Antenna cap for computer device utilizing a radio card

• US 5,590,346 A
• Filed: 07/26/1993
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Norand Corporation (Baker Hughes Company)
• Inventors: Mahany, Ronald L., West, Guy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowler, Alyssa H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Davis, Walter D.
• Application Number:
  US08/097,462
• Time in Patent Office: 1,254 Days
• Field of Search: 395/800, 343/702, 343/803, 343/873, 343/872, 361/393, 379/61
• US Class Current: 455/348
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1098 the scanning arrangement having a modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/007 specially adapted for indoor communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2275 associated to expansion card or bus, e.g. in PCMCIA, PC cards, Wireless USB
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/24 Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction circularly polarised patch antennas H01Q9/0428; circularly polarised horns H01Q13/0241; cross-polarised horns H01Q13/0258; polarisation converters H01Q15/242; cross-polarised rear feeds H01Q19/136; crossed polarisation dual antenna H01Q25/001
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/29 Combinations of different interacting antenna units for giving a desired directional characteristic H01Q25/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/1615 Switching on; Switching off, e.g. remotely battery saving circuits associated with selective call operation H04W52/00; details of power consumption reduction in a PLL, H03L7/0802, H03L7/14, H03L2207/08, H03L2207/18; muting amplifiers by gain control see H03G3/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3816 : Mechanical arrangements for accommodating identification devices, e.g. cards or chips; with connectors for programming identification devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 : Hand-held transceivers
• 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: H04L 69/32 : Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 : in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/325 : in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/326 : in the transport layer [OSI layer 4] H04L69/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A computer device for receiving and utilizing a radio card. The radio transceiver is self contained inside the radio card and has antenna contacts disposed on the radio card on one end and an electrical interface on the other. The computer device receives the radio card such that it engages the electrical interface. The computer device additionally has and cap which covers the opening into which the radio has been inserted. Antenna contacts are disposed on the cap to engage the antenna contacts on the radio card. At least one antenna is operably connected to the radio card through the cap. A band is used to attach the cap to the housing of the computer device. The antenna or antennas are embedded in the cap, in the band, or embedded in or attached to the housing of the computer device. Positioning two similar antennas in different position creates an antenna diversity scheme. Shielding can be added to the cap to help reduce the escape of electronic noise. A micro shield ribbon can be used to connect the antenna and the antenna contacts on the cap.

Claims

1. A computer device comprising:

a radio card having a radio card electrical interface and radio card antenna contacts disposed thereon;

a housing having an external surface, wherein said external surface includes an opening having a periphery;

a second electrical interface disposed within the opening of said housing;

said radio card electrical interface communicatively coupling with said second electrical interface upon insertion of said radio card through the opening of said housing;

a cap sized to engage said opening of said housing;

cap antenna contacts disposed on said cap to communicatively couple with said radio card antenna contacts upon engaging said cap with said opening of said housing; and

a first antenna connected to said cap antenna contacts.

2. The computer device of claim 1 wherein said cap includes a lip disposed to sealingly engage said housing at the periphery of said opening.

3. The computer device of claim 2 wherein said lip is outwardly extending.

4. The computer device of claim 1 wherein said first antenna is disposed in said cap.

5. The computer device of claim 1 further comprising:

a second antenna; and

said second antenna connected to said cap antenna contacts.

6. The computer device of claim 5 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are disposed in said cap.

7. The computer device of claim 6 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are designed to transmit or receive different radio frequency signals.

8. The computer device of claim 1 further comprising a band, said band including a first end connected to said housing and a second end connected to said cap.

9. The computer device of claim 8 further comprising:

a second antenna; and

said second antenna connected to said cap antenna contacts.

10. The computer device of claim 9 wherein said first antenna is disposed in said cap and said second antenna is disposed in said band.

11. The computer device of claim 10 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are designed to transmit or receive different range of radio frequency signals.

12. The computer device of claim 11 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are designed to transmit or receive a common range of radio frequency signals.

13. The computer device of claim 8 wherein said first antenna is disposed on said housing and wherein a portion of said connecting means is disposed in said band.

14. The computer device of claim 13 wherein said first antenna and said cap antenna contacts are connected utilizing a micro shield strip.

15. The computer device of claim 9 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are disposed on said housing.

16. The computer device of claim 15 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are designed to transmit or receive different range of radio frequency signals.

17. The computer device of claim 15 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are designed to transmit or receive a common range of radio frequency signals.

18. The computer device of claim 17 wherein said first antenna and said second antenna are disposed perpendicular with respect to each other.

19. The computer device of claim 15 wherein said second antenna and said cap antenna contacts are also connected utilizing a micro shield strip.

20. The computer device of claim 1 wherein said cap is constructed of a cellular foam material.

21. The computer device of claim 1 wherein said cap includes a shielding means for preventing electronic noise from escaping from said housing.

22. A computer device utilizing a radio card, said radio card including a radio disposed within said radio card, a radio electrical interface operably and electrically connected to said radio and positioned on one end of said radio card, and radio card antenna contacts positioned on the other end of said radio card and electrically connected to said radio;

said computer device comprising;

a housing, said housing including an external surface;

opening means for forming an opening in said external surface of said housing;

receiving means for receiving said radio card through said opening means in said housing, said receiving means including means for engaging said radio electrical interface;

a cap disposed to engage said opening means in said housing;

cap antenna contacts disposed on said cap to engage said radio card antenna contacts;

an antenna; and

connecting means for operably connecting said antenna to said cap antenna contacts, wherein a portion of said connecting means is disposed in said cap.

23. A computer device comprising:

a radio card, said radio card including a radio disposed within said radio card, a radio electrical interface operably and electrically connected to said radio and positioned on one end of said radio card, and radio card antenna contacts positioned on the other end of said radio card and electrically connected to said radio;

a housing, said housing including an external surface;

opening means for forming an opening in said external surface of said housing;

receiving means for receiving said radio card through said opening means in said housing, said receiving means including means for engaging said radio electrical interface;

a cap disposed to engage said opening means in said housing;

cap antenna contacts disposed on said cap to engage said radio card antenna contacts;

an antenna; and

connecting means for operably connecting said antenna to said cap antenna contacts, wherein a portion of said connecting means is disposed in said cap.

24. A computer device comprising:

a radio card, said radio card including a radio disposed within said radio card, a radio electrical interface operably and electrically connected to said radio and positioned on one end of said radio card, and radio card antenna contacts positioned on the other end of said radio card and electrically connected to said radio;

a housing, said housing including an external surface;

opening means for forming an opening in said external surface of said housing;

receiving means for receiving said radio card through said opening means in said housing, said receiving means including means for engaging said radio electrical interface;

a cap disposed to engage said opening means in said housing;

said cap having an open position wherein a radio card can be received by said receiving means and a closed position;

cap antenna contacts disposed on said cap to engage said radio card antenna contacts;

wherein said cap has an open position wherein a radio card can be received by said receiving means and wherein said cap has a closed position wherein said cap antenna contacts engage said radio card antenna contacts;

an antenna; and

connecting means for operably connecting said antenna to said cap antenna contacts, wherein a portion of said connecting means is disposed in said cap.