Communications: radio wave antennas – Antennas – With radio cabinet
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-08
2003-01-21
Wong, Don (Department: 2821)
Communications: radio wave antennas
Antennas
With radio cabinet
C343S7000MS, C455S090300, C361S737000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06509876
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a wireless communication system and, in particular, to a retractable antenna for an electronic communication card that allows wireless communication.
2. Description of Related Art
Computers are often connected to various communication systems to communicate, exchange data, and transmit various types of information. In particular, computers are often linked by communication systems or networks such as Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Networks (WANs), Internet, Ethernet and conventional telephone networks. These communication systems typically require the computers to be physically attached by wires such as telephone lines or other specialized wiring. In some locations, however, it is difficult if not impossible to be physically connected to a communication system. Additionally, these communication systems generally cannot be used if the user is traveling or moving between locations.
Conventional computers often use electronic communication cards to connect to these communication systems or networks. The communication cards are often in the form of modular cards that can be plugged into a slot or receiving port in the computer. These communication cards can be easily inserted and removed for use with different computers and the cards allow communication with different networks or systems to be established. These communication cards are often constructed according to the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) guidelines or standards for purposes of compatibility and wide use. Communication cards that conform to these standards are often referred to as PCMCIA or PC cards.
It is also known to use cellular telephones and other wireless systems to connect computers to various communication systems and networks. Cellular telephone systems are particularly effective in allowing computers to communicate because the computers do not have to be physically connected to telephone lines or other specialized wiring. In contrast, the computers are connected to the communication system by the cellular telephone network. Additionally, cellular telephone systems are very useful in connection with portable computers because the cellular communication circuitry can be miniaturized and provided as a component of the computer.
These known cellular telephone systems and other types of wireless communication networks require the use of antennas. Conventional antennas are typically placed external to the body of the computer because of noise, interference, obstruction and shielding caused by the various components of the computer. Conventional antennas generally do not function correctly if they are obstructed or shielded by the housing or other structures of the computer.
Conventional antennas are generally rigid and protrude a relatively long distance from the body of the computer. These protruding antennas are often large, unwieldy, aesthetically unpleasing and they make the computer difficult to move and transport. In addition, these antennas are often bent, broken, knocked out of alignment or otherwise damaged because they can easily catch or strike objects such as people, walls, doors, etc. Further, these known antennas require a large support structure to secure the antenna to the housing of the computer and this support structure requires a considerable amount of space inside the body of the computer. This space is very valuable, especially in small, portable computers. Additionally, the support structure is often damaged when the antenna is accidentally moved.
The repair and replacement of conventional antennas and the associated support structure is often difficult and costly. In fact, the entire antenna assembly is often removed and replaced instead of attempting to repair a portion of the antenna or support structure. Thus, the repair and replacement of the antenna and/or antenna support structure is expensive and time consuming.
In order to alleviate these problems, conventional antennas are often removed or detached from the computer before it is moved or transported. Additionally, conventional antennas must often be removed before the computer can be inserted into its carrying case. Disadvantageously, this requires additional time and resources to remove and reattach the antenna each time the computer is moved. Additionally, when the antenna is detached from the computer, it is often misplaced, lost or damaged. Further, because the user often does not want to take the time and effort to remove the antenna, the computer is moved with the antenna still attached to the computer and this frequently results in the antenna being damaged or broken.
It is known to use a telescoping antenna in an attempt to minimize these problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,672 issued to Karidis, et al. discloses a laptop computer with an integrated multi-mode antenna. The telescoping antenna is integrated into the cover or display portion of the laptop computer and it outwardly extends from the display portion for use. The telescoping antenna is then retracted into the display portion when it is not in use. A coaxial cable connects the antenna to the base of the computer. In particular, the coaxial cable connects the antenna to a radio frequency (RF) adaptor card inserted into a PCMCIA slot located in the base of the computer. Disadvantageously, the telescoping antenna disclosed in the Karidis patent is large, extends a great distance from the body of the computer, and requires the user to manually extend and retract the antenna.
It is also known to attach an antenna to a drawer that can be extended and retracted from the housing of a computer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,288 issued to Kato, et al., discloses a drawer that passes through an opening in the housing of the computer when it is moved between the extended and retracted positions. When wireless communication is desired, the user must open a door to the opening in the housing, extend the drawer through the opening, and rotate and extend the antenna into the desired position. When the wireless communication is finished, the user must rotate and withdraw the antenna into a storage position, retract the drawer into the computer, and close the door to the opening. Disadvantageously, the system disclosed in the Kato patent requires numerous steps by the user before wireless communication can be established, and numerous steps to retract and store the antenna. Further, the device disclosed in the Kato patent requires a large amount of space, which is very valuable in portable or compact computers.
A disadvantage of these known systems is the antenna is always operable and ready for wireless communication. Thus, inadvertent wireless communication may occur, or wireless communication may occur when it is prohibited. Additionally, the antenna may transmit or receive wireless signals while it is stored inside the computer, which may cause interference and disrupt the operation of the computer. Another disadvantage is the antenna system is continually drawing power from the computer. This is especially a problem with portable or smaller-sized computers that have a need for a long-lasting and portable power supply. Because portable computers are often used in environments where access to conventional power supplies are not available, a battery or similar power supply is needed. The electrical storage capability of the battery, however, is generally in direct proportion to its physical size. Thus, in instances where a smaller battery is used, there is a need to conserve the electrical power used by the computer, and any connected peripherals, to lengthen the usable life of the battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A need therefore exists for an antenna system for a communication card that eliminates the above-described disadvantages and problems.
One aspect of the present invention is an antenna system for a communication card. The antenna system advantageously provides wireless or radio frequency (RF) communication with other networks or commun
Giles Rick D.
Jones Jeffrey L.
Merrill Robert
Stewart Kurt
3Com Corporation
Chen Shih-Chao
Wong Don
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
LandOfFree
Antenna for wireless communication system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Antenna for wireless communication system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Antenna for wireless communication system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3015928