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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
An antenna apparatus for a folder type mobile phone, wherein a first
antenna is installed in a main body of the folder type mobile phone,
and a second antenna is installed in the folder. The folder type
mobile phone installs a main antenna apparatus in the main body,
and an antenna apparatus for maximizing the diversity effect in
the folder. As a result, it becomes more convenient to carry the
folder type mobile phone based on the diversity mode, while securing
a broader separation distance between two antennas at the same time.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An antenna apparatus for a folder type mobile phone mounted
with a receiving block to prevent a fading phenomenon, wherein the
folder type mobile phone opens/closes as a folder thereof rotates
by a hinge apparatus connecting a main body to the folder, the antenna
apparatus comprising: a first antenna, connected to a transceiving
block of the mobile phone and built in one side of the main body
extending in a longitudinal direction, and for operating when the
folder of the mobile phone is both open and closed; a second antenna,
connected to the receiving block and built in a side of the folder
different from the one side and extending in a longitudinal direction
and separated from the first antenna by a designated distance, and
for operating only when the folder of the mobile phone is open;
and a connecting block for connecting the bottom end of the second
antenna to the receiving block when the folder of the mobile phone
is open.
2. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
antenna is formed by combining a helical antenna with a whip antenna.
3. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
antenna is built in one side of top end of the main body of the
mobile phone.
4. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
antenna comprises an antenna pattern formed on a flexible print
circuit substrate mounted in the folder.
5. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
antenna comprises an antenna pattern formed on an inner side of
the folder's housing.
6. The antenna apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second
antenna is comprised of a small helical antenna.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
PRIORITY
This application claims priority to an application entitled "Antenna
apparatus for folder type mobile phone" filed in the Korean
Industrial Property Office on Oct. 29, 2001 and assigned Ser. No.
01-66759, and filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on
May 7, 2002 and assigned Ser. No. 02-24932, the contents of both
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a folder type mobile
phone, and more particularly, to an antenna apparatus for a folder
type mobile phone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile phones have become increasingly developed, aiming for the
smaller size, lighter weight, multi functions, and lower power consumption.
An antenna, one of essential components of the mobile phone, is
a crucial factor for determining speech quality.
A typically used antenna for the mobile phone is a combination
of a helical antenna and a whip antenna, as illustrated in FIG.
1. When the mobile phone is in signal waiting state or the mobile
phone's radio environment is favorable, only the helical antenna
operates. On the other hand, when the mobile phone is used for conversation
or the mobile phone's radio environment is poor, both the helical
antenna and the whip antenna are operational. In general, an antenna
is an electronic combination of a helical antenna and a whip antenna.
The helical antenna has a relatively large volume and is generally
affixed on the top end of the mobile phone. Depending on the antennas
state, i.e., whether it is in an extended state or withdrawn state,
the whip antenna's signals can be supplied or not.
In recent years, the mobile phones have been produced in diverse
forms, such as, bar type, flip type or folder type. Among those,
the folder type mobile phone is more popular among people. The folder
type mobile phone is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. As depicted
in the drawings, the folder type mobile phone includes a main body
100, a folder 200, and a hinge that connects the main body 100 to
the folder 200 in a manner that they can rotate. The hinge acts
as an opening/closing means for the folder 200 because the folder
200 rotates around a hinge shaft. The main body 100 of the folder
type mobile phone includes an antenna apparatus 110 for extending
or withdrawing toward the arrow direction on one side of the top
end, a keypad 112 comprising a plurality of keys, and a transmitting
block 114 with a built-in microphone at the lower side of the keypad
112. In addition, the main body 100 includes a side hinge arm 101
for attaching to the folder 200. The folder 200 includes a receiving
block 210 with a built-in speaker apparatus on the top end, a LCD
(Liquid Crystal Display) module 212 disposed at a lower side of
the receiving block 210, and a center hinge arm 201 for combining
to the side hinge arm 101.
To prevent a fading phenomenon the main body 100, in addition to
the antenna apparatus 110, can further include a diversity antenna
111. That is, through combining signals that are received to these
two antennas 110 and 111, respectively, optimal signals are detected,
thereby preventing the fading phenomenon and getting better quality
signals. As the diversity antenna 111 is more distant from the antenna
apparatus 110, the aforementioned effect is improved.
One possible drawback of the antenna of the folder type mobile
phone is that because the antenna is projected from a designated
position of the main body, it is inconvenient to carry around the
mobile phone. In addition, if a user drops the mobile phone, the
antenna is easily damaged. Again, since the antenna is projected
from the main body, designing the antenna itself is a difficult
task. Unfortunately, all these problems are enhanced by applying
the second diversity antenna to the microphone. Likewise, it is
difficult to secure sufficient separation distance between the main
antenna apparatus and the diversity antenna.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide
an antenna apparatus for a folder type mobile phone, which is easy
to carry and is capable of preventing damage on the antenna.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an antenna
apparatus for a folder type mobile phone, which is capable of securing
sufficient separation distance between a main antenna apparatus
and a diversity antenna.
To achieve the above objects, there is provided an antenna apparatus
for a folder type mobile phone in which the mobile phone opens/closes
as a folder thereof rotates by a hinge apparatus connecting a main
body to the folder, the antenna apparatus including: a first antenna,
which is built in one side of the main body extending in a longitudinal
direction, and operates when the folder of the mobile phone is open
or closed; a second antenna, which is built in the same side of
the folder extending in a longitudinal direction, and operates when
the folder of the mobile phone is open; and a connecting block,
which forms a contact point for connecting the top end of the first
antenna to the bottom end of the second antenna.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an antenna apparatus
for a folder type mobile phone mounted with a receiving block to
prevent a fading phenomenon, wherein the folder type mobile phone
opens/closes as a folder thereof rotates by a hinge apparatus connecting
a main body to the folder, the antenna apparatus including: a first
antenna connected to a transceiving block of the mobile phone, which
is built in one side of the main body extending in a longitudinal
direction and operates when the folder of the mobile phone is open
or closed; a second antenna connectable to the receiving block,
which is built in a different side of the folder extending in a
longitudinal direction and separated from the first antenna by a
designated distance, and operates when the folder of the mobile
phone is open; and a connecting block, which forms a contact point
for connecting the bottom end of the second antenna to the receiving
block as the folder of the mobile phone is open.
Still another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides
an antenna apparatus for a folder type mobile phone, in which the
mobile phone opens/closes as a folder thereof rotates by a hinge
apparatus connecting a main body to the folder, the antenna apparatus
including: a first antenna, which is formed by combining a helical
antenna with a whip antenna, being projected from one side of top
end of the main body; and a second antenna, which is built in a
different side of the folder extending in a longitudinal direction,
and is electrically connected to a main board of the mobile phone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
in which:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of a related art;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a closed folder type mobile phone
to which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is applied;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an open folder type mobile phone
to which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is applied;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a closed folder type mobile phone to
which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is applied;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an open folder type mobile phone to
which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is applied;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a closed folder type mobile phone to
which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is applied;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an open folder type mobile phone to
which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is applied;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an open folder type mobile phone to
which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 10 is applied;
and
FIG. 12 diagrammatically represents an antenna gain by a diversity
effect of the antenna apparatus for the folder type mobile phone
depicted in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described
herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the
following description, well-known functions or constructions are
not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in
unnecessary detail.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in the drawing, the antenna apparatus
for a folder type mobile phone according to a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention includes a first antenna 2, a second antenna
4, a connecting block 6, a duplexer 8, and a transceiving block
10. The first antenna 2 outputs receiving signals from a base station
to the transceiving block 10 via the duplexer 8, and sends transmitting
signals that are outputted from the transceiving block 10 via the
duplexer 8 to the base station. The first antenna 2 is constructed
in such manner that it works even when the folder of the mobile
phone is closed, that is, the first antenna operates when the phone
is in a call waiting state and also during conversation. The second
antenna 4 performs the same function as the first antenna 2, except
that the second antenna 4 does not operate when the folder is closed
because it is connected to the first antenna 2 through the connecting
block 6 only when the folder of the mobile phone is open.
The antenna apparatus depicted in FIG. 4 is further detailed through
FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a closed folder type
mobile phone, to which the mobile phone antenna apparatus shown
in FIG. 4 is applied, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the folder
type mobile phone of FIG. 5 in an open position. As shown in the
drawings, the first antenna 2 is built in one side of the main body
of the mobile phone extending in a longitudinal direction, and the
second antenna 4 is built in the same side of the folder extending
in a longitudinal direction. Preferably, the first antenna 2 and
the second antenna 4 are installed in corresponding positions so
that their top end portions as shown in FIG. 5 are electrically
connectable when the folder is open as shown in FIG. 6. As for the
first antenna 2, a whip antenna may be used, and as for the second
antenna 4, a helical antenna may be used. Of course, other kinds
of antennas may be applied as well.
The connecting block 6 for connecting the first antenna 2 to the
second antenna 4 is disposed at the top end of the main body, and
comprises a metal contact point made between the two antennas 2,
4. In other words, the connecting block 6 comprises a metal contact
point that is made between an end portion of the first antenna 2
and an end portion of the second antenna 4 when the folder is open,
so these two antennas 2 and 4 operate together.
A similarly constructed antenna apparatus may be applied to a folder
type mobile telephone that, besides the transceiving block, further
includes a receiving block to prevent a fading phenomenon, in short,
to a folder type mobile phone based on a diversity receiving mode.
FIGS. 7-9 depict such an embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the
present invention. As manifested in the drawing, the antenna apparatus
for a folder type mobile phone according to a second preferred embodiment
of the present invention includes a first antenna 12, a second antenna
14, a connecting block 16, a duplexer 18, a transceiving block 20,
and a receiving block 22. The first antenna 12 outputs received
signals from a base station to the transceiving block 20 via the
duplexer 18, and sends transmitting signals that are outputted from
the transceiving block 20 via the duplexer 18 to the base station.
The first antenna 12 operates even when the folder of the mobile
phone is closed, that is, the first antenna 12 works not only when
the mobile phone is in the call waiting state and but also during
conversation. The second antenna 14 outputs receiving signals from
the base station to the received block 22. If the folder type mobile
phone is open, the second antenna 14 is connected to the receiving
block 22 by the connecting block 16 and works simultaneously with
the first antenna 12 during the voice call or when text and image
data is transceived. Data such as the voice call, the text or the
image data is transmitted to the first antenna 12 from MSM (mobile
station modem) chip 70 performing modem function through the transceiving
block 20, and the received data is inputted to the MSM chip 70 through
the transceiving block 20 and the receiving block 22.
The antenna apparatus for a mobile phone shown in FIG. 7 is further
detailed through FIGS. 8 and 9. More specifically, FIG. 8 is a diagram
showing a closed folder type mobile phone, to which the mobile phone
antenna apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is applied, and FIG. 9 is a diagram
showing the folder type mobile phone of FIG. 8 in on open position.
As illustrated in the drawings, the first antenna 12 is built in
at one side of the main body extending in a longitudinal direction,
and is connected to the transceiving block 20 of the folder type
mobile phone. Second antenna 14 is built in an opposite side of
the folder extending in a longitudinal direction, and is connectable
to the receiving block 22 of the folder type mobile phone. The first
antenna 12 and the second antenna 14 are built in at different positions
from each other, and more preferably, to get an optical diversity
effect, they are disposed in a way to secure a maximum separation
distance within the mobile phone.
As for the first antenna 12, a whip antenna can be used, and as
for the second antenna 14, a helical antenna may be used. Of course,
other kinds of antennas may be employed as well. The connecting
block 16 that connects the second antenna 14 with the receiving
block 22 comprises a metallic contact 17 disposed at the top end
of the main body, that is electrical connected to the receiving
block 22 included in a main board 30 of the folder type mobile phone.
When the folder is open, an end of the second antenna 14 contacts
the metallic contact 17, thus connecting second antenna 14 with
the receiving block 22 in the main board of the mobile phone. Therefore
the first antenna 12 and the second antenna 14 operate, respectively,
during the conversation. To summarize again, when the folder is
open, the second antenna, which is connected to the receiving block
22 by the connecting block 16, operates together with the first
antenna 12.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory block diagram of a mobile phone antenna
apparatus in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The drawing illustrates the antenna apparatus
for a mobile phone according to the second preferred embodiment
of the present invention to which the antenna apparatus based on
the diversity receiving mode is applied. The antenna apparatus in
such case includes a first antenna 32, a second antenna 34, a duplexer
38, a transceiving block 40, and a receiving block 36. The first
antenna 32 outputs received signals from a base station to the transceiving
block 40 via the duplexer 38, and sends transmitted signals that
are outputted from the transceiving block 40 via the duplexer 38
to the base station. The second antenna 34 outputs received signals
from the base station to the receiving block 36. The first antenna
32 and the second antenna 34 operate all the time regardless of
whether the mobile phone is in the busy state or call waiting state.
Data such as the voice call, the text or the image data is transmitted
to the first antenna 32 from the MSM chip 80 performing modem function
through the transceiving block 40, and received data is inputted
to the MSM chip 80 through the transceiving block 40 and the receiving
block 36.
The antenna apparatus represented in FIG. 10 is now more detailed
in FIG. 11. Specifically, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an open folder
type mobile type mobile phone to which the mobile phone antenna
apparatus shown in FIG. 10 is applied. As depicted in the drawing,
the first antenna 32 is projected from one side of the main body
of the folder type mobile phone, and can be a combination of a helical
antenna with a whip antenna. Even though the present invention illustrates
a case where the first antenna 32 is projected from one side of
the mobile phone, it may alternatively be built in the main body
of the mobile phone as well, as in the related art. Second antenna
34a is built in the folder of the folder type mobile phone. The
second antenna 34a may be implemented by forming an antenna pattern
on a flexible print circuit substrate 50b mounted in the folder,
or on the inner wall of a housing of the folder, or the second antenna
34a may be implemented by installing a small helical antenna. To
maximize the diversity effect within the limited space of the folder
type mobile phone, the second antenna 34a is located in a place
where the separation distance from the first antenna 32 is at its
maximum.
TABLE 1 In case the first and the In case that second antennas
are the second antenna mounted in the main body is built in the
folder Separation distance 4 cm and below 6 cm and above Isolation
-10 dB.about.-6 dB -20 dB and above
Referring to Table 1, by installing the first antenna 32 in the
main body and the second antenna 34a in the folder, each antenna's
ground is separated from each other, and more separation distance
can be secured. Therefore, it is shown that the isolation characteristic,
i.e., deterioration of an antenna gain caused by mutual interference
of adjacent antennas in the antenna apparatus based on the diversity
receiving mode, is much improved.
A fixed wire connection 34b is shown for connecting the second
antenna 34a with the main board 50a, and forms the connecting block
of the prior embodiment. For a flexible print circuit substrate
50b mounted in and the folder, a flexible print circuit or radio
frequency coaxial cable can be used.
The first antenna 32 and the second antenna 34 operate all the
time regardless of whether the mobile phone is in the busy state
or call waiting state. In fact, the separation distance between
the first antenna 32 and the second antenna 34 is at its maximum
when the mobile phone is in the busy state (i.e., the folder is
open). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the drop rate and to
enhance speed quality by increasing the diversity effect and by
improving the isolation characteristic.
Lastly, FIG. 12 diagrammatically represents an antenna gain by
a diversity effect of the first antenna 32 and the second antenna
34. As the graph shows, the diversity effect resulted in better
antenna gains, for example, when the folder is open, the antenna
gain was increased by 2.5 dB to 3.0 dB, and when the folder is closed,
the antenna gain was increased by 1.0 dB to 1.5 dB.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference
to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In conclusion, the antenna apparatus for a folder type mobile phone
embodying the principles of the present invention has an antenna
built in the main body and the folder, so it became much more convenient
to carry the folder type mobile phone, and the antenna is rarely
damaged by an external shock. Likewise, the folder type mobile phone
based on the diversity receiving mode installed a main antenna apparatus
in the main body, and installed an antenna apparatus for maximizing
the diversity effect in the folder, and as a result thereof, the
separation distance between two antennas became broader.
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