Cell Phones That Float in the Sea ?

Ericsson has been granted a patent for a cell phone that will float in water. The specifics is that Ericsson has designed a plug-on pack that would attach to the back of a mobile phone and give it sufficient buoyancy that it will then float in water. The idea is presumably aimed at moisture proof handsets that would be used on boats, should they fall overboard.

The buoyancy device contains a battery - and plugs onto the back of the handset in the place of the existing battery, and protrudes out from the back. As phones are increasingly light - the foam filled chamber can be quite small. The patent makes no comment about ensuring the handset is also waterproof other than around the battery connection, but if the handset is moisture proof (such as the old GSM-Pro handsets from Ericsson) - then it should be possible to retrieve the handset from the water before any ingress has occurred.

You can read the patent here"

Posted to the site on 7th March 2003