Radio antenna

• US 6,140,970 A
• Filed: 04/30/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Ylijurva, Teija Anitta
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HOANG V
• Application Number:
  US09/302,599
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/906, 343/700 MS, 342/379, 375/347, 455/90, 455/575
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching

Abstract

A mobile radio antenna configuration scheme. A first embodiment discloses an extendable first antenna for a mobile radio that can serve as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, an internal second antenna. When in the stored position, the first antenna is disposed within the mobile radio casing so that the form factor advantages of using internal antennas are obtained. When fully extended, the majority of the first antenna is external to the mobile phone. In another embodiment, the mobile radio transceiver engine is switched from the second antenna to the first antenna upon extension of the first antenna. In another embodiment, the transceiver is connected to both antennas. In another embodiment, the antenna with the strongest signal is connected to the transceiver when the extendable antenna is extended. In another embodiment, an antenna module inserts into a mobile radio. The antenna module may have various antenna combinations for custom configuration of the mobile radio.

Claims

1. A mobile transceiver, comprising:

a casing;

a transceiver engine disposed within said casing;

a first antenna, said first antenna fixed within said casing and coupled to said transceiver engine; and

a second antenna, said second antenna movable between a first position and a second position;

wherein said second antenna is electrically connected to said transceiver when in said second position; and

wherein said second antenna is disposed completely within said casing when said second antenna is in said first position.

2. The mobile transceiver of claim 1, further comprising a switch;

wherein said first and second antennas are coupled to said transceiver engine through said switch; and

wherein said first and second antennas are each electrically connected to said transceiver engine, respectively, by moving said second antenna between said first and second position.

3. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising a signal processor;

wherein said first and second antennas are coupled to said transceiver engine through said signal processor; and

wherein said signal processor combines signals from said first and second antennas for input to said transceiver engine.

4. The transceiver of claim 1, further comprising a signal processor;

wherein said first and said second antennas are coupled to said transceiver engine through said signal processor; and

wherein said signal processor signals to said transceiver engine from the antenna, selected from the group of said first and said second antenna, receiving the strongest signal.

5. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein a majority of said second antenna protrudes from said casing when said second antenna is moved to said second position.

6. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein said casing has an opening through which said second antenna protrudes when extended.

7. The transceiver of claim 1, wherein said casing has no protruding portion for receiving said second antenna.

8. A wireless modem, comprising:

a wireless modem;

a first antenna, said first antenna electrically connected to said modem; and

a second antenna, electrically connected to said modem and movable from a first position to a second position;

wherein said modem switches from said first antenna to said second antenna when said second antenna is moved from said first position to said second position, respectively.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a computer;

wherein said first antenna is disposed within said computer.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said first antenna is disposed within said wireless modem.

11. A mobile telephone system, comprising:

a mobile telephone, said mobile telephone having a first electrical connector disposed within said mobile telephone; and

an antenna module, said antenna module comprising at least one fixed antenna and at least one movable antenna;

wherein said antenna module inserts into said mobile telephone and electrically connects with said first electrical connector.

12. The mobile telephone system of claim 11, wherein said antenna module comprises at least one antenna, said at least one antenna movable between a first and second position.

13. The mobile telephone system of claim 11, wherein said antenna module comprises at least one fixed antenna.

14. A computer system, comprising:

at least one microprocessor;

at least one user input device;

a display device; and

a wireless modem comprising

a first antenna coupled to said modem; and

a second antenna, coupled to said modem and movable from a first position to a second position;

wherein said modem switches from said first antenna to said second antenna when said second antenna is moved from said first position to said second position.