Communication terminals having integrated antenna and speaker assemblies

• US 7,460,074 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2004
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ying, Zhinong, Shi, Wanqing
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran; Chuc
• Application Number:
  US10/560,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20060152417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 343/702, 343/720, 343/829, 343/846, 343/700.MS, 455/575.7
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/22 by structural association with other equipment or articles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/04 Resonant antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0421 with a shorting wall or a shorting pin at one end of the element H01Q9/0414 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/03 Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use

Abstract

Communications devices having a combined antenna and speaker for a radio receiving apparatus is provided. The combined antenna and speaker includes a speaker and a low profile built-in radio antenna element. The antenna element includes a flat sheet carrying a conductive antenna trace. An exciter is connected to the sheet and devised to induce vibrations therein for generating sound. This integrates a flat panel speaker with the antenna element, which saves components and may increase performance.

Claims

1. A communication terminal comprising a speaker and a low profile built-in radio antenna element, wherein said antenna element comprises a flat sheet incorporating a conductive antenna trace, and wherein an exciter is connected to said sheet such that the exciter is in direct mechanical contact with the flat sheet and devised to induce vibrations therein for generating sound, said antenna trace having a substantially flat pattern of conductive material carried on said sheet, wherein the exciter comprises a piezoelectric crystal configured to expand or contract responsive to electrical signals to induce the vibrations.

2. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said sheet is made from an insulating material.

3. The communication terminal as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheet is made from a plastic material.

4. The communication terminal as recited in claim 2, wherein said sheet is made from a ceramic material.

5. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said exciter is connected adjacent to a side edge of said antenna element.

6. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said exciter is insulated from said antenna trace.

7. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said exciter comprises first and second speaker signal connectors.

8. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said antenna trace defines an antenna patch.

9. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said antenna trace is connected to a radio feed circuit of the terminal, and to a ground plane which is spaced from the antenna patch.

10. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said antenna element is positioned parallel to a ground plane, wherein a spacing between the antenna element and the ground plane acts as an electromagnetic resonance cavity.

11. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein a cover member of the terminal comprises an aperture adjacent to said antenna element.

12. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein a sound channel extends from a position adjacent to said antenna element to a channel front outlet at a front side of the terminal.

13. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said antenna trace is printed on said sheet.

14. The communication terminal as recited in claim 1, wherein said antenna trace is etched out on said antenna element.