Antenna for a portable information device

• US 6,353,414 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2000
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Prestwich, Sy, Moore, David J., Stewart, Kurt J., Wheeler, John M., Madsen, Brent D., Jones, Jeffrey L., Lo Forte, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, THO GIA
• Application Number:
  US09/605,320
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.124, 343/702, 343/872, 343/900, 343/906, 364/708.1, 455/90
• US Class Current: 343/702
• 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 1/1656 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 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2266 disposed inside the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/244 extendable from a housing along a given path
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence

Abstract

An apparatus and method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) are provided. The PID includes a housing having an elongated slot formed therein. A circuit board is disposed with the housing. An elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end is received in the elongated slot. A conductive contact member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing, and an antenna member is positioned within the elongated antenna housing. The antenna member is electrically connected with the conductive contact member. A conductive connection clip is attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board. The conductive connection clip includes a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the conductive connection clip is operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion of the conductive connection clip contacts the conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing to allow signals to be transmitted from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa.

Claims

1. A portable information device (PID) comprising:

a housing, the housing including an elongated cylindrical groove formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, a removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing slidably received in the elongated cylindrical groove, the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a conductive contact member positioned within the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion contacting the conductive contact member to allow signals to be transferred from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa.

2. The PID of claim 1 wherein the first end portion of the conductive connection clip is positioned in the elongated cylindrical groove.

3. The PID of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a first end and a second end, the conductive connection clip positioned adjacent to the first end of the housing.

4. The PID of claim 1 wherein the conductive connection clip is comprised of a conductive alloy.

5. The PID of claim 1 wherein the elongated cylindrical groove is configured to receive a stylus.

6. The PID of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a first side and a second side, the elongated cylindrical groove positioned along the first side of the housing.

7. The PID of claim 6 further comprising a second elongated cylindrical groove positioned along the second side of the housing, the second elongated cylindrical groove positioned along the second side of the housing being identical to the elongated cylindrical groove positioned along the first side of the housing.

8. The PID of claim 7 wherein the second elongated cylindrical groove is configured to receive a stylus.

9. The PID of claim 1 wherein the conductive contact member is positioned within the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing adjacent to the first end of the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing.

10. The PID of claim 9 wherein the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing includes an opening formed therein, the conductive connection clip extending through the opening to contact the conductive contact member.

11. The PID apparatus of claim 10 wherein the opening receives the first end portion of the conductive connection clip.

12. The PID of claim 1 wherein the antenna member is configured to be positioned in an extended position and a retracted position.

13. The PID of claim 1 wherein the antenna member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the antenna member including a manually operable cap portion to allow the antenna member to be positioned between a retracted position and an extended position, the second end of the antenna member including an antenna collection collet.

14. The PID of claim 13 wherein the antenna collection collet is electrically connected with the conductive contact member and the conductive connection clip.

15. The PID of claim 1 further comprising a cover for the PID, the cover operatively connected to the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing.

16. The PID of claim 15 further comprising a flexible hinge member, the flexible hinge member attached the cover and to the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing.

17. The PID of claim 16 further comprising an attachment stub, the attachment stub attached to the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing and the flexible hinge member.

18. A method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) comprising the steps of:

providing a housing for the PID, the housing including an elongated cylindrical groove formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, a removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a conductive contact member positioned within the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board;

slidably inserting the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing into the elongated cylindrical groove;

contacting the first end portion of the conductive connection clip against the conductive contact member; and

transferring signals from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the removable elongated cylindrical antenna housing includes an opening formed therein and further comprising the steps of:

extending the conductive connection clip through the opening to contact the conductive contact member.

20. A portable information device (PID) comprising:

a housing, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing received in the elongated slot, the elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a first conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing adjacent to the first end of the elongated antenna housing, a second conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing adjacent to the second end of the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member configured to be positioned in a retracted position and an extended position, the antenna member electrically connected with the first conductive contact member when the antenna member is in the extended position, the antenna member electrically connected with the second conductive contact member when the antenna member is in the retracted position, a first conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the first conductive contact member and the circuit board, the first conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the first conductive connection clip operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion of the first conductive connection clip contacting the first conductive contact member to 61low signals to be transferred from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa when the antenna member is in the extended position, a second conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the second conductive contact member and the circuit board, the second conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the second conductive connection clip operatively connected to the circuit board and the second end portion of the second conductive connection clip contacting the second conductive contact member to allow signals to be transmitted from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa when the antenna member is in the retracted position.

21. The PID of claim 20 wherein the first end portion of the first conductive connection clip is positioned in the elongated slot and the second end portion of the second conductive connection clip is positioned in the elongated slot.

22. The PID of claim 20 wherein the antenna member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the antenna member including a manually operable cap portion to allow the antenna member to be positioned between the retracted position and the extended position, the second end of the antenna member including an antenna collection collet, the antenna collection collet electrically connected with the first conductive contact member when the antenna member is in the extended position, the antenna collection collet electrically connected with the second conductive contact member when the antenna member is in the retracted position.

23. A method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) comprising the steps of:

providing a housing for the PID, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing received in the elongated slot, the elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a first conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing adjacent to the first end of the elongated antenna housing, a second conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing adjacent to the second end of the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member configured to be positioned in a retracted position and an extended position, the antenna member electrically connected with the first conductive contact member when the antenna member is in the extended position, the antenna member electrically connected with the second conductive contact member when the antenna member is in the retracted position, a first conductive connection clip attached to the housing, the first conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion of the first conductive connection clip operatively connected to the circuit board, a second conductive connection clip attached to the housing, the second conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the second conductive connection clip operatively connected to the circuit board;

inserting the elongated antenna housing into the elongated slot;

contacting the first end portion of the first conductive connection clip against the first conductive contact member;

contacting the second end portion of the second conductive connection clip against the second conductive contact member;

transferring signals from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa when the antenna member is in the extended position; and

transferring signals from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa when the antenna member is in the retracted position.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the antenna member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the antenna member including a manually operable cap portion, the second end of the antenna member including an antenna collection collet;

positioning the antenna member in the extended position to allow the antenna collection collet to be electrically connected with the first conductive contact member; and

positioning the antenna member in the retracted position to allow the antenna collection collet to be electrically connected with the second conductive contact member.

25. A portable information device (PID) comprising:

a housing, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing received in the elongated slot, the elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion contacting the conductive contact member to allow signals to be transferred from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa, the housing including a first side and a second side, the elongated slot positioned along the first side of the housing, a second elongated slot positioned along the second side of the housing, the second elongated slot positioned along the second side of the housing being identical to the elongated slot positioned along the first side of the housing.

26. The PID of claim 25 wherein the second elongated slot is configured to receive a stylus.

27. A portable information device (PID) comprising:

a housing, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing received in the elongated slot, the elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion contacting the conductive contact member to allow signals to be transferred from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa wherein the conductive contact member is positioned within the antenna housing adjacent to the first end of the antenna housing and wherein the elongated antenna housing includes an opening formed therein, the conductive connection clip extending through the opening to contact the conductive contact member.

28. The PID apparatus of claim 27 wherein the opening receives the first end portion of the conductive connection clip.

29. A portable information device (PID) comprising:

a housing, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing received in the elongated slot, the elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion contacting the conductive contact member to allow signals to be transferred from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa wherein the antenna member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the antenna member including a manually operable cap portion to allow the antenna member to be positioned between a retracted position and an extended position, the second end of the antenna member including an antenna collection collet.

30. The PID of claim 29 wherein the antenna collection collet is electrically connected with the conductive contact member and the conductive connection clip.

31. A portable information device (PID) comprising:

a housing, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing received in the elongated slot, the elongated antenna housing including a first end and a second end, a conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing for providing an electrical connection between the conductive contact member and the circuit board, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board and the first end portion contacting the conductive contact member to allow signals to be transferred from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa, a cover for the PID, the cover operatively connected to the elongated antenna housing, a flexible hinge member, the flexible hinge member attached the cover and to the elongated antenna housing.

32. The PID of claim 31 further comprising an attachment stub, the attachment stub attached to the elongated antenna housing and the flexible hinge member.

33. A method of mounting an antenna in a portable information device (PID) comprising the steps of:

providing a housing for the PID, the housing including an elongated slot formed therein, a circuit board disposed with the housing, an elongated antenna housing including a first end, a second end, and an opening formed therein, a conductive contact member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, an antenna member positioned within the elongated antenna housing, the antenna member electrically connected with the conductive contact member, a conductive connection clip attached to the housing, the conductive connection clip including a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion operatively connected to the circuit board;

inserting the elongated antenna housing into the elongated slot;

contacting the first end portion of the conductive connection clip against the conductive contact member;

transferring signals from the antenna member to the circuit board and vice versa; and

extending the conductive connection clip through the opening to contact the conductive contact member.