Mobile vehicle housing for a portable communication device

• US 7,110,537 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Mazzara, William E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Deane, Jr., William J.
• Application Number:
  US10/172,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20040202312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 379/437, 379/451, 379/446, 379/455, 455/90.3, 455/300, 455/575.9, 455/575.5, 455/575.8
• US Class Current: 379/437
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

The invention provides a device for enhancing performance of a portable cellular phone within a mobile vehicle. The device includes a housing located within the vehicle into which a portable cellular phone may be placed. The housing includes an exterior layer that reflects noise signals and an interior layer that reduces reflection of communication signals within the housing. Signals are transmitted between the cellular phone and an exterior-mount transceiver by means of a wireless RF coupling device that is contained within the housing and connected to the exterior-mount transceiver using a coaxial cable.

Claims

1. A device for enhancing performance of a portable wireless communication device within a mobile vehicle, comprising:

a housing to enclose the portable wireless communication device, the housing including an exterior reflective layer and an interior nonreflective layer;

an RF coupling device positioned within the housing; and

a transceiver positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle, the transceiver operably connected to the RF coupling device,

wherein the exterior reflective layer reflects extraneous noise signals away from the housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the RF coupling device is a quarter-wave antenna.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is an antenna.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the RF coupling device and the transceiver are operably connected using a coaxial cable.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the nonreflective layer comprises foam.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the reflective layer comprises metal.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the metal comprises aluminum.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a closable opening through which the portable wireless communication device may be inserted or removed.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an RF signal amplifier.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a second transceiver operably positioned within the housing, the second transceiver operably connected to a vehicle sound system.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a power source positioned within the housing, the power source compatible with the portable wireless communication device.

12. A method for enhancing performance of a portable wireless communication device within a mobile vehicle, comprising:

enclosing the portable wireless communication device within a housing;

reflecting noise signals from outside the housing;

reducing reflection of communication signals within the housing; and

transmitting and receiving signals between the enclosed communication device and a transceiver operably positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting and receiving signals between the enclosed communication device and a sound system within the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

amplifying the transmitted and received signals.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising;

providing power to the portable wireless communication device.

16. A system for enhancing performance of a portable wireless communication device within a mobile vehicle, comprising:

means for enclosing the portable wireless communication device;

means for reflecting noise from outside the enclosing means;

means for reducing reflection of communication signals within the enclosing means; and

means for transmitting and receiving signals between the enclosed communication device and a transceiver operably positioned on an exterior surface of the vehicle.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

means for transmitting and receiving signals between the enclosed communication device and a sound system within the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

means for amplifying the transmitted and received signals.

19. The system of claim 16 further comprising;

means for providing power to the portable wireless communication device.