Antenna arrangement for an electronic device and an electronic device including same

• US 7,215,600 B1
• Filed: 09/12/2006
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: DeRosa, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): MISKA, VIT W
• Application Number:
  US11/519,636
• Time in Patent Office: 238 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/47, 368/88, 368/78, 343/718, 343/767
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 60/02 Antennas also serving as components of clocks or watches, e.g. motor coils
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 60/06 Antennas attached to or integrated in clock or watch bodies
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets

Abstract

A wristworn device comprising a radio communication device for receiving from and/or transmitting signals to a radio communication device external to the wristworn device. In at least one embodiment, the casing comprises a metallic watchcase having a slot, and wherein the watchcase is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna. In another embodiment, a metallic loop is provided in the casing proximate the watchcase, wherein the metallic loop is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna and the watchcase comprises a slot and functions as an element for the reception and/or transmission of electromagnetic radiation. In a third embodiment, the metallic watchcase does not have a slot and the watchcase is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna.

Claims

1. A wristworn device comprising a radio communication device for at least one of receiving signals from and transmitting signals to a communication device external to the wristworn device, the wristworn device comprising:

a casing comprising a metallic watchcase, a crystal that seals a first end of the watchcase and a case back that seals a second end of the watchcase;

controller means disposed in said casing and operatively coupled to the radio communication device, and

wherein the watchcase comprises a slot, and wherein the watchcase is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna for at least one of reception or transmission of signals for the radio communication device.

2. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a display, operatively coupled to the controller means, for displaying information based on the signals received from the radio communications device.

3. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic watch case is tuned to a frequency.

4. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic watch case is tuned to a range of frequencies.

5. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metallic watch case is left un-tuned.

6. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case back is selected from the group consisting of a ferrous metal, a non-ferrous metal, a nonmetal, or a combination of metal and nonmetal.

7. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display comprises a dial assembly and one or more display hands, wherein the dial assembly is comprised of metal or non-metallic materials.

8. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 1, comprising one or more switches for interfacing with the controller means for entering data into or configuring operation of the controller means.

9. A wristworn device comprising a radio communication device for at least one of receiving signals from and transmitting signals to a communication device external to the wristworn device, the wristworn device comprising:

a casing comprising a metallic watchcase, a crystal that seals a first end of the watchcase and a case back that seals a second end of the watchcase;

controller means disposed in said casing and operatively coupled to the radio communication device,

a metallic loop provided in the casing proximate the watchcase, wherein the metallic loop is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna for at least one of reception or transmission of signals for the radio communication device; and

wherein the watchcase comprises a loop having a slot creating a break in said loop and functions as an element for the reception and/or transmission of electromagnetic radiation.

10. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic loop comprises a single loop of metal.

11. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic loop is tuned to a specific frequency.

12. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic loop is tuned to a range of frequencies.

13. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic loop is left un-tuned.

14. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, comprising a display, operatively coupled to the controller means, for displaying information based on the signals received from the radio communications device.

15. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic watch case is tuned to a selected frequency.

16. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic watch case is tuned to a range of frequencies.

17. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the metallic watch case is left un-tuned.

18. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the case back is selected from the group consisting of a ferrous metal, a non-ferrous metal, a nonmetal, or a combination of metal and nonmetal.

19. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display comprises a dial assembly and one or more display hands, wherein the dial assembly is comprised of metal or non-metallic materials.

20. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 9, comprising one or more switches for interfacing with the controller means for entering data into or configuring operation of the controller means.

21. A wristworn device comprising a radio communication device for at least one of receiving signals from and transmitting signals to a communication device external to the wristworn device, the wristworn device comprising:

a casing comprising a metallic watchcase, a crystal that seals a first end of the watchcase and a case back that seals a second end of the watchcase;

controller means disposed in said casing and operatively coupled to the radio communication device, and

wherein the watchcase is electrically coupled to the radio communication device to function as the antenna for at least one of reception or transmission of signals for the radio communication device.

22. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, comprising a display, operatively coupled to the controller means, for displaying information based on the signals received from the radio communications device.

23. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the metallic watch case is tuned to a selected frequency.

24. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the metallic watch case is tuned to a range of frequencies.

25. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the metallic watch case is left un-tuned.

26. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the case back is selected from the group consisting of a ferrous metal, a non-ferrous metal, a nonmetal, or a combination of metal and nonmetal.

27. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the display comprises a dial assembly and one or more display hands, wherein the dial assembly is comprised of metal or non-metallic materials.

28. The wristworn device as claimed in claim 21, comprising one or more switches for interfacing with the controller means for entering data into or configuring operation of the controller means.