Detachable antenna module
First Claim
1. A detachable antenna module for attachment to a wireless communication device that has a built-in antenna, the detachable antenna module comprising:
- at least one attachment feature on the antenna module for removably attaching the antenna module to the communication device such that the antenna module and the communication device form a single mobile unit when attached;
an external antenna; and
an activation control mechanism for selectively electrically coupling the external antenna to the communication device when the antenna module is attached to the communication device, so as to selectively route at least one of signal transmission and signal reception through one of the built-in antenna of the communication device and the external antenna of the antenna module when the antenna module is attached to the communication device.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A detachable antenna module (100) is provided for attachment to a wireless communication device (102) that has a built-in antenna (300). The detachable antenna module (100) includes an external antenna (104), an activation control mechanism (106), and at least one attachment feature (200) for removably attaching the antenna module (100) to the communication device (102) such that the antenna module and the communication device form a single mobile unit when attached. The activation control mechanism (106) selectively electrically couples the external antenna (104) to the communication device (102) when the antenna module is attached to the communication device, so as to selectively route signal transmission and/or reception through either the built-in antenna (300) of the communication device (102) or the external antenna (104) of the antenna module (100) when the antenna module is attached to the communication device. Also provided is a wireless communication device that includes a built-in antenna and such an antenna module.
35 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A detachable antenna module for attachment to a wireless communication device that has a built-in antenna, the detachable antenna module comprising:
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at least one attachment feature on the antenna module for removably attaching the antenna module to the communication device such that the antenna module and the communication device form a single mobile unit when attached;
an external antenna; and
an activation control mechanism for selectively electrically coupling the external antenna to the communication device when the antenna module is attached to the communication device, so as to selectively route at least one of signal transmission and signal reception through one of the built-in antenna of the communication device and the external antenna of the antenna module when the antenna module is attached to the communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wireless communication device comprising:
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a built-in antenna; and
a detachable antenna module including an external antenna, an activation control mechanism, and at least one attachment feature for removably attaching the antenna module to the communication device such that the antenna module and the communication device form a single mobile unit when attached, wherein at least one of signal transmission and signal reception is routed through the built-in antenna when the antenna module is not attached to the communication device, and the activation control mechanism selectively electrically couples the external antenna to the communication device when the antenna module is attached to the communication device, so as to selectively route at least one of signal transmission and signal reception through one of the built-in antenna and the external antenna of the antenna module when the antenna module is attached to the communication device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification