Auxiliary antenna for wireless handset

• US 6,831,609 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 12/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shively, David, Frerking, Mel
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, HOANGANH T
• Application Number:
  US10/328,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: H01/Q.124, 343/702, 343/906, 381/315, 381/316, 381/321, 381/322
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use

Abstract

An auxiliary antenna for adapting a wireless handset for use with a hearing aid is provided. The auxiliary antenna is placed in a location that is away from the hearing aid such that signals transmitted from the antenna do not interfere with the transmissions of the hearing aid. The systems and methods presented provide a solution for a fixed antenna configuration and an internal antenna configuration.

Claims

1. A method for preventing signal transmissions from a primary antenna of a wireless phone handset from causing an interference in a hearing aid device, comprising the steps of:

coupling an RF capture device with the primary antenna of the wireless phone handset, such that signal transmissions from the primary antenna are captured by the RF capture device;

associating a transmission point with the RF capture device; and

transmitting the signal transmissions originating at the primary antenna from the transmission point in a direction that does not cause interference in the hearing aid device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RF capture device and the transmission point are connected using a transmission cable.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmission cable is a co-axial cable.

4. A method for preventing signal transmissions from a primary antenna of a wireless phone handset from causing an interference in a hearing aid device, comprising the steps of:

coupling an RF capture device with the primary antenna of the wireless phone handset, such that signal transmissions from the primary antenna are captured by the RF capture device;

associating a transmission point to the RF capture device; and

transmitting the signal transmissions originating at the primary antenna from the transmission point at a distance that does not cause interference in the hearing aid device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the RF capture device and the transmission point are associated using a transmission cable thereby enabling remote transmission or signals at the distance that does not cause interference in the hearing aid device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmission cable is a co-axial cable.

7. A method for preventing signal transmissions from a primary antenna of a wireless phone handset from causing an interference in a hearing aid device, comprising the steps of:

coupling an RF capture device with the primary antenna of the wireless phone handset, such that signal transmissions from the primary antenna are captured by the RF capture device;

associating a transmission point with the RF capture device;

positioning the transmission point such that signal transmitted from the transmission point do not cause interference in the hearing aid; and

transmitting the signal transmissions originating at the primary antenna from the transmission point.