Abstract: A unified radio system for providing wireless communication to a communication device on an aircraft regardless of aircraft altitude may include a terrestrial network including a plurality of terrestrial base stations configured to communicate primarily in a ground communication layer below a first altitude, an ATG network including a plurality of ATG base stations configured to communicate primarily in an ATG communication layer above a second altitude, an air-to-air mesh network for data relays through connected aircraft, and an aircraft with an onboard antenna assembly and a unified radio. The unified radio may be configured to monitor network parameters of the terrestrial network and the ATG network and switch between a currently serving network and a non-serving network based on the network parameters.

Abstract: The control of an antenna tuner for a portable electronic device includes closed loop tuning when sufficient transmit power is present. The closed loop tuning commences using a predetermined antenna tuner configuration for an operational band and device state. The closed loop tuning may be constrained by a tuning range associated with the predetermined antenna tuner configuration for the operational band and device state. Also, when transmit power is low or when a transceiver is in a receive only state, open loop tuning may be conducted by placing the antenna tuner in the predetermined (or default) configuration for the operational band and phone state.

Abstract: A mobile station includes an adjustable member for increasing a separation distance between an audio signal output device and an electronic circuit to reduce EMI proximate the audio signal output device caused by the electronic circuit. In one embodiment, the adjustable member comprises a slide member that extends at least a portion of the audio signal output device away from the electronic circuit to increase the separation distance. In another embodiment, the adjustable member comprises a pivot member that rotates the electronic circuit (or audio signal output device) away from the audio signal output device (or electronic circuit) to increase the separation distance. In any event, increasing the separation distance between the audio signal output device and the electronic circuit decreases the EMI proximate the audio signal output device, and therefore EMI effects on external circuits proximate the mobile station, such as a hearing aid.

Abstract: An electronic device accessory includes a housing containing electronic circuitry. A plug extends from the housing and the plug is configured to connect to a receptacle of the electronic device. A member is attached to the housing and is moveable with respect to the housing so as to physically interfere with connection of the plug with the receptacle of the electronic device.

Abstract: The control of an antenna tuner for a portable electronic device includes closed loop tuning when sufficient transmit power is present. The closed loop tuning commences using a predetermined antenna tuner configuration for an operational band and device state. The closed loop tuning may be constrained by a tuning range associated with the predetermined antenna tuner configuration for the operational band and device state. Also, when transmit power is low or when a transceiver is in a receive only state, open loop tuning may be conducted by placing the antenna tuner in the predetermined (or default) configuration for the operational band and phone state.

Abstract: A mobile terminal may include a wireless modem, a wireless network interface, and an application (such as a browser application). A method of operating the mobile terminal may include providing a first data path between a data network and the application of the mobile terminal through the wireless modem. In addition, a second data path may be provided between the data network and second mobile terminal through the wireless modem and the wireless network interface of the first mobile terminal. Related devices are also discussed.

Abstract: A wireless communications card for use with an electronic device includes a frame and an antenna system. The frame is configured for removable installation in the electronic device. The antenna system includes first and second antennas each integral with the frame. At least one of the first and second antennas is selectively movable relative to the other between a first antenna configuration and a second antenna configuration.

Abstract: A mechanical interlock mechanism described herein prevents a user from removing a memory card while a portable electronic device is connected to an external power supply. The portable electronic device includes a memory port, a power connector, and a cover. The cover is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the cover exposes the memory port. In the second position, the cover exposes the power connector and at least partially blocks the memory port and any memory card inserted in the memory port. Thus, the second position prevents the user from removing a memory card from the memory port while an external power supply is connected to the power connector.

Abstract: An electronic device accessory includes a housing containing electronic circuitry. A plug extends from the housing and the plug is configured to connect to a receptacle of the electronic device. A member is attached to the housing and is moveable with respect to the housing so as to physically interfere with connection of the plug with the receptacle of the electronic device.

Abstract: A wireless adaptor for a portable electronic device enables the electronic device to communicate over wireless networks with remote devices. The wireless adapter includes a communication circuit configured to communicate data with a remote device over a wireless network. The wireless adaptor may further include a battery and a power control circuit operatively connected to the battery and the communication circuit. The power control circuit is configured to provide at least supplemental power from the battery to the communication circuit.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments taught herein, a camera comprises a camera body, a flip-out display member coupled to the camera body, and a wireless interface module and one or more associated antennas incorporated into the flip-out display member. The wireless interface module may be integrated within the flip-out display member, or may be removably mounted in it. In such configurations, the flip-out display member 14 includes a receptacle, such as a slot-type receptacle or a snap-in type receptacle, to receive the wireless interface module, which may be configured as a PC card or PCI Mini card, for example. Whether removable or not, the wireless interface module may support one or more cellular and/or wireless LAN standards, such as GSM/GPRS, WCDMA, cdma2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, WiMax, etc. Complementing the wireless interface's communications capability, the antenna(s) may comprise fixed or movable antennas configured for diversity/MIMO operation, and/or operation in different frequency bands.

Abstract: A wireless communications card for use with an electronic device includes a frame and an antenna system. The frame is configured for removable installation in the electronic device. The antenna system includes first and second antennas each integral with the frame. At least one of the first and second antennas is selectively movable relative to the other between a first antenna configuration and a second antenna configuration.

Abstract: Antenna subassemblies and wireless terminals are provided. The antenna subassembly includes a planar antenna and a flat-panel speaker that can be integrated with the planar antenna. The wireless terminal includes a flat-panel speaker and a planar antenna, integrated or not, positioned adjacent one another on the same side of an electronic circuit in a housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector establishes electrical connection between transceiver electronics disposed in a main body of the phone and remote electrical components contained in a movable cover. One or more fixed contacts operatively connected to the transceiver electronics are disposed on the main body of the phone. Movable contacts operatively connected to the remote electrical components are disposed on the cover. The movable contacts on the cover engage the fixed contacts on the main body when the cover is in the open and closed positions. Commutating contacts can be used to maintain a continuous connection as the cover travels between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A spring member internally mounted within an electronic device, such as a radiotelephone, serves both as a mechanical device for urging a flip cover to an open position and as an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting wireless communications signals.

Abstract: An indirect electrical coupling for a cellular telephone antenna is created by a rotary primary antenna and a stationary paging antenna when the primary antenna is extended into an operative position. When extended, the primary antenna is positioned proximate to the secondary antenna to define an electrical coupling therebetween. Rotating the primary antenna away from the extended position automatically disengages the primary antenna from the telephone operating circuit. The antenna elements or antenna spacings provide the appropriate matching circuitry and the advancement and retraction of the primary antenna provides the switching of the matching circuitry.

Abstract: Dual-band retractable radiotelephone antennas have an elongated antenna element, a top load element, and a trap positioned between and electrically connected to the elongated antenna element and the top load element. The trap facilitates obtaining half-wave monopole performance at a first frequency band and half-wave monopole performance at a second higher frequency band.

Abstract: A radiotelephone housing includes an antenna enclosure extending outwardly therefrom having an internal passage configured to receive an internally-mounted antenna therewithin. The antenna enclosure is integrally formed with the radiotelephone housing such that an antenna secured therewithin is protected from damage caused by impact forces to the radiotelephone. An electronic substrate hosting a transceiver preferably includes an antenna extending from an end portion thereof that is configured to be inserted within the antenna enclosure. A coaxial connector or other electro-mechanical connecting device is not required for connecting the antenna to the transceiver.

Abstract: Radiotelephones having retractable antenna systems include an antenna, a housing with a transceiver and user interface disposed therein and a non-radiating antenna feed coupled to both the antenna and the transceiver. The non-radiating feed is movably mounted within and extendible from the housing so as to have an extended position and a retracted position. In one embodiment, the antenna is physically supported by the non-radiating feed and is thus mounted in an extended state when the non-radiating feed is in an extended position. and is mounted in a retracted state when the non-radiating feed is in the retracted position. Preferably, the antenna exhibits approximately the same electrical length in both the extended and retracted states, and the antenna is substantially isolated from the housing of the radiotelephone when the antenna is in the extended state.

Abstract: A radiotelephone matching switching system and associated antenna and printed circuit board contact configurations for a retractable antenna employs at least two contacts which are traversely spaced apart in the radiotelephone housing so as to reduce the space used therein. One embodiment also allows reactive components of the circuit to be disconnected thereby increasing the operational bandwidth of the radiotelephone.