Keyed antenna adapter
AssigneeApple Computer, Inc.
InventorArthur W. Astrin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A keyed antenna apparatus (10, 10, 10b) for adapting a wireless access point (12, 12a, 12b) to an external antenna (52, 54) or an external antenna group (22). A plurality of notches (62, 64) in a keyed jack (26, 26a, 26b, 26c) accept a keyed plug (28, 28a, 28b) having thereon key projections (72, 74). The key projections (72, 74) produce signals by depressing microswitches (76), contacting electrical contacts (78), or the like. The signals selectively cause an antenna switch (18) to switch a signal path (19) between internal antennas (50, 20a, 20b) and external antennas (52, 54). Further, the signals selectively cause a wireless adapter (16) to modify radio frequency signal characteristics, such as power.
Claims27
An antenna connection apparatus comprising:
- a jack adapted to receive a keyed antenna plug;
- and
- a switch mounted with respect to the jack so as to engage the keyed antenna plug;
- and
- wherein the switch is operative to generate a signal to indicate that the keyed antenna plug is inserted in the jack when the keyed antenna plug is completely inserted into the jack.
An antenna connecting apparatus for connecting an antenna to a wireless data station, comprising:
- a keyed antenna jack affixed to the wireless data station;
- a plurality of keyed antenna plugs for inserting into the keyed jack, each of the plurality of keyed plugs having a different key feature indicative of a different antenna type;
- and
- an electrical circuit completion apparatus for completing an electrical circuit when one of the keyed plugs is completely inserted into the keyed jack.
A wireless data transfer antenna apparatus, comprising:
- an antenna;
- a keyed antenna plug;
- and
- an electrical cable for conducting signals between the antenna and the keyed antenna plug,
- wherein:
- the keyed antenna plug has a key feature which identifies the type of antenna when the antenna plug is completely inserted in an antenna jack.
A jack for accepting a keyed antenna plug having a particular key feature on the keyed antenna plug, the jack comprising:
- an aperture wherein the keyed antenna plug is inserted;
- and
- a key detection feature for detecting the presence of the particular key feature indicative of a particular antenna tipe on the keyed antenna plug when the keyed antenna plug is completely inserted in the jack.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.