Patent Application
20060281505
This invention relates generally to antennas, and more particularly to an antenna flip assembly.
In most radio communication devices, a user's head and/or hand can touch antenna elements carried by the device, thereby degrading antenna performance from its optimal free-field condition.
Embodiments in accordance with the invention provide for an antenna flip assembly which can be less susceptible to antenna performance degradation due to interaction with a user.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, an assembly has a base assembly, a first flip assembly hingeably coupled to the base assembly, a second flip assembly hingeably coupled to the first flip assembly, an antenna carried by the second flip assembly, and a communication device coupled to the antenna.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a selective call radio (SCR) having an antenna, a communication device coupled to the antenna, a processor for controlling operations of the SCR, and an assembly for carrying the antenna, the communication device and the processor. The assembly includes a base assembly, a first flip assembly hingeably coupled to the base assembly, and a second flip assembly hingeably coupled to the first flip assembly, wherein the antenna is carried by the second flip assembly.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, an RF (Radio Frequency) receiver having an antenna, a receiver coupled to the antenna, and an assembly for carrying the antenna and the receiver. The assembly including a base assembly, a first flip assembly hingeably coupled to the base assembly, and a second flip assembly hingeably coupled to the first flip assembly, wherein the antenna is carried by the second flip assembly.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the embodiments of the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
The power supply 112 utilizes conventional technology for supplying power to the SCR 100. The power supply 112 can be battery operated or can be coupled to a utility outlet. The processor 110 includes conventional technology such as conventional memory (Random Access Memory, Read Only Memory, and/or Flash), and a microprocessor and/or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for processing RF signals with the assistance of the communication device 104. The processor 110 can also include other circuits such as an audio circuit for conveying and processing audible signals, a keypad for manual entry by the end user of the SCR 100, an input port for accessory coupling, a display for conveying visual images, just to name a few.
The first flip assembly 206 can include an audio headset coupled to the audio circuit of the base assembly 202, and a display coupled to a subcomponent of the processor 104. The second flip assembly 210 can include the antenna 102 (shown in
The foregoing assemblies 202, 206, 210 can be manufactured with any material that satisfies RF requirements for exchanging signals with the communication system, and any other design constraints of the manufacturer of the SCR 100 (e.g., durability, water resistance, etc.).
The first flip assembly 206 is hingeably or pivotably coupled to the base assembly 202 by way of a conventional hinge 204. Hinge 204 can include for instance a conventional cam for rotational alignment of the first flip assembly 206. The cam can be designed to produce a plurality of rotational positions such as closed, mid-open, and fully opened. Electrical connectivity between the circuit components carried by the base assembly 202 and the first flip assembly 206 can be accomplished with a conventional flex PCB such as Kapton. Similarly, the second flip assembly 210 is hingeably or pivotably coupled to the first flip assembly 206 by way of a conventional hinge 208, which can also include a cam for position alignment.
The antenna 102 in the foregoing embodiment can be of any suitable wavelength such as, for example, a quarter-wave antenna or a half-wave antenna. The wavelength selected for the antenna 102 can depend on the grounding scheme used in the SCR 100, materials used in the sub-assemblies 202-210, positioning of the receiver 106 in said assemblies, and other commonly known variables in antenna design. Additionally, conventional techniques can be used to limit signal losses induced by the sub-assemblies 202-210 and/or human body parts. For instance, the antenna 102 and the communication device 104 can be differentially coupled to each other with a balun structure 300 as shown in
In a supplemental embodiment, a second conventional antenna can be included in the first flip 206. In this embodiment, the communication device 104 can select between the antennas of the first and second flip assemblies 206, 210 for processing signals intercepted thereby. Conventional antenna diversity algorithms can be applied by the communication device 104 for selecting the best performing antenna.
It should be evident to an artisan with skill in the art that the embodiments of the present invention provide for a means to optimize a free-field condition. That is, with the embodiments herein, losses created by human body parts such as the head and/or fingers of the hand for supporting the SCR 100 can be substantially diminished. For instance, the second flip assembly 210 can be positioned away from the user's head and fingers when rotationally opened as shown in
It should be evident that the present invention may be used for many applications. Thus, although the description is made for particular arrangements and methods, the intent and concept of embodiments herein are suitable and applicable to other arrangements and applications not described herein. For example, the SCR 100 can be reduced to a receiving device without a processor 110 employing the above sub-assemblies 202-210. Embodiment 200 can be modified for single RF band applications. The second flip assembly 210 can be made shorter, and hinge 208 can be repositioned in a middle portion of the first flip assembly 206. Alternatively, the rotation of the second flip antenna 210 can be reversed. That is, instead of rotating counterclockwise as in
Accordingly, the described embodiments ought to be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. It should also be understood that the claims are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents. Therefore, equivalent structures that read on the description are to be construed to be inclusive of the scope as defined in the following claims. Thus, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.
