Mobile station with satellite antenna

• US 7,747,294 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2006
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kwon, Jong-Hun
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; CongVan
• Application Number:
  US11/336,287
• Publication Number:
  US 20060170656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751-5757, 455128-129, 455/90.3, 455/550.1, 345/156, 345168-169
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material

Abstract

A mobile station comprises a substrate having circuitry adapted to perform communication functions. The mobile station also comprises a keypad adapted to receive input from a user to control the mobile station, wherein at least one key of the keypad is operably coupled to the substrate. The mobile station also comprises an antenna at least partially housed in the at least one key to receive wireless communications. The wireless communications may comprise satellite communications, such as digital multimedia communications. The keypad may comprise input keys adapted to receive input of numbers and characters, and the a multi-key having a plurality of radially arranged buttons. The keypad may also comprise function keys arranged around the multi-key, and a padbase adapted to fix the input keys, the multi-key, and the function keys on the surface of the keypad. The antenna may be positioned in a lower portion of the multi-key.

Claims

1. A mobile station, comprising:

a substrate having circuitry adapted to perform communication functions;

a keypad coupled to a body of the mobile station, the keypad being configured to receive input from a user to control the mobile station, wherein at least one key of the keypad is operably coupled to the substrate; and

an antenna embedded within the keypad to receive wireless communications, wherein the antenna is at least partially covered with the at least one key,

wherein the keypad comprises;

input keys configured to receive an input of numbers or characters,

a multi-key comprising a plurality of radially arranged buttons and an antenna accommodation unit configured to accommodate the antenna positioned in a lower portion of the multi-key,

function keys arranged around the multi-key, and

a padbase configured to fix the input keys, the multi-key, and the function keys on a surface of the keypad.

2. The mobile station of claim 1, further comprising:

a display adapted to output visual information to the user.

3. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the antenna is further adapted to transmit wireless communications.

4. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications comprise satellite communications.

5. The mobile station of claim 4, wherein the satellite communications comprise digital multimedia communications.

6. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein a shape of the antenna corresponds to a shape of the multi-key.

7. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the antenna has a circular, annular shape, and a connection terminal is formed at one side of the antenna to connect to the substrate.

8. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the outside of the antenna is coated with a synthetic resin.

9. The mobile station of claim 7, further comprising:

a switch, adapted to transfer data received through user input to the circuitry of the substrate, wherein the connection terminal is positioned on the substrate to connect to a position away from the switch.

10. The mobile station of claim 7, wherein the connection terminal is constructed of a material having elastic strength.

11. The mobile station of claim 1 wherein a height of the antenna accommodation unit is greater than a thickness of the antenna.

12. The mobile station of claim 11, wherein one of the antenna and the antenna accommodation unit has a fixing protrusion that protrudes toward the other of the antenna and the antenna accommodation unit, and wherein the other of the antenna and the antenna accommodation unit has a protrusion accommodation unit adapted to accommodate the fixing protrusion.

13. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the mobile station is one of a folder type, a slide type, a flip type, or a separated display type mobile station.

14. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein the antenna is concealed from view by the keypad.