Portable device antenna

• US 6,483,469 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Boyle, Kevin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Don
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Trinh Vo
• Application Number:
  US09/773,158
• Publication Number:
  US 20010050645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.112, 343/702, 343/793, 343/810, 343/897, 343/718, 296/00, 296/01, 342/357.06, 342/357.07, 342/357.09
• US Class Current: 343/718
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/027 the material being suitable for use as a textile, e.g. woven-based RFID-like labels designed for attachment to laundry items markings attached to laundry items in general D06F93/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals

Abstract

A garment 10, such as a pair of trousers, skirt or full-length coat, comprises an antenna 12 and means 14 for connection of the same to a portable electronic device 16 to permit wireless communications of said device 16 via the antenna 12. The antenna 12 is a longitudinal conductive element attached to the garment 10 in such an orientation as to be close to the ground and to extend substantially vertically when a wearer of the garment is in a standing position. The antenna orientation close to the natural ground plane gives improved reception for, e.g. FM radio broadcasts.

Claims

1. A garment comprising an antenna and means for connection of the same to a portable electronic device to permit wireless communications of said device via said antenna;

wherein the garment is shaped to be worn about the lower body of a user and the antenna is a longitudinal conductive element attached to the garment in such an orientation as to be close to the ground and to extend substantially to the bottom end of the garment and vertically when a wearer of the garment is in a standing position.

2. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of longitudinal conductive elements spaced about the lower portion of the garment and positioned in substantially parallel alignment.

3. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element is attached to an interior surface of the garment.

4. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element is attached to an exterior surface of the garment.

5. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises a track of flexible conductive material deposited on a surface of the garment.

6. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element is concealed within a seam of the garment.

7. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises one or a plurality of conductive threads interwoven with the material of the garment.

8. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises a monopole element with a feed connection at the upper end thereof.

9. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element comprises a dipole with a feed connection joining a matched pair of antenna elements.

10. The garment as claimed in claim 9, in the form of a pair of trousers with each of said matched pair of elements being disposed down a respective leg of the trousers.

11. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means for connection to said portable electronic device comprise one or more conductive press stud connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element.

12. The garment as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pocket for reception of said portable electronic device adjacent said antenna.

13. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element is approximately 0.75 metres in length.

14. The garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conductive element is of an optimal length for reception of a predetermined radio frequency.