and/or software components mentioned in said Claims - including but not exclusively, one or more signal receiver/s (21) and/or one or more signal emitter/s (22) and/or distance estimation unit (23) and/or control unit (25) - are combined in any way, internally or externally, in a fix or removable manner, including, but not exclusively, in the following ways:

(a) with the TCD (1) only;

(b) with the headset (2) only;

(c) with a standalone device only;

(d) any combination of (a) to (c).

(10) Headset (2) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 9 or any combination thereof, for reducing the exposure to harmful radiation to which is exposed a person, and in particular a child, who uses a TCD (1), being said headset (2) capable of:

(a) estimating the distance between TCD (1) and User (5) and

(b) if TCD (1) is too close to the User's (5) head and/or body, responding by generating command/s including, but not exclusively, commands that warn the User (5) and/or motivate him/her to rectify the situation by positioning TCD (1) within radiation-safe range.

(11) Wireless headset (2) including a non-volatile memory component capable of storing programs and/or data of different types - optionally, but not exclusively the Policy Program described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275 - and being said Wireless headset (2) capable of transmitting said programs and/or data to the TCD (1).

(12) Method for estimating the distance between a wireless headset (2) and a telecommunication device (1).

(13) Method according to Claim 12 whereby the wireless headset (2) is capable of generating predetermined response/s in reaction to specific value/s of distance estimate/s, between the wireless headset (2) and the TCD (1).

(14) Method according to Claims 12 and/or 13 by which a minimal safe distance (dl) and a maximal safe distance (d2) are defined between TCD (1) - or signal emitter (22) - and the wireless headset (2) - or User (5) or signal receiver (21).

(15) Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 14 whereby the radiation-safe range is defined as distances equal to or greater than the minimal safe distance (dl) and equal to or smaller than the maximal safe distance (d2) or, in other words, d2 > radiation-safe range ≥ dl.

(16) Method for reducing the exposure to harmful radiation to which is exposed a person, and in particular a child, who uses a TCD (I)₅ which method includes the following steps:

(a) emitting signals from a signal emitter (22) ;

(b) reception of said signals by a signal receiver (21);

(c) if necessary, transducing said signals into a form that allows information gathering;

(d) estimating the distance between the signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21);

(e) if the estimated distance is within radiation-safe range, allowing the conventional functioning of the wireless headset (2);

(f) optionally, if the estimated distance is not within radiation-safe range, generating according to predetermined rule/s, command/s that affect the functioning of the wireless headset (2) in order to warn the person who uses the TCD (1) and/or motivate him/her to position the TCD (1) within radiation-safe range;

(g) optionally, once the TCD (1) is positioned within radiation-safe range resuming, after a predetermined time and/or according to predetermined rules, the conventional functioning of the wireless headset (2);

(h) Repeating steps (a) to (g) according to predetermined rule/s.

(17) Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 16 whereby the wireless headset (2) is capable of generating a predetermined response consisting of warning command/s including, but not exclusively, in one or more of the following cases:

(a) The TCD (1) is not within radiation-safe range.

(b) After a number of measurements the TCD (1) is found not to be not within radiation- safe range;

(c) After a predetermined lapse of time the TCD (1) is found not to be within radiation-safe range;

(d) Based on any estimate and/or approximation and/or guess and/or interpolation and/or extrapolation possible by the invention the TCD (1) is found not to be not within radiation- safe range.

(18) Claim according to one or more of Claims 12 to 17 whereby the distance estimation process is carried out using one or more additional systems, including:

(a) estimating the distance by measuring the time required for a signal, for example an ultrasonic signal, sent by a signal emitter (22) present in a headset (2) to bounce back from a TCD (1) and to be picked up by signal receiver (21) located in the headset (2); (b) estimating the distance by using more than a single signal emitter (22) and/or more than single signal receiver (21);

(c) triangulation techniques;

(d) using one or more signal emitters (22) and/or signal receivers (21) external to the TCD (1) and belonging to system/s like, for example, a local wireless network, a GPS system etc.;

(e) estimating the distance between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) by using a signal receiver (21) and/or an estimation unit (23) capable of calculating with reasonable approximation an angle between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) so that the horizontal distance between signal emitter (22) and signal receiver (21) can be estimated;

(f) any combination of (a) to (e).

(19) Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 18 whereby one or more of the hardware and/or software elements necessary for carrying out the methods described in said Claims may be, if present, integrated and/or combined — internally and/or externally, physically and/or logically - in any convenient arrangement and distributed in different ways between the TCD (1) and/or the wireless headset (2) and/or a standalone device.

(20) Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 19 whereby the signals used for carrying out said methods are Bluetooth ones and/or produced using other technology/ies including: infrared, ultrasonic waves, optical waves, RF or, in general any electromagnetic wave, tilt sensors, motion sensors or any other kind of sensors, emitters, receivers or transceivers.

(21) Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 20 for using wireless headset (2) in conjunction with the Policy Program - described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275 - by which said Policy Program can recognize the command/s transmitted to TCD (1) by the Controlling Unit (25) of the headset (2) and cause TCD (1) to react in predefined manner/s.

(22) Method according to one or more of Claims 12 to 21 or any combination thereof, for reducing the exposure to harmful radiation to which is exposed a person, and in particular a child who uses a TCD (1), by which the headset (2) performs the following steps:

(a) headset (2) estimates the distance between TCD (1) and the User (5);

(b) if the TCD (1) is estimated to be too close to the User's (5) head and/or body (not within radiation-safe range) headset (2) responds by generating command/s that affect the functioning of the headset (2) and/or of the TCD (1) in different ways including, but not exclusively, one or more of the following ones:

(c) The User (5) is warned/and or motivated to rectify the situation by positioning TCD (1) within radiation-safe range.

(d) The functioning of the headset (2) and/or of the TCD (1) is altered and/or optionally prevented, all according to predetermined rules.

(23) Method for transmitting programs and/or data of different types from a wireless headset (2) to a TCD (1); said programs and/or data including, for example, but not necessarily, the Policy Program described in Israeli Patent Application No. 186275.