Abstract: A method (300, 400) for communicating RF signals from a mobile station (100). The method can include detecting whether the mobile station or a first antenna (105) of the mobile station is proximate to an object. Responsive to detecting that the mobile station or the antenna is proximate to the object, RF energy being communicated by the mobile station can be distributed among the first antenna and at least a second antenna (110). Distributing the RF energy can include equally distributing the RF energy among the first antenna, the second antenna and/or any additional antennas. Distributing the RF energy also can include unequally distributing the RF energy among the first antenna, the second antenna and/or any additional antennas.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a mobile station to perform a fast handoff in a wireless communication system allows a handoff procedure to be anticipated (by the mobile station, its serving base station, or both) based on historical information regarding prior successful handoff procedures. In operation, the serving base station monitors (510) current mobile station parameters and compares them with historical data. If the parameters indicate a high probability target base station (515), the serving base station requests allocation (525) of air interface resources at the high probability target base station prior to the mobile station reporting reception of signal from the high probability target base station. This facilitates fast handoff from the serving base station to the high probability target base station.

Abstract: A multiband folded dipole transmission line antenna (300, 400, 500) including a plurality of concentric-like loops (210, 214, 508) where each loop comprises at least one transmission line element (204, 206) and at least a pair of folded dipole antenna elements (302, 304), a first connection point and a second connection point shared among the plurality of concentric-like loops, and a first inverted L antenna element (216) coupled to the first connection point and a second inverted L antenna element (218) coupled to the second connection point. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a mobile station to perform a fast handoff in a wireless communication system allows a handoff procedure to be anticipated (by the mobile station, its serving base station, or both) based on historical information regarding prior successful handoff procedures. In operation, the mobile station receives a neighbor list from a serving base station and determines whether a member base station of the neighbor list is a successful target base station based on historical data. If the member base station is not a successful target base station, the mobile station scans the member base station, measures a signal quality associated with the member base station, and sends a measurement report for the member base station when the signal quality meets a standard signal quality threshold. If the member base station is a successful target base station, the mobile station sends the measurement report for the member base station when the measured signal quality meets a lower signal quality threshold.

Abstract: A multiband folded dipole transmission line antenna (300, 400, 500) including a plurality of concentric-like loops (210, 214, 508) where each loop comprises at least one transmission line element (204, 206) and at least a pair of folded dipole antenna elements (302, 304), a first connection point and a second connection point shared among the plurality of concentric-like loops, and a first inverted L antenna element (216) coupled to the first connection point and a second inverted L antenna element (218) coupled to the second connection point.

Abstract: A loop antenna includes a ground plane and a conductive element with a first C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a first portion of the ground plane, a second C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a second portion of the ground plane, and a transmission line element disposed between the first C-shaped element portion and the second C-shaped element portion and positioned directly above a third portion of the ground plane.

Abstract: A coupled slot probe antenna for use with antenna structures in mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices. The coupled slot probe antenna includes at least one first conductive element, and a second conductive element coupled between the first conductive element and the printed circuit board (PCB) ground plane of the mobile communication device. The first and second conductive elements define a tunable coupled slot area and the coupled slot probe antenna is coupled to the PCB ground plane in such a way that the coupled slot area is near a low-impedance point of the antenna structure, wherein coupling therebetween improves the bandwidth and the efficiency of the antenna structure. The coupled slot area can be tuned by changing the size of the coupled slot area and by changing the position of the coupled slot area relative to the low-impedance point of the antenna structure.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a mobile station to perform a fast handoff in a wireless communication system allows a handoff procedure to be anticipated (by the mobile station, its serving base station, or both) based on historical information regarding prior successful handoff procedures. In operation, the mobile station receives a neighbor list from a serving base station and determines whether a member base station of the neighbor list is a successful target base station based on historical data. If the member base station is not a successful target base station, the mobile station scans the member base station, measures a signal quality associated with the member base station, and sends a measurement report for the member base station when the signal quality meets a standard signal quality threshold. If the member base station is a successful target base station, the mobile station sends the measurement report for the member base station when the measured signal quality meets a lower signal quality threshold.

Abstract: A loop antenna includes a ground plane and a conductive element with a first C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a first portion of the ground plane, a second C-shaped element portion having an open end and a closed end, with only the open end extending directly above a second portion of the ground plane, and a transmission line element disposed between the first C-shaped element portion and the second C-shaped element portion and positioned directly above a third portion of the ground plane.

Abstract: If the mobile station (101) locates a peer it will request network metadata and may obtain location related services or service lists. The mobile station (101) negotiates with one of more peers (103) to share the work load of background scanning for network services. After successful negotiation, any peers in the “discovery net” will report or advertise to each other of any newly discovered networks, or networks to which connectivity has been lost. Since the various mobile stations may, when powered on, scan periodically for network changes, the metadata stored on the mobile station (101) will be dynamic and will change periodically upon travels and/or encounters with additional peers. Because the peers (103) may also possess location information, the mobile station (101) may additionally adjust its scan to prioritize services advertised by those members of peers (103) that are located most proximate to the mobile station (101).

Abstract: A mobile communication device 100 has a user interface portion (102) and an ear portion (104). The ear portion slopes or curves away from a plane (202) defined by the user interface portion to urge a user of the mobile communication device to hold the mobile communication device at an angle (404).

Abstract: A coupled slot probe antenna for use with antenna structures in mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones and other wireless communication devices. The coupled slot probe antenna includes at least one first conductive element, and a second conductive element coupled between the first conductive element and the printed circuit board (PCB) ground plane of the mobile communication device. The first and second conductive elements define a tunable coupled slot area and the coupled slot probe antenna is coupled to the PCB ground plane in such a way that the coupled slot area is near a low-impedance point of the antenna structure, wherein coupling therebetween improves the bandwidth and the efficiency of the antenna structure. The coupled slot area can be tuned by changing the size of the coupled slot area and by changing the position of the coupled slot area relative to the low-impedance point of the antenna structure.

Abstract: An antenna structure (200) includes a counterpoise ground plane (202) with a pair of opposing inverted-F elements (204, 206). Each of the F elements has a closed end (208, 210) that is impedance-coupled to the ground plane. A conductive cross member (216) coupled the closed ends together, and a feed point (218) is located on the cross member.

Abstract: A method (300) for improving a user's experience with a mobile station (100). The method can include detecting whether the mobile station is being held properly. In response to detecting that the mobile station is not being held properly, an indicator (140, 145) can be presented via a user interface (230) to indicate to a user that the mobile station is being held improperly. The method also can include, responsive to detecting that the mobile station is being held properly, generating an indicator via the user interface that indicates to the user that the mobile station is being held properly.

Abstract: An electronic device (400) enabled to receive radio frequency signals can comprise a housing (405), a PCB (110) enclosed in the housing (100), an antenna (115) coupled to the PCB (110) and enabled to receive the radio frequency signals and a choke (125) coupled to the PCB (110) and enabled to suppress radio frequency currents flowing on the PCB (110). As an example, the frequency at which the choke (125) suppresses the currents can be at a GPS signal frequency.

Abstract: A bowtie monopole antenna is fabricated of a sheet metal radiating body 102 that is triangular shaped, and having a longitudinal dimension and axis (106) and a width (108). One corner of the radiating body is tapered to form a feed point (104). The length dimension determines the antenna's lowest resonance frequency while the taper created by the width determines the highest point of resonance. For using the bowtie monopole antenna in a communication device, the radiating body (102) is folded or wrapped around towards itself To facilitate the folding or wrapping a mounting substrate (202) is used. The substrate may be provided with retaining features (206) to capture the antenna assembly within the communication device.

Abstract: A planar inverted-F antenna structure (204) is parasitically coupled to a conductor loop (214) at an open end (208) of the main radiator of the inverted-F antenna. The conductor loop is grounded (216).

Abstract: A Proximity Coupled-Folded-J Antenna PC-FJA (104) includes a ground plane (240), first resonant element (352) with a “J” shape that resonates at a first radio frequency, a second resonant element (350) positioned within the “J” shape and that resonates at a second radio frequency, and a third resonant element (118) with a portion that is substantially parallel to and removed from the plane of the “J” shape and that resonates at a third radio frequency. The PC-FJA (104) has a fourth resonant element (130) with a loop (132) in a plane perpendicular to and removed from the plane of the “J” shape. The fourth resonant element (130) resonates at a fourth radio frequency. These elements are ohmically coupled to a connection arm (108). The ground plane (240) is removed from PC-FJA (104) and is perpendicular to the plane of the “J” shape.

Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) is provided, the wireless communication device (200) can include at least one antenna (240), the antenna (240) positioned beneath the face plate (252) and base plate (255) of a user interface (245) of the wireless communication device (200) in which the antenna (240) can be configured to communicate with a signal source.

Abstract: An antenna (100) that includes a first helical radiator (102) and a second helical radiator (116) positioned substantially co-linear with the first helical radiator. The first helical radiator can be communicatively linked to a signal source (106). The second helical radiator can be moveable between a first position wherein the second helical radiator is substantially adjacent to the first helical radiator and a second position wherein the second helical radiator is distal from the first helical radiator. The first helical radiator and the second helical radiator can cooperate to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals using an electrical connection and/or electromagnetic coupling. The electromagnetic coupling can primarily include capacitive coupling. The antenna also can include an impedance tuning member (538) which electromagnetically couples to the first helical radiator and/or the second helical radiator.