IP Library Granted Patent US 9,178,556
Granted Patent B2
US 9,178,556 · App. 14/117,858 · Granted Nov 3, 2015

Neck cord incorporating earth plane extensions

Inventors: Stephen Ledingham (Waltham, MA); Richard Alexander Cote (Bolton, MA)
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
H04B1/385H01Q1/243H01Q1/273H01Q1/44H01Q1/48H04M1/0202
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,178,556
App. No.
14/117,858
Granted
Nov 3, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mobile device having a printed circuit board, a wireless transceiver, an antenna having an earth plane and coupled to the wireless transceiver, a conductive earth plane extension conductively coupled to the earth plane and a neck cord adapted to support the mobile device from a neck of a user of the device, wherein the conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into the neck cord. Also, an antenna assembly having an antenna having an earth plane, the antenna being adapted to be coupled to a wireless transceiver, a conductive earth plane extension coupled to the earth plane and a neck cord adapted to support a mobile device housing the antenna from a neck of a user of the device, wherein the conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into the neck cord.

Claims (28)

1. A mobile device, comprising:

a printed circuit board;

a wireless transceiver;

an antenna having an earth plane and coupled to the wireless transceiver;

a first conductive earth plane extension conductively coupled to the earth plane;

a second conductive earth plane extension conductively coupled to the earth plane; and

a neck cord adapted to support the mobile device from a neck of a user of the device, wherein the first conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into a first end of the neck cord and the second conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into a second end of the neck cord.

2. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the wireless transceiver is adapted to communicate in one of a cellular low band and a cellular high band.

3. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is conductively coupled to the earth plane by one of a connector, a solder joint, a screw, and a nut and bolt.

4. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the antenna is one of an L antenna, an inverted L antenna, a planar inverted F antenna, a loop antenna, a coupled line antenna, a folded monopole, a 3D metal antenna, and a helical antenna.

5. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:

a help button,

wherein pressing the help button initiates a communication with a call center providing emergency services to the user.

6. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is one of rigid or flexible conductive material.

7. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is one of single-core or multi-stranded conductive material.

8. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension is coupled to the earth plane at a first contact point and the second conductive earth plane extension is coupled to the earth plane at a second contact point and where the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension are connected in the neck cord to form a loop between the first contact point and the second contact point.

9. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is enclosed by the neck cord and coupled to the neck cord end to end.

10. The mobile device of claim 1 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is adapted to couple the neck cord to a housing of the mobile device.

11. An antenna assembly, comprising:

an antenna having an earth plane, the antenna being adapted to be coupled to a wireless transceiver;

a first conductive earth plane extension coupled to the earth plane;

a second conductive earth plane extension coupled to the earth plane; and

a neck cord adapted to support a mobile device housing the antenna from a neck of a user of the device,

wherein the first conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into a first end of the neck cord and the second conductive earth plane extension is incorporated into a second end of the neck cord.

12. The antenna assembly of claim 11 , wherein the antenna is adapted to be coupled to a wireless transceiver communicating in one of a cellular low band and a cellular high band.

13. The antenna assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is conductively coupled to the earth plane by one of a connector, a solder joint, a screw, and a nut and bolt.

14. The antenna assembly of claim 11 , wherein the antenna is one of an L antenna, an inverted L antenna, a planar inverted F antenna, a loop antenna, a coupled line antenna, a folded monopole, a 3D metal antenna, and a helical antenna.

15. The antenna assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first conductive earth plane extension and the second conductive earth plane extension is one of single-core or multi-stranded conductive material.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE ADDRESS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 74480 FRAME: 661. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Apr 28, 2026
From: INSTANT CARE, INC.
To: TCW ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075494/0574 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2024
From: CRESTLINE DIRECT FINANCE, L.P.
To: LIFELINE SYSTEMS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 069272/0593 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2021
From: AMERICAN MEDICAL ALERT CORP.; LIFELINE SYSTEMS COMPANY
To: CRESTLINE DIRECT FINANCE, L.P.
Reel/Frame 056923/0131 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2021
From: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
To: LIFELINE SYSTEMS COMPANY
Reel/Frame 056894/0075 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2013
From: LEDINGHAM, STEPHEN; COTE, RICHARD ALEXANDER
To: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
Reel/Frame 031606/0823 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61608889 · Mar 9, 2012
Provisional Application 61487024 · May 17, 2011
Related Publication 20140080545A1 · Mar 20, 2014