Antenna insert

• US 8,207,906 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2008
• Issued: 06/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Tiscareno, Victor M., Tang, John G., Zadesky, Stephen P.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANCUSO, HUEDUNG XUAN CAO
• Application Number:
  US11/970,504
• Publication Number:
  US 20080165066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,632 Days
• Field of Search: 455 89- 90, 343/702, 343/700.MS, 343/841, 343/895, 343905-906
• US Class Current: 343/906
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/70 involving the reduction of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic leakage fields
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

Circuits, methods, and apparatus for adapters and docking stations that include one or more of the following: reradiating antennas to enhance wireless signal integrity, inductive charging circuits, and wireless or optical data links. The adapters may be inserts for use in a docking station, adapters for a cable connection, or other type of device. One example provides an adapter that includes a reradiating antenna. In other examples, passive coupling is used to charge a rechargeable battery in the handheld device. Other examples include wireless or optical circuits for faster data transmission.

Claims

1. A removable insert to be placed between a portable electronic device and a docking station that includes a media bay in which the portable electronic device can be docked, the portable electronic device including an internal antenna and a first connector and the docking station including a second connector positioned within the media bay that is adapted to mate with the first connector, the removable insert comprising:

a housing including an insert portion adapted to fit within the media bay, a receiving portion adapted to receive the portable media device, and an opening that extends through the insert portion and receiving portion; and

one or more reradiating antennas integrated in the housing;

wherein the second connector protrudes through the opening in the housing when the insert portion of the housing is fitted within media bay; and

wherein, when the insert portion of the housing is fitted within media bay and the portable electronic device is placed in the receiving portion of the housing and docked in the docking station so that the first connector is mated with the second connector, the one or more reradiating antennas are configured to wirelessly couple to the internal antenna in the portable electronic device and reradiate RF signals transmitted and received by the internal antenna to facilitate wireless communication with the portable electronic device.

2. The removable insert set forth in claim 1 wherein the one or more reradiating antennas comprise a plurality of reradiating antennas, each tuned for a different frequency band.

7. The removable insert of claim 1 further comprising a capacitor plate configured to enable capacitive coupling between the one or more reradiating antennas in the removable insert and the internal antenna located in the handheld device.

8. The removable insert of claim 1 wherein the removable insert is adjustable to provide mechanical support to a plurality of types of handheld devices.

9. The removable insert of claim 1 wherein the removable insert further comprises an amplifier.

12. The removable insert of claim 1 further comprising a charging circuit to passively couple a charge to the portable electronic device.

13. The removable insert of claim 12 wherein the charging circuit inductively couples a charge to the portable electronic device.

3. A docking station for a portable electronic device that includes an internal antenna and a first connector, the docking station comprising:

a housing;

a media bay formed in the housing and adapted to receive the portable electronic device;

a second connector positioned within the media bay and adapted to mate with the first connector; and

one or more reradiating antennas integrated in the housing;

wherein, when the portable electronic device is docked in the media bay so that the first connector is mated with the second connector, the one or more reradiating antennas are configured to wirelessly couple to the internal antenna in the portable electronic device and reradiate RF signals transmitted from and received by the internal antenna in absence of wired connectivity to a reradiating antenna external to the housing.

4. The docking station set forth in claim 3 wherein the one or more reradiating antennas comprise a plurality of reradiating antennas, each tuned for a different frequency band.

5. The docking station set forth in claim 3 further comprising charging circuitry to charge a battery in the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is placed in the media bay and the first connector is mated with the second connector.

6. The docking station set forth in claim 3 further comprising a third connector operatively coupled to the second connector to enable power to be delivered to the docking station to charge a battery in the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is placed in the media bay and the first connector is mated with the second connector.

10. The docking station of claim 3 further comprising an optical circuit to transfer data to and from the portable electronic device.

11. The docking station of claim 10 wherein the optical circuit receives data via a USB connector.