MOBILE DEVICE CRADLE INCLUDING A BATTERY CHARGER HAVING AN INTEGRATED ANTENNA OR AMPLIFIER

• US 20100151917A1
• Filed: 03/01/2010
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilson Electronics LLC (Wilson Electronics Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wilson Electronics
• Inventors: Wilson, James W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,473,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/571
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile device cradle, having one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals, a connection to an antenna capable of communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network, a means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device; and a means for charging a battery of the mobile device. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile device cradle is mounted inside a vehicle and is used to improve the signal between the mobile device and the communication network.

Claims

1. A mobile device cradle, comprising:

one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals;

a connection to an antenna capable of communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network;

a means for charging a battery of the mobile device; and

means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device.

2. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device comprises a second antenna which is an integrated antenna which comprises a portion of the mobile device cradle.

3. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device comprises a hardwired connection.

4. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the antenna is located external to the mobile device cradle.

5. The mobile device cradle of claim 4, wherein the mobile device cradle is located on the interior of a vehicle and the antenna is attached to the exterior of the vehicle.

6. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, further comprising an amplifier capable of applying an amplifying factor to the signal.

7. The mobile device cradle of claim 6, wherein the amplifier is a bidirectional amplifier comprising a first amplifier having an input coupled to the antenna, the first amplifier applying a first amplification factor to signals received from the base station and a second amplifier having an input coupled to the means for communicating to and from the mobile device and an output coupled to the antenna, the second amplifier being capable of applying a second amplification factor to signals received from the mobile device.

8. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, further comprising a breakout connector capable of sending and receiving communications between the mobile device and an external device.

9. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, further comprising a second connection coupled to a power adapter capable of providing power to the bidirectional amplifier.

10. A mobile device cradle, comprising:

one or more docking members capable of removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals;

a first connection configured to be coupled to an external antenna for communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network;

an integrated antenna for communicating signals to and from the mobile device;

a bidirectional amplifier including;

a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first connection and an output coupled to the integrated antenna, the first amplifier applying a first amplification factor to signals received from the base station; and

a second amplifier having an input coupled to the integrated antenna and an output coupled to the first connection, the second amplifier applying a second amplification factor to signals received from the mobile device;

a second connection configured to be coupled to a power adapter for providing power to the bidirectional amplifier;

a battery charger for supplying power to a battery of the mobile device; and

a base for mounting the mobile device cradle to a vehicle.

11. The mobile device cradle of claim 10, wherein the base for mounting the mobile device cradle is used to mount the mobile device cradle to the interior of a vehicle.

12. The mobile device cradle of claim 10, wherein the external antenna for communicating signals to and from a base station is located on the exterior of the vehicle.

13. The mobile device cradle of claim 10, wherein the integrated antenna is capable of communicating signals to and from a plurality of mobile devices and the second amplifier of the bidirectional amplifier is capable of applying a second amplification factor to signals received from the plurality of mobile devices.

14. The mobile device cradle of claim 10, wherein the external bidirecitonal amplifier further comprises a third connection configured to be coupled to a power adapter for providing power to the bidirectional amplifier.

15. A mobile device cradle, comprising:

one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals;

a first connection configured to be coupled to an external antenna for communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network;

an integrated antenna for communicating signals to and from the mobile device;

a second connection configured to be coupled to an external amplifier;

a battery charger for supplying power to a battery of the mobile device;

a breakout connector configured to connect an external device to the mobile device; and

a base for mounting the mobile device cradle to a vehicle.

16. The mobile device cradle of claim 15, wherein the external amplifier is a bidirectional amplifier comprising a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first connection and an output coupled to the integrated antenna, the first amplifier being capable of applying a first amplification factor to signals received from the base station, and a second amplifier having an input coupled to the integrated antenna and an output coupled to the first connection, the second amplifier applying a second amplification factor to signals received from the mobile device.

17. The mobile device cradle of claim 16, wherein the external bidirecitonal amplifier further comprises a third connection configured to be coupled to a power adapter for providing power to the bidirectional amplifier.

18. The mobile device cradle of claim 15, wherein the external amplifier is located in the interior of the vehicle.

19. The mobile device cradle of claim 15, wherein the base for mounting the mobile device cradle is used to mount the mobile device cradle to the interior of a vehicle.

20. The mobile device cradle of claim 15, wherein the external antenna for communicating signals to and from a base station is located on the exterior of the vehicle.