Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-10-09
Maung, Nay (Department: 2681)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S550100, C455S575100, C455S129000, C455S269000, C343S702000, C379S433020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301489
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to communication devices, and more particularly to radiotelephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recent radiotelephones have incorporated low profile designs. Low profile designs typically include a thin light-weight cover member which “flips” over the radiotelephone body when the radiotelephone is closed and “flips” above and away from the radiotelephone body when the radiotelephone is opened. As such, this member is called a “flip.” The radiotelephone also includes an antenna element which during operation extends above the radiotelephone body. Radiotelephones have conventionally used various types of antennas such as side-mounted swivel antennas and telescoping antennas. In any event, the antenna and flip typically stow adjacent to the radiotelephone body when closed and extend above the radiotelephone body when opened.
In a preferred low-profile application, the antenna is configured as a flexible “blade” or “strip”(i.e., a flexible strip transmission line) radiating element which can be very narrow, thin, and flexible. The blade antenna can rotate and extend similar to the flip described above. However, this flexibility can result in unwanted deformation and unappealing gaps in the cover when the flip and antenna are in the closed or stow position. Further, during use, the blade antenna can be subjected to use or abuse which can misalign or deform the blade or strip antenna. As such, over time, it can be very difficult for the flip and strip antenna to maintain a desirable aesthetic cover shape that can repeatedly rotate between the open and closed positions.
In addition, in operation, the blade antenna and the flip typically rotate above and away from the radiotelephone body such that a user can position the flip adjacent his or her ear. Unfortunately, extension of the strip antenna adjacent the flip can subject the radiotelephone to reduced sensitivity due to blocked signals or interference caused by the position of the antenna relative to the user's anatomy (typically the head).
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a low-profile flip and strip or blade antenna configuration which is compact and tolerant of repeated openings and closings.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved flip and strip antenna configuration defines a secure and aesthetically pleasing cover when the radiotelephone is closed.
It is an additional aspect of the invention to provide a radiotelephone with an improved flip and flexible strip antenna mounting structure which can reduce the interference associated with the user during operation.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a radiotelephone with a strip antenna which has improved sensitivity and is configured to reduce interference associated with the position of the antenna in use over that of conventional antennas used with flip radiotelephones.
These and other objects of the present invention are satisfied by the present invention, which is directed to a radiotelephone having a flat blade antenna and flip matably configured and/or a dual-hinge mounting structure for the flat blade antenna and flip. A first aspect of this invention is directed toward a radiotelephone having a radiotelephone housing with opposing top and bottom surfaces. A strip antenna is attached to the housing such that it is rotatable from a first closed position to a second open position. The radiotelephone also includes a flip member attached to the housing. The flip member is rotatable from a first closed position to a second open position. When each of the strip antenna and the flip are in the closed position, the strip antenna and flip are configured to releasably engage together. Preferably, in the closed position, the flip member and the strip antenna define a substantially continuous cover which overlies a major portion of at least one surface of the radiotelephone.
A second aspect of the invention is directed toward a radiotelephone housing having a blade antenna and flip member. The housing includes a primary radiotelephone body having opposing first and second end portions. The housing also includes a blade antenna having an antenna hinge portion. The antenna hinge portion is pivotably attached to the body first end such that the blade antenna rotates to longitudinally extend above the primary radiotelephone body in an open position and rotates to overlie a portion of the primary radiotelephone body in a stow position. The housing also includes a flip member having a flip hinge portion. The flip hinge portion is pivotably attached to the body first end portion such that the flip member rotates to longitudinally extend above the primary radiotelephone body in an open position and rotates to overlie the primary radiotelephone body adjacent the blade antenna in a stow position.
An additional aspect of the present invention is a method of operating a low-profile radiotelephone having a strip antenna and flip member with a speaker thereon. The method includes rotating the flip member a first distance above and away from the radiotelephone body. Rotating the strip antenna a second distance above and away from the radiotelephone body such that the second distance is further or greater than the first distance (i.e., the antenna opens past the flip member). The strip antenna and flip member are then stowed to overlay the radiotelephone such that the strip antenna and flip member matably engage and form a cover over the radiotelephone. Preferably, the flip member and strip antennas define a continuous cover in the stow position.
The present invention is advantageous because the interlocking flip and antenna structure can protect the flexible blade antenna from deformation, handling abuse and wear, and provides an appealing aesthetic appearance. In addition, the rotation of the blade antenna separate from the flip allows the antenna to be positioned during use such that it minimizes interference with the anatomy of the user.
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MacDonald, Jr. James D.
Rydbeck Nils
Winstead Russell Evans
Ericsson Inc.
Maung Nay
Myers Biel Sibley & Sajovec, P.A.
West L
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