ATTACHMENT FOR AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

Abstract

An attachment for an electronic communications device including a conducting element that is coated on one side with layers of material and securely affixed to a nonconducting substrate such that the overall dimensions and thickness of the attachment are sufficiently small that it may be attached to a surface of an electronic communications device whilst allowing the use of any protective casing preferred by the user.

Claims

1. A case for an electronic communications device comprising: a protective shell of a base material having a rear panel and edges adapted to grip outer surfaces of the communications device; and an attachment comprising a conducting element that is coated on one side with layers of dielectric material and securely affixed to a non-conducting substrate such that the overall dimensions and thickness of the attachment are sufficiently small to allow the attachment to be attached to an outer surface of the electronic communications device, or embedded within or attached to the protective shell of the case, whilst not requiring any modification of the case in order to avoid interfering with the use of the case.

2. The case according to claim 1 wherein the non-conducting substrate comprises PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) that is about 0.2 mm in thickness.

3. The case according to claim 1 wherein the conducting element comprises conductive material that is copper having a thickness of about 0.1 mm.

4. The case according to claim 1 wherein the conducting element includes various shaped segments of conducting material and includes V-shaped segments, chevron-shaped segments, linear segments, rectangular and/or triangular segments or any segments or combinations thereof.

5. The case according to claim 1 wherein the layers of material that coat the conducting element comprise dielectric materials that are mixed and sprayed in layers onto the conducting element.

6. The case according to claim 1 wherein the conducting element is coated on both sides with layers of dielectric materials.

7. The case according to claim 1 wherein the dielectric material includes any one or more of Al203, SiO2, Ag2O, B203, Mg0, Fe203, Na20, K20, Ca0, P205, Au, TiO2 and/or Fe0.

8. The case according to claim 5 wherein the conducting element, once coated with dielectric materials, is subsequently coated with UV acrylic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] To assist in understanding the invention and to enable a skilled person to put the invention into practical effect, embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the specific example of the electronic communications device being a mobile phone and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a first conducting element;

[0037] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a second conducting element;

[0038] FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the third conducting element;

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a conducting element, various layers of dielectric materials and a non-conducting substrate that together comprise an attachment for an electronic communications device.

[0040] FIG'S. 3A and 3B illustrate the positioning of a test mobile phone in relation to a test dummy during experimental testing both before and after adhering an attachment to the test mobile phone device.

[0041] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that minor deviations from the layout of components as illustrated in the drawings will not detract from the proper functioning of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to skilled readers.

[0043] In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to define one component or method step from another component or method step without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives.

[0044] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a first conducting element (10). The conducting element (10) includes individual conducting sub elements (12, 14 and 16) that are attached to a flexible printed circuit board material (18).

[0045] FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a second conducting element (20). The conducting element (20) includes individual conducting sub elements (22, 24, 26 and 27) that are attached to a flexible printed circuit board material (28).

[0046] FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of a third conducting element (30). The conducting element (30) includes individual conducting sub elements (32, 34, and 36) that are attached to a flexible printed circuit board material (38).

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded end view of a conducting element (40) with various layers of coatings and a non-conductive substrate which together, form an attachment according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0048] Referring to the embodiment in FIG. 2, conducting element 40 has three layers of dielectric materials (42, 44, and 46) applied separately in a fine mist to coat the side of the conducting element (40). The opposite side of the conducting element (40) has an additional three layers of dielectric materials (48, 50 and 52) applied separately in a fine mist to coat the opposite side of the conducting element. The individual layers (42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52) may include the same or different dielectric material compositions and in one embodiment, layers 42 and 48 comprise the same dielectric material composition, layers 44 and 50 comprise the same dielectric material composition and layers 46 and 52 similarly comprise the same dielectric material composition. It will be appreciated that coating both sides of conducting element (40) with dielectric materials has the associated advantage of further decreasing the SAR of the mobile phone when compared to a conducting element coated with dielectric materials on only one side. Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this is due to a more focused re-direction of electromagnetic radiation away from a user's head when a conducting element is coated with dielectric material on both sides. That is, whilst the dielectric material coating on one side of the conducting element (40) serves to draw away radiation from a user's head and body, the coating on the opposite side of the conducting element effectively acts as a pump so as to further draw and re-direct radiation from the mobile telephone in a direction outward from the mobile phone.

[0049] The composition of the dielectric material according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Composition of dielectric material Element Al.sub.2O.sub.3 SiO.sub.2 Ag.sub.2O MgO Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 Na.sub.2O Content % 29.0-36.0 28.0-36.8 9.0-13.0 3.5-5.7 9.0-11.5 0.09-1.9 Element CaO P.sub.2O.sub.5 TiO.sub.2 FeO Au Content % 0.02-0.15 0.1-0.42 0.2-0.38 0.9-1.85 0.008-0.15

[0050] Once the individual layers of dielectric materials that coat the conducting element (40) have been allowed to dry, the coated conducting element is securely affixed to the non-conducting substrate (54). In an embodiment, the coated conducting element is securely affixed to the non-conducting substrate (54) by use of a transfer press thus resulting in an attachment (60).

[0051] In an embodiment, the attachment (60) is coated with UV acrylic material to protect the attachment (60) from ultra violet radiation.

[0052] As will be understood by a person skilled in the relevant field of technology, the attachment (60) may be secured to an external surface of a mobile phone by glue, or by any other means.

[0053] In use, the attachment (60) directs electromagnetic radiation away from a user's head by re-directing radiation from the mobile telephone in a direction outward from the mobile phone.

[0054] Adding dielectric materials in layered coatings to the conducting element has the effect of filtering electromagnetic radiation emanating from the mobile phone that reside substantially outside the frequency range that is effective for electronic communications of the mobile phone. This can have a substantial effect upon the total radiation direction toward a user of an electronic communications device.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the one or more layers of the dielectric materials that are applied to the conducting element in a fine mist form have the relative percentages below:

[0056] In order to test the efficacy of the attachment for an electronic communications device, the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) and Total Radiated Power (TRP) were measured under standard test conditions using a simulated user (test dummy) (10 g of simulated tissue) positioned in close proximity to a mobile phone within an anechoic chamber.

[0057] The SAR is related to the rate at which energy is absorbed per unit mass of an object exposed to radio frequency radiation and is expressed in units of W/kg. As SAR values are heavily dependent on the size of an average volume or mass, they are usually averaged and reported over a sample volume or mass (typically 1 g or 10 g of tissue). The TIS and TRP, measured in decibels (dB), are measures of antenna efficiency or performance and can be related to the resulting signal strength of the electronic communications device. In general, TIS is the lowest amount of power that can be input to the receiver, such that the receiver can still maintain reliable communication whilst TRP is a measure of the spherical integrated radiated power of the device.

[0058] FIG. 3A shows the positioning the test mobile phone device (70) without an attachment to measure the electromagnetic radiation emanating from a test mobile phone device (70). The test was conducted in relation to a test dummy head (80) (or phantom) which included a receiving sensor (not shown) and located inside the dummy head (80). The dummy head (80) and test mobile device (70) were placed within an anechoic chamber where the dummy head (80) (simulating a mobile phone user's head) was exposed to various test radio frequencies whilst in close proximity to the test mobile phone device (70). The test dummy head (70) was composed of a polyurethane shell of thickness 2 mm0.2 mm filled with a homogenous tissue simulating liquid. The tissue simulating liquid comprised a sugar/salt solution with similar dielectric parameters to human brain tissue in order to simulate the brain tissue of a user's head.

[0059] During testing, the test mobile phone device (70) was held in the cheek position with plastic holder (75) to the dummy head (80) and the battery of the test mobile phone device (70) was fully charged before each measurement. It was ensured that all testing components were made of non-metal materials in order to avoid distortion of the electromagnetic field that can be observed in the presence of metallic components. The test mobile phone device (70) was set to transmit at its highest output peak power level. As shown in FIG. 3, the test mobile phone device (80) with attachment (60) (not shown) was positioned in the cheek position on the left and right hand sides of the simulated user's (phantom) dummy head (70). Testing was performed at an ambient temperature of between 20-25 oC and once a particular test was commenced, the temperature was maintained within 1 oC as the dielectric parameters of materials can change with temperature. The test was subsequently repeated with an attachment (60) adhered to the test mobile phone device (refer FIG. 3B) and again, measurements were taken at each of the tested frequencies.

[0060] An attachment (60) was found to reduce Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of radiation while a test mobile phone was positioned adjacent a simulated user's head. The test frequencies included 900 MHz, 1,800 MHz, and 2,100 MHz and results are shown in Tables 2 to 5.

[0061] Table 2 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Samsung (model Galaxy S4). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 SAR Test Results for Samsung Galaxy S4 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Phantom SAR configuration Testing status Channel (W/Kg) LET BAND 3 (1800 MHz) left side of head Without attachment 1890 0.308 With attachment 1890 0.104 WCDMA BAND1 (2100 MHz) left side of head Without attachment 9750 0.219 With attachment 9750 0.07 WCDMA 900 MHz left side of head Without attachment 2787 0.207 With attachment 2787 0.042

[0062] Table 3 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Apple (model iPhone 5s). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 SAR Test Results for iPhone 5s tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Phantom SAR configurations Testing status Channel (W/Kg) LET BAND 3 (1800 MHz) left side of head Without attachment 1890 0.468 With attachment 1890 0.061 WCDMA BAND1 (2100 MHz) left side of head Without attachment 9750 0.702 With attachment 9750 0.084 WCDMA 900 MHz left side of head Without attachment 2787 0.801 With attachment 2787 0.27

[0063] Table 4 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Blackberry (model 8700). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 SAR Test Results for Blackberry 8700 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue WCDMA BAND1 (2100 MHz) Phantom SAR configurations Testing status Channel (W/Kg) left side of head Without attachment 9750 0.959 With attachment 9750 0.104

[0064] Table 5 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Nokia (model 630). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 SAR Test Results for Nokia 630 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue WCDMA BAND1 (2100 MHz) Phantom SAR configurations Testing status Channel (W/Kg) left side of head Without attachment 9750 0.843 With attachment 9750 0.107

[0065] The results of Table 2 to Table 5 indicate that, when attachment (60) is secured to the face of a range of different mobile phones (opposite to the side of the phone comprising the display), the SAR value is reduced for all tested frequencies.

[0066] In one embodiment, the attachment of the present invention was also tested on an Apple iPad Air where the test device was placed near the body of a test dummy (10 g of simulated tissue) simulating a mobile phone user. Similar to the head testing, the test dummy was filled with tissue simulating liquid to simulate the body of a user. The results of this testing are shown in Table 6.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 SAR Test Results for Apple iPad Air tested on 10 g of simulated tissue iPad air Phantom tough SAR configurations Testing status case Channel (W/Kg) GSM 990 MHz Band body Without attachment N/A 38 0.768 With attachment Yes 38 0.121 GSM 1800 MHz Band body Without attachment N/A 698 0.607 With attachment Yes 698 0.134 WCDMA 1200 MHz Band body Without attachment N/A 9750 0.745 With attachment Yes 9750 0.106

[0067] The results of Table 6 indicate that when an attachment in accordance with the invention is attached to the face of an iPad device (opposite to the side of the device comprising the display), the SAR value is reduced for all frequencies.

[0068] An attachment (60) was also found to not to significantly reduce the mobile phone performance (as measured by the TIS and TRP) when attached to various mobile phones when tested under a range of frequencies. The results are shown in Tables 7 to 11.

[0069] Table 7 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Apple (model iphone 5). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 TRP and TIS Test Results for Apple iphone 5 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Frequency (MHz) With attachment Without attachment Total Radiated Power (dB) 1950 16.2684 17.0436 836.6 16.3982 17.6826 897.6 16.1596 16.9561 Total Isotropic Sensitivity (dB) 1950 106.0852 107.1489 836.6 106.3584 106.8567 897.6 106.1254 106.0235

[0070] Table 8 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Apple (model iphone 5s). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 TRP and TIS Test Results for Apple iphone 5s tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Frequency (MHz) With attachment Without attachment Total Radiated Power (dB) 1950 16.9534 17.2349 836.6 16.0269 16.5863 897.6 15.9563 16.1574 Total Isotropic Sensitivity (dB) 1950 105.2698 106.5324 836.6 105.1586 106.0124 897.6 104.3248 104.6357

[0071] Table 9 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Samsung (model Galaxy S4). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 TRP and TIS Test Results for Samsung Galaxy S4 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Frequency With Without (MHz) attachment attachment Total Radiated Power (dB) 1950 16.3241 16.6581 836.6 14.3596 15.0145 897.6 14.2158 14.9652 Total Isotropic Sensitivity (dB) 1950 106.0541 106.9652 836.6 104.1563 105.2365 897.6 103.2486 104.7563

[0072] Table 10 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Samsung (model Galaxy S5). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 TRP and TIS Test Results for Samsung Galaxy S5 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Frequency (MHz) With attachment Without attachment Total Radiated Power (dB) 1922.4 16.5621 16.8631 1950 15.6891 16.1258 1977.6 14.9653 15.0241 Total Isotropic Sensitivity (dB) 2112.4 107.1473 107.3542 2140 105.7532 106.1569 2167.6 104.6852 105.2461

[0073] Table 11 relates to test results for a mobile phone manufactured by Blackberry (model 8700). An attachment was secured to the face of the mobile telephone on the opposite side of the display screen.

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 TRP and TIS Test Results for Blackberry 8700 tested on 10 g of simulated tissue Frequency With Without (MHz) attachment attachment Total Radiated Power (dB) 1710.2 15.1574 19.8251 1747.4 16.5641 20.6586 1784.8 15.7543 18.9651 Total Isotropic Sensitivity (dB) 1805.2 108.381 123.514 1842.4 107.525 110.128 1879.8 107.146 111.682

[0074] The results of Table 7 to Table 11 indicate that, when attachment (60) is secured to the face of a range of different mobile phones (opposite to the side of the phone comprising the display), the signal strength, as indicated by measured TRP and TIS values, is not significantly reduced for all tested frequencies.

[0075] In one embodiment, the attachment (60) is configured to be substantially the same size and shape as the rear face of a mobile phone which assists users when affixing the attachment (60) to correctly and accurately physically locate the conducting element with respect to the antenna of the mobile phone.

[0076] In summary, the present invention provides an attachment that, when affixed to an electronic communications device, reduces electromagnetic radiation levels directed toward a user whilst not substantially decreasing the signal strength of the device. Coating the conducting element with materials that exhibit dielectric properties, allows the attachment to function over a wide range of frequencies and reduces the electromagnetic radiation directed toward a user. Further, in an embodiment, forming a conducting element from flexible printed circuit board with copper conducting sub-elements of approximate thickness of 0.1 mm and layered coatings applied by micronic spraying and attaching the coated conducting element to a non-conducting substrate with an approximate thickness of 0.2 mm, the overall thickness of the resulting attachment is approximately 0.3 mm. Manufacturing an attachment in this manner allows a user to secure the attachment to a face of their electronic communications device and attach any protective casing preferred by the user without the attachment interfering with the fitment of the protective casing.

[0077] The above description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant field of technology. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed, by those of requisite skill. Accordingly, this patent specification is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

[0078] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.