BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates to smart mobile phone/ tablet devices including one or a plurality of antennas. 2. Technical Background

Smart mobile phone devices and tablets require ever greater connectivity so as to enable bandwidth-hungry services such as video phone calling, or viewing video on the device while on the move, or for viewing three dimensional video content, for example. However, antennas in smart mobile phone and tablets devices are typically housed within the body of the device, mounting antennas inside a device creates restrictions on the antenna design and compromises the radio frequency (RF) performance of the antennas due to the RF shielding effect of devices cases and the location of high speed electronic circuitry in close proximity to the antennas which can limit the connectivity of the devices in some circumstances, such as when reception conditions are not ideal.

3. Discussion of Related Art

In the past, telescopic antennas for mobile phones were known, such as disclosed in CA2239589A1; such antennas could be extended telescopically so as to improve mobile phone transmission and reception. However, these antennas were extended telescopically so as to improve the matching of their physical lengths to the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation used in the mobile communications, whilst still allowing for a compact device. Hence the use of these antennas involved changing the shapes of these antennas. Furthermore, mechanical changing of the shapes of telescopic antennas could lead to mechanical failure of such antennas, such as the antennas becoming jammed in a closed, in a partially extended or in a fully extended configuration. Today the industry standard approach is to provide antennas contained within the body of smart mobile phone/ tablet devices, and the shapes and locations of these antennas are not changed during customer use. Providing the antennas within the body of a smart mobile phone/ tablet device protects the mechanical integrity of the antennas, eg. from breakage.

It is desirable to improve the connectivity of smart phone/ tablet antennas, at least when bandwidth-hungry services are being demanded. In mobile phone and tablets (e.g. wireless) technology, multiple-input and multiple- output (MIMO) is a method for multiplying the capacity of a radio link using multiple transmit and receive antennas to exploit multipath propagation. MIMO has become an essential element of wireless communication standards including IEEE 802.11η (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi), HSPA+ (3G), WiMAX (4G), and Long Term Evolution (4G).

Spatial multiplexing requires MIMO antenna configuration. In spatial multiplexing, a high-rate signal is split into multiple lower-rate streams and each stream is transmitted from a different transmit antenna in the same frequency channel. If these signals arrive at the receiver antenna array with sufficiently different spatial signatures and the receiver has accurate channel state information (CSI), it can separate these streams into almost parallel channels. Spatial multiplexing is a very powerful technique for increasing channel capacity at higher signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). The maximum number of spatial streams is limited by the lesser of the number of antennas at the transmitter or receiver. Spatial multiplexing can be used without CSI at the transmitter, but can be combined with precoding if CSI is available. Spatial multiplexing can also be used for simultaneous transmission to multiple receivers, known as space-division multiple access or multi-user MIMO, in which case CSI is required at the transmitter. The scheduling of receivers with different spatial signatures allows good separability. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a smartphone / tablet device, the device including a body and an assembly, the assembly movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration the assembly is displaced relative to the body, and in the closed configuration the assembly is retracted into the body, the smartphone / tablet including multiple antennas, wherein one or more antennas are housed within the body, and wherein alternative or complementary antennas are housed in the assembly. The smartphone / tablet includes a screen. The smartphone / tablet includes a battery. The smartphone / tablet includes a processor. The smartphone / tablet includes an operating system.

An advantage is that the internal and assembly antennas may be used in combination to provide data transmission and/ or reception from the smartphone / tablet that is superior to what could be achieved using only internal antennas. This may be for example because when one antenna receives only a weak signal, the other antenna is expected to receive a stronger signal. A further advantage is that the internal and assembly antennas may be used in combination to provide data transmission and/or reception from the smartphone / tablet that is superior to what could be achieved using a smartphone / tablet device without a movable assembly.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the shape of the assembly antenna(s) is the same in the open configuration of the assembly and in the closed configuration of the assembly. An advantage is that because the shape is not changed, this eliminates the risk of mechanical failure of the assembly antenna(s) during a shape change.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the length and or shape of the antenna housed in the assembly is different from the internal antenna housed inside the smartphone / tablet device.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one where the movable assembly contains one or more antennas that may be used in combination with the internal antenna housed inside the smartphone / tablet device or may be used independently of the internal antenna and of each other.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein when in the open configuration the internal antenna is disconnected from one or more radio systems of the device and connection is made to the antenna system housed in the assembly, this may provide for better RF performance of the device.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one where there are antennas housed inside the smartphone / tablet device, and there are antennas are located in the movable assembly, and the RF matching of the antennas may be altered when moving the assembly between a closed and open position and vice versa.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the internal and assembly antennas are complementary in that they relate to a technical standard in common with each other. An advantage is that one antenna may be used to receive or transmit signals relating to a technical standard, when the other antenna's reception or transmission of signals relating to the technical standard is not optimal. The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the technical standard in common with each other is WiFi, 3G, 4G or 5G

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the internal and assembly antennas are complementary in that they are configured to operate together in a multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) arrangement.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the operation of the MIMO arrangement is improved in the open configuration of the assembly, in comparison to the closed configuration of the assembly.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the operation of the MIMO arrangement is improved in the open configuration of the assembly because the antennas have improved spatial separation in the open configuration. The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the operation of the MIMO arrangement is improved in the open configuration of the assembly because in the open configuration the assembly mounted antennas are less constrained (RF shielded) by electronic and mechanical components or from the case of the smartphone / tablet.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the operation of the MIMO arrangement is improved in the open configuration of the assembly because reduced data error rates are obtained in the open configuration. The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the internal and assembly antennas are complementary in that they relate to a plurality of technical standards in common with each other.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the plurality of technical standards in common with each other include two or more of: Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, global positioning system (GPS), GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld), MediaFLO, ATSC-M/H, DVB-SH (Satellite to Handhelds), DVB-NGH (Next Generation Handheld). The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the technical standard in common with each other includes one of: Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, global positioning system (GPS), GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld), MediaFLO, ATSC-M/H, DVB-SH (Satellite to Handhelds), DVB-NGH (Next Generation Handheld).

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein in the open configuration, the assembly acts as a stand for the body of the smartphone / tablet.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one in which the device includes a screen, and in which the open configuration is usable for viewing (e.g. high bandwidth) video content on the screen of the device using data received using the internal and assembly antennas.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one in which the smartphone/tablet is configured to adjust the RF matching of the internal antenna and the antenna(s) housed in the assembly and associated electronic circuitry in the device when the assembly is extended or retracted.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the smartphone is configured to adjust RF matching of the internal and / or assembly antennas actively in relation to an extension and retraction of the assembly.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the smartphone is configured to adjust RF matching of the internal and assembly antennas passively and or actively in relation to an extension of the assembly.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one in which the assembly includes an element on which are mounted antennas of various kinds.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one in which the assembly includes a speaker panel assembly, wherein the speaker panel assembly includes a speaker panel.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the speaker panel assembly includes a frame.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the assembly antenna(s) are integral to the frame.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the speaker panel assembly includes the frame, and wherein a speaker panel is housed by the frame.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the frame includes one actuator or a plurality of actuators.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the frame provides support to the panel and attachment points for hinges and / or for the panel.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the frame provides an acoustic baffle to the speaker panel. The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the speaker panel assembly includes a strengthening bar.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein the assembly antenna is integral to the strengthening bar.

The smartphone / tablet device may be one wherein when the speaker panel assembly is retracted into the body, the speaker panel assembly is articulated back into the body.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person, that where in the above a smartphone has been described, a tablet device could be supplied instead of the smartphone, with features otherwise the same as, or similar to, the features of the smartphone which are described.

It will also be noted with reference to the aspects of the invention described earlier in this document that the assembly antenna may be used by the device in isolation, while the internal antenna is disconnected from one or more of the device's radio systems, and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a smartphone device, the device including a body and an assembly, the assembly movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration the assembly is displaced relative to the body, the smartphone including first and second complementary antennas, wherein the first antenna is housed within the body, and wherein the second antenna is integral to the assembly, in which high bandwidth content is being played on the smartphone screen using data received using the first and second complementary antennas. In this example, the assembly has been opened so as to act as a stand for the body of the smartphone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an example, there is disclosed a smartphone device, the device including a body and an assembly, the assembly movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration the assembly is displaced relative to the body, and in the closed configuration the assembly is retracted into the body, the smartphone including at least one or more antennas, wherein one or more antennas are housed within the body, and wherein one or more alternative / complementary antennas are integral to the movable assembly. The internal and assembly antennas can be complementary in that they relate to a technical standard in common with each other (e.g. WiFi, 3G, 4G, 5G). The antennas may be configured to operate independently or together such as in a MIMO arrangement. The operation of the MIMO arrangement is typically improved in the open configuration of the assembly, because: the antennas have improved spatial separation, which typically improves the efficiency of MIMO arrangements; as the assembly antennas are less RF shielded by components housed in the device and the device case , and hence transmission and/or reception is improved; the improved transmission and/ or reception implies that the same performance can be obtained for lower power consumption of the device e.g less transmit power required as antenna is able to radiate more freely, or improved transmission and/ or reception can be obtained for the same power consumption, and reduced data error rates may be obtained, which improves the efficiency of transmission and/ or reception.

In an example, a smartphone device is one wherein the shape of the assembly antenna is the same in the open configuration of the assembly and in the closed configuration of the assembly. An advantage is that because the shape is not changed, this eliminates the risk of mechanical failure of the assembly antenna during a shape change.

In an example, in the open configuration, the assembly may act as a stand for the body of the smartphone. An advantage is that the smartphone is self-supporting in this configuration, and this configuration may be used for viewing high bandwidth content on a screen of the smartphone using data received using the internal and or assembly antennas. Figure 1 shows an example of a smartphone device, the device including a body and an assembly, the assembly movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein in the open configuration the assembly is displaced relative to the body, the smartphone including first and second complementary antennas, wherein the first antenna is housed within the body, and wherein the second antenna is integral to the assembly, in which high bandwidth content is being played on the smartphone screen using data received using the first and second complementary antennas. In this example, the assembly has been opened so as to act as a stand. There is disclosed a movable assembly on which are mounted antennas of various kinds which is articulated from the body of a smart device to the effect that it reduces the impact of the smart device's enclosure on the sensitivity (desensing) of the antenna system as the antennas are operating in free space when the assembly is in an open configuration - this assembly may be part of the device and folds in and out of the device. The matching of the antennas may be changed in relation to the position of the movable assembly, either passively or actively.

Another refinement is the addition of a strengthening bar between the actuator mountings on the assembly, especially if the strengthening bar is made of plastic / non metallic material; this is a potential location for a WiFi or Bluetooth antenna; this allows assembly real estate to be used - by mounting on the assembly it allows the antenna or antennas to be moved out of the body of the device which improves wireless signal reception performance and can be used with either passive or active antenna matching changes, that can be sensed by the movement of the speaker panels, or by the movement of the speaker hinges, or by an inertial sensor (e.g gyroscope) in the smartphone. This could allow for much improved antenna performance and faster download / up load speeds with the speaker out of the body of the smartphone device.

Near field communication (NFC) antenna or antennas can be mounted in this location i.e. in an assembly strengthening bar.

In a further aspect of this invention NFC antennas could be mounted on the assembly if the assembly is non metallic or is hybrid of metal and plastic. The antenna or antennas could also be etched into the assembly eliminating the need for a separate antenna. This aspect of the invention is true for the WiFi and/ or Bluetooth antennas as well.

An additional benefit of this idea is that it also frees up space in the device, because the antenna or antennas do not need to take up space permanently within the device body.

One key use case where you use high data consumption rates, e.g. watching a movie or other content rich media, is exactly the situation when you want the antenna to be operating with maximum effectiveness, since it's when the data consumption rate is highest— if the antenna operation is sub-optimal, then you end up consuming a lot more power, or you obtain an inferior user experience due to reduced image resolution and/ or jerkiness in playback performance. So having an externally moveable antenna is then very useful since it minimises power consumption and/or improves the user experience. Antennas as referred to herein may be one or more of: Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, global positioning system (GPS), GSM, 3G, 4G, 5G, DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting - Handheld), MediaFLO, ATSC-M/H, DVB-SH (Satellite to Handhelds), DVB-NGH (Next Generation Handheld) . Here we describe some concepts which may relate to a smart phone device which includes an integral stand in which the stand includes one or more integral antennas. The smart phone device includes a body; the body may include one or more antennas, which may be complementary to the one or more integral antennas of the stand. Description of Figure 1: Smartphone with one of more internal antennas including a fold-out stand with one or more integrated antennas

With reference to Figure 1 there is provided a smartphone including a fold-out stand with one or more integrated antennas. The stand may fold out from a base of the smartphone. The stand may support the smartphone when it is folded out and deployed. The stand may include one or more integrated antennas. The one or more antennas provide increased connectivity from the smartphone, compared to when the one or more antennas are not folded out with the stand from the smartphone, but are instead included within the body of the smartphone. One key use case where you use high data consumption rates, watching a movie or other content rich media, is exactly the situation when you want the antenna to be operating with maximum effectiveness, since it's when the data consumption rate is highest— if the antenna operation is sub-optimal, then you end up consuming a lot more power, or you obtain an inferior user experience due to reduced image resolution and/or jerkiness in playback performance. So having an antenna which is folded out from a base of the smartphone, which is included in a stand which is folded out from a base of the smartphone, is then very useful since this antenna minimises power consumption and/or improves the user experience.

Note

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred example(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth herein.