IP Library Granted Patent US 9,768,495
Granted Patent B2
US 9,768,495 · App. 14/962,860 · Granted Sep 19, 2017

Resonant bezel antenna

Inventors: Randolph Standke (San Diego, CA); Allen Minh-Triet Tran (San Diego, CA)
Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
H01Q1/273G04G21/04G04R60/06H01Q1/243H01Q9/145H01Q13/10
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,768,495
App. No.
14/962,860
Granted
Sep 19, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a wearable communication apparatus for wireless communication. The wearable communication apparatus includes communication circuitry, a bezel, and a base. The bezel and the base are conductive. The bezel and the base form at least a part of a housing structure supporting the communication circuitry. The base is electrically connected to the bezel. The communication circuitry is electrically connected to the bezel. The bezel is configured to function as a part of a slot antenna. The communication circuitry is configured to send a first communication signal to the bezel such that the bezel transmits the first communication signal over the air. The bezel is further configured to receive, over the air, a second communication signal and direct the second communication signal to the communication circuitry.

Claims (48)

1. A wearable communication apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

communication circuitry;

a bezel, the bezel being conductive; and

a base, the base being conductive, wherein the bezel and the base form at least a part of a housing structure supporting the communication circuitry, wherein the base is electrically connected to the bezel at a first grounding connection and a second grounding connection of the bezel such that positions of the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection are adjustable such that the bezel transmits or receives communication signals at a predetermined frequency that is variable, wherein the communication circuitry is electrically connected to the bezel, wherein the bezel is configured to function as a part of a slot antenna,

wherein the communication circuitry is configured to send a first communication signal to the bezel such that the bezel transmits the first communication signal over the air, and

wherein the bezel is further configured to receive, over the air, a second communication signal and direct the second communication signal to the communication circuitry.

2. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the communication circuitry is electrically connected to the bezel at a feeding connection.

3. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection are positionable at first positions such that the bezel transmits or receives communication signals at a first predetermined frequency.

4. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection are positionable at second positions such that the bezel transmits or receives communication signals at a second predetermined frequency.

5. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first grounding connection and the feeding connection are positionable at third positions such that impedance of the bezel is at a first predetermined value.

6. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 2 , wherein positions of the first grounding connection and the feeding connection are adjustable such that the bezel has predetermined impedance that is variable.

7. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a percentage of a circumference of the bezel configured to function as a part of the slot antenna is adjustable.

8. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined frequency is within a range of 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz.

9. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the bezel and the base are made of metal.

10. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a non-conducting member, wherein the bezel and the base are spaced apart and the non-conducting member is placed in between the bezel and the base.

11. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the wearable communication apparatus is a watch.

12. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one functional component, wherein the housing structure supports the at least one functional component.

13. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 12 , where the at least one functional component performs a timing functionality.

14. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 12 , where the at least one functional component performs at least one of a data communication functionality, a data processing functionality, and a data display functionality.

15. A slot antenna for use at a wearable communication apparatus, comprising:

a bezel, the bezel being conductive; and

a base, the base being conductive and electrically connected to the bezel at a first grounding connection and a second grounding connection of the bezel such that positions of the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection are adjustable such that the bezel transmits or receives communication signals at a predetermined frequency that is variable, wherein the bezel is electrically connected to a communication circuitry,

wherein the bezel is configured to receive a first communication signal from the communication circuitry and transmits the first communication signal over the air, and

wherein the bezel is further configured to receive, over the air, a second communication signal and direct the second communication signal to the communication circuitry.

16. The slot antenna of claim 15 , wherein the bezel is electrically connected to the communication circuitry at a feeding connection.

17. The slot antenna of claim 16 , wherein positions of the first grounding connection and the feeding connection are adjustable such that the bezel has predetermined impedance that is variable.

18. The slot antenna of claim 15 , wherein a percentage of a circumference of the bezel configured to function as a part of a slot antenna is adjustable.

19. The slot antenna of claim 15 , wherein the predetermined frequency is within a range of 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz.

20. The slot antenna of claim 15 , wherein the bezel and the base are made of metal.

21. A method of wireless communication of a wearable communication apparatus, comprising:

sending a first communication signal to a bezel such that the bezel transmits the first communication signal over the air, wherein the bezel is configured to function as a part of a slot antenna;

receiving a second communication signal from the bezel, wherein the bezel is further configured to receive the second communication signal over the air; and

adjusting positions of a first grounding connection and a second grounding connection such that the bezel transmits or receives communication signals at a predetermined frequency that is variable,

wherein the bezel and a base form at least a part of a housing structure, and wherein the bezel and the base are conductive.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the base is electrically connected to the bezel at the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection of the bezel, wherein the bezel is electrically connected to a communication circuitry at a feeding connection.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein adjusting the positions of the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection correspond to an adjustment of a percentage of a circumference of the bezel configured to function as a part of the slot antenna.

24. The method of claim 22 , further comprising adjusting positions of the first grounding connection and the feeding connection such that the bezel has predetermined impedance that is variable.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the predetermined frequency is within a range of 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz.

26. A wearable communication apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for sending a first communication signal to a bezel such that the bezel transmits the first communication signal over the air, wherein the bezel is configured to function as a part of a slot antenna;

means for receiving a second communication signal from the bezel, wherein the bezel is further configured to receive the second communication signal over the air; and

means for adjusting positions of a first grounding connection and a second grounding connection such that the bezel transmits or receives communication signals at a predetermined frequency that is variable,

wherein the bezel and a base form at least a part of a housing structure, and wherein the bezel and the base are conductive.

27. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 26 ,

wherein the base is electrically connected to the bezel at the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection of the bezel, and wherein the bezel is electrically connected to the means for sending and the means for receiving at a feeding connection.

28. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the means for adjusting positions of the first grounding connection and the second grounding connection correspond to an adjustment of a percentage of a circumference of the bezel configured to function as a part of the slot antenna.

29. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising means for adjusting positions of the first grounding connection and the feeding connection such that the bezel has predetermined impedance that is variable.

30. The wearable communication apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the predetermined frequency is within a range of 1710 MHz to 2170 MHz.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2016
From: STANDKE, RANDOLPH; TRAN, ALLEN MINH-TRIET
To: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 037675/0903 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62148714 · Apr 16, 2015
Related Publication 20160308272A1 · Oct 20, 2016