Abstract: A system and method are described for securing a vehicle. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: generating a secret related to a radio frequency (RF) signal characteristic to be transmitted by a key fob; securely sharing the secret between a vehicle and a wireless key fob; periodically transmitting a ping signal from the vehicle in a locked or inactive state; receiving a response ping signal to the ping signal, the response ping signal transmitted by the key fob; identifying at least a first RF signal characteristic associated with the response ping signal; determining whether the first RF signal characteristic is valid based on the secret; unlocking and/or activating the vehicle upon determining that the first RF signal characteristic is valid; and maintaining the locked or inactive state and/or requiring additional authentication if the first RF signal characteristic is invalid.

Abstract: A system and method are described for securing a vehicle. For example, one embodiment of a method comprises: generating a secret related to a radio frequency (RF) signal characteristic to be transmitted by a key fob; securely sharing the secret between a vehicle and a wireless key fob; periodically transmitting a ping signal from the vehicle in a locked or inactive state; receiving a response ping signal to the ping signal, the response ping signal transmitted by the key fob; identifying at least a first RF signal characteristic associated with the response ping signal; determining whether the first RF signal characteristic is valid based on the secret; unlocking and/or activating the vehicle upon determining that the first RF signal characteristic is valid; and maintaining the locked or inactive state and/or requiring additional authentication if the first RF signal characteristic is invalid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for integration of an RF antenna in an appliance. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus includes: a dielectric having a specified length and width defining an area; a ground plane made of conductive material directly adjacent to the dielectric, the ground plane formed from one or more components of a handle or a door of a heating device; an antenna element made of conductive material forming a plane adjacent to the dielectric and parallel to the ground plane, the antenna having a first dimension defining a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to the ground plane; and an antenna feed electrically coupled to the antenna element at specified distance from the first end, the distance from the first end selected in accordance with a wavelength of a radio frequency (RF) signal to be transmitted and/or received by the antenna.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) device includes a housing configured to mount on a face of a user, at least one display mounted in the housing, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) antenna mounted in a medial region of the housing, and first and second wireless local area network (WLAN) antennas located at respective lateral peripheries of the housing. The WPAN antenna includes a directional patch antenna comprising a feed line, a three-dimensional (3D) ground plane formed as a plurality of conductive sidewalls and a ground plane structure disposed at a first end of the sidewalls, wherein the ground plane structure is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of sidewalls. The WPAN antenna also includes a radiating surface disposed at a second end of the sidewalls opposite of the first end, wherein the radiating surface includes a patch antenna structure coupled to the feed line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for integration of an RF antenna in an appliance. For example, one embodiment of an apparatus comprises: a dielectric having a specified length and width defining an area; a ground plane comprising conductive material directly adjacent to the dielectric, the ground pane formed from one or more components of a handle or a door of a heating device; an antenna element comprising conductive material forming a plane adjacent to the dielectric and parallel to the ground plane, the antenna having a first dimension defining a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to the ground plane; and an antenna feed electrically coupled to the antenna element at specified distance from the first end, the distance from the first end selected in accordance with a wavelength of a radio frequency (RF) signal to be transmitted and/or received by the antenna.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for securing a vehicle or location. One embodiment of a method comprises: periodically transmitting a ping packet from a vehicle or location in a locked or inactive state; resetting a timer or recording a time at which the ping packet was transmitted; receiving a response packet to the ping packet; determining a time between transmitting the ping packet and receiving the response packet based on a current value in the timer when the response packet is received or based on a difference between the time at which the ping packet was transmitted and the time at which the response packet was received; determining whether the time is above a specified threshold; unlocking and/or activating the vehicle or location if the time is below the specified threshold; and maintaining the locked or inactive state if the time is above the specified threshold.

Abstract: A portable computing device may comprise a display, a frame, and a communication circuit. The frame may support the display. At least a portion of the frame may be electrically conductive, and the electrically conductive portion of the frame may define a slot. The communication circuit may be coupled to the slot. The communication circuit may be configured to generate a fringing field. The fringing field may include electromagnetic waves with a wavelength at least eight times a width of the slot in a widest direction of the slot.

Abstract: A head mounted display (HMD) device includes a housing configured to mount on a face of a user, at least one display mounted in the housing, a wireless personal area network (WPAN) antenna mounted in a medial region of the housing, and first and second wireless local area network (WLAN) antennas located at respective lateral peripheries of the housing. The WPAN antenna includes a directional patch antenna comprising a feed line, a three-dimensional (3D) ground plane formed as a plurality of conductive sidewalls and a ground plane structure disposed at a first end of the sidewalls, wherein the ground plane structure is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of sidewalls. The WPAN antenna also includes a radiating surface disposed at a second end of the sidewalls opposite of the first end, wherein the radiating surface includes a patch antenna structure coupled to the feed line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high performance, low cost antenna for wireless communication applications which benefit from a dual feed diversity antenna. The antenna device can be fabricated from a single layer of conductive material, thus allowing easy, low cost manufacture of a high gain antenna. Antenna embodiments may provide both spatial and polarization diversity. The antenna need not be planar, but rather may be bent or formed, such as to provide an antenna which is conformal with the shape of a wireless communication device. Furthermore, other embodiments of the present invention may be made of thin film, conductive foil, vapor deposition, or could be made of a flexible conductive material, such as metallized MYLAR. Each of the slot elements may be linear or may be formed in a meander shape or other shape to reduce size. The slot elements may be provided within an antenna array useful for beam scanning applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high performance, low cost antenna for wireless communication applications such as those using the 802.11 wireless communication protocol, or other such wireless protocols, which benefit from a dual feed diversity antenna. The antenna device can be fabricated from a single layer of conductive material, thus allowing easy, low cost manufacture of a high gain antenna. In one embodiment of the present invention, the diversity slot antenna can be formed using a single piece of stamped metal connected to a feed system, such as a coaxial feed line. In a first embodiment an antenna with spatial diversity is disclosed. In a second embodiment, an antenna having both spatial and polarization diversity is provided. In other embodiments, the antenna need not be planar, but rather may be bent or formed, such as to provide an antenna which is conformal with the shape of a wireless communication device.