Mobile electronic device with a camera ring serving as an antenna

The invention relates to a mobile electronic device, and in particular, to a mobile electronic device with a camera ring serving as an antenna. A mobile electronic device comprises an RF module, a camera lens, and a camera ring. The RF module disposed inside of the mobile electronic device is utilized to process an RF signal. The camera ring disposed on a peripheral of the camera lens and connected with the RF module is utilized to transmit or receive the RF signal to the RF module.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mobile electronic device, and in particular, to a mobile electronic device with a camera ring serving as an antenna.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the development of the IT industry and the digital home, mobile electronic devices are more and more popular. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) for example, have more and more functionality (e.g. internet, GPS . . . ). From the above description, an antenna utilized to transmit or receive an RF signal has become a key component for mobile electronic devices.

A prior art of the mobile electronic device utilizes a chip antenna, which is disposed on a Printed circuit board (PCB), to transmit or receive RF signals and utilizes an RF module to process the RF signal. However, the antenna efficiency and the bandwidth of the chip antenna are poor due to the limitations of the higher dielectric constant medium and the buried antenna pattern. Additionally, complicated processing (e.g. Low-Temperature co-fired ceramics, LTCC) incurs a higher cost.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The mobile electronic device comprises an RF module, a camera lens, and a camera ring. The RF module disposed inside the mobile electronic device is utilized to process an RF signal. The camera ring disposed on a peripheral of the camera lens and connected with the RF module is utilized to transmit or receive the RF signal to the RF module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

A detailed description of the present invention is provided as follows. Please refer toFIG. 1.FIG. 1shows a front view diagram of a mobile electronic device100according to an embodiment of the invention. The mobile electronic device100comprises a camera lens110, a camera ring120, and an RF module130. As shown inFIG. 1, the camera lens110and the camera ring120is disposed on a housing of the mobile electronic device100. The RF module130is disposed on inside of the mobile electronic device100. The camera lens110is utilized in taking photographs. The camera ring120besides providing decoration for the camera lens110is utilized to connect to the RF module130to transmit an RF signal or receive an RF signal from the RF module130. The RF module130is utilized to process the RF signal from the camera ring120. A detailed description of the camera ring120is provided as follows.

The camera ring120is made of metal materials having a ring type antenna radiator like a donut shape, the inner diameter of which is determined according to the size of the camera lens110and the outer diameter is determined according to an operational frequency of the ring type antenna radiator. For example, if the operational frequency is 2.4 GHz (e.g. WLAN or Bluetooth), the outer diameter can be calculated to be about 12 mm˜14 mm. If the operational frequency is 1.575 GHz (e.g. Global Positioning System, GPS), the outer diameter can be calculated to be about 17 mm. Please note that the outer diameter is only for coarse tuning of the operational frequency, while the fine tuning of the operational frequency is processed in a matching circuit (not shown) of the RF module130. The inner diameter can be determined to be equal to the diameter of the camera lens110(e.g. 6 mm). A detailed description of the connection between the camera ring120and the RF module130is provided as follows.

Please refer toFIG. 2.FIG. 2shows a perspective view diagram of a mobile electronic device100according to an embodiment of the invention. The RF module130comprises a feeding point132and a transmission line (e.g. microstrip)134. The camera ring120comprises a feeding pin122. The connection between the camera ring120and the RF module130utilizes the feeding pin122to connect the feeding point132to transmit or receive the RF signal to the transmission line134. Please note that the height of the feeding pin is a predetermined value (e.g. 7.5 mm) to maintain a fixed distance between the camera ring120and the RF module130, in order to obtain a better antenna gain and radiation pattern. The radiation pattern is critical for receiving or transmitting signals. Additionally, a distance between the center of the camera ring120and the RF module130is also a predetermined value (e.g. 15 mm in x-direction, 25 mm in y-direction) to obtain a better performance. A detailed description of fabrication is provided as follows.

Please refer toFIG. 3.FIG. 3shows a schematic diagram of fabrication of the camera ring120. As shown inFIG. 3, a connecter140connected to the RF module130by Surface Mount Device (SMD) technology is utilized to assist the feeding pin122in fixing on the feeding point132. In other words, the feeding pin.122can be connected to the feeding point132by easily inserting the feeding pin into the hole of the connecter140rather than welding. Additional antenna holders are also not necessary. This kind of fabrication not only simplifies fabrication but also reduces cost. Hence, the above-mentioned simple method of fixing the camera ring can increase the reliability and simplify the processing procedure.

Compared with the related chip antenna, the mobile electronic device has a better antenna efficiency and bandwidth since the dielectric constant medium is air. Additionally, the processing of the camera ring serving as an antenna is simple, and the cost is reduced. The novel design of combining the antenna functionality with the camera ring is not only decorative but also reduces occupied space on the PCB.