as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2008/0119138 Al
`
` Kimet al. (43) Pub. Date: May22, 2008
`
`
`US 20080119138A1
`
`(54) BLUETOOTH HEADSET WITH BUILT-IN
`ANTENNA MODULE
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Joo-Hyun Kim, Seoul (KR);
`Ju-Sang Park, Suwon-si (KR);
`Sung-Yoon Hwang,Yongin-si
`(KR); Hong-Chul Kim, Suwon-si
`(KR); Kye-Yong Lee, Seoul (KR)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`THE FARRELL LAW FIRM,P.C.
`sol EARLE OVINGTON BOULEVARD; SUITE
`ENIONDALE, NX: Tss8
`.
`(73) Assignee:
`
`SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS
`CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/937,998
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 9, 2007
`
`Nov. 13, 2006
`
`(KR) o..eeeeceeeeeeeetenees 2006-0111542
`so
`:
`:
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HO4B 7/00
`(2006.01)
`HO4M 1/00
`(62) US. CL ssmssssswen conan 455/41.2; 455/575.2
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A Bluetooth headsetis disclosed that includes a body having
`a microphoneand an earphone having a Bluetooth module
`therein; an ear hook having a curved shape, fixed to the body,
`and worn on a user’s ear; and an antenna module disposed to
`the ear hook. The antenna module includes an antennaradia-
`tor mounted inside the ear hook; and an electrical connection
`element whichis electrically connected to the antenna radia-
`tor, is drawn out from one connection end of the body of the
`ear hook, and is power-fed by the Bluetooth module included
`in the body.
`
` 1
`
`APPLE 1026
`Apple v. Koss
`IPR2021-00255
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1026
`Apple v. Koss
`IPR2021-00255
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
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`May 22, 2008 Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
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`FIG. 1
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`Patent Application Publication May 22,2008 Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
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`31
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`Patent Application Publication May 22,2008 Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
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`4
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`Patent Application Publication May 22,2008 Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
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`825
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`5
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
`
`May 22, 2008
`
`BLUETOOTH HEADSET WITH BUILT-IN
`ANTENNA MODULE
`
`PRIORITY
`
`[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §
`119 to an application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property
`Office on Nov. 13, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-
`111542, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
`reference.
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`[0002]
`[0003] The present inventionrelates to a Bluetooth® (here-
`inafter “Bluetooth’’) headset with a built-in antenna module,
`and,
`in particular,
`to a Bluetooth headset with a built-in
`antenna moduleto provide a slim-sized headsetbyeffectively
`utilizing a space for mounting the antenna module without
`affecting functions of the antenna module.
`[0004]
`2. Description of the Related Art
`[0005] The developmentofa variety of electronic commu-
`nication industries has resulted in a widespread use of por-
`table terminals. To satisfy user demand, the portable termi-
`nals must provide multiple-functions while decreasing size
`and weight, promoting the developmentofperipheral devices
`attached or added to a portable terminal. Examples of the
`peripheral devices include a camera providedin an attachable
`manneror in a built-in manner, a smart card provided as an
`auxiliary memory, an ear-microphone equippedin the por-
`table terminalto be used for a communication purpose, and a
`Bluetooth headset by which communication is wirelessly
`achieved by the aid of a Bluctooth module included in the
`portable terminal.
`[0006]
`In addition to a communication main antenna
`device, a portable terminal having a Bluetooth function
`includes an independent Bluetooth antenna modulefor oper-
`ating in a frequency band of 2.4 GHz. The Bluetooth module
`is mounted on a main board of the portable terminalso as to
`communicate with a Bluetooth headset through a Wireless
`Local Area Network (WLAN).
`[0007]
`Since a portable terminal employing the Bluetooth
`headset is used in a hands-free manner, there is no need to
`connect an additional cable to the portable terminal, thereby
`facilitating convenience in use of the portable terminal. In
`addition,the portability ofthe Bluetooth headsetis better than
`that of a general hands-free wired ear-microphone.
`[0008] The Bluetooth headset includes an antenna radiator
`to communicate with a portable terminal through a WLAN.
`Conventionally, one or more Surface Mount Device (SMD)
`type chip-antennas are mounted on a circuit board of the
`headset. In general, a chip-antennais constructed with a coil
`wound a certain numberof tums soasto resonateat a specific
`frequency band.
`[0009] However, the conventional Bluetooth headset hav-
`ing the aforementionedstructure has a problem inthat, since
`the antennaradiatoris disposed onthe circuit board included
`in the headset, a space for mounting the antennais addition-
`ally required, which adversely affects the realization ofa slim
`sized headset.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`desired function without having to providing an extra space
`for mounting the antenna module inside the headset.
`[0011] The present invention also provides a Bluetooth
`headset with an antenna module havinga structure in which
`the antenna module is not disposed on a circuit board of the
`headset, thereby facilitating the realization of a slim-sized
`headset.
`[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a Bluetooth headset with a built-in antenna
`module, including a body having a microphone andan ear-
`phoneandincluding a Bluetooth module therein; an ear hook
`having a curved shape,fixed to the body, and worn ona user’s
`ear; and an antenna module disposedto the ear hook, wherein
`the antenna module includes an antenna radiator mounted
`inside the ear hook; and an electrical connection element
`which is electrically connected to the antenna radiator,
`is
`drawn out from one connection end of the body of the ear
`hook, and is power-fed by the Bluetooth module included in
`the body.
`Since the antenna module is not includedin the body
`[0013]
`of the Bluetooth headset, an extra space for mounting the
`antenna module is not necessary. Therefore, this space can be
`used to mount otherelectrical components without increasing
`the size ofthe headset, thereby facilitating the realization of a
`slim-sized headset.
`
`Preferably, the Bluetooth antenna module of the
`[0014]
`present invention employsthe ear hook as a fixing element of
`the headset, wherein the ear hook is fixed to the headset to be
`worn on the user’s ear. The ear hookis sufficient in the use of
`an antenna radiator having a length of 4/4 and operating ata
`frequency band of 2.4 GHz.
`[0015]
`Preferably, the antenna module ofthe present inven-
`tion can vary depending on the material and the configuration
`ofthe ear hook. The antenna moduleis in a preferred embodi-
`mentfixed to the ear hook by insert-molding. In a preferred
`embodiment, a cavity is formed in the hear hook so that the
`antenna module can befixed inside the cavity.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0016] The above and other objects, features and advan-
`tages of the present invention will become more apparent
`from the following detailed description when taken in con-
`junction with the accompanying drawings in which:
`[0017]
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Bluetooth headset
`according to the present invention;
`[0018]
`FIG. 21isaschematic cross-sectional view of a Blue-
`tooth headset with a built-in antenna module accordingto the
`present invention;
`a built-in antenna module
`illustrates
`[0019]
`FIG.
`3
`assembled with an ear hook according to the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 41s a perspective view of an ear hook using an
`[0020]
`antenna according to an embodimentofthe present invention;
`and
`
`FIG. 5isa perspective view of an ear hook using an
`[0021]
`antenna according to another embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0010] The present invention provides a Bluetooth headset
`with a built-in antenna module capable of performing a
`
`[0022] Preferred embodiments ofthe present invention will
`be described herein below with reference to the accompany-
`ing drawings. In the following description, well-known func-
`
`6
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
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`May 22, 2008
`
`tions or constructions are not described in detail since they
`would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.
`[0023]
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Bluetooth headset
`according to the present invention and FIG.2 is a schematic
`cross-sectional view of a Bluetooth headset with a built-in
`antenna module accordingto the present invention. Referring
`to the figures, the Bluetooth headset includes a body 2 and an
`ear hook 3 protruding from the body 2 with a certain radius of
`curvature.
`
`[0024] Although the body 2 is shownina preferred embodi-
`ment having a rectangular shape in the figures, the shape of
`the body 2 is not limited thereto. Thus, the body 2 may have
`other various shapes in practice. A microphone 5 is disposed
`to one end of the body 2. The other end of the body2 is
`provided with an earphone 4 protruding from a neck portion
`6. Preferably, the microphone 5 and the earphone 4 can be
`separated from each other as far as possible to avoid mutual
`interference therebetween. As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit
`board 21 is includedin the body 2, anda Bluetooth module 22
`is mounted on the circuit board 21 to communication with
`
`surrounding terminals through a Wireless Local Area Net-
`work (WLAN). An antenna module (or antennaradiator) 7 is
`disposed to an outer portion ofthe body 2 and is power-fed by
`the Bluetooth module via an electrical connection element.
`
`[0025] The ear hook 3 is preferably formed to have a spe-
`cific radius of curvature to be properly positioned in the body
`2. The ear hook 3 has a shape that can be worn onthe user’s
`ear. Preferably, the ear hook 3 is disposed to the body 2 in a
`portion aroundthe earphone4. Although the ear hook 3 may
`be fixedly disposed to the body 2, more preferably, the ear
`hook3 is rotatably disposed to the body 2 so that, whenit is
`notused, the ear hook 3 can rotate properly to minimizea total
`size of a Bluetooth headset 1, thereby facilitating the port-
`ability of the Bluetooth headset 1.
`[0026] The ear hook 3 includes a hookportion 31 having a
`specific radius of curvature to be worm onthe user’s ear and a
`fixing portion 32 fixed to the body 2. The hook portion 31 and
`the fixing portion 32 are formed in an integral manner. Pref-
`erably, in order to use the antenna module 7 ofthe present
`invention, a portion of the ear hook 3 proximalto the neck
`portion 6 is made ofa rigid orflexible synthetic resin material.
`[0027] The built-in antenna module 7 is provided to achieve
`Bluetooth communication according to the present invention
`and is included in the ear hook 3. Preferably, the antenna
`module 7 is disposed to a portion “A” indicated by a dotted
`line in FIG. 1. The portion A is defined as a portion where the
`body 2 andthe ear hook 3 are fixed. When the antenna module
`7 is disposed to the portion A, the electrical connection ele-
`mentto be described below can beeasily introduced into the
`body 2.
`FIG. 3 illustrates the built-in antenna module 7
`[0028]
`assembled with the ear hook 3 wherein the antenna module 7
`
`is fixedly mountedinside the ear hook 3 at one end portion of
`the ear hook 3.
`
`[0029] Referring to FIG.3, the radiator ofthe antenna mod-
`ule 7 fixedto the ear hook 3 is constructed to forma pattern 73
`on a circuit board 72 to have a specific form. Preferably, in
`FIG.3, the circuit board 72 is fixed inside the ear hook 3. A
`Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) 71 is in a preferred embodi-
`mentused asthe electrical connection element. One end of
`
`the FPC 71is electrically connected to the pattern 73 at one
`end of the circuit board 72 preferably by soldering. The other
`end ofthe FPC 71 is drawnoutofthe ear hook3 by a sufficient
`
`length. The drawn portion is inserted into the body 2 andis
`thuselectrically power-fed by the Bluetooth module.
`limited
`[0030] However,
`the present
`invention is not
`thereto. For example, as the antenna radiator, only one metal
`radiation plate may be provided inside the ear hook 3,
`wherein the metal radiation plate has a specific pattern
`according to a specific slot. Besides the FPC 71, a fine-wire
`cable mayalso be used asthe electrical connection element.
`[0031] As will be described below,the antennaradiator and
`the electrical connection element may vary depending on the
`configuration of the ear hook 3 which will be now described.
`[0032]
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ear hook 3 using
`an antenna according to an embodimentofthe present inven-
`tion. In FIG.4, only thefixing portion 32 of the ear hook 3 is
`depicted. A body fixing portion 321 enables the ear hook 3 to
`be fixed to the body 2.
`[0033] Referring to FIG.4, if the ear hook 3 is constructed
`of one injection-molded product, the antennaradiator of the
`present invention may be constructed such that the radiator
`can be inserted by insert-molding whenan injection-molding
`process is carried out. Preferably, in this process, one end of
`the FPC 71 protrudesout of the ear hook 3 by a length that is
`sufficient for the antennaradiatorto be inserted into the body
`2.
`
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ear hook 3 using
`[0034]
`an antenna according to another embodimentof the present
`invention. In FIG. 5, the ear hook 3 is constructed of an upper
`case frame 323 and a lower case frame 324 which are bonded
`with each other.
`[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, a cavity 325 is formed when the
`upper and lower case frames 323 and 324 constituting the ear
`hook 3 are bonded with each other. The antenna radiator
`according to the present invention is inserted into the cavity
`325 soas to be fixed therein. Although not shown,the antenna
`radiator is fixed inside the cavity 325. For example, when
`using a circuit board having a radial pattern, the antenna
`radiator is fixed utilizing a bushing formed in the injection-
`molding process of the upper and lowercase frames 323 and
`324. When one metal radiation plate is used, in addition to
`using the bushing, the antenna radiator may befixed by uti-
`lizinga filling material such as epoxy foam after placing the
`metal radiation plate to an innerportion ofthe cavity 325. In
`the present invention,it is important that the antenna radiator
`is disposed inside the ear hook 3.
`[0036] As described with reference to FIG. 4, the body
`fixing portion 321 is also usedto fix the ear hook 3 to the body
`2.
`
`[0037] According to a Bluetooth headset of the present
`invention, since an antenna moduleis includedin an ear hook,
`an extra space for mounting the antenna module is not nec-
`essary in a headset body. Therefore, there is an advantage in
`that the Bluetooth headset can be manufactured ina slim size.
`[0038] While the invention has been shown and described
`with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it
`will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
`changes in form and details may be made therein without
`departing from the spirit and scopeofthe invention as defined
`by the appended claims. Therefore, the scopeofthe invention
`is defined notby the detailed description of the invention but
`by the appendedclaims, andall differences within the scope
`will be construed as being includedin the present invention.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. A Bluetooth headset with a built-in antenna module,
`comprising:
`
`7
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`US 2008/0119138 Al
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`May 22, 2008
`
`a body having a microphoneand an earphone with a Blue-
`tooth module therein;
`an ear hook that is fixed to the body and worn on a user’s
`ear; and
`an antenna module disposed to the ear hook andelectri-
`cally connected to the Bluetooth module.
`2. The Bluetooth headset of claim 1, wherein the antenna
`module includes:
`an antenna radiator mounted inside the ear hook, and
`an electrical connection element whichis electrically con-
`nected to the antenna radiator, is drawn out from one
`connection end of the body of the ear hook, and is
`power-fed by the Bluetooth module included in the
`body.
`3. The Bluetooth headset of claim 2, wherein the ear hook
`includes a hook portion having a specific radius of curvature
`and a fixing portion fixed to the body of the headset, and
`wherein the antenna radiator is disposed inside the hook
`portion of the ear hook.
`4. The Bluetooth headset of claim 3, wherein the ear hook
`is made of a synthetic resin material.
`5. The Bluetooth headset of claim 4, wherein the antenna
`radiator is insert-molded by subjecting the ear hook to an
`injection-molding process.
`
`6. The Bluetooth headset of claim 4, wherein the ear hook
`is constructed of an upper case frame and a lowercase frame,
`and
`
`wherein the antennaradiator is mounted in a cavity formed
`bythe upper and lowercase frames.
`7. The Bluetooth headset of claim 2, wherein the electrical
`connection element is a Flexible Printed Circuit (FPC) or a
`fine-wire cable of which one endis electrically connected to
`the antenna radiator and another endis electrically power-fed
`by the Bluetooth module includedin the body.
`8. The Bluetooth headset of claim 2, wherein the antenna
`radiator is a metal plate having a specific shape.
`9. The Bluetooth headset of claim 8, wherein the electrical
`connection elementis electrically connected to one end ofthe
`metal plate by soldering.
`10. The Bluetooth headset of claim 2, the antenna radiator
`has a pattern formed on a dielectric circuit board having a
`specific shape with a specific width.
`11. The Bluetooth headset of claim 10, wherein the elec-
`trical connection elementis solderedto electrically connect to
`one end of the pattern formed onthe dielectric circuit board.
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`
`8
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`