System and method of controlling transmit power for mobile wireless devices with multi-mode operation of antenna

Abstract

A method is performed by a wireless communication device. The device uses a first transmission rate upon initiation of a wireless communication. During the wireless communication, the device detects that the device has entered a predetermined use mode. In response, the device automatically switches to a second transmission rate different than the first transmission rate.

1 . A method performed by a wireless communication device, comprising:
 using a first transmission rate upon initiation of a wireless communication;   during the wireless communication, detecting that the wireless communication device has entered a predetermined use mode; and   in response to detecting that the wireless communication device has entered the predetermined use mode, automatically switching to a second transmission rate different than the first transmission rate.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined use mode is selected from in-holster mode in which the device is secured within a device holster, in-hand mode in which the device is held in a user's hand, by-head mode in which the device is positioned close to a head, in-cradle mode in which the device is in a device cradle, antenna-drawn mode in which an antenna of the device is drawn outwards, external-antenna mode in which an external antenna is attached to the device, headset mode in which a headset or earpiece is connected to the device, keyboard-activity mode in which there is activity on a keyboard of the device, and speakerphone mode. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined use mode is the speakerphone mode. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined use mode is selected from the antenna-drawn mode and the external-antenna mode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined use mode is the headset mode. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the wireless communication device is a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 using a first signal encoding upon initiation of a wireless communication and automatically switching to a second, different, signal encoding in response to detecting that the wireless communication device has entered the predetermined use mode. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 using a first modulation method upon initiation of the wireless communication and automatically switching to a second, different, modulation method in response to detecting that the wireless communication device has entered the predetermined use mode. 
 
     
     
         9 . A method performed by a wireless communication device having an antenna, comprising:
 using a first antenna gain of the antenna upon initiation of a wireless communication;   during the wireless communication, detecting that the wireless communication device has entered a predetermined use mode; and   in response to detecting that the wireless communication device has entered the predetermined use mode, automatically switching to a second antenna gain of the antenna different than the first antenna gain.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the predetermined use mode is selected from in-holster mode in which the device is secured within a device holster, in-hand mode in which the device is held in a user's hand, by-head mode in which the device is positioned close to a head, in-cradle mode in which the device is in a device cradle, antenna-drawn mode in which an antenna of the device is drawn outwards, external-antenna mode in which an external antenna is attached to the device, headset mode in which a headset or earpiece is connected to the device, keyboard-activity mode in which there is activity on a keyboard of the device, and speakerphone mode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined use mode is the speakerphone mode. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined use mode is selected from the antenna drawn mode and the external-antenna mode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined use mode is the headset mode. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the wireless communication device is a cellular telephone. 
     
     
         15 . A method performed by a wireless communication device having an antenna, comprising:
 using a first radiating pattern of the antenna upon initiation of a wireless communication;   during the wireless communication, detecting that the wireless communication device has entered a predetermined use mode; and   in response to detecting that the wireless communication device has entered the predetermined use mode, automatically switching to a second radiating pattern of the antenna different than the first radiating pattern.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the predetermined use mode is selected from in-holster mode in which the device is secured within a device holster, in-hand mode in which the device is held in a user's hand, by-head mode in which the device is positioned close to a head, in-cradle mode in which the device is in a device cradle, antenna-drawn mode in which an antenna of the device is drawn outwards, external-antenna mode in which an external antenna is attached to the device, headset mode in which a headset or earpiece is connected to the device, keyboard-activity mode in which there is activity on a keyboard of the device, and speakerphone mode. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the predetermined use mode is the speakerphone mode. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the predetermined use mode is selected from the antenna drawn mode and the external-antenna mode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the predetermined use mode is the headset mode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the wireless communication device is a cellular telephone.