Antenna for portable computers

• US 6,181,284 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Prestwitch, Sy, Madsen, Brent D., Ostermiller, Dirk, Jones, Jeffrey L., Kunz, Ryan
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US09/322,870
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.124, 343/702, 343/900, 343/901, 343/721, 455/557
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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: H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence

Abstract

An antenna system for a portable computer allows communication between a portable computer and a wireless communication system to be established. The antenna is placed in a use position when the computer is opened to facilitate wireless communication and the antenna is placed in a storage position when the computer is closed. In the storage position, the antenna is placed in a storage compartment in the base unit of the computer. Additionally, the antenna has a first position in which the antenna is generally linearly aligned and a second position in which the antenna is positioned at approximately a 90° angle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for establishing wireless communication between a portable computer and a communications network, said apparatus comprising:

a portable computer including a cover and a base unit, said base unit including an upper surface, a lower surface and side walls, said portable computer including an open position and a closed position;

an antenna including a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said base unit of said portable computer in a generally fixed location relative to said upper surface of the base unit; and

a storage compartment in said base unit, said storage compartment being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said antenna when said computer is in said closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna is attached proximate said upper surface of said base unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an input device connected to said base unit and wherein said antenna is attached to said base unit proximate said input device.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna automatically extends outwardly from said base unit to facilitate wireless communication between said computer and the communications network when said computer is in said open position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said antenna extends generally perpendicular to said upper surface of said base unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna is automatically positioned within said storage compartment when said computer is in said closed position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna is positioned generally parallel to the upper surface of said base unit when said antenna is stored in said storage compartment;

and wherein said antenna is positioned generally perpendicular to the upper surface of said base unit when said antenna is configured for wireless communication between the portable computer and the communications network.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said antenna is configured to be positioned in a use position when said computer is in said open position and said antenna is configured to be positioned in a storage position when said computer is in said closed position.

9. The antenna of claim 8, wherein said antenna is generally linearly aligned when said antenna is in said storage position and said antenna is in an angled position when said antenna is in said use position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sliding member which is slidably movable to cover an opening of said storage compartment.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a cam that is connected to said sliding member, wherein said cam is rotated by the opening and closing of said computer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a surface on said cover that engages said antenna when said computer is being closed to position said antenna in said storage compartment.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a latch mechanism which releasably retains said antenna in said storage compartment.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an opening in said storage compartment to allow said antenna to be removed from said storage compartment without said computer being in said open position.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flexible sheath covering said antenna.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said flexible sheath includes a strain relief section.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an indicator attached to said antenna to indicate use of the apparatus.

18. A portable computer having an open position and a closed position, said portable computer comprising:

a base unit including an upper surface, a lower surface and at least two side walls;

an antenna connected to said base unit, said antenna configured to allow wireless communication between the portable computer and a wireless communication system; and

a recess sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said antenna when said computer is in the closed position, at least a portion of said antenna being automatically stored in said recess when the computer is in the closed position, at least a portion of said antenna being automatically deployed from said base unit when the computer is in the open position.

19. A flexible antenna for use with a portable computer, the flexible antenna including a first end and a second end, the portable computer including a base unit with a recess being sized and configured to receive the first end of the antenna in a generally fixed location relative to the base unit, said antenna comprising:

a flexible, radiating element;

a flexible sheath covering said elongated radiating element, said sheath configured to permit said radiating element to bend; and

a strain relief section in said flexible sheath to facilitate bending of said antenna;

wherein the antenna is configured to be positioned within the recess in the base unit of the portable computer when the antenna is in a stored position and wherein the antenna is configured to extend outwardly from the base unit when the antenna is in a use position.

20. The antenna of claim 19, further comprising an indicator attached to said radiating element.

21. The antenna of claim 20, wherein said indicator is a light source that indicates use of the antenna or portable computer.

22. The antenna of claim 19, wherein said radiating element comprises a plurality of elongated members positioned proximate to each other.

23. The antenna of claim 22, wherein said elongated members are separated by a dielectric material.

24. The antenna of claim 22, wherein one of said elongated members provides a signal source to an indicator and another of said elongated members provides a ground source for said indicator.

25. The antenna of claim 19, wherein said radiating element comprises two members separated by a dielectric material.

26. The antenna of claim 25, wherein said two members operatively form a single radiating component.

27. The antenna of claim 25, wherein said two members are spaced and configured to act as a single monopole antenna.

28. The antenna of claim 25, wherein one of said two members provides a signal source to an indicator and the other of said two members provides a ground source for said indicator.

29. The antenna of claim 19, further comprising a fastener connected to a first end of the elongated radiating element and configured to attach the antenna to a portable computer.

30. The antenna of claim 19, wherein said antenna is configured for use with a Bluetooth wireless communication system.

31. An electronic device including an open position and a closed position, the electronic device comprising:

a first portion;

a second portion movably connected to said first portion, said first portion and said second portion movable between the open position and the closed position;

a flexible antenna attached to said first portion, said flexible antenna having a first end and a second end, said flexible antenna having a first position wherein said first end and said second end are substantially linearly aligned and a second position wherein said first end and said second end are positioned at an angle, the flexible antenna being automatically positioned in the first position when the electronic device is in a first position, the flexible antenna being automatically positioned in the second position when the electronic device is in a second position.

32. The electronic device of claim 31, further comprising an opening in said first portion, said flexible antenna being stored in said opening in said first position.

33. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein said second end of said flexible antenna is positioned generally perpendicular to an upper surface of the first portion in said second position.

34. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein said flexible antenna is positioned at approximately a 90°

angle in said second position.