Wireless device for physical coupling to another object

• US 7,881,678 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Fire & Security GmbH (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Jamieson, Jerel Scott, Gamroth, Timothy, Menden, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US11/961,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20090163151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.7, 455/575.8, 455/90.3, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/11.1, 439/11, 439/13, 439/14, 439/207, 439/208, 439/210, 174/59, 174/60, 174/61, 174/63, 174/64, 248/127, 248/130, 248/131, 248/132, D14/140, D14/140.4, D14/140.6
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2283 mounted in or on the surface of a semiconductor substrate as a chip-type antenna or integrated with other components into an IC package

Abstract

One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) device for communicating on a wireless network. The device includes an antenna coupled to an RF circuit. The device further includes a body housing the RF circuit and the antenna. The device yet further includes a support member extending from the body. The support member is configured to be coupled to an object. The support member is prevented from moving laterally and vertically relative to the object when coupled to the object. The support member and body are configured to allow the body and the antenna to rotate about an axis when the support member is prevented from moving laterally and vertically relative to the object.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) device for communicating on a wireless network, the device comprising:

an antenna coupled to an RF circuit;

a body housing the RF circuit and the antenna; and

a support member extending from the body;

wherein the support member is configured to be coupled to an object, wherein the support member is prevented from moving laterally and vertically relative to the object when coupled to the object, wherein the support member and body are configured to allow the body and the antenna to rotate about an axis when the support member is prevented from moving laterally and vertically relative to the object.

2. The RF device of claim 1, wherein the RF circuit and antenna are entirely enclosed by the body.

3. The RF device of claim 1, wherein the RF circuit is entirely enclosed by the body and the antenna is at least partially enclosed by the body.

4. The RF device of claim 1, wherein the RF device is configured to be a transceiver device.

5. The RF device of claim 1, wherein the object is at least one of an equipment panel or conduit piping.

6. The RF device of claim 5, wherein the support member is configured to be coupled to the object via a connector and wherein the connector is an electrical metal tubing connector that receives the support member, the electrical metal tubing connector having a locknut for securing the connector to the object.

7. A radio frequency (RF) device for communicating on a wireless network, the device comprising:

a body and a pipe, the pipe coupled to the body and having a first pipe end extending away from an edge of the body and configured to attach to a connector, the connector for securing the pipe to an object; and

a transceiver circuit and an antenna, the transceiver circuit and antenna housed primarily within the body, wherein the body is substantially rectangular.

8. The RF device of claim 7, wherein the connector is a conduit coupling.

9. The RF device of claim 7, wherein the connector is a trade-size electrical metal tubing coupler or connector having a set screw, and the pipe is securely held by the set screw.

10. A radio frequency (RF) device for communicating on a wireless network, the RF device comprising:

an RF circuit and an antenna;

a substantially rectangular body surrounding the RF circuit and the antenna, the rectangular body having a first side edge, a second side edge, a top edge, and a bottom edge; and

a support member extending from one or both of the first side edge and the bottom edge, the support member securing the device to an object via a connector, the object being one of an equipment panel or a wire conduit.

11. The RF device of claim 10, wherein the support member defines an axis and the body is configured to rotate about the axis when the connector is not tightened.

12. The RF device of claim 11, wherein the connector is a trade-size electrical metal tubing connector having a set screw for tightening or loosening the connector'"'"'s hold on the support member.

13. The RF device of claim 11, wherein the antenna includes an antenna tip and the structure of the device including the support member maintains the orientation of the antenna tip when the support member is secured to the object via the connector.

14. The RF device of claim 13, wherein the RF circuit is configured for a frequency of operation, and wherein the support member holds the antenna tip at least one wavelength of the frequency of operation above the object to reduce the effect of the object on the antenna.

15. The RF device of claim 13, wherein the RF circuit is configured for a frequency of operation, and wherein the body holds the antenna to allow for the adjustment of at least three-fourths wavelength of the frequency in space by rotating the body about the axis, the adjustment to remove the antenna from a local RF null.

16. The RF device of claim 13, wherein the support member holds the antenna tip about 125 mm away from the object when secured to the connector.

17. The RF device of claim 13, wherein the body holds the antenna tip about 200 mm away from the axis.

18. The RF device of claim 11, wherein when the support member is received by the connector and the connector is not tightened, the relationship of the support member and the connector provides only one degree of freedom for adjustment of the antenna tip, the one degree of freedom being the rotational freedom about the axis.

19. The RF device of claim 11, wherein rotating the body about the axis compensates for irregularities in the antenna pattern.

20. The RF device of claim 10, wherein a wire extends through the support member and connector from the object, and wherein the wire is not exposed when the device is installed in the connector.

21. The RF device of claim 10, wherein the rectangular body is made from a partially transparent material so that the state of an indicating LED coupled to the RF circuit and surrounded by the rectangular body is visible through the material.

22. The RF device of claim 21, wherein the LED indicates connectivity or signal strength.

23. The RF device of claim 10, further comprising a user-accessible switch is coupled to the RF circuit.