WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ACCESSORY FOR A MOBILE DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting a near field communication (NFC) signal from a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case, the method comprising:
- providing a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case;
wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a battery and an antenna configured to transmit near field communication (NFC) signals;
wherein the protective case comprises a supplemental battery configured to charge the mobile electronic device;
wherein the protective case comprises a repeater antenna that includes a first antenna disposed on a first side of the supplemental battery, a second antenna disposed on a second side of the supplemental battery, and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna;
transmitting an NFC signal from the antenna of the mobile electronic device, wherein the supplemental battery is positioned to block or otherwise impede the NFC signal;
receiving the NFC signal by the first antenna of the repeater antenna;
relaying the NFC signal from the first antenna of the repeater antenna to the second antenna of the repeater antenna via the electrical connection; and
re-transmitting the NFC signal from the second antenna of the repeater antenna.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile device peripheral that incorporates a repeater antenna inside of a protective case for a mobile device to extend the range of short-range communications while minimizing interference caused by the thickness or materials of the protective case. The repeater antenna can be capable of receiving a wireless signal from an antenna in the mobile device and transmitting the same signal or an amplified version of the same signal. The repeater antenna can be capable of receiving a wireless signal from an external antenna and transmitting the same signal or an amplified version of the same signal to the mobile device. The mobile device peripheral can also include a battery that provides additional power the mobile device. Without a repeater antenna, the materials and/or thickness of the additional battery and/or the case can partially or completely block a short-range, low-frequency, or low-power communication signal such as Near Field Communication (NFC).
142 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting a near field communication (NFC) signal from a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case; wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a battery and an antenna configured to transmit near field communication (NFC) signals; wherein the protective case comprises a supplemental battery configured to charge the mobile electronic device; wherein the protective case comprises a repeater antenna that includes a first antenna disposed on a first side of the supplemental battery, a second antenna disposed on a second side of the supplemental battery, and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna; transmitting an NFC signal from the antenna of the mobile electronic device, wherein the supplemental battery is positioned to block or otherwise impede the NFC signal; receiving the NFC signal by the first antenna of the repeater antenna; relaying the NFC signal from the first antenna of the repeater antenna to the second antenna of the repeater antenna via the electrical connection; and re-transmitting the NFC signal from the second antenna of the repeater antenna. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A protective case for a mobile electronic device, the protective case comprising:
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a housing that includes a cavity configured to at least partially enclose a mobile electronic device that has an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from a rear of the mobile electronic device, the housing comprising a back plane configured to be disposed rearward of the mobile electronic device; a battery inside the housing such that the battery is configured to be disposed rearward of the mobile electronic device; a first antenna disposed on a first side of the battery facing forward and configured to receive signals from, and transmit signals to, the antenna of the mobile electronic device; a second antenna disposed on a second side of the battery facing rearward; and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna, wherein the electrical connection is configured to communicate signals between the first antenna and the second antenna; wherein the first antenna is configured to re-transmit signals received by the second antenna, and wherein the second antenna is configured to re-transmit signals received by the first antenna. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A case for a mobile electronic device, the case comprising:
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a housing configured to removably couple to a mobile electronic device; a first antenna inside the housing; and a second antenna inside the housing and spaced apart from the first antenna; and a communication link between the first antenna and the second antenna; wherein the first antenna is configured to emit a signal that is based at least in part on a signal received by the second antenna, or wherein the second antenna is configured to emit a signal that is based at least in part on a signal received by the first antenna. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A peripheral for a mobile electronic device comprising:
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a case configured to hold a mobile electronic device; and a repeater antenna at least partially disposed inside the case. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification