Rotary knob with integrated antenna
First Claim
1. A portable communication device, comprising:
- a housing;
at least one radio frequency communication circuit disposed in the housing, the radio frequency communication circuit selected from a group consisting of a radio receiver circuit, a radio transmitter circuit, and a radio transceiver circuit;
a control knob provided external of the housing;
at least one control device responsive to movement of the control knob relative to the housing, and facilitating control of a least one function of the portable device by a user;
an antenna for the radio frequency communication circuit fixed within a volume defined by the control knob, wherein the antenna moves with the control knob when the control knob is moved relative to the housing;
an axial member fixed to the housing and about which the control knob can rotate; and
a nut securing the axial member and the control knob to each other and comprising a bearing surface upon which the control knob can rotate when a torsional force is applied to the control knob.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Control for a portable communication device (300) includes a control knob (304) which has an outer shell (610, 610a) at least partially formed of a dielectric material. The control knob is sized and shaped to facilitate fingertip control of the portable communication device, and has an integrated antenna (608, 608a) disposed within the outer shell. An axial member (612, 708) is provided on which the outer dielectric shell and the antenna are mounted to facilitate rotation of the control knob. A control device (606, 606a) is provided which is configured to control at least one electronic circuit (806) of a portable communication device responsive to a user rotation of the outer dielectric shell. The integrated antenna (608, 608a) is arranged to interface to at least one radio frequency communication circuit of a portable communication device.
23 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A portable communication device, comprising:
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a housing; at least one radio frequency communication circuit disposed in the housing, the radio frequency communication circuit selected from a group consisting of a radio receiver circuit, a radio transmitter circuit, and a radio transceiver circuit; a control knob provided external of the housing; at least one control device responsive to movement of the control knob relative to the housing, and facilitating control of a least one function of the portable device by a user; an antenna for the radio frequency communication circuit fixed within a volume defined by the control knob, wherein the antenna moves with the control knob when the control knob is moved relative to the housing; an axial member fixed to the housing and about which the control knob can rotate; and a nut securing the axial member and the control knob to each other and comprising a bearing surface upon which the control knob can rotate when a torsional force is applied to the control knob. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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9. A portable communication device, comprising:
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a housing; at least one radio frequency communication circuit disposed in the housing, the radio frequency communication circuit selected from a group consisting of a radio receiver circuit, a radio transmitter circuit, and a radio transceiver circuit; a control knob provided external of the housing; at least one control device responsive to movement of the control knob relative to the housing, and facilitating control of a least one function of the portable device by a user; an antenna for the radio frequency communication circuit fixed within a volume defined by the control knob, wherein the antenna moves with the control knob when the control knob is moved relative to the housing; an axial member fixed to the housing; wherein the control knob is journaled on the axial member, whereby the control knob can rotate about an axis aligned with the axial member; wherein the axial member is comprised of an RF coaxial connector; wherein the RF coaxial connector extends through a wall of the housing, and is secured in place by a nut which is secured on the RF coaxial connector, the control knob further comprising at least one snap feature which is arranged to engage with a corresponding snap feature disposed on the nut.
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18. A control for a portable communication device, comprising:
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an outer shell at least partially formed of a dielectric material and defining a knob which is ergonomically sized and shaped to facilitate fingertip control of a portable communication device; an antenna disposed within the outer shell; an axial member on which the ergonomic outer shell and the antenna are mounted to facilitate rotation of the control knob; a control device configured to control at least one electronic circuit of a portable communication device responsive to a user rotation of the outer shell and the antenna; and a nut securing the axial member and the knob to each other and comprising a bearing surface upon which the knob can rotate when a torsional force is applied to the knob. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 22, 23)
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21. A control for a portable communication device, comprising:
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an outer shell at least partially formed of a dielectric material and defining a knob which is ergonomically sized and shaped to facilitate fingertip control of a portable communication device; an antenna disposed within the outer shell; an axial member on which the ergonomic outer shell and the antenna are mounted to facilitate rotation of the control knob; a control device configured to control at least one electronic circuit of a portable communication device responsive to a user rotation of the outer shell and the antenna; a mounting portion provided on the axial member aligned with an axis of rotation of the outer shell, the mounting portion configured to transition through a housing wall of a portable communication device; a retention nut which secures said mounting portion of said axial member to said housing; and a bearing surface defined on said retention nut, wherein said outer shell is configured to rotate on said bearing surface.
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Specification