Mobile device cradle having an integrated antenna or amplifier

• US 7,684,838 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wilson Electronics LLC (Wilson Electronics Holdings LLC)
• Original Assignee: Wilson Electronics
• Inventors: Wilson, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ajit
• Application Number:
  US12/125,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20090131131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/575.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile device cradle, having one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device capable of sending and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals, a connection to an antenna capable of communicating signals to and from a base station of the communication network, and a means for communicating signals to and from the mobile device. In the preferred embodiment, the mobile device cradle is mounted inside a vehicle and is used to improve the signal between the mobile device and the communication network.

Claims

1. A mobile device cradle, comprising:

a body;

one or more docking members extending from the body, the one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device and removably retaining the mobile device in the mobile device cradle, the mobile device configured to send and receiving communications via a communication network in the form of signals;

a connection to an antenna configured to communicate first signals to and from a base station of the communication network;

means for communicating second signals to and from the mobile device; and

an amplifier configured to apply a first amplification factor to the first signals received from the base station to produce first amplified adjusted signals and configured to apply a second amplification factor to the signals received from the mobile device to produce second amplified adjusted signals, wherein the amplifier includes;

a bidirectional amplifier comprising a first amplifier and a second amplifier, the first amplifier having an input coupled to the antenna, the first amplifier applying the first amplification factor to the first signals, the second amplifier having an input coupled to the means for communicating to and from the mobile device and an output coupled to the connection, the second amplifier configured to apply the second amplification factor to the second signals;

wherein the first amplified adjusted signals have a lower amplitude than the first signals received from the base station when an absolute value of the first amplification factor is less than one and wherein the first amplified adjusted signals have a greater amplitude than the first signals received from the base station when the absolute value of the first amplification factor is greater than one; and

wherein the second amplified adjusted signals have a lower amplitude than the second signals received from the mobile device when an absolute value of the second amplification factor is less than one and wherein the second amplified adjusted signals have a greater amplitude than the second signals received from the mobile device when the absolute value of the second amplification factor is greater than one.

2. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating second signals to and from the mobile device comprises a second antenna which is an integrated antenna which comprises a portion of the mobile device cradle.

3. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the means for communicating second signals to and from the mobile device comprises a hardwired connection.

4. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the antenna is located external to the mobile device cradle.

5. The mobile device cradle of claim 4, wherein the mobile device cradle is located on the interior of a vehicle and the antenna is attached to the exterior of the vehicle.

6. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises an integrated antenna which comprises a portion of the mobile device cradle.

7. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, further comprising a base for mounting the mobile device cradle to a vehicle.

8. The mobile device cradle of claim 1, further comprising a second connection coupled to a power adapter configured to provide power to the bidirectional amplifier.

9. A mobile device cradle, comprising:

a body;

one or more docking members extending from the body, the one or more docking members configured to removably receive a mobile device and to removably retain the mobile device, the mobile device configured to send and receive communications via a communication network in the form of signals;

a first connection configured to be coupled to an external antenna for communicating first signals to and from a base station of the communication network;

an integrated antenna for communicating second signals to and from the mobile device;

a bidirectional amplifier including;

a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first connection and an output coupled to the integrated antenna, the first amplifier applying a first amplification factor to the first signals received from the base station to produce first amplified adjusted signals, wherein the first amplified adjusted signals have a lower amplitude than the signals received from the base station when an absolute value of the first amplification factor is less than one and wherein the first amplified adjusted signals have a greater amplitude when the absolute value is greater than one; and

a second amplifier having an input coupled to the integrated antenna and an output coupled to the first connection, the second amplifier applying a second amplification factor to the second signals received from the mobile device to produce second amplified adjusted signals, wherein the second amplified adjusted signals have a lower amplitude than the signals received from the mobile device when an absolute value of the second amplification factor is less than one and wherein the second amplified adjusted signals have a greater amplitude when the absolute value is greater than one;

a second connection configured to be coupled to a power adapter for providing power to the bidirectional amplifier; and

a base for mounting the mobile device cradle to a vehicle.

10. The mobile device cradle of claim 9, wherein the base for mounting the mobile device cradle is used to mount the mobile device cradle to the interior of a vehicle.

11. The mobile device cradle of claim 9, wherein the external antennal for communicating signals to and from a base station is located on the exterior of the vehicle.

12. The mobile device cradle of claim 9, wherein the integrated antenna is configured to communicate signals to and from a plurality of mobile devices and the second amplifier of the bidirectional amplifier is configured to apply a second amplification factor to signals received from the plurality of mobile devices.

13. A mobile device cradle, comprising:

one or more docking members for removably receiving a mobile device configured to send and receive communications via a communication network in the form of signals;

a first connection configured to be coupled to an external antenna for communicating first signals to and from a base station of the communication network; and

an integrated antenna for communicating second signals to and from the mobile device;

a second connection configured to be coupled to an external amplifier; and

a base for mounting the mobile device cradle to a vehicle;

wherein the external amplifier includes a bidirectional amplifier comprising;

a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first connection and an output coupled to the integrated antenna, the first amplifier being configured to apply a first amplification factor to the first signals received from the base station to produce first amplified adjusted signals; and

a second amplifier having an input coupled to the integrated antenna and an output coupled to the first connection, the second amplifier applying a second amplification factor to signals received from the mobile device to produce second amplified adjusted signals;

wherein the first amplified adjusted signals have a lower amplitude than the first signals when an absolute value of the first amplification factor is less than one and wherein the first amplified adjusted signals have a greater amplitude than the first signals when the absolute value of the first amplification factor is greater than one; and

wherein the second amplified adjusted signals have a lower amplitude than the second signals when an absolute value of the second amplification factor is less than one and wherein the second amplified adjusted signals have a greater amplitude than the second signals when the absolute value of the second amplification factor is greater than one.

14. The mobile device cradle of claim 13, wherein the external amplifier is a bidirectional amplifier comprising a first amplifier having an input coupled to the first connection and an output coupled to the integrated antenna, the first amplifier being capable of applying a first amplification factor to signals received from the base station, and a second amplifier having an input coupled to the integrated antenna and an output coupled to the first connection, the second amplifier applying a second amplification factor to signals received from the mobile device.

15. The mobile device cradle of claim 13, wherein the external bidirectional amplifier further comprises a third connection configured to be coupled to a power adapter for providing power to the bidirectional amplifier.

16. The mobile device cradle of claim 13, wherein the external amplifier is located in the interior of the vehicle.

17. The mobile device cradle of claim 13, wherein the base for mounting the mobile device cradle is used to mount the mobile device cradle to the interior of a vehicle.

18. The mobile device cradle of claim 13, wherein the external antenna for communicating first signals to and from a base station is located on the exterior of the vehicle.