Patent Description:
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a wrist-worn electronic device as defined in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

Embodiments of the present technology are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:.

The drawing figures do not limit the present technology to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. While the drawings do not necessarily provide exact dimensions or tolerances for the illustrated components or structures, the drawings are to scale as examples of certain embodiments with respect to the relationships between the components of the structures illustrated in the drawings.

The following detailed description of the technology references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the technology can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the technology in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present technology. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present technology is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In this description, references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", or "embodiments" in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

Embodiments of the present technology relate to an electronic device that can be worn on a user's wrist and that communicates wirelessly with other devices, systems, and networks. The electronic device may be a fitness watch, a wrist-worn smart phone, a wrist-worn navigation device, or other wearable multi-function electronic devices that include a housing and a wrist band, strap, or other attachment mechanism. Although the electronic device is typically worn on a wrist, it may also be worn on other parts of a user's body such as the forearm or the upper arm. The electronic device may be used to monitor the user's current location, distance traveled, velocity, and other performance metrics by receiving location signals from a satellite-based positioning system including the global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The electronic device may be electronically paired with other devices such as a heart rate monitor worn around the user's chest, a foot pod attached to the user's shoe for measuring jogging or running cadence and distance, a bike speed and cadence sensor attached to a crank arm and wheel hub of the user's bicycle for tracking biking performance, and so forth. Furthermore, the electronic device may be able to communicate with smartphones, tablets, laptop or desktop computers, Wi-Fi routers, cell towers, and the like to allow the user to upload activity data, download apps, download or stream music, receive text messages, emails, and weather alerts, and so on. Thus, the electronic device may utilize or process signals with GNSS protocols, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, or cellular protocols, and so forth.

Typically, multiple communication protocols require multiple antennas within the housing of the device to transmit and receive wireless signals. However, positioning of the antennas within the confines of the housing such that the wireless signal from one antenna does not interfere with the wireless signals of the other antennas can be challenging.

The present technology relates to a wrist-worn electronic device with an improved antenna configuration that utilizes a bezel on the housing to form at least a portion of an antenna configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in two frequency bands. The electronic device also comprises a printed circuit board, a first frequency band element, a second frequency band element, a diplexer, a first conductive element, a second conductive element, and a radiator. The first and second frequency band elements are retained on the printed circuit board. The first frequency band element processes a first electronic signal including a frequency in a first frequency band, while the second frequency band element processes a second electronic signal including a frequency in a second frequency band. The diplexer is also retained on the printed circuit board and configured to multiplex the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal into a multiplexed third electronic signal. The bezel has a circular shape and is coupled to an upper edge of a housing side wall. It is to be understood that the bezel may be coupled to the side wall by a bonded connection, seal (e.g., mechanical, water, etc.), or any combination thereof. The antenna is configured to transmit and/or receive a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal simultaneously, and convert and multiplex the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal into the multiplexed third electronic signal.

In a first embodiment, the antenna is formed from a portion of the bezel, the first conductive element, and the second conductive element. The first and second conductive elements each electrically connect from a point on the printed circuit board to a point on the bezel. The third electronic signal, which includes data from the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal, is directly coupled to the antenna so that the signal feeds through the first conductive element and returns to electrical ground through the second conductive element.

In a second embodiment, the antenna is formed from the radiator and the bezel, and the multiplexed third electronic signal is capacitively coupled to the antenna through the radiator, such that the signal both feeds and returns to electrical ground through the radiator. The radiator may be positioned along the side wall below the bezel and is capacitively coupled to the bezel.

Embodiments of the technology will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing figures. Referring initially to <FIG>, a first embodiment of a wrist-worn electronic device <NUM> is illustrated. The electronic device <NUM> broadly comprises a housing <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a user interface <NUM>, a location determining element <NUM>, a communication element <NUM>, a first frequency band element <NUM>, a second frequency band element <NUM>, a memory element <NUM>, a processing element <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a plurality of electrically conductive elements <NUM>, a matching element <NUM>, a tuning element <NUM>, a diplexer <NUM>, a bezel <NUM>, an antenna <NUM>, and a tuning stub <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may also include a wrist band <NUM>, a strap, or other attachment mechanisms.

The housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, generally houses or retains other components of the electronic device <NUM> and may include or be attached to the wrist band <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may include a bottom wall <NUM>, at least one side wall <NUM>, and an internal cavity <NUM>. The bottom wall <NUM> includes a lower, outer surface that contacts the user's wrist while the user is wearing the electronic device <NUM>. The side wall <NUM> couples to the bottom wall <NUM> at a lower edge of the side wall <NUM>. In exemplary embodiments that are shown in the figures, the housing <NUM> includes a single side wall <NUM>, with inner and outer surfaces, that has a circular or ring shape which generally forms a hollow cylinder. In other embodiments, the side wall <NUM> may have an oval or elliptical shape. In still other embodiments, the housing <NUM> may include a plurality of side walls <NUM> which form one of a plurality of geometric or polygonal shapes, such as triangular, square or rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, and so forth.

The display <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, generally presents the information mentioned above, such as time of day, current location, and the like. The display <NUM> may be implemented in one of the following technologies: light-emitting diode (LED), organic LED (OLED), Light Emitting Polymer (LEP) or Polymer LED (PLED), liquid crystal display (LCD), thin film transistor (TFT) LCD, LED side-lit or back-lit LCD, or the like, or combinations thereof. In exemplary embodiments that are shown in the figures, the display <NUM> has a round or circular shape. In general, the display <NUM> may possess a shape that corresponds to the shape formed by the side walls <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The outer edges or perimeter of the display <NUM> may couple to the side walls <NUM> using a bonding material.

The user interface <NUM> generally allows the user to directly interact with the electronic device <NUM> and may include pushbuttons, rotating knobs, or the like. In exemplary embodiments of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include one or more pushbuttons located in the through holes of the side wall <NUM> that function as at least a portion of the user interface <NUM>. In various embodiments, the display <NUM> may include a touch screen occupying the entire display <NUM>, or a portion thereof, so that the display <NUM> functions as at least a portion of the user interface <NUM>. The touch screen may allow the user to interact with the electronic device <NUM> by physically touching, swiping, or gesturing on areas of the display <NUM>.

The location determining element <NUM> generally determines a current geolocation of the electronic device <NUM> and may receive and process radio frequency (RF) signals from a multi-constellation global navigation satellite system (GNSS) such as the global positioning system (GPS) utilized in the United States, the GLONASS system utilized in Russia, the Galileo system utilized in Europe, or the like. The location determining element <NUM> may include satellite navigation receivers, processors, controllers, other computing devices, or combinations thereof, and memory. The location determining element <NUM> may process a radio frequency (RF) signal, referred to herein as an "location electronic signal", from one or more satellites that includes data from which geographic information such as the current geolocation is derived. The location electronic signal may have a carrier frequency in a frequency band, including the L1 band of the GPS constellation, centered at approximately <NUM> megahertz (MHz). The location electronic signal is received from the antenna <NUM>, discussed in more detail below. The current geolocation may include coordinates, such as the latitude and longitude, of the current location of the electronic device <NUM>. The location determining element <NUM> may communicate the current geolocation to the processing element <NUM>, the memory element <NUM>, or both.

Although embodiments of the location determining element <NUM> may include a satellite navigation receiver, it will be appreciated that other location-determining technology may be used. For example, cellular towers or any customized transmitting radio frequency towers can be used instead of satellites may be used to determine the location of the electronic device <NUM> by receiving data from at least three transmitting locations and then performing basic triangulation calculations to determine the relative position of the device with respect to the transmitting locations. With such a configuration, any standard geometric triangulation algorithm can be used to determine the location of the electronic device. The location determining element <NUM> may also include or be coupled with a pedometer, accelerometer, compass, or other dead-reckoning components which allow it to determine the location of the device <NUM>. The location determining element <NUM> may determine the current geographic location through a communications network, such as by using Assisted GPS (A-GPS), or from another electronic device. The location determining element <NUM> may even receive location data directly from a user.

The communication element <NUM> generally allows communication with external systems or devices, other than GPS systems. The communication element <NUM> may include signal or data transmitting and receiving circuits, such as amplifiers, filters, mixers, oscillators, digital signal processors (DSPs), and the like. Various combinations of these circuits may form a transceiver, which transmits, receives, and processes signals such as the ones listed in the following discussion. The communication element <NUM> may establish communication wirelessly by utilizing RF signals and/or data that comply with communication standards such as Bluetooth™, Bluetooth™ low energy (BLE), ANT, ANT+, the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM> standard such as Wi-Fi, or the like, which operate at, or have a carrier frequency in, a frequency band centered at approximately <NUM> gigahertz (GHz). In other embodiments, the communication element <NUM> may utilize communication standards such as cellular <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, LTE, <NUM>, IEEE <NUM> standard such as WiMAX, or combinations thereof.

In various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may be configured to establish communication using a plurality of communication protocols or standards, and the communication element <NUM> may include a transceiver for each protocol or standard, such as Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi, etc., which the device <NUM> can communicate. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may utilize Bluetooth™ to establish communication with exercise-related sensors, such as a foot pod, a bike speed and cadence sensor, or the like, or other electronic devices, such as wireless headphones, a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, or a desktop computer. The electronic device <NUM> may utilize Wi-Fi to establish communication with wireless routers or hotspots to access the Internet or other communication networks.

The communication element <NUM> may transmit and receive, or communicate, a radio frequency communication electronic signal, which the communication element processes to determine data that was received using any of the above-listed protocols. The communication element <NUM> also generates data included in the communication electronic signal to be transmitted using any of the above-listed protocols.

The first frequency band element <NUM> includes electronic circuitry configured to process electronic signals that include a frequency in a first frequency band. In exemplary embodiments shown in <FIG>, the first frequency band element <NUM> includes the location determining element <NUM>, and the first frequency band includes a range of frequencies centered at approximately <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, the first frequency band element <NUM> may include the communication element <NUM> only, and thus the first frequency band may include a range of frequencies centered at approximately <NUM>.

The second frequency band element <NUM> includes electronic circuitry configured to process electronic signals that include a frequency in a second frequency band. In exemplary embodiments shown in <FIG>, the second frequency band element <NUM> includes the communication element <NUM>, and the second frequency band includes a range of frequencies centered at approximately <NUM>.

The memory element <NUM> may be embodied by devices or components that store data in general, and digital or binary data in particular, and may include exemplary electronic hardware data storage devices or components such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM, erasable programmable ROM, random-access memory (RAM) such as static RAM (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM), cache memory, flash memory, thumb drives, universal serial bus (USB) drives, or the like, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the memory element <NUM> may be embedded in, or packaged in the same package as, the processing element <NUM>. The memory element <NUM> may include, or may constitute, a "computer-readable medium". The memory element <NUM> may store the instructions, code, code statements, code segments, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, services, daemons, or the like that are executed by the processing element <NUM>. The memory element <NUM> may also store data that is received by the processing element <NUM> or the device in which the processing element <NUM> is implemented. The processing element <NUM> may further store data or intermediate results generated during processing, calculations, and/or computations as well as data or final results after processing, calculations, and/or computations. In addition, the memory element <NUM> may store settings, data, documents, sound files, photographs, movies, images, databases, and the like.

The processing element <NUM> may comprise one or more processors. The processing element <NUM> may include electronic hardware components such as microprocessors (single-core or multi-core), microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), analog and/or digital application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like, or combinations thereof. The processing element <NUM> may generally execute, process, or run instructions, code, code segments, code statements, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, processes, services, daemons, or the like. The processing element <NUM> may also include hardware components such as registers, finite-state machines, sequential and combinational logic, and other electronic circuits that can perform the functions necessary for the operation of the current invention. In certain embodiments, the processing element <NUM> may include multiple computational components and functional blocks that are packaged separately but function as a single unit. The processing element <NUM> may be in electronic communication with the other electronic components through serial or parallel links that include universal busses, address busses, data busses, control lines, and the like.

The printed circuit board <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, generally provides a substrate for supplying electric power to, and electronic communication between, the electronic components, such as the location determining element <NUM>, the communication element <NUM>, the first frequency band element <NUM>, the second frequency band element <NUM>, the memory element <NUM>, the processing element <NUM>, the matching element <NUM>, the tuning element <NUM>, and the diplexer <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> may be constructed with a first, or top, surface and an opposing second, or bottom, surface. The printed circuit board <NUM> may also include multiple electrically conductive layers with a top conductive layer placed on the first surface, a bottom conductive layer placed on the second surface, one or more inner conductive layers positioned between the first and second surfaces, and an insulating layer between each pair of adjacent conductive layers. The insulating layers may be formed from rigidized material that includes various combinations of fiberglass, woven glass, matte glass, cotton paper, phenolic cotton paper, polyester, epoxies, epoxy resins, and the like. The conductive layers may be formed from metals typically including copper, but also including nickel, aluminum, gold, silver, palladium, zinc, tin, lead, and the like. Each conductive layer may include one or more electrically conductive traces. The conductive traces may be utilized to communicate electronic signals or may be electrically connected to electric power or ground. Each conductive layer may additionally or alternatively include one or more signal, power, or ground pads or terminals, full or partial electric power planes, or full or partial electric ground planes. In addition, the printed circuit board <NUM> may include plated through hole vias, blind vias, buried vias, and the like. The electronic components may be implemented in packages which are mounted, or retained, on the top surface, the bottom surface, or both surfaces. The electronic components may communicate with one another through electronic signal traces.

The printed circuit board <NUM> also includes a plurality of electrically conductive signal terminals <NUM> that are typically retained on either the top surface or the bottom surface. Each signal terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to one signal trace. In exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the printed circuit board <NUM> includes a first signal terminal 54A that electrically connects to a signal trace carrying or communicating an RF electronic signal such as the location electronic signal and/or the communication electronic signal. The printed circuit board <NUM> includes a second signal terminal 54B electrically connected to the tuning element <NUM>.

Furthermore, the printed circuit board <NUM> also includes at least one electrically conductive ground terminal <NUM> typically retained on the top surface, the bottom surface, or along the plated edge. The ground terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to one ground trace or a ground plane. Additionally, the printed circuit board <NUM> may include power terminals that are electrically connected to a power trace or power plane.

Each conductive element <NUM>, as shown primarily in <FIG> and <FIG>, may be formed from electrically conductive materials, such as metals and/or metal alloys. In exemplary embodiments, each conductive element <NUM> may include a pogo pin. Additionally or alternatively, the conductive elements <NUM> may include wires, jumpers, posts, flexible conductors, clamp and/or spring structures, or the like, or combinations thereof. In embodiments shown in the figures, the electronic device <NUM> includes a first conductive element 32A, a second conductive element 32B, and a third conductive element 32C. The first conductive element 32A is retained on the printed circuit board <NUM> and electrically connects to the matching element <NUM> and to a first contact point on the bezel, labeled "A", as shown in <FIG>. The second conductive element 32B is retained on the printed circuit board <NUM> and electrically connects to electrical ground and to a second contact point on the bezel, labeled "B". The third conductive element 32C is retained on the printed circuit board <NUM> and electrically connects to the tuning element <NUM> and to a third point on the bezel, labeled "C".

The matching element <NUM> generally provides impedance matching to the antenna <NUM> in order to transfer maximum power from the first frequency band element <NUM>, the second frequency band element <NUM>, or the diplexer <NUM> to the antenna <NUM>. The matching element <NUM> may include impedance, reactive, and/or resistive passive components forming LC circuits, filters, and the like, or combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the impedance may include <NUM> ohms. In some embodiments, one or more components may be electrically connected to electric ground. The matching element <NUM> has a first port in electronic communication with the first frequency band element <NUM>, the second frequency band element <NUM>, or the diplexer <NUM> and a second port in electronic communication with the antenna <NUM> through the first signal terminal 54A and the first conductive element 32A. The configuration and the values of the components used in the matching element <NUM> are set to provide impedance matching for the antenna <NUM> for both the first frequency band and the second frequency band. In normal practice, the configuration and values of components are set once and not changed. In various embodiments, two-port parameters including S <NUM>, S12, S21, and S22 may be considered and/or calculated when determining the configuration and values of components of the matching element <NUM>.

The tuning element <NUM> generally provides additional impedance matching to match the first frequency band element <NUM>, the second frequency band element <NUM>, or the diplexer <NUM> to the complex impedance at the input to the antenna <NUM>. The tuning element <NUM> may include impedance, reactive, and/or resistive passive components as well as L networks, T networks, Pi networks, combinations thereof and so forth. In some embodiments, one or more components may be electrically connected to electric ground. The tuning element <NUM> may be in electronic communication with the antenna <NUM> through the second signal terminal 54B and the third conductive element <NUM>. The configuration and the values of the components used in the tuning element <NUM> are set to provide impedance matching for the antenna <NUM> for both the first frequency band and the second frequency band. In normal practice, the configuration and values are set once and not changed. In some embodiments, the tuning element <NUM> and the matching element <NUM> work in combination to provide impedance matching for the antenna and other components.

The diplexer <NUM> generally provides multiplexing of a first electronic signal and a second electronic signal into a third electronic signal. Typically, the first electronic signal includes a frequency and data in a first frequency band and the second electronic signal includes a frequency and data in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The multiplexed third electronic signal includes frequency and data components from each of the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal. In addition, the diplexer demultiplexes (or retrieves, or separates) the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal from the third electronic signal.

The diplexer <NUM> may be formed from electronic components, typically passive, that provide frequency filtering and isolation between the first and second electronic signals. The diplexer <NUM> includes a first port that communicates the first electronic signal with the first frequency band element <NUM>, a second port that communicates the second electronic signal with the second frequency band component, and a third port that communicates the third electronic signal with the matching element <NUM>.

The bezel <NUM>, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, may be positioned on the upper surface of housing <NUM> and may generally cover the perimeter edges of the display <NUM> or encircle the display <NUM>. The bezel <NUM> may be a ring shaped to conform to the shapes of a circular or oval housing <NUM> and display <NUM> such that the bezel <NUM> may be positioned between the perimeters of the housing <NUM> and the display <NUM>. The bezel <NUM> may have an outer perimeter, or outer circumference, that is substantially the same shape as the upper surface of the housing <NUM> and an inner perimeter, or inner circumference, that is substantially the same shape as the outer perimeter of the display <NUM>. For example, the bezel <NUM> may have an inner edge with dimensions that are smaller than or approximately equal to the perimeter dimensions of the display <NUM> and an outer edge with dimensions that are approximately equal to the perimeter dimensions of the upper surface of the housing <NUM>. Thus, the bezel <NUM> may be circular, square, or rectangular with a central opening through which the display <NUM> may be viewed, although in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the bezel <NUM> may have an annular shape.

The bezel <NUM> may be formed from any material that may integrate an electrically conductive metallic or semi-metallic material and may be positioned on or fixedly attached to an outer surface of an upper wall of a metallic or semi-metallic housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bezel <NUM> may be able to rotate in place, roughly around the center of the upper surface of the housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the bezel <NUM> may be firmly attached to the upper surface and may not rotate. In embodiments, the bezel <NUM> may be integral to the housing <NUM>. For example, the bezel <NUM> may be a raised or flush portion of the housing <NUM> with a central opening through which the display <NUM> may be viewed.

The antenna <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, generally converts wireless RF electromagnetic radiation (a wireless signal) into a corresponding electronic signal and converts an electronic signal into a corresponding wireless signal. The antenna <NUM> may transmit and receive a first wireless signal including a frequency in a first frequency band and, simultaneously, a second wireless signal including a frequency in a second frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the antenna <NUM> receives a location wireless signal, such as a GNSS signal, including a frequency in a frequency band centered at approximately <NUM>. At the same time, the antenna <NUM> transmits and receives a communication wireless signal, such as Bluetooth™ and/or Wi-Fi, including a frequency in a frequency band centered at approximately <NUM>.

In addition, the antenna <NUM> converts the first wireless signal into a corresponding first electronic signal and vice-versa, and the second wireless signal into a corresponding second electronic signal and vice-versa. Given that the antenna <NUM> typically transmits and/or receives the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal simultaneously, the antenna <NUM> converts and multiplexes the two wireless signals into a third electronic signal which includes frequency and data components from each of the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal. In exemplary embodiments, the antenna <NUM> converts and multiplexes the location wireless signal and the communication wireless signal into the multiplexed third electronic signal which includes frequency and data components from the location electronic signal and the communication electronic signal.

The antenna <NUM> is typically configured or implemented as a loop antenna. Alternatively, the antenna <NUM> may be configured or implemented as a slot antenna, a microstrip antenna, a patch antenna, a linear antenna, an inverted F-antenna, an inverted L-antenna, a dipole antenna, or the like. The antenna <NUM> is formed from the first conductive element 32A, the second conductive element 32B, and, as indicated by the "electronic signal path" in <FIG>, a portion of the bezel <NUM> between the contact point A of the first conductive element 32A and the contact point B of the second conductive element 32B and, in embodiments, the tuning stub <NUM>. The longer (counter-clockwise) distance between the contact point A and the contact point B is related to, proportional to, or varies according to, a wavelength, or a portion thereof, of the lower frequency (and longer wavelength) wireless signal - in exemplary embodiments, that is the location wireless signal.

The antenna <NUM> receives the location wireless signal and the communication wireless signal, either individually or in combination as the third electronic signal, from the printed circuit board <NUM> through the first signal terminal 54A. The signals then flow through the first conductive element 32A, the portion of the bezel <NUM> counter-clockwise from the contact point A to the contact point B as indicated in <FIG>, and the second conductive element 32B. The location wireless signal and the communication wireless signal then return to electric ground of the printed circuit board <NUM>.

The tuning stub <NUM> generally provides improvement in the performance of receiving and/or transmitting one or more polarized wireless signals by the antenna <NUM>. The tuning stub <NUM> may have an elongated arcuate shape and is formed from electrically conductive materials such as metals and/or metal alloys. In exemplary embodiments, the tuning stub <NUM> improves the performance of receiving the right-hand polarization of the GNSS location wireless signal. In some embodiments, the tuning stub <NUM> may have a length substantially equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of a first wireless signal having a frequency in the first frequency band. Alternatively, the tuning stub <NUM> may have a length substantially equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of a second wireless signal having a frequency in the second frequency band.

As shown in <FIG>, which depicts the inner cavity <NUM> of the watch housing <NUM> by removing the bottom wall <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> (not depicted), the tuning stub <NUM> may contact a lower surface of bezel <NUM>. One or more portions of the tuning stub <NUM> may be positioned against an inner surface of side wall <NUM> and be retained by one or more retaining elements <NUM> securing the tuning stub <NUM> against side wall <NUM> such that tuning stub <NUM> is positioned above and separated from printed circuit board <NUM> (not depicted) and bottom wall <NUM>. In embodiments, one or more portions of the tuning stub <NUM> pass under and around a portion of the assembly associated with user interface <NUM>. The tuning stub <NUM> is electrically connected to the bezel <NUM> at a point along the antenna signal path between the contact point A and the contact point B. As shown in <FIG>, the tuning stub <NUM> may extend downward from bezel <NUM> in a counter-clockwise fashion (when viewed from a front view through the display <NUM>) in the space between the lower surface of the bezel <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may be implemented in a plurality of configurations. In a first configuration shown in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes the first frequency band element <NUM> only. The first frequency band element <NUM> communicates the first electronic signal through the matching element <NUM> to the antenna <NUM>, which transmits and/or receives the first wireless signal. The antenna <NUM> also communicates the first electronic signal back to the first frequency band element <NUM>. The matching element <NUM> and the tuning element <NUM> match the impedance of the antenna to <NUM> ohms for the first frequency band. In typical embodiments, the first frequency band element <NUM> includes the location determining element <NUM>; the first electronic signal is the location electronic signal; and the first wireless signal is the location wireless signal, such as a GNSS signal. In alternative embodiments, the first frequency band element <NUM> includes the communication element <NUM>; the first electronic signal is the communication electronic signal; and the first wireless signal is the communication wireless signal, such as a Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi signal.

In a second configuration shown in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes the first frequency band element <NUM> and the second frequency band element <NUM> which communicate the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal, respectively, to the diplexer. The diplexer communicates the multiplexed third electronic signal to the antenna <NUM> through the matching element <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> transmits and receives the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal simultaneously. The antenna <NUM> also communicates the third electronic signal back to the diplexer <NUM> which, in turn, communicates the first electronic signal back to the first frequency band element <NUM> and the second electronic signal back to the second frequency band element <NUM>. The matching element <NUM> and the tuning element <NUM> match the impedance of the antenna to <NUM> ohms for the first frequency band and the second frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the first frequency band element <NUM> includes the location determining element <NUM>; the first electronic signal is the location electronic signal; and the first wireless signal is the location wireless signal. The second frequency band element <NUM> includes the communication element <NUM>; the second electronic signal is the communication electronic signal; and the second wireless signal is the communication wireless signal.

A third configuration of the electronic device <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, is substantially similar to the first configuration of <FIG> in structure and operation, except that the third configuration includes the tuning stub <NUM> coupled to the antenna <NUM>. Thus, there is an improvement in the performance of receiving the right-hand polarized GNSS location wireless signal (at a first frequency band).

A fourth configuration of the electronic device <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, is substantially similar to the second configuration of <FIG> in structure and operation, except that the fourth configuration includes the tuning stub <NUM> coupled to the antenna <NUM>. Thus, there is an improvement in the performance of receiving the right-hand polarized GNSS location wireless signal.

A fifth configuration of the electronic device <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, is substantially similar to the fourth configuration of <FIG> in structure and operation, except that the fifth configuration excludes the tuning element <NUM> retained on the printed circuit board <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a second embodiment of a wrist-worn electronic device <NUM> that transmits and receives wireless signals in two frequency bands is illustrated. The electronic device <NUM> broadly comprises at least a housing <NUM>, a first frequency band element <NUM>, a second frequency band element <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a conductive element <NUM>, a matching element <NUM>, a diplexer <NUM>, a bezel <NUM>, and a tuning stub <NUM>, each of which is substantially similar in structure and operation as the like-named components from the electronic device <NUM> described above. The electronic device <NUM> further comprises an antenna <NUM> and a radiator <NUM>.

The first frequency band element <NUM> communicates a first electronic signal having a frequency in a first frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the first frequency band element <NUM> includes a location determining element similar to the location determining element <NUM>. And the first electronic signal is a location electronic signal. The second frequency band element <NUM> communicates a second electronic signal having a frequency in a second frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the second frequency band element <NUM> includes a communication element similar to the communication element <NUM>. And the second electronic signal is a communication electronic signal. The diplexer <NUM> multiplexes the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal into a third electronic signal which frequency and data components from each of the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal. The bezel <NUM> has a perimeter that varies according to a first wavelength of a first wireless signal having a frequency in the first frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the bezel <NUM> may have a perimeter approximately equal to the first wavelength.

The radiator <NUM> is formed from electrically conductive material and, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, generally has a planar, block arcuate shape with an outer radius edge, an inner radius edge, and first and second opposing end edges. The shape of the radiator <NUM> may also be considered a portion of an annulus. The radiator <NUM> has a length that varies according to a wavelength, or a portion thereof, such as a quarter wavelength, of a second wireless signal having a frequency in the second frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the radiator <NUM> may have a length approximately equal to a quarter wavelength of the second wireless signal. At one end, the radiator <NUM> includes a tab that extends downward away from the planar section. The tab may electrically connect to the printed circuit board <NUM> through a conductive element <NUM>, similar to the conductive element <NUM>. The radiator <NUM> is positioned adjacent a lower surface of the bezel <NUM> and parallel thereto with a small gap (of air or a non-conductive material) between the bezel <NUM> and the radiator <NUM>. A portion of the bezel <NUM> overlaps the radiator <NUM>.

The radiator <NUM> is in electronic communication with the diplexer <NUM>, through the matching element <NUM>, to communicate the third electronic signal, which includes the frequency components of the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal. In alternative embodiments, the radiator <NUM> may be in electronic communication with the first frequency band element <NUM> through a first matching element <NUM> and the second frequency band element <NUM> through a second matching element <NUM>. The radiator <NUM> is capacitively coupled with the bezel <NUM> such that, at frequencies in the first frequency band and the second frequency band, the radiator <NUM> capacitively couples the third electronic signal between the bezel <NUM> and the matching element <NUM>.

The antenna <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, operates in a substantially similar fashion as the antenna <NUM>. Thus, the antenna <NUM> may transmit and receive a first wireless signal including a frequency in a first frequency band and, simultaneously, a second wireless signal including a frequency in a second frequency band. In exemplary embodiments, the antenna <NUM> receives a location wireless signal, such as a GNSS signal, including a frequency in a frequency band centered at approximately <NUM>. At the same time, the antenna <NUM> transmits and receives a communication wireless signal, such as Bluetooth™ and/or Wi-Fi, including a frequency in a frequency band centered at approximately <NUM>.

In addition, the antenna <NUM> converts the first wireless signal into a corresponding first electronic signal and vice-versa, and the second wireless signal into a corresponding second electronic signal and vice-versa. Given that the antenna <NUM> typically transmits and/or receives the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal simultaneously, the antenna <NUM> converts and multiplexes the two wireless signals into a third electronic signal which includes frequency and data components from each of the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal. In exemplary embodiments, the antenna <NUM> converts and multiplexes the location wireless signal and the communication wireless signal into the third electronic signal which includes frequency and data components from the location electronic signal and the communication electronic signal.

The antenna <NUM> is typically configured or implemented as a loop antenna. Alternatively, the antenna <NUM> may be configured or implemented as a slot antenna, a microstrip antenna, a patch antenna, a linear antenna, an inverted F-antenna, an inverted L-antenna, a dipole antenna, or the like. The antenna <NUM> is formed from the conductive element <NUM>, the radiator <NUM>, and the bezel <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> receives the location wireless signal and the communication wireless signal, either individually or in combination as the third electronic signal, from the printed circuit board <NUM>. The signals flow through the conductive element <NUM> to the radiator <NUM>. At high frequencies, such as at least the first frequency band centered at approximately <NUM>, the radiator <NUM> capacitively couples the signals to the bezel <NUM>. The signals flow through the bezel <NUM> and then return to the printed circuit board <NUM> through the radiator <NUM> and the conductive element <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A wrist-worn electronic device configured to transmit and receive wireless signals in two frequency bands, the electronic device comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a bottom wall (<NUM>) configured to contact a wearer's wrist, and a side wall (<NUM>) with a lower edge coupled to a perimeter of the bottom wall (<NUM>);
a bezel loop antenna (<NUM>) configured to wirelessly receive a first electronic signal and a second electronic signal simultaneously, the bezel loop antenna (<NUM>) formed from electrically conductive material, having a first impedance, and positioned above an upper surface of the side wall (<NUM>);
a printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>) retaining an electrically conductive signal terminal electrically connected to a first contact point on a lower surface of the bezel loop antenna (<NUM>), an electrically conductive ground terminal electrically connected to a second contact point on the lower surface of the bezel loop antenna (<NUM>), and an electrically conductive tuning terminal electrically connected to a third contact point on the lower surface of the bezel loop antenna (<NUM>);
a first signal processing element retained on the printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to process the first electronic signal having a frequency in a first frequency band;
a second signal processing element retained on the printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>) and configured to process the second electronic signal having a frequency in a second frequency band;
a diplexer (<NUM>, <NUM>) retained on the printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>), electrically connected to the first signal processing element, the second signal processing element and the signal terminal, the diplexer (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to:
receive the first electronic signal and the second electronic signal from the signal terminal, and
output the received first electronic signal to the first signal processing element and the received second electronic signal to the second signal processing element; and
a tuning element (<NUM>) retained on the printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>) and electrically connected to the tuning terminal and having a second impedance causing the bezel loop antenna (<NUM>) to wirelessly receive electronic signals in the first frequency band and electronic signals in the second frequency band.