Three-dimensional geometric space loop antenna

• US 6,356,243 B1
• Filed: 07/19/2000
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Schneider, Gerhard, Junod, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Tho
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh Vo
• Application Number:
  US09/618,982
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.700, 343/741, 343/742, 343/867, 343/866, 343/765, 343/702, 343/776
• US Class Current: 343/866
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop

Abstract

An antenna system includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion form an antenna loop. The first portion may be etched on a printed circuit board. The second portion may be coupled with the first portion or extend from the first portion. The first portion and the second portion each may have one or more turns. Further, the second portion of the antenna loop resides in a three-dimensional geometric space that is different from the first portion of the antenna loop. The antenna system is particularly well suited for electronic devices having a confined internal space, for example, a cordless pointing device, a cordless gaining device, or a cordless camera device. A method for designing an antenna system is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An antenna system comprising:

a first portion of the antenna system wherein the first portion of the antenna system resides on a printed circuit board comprising electronic circuitry; and

a second portion of the antenna system, wherein the second portion of the antenna system is configured in a different geometric space than the first portion of the antenna system, the first portion and the second portion comprising an antenna loop.

2. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein the antenna loop is substantially closed.

3. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the antenna loop comprises an antenna wire.

4. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein the first portion of the antenna loop is etched on the printed circuit board.

5. The antenna system in claim 4, wherein the second portion of the antenna loop is an antenna wire.

6. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein the second portion of the antenna loop is substantially parallel to the first portion of the antenna loop.

7. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein the antenna loop is configured within a confined space.

8. The antenna system in claim 7, wherein the confined space comprises an internal portion of one from the group comprising a cordless mouse, a cordless joystick, and a cordless video camera.

9. The antenna system in claim 8, wherein the internal portion comprises a volume of approximately 6 to 10 centimeters by 2 to 5 centimeters by 2 to 4 centimeters.

10. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein the antenna loop either transmits or receives radio frequency signals.

11. The antenna system in claim 10, wherein the radio frequency signals are in a range of substantially up to 100 MHz.

12. The antenna system in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion of the antenna system includes a plurality of turns.

13. An antenna system configured within a confined space, comprising:

a first portion of the antenna system, the first portion etched on a printed circuit board comprising electronic circuitry; and

a second portion of the antenna system, the second portion including an antenna wire and in a different geometric space than the first portion;

wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured in an antenna loop.

14. The antenna system in claim 13, wherein the antenna loop is substantially closed.

15. The antenna system in claim 13, wherein the second portion is substantially parallel to the first portion.

16. The antenna system in claim 13, wherein the second portion further comprises being etched on a second printed circuit board.

17. The antenna system in claim 13, wherein the antenna system either transmits or receives radio frequency signals of less than substantially 100 MHz.

18. The antenna system in claim 13, wherein the confined space comprises an internal portion of one from the group comprising a cordless pointing device, a cordless gaming controller, and a cordless camera device.

19. The antenna system in claim 18, wherein the internal portion comprises a volume of approximately 6 to 10 centimeters by 2 to 5 centimeters by 2 to 4 centimeters.

20. The antenna system in claim 13, wherein at least one of the first portion or the second portion includes a plurality of turns.

21. A method for designing an antenna system for either transmitting or receiving a radio frequency signal of substantially less than 100 MHz in a device having a confined space, comprising:

etching a first portion of the antenna system on a printed circuit board comprising electronic circuitry; and

coupling a second portion of the antenna system in a geometric space apart from the first portion to form an antenna loop.

22. The method in claim 21, wherein the second portion of the antenna loop is either substantially parallel to the first portion or substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

23. The method in claim 21, wherein the antenna loop is substantially closed.