U.S. patent application number 12/198522 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for rf test access for testing antenna in mobile communication device.
Invention is credited to John A. Holmes, Yihong Qi.
Application Number | 20080318644 12/198522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35782438 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080318644 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holmes; John A. ; et
al. |
December 25, 2008 |
RF TEST ACCESS FOR TESTING ANTENNA IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION
DEVICE
Abstract
A housing for a mobile communication device includes a housing
member that encloses the mobile communication device. An opening is
positioned in the housing member for accepting a battery. A door is
positioned over the opening in the housing member, with an access
port defined through the housing member positioned under the door
for contacting an internal element of a mobile communication
device, such as an antenna. A method for testing an antenna in a
mobile communication device having a housing with an antenna access
port defined therethrough, an antenna, a battery compartment, and a
removable cover positioned over at least part of the housing is
also described.
Inventors: |
Holmes; John A.; (Waterloo,
CA) ; Qi; Yihong; (Waterloo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lorri W. Cooper, Esq.
Jones Day, 901 Lakeside Avenue (North Point)
Cleveland
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
35782438 |
Appl. No.: |
12/198522 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11684822 |
Mar 12, 2007 |
7427959 |
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12198522 |
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11046716 |
Jan 31, 2005 |
7190312 |
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11684822 |
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60585126 |
Jul 2, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/575.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0262 20130101;
H04W 24/00 20130101; H04M 1/24 20130101; H01Q 1/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/575.1 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00 |
Claims
1. A housing for a mobile communication device having an antenna
comprising: a housing member that encloses the mobile communication
device, with a first opening positioned in the housing member for
accepting a battery and a second opening positioned in the housing
member for accessing an internal element of the antenna for testing
purposes, said second opening being positioned on the housing
member below the first opening.
2. The housing of claim 1, further comprising a door positioned
over the first and second openings in the housing member and
covering the first and second openings.
3. The housing of claim 1, wherein the second opening is not
located in the first opening for the battery.
4. The housing of claim 2, wherein the housing member includes a
latch member, the door includes a latch that is configured to
engage with the latch member to hold the door in position, and the
access port is positioned adjacent the latch.
5. The housing of claim 4, wherein the latch member is defined in
the vicinity of the bottom of the housing member and the latch is
defined in the vicinity of the bottom of the door.
6. The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing member comprises a
front housing member and a rear housing member, with the first and
second openings being positioned in the rear housing member.
7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the second opening is round.
8. The housing of claim 1, wherein the second opening remains open
and is unplugged.
9. A mobile communication device comprising: the housing of claim
1; and an antenna positioned inside the housing member in the
vicinity of the bottom of the housing member in association with
the second opening.
10. The mobile communication device of claim 9, further comprising
a battery positioned in the opening.
11. A housing for a mobile communication device having an antenna
comprising: a housing member that encloses the mobile communication
device, with a first opening positioned in the housing member for
accepting a battery and a second opening positioned in the housing
member for accessing an internal element of the antenna for testing
purposes; and a removable door positioned over the first and second
openings, wherein the second opening remains open and unplugged and
the first opening receives a battery therein.
12. The housing of claim 11, wherein the second opening is round
and provides direct access to the internal element of the
antenna.
13. The housing of claim 11, wherein the door includes a latch and
the housing member includes a latch member for mating with the
latch of the door, and the second opening is positioned adjacent
the latch member.
14. A mobile communication device comprising: the housing of claim
11; and an antenna positioned inside the housing member in the
vicinity of the bottom of the housing member in association with
the second opening.
15. A housing for a mobile communication device having an antenna
comprising: a housing member that encloses the mobile communication
device, with a first opening positioned in the housing member for
accepting a battery and a second opening positioned in the housing
member for accessing an internal element of the antenna for testing
purposes, wherein the second opening is positioned below and spaced
from the first opening.
16. The housing of claim 15, further comprising a cover for
covering both the first and second openings.
17. The housing of claim 16, wherein the cover is a door having a
latch and the housing member includes a latch member for mating
with the latch, and the second opening is positioned adjacent the
latch member.
18. The housing of claim 15, wherein the second opening is
unplugged and provides direct access to the internal element of an
antenna, with the antenna being positioned at a bottom end of the
housing member.
19. A mobile device comprising: the housing of claim 15; a battery
positioned in the first opening; and an antenna positioned at a
bottom end of the housing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/684,822, filed Mar. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat.
No. ______, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,190,312,
which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/585,126, filed on Jul. 2, 2004, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This technology relates to a test access port for testing an
antenna in a mobile communication device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mobile communication devices include an antenna for
communication with wireless networks. This antenna must be tested
before the mobile communication device leaves the factory to insure
that the antenna is installed properly and in proper working
order.
[0004] There are several different methods for testing mobile
communication devices during assembly. One method is to conduct a
two part test, where the circuit board and antenna are tested first
and then a second and final test checks the entire device. Where a
two part test is utilized, the housing of the device is often
installed after the first test is performed so that access to the
antenna is available.
[0005] Another method is to conduct a single final test where all
components are tested with the housing in place. In this case, it
is necessary to have access to the antenna in order to test it.
[0006] Most phones utilize an antenna that is positioned near the
top of the mobile communication device. An RF test port is
positioned at the top of the device, usually on the back of the
device in the form of a hole in the back housing plastic. The hole
allows for an RF probe to connect to the antenna for testing. This
hole requires a plug to be positioned in the hole after testing so
that the consumer cannot see the RF test port and to avoid the
unwanted entry of dirt or debris into the housing through the port.
The plug is an extra part that adds costs and an additional
assembly step. Prior devices, such as those of Motorola, Trium, and
Qualcom, depicted in FIGS. 1-3, respectively, have utilized an
external test port 8 through the housing of the device that is
plugged with a plug or stopper.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with the teachings described herein, a housing
for a mobile communication device includes a housing member and a
door. The housing member encloses the mobile communication device,
with at least one opening positioned in the housing member for
accepting a battery. The door is positioned over the opening in the
housing member, with an access port defined through the housing
member positioned under the door for contacting an internal element
of a mobile communication device.
[0008] In another example, a housing for a mobile communication
device includes a housing member, a first cover, and a second
cover. The housing member has an opening for receiving a battery
into a mobile communication device and an access port for testing
an antenna. The first cover is positioned over at least part of the
housing member covering the access port. The second cover is
positioned over at least part of the housing member covering the
battery. The first and second covers may be one in the same.
[0009] In another example, a mobile communication device includes
the housing described above and an antenna positioned inside the
housing member in the vicinity of the bottom of the housing member
in association with the access port.
[0010] In a further example, a method for testing an antenna in a
mobile communication device is described. The mobile communication
device has a housing with an antenna access port defined
therethrough, an antenna, a battery compartment, and a removable
cover positioned over at least part of the housing. The method
includes removing the cover from the housing, inserting a test
probe into the antenna access port, which is positioned under the
cover, and contacting a portion associated with the antenna
utilizing the probe for conducting testing of the antenna. The
method also includes removing the test probe and reinstalling the
cover on the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 is a back view of a prior art mobile communication
device;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a back view of a prior art mobile communication
device;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a back view of a prior art mobile communication
device;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a back view of an example mobile communication
device;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an open back view of the device of FIG. 4 showing
the battery positioned beside the device;
[0016] FIG. 6 is an open back view of the device of FIG. 4 with the
battery in an installed position, but with the battery door and
speaker door shown; and
[0017] FIG. 7 is a back view of the device of FIG. 4 with the rear
part of the housing removed, and;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example mobile
communication device system
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] With reference now to FIGS. 4-7, a rear view of an example
mobile communication device 10 is depicted in various states of
disassembly. An RF test access port 50 is shown positioned on the
rear of the mobile communication device 10 in the vicinity of the
antenna 52, which in this embodiment is positioned at the bottom of
the device. By positioning the antenna at the bottom of the device,
the antenna 52 is positioned near the battery compartment 54 and
the battery compartment door 56 is designed so that the antenna
lies underneath the battery door. The battery door 56 serves to
cover the access port 50. Because the door 56 covers the access
port 50, a separate plug is not needed to close the port 50.
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a rear housing 58 of a mobile communication
device 10 with a speaker 60 and speaker cover 62 positioned at the
top of the device and the battery door 56 positioned below the
speaker cover 62. The battery door 56 has a latch 64 for opening
and closing the battery compartment 54, which is positioned under
the battery door 56.
[0021] FIG. 5 depicts the example mobile communication device 10
with the speaker cover 62 and battery door 56 removed. In addition,
the battery 68 is removed and shown positioned beside the device
10. The housing includes a latch member 66 at the bottom of the
rear housing 58 for mating with a latch 64 of the battery door 56
to latch the door in position over the battery compartment 54. The
antenna access port 50 is positioned adjacent the latch member 66
and comprises a hole that extends through the housing to the
antenna 52. The hole is preferably round, but may be other
shapes.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a view of the device similar to FIG. 5, but
showing the battery 68 installed in the battery compartment 54. The
battery door 56 and speaker cover 62 are positioned beside the
mobile communication device 10. Both the battery door 56 and the
speaker cover 62 have legs 70, 72 that couple with openings 74, 76
on the housing. The legs 70 of the speaker cover 62 snap the cover
62 into place while the legs 72 of the battery door 56 slide into
the openings 76 of the housing. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the
example device 10 with the rear housing 58 removed to reveal the
inner elements of the device 10. The antenna 52 is positioned at
the bottom of the device 10.
[0023] By having the antenna access port 50 accessible under the
battery door 56, the mobile communication device 10 only needs to
be tested once, during a final test, and the dual testing,
described above in the background section, is thereby avoided. The
design is desirable because it utilizes an existing part of the
housing to cover the access port 50, saving material and assembly
costs.
[0024] The access port 50 may be utilized on any kind of mobile
communication device 10 including small, hand-held electronic
mobile communication devices, such as mobile stations, cellular
telephones, wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs), personal
information managers (PIMs), two-way paging devices, and others.
Any type of mobile communication device 10 may be utilized with the
example antenna access port 50.
[0025] While the access port 50 is shown positioned under the
battery door 56, it could alternatively be positioned under another
door, such as the speaker cover 62. It is not critical that the
antenna 52 be positioned at the bottom of the device 10. Other
locations for the access port 50 are also possible, as long as a
door is configured to hide the port 50. For example, if the antenna
52 were positioned near the top of the device 10, an access port 50
could be positioned under the top end of the battery door 56 or
under the speaker cover 62. The battery door 56 could be further
elongated to cover part or all of the upper end of the device 10 so
that the antenna access port 50 continues to be accessible under
the battery door 56. It is preferred that the port 50 be positioned
under an existing door.
[0026] A method for testing an antenna in the mobile communication
device 10 discussed above includes removing the cover 56 from the
housing 26 and inserting a test probe (not shown, but known to
those of skill in the art) into the antenna access port 50 that is
located under the cover 56. The probe is used to contact a portion
of the antenna 52 for conducting testing of the antenna 52. The
test probe is then removed and the cover 56 is reinstalled on the
housing 26 of the mobile communication device 10.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 8, handheld mobile communication devices
10 include similar features, such as a housing 26, a keyboard 14
and a display 16. The display is preferably a full graphic LCD.
Other types of output devices may alternatively be utilized. A
processing device 18, which is shown schematically in FIG. 8, is
contained within the housing 26 and is coupled between the keyboard
14 and the display 16. The processing device 18 controls the
operation of the display 16, as well as the overall operation of
the mobile communication device 10, in response to actuation of
keys on the keyboard 14 by the user.
[0028] The housing 26 may be elongated vertically, or may take on
other sizes and shapes. The keyboard may include a mode selection
key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry
and telephony entry.
[0029] In addition to the processing device 18, other parts of the
mobile communication device 10 are shown schematically in FIG. 8.
These include a communications subsystem 100; a short-range
communications subsystem 102; the keyboard 14 and the display 16,
along with other input/output devices 106, 108, 110 and 112; as
well as memory devices 116, 118 and various other device subsystems
120. The mobile communication device 10 is preferably a two-way RF
communication device having voice and data communication
capabilities. In addition, the mobile communication device 10
preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer
systems via the Internet.
[0030] Operating system software executed by the processing device
18 is preferably stored in a persistent store, such as a flash
memory 116, but may be stored in other types of memory devices,
such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In
addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts
thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as a
random access memory (RAM) 118. Communication signals received by
the mobile communication device may also be stored to the RAM
118.
[0031] The processing device 18, in addition to its operating
system functions, enables execution of software applications
130A-130N on the device 10. A predetermined set of applications
that control basic device operations, such as data and voice
communications 130A and 130B, may be installed on the device 10
during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager
(PIM) application may be installed during manufacture. The PIM is
preferably capable of organizing and managing data items, such as
e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items.
The PIM application is also preferably capable of sending and
receiving data items via a wireless network 140. Preferably, the
PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated
via the wireless network 140 with the device user's corresponding
data items stored or associated with a host computer system. An
example system and method for accomplishing these steps is
disclosed in "System And Method For Pushing Information From A Host
System To A Mobile Device Having A Shared Electronic Address," U.S.
Pat. No. 6,219,694, which is owned by the assignee of the present
application, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0032] Communication functions, including data and voice
communications, are performed through the communication subsystem
100, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem
102. The communication subsystem 100 includes a receiver 150, a
transmitter 152, and one or more antennas 154, 156. In addition,
the communication subsystem 100 also includes a processing module,
such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 158, and local oscillators
(LOs) 160. The specific design and implementation of the
communication subsystem 100 is dependent upon the communication
network in which the mobile communication device 10 is intended to
operate. For example, a mobile communication device 10 may include
a communication subsystem 100 designed to operate with the
Mobitex.TM., Data TAC.TM. or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
mobile data communication networks and also designed to operate
with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as
AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc. Other types of data and voice
networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with
the mobile communication device 10.
[0033] Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of
communication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC
networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a
unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each
device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is associated
with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore
requires a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a
SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS network.
[0034] When required network registration or activation procedures
have been completed, the mobile communication device 10 may send
and receive communication signals over the communication network
140. Signals received from the communication network 140 by the
antenna 154 are routed to the receiver 150, which provides for
signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel
selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion.
Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP
158 to perform more complex communication functions, such as
demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be
transmitted to the network 140 are processed (e.g. modulated and
encoded) by the DSP 158 and are then provided to the transmitter
152 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion,
filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication
network 140 (or networks) via the antenna 156.
[0035] In addition to processing communication signals, the DSP 158
provides for control of the receiver 150 and the transmitter 152.
For example, gains applied to communication signals in the receiver
150 and transmitter 152 may be adaptively controlled through
automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 158.
[0036] In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a
text message or web page download, is processed by the
communication subsystem 100 and is input to the processing device
18. The received signal is then further processed by the processing
device 18 for an output to the display 16, or alternatively to some
other auxiliary I/O device 106. A device user may also compose data
items, such as e-mail messages, using the keyboard 14 and/or some
other auxiliary I/O device 106, such as a touchpad, a rocker
switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The
composed data items may then be transmitted over the communication
network 140 via the communication subsystem 100.
[0037] In a voice communication mode, overall operation of the
device is substantially similar to the data communication mode,
except that received signals are output to a speaker 110, and
signals for transmission are generated by a microphone 112.
Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message
recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the device 10. In
addition, the display 16 may also be utilized in voice
communication mode, for example to display the identity of a
calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call
related information.
[0038] The short-range communications subsystem 102 enables
communication between the mobile communication device 10 and other
proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar
devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem may
include an infrared device and associated circuits and components,
or a Bluetooth.TM. communication module to provide for
communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.
[0039] While various features of the claimed embodiments are
presented above, it should be understood that the features may be
used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed
embodiments are not to be limited to only the specific embodiments
depicted herein.
[0040] Further, it should be understood that variations and
modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the
claimed embodiments pertains. The embodiments described herein are
exemplary. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to
make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise
correspond to the elements recited in the claims. The intended
scope may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that
insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The
scope of the example embodiments is accordingly defined as set
forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *