Patent ID: 6249255
Filing Date: 2001-06-19
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
In a radio device having radio circuitry operable by a user to transmit and receive radio signals, the radio circuitry housed by a radio housing that is carriable by a user with said radio housing generally adjacent to the user, an antenna assembly for transducing the radio signals, said antenna assembly comprising:an active antenna element positioned at the radio housing and electrically connected to said radio circuitry; said active antenna element comprises conductive paths that are printed upon a substrate; said substrate comprises a cylinder having said conductive paths only on a limited diametric portion of said cylinder that faces the user;said active antenna element exhibiting, in isolation, an antenna beam pattern that includes a first beam portion facing the user and a second beam portion facing away from the user;said active antenna element for transducing the radio signals; and a parasitic antenna element positioned at the radio housing and diametrically opposite to said limited diametric portion of said cylinder and away from the user; said parasitic antenna element is electrically disconnected from and physically spaced apart from said active antenna element at a selected physical position such that said active antenna element is closer to the user than is said parasitic antenna element; andsaid parasitic antenna element for shifting said antenna beam pattern by reducing the gain of said first beam portion and concomitantly increasing the gain of said second beam portion in response to said positioning of said parasitic antenna element relative to said active antenna element.