Patent Application
20060078335
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of wireless communication devices, and, more particularly, to a wireless mobile handset having an infrared transducer.
2. Description of Related Art
Wireless communication devices are becoming increasingly complex due to the integration of different functionalities within the devices. For example, wireless mobile handsets today cannot only receive and transmit voice signals, but can also connect to the internet, send and receive e-mail, and perform certain computational functions originally performed only by computers. As another example, personal digital assistants today can not only perform certain basic scheduling and computational functions, but can also transmit and receive data and voice signals and, in certain instances, connect to WiFi systems.
At the same time, wireless communication devices are continuously undergoing a miniaturization process, in order to increase portability and fit different lifestyles. Therefore, designers and manufacturers of wireless communication devices are continuously confronted with the opposing requirements of adding functionalities while reducing size.
Infrared communication has recently been added to the functional capabilities of wireless communication devices, in order to provide line-of-sight communication not only with other wireless devices, but also with office appliances such as palm handhelds, personal computers, printers, and various types of peripherals. Therefore, the designer must integrate an infrared transducer and the related electrical circuitry within the very severe space constraints of a wireless communication device while still maintaining line-of-sight connection. This is particularly challenging considering the different modes of use of a wireless communication device, for instance, in the hand of a user, laid flat on a support surface, or lodged in a cradle holder.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,264 to Sulavouri et al. discloses a radio telephone system, which utilizes an infrared communication link and which comprises a transceiver unit and an external device. This invention, however, does not teach the positioning of the infrared transducer within the severe space limitations of a radio telephone housing and in a way that will still enable line-of-sight connectivity. Additionally, this invention does not disclose how to integrate the infrared transducer within any specific components of the radio telephone.
A need therefore exists to integrate an infrared transducer on a wireless communication device having very limited housing space. A further need exists to position the infrared transducer on the wireless communication device so to have an unobstructed line of sight and optimized infrared communication capabilities.
A wireless communication device is provided having an infrared transducer that is integrated with an antenna or hinge structure, so to fill a portion of space previously considered unusable for functional accessories and to enable line-of-sight connectivity for the infrared transducer.
In one example, the infrared transducer is positioned in an external antenna, which may be either of fixed, “stub” design or of retractable, “whip” design. The resulting antenna system comprises a casing having a proximal end mounted to the device and a distal end extending from the device; an infrared transducer located at the distal end of the casing and connected to an infrared signal circuitry; a plurality of conduits for electrically connecting the infrared transducer to the infrared signal circuitry; and an RF radiator connected to a radio frequency signal circuitry and radiating radio frequency signals.
In another example, a wireless device is provided in a hinged “clam-shell” or folded construction. The infrared transducer is positioned in the hinge system. The resulting hinge system comprises a first hinge member at the main body of the device; an infrared transducer situated on the first hinge member and connected to an infrared signal circuitry; a plurality of conduits extending from the infrared transducer within the first hinge member; and a second hinge member at the fold of the device to enable a relative rotation between the hinge members.
These and other features of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description, and may be realized by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of examples of the invention are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be exemplified in various forms. Therefore, the specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to employ the present invention in virtually any detailed system, structure, or manner.
Referring now to
The operation of antenna system 14 may be understood upon reference to
Turning now to
Referring now to
The operation of whip antenna 44 may be understood upon reference to
Turning now to
Some wireless communication devices are designed to be foldable, in order to protect the display screen and the keys of the devices, and to provide more compact packages. For example, some wireless mobile handsets have “clam-shell” housings that comprise a first part, or main body; a second part, or fold; and a hinge connecting the main body with the fold. This arrangement enables the main body and fold to rotate in relation to each other between an open position and a closed position. Additionally, the hinge structure allows the passage of electrical conduits, enabling the transmission of electrical signals between the main body and the fold. Because the design of clam-shell handsets is known in the art, the hinge structure will not be described in detail here.
It will be appreciated that alternative constructions of the hinge system are possible, and that the position of the infrared transducer may be adjusted to fit the selected design alternative. In one design, the one or more shafts may be entirely enclosed within the hinge system and, therefore, may not be visible to an outside observer. In this configuration, the plurality of conduits extends through a cavity in the fixed member and may or may not extend through a cavity in the one or more shafts.
In another design, the one or more shafts extend to the outer surface of the fixed member, becoming visible to an outside observer. In such a configuration, the infrared transducer may be positioned in a cavity within one of the one or more shafts, and the plurality of conduits may extend at least partially within an inner passageway of the one or more shafts.
While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention.
