Wireless Telephone Coupled Antenna

An auxiliary antenna for a RF communicating computing device such as a smartphone or pad computer or laptop computer, is provided for enhancement of the RF transmit and receive capabilities of the computing device. The antenna is engaged using mutual coupling of the antenna to an input point or feed line or antenna element of the computing device by registered placement on or adjacent an exterior surface of the computing device. The registered engagement can be provided by inclusion of the auxiliary antenna in a protective or decorative surrounding case, or use of an applicable antenna on a dialectic and a pattern configured to only engage the proper surface of the computing device.

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

Now referring to drawings inFIGS. 1-11, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen inFIG. 1the antenna device10intended for a symbiotic coupling to a cellular telephone for improving transmission and reception characteristics. This coupling is best achieved by first using RF or other sensing means such as an anechoic chamber to ascertain the ideal coupling point on the smartphone or pad or similar device, so the feedpoint or capacitive match18on the antenna is positioned on the protective casing in a registered engagement with the feedpoint, to maximize both signal gain on reception, but especially signal gain on transmission since the phone, pad, or other smart device usually has a much lower transmission signal strength than for example a cell tower.

This feed point has been found to frequently be a perpendicular line normal to a center point where the factory or OEM antenna has a connection on the motherboard or circuit board inside the phone. However, it can also be adjacent a point along the length of the factory antenna. During the determination of a feedpoint for registration with the attached antenna, a visual determination of the OEM antenna connection point may be carried out, and an inline positioning of the feed point the anechoic chamber to ascertain the ideal coupling point on the smartphone or pad or similar device, so the feedpoint or capacitive patch18is determined as a registered position for the position of the capacitive patch18upon the case or casing to be engaged. Thereafter testing in an anechoic chamber or the like is carried out to determine broadcast and reception patterns relative to this registered positioning and a fine tuning of the portioning of the feed point to capacitive patch18is carried out.

Also once the registered position for the capacitive patch18is determined, the antenna is tested for distance of the capacitive patch from the feedpoint on the smart device through the plastic or polymeric material having a dielectric constant substantially the same as that which will form the engaged case or casing upon the smart device such as a smartphone or pad computer. Again, such testing may be done on an antenna range, however the preferred mode is using an anechoic chamber due to the low transmit power of the smart devices and high amount of noise on an outside range. With the distance of separation determined, the registered positioning of the capacitive patch18with the engaged smart device for both alignment with the factory circuit board and distance of separation therefrom within or on the plastic or polymeric material providing the mount.

The auxiliary antenna device10itself is formed on a substrate12which as noted is non conductive and may be constructed of either a rigid or flexible material such as, MYLAR, fiberglass, REXLITE, polystyrene, polyamide, TEFLON fiberglass, or any other such material which would be suitable for the purpose intended. During formation, a first surface14is coated with a conductive material16by microstrip-line or the like or other metal and substrate construction well known in this art.

Any means for affixing the conductive material16to the substrate12is acceptable to practice this invention. The conductive material16as for example, include but are not limited to aluminum, copper, silver, gold, platinum or any other electrical conductive material which is suitable for the purpose intended. As shown inFIG. 1the surface conductive material16on first surface14is coated to form the capacitive patch18, feed line20, and meander line type radiator element22.

On the opposite surface24of the substrate12shown inFIG. 2, a ground plane26extends the area between the capacitive patch18and the radiator element22and at least covering the area of the feed line20of the first surface14of the device10.FIG. 3shows again the front surface14of the device10better depicting the location of the ground plane26of the opposite surface32in dashed lines. The ground plane26is provided as a type of interference shield, to block any interference with the signal traveling down the feed line20. This is described in more detail shortly below.

FIG. 4-FIG.7show views of other particularly preferred modes of the device10depicting various examples of alternative configurations of the radiator element and capacitive patch18. It is firstly noted that those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration, size, and other aspects of the capacitive patch18, feed line20, and radiator element can be of the designers choice for fine tuning the device10for a specific use and to maximize gain for both transmission and reception as noted above during testing. As such the following examples are provided as merely possible alternatively preferred configurations and should not be considered limiting. Additional modifications, changes, and alterations recognized by those skilled in the art can be made within the scope of this invention, and are anticipated.

FIG. 4shows another preferred configuration using a meander line type radiator element30. It is noted that radiator element of the antenna device10can be of any type suitable for the intended purpose and should not be considered limited by the depictions. However, because of the disclosed meander line radiator elements30performs so well and across the desired bandwidth, the current modes of the radiator elements as depicted in the figures herein, is especially preferred.

Of course those skilled in the art will realize that the size and shape of the segments in the used meander line may be adjusted to increase gain in certain frequencies by lengthening or shortening such, or for other reasons known to the skilled, and any and all such changes or alterations of the depicted radiator element as would occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure are anticipated within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 5shows a mode of the device10employing a smaller sized capacitive patch38, compared to that ofFIG. 1. This may be preferred for the tuning purposes in a particular application. Also shown is an alternatively preferred meander line radiator element32.

FIG. 6shows yet another mode of the meander line radiator element34, also showing a substantially square capacitive patch40. Again, those skilled in the art will realize that the size and shape of the capacitive may be adjusted for tuning the device to certain frequencies or for other reasons known to the skilled, and any and all such changes or alterations of the depicted patches as would occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure are anticipated within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 7show still yet another mode of the radiator element36, as well as a preferred elongated substantially rectangular patch42.

The device10engages with the smart device such as a smartphone or pad computer by a symbiotic coupling to the existing antenna, or the feed of such, to the internal cellular telephone or broadcast component. Such components are usually stationed within the casing of a smart phone or the like. So positioned in the noted registered engagement position on the exterior case or casing, the device10improve antenna reception and transmission without a direct contact using mutual coupling.

In use, the mutual coupling of the radiator element of the antenna device10with a smart device such as a smartphone, pad computer, or cellular telephone, or other wireless device, is accomplished by the noted registered positioning of the capacitive patch18portion at or near the location of the transmit and receive signal feed, or pickup-point of the wireless enabled device, to achieves a symbiotic or mutual coupling with the signal feedpoint of the phone or wireless enabled device.

As such, the radiator element22is now coupled to provide a means for enhanced transmission and reception of RF signals to and from the phone or wireless enabled device. Selection and tuning of the antenna device10, as noted, is accomplished by probing the phone at various locations using various configurations using RF sensing electronic equipment such as an anechoic chamber to find the optimum coupling point, and thereafter endeavoring to engage the device10in a registered positioning with the case or casing that is to engage the smartphone or smart device. Once the optimum point is established, the radiator element22can also be selectively optimized and tuned to the desired frequency band, and enabled with the proper sized coupling patch18and feed line20which are two components which provide means for adjustment of the performance of the device10by adjusting the area or size of the patch18and length of the feed line20, to enhance the broadcast and receive RF signals.

As shown inFIG. 8, additional tuning of the device10is provided by the spacing of the device10a distance ‘Z’ from the case covering the phone or smart device. This may be selectively chosen for further optimization and fine tuning. Preferably, the height or spacing ‘Z’ of the capacitive patch18of the device from the phone100, is in the range of 0.005 and 0.5 inches, however can vary depending on parameters determined by the designer and chamber testing and the dialectic constant of the material forming the intended protective or decorative case in which the device10is positioned in the registered engagement to maximize antenna coupling. This spacing is preferably accomplished through the employment of a dielectric material for the planar section of the case44as a dialectic spacer engaged between the antenna element of the device10and the phone100antenna. InFIG. 8ais shown the case44formed as a cover for the phone100and having an interior cavity adapted to align the phone100antenna with the auxiliary antenna element of the device10such as those inFIGS. 1-7.

In the preferred as-used mode ofFIG. 9, the operative employment of the device10for engagement with a cellular telephone type smart phone, or other wireless-enabled device such as a pad computer or laptop computer, is provided by a surrounding planar cover44area in a planar covering section or as a surrounding protective or decorative case as inFIG. 8a. The planar cover44or case is engageable in a registered position over the side surface of the existing electronic device so as to position the coupling patch38over the prime feedpoint of the interior antenna for the phone100.

In use, the antenna device10of present invention is pre-tuned for RF communication and mutual coupling with a specific electronic device, such as an IPHONE, and the registered engagement in the optimum location and orientation which is also predetermined, as mentioned above, and the device10engaged with the protective of decorative case which is formed to easily achieve a registered engagement once mounted and optimum coupled antenna engagement.

In use, where not actually engaged to or within the case44material, the device10having a substrate12with the desired antenna element thereon, may be pulled from a kit or package, and the device10is then registered in an engagement to the case44or cover in a position corresponding to the specified optimum location for antenna coupling when engaged to the phone, such that, the user simply engages the cover or case44onto their phone, and the patch18or38providing the means for coupled engagement with the interior antenna feed is operatively registered for an engagement at the optimum location for a coupling to the existing feed or radiation-point of the phone. The shape, size, and configuration of the case44may be adapted to allow for easy achievement of this registered engagement.

The device10as shown inFIG. 11may be provided with a paper or plastic pattern49, for temporary engagement with the smart device by the user. The pattern49is formed to engage on or with a single surface of an RF communicating commuting device such as a specific smartphone, pad computer, or other device where the antenna device10is to be engaged. The pattern is formed to only engage the intended smartphone or pad computer or other device, in a fixed or registered position, on only one surface of multiple surfaces, to provide a means for identifying or marking the target spot53for positioning of the patch18when the device10is engaged to achieve a registered engagement. In the registered engagement, the positioning of the patch18at the identified target position on the side surface, will achieve the antenna coupling required for the antenna device10to enhance reception and transmission of the RF communicating computing device. As noted, axial alignment shown in dotted line inFIG. 9andFIG. 11, for the antenna device10for installation, can be provided using a cut-out or aperture in the pattern49, such as inside the dotted line, contouring of the pattern49in three dimensions, or indicia on the pattern49, showing the proper axial alignment and alignment with the single surface intended. Thus both the axial alignment and registered engagement can be provided by the pattern49using one or a combination of indica on the pattern49, contouring of the pattern49, or apertures formed in the pattern49.

The patterns49are determined by pretesting models of smartphones, cellphones, pad computers and the like, to determine the optimum positioning of the patch18of the device. The patterns49would be cut to only engage in one manner, with the target smart device, by a contouring or shaping or providing folding tabs51or the like, as means for registering the pattern49, to only engage in one fashion with one exterior surface, of the intended device for mounting of the device10. A target area53for marking, or, a cut out along the interior of the pattern, will be provided to allow the user to easily ascertain the correct positionings of the patch18to achieve the coupling of the antenna device10to the smartphone or pad computer or laptop.

Still further, as can also be seen in theFIG. 9, the case or cover44can be fitted with a plurality of antenna devices10, each configured for different RF communication, such as cellular, wifi, bluetooth, high gain, wideband, and so forth. Each capacitive or coupling patch18, and38will be operatively positioned in on substrate12to achieve a registered engagement to optimally couple the interior phone antenna feed to the antenna on a planar or surrounding case44which is optimized for the specified frequency band, such that all the user must do is engage the planar or surrounding case44to their phone.

Therefor, the user is provided with a simple yet novel means to improve transmission and reception capabilities of their smart phone or other electronic device across a plurality of frequency bands. Further, engagement using provided means for registered engagement insures performance will be maximized.

In additional preferred modes of the invention shown inFIG. 10, the device10, whether on a planar case44or planar section of a surrounding planar case44additionally may include a low noise amplifier (LNA)46for amplifying the electronic signal from the antenna element22, such as the depicted meander line radiator element, before the signal reaches the coupling component or patch18providing the coupling to the phone's interior antenna or feed. The LNA46preferably communicates between the radiator element22and feed line22to increase the received signal and minimize noise.

A ground plane45is preferably positioned above the feed line area in-between the feed line and exterior of the phone100, to eliminate a coupling to the user's hand when holding the phone. This ground plane45provides a means to minimize interference caused by the user's body and especially hand, with the unamplified signal.

It is noted that the provision of an LNA46can be employed for any mode of and configuration of the device10herein, and should not be considered limited by the depiction. The LNA46is preferably powered by an onboard means for electrical power generation50coupled with a power storage battery48. The electrical generating means can be one or a combination of a thermoelectric generator, configured to engage a portion of the wireless device which radiates heat, a piezoelectric generator which generates electrical current during movements of the phone by the user, a solar cell, or other means to generate the electrical current sufficient to charge the onboard battery48which will run the small microprocessor handling antenna switching and beam steering as well as a low noise amplifier LNA46. Further the battery48can be any battery known in the art suitable for the intended purpose and could also have a connection with the internal battery of the phone to power the LNA46and/or microprocessor and switching.

In yet another preferred mode, device10is providable to the user in a kit, comprising one or a plurality of cases44and one or a plurality of removably engageable antenna elements22configured for varying types of reception such as data, voice, video, television, and even satellite with the correct configuration of antenna element. The pattern49customized for the intended smartphone, pad computer, or other device for which the antenna elements22of the antenna device10herein are to be engaged, and be provided if the devices10are to simply be engaged to the outside covering of the smart phone or pad computer or the like.

Also in this mode, a case10or cases may be adapted for a cooperative, operative registered engagement with the board carrying the antenna element22for the intended broadcast or reception. For instance a user in the outskirts of a city where reception is sparse may wish to engage a high gain antenna to try and enhance signal. Conversely a user in the city where signals are strong and plentiful, may wish to engage an antenna element22configured for a broader footprint for reception to give them more broadcast point options, or, an antenna element22which is wideband and configured for both cellular and Wifi communications to enhance both.

In use, the antenna elements22will be available in a kit featuring a plurality of elements22having configurations adapted to enhance a band, reception area, gain, enhanced frequency range, and the like, such as those inFIGS. 1-7. From the kit, the user then can selectively engage the desired antenna element22to the case44for a desired frequency band or RF communication enhancement. The case44may include indicia designating registration markings52for showing the user the correct location and orientation of the antenna element22, to properly position the coupling patch18or38for proper coupled engagement of the phone interior antenna to the antenna element22of choice. The indicia might also be a recess, in the cover, or a pocket for insertion of the antenna element22and surrounding dialectic planar surface. The axial alignment can be shown by a drawing of the device10or a cut-out in the pattern49(FIG. 11). Thus, should new uses become available for a smartphone by a firmware or circuit upgrade, such as broadcast television, the user can engage the antenna element22to the case44which is adapted for such registered operative engagement and enjoy the new service.

In all modes herein, the device10may be provided to users as a do-it-yourself component, where the appropriate configured antenna device10is provided with the appropriate pattern49which is configured to provide a target position for the coupling component or capacitive patch18to place the device10in a registered engagement with the smartphone or pad computer or other device to which the pattern49is specifically configured. The pattern49and the antenna device10would be configured for the specific smartphone or pad computer or the like, and provided to the user with appropriate instructions to mate the pattern49to the single side of the intended device for which it is configured to align. When so mated, to mark or otherwise identify the target position for the patch18acting as the antenna coupling component, along the proper noted axial alignment for the device10. Finally, to engage the antenna device10with the patch18or coupling component, positioned upon the target position and with the device10axial alignment correctly placed as identified on the pattern49. Engagement can be by adhesive such as a peel and stick type adhesive back.