Body worn antenna

• US 6,919,850 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2003
• Issued: 07/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wiggenhorn, James T., Kennedy, Neil T.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHEN, SHIH CHAO
• Application Number:
  US10/424,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20040212540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 343/700.MS, 343/718, 343/893
• US Class Current: 343/718
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/12 Supports; Mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/24 with receiving set

Abstract

An antenna array (200) having a number of patch antennas (202, 204, 206, 208) forming a circumferential radius is provided. The antenna array (200) is integrated within a body worn device (500) such as a belt, coat, or harness (210). Location tracking technology is used in conjunction with the antenna array (200) to select the optimal antenna from the array.

Claims

1. An antenna system comprising a plurality of patch antennas forming a circumferential radius wherein each of the plurality of patch antennas operates with a mutually exclusive bandwidth selectively activated to provide 360 degree radiation coverage.

2. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the patch antennas are formed within a garment.

3. An antenna system comprising a user worn apparatus containing N patch antennas spaced 360°

/N apart around its circumference, N being a positive natural number, and wherein catch of N patch antennas operates with a mutually exclusive bandwidth selectively activated to provide 360 degree radiation coverage.

4. The antenna system of claim 3, wherein the user-worn apparatus comprises a garment.

5. The antenna system of claim 4, wherein the garment comprises a belt.

6. The antenna system of claim 4, wherein the garment comprises a coat.

7. The antenna system of claim 4, wherein the garment comprises a harness.

8. The antenna system of claim 3, further comprising an electronic compass integrated within the user worn apparatus.

9. The antenna system of claim 8, wherein the electronic compass is integrated into the user worn apparatus so as to align perpendicular to a user'"'"'s abdomen.

10. The antenna system of claim 8, further comprising an altimeter.

11. The antenna system of claim 8, further comprising a pedometer.

12. An antenna system comprising a plurality of patch antennas forming a circumferential radius integrated into a body worn device selectively activated to provide 360 degree radiation coverage.

13. A radio including an antenna array forming a circumferential radius worn around a user'"'"'s body selectively activated to provide 360 degree radiation coverage.

14. A The radio of claim 13, further comprising location cracking technology for selecting an antenna from the antenna array.

15. The radio of claim 13, wherein the antenna array further comprises a compass.

16. The radio of claim 13, further comprising an altimeter.

17. The radio of claim 13, Further comprising a pedometer.

18. A communication system, comprising:

location tracking technology;

a radio; and

an antenna array formed of patch antennas operatively coupled to the radio, the antenna array forming a circumferential radius about a user'"'"'s body, each patch antenna providing a mutually exclusive bandwidth to selectively provide 360 degree radiation coverage.

19. The communication system of claim 18, further comprising a compass coupled to the antenna array.

20. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the compass provides a bearing, the bearing being used to select an antenna within the antenna array having an appropriate bandwidth.

21. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the antenna array provides radio coverage in both open and closed environments.

22. A communication system, including:

location tracking technology;

a radio operable with the location tracking technology; and

an antenna array operatively coupled to the radio, the antenna array including a plurality of patch antennas forming a circumferential radius, an antenna from the plurality of patch antennas being automatically selected as a result of the location tracking technology to selectively provide 360 degree radiation coverage.

23. The communication system of claim 22, wherein the antenna array is integrated within a body worn device.