Integrated antenna and input/output port for a wireless communication device

• US 7,231,236 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2004
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd. (Hanwha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd. (Hanwha Corporation)
• Inventors: Cho, Se-hoon
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid; Lester G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sams; Matthew C
• Application Number:
  US10/899,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20050037824A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,051 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.7, 343/720, 343/906, 343/702, 439/916
• US Class Current: 455/575.7
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/916 Antenna

Abstract

A wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device comprises a body; and an input/output port installed on a side of said body and electrically connected to an antenna connecting portion of a communication module installed in said body. Thus, the input/output port of the wireless communication device also functions as the antenna.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device comprising:

a housing; and

an input/output connector outwardly extending from a side of the housing for electrical interfacing with an external device, the connector comprising

a metallic outer shell which constitutes an antenna for wireless communication, and

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the metallic outer shell;

wherein the housing, the connector and the antenna are physically integral.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the input/output connector is electrically connected to an antenna connecting portion for a communication module installed in the housing of the wireless communication device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the input/output connector is a USB connector.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the input/output connector is an IEEE 1394 connector.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cap for covering the input/output connector.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a personal digital assistant.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a data storing memory device.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein data communication with a peripheral device is attained via the input/output connector.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the input/output connector connects to a peripheral device via a cable.

11. A wireless communication device comprising:

a input/output connector configured to electrically couple with a complementary input/output port of an external host device, the input/output connector outwardly extending from a side of a housing of the wireless communication device, the input/output connector comprising;

a metallic outer shell which constitutes an antenna for wireless communication, and

a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the metallic outer shell;

wherein the input/output connector, the housing and the antenna are physically integral.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the input/output connector transmits and receives data to and from the external host device when physically coupled to the external host device.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the input/output connector comprises an external data bus port.

14. The device of claim 11, further comprising a protective cover that fits over the input/output connector.

15. A wireless communication device comprising:

a body; and

an external data bus including an electrically conductive outer shell which constitutes an antenna for wireless communication and a plurality of electrical contacts disposed within the conductive outer shell, the outer shell being attached to and extending outwardly from a side of the body, the outer shell being sized to fit into an external data bus port of a computer,

wherein the external data bus transmits data to and from the computer when physically coupled to the external data bus port, and

wherein the body, the external data bus and the outer shell are physically integral.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the external data bus comprises a USB connector.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the external data bus comprises an IEEE 1394 connector.