Antenna optimization dependent on user context
AssigneeAliphCom
InventorThomas A. Donaldson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems, apparatuses, devices, and methods for wireless communications are disclosed. A detection system is used to detect a usage mode or orientation of a wireless communication device. The usage mode or orientation is used to vary the radiation pattern of the antenna of the wireless communication device. By varying the radiation pattern based on the usage mode or orientation, battery life and the quality of transmission and reception can be increased, while the size and cost of the device can be reduced. Embodiments of the invention may be used in numerous applications, such as mobile phones, PDA's, and laptops.
Claims19
A wireless communication device, comprising:
- a usage context detection system operable to detect a usage mode of the wireless communication device and to generate an output signal correlated with the usage mode;
- wherein the usage context detection system comprises a user interface configured to receive a user input indicating a user-specified usage mode, the user-specified usage mode comprising a general usage mode indicating an operation being performed by the wireless communication device, and a specific usage mode indicating a position of the wireless communication device;
- wherein the usage context detection system further comprises at least one sensor configured to detect an orientation of the wireless communication device, the output signal being generated based on the general usage mode, the specific usage mode, and the orientation;
- an antenna system having a variable radiation pattern;
- and
- an antenna optimization system operable to vary the radiation pattern of the antenna system based on output siganl.
A method comprising:
- determining, at a wireless communication device, a usage mode of the wireless communication device;
- wherein the usage mode comprises a user input, received through a user interface, indicating a user-specified usage mode, the user-specified usage mode comprising a general usage mode indicating an operation being performed by the wireless communication device, and a specific usage mode indicating a position of the wireless communication device, the usage mode further comprising using at least one sensor to detect an orientation of the wireless communication device;
- determining, at the wireless communication device, a suitable antenna configuration based at least in part on an output signal correlated with the usage mode of the wireless communication device, the output signal being generated based on the general usage mode, the specific usage mode, and the orientation;
- and
- modifying the antenna configuration according to the suitable antenna configuration.
A wireless communication device comprising:
- a first antenna having a first radiation pattern;
- a second antenna having a second radiation pattern;
- a usage context detection system configured to detect a usage mode of the wireless communication device;
- wherein the usage context detection system comprises a user interface configured to receive a user input indicating a user-specified usage mode, the use-specified usage mode comprising a general usage mode indicating an operation being performed by the wireless communication device;
- and a specific usage mode indicating a position of the wireless communication device;
- wherein the usage context detection system further comprises at least one sensor configured to detect an orientation of the wireless communication device;
- and
- circuitry configured to switch between the first antenna and the second antenna based on an output signal correlated with the usage mode of the wireless communication device, the output signal being generated based on the general usage mode, the specific usage mode, and the orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.