GPS / Wi-Fi battery antenna

Abstract

Dipole antenna arrangement (300) for an electronic device, comprising: an antenna (306) having a first section (308) and a second section (310); a battery (302) connected to the first section (308); a circuit board (318) connected to the second section (310); and Chokes (360) constructed and arranged to impede a flow of RF current within the dipole antenna assembly (300), the flow of RF current flowing over a region of the dipole antenna assembly (300) extending between the battery (302) and the circuit board (318), wherein the antenna (306) extends continuously between the battery (302) and the circuit board (318) and conductively connects the battery (302) and the circuit board (318).

Description

BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to dipole antenna arrays provided within client computing devices.Client computing devices wirelessly communicate with a network via an antenna. As client computing devices become smaller and more compact, the range available for antennas also decreases. Improvements are continuously needed to provide an antenna capable of adequately receiving and transmitting data from and to a network in a compact space. WO 2014 / 090 420 A1 describes an antenna device in the form of a folding dipole, which is designed to receive and / or emit electromagnetic waves having a predetermined wavelength lambda. The antenna device has an energy coupling device which is designed to supply electrical energy to or draw electrical energy from the antenna device.SUMMARYThe present disclosure relates to antennas for compact electronic devices, and more particularly to dipole antennas capable of capturing a wide range of bands including GPS, WLAN, and cellular bands. In an exemplary embodiment, a dipole antenna array may be formed from the architecture and structure of the protruding components of a head mounted device. This configuration allows the overall aesthetic and industrial design of the head mounted device to remain the same without the need to modify the design to provide additional space within the head mounted device for the antenna. The proposed solution relates to a dipole antenna arrangement according to claim 1 of the appended claim set. Embodiments thereof are set forth in the dependent claims.According to an exemplary aspect of the disclosure, a dipole antenna assembly for an electronic device includes a rear bracket, an antenna adjacent to the rear bracket, a circuit board, and a battery. The rear bracket has electronic components exposed on a surface thereof. The antenna may be adjacent to the rear bracket and may include a first portion and a second portion having a transmission line. The circuit board is attached to the antenna, while the battery may be connected to a portion of the rear bracket and the circuit board. A positive arm of the dipole antenna array includes the battery and a negative arm of the dipole antenna array includes the transmission line.In another exemplary embodiment of this exemplary aspect, the array may further include a dipole splitting region separating the positive side and the negative side of the dipole antenna array. The dipole splitting region may further include a plurality of chokes to prevent flow of the RF current between the positive side and the negative side of the dipole antenna array when a low frequency current flows through the dipole splitting region. At least one of the chokes may include either an inductor or a resistor.In another exemplary embodiment of this exemplary aspect, the electronic components may further include at least one of a magnetometer, a microphone, a speaker, a power switch, a light emitting diode, signal lines for fuel display, and a battery ID resistor.In another exemplary embodiment of this exemplary aspect, the electronic device is a head mounted device. The head mounted device may further include a center eyeglass frame, a first side arm, and a second side arm. The first side arm may extend outwardly from a first end of the center eyeglass frame and include an optical display that enables a user to display images. The second side arm extends outwardly from an opposite second end of the center eyeglass frame. The dipole antenna array may be disposed within the head mounted device. In an exemplary embodiment, the dipole antenna array may be disposed within the first side arm of the head mounted device.In another exemplary embodiment of this exemplary aspect, the antenna is attached to the battery. The antenna and the rear bracket may also be flexible. The negative arm may further include the circuit board.According to an aspect of the invention, a dipole antenna array for an electronic device includes an antenna, a battery, a circuit board, and chokes. The antenna has a first portion and a second portion. The battery is connected to the first portion and the circuit board is connected to the second portion. The chokes are constructed and arranged to impede flow of the RF current within the dipole antenna array, the flow of the RF current flowing over a portion of the dipole antenna array that extends between the battery and the circuit board, the antenna extending continuously between the battery and the circuit board and conductively connecting the battery and the circuit board.In an exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the dipole antenna array covers a range of frequencies, the range of frequencies being selected from at least one of the following ranges: (a) 1575-1605 MHz; (b) 2400-2484 MHz; and (c) 5150-5850 MHz.In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the antenna may be an elongated and flexible metallic member. The second portion of the antenna may comprise a transmission line.In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a positive dipole may be formed from the first portion of the antenna and the battery, while a negative dipole is formed from the outer surface of the second portion. The negative dipole may also include a rear component carrying the flexible antenna.In an exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the battery may form a positive dipole, the second portion of the antenna and the circuit board may form a negative dipole, and a divided region separates the positive dipole from the negative dipole. The chokes may be disposed within the divided region.In another exemplary embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the electronic device is a head mounted device further including a center eyeglass frame and first and second side arms. The first side arm may extend outwardly from a first end of the center eyeglass frame and include an optical display that enables a user to display images. A second side arm may extend outwardly from an opposing second end of the center eyeglass frame, the dipole antenna array disposed within the first side arm.Another exemplary aspect of the disclosure is directed to a head mounted device that includes a dipole antenna array. The head mounted device may include a center eyeglass frame, first and second side arms, a display, and a dipole antenna array disposed within the head mounted device. The first side arm may extend outwardly from a first end of the center eyeglass frame. The display may be connected to the first side arm and provide images to a user. The dipole antenna array may be disposed within the first side arm. The dipole antenna array may further include a battery forming a positive side of the dipole array. Another component of the head mounted device may form a negative side of the dipole antenna array. An antenna may connect the battery and the other component to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the other component is a printed circuit board.In another exemplary embodiment of this exemplary aspect, the dipole antenna array may further include a divided region separating the positive side and the negative side of the dipole antenna array. Chokes may be disposed within the divided region.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial diagram of a system, according to an exemplary implementation. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of the system of FIG. 1, including client devices including dipole antenna arrays in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a client device having a dipole antenna array, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary dipole antenna arrangement that may be implemented in the client device of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates the example dipole antenna array of FIG. 4 within an example optics arm or side arm of the client device of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary internal arrangement of components in the exemplary dipole antenna array. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary schematic diagram with the components of the dipole antenna array forming the positive and negative arms of the dipole antenna array, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary flexible antenna in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 9A illustrates a side of an exemplary rear flexible component connected to the exemplary flexible antenna, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. FIG. 9B illustrates another side of the example rear flexible component of FIG. 9A connected to the example flexible antenna, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. FIGS. 10A-10B are enlarged views of a portion of FIG. 9B. FIG. 11 shows the rear flexible component and the flexible antenna connected to a battery. FIG. 12 illustrates a method for providing a dipole antenna array in a client device.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent with reference to the following description of the preferred implementations and accompanying figures. The following description is in no way limited by the disclosure; rather, the scope is defined by the appended claims and equivalents.The present disclosure describes a client device, such as a head mounted device having a dipole antenna array. The dipole antenna arrangement can be composed of the already present components of the device attached to the head. The dipole antenna array includes a positive node or arm and a negative node or arm. To prevent the dipole antenna array, and in particular the lines running between the positive and negative arms, from being shorted, a dipole splitting region is provided between the positive node and the negative node. Chokes are provided within the dipole splitting region to limit or reduce the flow of RF current through the dipole splitting region and allow low frequency signals to pass through the dipole splitting region. In this exemplary embodiment, a positive arm of the dipole antenna array may include the battery of the head mounted device, while an arm of the dipole antenna array may include the primary printed circuit board ("PCB") of the system. The use of already existing components within the head mounted device reduces the cost of construction and at the same time allows the use of a dipole antenna array within a compact space.FIG. 1 illustrates various client devices that may be used independently or in a networked configuration, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment 100 having a plurality of client devices, including computers 102, 104, 106, as well as other types of devices, such as a mobile phone 108, a tablet computer 110, and a head mounted device 112. such devices may be connected using a local or direct connection 114 and / or using a network 116, such as LAN, WAN, Internet, etc., which may be wired or wireless. It should be appreciated that the network environment 100 illustratively includes networked client devices, while in other exemplary embodiments, there may be a different arrangement of client devices. For example, there may be two or more head mounted devices or other types of client devices on the network.Each device may include, for example, one or more processing devices and various user input devices, such as a display 122, which could be, for example, a CRT, an LCD, a plasma display, a television, a projector, or other input devices. Likewise, the input may be provided to an external structure of a device, such as by one of the arms of the head mounted device or by voice activated commands.As shown in FIG. 2, each computer, such as client device 112, includes a processor 124, memory / storage 126, and other components that are typically located in a computer. For example, memory / storage 126 stores information accessible by processor 124. The client device 112 may be a mobile computing device capable of wirelessly exchanging data. By way of example, the client device 112 may be a head-mounted device, a wireless tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a cellular phone capable of obtaining information over the Internet. The client device 112 may also include a transceiver 132 coupled to an antenna 134. The transceiver 132 includes a transmitter 136A and a receiver 136B to wirelessly communicate with the network 116 via the antenna 134.The client device 112 may include user input 138 (e.g., controls provided on the side of the head mounted device) or voice recognition software. The client device 112 may also include an accelerometer, speakers, a network interface device, a battery power supply 140, or other power source, and any components used to connect these elements together.The client device may also include a geographic location component to determine the geographic location and orientation of the device. For example, the client device 112 may include a GPS receiver 136C to determine the device's latitude, longitude, and altitude. The client device 112 may also include software for determining the position of the device based on other signals received from the client device 112, such as signals received from the antenna of a head mounted device from the network when the client device is a head mounted device. It may also include an accelerometer or gyroscope to determine the direction in which the device is oriented. The device may, for example, determine its pitch, yaw or roll rate (or changes thereto) relative to the direction of gravity or a plane perpendicular thereto. In this regard, it is understood that the client device location and orientation data as set forth herein may be automatically provided via an antenna, such as antenna 134, to either the user or the server, or both.FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a client device that is a head mounted device 200; however, this disclosure applies to any mobile computing device such as a tablet computer, a PDA, or a mobile phone. In this exemplary embodiment, the client device 112 is a head mounted device 200 capable of receiving, transmitting, and displaying data. The client device 112 is an exemplary embodiment of a head mounted glasses-type device, the overall appearance of which resembles conventional glasses or sunglasses. However, other types of head mounted devices may be used additionally or alternatively. The head-mounted device 200 is not limited to any type of eyeglasses or scope, but may further include prescription and non-prescription sun glasses, prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, or any type of eyeglasses that may be used for a head-mounted device or an eyeglass assembly that may or may not include lenses.The head mounted device 200 includes several components including lens frames 204, 206, a center frame support 208, lens elements 210, 212, and a first side arm or frame arm 202 extending outwardly from the lens frame 206. The combination of the objective elements 210, 212 and the central frame carrier 208 forms a united central frame holder 201. The respective lens frames 204, 206 as well as the first frame arm 202 may be formed from a solid structure of plastic and / or metal or correspond to a hollow structure of similar materials. Other materials are also contemplated in aspects of the disclosure.The head mounted device 200 may further include a second side arm or optics arm 216 extending outwardly from the lens frame 206. As shown, the optics arm 216 includes a first free end 220 that encloses the front of the center frame rail 201. A second free end 222 is disposed proximate to the ear of a user (not shown). In this exemplary embodiment, the optics arm 216 includes all electronic components of the head mounted device 200. The optics arm 216 may, for example, house the electrical circuitry, battery, processors, speakers, audio components, and the like needed to operate the device. In other exemplary embodiments, some of these components may be located in other parts of the head mounted device, including in the center frame mount 201 or in the side arm 202. The optics arm 216 may also include a light transmission hole (not shown) and an imaging device 230, such as an outward facing camera, that can capture both still and video images. The optics arm 216 may be a hollow structure made of plastic or other insulating materials.A display 226 may extend from the first free end 220 of the optics arm 216 and may be in the form of a generally transparent prism. The display 226 is configured to be overlaid or combined with the user's field of view to display an image generated by electronic display components disposed within the outer housing of the optics arm 216. Such a prism may be designed to receive a projected image and make this image visible to a user by looking into the viewing side 228 of the display 226.The optic arm 216 serves to attach the head mounted device 200 to a user's head. In this exemplary embodiment, the optics arm 216 is removably connected to the opposing outer edge 215 of the lens frame 204. The optic arm 216 is constructed and arranged to fit over the ear of a user and to attach the head mounted device 200 to one side of the user's head. The optics arm 216 and the frame arm 202 may also attach the head mounted device 200 to the head of the user through one or both of the optics arms 216 and the frame arm 202 extending around a rear portion of the head of the user.The head mounted device 200 may include an onboard computer system. In an exemplary embodiment, an onboard computer system (not shown) is housed within the optics arm 216. Said onboard computer system may for example include a processor and memory. The onboard computer system may be configured to receive and analyze data from the imaging device 230 and / or another device located in or attached to the head mounted device 200 or in connection with the head mounted device 200.The head mounted device 200 may also include an antenna array that may communicate with other devices in the network and, more particularly, may receive data from and transmit data to a network. In this exemplary embodiment, the antenna assembly is housed within the outer housing 240 of the optics arm 216. In other exemplary embodiments, the antenna may be partially housed within the optics arm 216, or instead incorporated into other portions of the head mounted device 200.Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of an antenna assembly that may be used in a client device, such as the optics arm of the head mounted device, is illustrated. In this exemplary embodiment, the antenna is a dipole antenna array 300 capable of capturing a wide range of frequencies, including GPS and WLAN. In an exemplary embodiment, dipole antenna array 300 is capable of detecting 1575-1605 MHz GPS system / global navigation satellite system ("GLONASS") frequencies, 2400-2484 MHz WLAN / IBT frequencies, and 5150-5850 MHz WLAN frequencies. In other exemplary embodiments, the dipole antenna array may also be capable of detecting cellular telephone frequencies, including a UHF frequency of 1900 MHz or in the range of 800-850 MHz, 3G UHF frequencies, including a frequency of 850 MHz or in the range of 1700-2100 MHz, and 4G UHF frequencies, including frequencies within the ranges of 700-800 MHz and 1700-2500 MHz. It should be noted that the foregoing frequencies are exemplary frequencies and a dipole antenna array capable of receiving and transmitting data at any frequency is also contemplated for other uses within the scope of the disclosure.The dipole antenna array may have an overall length that should be greater than half the wavelength at the lowest operating frequency. For example, the lowest frequency may be the frequency required for GPS at 1.575 GHz, in which case the overall length of the dipole antenna array is at least 3.75 inches.To form the positive arm 301 and the negative arm 303 of the dipole antenna array 300, pre-existing components within the head mounted device may be used. Referring to FIG. 4, a top view of the internal components of the optics arm 216 forming the dipole antenna array 300 is illustrated. In this exemplary embodiment, as will be described in greater detail below, the positive arm 301 of the dipole antenna assembly 300 is formed from a battery 302 having a metal foil 304 wrapped around the battery 302; a flexible antenna 306 having a first positive side 308 attached to the battery 302; and first and second microphones of the head mounted device 200. A power switch and magnetometer disposed in the upper portion 316 of the rear flexible component may also be included as part of the positive arm 301 of the head mounted device 200.When a first positive side 308 of the flexible antenna 306 is attached to the battery 302, the flexible antenna 306 is directly adjacent to the battery 302. Due to the capacitive coupling, the battery 302 forms a primary part of the positive arm 301 of the dipole antenna assembly 300. The negative arm 303 of the dipole antenna assembly 300 may be formed from the primary PCB 318, a second negative side 310 of the flexible antenna 306 attached to the printed circuit board 318, the ground of a rear flexible component 320 attached to the flexible antenna 306, and a speaker (not shown in this view). Additional details regarding some of these components, such as the battery 302, the flexible antenna 306, and the rear flexible component 320, are described in more detail below.Chokes 360 are disposed between positive arm 301 and negative arm 303 of dipole antenna assembly 300. As will be described in greater detail below, chokes 360 are provided within a dipole splitting region 338 to prevent short circuit of the current and signal lines extending in the region between battery 302 and circuit board 318.It should be appreciated that the dipole antenna array 300 need not be symmetrical, nor need the positive arm 301 and the negative arm 303 be symmetrical or equal in size.FIG. 5 illustrates a dipole antenna array 300 disposed within the optics arm 216 of the head mounted device. As shown, the battery 302 is disposed adjacent the second free end 222 of the optics arm and the circuit board 318 is disposed between the first free end (not shown) of the optics arm 216 and the second free end 222. As shown, the first outer housing 305 is a substantially hollow housing. In this exemplary embodiment, all components of dipole antenna array 300 fit within outer housing 305 of optics arm 216, and are fully housed within optics arm 216. In other exemplary embodiments, one or more portions of dipole antenna array 300 may extend into other portions of the head mounted device, such as the center frame rail or other side arm of the head mounted device. A second intermediate housing 307 may be planar and used to cover or protect portions of the dipole antenna array. For purposes of illustration, the second intermediate housing 307 is shown extending upwardly, but when the optics arm is fully assembled, the second intermediate housing 307 lies flat on and above the circuit board.It should be appreciated that the battery 302 overlies directly the outer housing 305, which in this exemplary embodiment is made of a plastic or insulating material. The location of the battery 302 within the plastic material of the outer housing 305 isolates the battery 302 and allows operation of the battery 302 as an antenna without interference from other signals. This is due in part to the fact that the battery 302 is not disposed on a metal plate, which is common in other compact client devices using metal housings, or that the battery must abut a metal plate such as cellular phones, PDAs, and the like. Positioning the dipole antenna array near a solid metal surface may impede efficient radiating of the dipole antenna.FIG. 6 shows an enlarged perspective view of the portion of the dipole antenna array at the dipole splitting region 338 without the overlying second intermediate housing 307. As shown in this exemplary embodiment, the rear flexible component 320 supports at least a portion of the flexible antenna 306 and chokes 360. Flexible antenna 306 and rear flexible component 320 are both shown, with the respective rear portions enclosing battery 302.FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of the dipole antenna arrangement according to the previously described exemplary embodiment. Dipole antenna array 300 includes a positive arm 301 and a negative arm 303. As illustrated in this exemplary embodiment and described hereinabove, the positive arm 301 of the dipole antenna assembly may include a battery 302, a first microphone, a second microphone 314, and the top portion or positive side of the flexible antenna 306. The portion of the rear flexible component attached to the battery 302 may also form part of the positive arm 301 of the dipole antenna array. The negative arm 303 of the dipole antenna assembly may include a speaker 342, the outer surface of the lower portion of the flexible antenna 306, and the bottom of the rear flexible component 320. Chokes 360 are disposed between the positive arm 301 and the negative arm 303 of the dipole antenna assembly 300.In this exemplary embodiment, the positive and negative arms 301, 303 of the dipole antenna assembly 300 are formed from the components of the dipole antenna assembly 300 disposed between the battery 302 and the primary circuit board 318. The battery 302 and the primary circuit board 318 form the extreme ends of the dipole antenna array and are interconnected by a flexible antenna 306 and a rear flexible component 320. The battery 302 generates current and forms the positive end of the dipole antenna array; a primary printed circuit board 318 or other component forms the negative side of the dipole antenna array; and an intermediate component, such as a rear flexible component or flexible antenna, connects the battery and the primary printed circuit board together and provides a transmission line. Other components, such as the loudspeaker magnetometer, extending along the intermediate component may be incorporated into either the positive or negative side of the dipole antenna array.In other exemplary embodiments, fewer or different components of a device may be used to form the dipole antenna array. Loudspeakers, microphones, mains switches and the like can be arranged, for example, in other parts of the head-mounted device or some of the said components can also not be contained in the head-mounted device. The possibilities of which components a dipole antenna arrangement can be formed are therefore numerous. The components forming part of the dipole antenna array may vary in this regard depending on the design of a particular device and the particular components required for the device.A plurality of components constituting the dipole antenna array 300 and the arrangement of these components will be described in detail below. Referring now to FIG. 8, a top view of the first surface of the flexible antenna 306 is shown. In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible antenna 306 extends in a longitudinal direction along a substantial length of the optics arm. The flexible antenna 306 includes a first positive side 308 and a second negative side 310. The flexible antenna 306 may be made of a thin metal such as copper, galvanized steel, or aluminum. The flexible antenna 306 also extends between the positive dipole side and the negative dipole side of the overall dipole antenna assembly 300. Although in this embodiment the flexible antenna 306 is formed from a flexible material, in other exemplary embodiments the antenna 306 may be rigid and non-flexible or may include other parts that are rigid. The first positive side 308 of the flexible antenna 306 may be elongated or rectangular. The outer surface 322 of the first positive side 308 may be an exposed metal surface.The second negative side 310 of the flexible antenna 306 is elongated and extends in a direction outward from the first positive side 308 of the flexible antenna 306. The internal space (not shown) of the second negative side 310 forms the transmission line 324. The outer surface 325 of the transmission line 324 forms a part of the second negative side 310 of the dipole antenna array. The RF current can thus independently flow onto the inner and outer surfaces of the transmission line. The flexible antenna 306 includes an end 328 of the second negative side 310. The end 328 may be connected to the primary circuit board by contacts (not shown in this view).A rear flexible component 320 may be used as a support of the flexible antenna 306. Referring to FIG. 9A, a top view of the top 330 of the rear flexible component 320 connected to the flexible antenna 306 is shown. This view shows the assembly of these two components prior to assembly with other components of the dipole antenna array. The rear flexible component 320 may be made of an elongated piece of metal, such as copper, aluminum, or galvanized steel. In this view, the rear flexible component 320 is shown overlying the flexible antenna 306. The rear flexible component 320 may be flexible in this exemplary embodiment, but in other exemplary embodiments, the component 320 may be rigid or include parts that are rigid.FIG. 9B shows a base surface 332 of the rear flexible component 320 and the respective bases 322A, 326A of the first positive side 308 and the second negative side 310 of the flexible antenna 306. A flexible antenna 306 may be attached to the rear flexible component 320 using a conductive adhesive (not shown) that allows a flexible antenna 306 to ground to the rear flexible component 320.The rear flexible component 320 may also be used to support and / or electrically connect multiple components of the head mounted device, and particularly those components located in the optics arm. For example, in a rear flexible component upper region 316, the rear flexible component 320 supports 320 a first microphone, magnetometer, and power switch. The rear flexible component 320 may further support additional components such as a speaker 342, a second microphone 314 (FIG. 9A ), an LED, battery lines supplying power to the motherboard, as well as fuel display signal lines and a battery ID resistor. The illustrated traces 354 (FIG. 9A ) extend along the top 330 of the rear flexible component 320 and serve to communicate with the various components within the head mounted device. It should be noted that the components supported by the rear flexible component 320 are exemplary and that the rear flexible component may support any number of components required for the particular construction of a client device, such as a head mounted device.The rear flexible component 320 includes a first positive side 334, a second negative side 336, and the dipole splitting region 338 separating the first positive side 334 and the second negative side 336. The first positive side 308 of the flexible antenna 306 extends outward from a primary portion of the rear flexible component 320. The second negative side 310 or lower portion of the flexible antenna 306 is adjacent a substantial length of the lower portion or second negative side 336 of the rear flexible component 320. For example, the flexible antenna 306 may extend along the lower length of the rear flexible component 320. Contacts 340 of the flexible antenna 306 are exposed and extend outwardly from the rear flexible component 320. Contacts 340 may be used to connect the flexible antenna 306 to the circuit board.The dipole splitting region 338 is shown disposed between the first positive side 334 and the second negative side 336 of the rear flexible component 320. As shown, the dipole gap region 338 separates and is disposed between the first positive side 334 and the second negative side 336 of the rear flexible component 320. Moreover, as described above, the dipole splitting region separates the positive arm and the negative arm of the entire dipole antenna array. At least a portion of the dipole splitting region 338 extends across the entire width W of the rear flexible component 320.In this exemplary embodiment, all chokes within the dipole antenna array are disposed within dipole splitting region 338. Referring to Figures 10A-10B, chokes are shown at the junction between the positive and negative arms of the dipole antenna array. Chokes may be integrated into silicon, plastic, glass, or any other type of material within or adjacent rear flexible component 320.FIG. 11 shows the flexible antenna 306 and the rear flexible component 320 connected to the battery 302 and forming a subassembly 374. The battery 302 may be any standard battery that can be used to power a head mounted device. The battery 302 may be, for example, a 2.1 Wh (570 mAh) single cell lithium polymer unit. As shown, the battery 302 may be wound into a metal foil 304. The use of the metal foil 304 allows the battery 302 to carry radio frequencies, signals, and the like. This allows the battery 302 to act as a conductor. Metal foils 304 include, but are not limited to, copper foils, aluminum foils, or other metal foils. In another embodiment, the battery 302 may be coated with a metallic material to serve as a conductive layer. The surface of the battery 302 may be coated with, for example, a metallic material.The outer surface (not shown) of the first positive side 308 of the flexible antenna 306 is disposed and secured opposite the metal foil 304 and the battery 302. The flexible antenna 306 may be attached to the battery 302 using known methods. The flexible antenna 306 may be, for example, bonded or affixed to the battery 302 using a conductive adhesive or epoxy. Due to the capacitive coupling, the battery forms part of the positive arm 301 of the dipole antenna array 300.The first positive side 334 of the rear flexible component 320 is secured to the metal foil 304 of the battery 302. The rear flexible component 320 may be secured to the metal foil 304 using known methods, such as a tape. The arm 356 of the rear flexible component 320 encloses the metallic foil 304 and a side of the battery 302. The arm 368 encloses the top of the battery 302. The rear flexible component 320 may also be directly attached to the battery 302. The same type of capacitive coupling is also effective when the rear flexible component 320 is attached to the metallic foil 304 of the battery 302. When connected to the battery, the rear flexible component 320 and any associated signals are coupled to the battery 302.Contacts 340 of flexible antenna 306 and contacts 366 of rear flexible component 320 may then be attached to primary circuit board 318 as shown in FIGS. 4-5 to form a completed dipole antenna assembly.Referring to the completed dipole antenna assembly illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the terminals (not shown) of the battery 302 may be directly connected to the primary circuit board 318 through the flexible antenna 306 and the rear flexible component 320. The terminals of the battery 302 define the location at which the dipole antenna array divides into a positive arm or a negative arm. In order to prevent the positive arm 301 and the negative arm 303 of the dipole antenna arrangement 300 from being short-circuited in the region of the battery terminals, the positive and negative arms 301, 303 of the dipole antenna arrangement 300 must remain independent. All lines traversing positive arm 301 to negative arm 303 pass through chokes 360 in dipole splitting region 338 including inductors, resistors, and the like.In this exemplary embodiment, chokes 360 may extend in a region of dipole antenna assembly 300 between the first positive side and the second negative side of rear flexible component 320 (which is also between and separates the positive and negative arms of dipole antenna assembly 300) to prevent lines such as power lines and signal lines from being shorted. Said lines, which extend in the region between battery 302 and printed circuit board, pass through chokes 360 in dipole splitting region 338. Power lines (not shown), speaker lines (not shown), signal lines (not shown), and all necessary lines extending between the positive arm 301 and the negative arm 303 pass through the chokes 360, for example. For example, battery lines may pass through line chokes 362, other signal lines may pass through inductors 364, and still other lines may pass through resistors 363. In this exemplary embodiment, all of said leads may be disposed on the rear flexible component. It should be noted that the leads may be placed anywhere on the rear flexible component, but in this exemplary embodiment, leads that overlap between the negative and positive dipole arms pass through chokes 360.Inductors are inductors that have low or zero impedance at low frequencies but high impedance at RF frequencies. The inductors allow low frequency signals to pass through the dipole splitting region without shorting the dipole antenna array. For example, with reference to FIG. 10B, which is a rear view of FIG. 10A, power line chokes 362, inductors 364, and resistors 363 may be provided within the dipole splitting region 338. The line reactor 362 interferes with battery lines (not shown) extending between the positive and negative arms of the dipole antenna array. For example, a choke may be a 0806MH air coil (~19 nH) to shut off the RF current. This allows DC / LOW signals to pass from the battery to the primary circuit board while having a high impedance at RF frequencies. This also provides a clear separation between the two arms of the dipole antenna array and ensures that everything traversing the line between the battery and the motherboard is accurately controlled. In such an exemplary embodiment, low frequency signals, such as the signals from the microphone, power switches, and other components in the dipole antenna array, may pass through the dipole splitting region without shorting the dipole antenna array.FIG. 12 illustrates a method 400 for providing a dipole antenna array in a client device. The method begins with attaching a rear flexible antenna to a rear flexible mount or component having chokes thereon. The flexible antenna may be made of an elongated flexible metal and a conductive adhesive may be used to attach and ground the flexible antenna to the rear flexible mount. A portion of the flexible antenna may function as a transmitter, as shown and described in more detail in FIG. 8. The rear flexible mount may include electronic components of the client computing device located thereon, as further illustrated and described in FIGS. 9A-9B. The electronic components include, but are not limited to, chokes, power lines, signal lines, a speaker, and other components of the client computing device.At block 420, a first portion of the rear flexible mount and a first portion of the flexible antenna may be attached to a battery wound into a metal foil. The attachment of the rear flexible mount and the flexible antenna to the battery capacitively couples both the rear flexible mount and the flexible antenna and all associated signals directly to the battery. The battery may form a positive arm of the dipole antenna array.At block 430, a second portion of the rear flexible mount and a second portion of the flexible antenna are attached to a circuit board. The circuit board, the ground of the rear flexible mount, and a portion of the flexible antenna may form a negative arm of the dipole antenna array.At block 440, the components of the dipole antenna array may be provided in the housing of the client computing device. The dipole antenna arrangement can be accommodated, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, within an arm of a spectacle-type head-mounted device.

Claims

A dipole antenna assembly (300) for an electronic device, comprising: an antenna (306) having a first portion (308) and a second portion (310); a battery (302) coupled to the first portion (308); a printed circuit board (318) coupled to the second portion (310); and chokes (360) constructed and arranged to impede a flow of the RF current within the dipole antenna assembly (300), wherein the flow of the RF current flows over a portion of the dipole antenna assembly (300) extending between the battery (302) and the printed circuit board (318), wherein the antenna (306) extends continuously between the battery (302) and the printed circuit board (318) and conductively connects the battery (302) and the printed circuit board (318).The dipole antenna assembly (300) of claim 1, wherein the battery (302) forms a positive dipole, wherein the second portion of the antenna (306) and the circuit board (318) form a negative dipole, and a split region (338) separates the positive dipole from the negative dipole, wherein the chokes (360) are disposed in the split region (338).The dipole antenna array (300) of claim 1, wherein the dipole antenna array (300) detects a range of frequencies, the range of frequencies being selected from at least one of the following ranges 1575-1605 MHz; 2400-2484 MHz; and 5150-5850 MHz.The dipole antenna assembly (300) of claim 1, wherein the antenna (306) is an elongated and flexible metallic member, wherein the second portion (310) of the antenna (306) comprises a transmission line (324).The dipole antenna assembly (300) of claim 4, wherein a positive dipole is formed from the first portion (308) of the antenna (306) and the battery (302), and a negative dipole is formed from an outer surface of the second portion (310) of the antenna (306).The dipole antenna assembly (300) of claim 5, wherein the negative dipole further comprises a rear component (320), the rear component (320) supporting the flexible antenna (306).The dipole antenna assembly (300) of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a head mounted device (200), the head mounted device further comprising a center eyeglass frame (201); wherein a first side arm (216) extends outward from a first end of the center eyeglass frame (201) and includes an optical display for displaying images to a user; and wherein a second side arm (216) extends outward from an opposing second end of the center eyeglass frame (201), the dipole antenna assembly (300) being disposed within the first side arm (216).

Images