Wireless communication accessory for a mobile device
First Claim
1. A method of transmitting a near field communication (NFC) signal from a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case, the method comprising:
- providing a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case;
wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a battery and an antenna configured to transmit near field communication (NFC) signals;
wherein the protective case comprises a supplemental battery configured to charge the mobile electronic device;
wherein the protective case comprises a repeater antenna that includes a first antenna disposed on a first side of the supplemental battery, a second antenna disposed on a second side of the supplemental battery, and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna;
transmitting an NFC signal from the antenna of the mobile electronic device using an NFC wireless communication protocol, wherein the supplemental battery is positioned to block the NFC signal;
receiving the NFC signal by the first antenna of the repeater antenna;
relaying the NFC signal from the first antenna of the repeater antenna to the second antenna of the repeater antenna via the electrical connection; and
re-transmitting the NFC signal from the second antenna of the repeater antenna using the same NFC wireless communication protocol.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile device peripheral that incorporates a repeater antenna inside of a protective case for a mobile device to extend the range of short-range communications while minimizing interference caused by the thickness or materials of the protective case. The repeater antenna can be capable of receiving a wireless signal from an antenna in the mobile device and transmitting the same signal or an amplified version of the same signal. The repeater antenna can be capable of receiving a wireless signal from an external antenna and transmitting the same signal or an amplified version of the same signal to the mobile device. The mobile device peripheral can also include a battery that provides additional power the mobile device. Without a repeater antenna, the materials and/or thickness of the additional battery and/or the case can partially or completely block a short-range, low-frequency, or low-power communication signal such as Near Field Communication (NFC).
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting a near field communication (NFC) signal from a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case, the method comprising:
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providing a mobile electronic device that is at least partially enclosed by a protective case; wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a battery and an antenna configured to transmit near field communication (NFC) signals; wherein the protective case comprises a supplemental battery configured to charge the mobile electronic device; wherein the protective case comprises a repeater antenna that includes a first antenna disposed on a first side of the supplemental battery, a second antenna disposed on a second side of the supplemental battery, and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna; transmitting an NFC signal from the antenna of the mobile electronic device using an NFC wireless communication protocol, wherein the supplemental battery is positioned to block the NFC signal; receiving the NFC signal by the first antenna of the repeater antenna; relaying the NFC signal from the first antenna of the repeater antenna to the second antenna of the repeater antenna via the electrical connection; and re-transmitting the NFC signal from the second antenna of the repeater antenna using the same NFC wireless communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A protective case for a mobile electronic device, the protective case comprising:
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a housing that includes a cavity configured to at least partially enclose a mobile electronic device that has an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from a rear of the mobile electronic device, the housing comprising a back surface configured to be disposed rearward of the mobile electronic device, and the housing comprising an external wall disposed rearward of the back surface; a battery inside the housing such that the battery is configured to be disposed rearward of the mobile electronic device between the back surface and the external wall; a first antenna disposed on a first side of the battery between the back surface and the battery, the first antenna facing forward and configured to receive signals from, and transmit signals to, the antenna of the mobile electronic device; a second antenna disposed on a second side of the battery between the external wall and the battery, the second antenna facing rearward; and an electrical connection that electrically couples the first antenna to the second antenna, wherein the electrical connection is configured to communicate signals between the first antenna and the second antenna; wherein the first antenna is configured to re-transmit the same signals, or amplified versions of the same signals, received by the second antenna, and wherein the second antenna is configured to re-transmit the same signals, or amplified versions of the same signals, received by the first antenna. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A case for a mobile electronic device, the case comprising:
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a housing configured to removably couple to a mobile electronic device, the housing comprising a back surface configured to be disposed rearward of the mobile electronic device, and the housing comprising an external wall disposed rearward of the back surface; a battery inside the housing between the back surface and the external wall; a first antenna inside the housing between the back surface and the battery; and a second antenna inside the housing and spaced apart from the first antenna, the second antenna disposed between the battery and the external wall; and a communication link between the first antenna and the second antenna; wherein the first antenna is configured to emit a signal that is based at least in part on a signal received by the second antenna, or wherein the second antenna is configured to emit a signal that is based at least in part on a signal received by the first antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured to use the same wireless communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A peripheral for a mobile electronic device comprising:
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a case configured to hold a mobile electronic device configured to transmit or receive a short-range wireless communication signal via a wireless communication protocol; a battery disposed inside the case such that the battery blocks the short-range wireless communication signal from the mobile electronic device; and a repeater antenna at least partially disposed inside the case, wherein the repeater antenna comprises a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna is configured to receive or transmit the short-range wireless communication signal via the wireless communication protocol, wherein the second antenna is configured to transmit or receive the short-range wireless communication signal via the same wireless communication protocol, and wherein the battery is situated between the first antenna and the second antenna. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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Specification