# US 5,711,014 A · Antenna transmission coupling arrangement > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,711,014 A - Document ID: US5711014A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/581,065 - Filed: 1995-12-29 - Granted: 1998-01-20 - Earliest claimed: 1993-04-05 - Inventors: Robert J. Crowley; Donald N. Halgren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5711014A ## CPC - H04B 1/3877: Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters - H01Q 1/241: {used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM (H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence)} - H01Q 1/243: {with built-in antennas} - H04B 1/3833: {Hand-held transceivers} - H04B: TRANSMISSION - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract The present invention comprises a docking system for connecting a portable communication device to a further signal transmission line. The portable communication device has an external radiative antenna. The docking system for the portable communication device comprises a shielded housing for receivably enclosing at least a portion of the external radiative antenna of the portable communication device. A coupling probe is mounted within the shielded housing for radiatively coupling the external antenna of the portable communication device and the further signal transmission line via radio frequency energy therebetween. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A docking system for capacitively connecting a portable communication device having an externally radiative antenna, to a further signal transmission line for effecting radio signal transmission therebetween, said system comprising: a housing comprising an open section for receiving said portable communication device; said housing including an RF capacitive coupling element in a separate shielding enclosure segregated from said open section of said housing, and connected to said further signal transmission line; said separate shielding enclosure holding said RF coupling element offset and to one side of said externally radiative antenna of said portable communication device so as to permit radiative communication to said further signal transmission line via radio frequency energy therebetween. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The docking system as recited in claim 1, wherein said separate shielding enclosure includes an electrically conductive material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The docking system as recited in claim 1, wherein a radio frequency absorbent material is arranged within said shielding enclosure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The docking system as recited in claim 3, wherein said radio frequency absorbent material is ferrite. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The docking system as recited in claim 1 wherein said further signal transmission line comprises a further antenna located at a location remote from said shielding enclosure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The docking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said shielding enclosure is articulable with respect to said further antenna. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The docking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said further signal transmission line comprises a coaxial electrical cable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The docking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said portable communication device is a cellular telephone. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The docking system as recited in claim 5, wherein said shielding enclosure is attached to a support structure. ### Claim 10 A method of capacitively coupling a portable communication device having an externally radiative antenna, to a signal transmission line for the purpose of effecting radio signal transmission therebetween, said method comprising the steps of: arranging a housing including an open section for receipt of said portable communication device, said housing including an RF coupling element in a separate shielding enclosure segregated from said open section of said housing and connected to said signal transmission line; mounting said coupling element in said separate shielding enclosure offset and to one side of said external radiative antenna when said portable communication device is placed at said open section of said housing; and placing said externally radiative antenna of said portable communication device offset and to one side of said RF coupling element in said separate shielding enclosure so as to permit capacitive radiative communication between said externally radiative antenna of said portable communication device and said signal transmission line via said coupling element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of coupling the portable communication device to the signal transmission line, as recited in claim 10, including the step of: attaching a further antenna to said signal transmission line at a location remote from said housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of capacitively coupling the portable communication device to the signal transmission line, as recited in claim 11, including the step of: energizing said portable communication device so as to effectuate capacitive transmission between said externally radiative antenna of said portable communication device, and said coupling plate attached to said signal transmission line. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of coupling the portable communication device to the signal transmission line, as recited in claim 12, including the steps of: arranging said signal transmission line in a structure; and articulating said shielding enclosure with respect to said structure to facilitate mating of said externally radiative antenna with respect to said shielding enclosure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of coupling the portable communication device to the signal transmission line as recited in claim 13, wherein said portable communication device comprises a cellular telephone. ### Claim 15 A system for capacitively coupling a communication device having an externally radiative antenna, to a separate signal transmission line, said system comprising: a housing having an open section for receiving said communication device, said housing also having a shielded enclosure arranged to confine a coupling plate mounted within said shielded enclosure, which plate is also in electrical communication with said separate signal transmission line; said coupling plate arranged to radiatively transfer radio frequency energy between an externally radiative antenna of said communication device placed a spaced distance outside of said enclosure and said separate signal transmission line, said externally radiative antenna arranged offset and to one side of said coupling plate in said shielded enclosure section, to effectuate capacitive coupling thereof when said communication device is energized. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The coupling system as recited in claim 15, wherein said separate signal transmission line also comprises a further radiative antenna disposed remotely with respect to said shielded enclosure. ### Claim 17 A signal transmission system for the convenient radiative coupling of an electronic communication device having an externally radiative antenna, to a separate signal transmission line connected therewith, said system comprising: a radiative coupling element connected in communication with said separate signal transmission line, said coupling element comprising an ungrounded capacitive coupling probe or plate; a housing structure having an open section, arranged for receipt of said electronic communication devices, said housing including said radiative coupling element arranged in a separate shielding enclosure segregated from said open section of said housing and connected to said signal transmission line, said external radiative antenna of said portable electronic communication device being arranged offset and to one side of said ungrounded capacitive coupling plate or probe, to permit capacitive coupling between said externally radiative antenna of said portable communication device and said ungrounded capacitive coupling probe or plate for subsequent electronic transmission with respect to said separate signal transmission line. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said transmission line is comprised of a coaxial cable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said externally radiative antenna and said coupling element are disposed in a generally parallel relationship. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said housing structure at least partially encloses said externally radiative antenna of the electronic communication device arranged therewith. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said housing structure includes an electrically conductive material. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said ungrounded coupling probe or plate is supported in a shielded arrangement with respect to said housing structure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said housing structure is tuned for resonant operation. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said signal transmission line includes a further antenna. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said electronic communication device comprises a cellular telephone. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said housing structure is articulable with respect to said signal transmission line. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said radiative coupling element includes a empowering circuit electronically connected therewith. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) The system as recited in claim 17, wherein said housing structure comprises an enclosure to at least partially enclose a portion of the externally radiative antenna of said electronic communication device, and an open section in which to receive said communication device.