Abstract:
A mechanical and electrical attachment apparatus for coupling a wireless communication device to a computing device such that higher levels of radiated power may be applied while maintaining adherence to FCC regulations. The attachment device includes apparatus for coupling the wireless device to the attachment device by establishing a plurality of electrical connections including a radio frequency signal connection. The apparatus also includes an antenna that is used to transmit and receive radio frequency signals. The apparatus may optionally include an RF amplifier.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention is directed generally to a wireless device docking station including an antenna internal to the docking station. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    FCC regulations for wireless communication devices include categories such as “mobile” and “portable.” Each category specifies a certain specific absorption rate (SAR) of radio frequency (RF) radiation that may be imposed on persons near the device during its operation. The “portable” designation includes devices that will operate within 20 centimeters of the body of a user of the device. Such “portable” devices must also adhere to certain total radiated power requirements. Devices in the “mobile” category, on the other hand, must operate more than 20 centimeters away from the body of a user. This category also permits higher radiated power. The higher radiated power of the “mobile” category typically features a better signal-to-noise ratio thereby permitting more effective operation in noisy environments or at greater distances from the destination transceiver. 
         [0005]    Conventional wireless communication devices that are used in conjunction with a personal computer are typically integrated into the computer itself, or plug directly into the computer using, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. Because such USB wireless communication devices may be used with a laptop computer, and therefore operate within 20 centimeters of the user of the laptop, these types of devices must generally adhere to the “portable” regulation limits. 
         [0006]    Unfortunately, using integrated devices and USB plug-in devices limit the total power that may be radiated by the wireless communication device thus limiting its effectiveness in environments with a lot of ambient RF noise or where the device is located at some distance from its associated receiver. There is therefore a need for a device that would permit “portable” wireless communication devices to operate with higher power and/or sensitivity. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of a laptop computer attached to a wireless communication device docking station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a wireless communication docking device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 3-5  depict a docking sequence for the docking a wireless communication device with the second embodiment of the docking device as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict alternative means for mechanically engaging a wireless communication device with the docking station of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of a wireless communication device docking system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the docking station in accordance with an alternative embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the docking station of  FIG. 11  with a replacement front panel cover. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of the docking station with certain portions removed to illustrate internal structural features of the docking station. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a computing device  102 , such as a laptop computer, attached to a wireless communication device docking station  100  according to an embodiment. The docking station  100  may connect to the computing device  102  through, for example, a USB cable  104 . Other wire or cable-based interfaces, such as Ethernet, Firewire, IEEE 488, and the like, are also within the scope of the present disclosure. Likewise, the scope of the present disclosure includes wireless interfaces such as, for example, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, optical connections, and the like. Embodiments of the docking station  100  will now be discussed in more detail. 
         [0016]    The examples presented herein illustrate the docking station  100  adapted to receive and retain a conventional wireless device  110 , such as a radio frequency (RF) adapter shown in  FIG. 2 , designed to plug into a USB port of a computing device. In the examples illustrated herein, the wireless device  110  has a USB connector  112 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the wireless device  110  would have a different connector if implemented using a different interface, such as a Firewire connection. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  depicts the docking station  100  according to one embodiment. The docking station  100  includes a base  120 , a body  122 , and a docking cradle  124 . The docking station  100  is coupled to an external computing device (e.g. the computing device  102  of  FIG. 1 ) via the cable  104 . The docking station  100  includes RF connector ports  126  in the rear wall of the docking cradle  124 , and a USB connector  128  as is described in greater detail below. 
         [0018]    The electrical and mechanical coupling of the wireless device  110  to the docking station  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . 
         [0019]    The USB connector  112  of the wireless device  110  is rotatably connected to the wireless device such that the wireless device may pivot up and down relative to the USB connector. The wireless device  110  may be connected to the docking station  100  by first inserting the USB connector  112  of the wireless device  110  into the mating USB connector  128  of the docking station  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Once the USB connection is established, the wireless device  110  may be pivoted, as shown in  FIG. 4 , into its final position as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0020]    Alternatively, the USB connector  128  (or other connector type) of the docking station  100  may be pivotally mounted to the docking station at the bottom of the docking cradle  124 . In this embodiment, the USB connector  128  may swing outward slightly from the docking station  100  to permit the connection of the USB connector  112  of the wireless device  110 . Once the connection is made, the user presses the wireless device  110  into the cradle  124 . As the wireless device  110  is pressed into position within the cradle  124 , the USB connector  128  on the docking station  100  swivels to maintain its connection with the USB connector  112  on the wireless device  110 . 
         [0021]    Although the mechanical coupling of the wireless device  110  to the docking station  100  may rely entirely on the mechanical retention provided by the USB connectors  112  and  128 , the docking station  100  may supplement this retention by other means. For example, the docking cradle  124  may be sized to engage with and frictionally retain the wireless device  110 . 
         [0022]    Alternative means for mechanical retention of the wireless device  110  within the docking cradle  124  are depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , as described below.  FIG. 6  depicts a mechanical retention mechanism  140  for holding the wireless device  110  within the docking cradle  124 . A single recess  142  may be formed in the topmost portion of the wireless device  110 . A corresponding finger  144  is positioned in the upper portion of the docking cradle  124  to mate and engage with the recess  142  and thereby mechanically secure the wireless device  110  to the docking cradle  124 . Alternatively, one or more recesses and corresponding fingers (not shown) me be positioned along the sides of the wireless device  110  and docking cradle  124 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows yet another alternative means of mechanically retaining a wireless device  110  within the docking cradle  124 . Instead of recesses  142  and fingers  144 , a magnet  146  may be placed in a rearmost portion of the docking cradle  124  so as to attract a corresponding magnet or ferrous material  148  placed within the wireless device  110 . 
         [0024]    In addition to the mechanical engagement of the wireless device  110  to the docking station  100 , the docking cradle  124  also provides an electrical connection between the docking station  100  and the wireless device  110 . The connection between the USB connector  112  on the wireless device  110  and the mating USB connector  128  on the docking station  100  provides both an electrical and a mechanical connection between the wireless device and the docking station. In addition, as previously noted, the RF connector ports  126  are positioned in the rear wall of the docking cradle  124 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4  and  FIG. 7 . The wireless device  110  includes a pair of corresponding RF connection points  132  (see  FIG. 9 ) that connect with the docking station  100  when the wireless device is inserted into the docking cradle  124 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 8 and 9  depict electrically conductive RF signal pins  130  and the RF connector ports  126  of the docking station  100  in more detail.  FIG. 8  shows the docking cradle  124  without the wireless device  110  in place to show the RF signal pins  130  more clearly. The RF signal pins  130  are mounted to the body  122  and extend through the RF connector ports  126  on the docking cradle  124  to make electrical contact with corresponding RF connection points  132  (see  FIG. 9 ) on the wireless device  110  when the wireless device is in the retention position within the docking cradle  124 . When the wireless device  110  is in the insertion position (see  FIG. 4 ), the RF pins  130  are withdrawn from the RF connector ports  126  to allow the wireless device  110  to pivot outward for insertion and/or removal. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the RF signal pins  130  may be resiliently attached to the body  122  by springs or other resilient members such that the RF signal pins are urged forward into electrical contact with corresponding RF connector points  132  on the wireless device  110 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Springs or similar elements may be used to help urge the RF signal pins  130  into contact with the wireless device  110 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the RF signal pins  130  are in physical contact with the RF connector ports  126  when the wireless device  110  is in the retention position within the docking cradle  124 . In this embodiment, the RF connector ports  126  are also electrically conductive. When the wireless device  110  is in the retention position within the docking cradle  124 , both the RF connector ports  126  and the RF signal pins  130  make electrical connections with the wireless device  110 . Alternatively, the RF connector ports  126  may simply be one or more apertures through the rear wall of the docking cradle  124  to permit the RF signal pins  130  to pass through without any electrical connection between the RF signal pins in the RF connector ports. Alternatively, the RF connector ports  126  may simply be one or more apertures through the rear wall of the docking cradle  124  to permit the RF signal pins  130  to pass through without any physical or electrical connection between the RF signal pins in the RF connector ports. 
         [0028]    Returning again to  FIGS. 3-5 , the process of inserting the wireless device  110  into the docking cradle  124  also establishes an electrical connection between the RF connector points  132  (see  FIG. 9 ) on the wireless device  110  and the RF signal pins  130  and/or the RF connector ports  126  in the docking cradle  124  of the docking station  100 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , the mechanical and electrical connection is established between the USB connector  112  on the wireless device  110  and the mating USB connector  128  in the docking cradle  124  of the docking station  100 . As the wireless device  110  is rotated into the insertion position, illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the electrical connection is established between the RF signal pins  130  of the docking station  100  and the RF connection points  132  on the wireless device  110 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the docking station  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. The docking station  100  is coupled to the computing device  102 . The wireless device  110  is mechanically and electrically coupled to the docking cradle  124  in a manner described above. Contained within the docking station  100  is an antenna  150 . The docking station  100  may also optionally include an amplifier  152 , communication logic  154  and/or an external AC power adapter  156 . The addition of the antenna  150  and optional RF amplifier  152  provide greater signal strength, as described in greater detail below. 
         [0030]    The wireless device  110  may be, for example, a cellular telephone, a wireless USB modem or other wireless device. When the wireless device  110  is present in the docking station  100 , the wireless device is electrically coupled to the docking station in at least two ways. 
         [0031]    First, the wireless device  110  is coupled to the computing device  102  via the docking station  100 . The electrical coupling to the may be accomplished in a number of ways such as, for example, via the USB cable  104  as described above. However, other means of connection and communication are possible. For example, the docking station  100  may be coupled to the computing device  102  via a wired or wireless network connection such as Ethernet or with an optical or infrared communication link. Such a configuration would typically require the communication logic  154  for managing the communication protocols and/or translating the information between various formats. 
         [0032]    Second, the wireless device  110  is coupled to the docking station  100  via suitable RF connectors (e.g., the RF connector ports  126 , the RF signal pins  130 , and the RF connection points  132 ) that pass the transmitted radio frequency energy from the wireless device  110  to the docking station  100 . This RF energy may be passed directly to the antenna  150  to radiate the RF energy to the receiving station. The antenna  150  may be virtually any form of antenna or multiple antennas as is known in the art. For example, the antenna  150  may be any of a fractional wavelength dipole, a slotted or other type of waveguide, a multiple element yagi, or other suitable antenna as is known in the art. The use of a high gain antenna may be advantageous in certain embodiments because such an antenna typically improves the signal-to-noise ratio without requiring a higher transmitter power. Maintaining low transmitter power may be desirable in order to conserve power in the docking station  100  itself and for overall power management in a communication system. Likewise, some embodiments of the invention may use multiple antennas such as multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) antennas as is likewise known in the art. 
         [0033]    The RF energy passed from the wireless device  110  may optionally be amplified by the RF amplifier  152 . This permits the radiated signal to have much higher transmit power than would be permitted if the wireless device  110  were operating in accordance with the power limitations of the “portable” category and thereby increasing the signal-to-noise ratio as described above. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that certain other embodiments may use both a high gain antenna in conjunction with the RF amplifier  152 . 
         [0034]    As will be understood by one of ordinary skill, the antenna  150  likewise serves the function of receiving RF signals and passing them to the receiver of the wireless device  110 . If the RF amplifier  152  is included, it may serve as a form of preamplifier for the receiver of the wireless device  110 . 
         [0035]    The wireless device  110  and the communication logic  154  and RF amplifier  152 , if present, may all derive power from the computing device  102  in certain embodiments. For example, if the docking station  100  is connected to the computing device  102  via the USB cable  104 , electrical power may be provided by the computing device  102  via the USB cable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the USB standards provide for relatively low current output. If the docking station  100  is connected to the computing device  102  in some other manner, or if the power requirements of the docking station  100  exceed the power that the computing device  102  is capable of providing via the USB cable  104 , it may be necessary to use the external AC adapter  156  or other power source for providing power to the components of the docking system  700 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the docking station  100  may be implemented in a form to accommodate various communications standards, such as GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, WiMAX, and the like. The elements described herein, such as the antenna  150  and the RF amplifier  152  are designed to meet the operational requirements of the selected communication standard. The docking station  100  is not limited to any particular form of wideband wireless network communication. 
         [0036]    Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the docking station  100  may be implemented in a variety of packaging options. For example, the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6  illustrates an aperture  160  in the docking station  100  to conveniently form a handle  162 . The handle  162  may be used to carry the docking station  100  or to position it for optimal signal quality. Alternatively,  FIG. 11  illustrates the docking station  100  with an interchangeable front panel  170  mounted to a base  172 . The base  172  may include one or more cutouts  174  used for cable management. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the cutout  174  is provided on the right side portion of the base  172 . In addition, the base  172  may include cutouts  174  (not shown) in the back portion of the base and on the left side of the base to allow greater flexibility in positioning the cable  104  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0037]      FIG. 12  illustrates the docking station  100  with a different design for the front panel  170 . This may conveniently allow the user to select from a variety of color and/or texture options for the front panel  170 . 
         [0038]    In yet another embodiment, the docking station  100  may be detachably coupled to the base  172 . In this option, the docking station  100  may include one or more suction cups (not shown) coupled to the back of the docking station. This may conveniently allow the docking station to be attached, via the suction cups, to a window to permit improved reception. In yet another alternative, the suction cups (not shown) may be coupled to a mounting bracket (not shown) that attaches to the back of the docking station  100 . In this embodiment, the docking station  100  may be supported in a window-mount configuration by hooks or tabs (not shown) projecting from the back of the docking station  100  that hang on the brackets coupled to the window via the suction cups. This may conveniently allow the docking station  100  to be moved simply by removing it form the brackets. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 13-15  illustrate yet another embodiment of the docking station  100  as well as illustrating the mounting of certain internal components. As illustrated in  FIGS. 11-12 , the front panel  170  may be interchangeable.  FIG. 13  illustrates the docking station  100  with the selected front panel  170  from  FIG. 11 . 
         [0040]    In  FIG. 14 , the front panel  170  has been removed to expose a protective cover  176 . This better illustrates the RF connector ports  126 , which are coupled to the docking station  100  via a connector mounting bracket  178 . 
         [0041]    Also illustrated in  FIG. 14  is a USB mounting bracket  180 . As discussed above, the wireless device  110 , in one embodiment, is coupled to the docking station  100  via a USB connector (e.g., the USB connector  112  on the wireless device  110  and the mating USB connector  128  on the docking station  100 ). In one embodiment, the USB connector  112  on the wireless device  110  rotates as the wireless device is inserted into the docking station  100 , in the manner illustrated in  FIGS. 3-5 . Alternatively, the USB mounting bracket  180  may be rotatably coupled to the docking station  100  so that it can swivel outward to receive the wireless device  110 . 
         [0042]    In  FIG. 15 , the protective cover  176  has been removed to further illustrate structural details of the docking station  100 . The antenna  150  is illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The RF connector ports  126  are coupled to the antenna  150  via antenna cables  182 . In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna  150  comprises two antenna elements of a MIMO antenna. MIMO antenna design is well known in the art and need not be described in greater detail herein. However, the size and relative positioning of the elements in the antenna  150  are configured for optimal operation at the selected radio frequencies. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other antenna designed may be used to implement the antenna  150 . The docking station  100  is not limited by the specific implementation of the antenna  150 . 
         [0043]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 13-15 , the docking station  100  may be removably coupled to the base  172 . As previously discussed, the docking station  100  may include one or more suction cups (not shown) to permit the docking station to be mounted to a surface, such as a window, for improved reception. Alternatively, the suction cups (not shown) may be coupled to a mounting bracket (not shown). In turn, the docking station  100  may be removably attached to the brackets such that the brackets and suction cups may remain attached to the window. The docking station  100  is simply hung on the brackets when desired. 
         [0044]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other implementations and structural variations of the docking station may be employed utilizing the teachings contained herein. The docking station is not limited to the specific mechanical implementations illustrated herein. 
         [0045]    The foregoing described embodiments depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. 
         [0046]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). 
         [0047]    Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.