Abstract:
An antenna with a loop portion that arches away from the body of the mobile wireless communication device. The loop portion is connected to the mobile wireless communication device at one end and detachably connected or grounded to the mobile wireless communication device at the other end. An antenna that arches away from the body of a phone, but connects at both ends to the body of the phone has improved performance over an internal antenna, and yet retains the advantages of an internal antenna. Further, if the antenna is detachably connected to the phone at one end, then either better performance can be achieved if the antenna can be moved further away from the body of the phone, or the antenna can be used as a latch to attach the phone to slender objects.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates generally to wireless communications and more particularly to systems and methods for antenna functionality and performance.  
         [0003]     2. Background  
         [0004]     Consumers are demanding smaller and smaller mobile wireless communication devices, such as, for example, cell phones. One component of the demand for smaller and smaller wireless communication devices is a preference for internal antennas. External antennas typically have better performance, partially because the antenna can typically be positioned away from the other electronic components of the wireless communication device and away from the user&#39;s body. But external antennas are often bulky, tend to catch on clothing and other personal items and are commonly considered cosmetically less pleasing by many consumers. Thus, there is a great demand for internal antennas, and yet the antenna performance should not be sacrificed compared to external antennas.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In order to overcome the problems associated with conventional mobile wireless communication device antennas, an antenna with a loop portion that arches away from the body of the device is provided. The loop portion is connected to the mobile wireless communication device at one end and detachably connected to the mobile wireless communication device or grounded at the other end.  
         [0006]     An antenna that arches away from the body of a phone, but connects at both ends to the body of the phone has improved performance over an internal antenna, and yet retains the advantages of an internal antenna. Further, if the antenna is detachably connected to the phone at one end, then either better performance can be achieved if the antenna can be moved further away from the body of the phone, or the antenna can be used as a latch to attach the phone to slender objects, such as, for example, a belt loop.  
         [0007]     Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following Detailed Description, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Preferred embodiments of the present inventions taught herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a rear view of a mobile wireless communication device with a detachable hook antenna in a closed position.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a rear view of the mobile wireless communication device of  FIG. 1 , with the antenna in an open position.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the mobile wireless communication device of  FIG. 1 , with the antenna in a closed position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the mobile wireless communication device of  FIG. 1 , with the antenna in an open position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the mobile wireless communication device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a rear view of an alternate mobile wireless communication device, with an antenna latch in a closed position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  illustrates a rear view of the mobile wireless communication device of  FIG. 6 , with the antenna latch in an open position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  illustrates an expanded partial view of the mobile wireless communication device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a plan view of a printed meander radiator for use with the mobile wireless communication devices shown with respect to  FIGS. 1-8 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an alternate printed meander radiator for use with the mobile wireless communication devices shown with respect to  FIGS. 1-8 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a rear view of a mobile wireless communication device, with an antenna having a feed point and a ground connection. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a rear view of a mobile wireless communication device, such as a cell phone, or mobile handset  102 . The mobile handset  102  has an antenna  104  connected to the handset  102 . The antenna  104  includes a first connecting portion  106 , a loop portion  108  and a second connecting portion  110 . The second connecting portion is detachably connectable to the handset  102 , as will be described more fully below with respect to  FIG. 2 . A hinge  112  connects the first connecting portion to the mobile handset  102 .  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , mobile handset  102  is shown with antenna  104  in an open position. As shown by arrow  115 , antenna  104  has been rotated away from mobile handset  102 . Second antenna connecting portion  110  is connected to first latch connecting portion  120 . A second latch connecting portion (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) is internal to handset  102  and mates to first latch connecting portion  120  when antenna  104  is in a closed position, as shown with respect to  FIG. 1 . A button  123  can be depressed to release antenna  104 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of mobile handset  102 . Mobile handset  102  has a back plane, as shown by dashed line  126 . Antenna  104  generally forms an antenna plane, as shown by dashed line  129 . Back plane  126  and antenna plane  129  are separated by angle θ. Angle θ may be zero to eight degrees, or more specifically, seven to eight degrees. Tilting antenna  104  at angle θ away from mobile handset  102  helps keep antenna  104  away from a user (not shown) when mobile handset is in use.  
         [0023]     Mobile handset  102  includes first housing portion  132  and second housing portion  135 . Hinge  138  connects first housing portion  132  to second housing portion  135  and provides for rotation between first and second housing portions  132  and  135 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , first and second housing portions  132  and  135  are rotated together in what is known as a closed configuration. As shown, mobile handset  102  is what is commonly known as a flip phone, or clamshell phone. Alternatively, first housing portion  132  and second housing portion  135  could swivel with respect to each other to open.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of mobile handset  102  in an open configuration. Second housing portion  135  has been rotated with respect to first housing portion  132 , as shown by arrow  141 . Second handset portion  135  has an axis of rotation with respect to first handset portion  132 , in the center of hinge  138  coming out of the page, shown with respect to  FIGS. 3-4 . Antenna  104  has a different axis of rotation with respect to first handset portion  132 , in the center of hinge  112  coming out of the page, shown with respect to  FIGS. 1-2 . Since  FIGS. 1-2  are rear views and  FIGS. 3-4  are side views, the axes of rotation shown with respect to hinges  112  and  138  are not parallel. If fact, the axes of rotation are significantly skewed, and form a ninety degree angle when projected onto two parallel planes in which the respective axes of rotation lie.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of mobile handset  102  in the open configuration shown with respect to  FIG. 4 . Mobile handset  102  includes several user interface devices such as a display screen  144 , a keypad  146 , a speaker  148  and a microphone  148 . Mobile handset  102  also includes many internal components that are not shown. A transceiver is connected to antenna  104 , a processor is connected to the transceiver for modulating and demodulating the communication signals. A memory is connected to the processor for storing information needed by the mobile handset. Further, a portable power supply, such as a battery, is connected to the transceiver and to the processor for supplying power.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a mobile handset  152  similar to mobile handset  102  (described with respect to  FIGS. 1-5 ), except that mobile handset  152  has a fixed antenna  154  that is in a fixed position relative to first housing portion  132  of handset  152 . Fixed antenna  154  has caribiner latch  156 . Caribiner latch  156  has an antenna caribiner latch portion  158  and a handset caribiner latch portion  160 . The handset caribiner latch portion  160  is rotatably connected to handset  152  by caribiner latch hinge  164 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , handset caribiner latch portion  156  can be rotated inward, as shown by arrow  168 . Accordingly, handset  152  can be clipped to a thin object, such as, for example, a belt loop or a purse strap. Handset caribiner latch portion  156  can be pushed inward simply by applying pressure. That is, it is not necessary to additionally depress a button to move handset caribiner latch portion inward. Thus, handset  152  can be clipped to a thin object simply with only one hand. Alternatively, a button could be included. It could be necessary to depress the button in order to move handset caribiner latch portion  156  inward.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  shows an expanded internal view of the antenna  104  and latch  120  of handset  102 . Antenna  104  includes a wire  170 . The first wire portion is feed point  175 . A screw (not shown) connects antenna feed point  175  to a printed wire board (PWB) (not shown). The PWB is located between antenna feed point  175  and antenna feed mounting post  180 . The screw fastens antenna feed point  175  and the PWB to antenna feed mounting post  180 . Antenna feed mounting post  180  is part of first handset portion case  185 . Antenna feed point  175  could be connected to PWB by other means than a screw, which will not be discussed here.  
         [0029]     Wire  170  is formed into loading spring  188 . Loading spring  188  fits inside pivot actuator  192 . Pivot actuator  191  fits over pivot post  194 . Wire  170  is also formed into antenna radiator  200 , shown as antenna coil  200 . Antenna coil  200  is the primary source of radiation of electromagnetic signals by antenna  104 . Loading spring  188  is loaded in the direction of arrow  197 . Accordingly, loading spring  188  tends to push antenna coil  200  away from handset case  185 .  
         [0030]     Antenna coil  200  is covered by antenna sheath  203 . Antenna sheath  203  fastens to pivot actuator  191 . Pivot actuator  191  applies force from loading spring  188  to antenna sheath  203 , thereby applying force to antenna coil  200 .  
         [0031]     Antenna sheath  203  includes first latch portion  120 . First latch portion  120  is detachably connectable to handset case  185 . More specifically, first latch portion  120  is detachably connectable to second latch portion  122 . Second latch portion  120  comprises latch bar spring  206  with hole  209 . Latch bar spring  206  is connected to handset case  185  (shown not connected for clarity). When fist latch portion  120  is inserted in hole  209 , second latch portion  122  secures antenna  104  against handset case  185 .  
         [0032]     Button  123  is connected to latch bar spring for moving latch bar spring in the direction of arrow  212 . When latch bar spring  206  is moved in the direction of arrow  212 , first latch portion  120  is disengaged from hole  209 , allowing antenna  104  to move away from handset case  185  under the force of loading spring  188 .  
         [0033]     Advantageously, better antenna performance can be achieved by rotating the antenna away from the body of the handset. Even in the closed position, or, alternatively, if the antenna is fixed with respect to the handset body (as shown with respect to  FIGS. 6-7 ), antenna performance is improved because the antenna is positioned away from the handset by antenna loop portion. Yet, the advantages of an internal antenna are maintained. Further, the antenna can be used as a detachable clip for connecting to thin items, such as, for example, a belt loop or a purse strap.  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  illustrates a rear view of a wireless communication device having a loop antenna  260  fixed at both ends to handset  262 . Loop antenna  260  includes feed point  264  for connection to an antenna feed on a PWB (not shown) and ground point  266  for connection to a ground plane on a PWB (not shown). Ground point  266  may be a spring contact for connecting to the PWB. Antenna  260  also includes loop radiator  268 , shown as a loop coil radiator  268 .  
         [0035]     Alternatively, loop antenna  260  could be detachably connectable at at least one end of loop antenna  260  from handset  262 , similarly to the handsets  102  and  152 , shown with respect to  FIGS. 1-8 . However, in that case an electromechanical connection would have to be made through latch portion  120  or  158 .  
         [0036]     Mobile handset  102  is shown with respect to  FIGS. 1-7  and  11  as a flip, or clamshell, phone having two rotatable housing portions. However, an antenna with a loop portion as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-7  and  11  (and below with respect to  FIGS. 9-10 ) can be applied to a mobile handset  102  with only one housing portion. Such mobile handsets are commonly known in the industry as “candy bar phones” or “brick phones”. In that case, referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , antenna  104  would be connected to housing  132  and housing portion  135  would not be present. The LCD  144  and speaker  148  (referring to  FIG. 5 ) would be on housing  132 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  illustrates a printed meander radiator  215 . Printed meander radiator  215  can be used in rotatable antenna  104 , fixed antenna  154  or loop antenna  260 . If used in rotatable antenna  104  (in place of antenna coil  200 ), a separate loading spring would be used.  
         [0038]     Printed meander radiator  215  is printed conductor (e.g., a metal such as aluminum, copper, silver or gold) on flexible material layer  218 . For example, flexible material  218  may be polyvinyl chloride, polybutelene terepthalate, polycarbonate or another convenient flexible material. Printed meander radiator  215  includes a feed point  222  for connection to a PWB (not shown) and feed line  226 . Feed line  226  connects to radiator element  230 . Radiator element  230  includes a plurality of transverse lines  234  and longitudinal lines  238 . By meandering many times transversely and longitudinally, lines  234  and  238  increase the effective electrical length of radiator element  230 . The effective electrical length of radiator element  230  can be increased even more by curling flexible material layer  218  into a cylindrical shape.  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  illustrates printed meander radiator  216  with radiator element  232  curved into a cylindrical shape  245 . As can be seen by large-dash dashed lines  235  and  240 , flexible material  219  has been curved around behind itself, to form cylindrical shape  245 . As can be seen by small-dash dashed lines  250 , transverse meander lines  236  curve around back toward themselves while longitudinal meander lines  239  are placed closer to each other. Further, transverse meander lines  236  are each formed into a loop shape. Alternatively, flexible material  219  could be formed into a “V” shape, a rectangle shape or any other convenient shape. Any shape besides a pure planar shape, such as, for example, a “V” shape or a rectangular shape, could be used to increase the electrical length of printed radiator  232  compared to printed radiator  230  and is defined herein to be a cylindrical shape.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 9-10  show feed line  226  adjacent to printed radiator  230  and  232 . As such, printed radiators  230  and  232  form “bottom fed” antennas. However, feed line  226  could be folded back in front of or behind printed radiator  230  or folded down along radiator  232 . As such, printed radiator  230  or  232  would be “top fed”.  
         [0041]     While embodiments and implementations of the invention have been shown and described, it should be apparent that many more embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted, except in light of the claims and their equivalents.