Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100121139 | Minimally Invasive Imaging Systems - Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive imaging system. Systems according to embodiments of the invention include: an access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal to distal end; and an elongated member dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and having a proximal and distal end. In the systems of the invention, at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access device and the elongated member. Also provided are methods of using the systems in imaging applications, as well as kits for performing the methods. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121142 | Minimally Invasive Imaging Device - Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive internal target tissue site imaging devices. Devices according to embodiments of the invention include an elongate member dimensioned to access an internal target tissue location, e.g., an intervertebral disc, and having a proximal end and a distal end; a white light source at the distal end; a near-infra-red light source the distal end; and an imaging sensor at the distal end. Also provided are methods of using the systems in imaging applications, as well as kits for performing the methods. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121155 | Minimally Invasive Tissue Modification Systems With Integrated Visualization - Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive tissue modification systems. Embodiments of the systems include a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway. Also part of the system is an elongated tissue modification device having a proximal end and a distal end. The tissue modification device is dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device. The tissue modification device includes a tissue modifier. Positioned among the distal ends of the devices are a visualization element and an illumination element. Also provided are methods of using the systems in tissue modification applications, as well as kits for practicing the methods of the invention. | 05-13-2010 |
20100284580 | TISSUE VISUALIZATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING THE SAME - Tissue visualization systems having image processing modules configured to generate an alert signal are provided. Image processing modules of systems of the invention are configured to receive image data of an internal region of interest. The image processing module is further configured to compare the received image data with a reference that includes at least one of color descriptor data and anatomical descriptor data to make a determination as to whether an alert signal should be generated. Also provided are methods of visualizing internal tissue of a subject using the tissue visualization systems. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286477 | INTERNAL TISSUE VISUALIZATION SYSTEM COMPRISING A RF-SHIELDED VISUALIZATION SENSOR MODULE - Internal tissue visualization devices having RF-shielded visualization sensor modules are provided. Also provided are systems that include the devices, as well as methods of visualizing internal tissue of a subject using the tissue visualization devices and systems. | 11-11-2010 |
20110009694 | HAND-HELD MINIMALLY DIMENSIONED DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE HAVING INTEGRATED DISTAL END VISUALIZATION - Hand-held minimally dimensioned diagnostic devices having integrated distal end visualization are provided. Also provided are systems that include the devices, as well as methods of using the devices, e.g., to visualize internal tissue of a subject. | 01-13-2011 |
20110270179 | SINGLE USE MEDICAL DEVICES - A single use medical device can include a single use medical device module configured for use within a body of a subject receiving a medical procedure. It can also include an electronic component having a one-time programmable (“OTP”) component that is configured to render the single use medical device module unusable after being used in the medical procedure in the subject. | 11-03-2011 |
20120100729 | IMAGING SYSTEM HAVING A QUICK CONNECT COUPLING INTERFACE - An imaging system can include a base unit and one or more imaging units. The base unit can include a main interface that has a plurality of main electrical connectors and one or more main mechanical connectors. A mechanical system is located in the base unit. Each imaging unit can include an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end. Also, an imaging interface that couples with the main interface can be included on the proximal end of the elongate support member. The imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface. Mechanical actuators can bend the bendable section under control from the base unit. | 04-26-2012 |
20120289858 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HYSTEROSCOPY AND ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY - Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries. | 11-15-2012 |
20130296648 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE IMAGING SYSTEMS - Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive imaging system. Systems according to embodiments of the invention include: an access device having a proximal end and distal end and an internal passageway extending from the proximal to distal end; and an elongated member dimensioned to be slidably moved through the internal passageway of the access device and having a proximal and distal end. In the systems of the invention, at least one of multiple visualization elements and multiple illumination elements are positioned among the distal ends of the access device and the elongated member. Also provided are methods of using the systems in imaging applications, as well as kits for performing the methods. | 11-07-2013 |
20140180007 | SOFT ENCLOSING MEMBRANE FOR CAMERA - An imaging device can include: an imaging module; a lens associated with the imaging module; and an optically transmissive inflatable member surrounding the lens. The inflation tube can be fluidly coupled with the inflatable member. An inflation port can be fluidly coupling the inflation tube and inflatable member. A fastener that fastens the inflatable member can be coupled to a housing of the imaging module. A flushing tube can be fluidly coupled to a flushing port that is directed outward from a housing of the imaging module. The inflation tube and/or flushing tube are coupled to a pneumatic system that can pump fluid therethrough. The inflatable member can be an inflatable membrane, balloon, bladder, or bag. | 06-26-2014 |
20140206937 | IMAGING SYSTEM HAVING A QUICK CONNECT COUPLING INTERFACE - An imaging system can include a base unit and one or more imaging units. The base unit can include a main interface that has a plurality of main electrical connectors and one or more main mechanical connectors. A mechanical system is located in the base unit. Each imaging unit can include an elongate support member having a proximal end, a proximal section, a bendable section, and a distal end. Also, an imaging interface that couples with the main interface can be included on the proximal end of the elongate support member. The imaging interface includes a plurality of imaging electrical connectors that correspond and connect with the main electrical connectors of the main interface and includes one or more imaging mechanical connectors that correspond and connect with main mechanical connectors of the main interface. Mechanical actuators can bend the bendable section under control from the base unit. | 07-24-2014 |
20140276207 | METHOD AND APPARTUS FOR HYSTEROSCOPY AND ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY - Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries. | 09-18-2014 |
20140288460 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HYSTEROSCOPY AND ENDOMETRIAL BIOPSY - Methods and devices are described for performing a combined hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. Techniques for improving visual images include forward facing fluid ports for clearing tissue debris and LED positioning and design. Manufacturability is improved through separately formed tip and shaft pieces. User interface features are described including user-friendly handle-mounted buttons as well the use of an interactive integrated touch screen display. The handle and display can be mated to a docking station for storage and recharging batteries. | 09-25-2014 |
20150150441 | Method and Apparatuses for Hysteroscopy and Combined Hysteroscopy and Endometrial Biopsy - Instruments and methods are described for performing hysteroscopy and/or combined hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. According to some embodiments, the handle, electronics and integrated display screen form a re-usable portion of the instrument while the fluid hub and cannula which includes a CMOS imaging module and LED lighting, form a single use portion of the instrument. The cannula is semi-flexible such that the operator can easily grasp the cannula at some intermediate point along the shaft (e.g. 5 inches from the distal tip) to bend and/or steer the cannula during use. According to some embodiments, the distal tip has a larger diameter than the shaft which has been found to improve fluid management during use in some applications. | 06-04-2015 |
20150157387 | TISSUE VISUALIZATION AND MODIFICATION DEVICES AND METHODS - Aspects of the invention include minimally invasive tissue modification systems. Embodiments of the systems include a minimally invasive access device having a proximal end, a distal end and an internal passageway. Positioned among the distal ends of the devices are a visualization element and an illumination element. Also provided are methods of using the systems in tissue modification applications, as well as kits for practicing the methods of the invention. Internal tissue visualization devices having RF-shielded visualization sensor modules are also provided. Minimally invasive RF tissue modulation devices are provided. In some aspects, the devices include a hand-held control unit and an elongated member. In some aspects, RF tissue modulation devices are provided and include an adapter that operably couples to a hand-held medical device. The adapter generates RF energy for delivery to a plasma generator on an elongated member. | 06-11-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140082545 | POSTURE-ADAPTIVE SELECTION - In one example a computing device includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor may be configured to output for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys. The at least one processor may be configured to receive an indication of an input detected at a presence-sensitive input device operatively coupled to the computing device; and responsive to receiving the indication, determine an input posture of the input, wherein the input posture represents an orientation of the computing device in relation to an input unit used to provide the input. The at least one processor may be configured to select, based at least in part on the input posture, a spatial model that is used for determining a probability that at least one of the one or more of the plurality of keys has been selected. | 03-20-2014 |
20140098023 | INCREMENTAL MULTI-TOUCH GESTURE RECOGNITION - In one example, a method comprises outputting, by a computing device and for display at an output device, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, and receiving, by the computing device, an indication of a multi-touch gesture detected at a presence-sensitive display, the multi-touch gesture comprising a first sub-gesture that traverses a first group of keys of the plurality of keys and a second sub-gesture that traverses a second group of keys of the plurality of keys. This example method further comprises determining, in response to detecting the first sub-gesture and the second sub-gesture, a candidate word based at least in part on the first and second groups of keys, and outputting, by the computing device and for display at the output device, the candidate word. | 04-10-2014 |
20140101594 | INCREMENTAL FEATURE-BASED GESTURE-KEYBOARD DECODING - In one example, a method includes outputting, at a presence-sensitive display operatively coupled to a computing device, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receiving an indication of a gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include determining, in response to the indication, a candidate word based at least in part on the group of keys. The method may further include determining a group of alignment points traversed by the gesture and respective cost values for each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include comparing the respective cost values for at least each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys to determine a combination of keys having a combined cost value and outputting the candidate word that is based on the respective cost values. | 04-10-2014 |
20140104175 | FEATURE-BASED AUTOCORRECTION - A computing device is described that outputs for display at a presence-sensitive screen, a graphical keyboard having keys. The computing device receives an indication of a selection of one or more of the keys. Based on the selection the computing device determines a character string from which the computing device determines one or more candidate words. Based at least in part on the candidate words and a plurality of features, the computing device determines a spelling probability that the character string represents an incorrect spelling of at least one candidate word. The plurality of features includes a spatial model probability associated with at least one of the candidate words. If the spelling probability satisfies a threshold, the computing device outputs for display the at least one candidate word. | 04-17-2014 |
20140104177 | MULTI-GESTURE TEXT INPUT PREDICTION - A computing device outputs a keyboard for display, receives an indication of a first gesture to select a first sequence of one or more keys, determines a set of candidate strings based in part on the first sequence of keys, and outputs for display at least one of the set of candidate strings. The computing device receives an indication of a second gesture to select a second sequence of one or more keys, and determines that characters associated with the second sequence of keys are included in a first candidate word based at least in part on the set of candidate strings, or are included in a second candidate word not based on the first sequence of keys. The computing device modifies the set of candidate strings based at least in part on the determination and outputs for display at least one of the modified candidate strings. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108925 | CORRECTION OF ERRORS IN CHARACTER STRINGS THAT INCLUDE A WORD DELIMITER - In response to determining that a first series of user inputs corresponds to a first character string, the computing device outputs, for display, the first character string. In response to determining that a second character string is more likely to correspond to the first series of user inputs than the first character string, the computing device outputs the second character string in place of the first character string. After receiving the first series of user inputs, the computing device receives a second series of user inputs. In response to determining that the second series of user inputs corresponds to a third character string, the computing device outputs the third character string. The computing device determines, based at least in part on the first and second series of user inputs, a fourth character string and outputs, for display, the fourth character string. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108989 | CHARACTER DELETION DURING KEYBOARD GESTURE - Techniques are described for character deletion on a computing device that utilizes a gesture-based keyboard. The computing device includes a processor and at least one module operable by the processor to output, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a text editor field. In response to receiving an indication of a gesture that comprises a first path, the module outputs a first character, based at least in part on the first path, associated with a first key and a second character associated with a second key. In response to determining that the gesture further comprises a second path that retraces at least a portion of the first path, the module removes the second character from the text editor field of the presence-sensitive display. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108990 | CONTEXTUALLY-SPECIFIC AUTOMATIC SEPARATORS - Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for outputting a graphical keyboard comprising a group of keys, wherein each key in the group of keys is associated with a respective, different display region, receiving an indication of a gesture to select a sequence of keys that are each included in the group of keys of the graphical keyboard, determining that the selected sequence of keys corresponds to a character string that is identifiable by at least one format source, wherein the format source is associated with a syntax, determining, based at least in part on the syntax, that at least one separator character is associated with the character string, and in response to determining that the at least one separator character is associated with the character string, outputting the character string and the at least one separator character at a location proximal to the character string. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108991 | INCREMENTAL MULTI-WORD RECOGNITION - In one example, a computing device includes at least one processor that is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive display and a gesture module operable by the at least one processor. The gesture module may be operable by the at least one processor to output, for display at the presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receive an indication of a continuous gesture detected at the presence-sensitive display, the continuous gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The gesture module may be further operable to determine, in response to receiving the indication of the continuous gesture and based at least in part on the group of keys of the plurality of keys, a candidate phrase comprising a group of candidate words. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108992 | PARTIAL GESTURE TEXT ENTRY - A graphical keyboard including a number of keys is output for display at a display device. The computing device receives an indication of a gesture to select at least two of the keys based at least in part on detecting an input unit at locations of a presence-sensitive input device. In response to the detecting and while the input unit is detected at the presence-sensitive input device: the computing device determines a candidate word for the gesture based at least in part on the at least two keys and the candidate word is output for display at a first location of the output device. In response to determining that the input unit is no longer detected at the presence-sensitive input device, the displayed candidate word is output for display at a second location of the display device. | 04-17-2014 |
20140108993 | GESTURE KEYBOARD WITH GESTURE CANCELLATION - In one example, a method includes outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical user interface comprising a graphical keyboard that includes a group of keys, wherein each key in the group of keys is associated with a respective, different region of the presence-sensitive display. The method further includes receiving an indication of a gesture to select a sequence of one or more keys in the group of keys of the graphical keyboard. The method further includes determining, based at least in part on the indication of the gesture, that the gesture includes at least one feature associated with a cancellation of the selected sequence of one or more keys. The method further includes, in response to determining that the gesture includes the at least one feature associated with the cancellation, omitting the selected sequence of one or more keys from entry to a text input field. | 04-17-2014 |
20140109016 | GESTURE-BASED CURSOR CONTROL - In general, this disclosure describes techniques for enabling gesture-based cursor control on gesture keyboards. For example, a computing device outputs a graphical keyboard and a text display region, including a cursor at a first cursor location. The computing device detects a gesture that originates at a location of the graphical keyboard and determines whether the location of the detected gesture originates within a cursor control region of the graphical keyboard. In response to determining that the location of the detected gesture is within the cursor control region, the computing device also outputs the cursor at a second cursor location that is different from the first cursor location, wherein the second cursor location is based at least in part on the gesture. | 04-17-2014 |
20140115519 | SPACE PREDICTION FOR TEXT INPUT - An example method includes displaying, at a presence-sensitive device, a virtual keyboard, receiving an indication of input entered at a presence-sensitive device indicating a plurality of characters, determining a sequence of at least three character strings in the plurality such that the sequence does not include any space characters, modifying the characters by inserting at least two space characters to demarcate the at least three character strings, and determining at least two suggested character strings based on first, second, and third character strings of the sequence. The method further includes outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at a text-suggestion area of the GUI, the at least two suggested character strings, receiving a selection that indicates a selected character string of the at least two suggested character strings, and outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at the text-entry area of the GUI, the selected character string. | 04-24-2014 |
20140188460 | FEATURE-BASED AUTOCORRECTION - A computing device is described that outputs for display at a presence-sensitive screen, a graphical keyboard having keys. The computing device receives an indication of a selection of one or more of the keys. Based on the selection the computing device determines a character string from which the computing device determines one or more candidate words. Based at least in part on the candidate words and a plurality of features, the computing device determines a spelling probability that the character string represents an incorrect spelling of at least one candidate word. The plurality of features includes a spatial model probability associated with at least one of the candidate words. If the spelling probability satisfies a threshold, the computing device outputs for display the at least one candidate word. | 07-03-2014 |
20140189568 | INCREMENTAL MULTI-WORD RECOGNITION - In one example, a computing device includes at least one processor that is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive display and a gesture module operable by the at least one processor. The gesture module may be operable by the at least one processor to output, for display at the presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receive an indication of a continuous gesture detected at the presence-sensitive display, the continuous gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The gesture module may be further operable to determine, in response to receiving the indication of the continuous gesture and based at least in part on the group of keys of the plurality of keys, a candidate phrase comprising a group of candidate words. | 07-03-2014 |
20140214405 | CHARACTER AND WORD LEVEL LANGUAGE MODELS FOR OUT-OF-VOCABULARY TEXT INPUT - A computing device determines, based at least in part on indications of user input, scores for a first set of candidate strings and a second set of candidate strings. Each candidate string from the first set of candidate strings is in a lexicon. Candidate strings from the second set of candidate strings are not necessarily in the lexicon. The computing device determines the scores for the first set of candidate strings based on probabilities of the candidate strings being entered. For each candidate string from the second set of candidate strings, the computing device determines the scores for the candidate string based on probabilities of characters of the candidate string being entered. The computing device selects a candidate string based on the scores for the first and second sets of candidate strings and outputs, for display at the display device, the selected candidate string. | 07-31-2014 |
20140289618 | CHARACTER STRING REPLACEMENT - In one example, a method includes outputting, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical user interface including a text display region and a graphical keyboard. The method further includes receiving an indication of a first gesture detected at a location within the text display region, and selecting, based at least in part on the location within the text display region, at least a portion of a character string included in the text display region. The method further includes receiving, while the first gesture is detected at the presence-sensitive display, an indication of at least a portion of a second gesture to select at least one key of the graphical keyboard, and outputting, responsive to receiving an indication of a termination of at least the second gesture, a replacement character string for display within the text display region to replace the portion of the character string. | 09-25-2014 |
20140327622 | ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS ERROR CORRECTION FOR GESTURE TYPING - In one example, a method may include outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, and receiving an indication of a gesture. The method may include determining an alignment score that is based at least in part on a word prefix and an alignment point traversed by the gesture. The method may include determining at least one alternative character that is based at least in part on a misspelling that includes at least a portion of the word prefix. The method may include determining an alternative alignment score based at least in part on the alternative character; and outputting, by the computing device and for display, based at least in part on the alternative alignment score, a candidate word based at least in part on the alternative character. | 11-06-2014 |
20140344748 | INCREMENTAL FEATURE-BASED GESTURE-KEYBOARD DECODING - In one example, a method includes outputting, at a presence-sensitive display operatively coupled to a computing device, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receiving an indication of a gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include determining, in response to the indication, a candidate word based at least in part on the group of keys. The method may further include determining a group of alignment points traversed by the gesture and respective cost values for each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys. The method may further include comparing the respective cost values for at least each of at least two keys of the plurality of keys to determine a combination of keys having a combined cost value and outputting the candidate word that is based on the respective cost values. | 11-20-2014 |
20150026628 | SPACE PREDICTION FOR TEXT INPUT - An example method includes displaying, at a presence-sensitive device, a virtual keyboard, receiving an indication of input entered at a presence-sensitive device indicating a plurality of characters, determining a sequence of at least three character strings in the plurality such that the sequence does not include any space characters, modifying the characters by inserting at least two space characters to demarcate the at least three character strings, and determining at least two suggested character strings based on first, second, and third character strings of the sequence. The method further includes outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at a text-suggestion area of the GUI, the at least two suggested character strings, receiving a selection that indicates a selected character string of the at least two suggested character strings, and outputting, for display at the presence-sensitive device and at the text-entry area of the GUI, the selected character string. | 01-22-2015 |
20150082229 | MULTI-GESTURE TEXT INPUT PREDICTION - A computing device outputs a keyboard for display, receives an indication of a first gesture to select a first sequence of one or more keys, determines a set of candidate strings based in part on the first sequence of keys, and outputs for display at least one of the set of candidate strings. The computing device receives an indication of a second gesture to select a second sequence of one or more keys, and determines that characters associated with the second sequence of keys are included in a first candidate word based at least in part on the set of candidate strings, or are included in a second candidate word not based on the first sequence of keys. The computing device modifies the set of candidate strings based at least in part on the determination and outputs for display at least one of the modified candidate strings. | 03-19-2015 |
20150149947 | CHARACTER DELETION DURING KEYBOARD GESTURE - Techniques are described for character deletion on a computing device that utilizes a gesture-based keyboard. The computing device includes a processor and at least one module operable by the processor to output, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a text editor field. In response to receiving an indication of a gesture that comprises a first path, the module outputs a first character, based at least in part on the first path, associated with a first key and a second character associated with a second key. In response to determining that the gesture further comprises a second path that retraces at least a portion of the first path, the module removes the second character from the text editor field of the presence-sensitive display. | 05-28-2015 |
20150277757 | ALTERNATIVE HYPOTHESIS ERROR CORRECTION FOR GESTURE TYPING - In one example, a method may include outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys, and receiving an indication of a gesture. The method may include determining an alignment score that is based at least in part on a word prefix and an alignment point traversed by the gesture. The method may include determining at least one alternative character that is based at least in part on a misspelling that includes at least a portion of the word prefix. The method may include determining an alternative alignment score based at least in part on the alternative character; and outputting, by the computing device and for display, based at least in part on the alternative alignment score, a candidate word based at least in part on the alternative character. | 10-01-2015 |
20150378983 | INCREMENTAL MULTI-WORD RECOGNITION - In one example, a computing device includes at least one processor that is operatively coupled to a presence-sensitive display and a gesture module operable by the at least one processor. The gesture module may be operable by the at least one processor to output, for display at the presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and receive an indication of a continuous gesture detected at the presence-sensitive display, the continuous gesture to select a group of keys of the plurality of keys. The gesture module may be further operable to determine, in response to receiving the indication of the continuous gesture and based at least in part on the group of keys of the plurality of keys, a candidate phrase comprising a group of candidate words. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140139380 | Shared Antenna Structures for Near-Field Communications and Non-Near-Field Communications Circuitry - Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include conductive housing structures such as a peripheral conductive housing member. The antenna structures may be based on an inverted-F antenna resonating element or other types of antenna resonating element. An electronic device may have near field communications circuitry and non-near-field communications circuitry such as cellular telephone, satellite navigation system, or wireless local area network transceiver circuitry. Antenna structures may be configured to handle signals associated with the non-near-field communications circuitry. The antenna structures may also have portions that form a near field communications loop antenna for handling signals associated with the near field communications circuitry. | 05-22-2014 |
20140266922 | Tunable Antenna With Slot-Based Parasitic Element - Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may form a dual arm inverted-F antenna. The antenna may have a resonating element formed from portions of a peripheral conductive electronic device housing member and may have an antenna ground that is separated from the antenna resonating element by a gap. A short circuit path may bridge the gap. An antenna feed may be coupled across the gap in parallel with the short circuit path. Low band tuning may be provided using an adjustable inductor that bridges the gap. The antenna may have a slot-based parasitic antenna resonating element with a slot formed between portions of the peripheral conductive electronic device housing member and the antenna ground. An adjustable capacitor may bridge the slot to provide high band tuning. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266923 | Antenna System Having Two Antennas and Three Ports - Electronic devices may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may form a dual arm inverted-F antenna and a monopole antenna sharing a common antenna ground. The antenna structures may have three ports. A first antenna port may be coupled to an inverted-F antenna resonating element at a first location and a second antenna port may be coupled to the inverted-F antenna resonating element at a second location. A third antenna port may be coupled to the monopole antenna. Tunable circuitry can be used to tune the antenna structures. An adjustable capacitor may be coupled to the first port to tune the inverted-F antenna. An additional adjustable capacitor may be coupled to the third port to tune the monopole antenna. Transceiver circuitry for supporting wireless local area network communications, satellite navigation system communications, and cellular communications may be coupled to the first, second, and third antenna ports. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266938 | Electronic Device Having Multiport Antenna Structures With Resonating Slot - Electronic devices may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. The antenna structures may include an inverted-F antenna resonating element and an antenna ground that form an inverted-F antenna having first and second antenna ports. The antenna structures may include a slot antenna resonating element. The slot antenna resonating element may serve as a parasitic antenna resonating element for the inverted-F antenna at frequencies in a first communications band and may serve as a slot antenna at frequencies in a second communications band. The slot antenna may be directly fed using a third antenna port. An adjustable capacitor may be coupled to the first port to tune the inverted-F antenna. The inverted-F antenna may also be tuned using an adjustable capacitor bridging the slot antenna resonating element. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266941 | Electronic Device With Hybrid Inverted-F Slot Antenna - An electronic device may be provided with a housing. The housing may have a periphery that is surrounded by peripheral conductive structures such as a segmented peripheral metal member. A segment of the peripheral metal member may be separated from a ground by a slot. An antenna feed may have a positive antenna terminal coupled to the peripheral metal member and a ground terminal coupled to the ground and may feed both an inverted-F antenna structure that is formed from the peripheral metal member and the ground and a slot antenna structure that is formed from the slot. Control circuitry may tune the antenna by controlling adjustable components that are coupled to the peripheral metal member. The adjustable components may include adjustable inductors and adjustable capacitors. | 09-18-2014 |
20140329558 | Electronic Device With Multiple Antenna Feeds and Adjustable Filter and Matching Circuitry - Electronic devices may include antenna structures. The antenna structures may form an antenna having first and second feeds at different locations. A first transceiver may be coupled to the first feed using a first circuit. A second transceiver may be coupled to the second feed using a second circuit. The first and second feeds may be isolated from each other using the first and second circuits. The second circuit may have a notch filter that isolates the second feed from the first feed at operating frequencies associated with the first transceiver. The first circuit may include an adjustable component such as an adjustable capacitor. The adjustable component may be placed in different states depending on the mode of operation of the second transceiver to ensure that the first feed is isolated from the second feed. | 11-06-2014 |
20140333495 | Electronic Device Antenna With Multiple Feeds for Covering Three Communications Bands - Electronic devices may be provided that include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antennas. An antenna may be formed from an antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. The antenna resonating element may have a shorter portion that resonates at higher communications band frequencies and a longer portion that resonates at lower communications band frequencies. An extended portion of the antenna ground may form an inverted-F antenna resonating element portion of the antenna resonating element. The antenna resonating element may be formed from a peripheral conductive electronic device housing structure that is separated from the antenna ground by an opening. A first antenna feed may be coupled between the peripheral conductive electronic device housing structures and the antenna ground across the opening. A second antenna feed may be coupled to the inverted-F antenna resonating element portion of the antenna resonating element. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333496 | Antenna With Tunable High Band Parasitic Element - Electronic devices may be provided that include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry and antennas. An antenna may be formed from an antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. The antenna resonating element may have a shorter portion that resonates at higher communications band frequencies and a longer portion that resonates at lower communications band frequencies. The resonating element may be formed from a peripheral conductive electronic device housing structure that is separated from the antenna ground by an opening. A parasitic monopole antenna resonating element or parasitic loop antenna resonating element may be located in the opening. Antenna tuning in the higher communications band may be implemented using an adjustable inductor in the parasitic element. Antenna tuning in the lower communications band may be implemented using an adjustable inductor that couples the antenna resonating element to the antenna ground. | 11-13-2014 |
20150093987 | Test Systems with Multiple NFC Antennas - A test station may include a test host, testing devices, and a test enclosure. A device under test (DUT) having a near-field communications (NFC) antenna may be placed in the test enclosure during production testing. The testing devices may have test antennas that may convey NFC test signals to the DUT in the test enclosure. Distances between test antennas and the DUT may be monitored by measuring path loss from the test antennas throughout testing. The testing station may also include a test unit and an RF test antenna. The test unit may use the RF test antenna to convey RF test signals to the DUT in the test enclosure. The DUT is marked as a passing DUT if gathered test data is satisfactory for each testing device in the test station and distance measurements between the test antennas and the DUT throughout testing are consistent with calibration measurements. | 04-02-2015 |
20150249292 | Electronic Device With Shared Antenna Structures and Balun - An electronic device may be provided with shared antenna structures that can be used to form both a near-field-communications antenna such as a loop antenna and a non-near-field communications antenna such as an inverted-F antenna. The antenna structures may include conductive structures such as metal traces on printed circuits or other dielectric substrates, internal metal housing structures, or other conductive electronic device housing structures. A main resonating element arm may be separated from an antenna ground by an opening. A non-near-field communications antenna return path and antenna feed path may span the opening. A balun may have first and second electromagnetically coupled inductors. The second inductor may have terminals coupled across differential signal terminals in a near-field communications transceiver. The first inductor may form part of the near-field communications loop antenna. | 09-03-2015 |
20150249485 | Electronic Device With Near-Field Antennas - An electronic device may have multiple near-field communications antennas. Multiplexer circuitry may have a transceiver port that is coupled to a near-field communications transceiver, and multiple antenna ports coupled to respective near-field communications antennas. Non-near-field communications antennas may be used by non-near-field communications circuitry. The electronic device may have a housing with opposing first and second ends and a display. One of the near-field communications antennas and one of the non-near-field communications antenna may be formed from shared antenna structures at the first end. Another of the near-field communications antennas and another of the non-near-field communications antennas may be formed from shared antenna structures at the second end. An additional near field communications antenna may be overlapped by the display. | 09-03-2015 |
20150311960 | Electronic Device With Near-Field Antenna Operating Through Display - An electronic device may have a display. A display cover layer and a transparent inner display member may overlap a display pixel layer. The display pixel layer may have an array of display pixels for displaying images for a user. A touch sensor layer may be interposed between the display pixel layer and the transparent display member. A ferromagnetic shielding layer may be mounted below the display pixel layer. A flexible printed circuit containing coils of metal signal lines that form a near-field communications loop antenna may be interposed between the ferromagnetic shielding layer and the display pixel layer. A non-near-field antenna such as an inverted-F antenna may have a resonating element mounted on an inner surface of the display cover layer. The resonating element may be interposed between the transparent display member and the display cover layer. | 10-29-2015 |
20150341073 | Electronic Device Having Sensors and Antenna Monitor For Controlling Wireless Operation - An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. Control circuitry may be used to adjust the wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include an antenna that is tuned using tunable components. The control circuitry may gather information on the current operating mode of the. electronic device, sensor data from a proximity sensor, accelerometer, microphone, and other sensors, antenna impedance information for the antenna, and information on the use of connectors in the electronic device. Based on this gathered data, the control circuitry can adjust the tunable components to compensate for antenna detuning due to loading from nearby external objects, may adjust transmit power levels, and may make other wireless circuit adjustments. | 11-26-2015 |
20150372656 | Electronic Device With Adjustable Wireless Circuitry - An electronic device may be provided with wireless circuitry. Control circuitry may be used to adjust the wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include antennas that are tuned, adjustable impedance matching circuitry, antenna port selection circuitry, and adjustable transceiver circuitry. Wireless circuit adjustments may be made by ascertaining a current usage scenario for the electronic device based on sensor data, information from cellular base station equipment or other external equipment, signal-to-noise ratio information or other signal information, antenna impedance measurements, and other information about the operation of the electronic device. | 12-24-2015 |
20160056526 | Electronic Device With Peripheral Display Antenna - An electronic device may be provided with electrical components mounted in a housing. The electronic device may include wireless transceiver circuitry and antenna structures. A display may be mounted in the housing. The display may have a transparent layer such as display cover layer. The display cover layer may have an inner surface with a recess. The recess may be a groove that runs along a peripheral edge of the display cover layer. An antenna structure such as an inverted-F antenna resonating element may be formed from a metal trace on a plastic support structure. The metal trace and support structure may be mounted in the groove with adhesive. The housing may be a metal housing that forms an antenna ground. Springs may be used in forming an antenna feed and an antenna return path that couples the antenna resonating element to ground. | 02-25-2016 |
20160064801 | Electronic Device Antenna With Reduced Lossy Mode - An electronic device may be provided with an antenna. The antenna may have an antenna resonating element and an antenna ground. An adjustable inductor may be coupled between the antenna resonating element and the antenna ground. An antenna feed may have a positive feed terminal coupled to the antenna resonating element and a ground antenna feed coupled to the antenna ground. The adjustable inductor may have first and second inductors coupled to respective first and second ports of a switch. The switch may have a third port coupled to the antenna ground. A capacitor may have a first terminal coupled to ground and a second terminal coupled to the first inductor at the first port of the switch. An inductor may be coupled between the antenna resonating element and antenna ground at a location between the adjustable inductor and the antenna feed. | 03-03-2016 |
20160093955 | Electronic Device With Passive Antenna Retuning Circuitry - An electronic device may have wireless circuitry with antennas. An antenna may have an inverted-F antenna resonating element, an antenna ground, and other resonating element structures. A tip of the antenna resonating element and the antenna ground may be separated by a peripheral housing gap filled with plastic. The antenna may be sensitive to capacitance changes induced by the presence of a user's hand overlapping the gap or other portions of the antenna. A hand capacitance sensing electrode may be mounted in the plastic of the gap or elsewhere in the vicinity of the antenna. A transmission line may couple the hand capacitance sensing electrode to the antenna to retune the antenna in the event that the user's hand overlaps the antenna. | 03-31-2016 |