Personal communication device connectivity arrangement

• US 6,885,845 B1
• Filed: 08/08/2000
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ambit Corporation, Antennatech LLC
• Original Assignee: Ambit Corporation
• Inventors: Crowley, Robert J, Halgren, Donald N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Persino, Raymond B.
• Application Number:
  US09/634,140
• Time in Patent Office: 1,722 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 455/431, 455/7, 455/14, 455/18, 455/550.1, 455/560, 455/569.1, 455/569.2, 455/575.1, 455/575.5, 455/575.7, 455/575.8, 455/575.9, 455/406, 455/407, 455/408, 455/9, 343/702, 343/841, 343/703, 343/720, 379/347, 379/451, 379/446, 379/455, 379/58, 379/59, 361/814
• US Class Current: 455/9
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

A method of providing wireless communication to a personal communication device in an rf restricted environment. The personal communication device has a radiative antenna. The method comprising: providing a personal communication device with a radiative antenna; providing a first coupler antenna within the rf restricted environment; connecting the first coupler antenna to a second antenna mounted on the outside of the rf restricted environment through a computer controlled circuit arranged therebetween; wirelessly connecting the first coupler antenna with the radiative antenna of the personal communication device within the rf restricted environment; monitoring communications of the personal communication device at any point between the first coupler antenna and the second antenna; and billing for use of the personal communication device within the rf restricted environment. The personal communication device may be a cellular telephone. The personal communication device may be a laptop computer. The rf restricted environment may be an airplane.

Claims

1. A method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, comprising the steps of:

arranging a receiving support for receiving and supporting said personal communications device, said personal communication device having an externally radiative first antenna;

arranging a radiative coupling antenna at said receiving support and in a spaced-apart and offset relationship with respect to said radiative first antenna of a personal communication device on said support, to provide a capacitive coupling arrangement with respect to said radiative first antenna;

connecting said radiative coupling antenna to said further circuit for communication with said first antenna; and

energizing said personal communication device so as to receive and/or send an electronic signal thereby, through radiative communication between said first antenna and said further circuit.

2. The method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, as recited in claim 1, including the step of:

arranging said coupling antenna in a separate housing.

3. The method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, as recited in claim 1, including the step of:

fabricating said coupling antenna as a generally flat electrical conductor.

4. The method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, as recited in claim 1, including the step of:

shielding said coupling antenna within said housing, while permitting radio frequency communication between said first antenna and said coupling antenna.

5. The method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, as recited in claim 1, including the step of:

attaching a second antenna to said further circuit, to permit radio frequency communication between said personal communication device and said second antenna via said coupling antenna.

6. The method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving support comprises an article of furniture.

7. The method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit, as recited in claim 6, wherein said article of furniture is selected from the group comprised of:

an airplane seat tray, a desk, a chair, a table and an automobile.

8. A method for the permitting use of and for the monitoring of communication of a personal communication device arranged within an rf resistant structure, said method including the use of a further circuit within said rf resistant structure, said personal communication device having an externally radiative antenna, said method comprising the steps of:

arranging at least one first ungrounded capacitive coupling antenna in said rf resistant structure so as to be in a spaced apart relationship with respect to said externally radiative antenna of said personal communication device to permit radio frequency communication therebetween;

connecting said coupling antenna in said rf resistant structure to said further circuit in said rf resistant structure;

connecting a signal transmission monitoring computer to said further circuit for collecting personal communication device user information;

connecting said further circuit to a second antenna outside of said rf resistant structure;

arranging a personal communication device within said rf resistant structure so that said externally radiative antenna of said personal communication device is spaced apart from said coupling antenna within said rf structure;

energizing said personal communication device to permit communication through said further circuit and said second antenna arranged outside of said rf resistant structure; and

monitoring use of said personal communication device within said rf resistant structure.

9. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 8, including the steps of:

billing a user of said personal communication device for costs of service of said personal communication device while said personal communication device is utilized within said rf resistant structure.

10. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a filter circuit therewith, as recited in claim 8, including the step of:

connecting a second coupling antenna within said rf resistant structure with said further circuit in said rf resistant structure, to permit said personal communication device to improve communication thereof with said second antenna outside of said rf resistant structure.

11. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 8, wherein said structure is a building.

12. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 8, wherein said rf resistant structure is an airplane.

13. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 8, wherein said rf resistant structure is an article of furniture.

14. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 8, wherein said rf resistant structure is an automobile.

15. A method of improving the communication of a personal communication device in an rf resistant structure by using a fiber circuit therewith, said personal communication device having an externally radiative antenna, said method comprising the steps of:

arranging an ungrounded coupling antenna within said structure so as to be in an offset relationship with respect to said externally radiative antenna of said personal communication device to permit radio frequency communication therebetween;

connecting said coupling antenna to a further circuit;

connecting a loudspeaker independent of said personal communication device, to said further circuit;

connecting said further circuit to a second antenna external of said structure; and

placing a personal communication device within said structure so that its externally radiative antenna is spaced apart from said coupling antenna; and

energizing said personal communication device to permit communication outside of said structure, through said second antenna.

16. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 15, including the steps of

installing a battery in said personal communication device;

and

charging said battery in said personal communication device while said personal communication device is arranged within said structure.

17. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 15, wherein said personal communication device comprises a cellular telephone.

18. The method of improving the radio frequency communication of a personal communication device using a further circuit therewith, as recited in claim 17, including the step of:

operating said personal communication device at a frequency from the very high frequency region of the spectrum to the microwave region of the spectrum.

19. A method of communicating between a personal communication device and a further circuit of an automobile, to provide an improved range for said communication device:

supporting said personal communication device on a receiving support, said personal communication device having an externally radiative first antenna and a battery, said receiving support having a charging pin to charge said battery, said receiving support having a connection for a loudspeaker arranged independent of said personal communication device;

placing a tuned coupling antenna at said receiving support in an offset and adjacent position with respect to said first antenna wherein said coupling antenna is physically positioned between said receiving support and said first antenna;

connecting said tuned coupling antenna to said further circuit by a coaxial cable connector to permit communication between said personal communication device and said further circuit;

energizing said personal communication device so as to receive and/or send an electronic signal through said coaxial cable to a second external antenna comprising said further circuit.

20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein said receiving support has a conductive shield thereon.

21. A docking system for a personal communication device for connection of said device to a further circuit of an automobile, to provide an improved range for said communication device comprising:

a receiving support for receiving and supporting said personal communication device wherein said personal communication device has an externally radiative first antenna and a battery, said receiving support having a charging pin to charge said battery and said receiving support having a connection to a loudspeaker arranged independent of said personal communication device;

a tuned coupling antenna arranged at said receiving support in an offset and adjacent position with respect to said first antenna when said personal communication device is supported on said receiving support and, wherein said coupling antenna is physically positioned between said receiving support and said first antenna;

said tuned coupling antenna being connected to said further circuit by a coaxial cable connector to permit communication between said personal communication device and said further circuit, wherein said personal communication device may be energized so as to receive and/or send an electronic signal through said coaxial cable to a second external antenna comprising said further circuit.

22. A method of providing wireless communication to a personal communication device in an rf restricted environment, said personal communication device having a radiative antenna, said method comprising;

providing a personal communication device with a radiative antenna;

providing a first coupler antenna within said rf restricted environment;

connecting said first coupler antenna to a second antenna mounted on the outside of said rf restricted environment through a computer controlled circuit arranged therebetween;

wirelessly connecting said first coupler antenna with said radiative antenna of said personal communication device within said rf restricted environment;

monitoring communications of said personal communication device at any point between said first coupler antenna and said second antenna; and

billing for use of said personal communication device within said rf restricted environment.

23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said personal communication device is a cellular telephone.

24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said personal communication device is a laptop computer.

25. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein said rf restricted environment is an airplane.