Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communications devices, and, more particularly,
to mobile wireless communications devices and related methods.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Cellular communications systems continue to grow in popularity and have become an
integral part of both personal and business communications. Cellular telephones allow
users to place and receive voice calls most anywhere they travel. Moreover, as cellular
telephone technology has increased, so too has the functionality of cellular devices
and the different types of devices available to users. For example, many cellular
devices now incorporate personal digital assistant (PDA) features such as calendars,
address books, task lists, etc. Moreover, such multi-function devices may also allow
users to wirelessly send and receive electronic mail (email) messages and access the
Internet via a cellular network and/or a wireless local area network (WLAN), for example.
[0003] Even so, as the functionality of cellular communications devices continues to increase,
so too does the demand for smaller devices which are easier and more convenient for
users to carry. One challenge this poses for cellular device manufacturers is designing
antennas that provide desired operating characteristics within the relatively limited
amount of space available for the antenna.
[0004] One exemplary cellular antenna structure is disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 6,897,817 to Jo et al. The antenna includes a conductive top plate formed in the shape of a spiral. In one
embodiment a sidewall meanderline extends from an edge of the top plate in the direction
of a ground plane. A shorting meanderline connects the top plate and the ground plane.
A first region of the top plate overlies the ground plane. A second region of the
top plate extends beyond the ground plane. Tuning is provided by adjusting the length
and other dimensions of the meanderlines.
[0005] For internal antennas such as the one described above which are carried within the
housing of a cellular device, it is typically difficult for such devices to comply
with applicable specific absorption rate (SAR) and hearing aid compatibility (HAC)
requirements due in part to the relatively close proximity of the antenna to the user's
ear. As such, further improvements may be desirable to help achieve desired SAR and/or
HAC requirements.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile wireless communications device in accordance
with the invention next to a user wearing an electronic hearing aid.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the PCB and director element of the mobile wireless
communications device of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a schematic rear view of the PCB and director element of the mobile wireless
communications device of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is schematic side view of the PCB, director element, and housing of the mobile
wireless communications device of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of an alternative embodiment of the PCB, director
element, and housing of the mobile wireless communications device of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of the PCB and director
elements of the mobile wireless communications device of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIGS. 7 through 9 are two-dimensional beam pattern diagrams for a mobile wireless
communications device antenna at three respective operating frequencies without an
associated director element and with an associated director element in accordance
with the invention.
[0013] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of the mobile wireless communications device
of FIG. 1 illustrating additional exemplary components thereof.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0014] The present description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments are shown. However, many different embodiments may be used,
and thus the description should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set
forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will
be thorough and complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime
and multiple prime notation are used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.
[0015] Generally speaking, a mobile wireless communications device is disclosed herein which
may include a portable housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable
housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the PCB, and an antenna connected to the
transceiver and carried by the PCB. The mobile wireless communications device may
further include at least one director element for directing a beam pattern of the
antenna. More particularly, the at least one director element may include an electrically
conductive main branch carried by the portable housing, and an electrically conductive
connector portion extending between the main branch and the PCB. The director element(s)
may advantageously be used to direct the beam pattern of the antenna to reduce interference
with a hearing aid of a user, for example, to advantageously improve hearing aid compatibility
of the mobile wireless communications device, for example.
[0016] The PCB may include a top portion and a bottom portion, and the antenna may be carried
by the bottom portion of the PCB. Moreover, the PCB may have a generally rectangular
shape with opposing sides and opposing ends, and the electrically conductive main
branch may extend parallel with a side of the PCB. The at least one director element
may also be a pair thereof, with a respective electrically conductive main branch
of each director element extending parallel to a respective side of the PCB. Furthermore,
the electrically conductive main branch may extend parallel with the rear surface
of the PCB.
[0017] The electrically conductive main branch may be carried within the portable housing
or externally of the portable housing. In addition, the PCB may include an antenna
feed area connected to the antenna, and the electrically conductive connector portion
may contact the PCB adjacent the antenna feed area. Also, the antenna may have an
operating wavelength, and the electrically conductive main branch may have a length
of about ¼ to ½ of the operating wavelength, for example. The electrically conductive
main branch may be an electrically conductive bar, for example. Moreover, the electrically
conductive connector portion may extend transversely from a medial portion of the
electrically conductive main branch. Additionally, the wireless transceiver may be
a cellular transceiver, for example.
[0018] A method aspect is for improving hearing aid compatibility (HAC) of a mobile wireless
communications device, such as the one discussed briefly above, for a user with an
electronic hearing aid. The method may include positioning at least one director element
for directing a beam pattern of the antenna to reduce interference with the hearing
aid. The at least one director element may include an electrically conductive main
branch carried by the portable housing, and an electrically conductive connector portion
extending between the main branch and the PCB.
[0019] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 4, a mobile wireless communications device,
such as a cellular telephone
20, is for a user
21 wearing an electronic hearing aid
22 in an ear
23 of the user. The cellular telephone
20 illustratively includes a portable housing
24 and an audio output transducer
28 (e.g., a speaker) carried by the housing and accessible to the electronic hearing
aid
22 of the user
21 adjacent the top of the housing as shown. An audio input transducer (i.e., microphone)
is also carried by the housing
24 and accessible to a mouth
31 of the user
21 adjacent the bottom of the housing. Although described herein with reference to a
cellular device, it should be noted that the present disclosure may be applicable
to other wireless communications devices such as wireless LAN devices, etc.
[0020] Furthermore, an antenna
35 is illustratively positioned adjacent the bottom of the housing
24 so that the electronic hearing aid
22 of the user
21 is advantageously separated from the antenna when the cellular telephone
20 is held adjacent the user's ear
23. Because of the increased separation thus achieved between the antenna
35 and the electronic hearing aid
22, the cellular telephone
20 advantageously reduces undesired coupling from the antenna to the electronic hearing
aid without the need for special shielding arrangements. As a result, this configuration
is beneficial from a hearing aid compatibility (HAC) standpoint. Moreover, this also
helps reduce SAR, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0021] The cellular telephone
20 further illustratively includes a printed circuit board (PCB)
37 carried by the housing
24, and the antenna
35 and a wireless (e.g., cellular) transceiver
38 are carried by the PCB. Of course, these components may be carried on the back surface
or in positions other than those shown in other embodiments.
[0022] The PCB
37 illustratively includes an antenna feed area
40 where the antenna
35 connects to the wireless transceiver
38. The antenna
35 may include a plurality of conductive traces on the PCB
37, for example, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. As noted above,
the positioning of the antenna
35 adjacent a bottom of the housing
24 advantageously reduces coupling to the electronic hearing aid
22 of the user
21, however the antenna may be located elsewhere in different embodiments. The cellular
telephone
20 may further include other components connected to the PCB
37 such as a display, battery, keypad, processing circuitry, etc., as will be discussed
further below.
[0023] The cellular telephone
20 further illustratively includes one or more director elements
30 for directing a beam pattern of the antenna
35. More particularly, the director element
30 illustratively includes an electrically conductive main branch
32 carried by the housing
24, and an electrically conductive connector portion
33 extending between the main branch and the PCB
37. The director element
30 is advantageously used to direct the beam pattern of the antenna
35 to further reduce interference with the electronic hearing aid
22 of the user
21, for example, to advantageously improve hearing aid compatibility of the cellular
telephone
20. That is, by directing the beam pattern of the antenna
35 such that the main lobe gain is directed away from the ear
23, and thus the electronic hearing aid
22, of the user
21, this advantageously reduces the interference with the electronic hearing aid, as
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0024] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the PCB
37 illustratively has a generally rectangular shape with opposing sides
41 a, 41b and opposing ends
42a, 42b, and the electrically conductive main branch
32 extends parallel with a rear surface of the PCB. The electrically conductive connector
portion
33 extends transversely from a medial portion
45 of the electrically conductive main branch
32 and connects the main branch to a ground plane
46 on the back surface of the PCB
37. While the electrically conductive connector portion
33 is shown as a relatively short and straight connector bar in the illustrated example,
the connector portion may take various shapes, such as a sawtooth shape, etc. Moreover,
the electrically conductive connector portion
33 may be a mechanical connector such as a spring connector, etc.
[0025] The electrically conductive main branch
32 is an electrically conductive bar in the illustrated example, although other shapes
may be used in different embodiments. By way of example, the electrically conductive
main branch
32 may include curved or sawtooth meanders, loops, or other features used to affect
the electrical length of the main branch, as will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art. The electrically conductive main branch
32 may have a width of about 5 to 7 mm, for example, although other widths may also
be used depending upon the given implementation.
[0026] The length of the electrically conductive main branch
32 is preferably about ¼ to ½ of the operating wavelength of the antenna
35, for example, to provide desired beam steering for SAR reduction and HAC improvement,
but here again other lengths may also be used. Moreover, positioning the electrically
conductive connector portion
33 to contact the PCB
37 adjacent the antenna feed area
40 may also assist in this regard by providing greater influence over the direction
of beam pattern of the antenna
35.
[0027] By way of comparison, FIGS. 7 through 9 each illustrate a measured two-dimensional
beam pattern
70, 80, 90 for the antenna
35 without an associated director element
30, as well as beam patterns
71, 81, 91 for the antenna with two associated director elements
30, respectively. More particularly, the two director elements
30 were positioned on the back side of the PCB
37 (i.e., similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 but with two spaced apart
director elements instead of a single director element). The beam patterns
70, 71 correspond to an operating frequency of 1850 MHz, the beam patterns
80, 81 correspond to an operating frequency of 1880 MHz, and the beam patterns
90, 91 correspond to an operating frequency of 1910 MHz.
[0028] In the present example, the electrically conductive main branch
32 is carried within the housing
24 on an inside sidewall thereof, as seen in FIG. 4. As such, in this embodiment rather
than a bar the electrically conductive main branch
32 could be implemented by metallizing the sidewall of the housing
24, for example. Moreover, an air gap
47 is shown between the PCB
37 and the electrically conductive main branch
32, but in some embodiments this space may be filled with a solid dielectric, for example.
The electrically conductive main branch
32 may also be partially or completely enclosed within the sidewall of the housing
24.
[0029] Turning now additionally to FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment the electrically
conductive main branch
32' may be carried externally of the portable housing
24', i.e., on an outside surface thereof, as shown. In another alternative embodiment,
a pair of director elements
30a', 30b' are included with respective electrically conductive main branches
32a', 32b' extending parallel to a respective side
41a', 41b' of the PCB
37 (FIG. 6).
[0030] A method aspect is for improving hearing aid compatibility (HAC) of a mobile wireless
communications device
20 for a user with an electronic hearing aid
22. The method may include positioning at least one director element
30 for directing a beam pattern of the antenna
35 to reduce interference with the electronic hearing aid
22. As noted above, the at least one director element
30 may include an electrically conductive main branch
32 carried by the portable housing
24, and an electrically conductive connector portion
33 extending between the main branch and the PCB
37.
[0031] Other exemplary components of a hand-held mobile wireless communications device
1000 are now described in the example below with reference to FIG. 10. The device
1000 illustratively includes a housing
1200, a keypad
1400 and an output device
1600. The output device shown is a display
1600, which is preferably a full graphic LCD. Other types of output devices may alternatively
be utilized. A processing device
1800 is contained within the housing
1200 and is coupled between the keypad
1400 and the display
1600. The processing device
1800 controls the operation of the display
1600, as well as the overall operation of the mobile device
1000, in response to actuation of keys on the keypad
1400 by the user.
[0032] The housing
1200 may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell
housing structures). The keypad may include a mode selection key, or other hardware
or software for switching between text entry and telephony entry.
[0033] In addition to the processing device
1800, other parts of the mobile device
1000 are shown schematically in FIG. 10. These include a communications subsystem
1001; a short-range communications subsystem
1020; the keypad
1400 and the display
1600, along with other input/output devices
1060, 1080, 1100 and
1120; as well as memory devices
1160, 1180 and various other device subsystems
1201. The mobile device
1000 is preferably a two-way RF communications device having voice and data communications
capabilities. In addition, the mobile device
1000 preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the
Internet.
[0034] Operating system software executed by the processing device
1800 is preferably stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory
1160, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory (ROM)
or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications,
or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the random
access memory (RAM)
1180. Communications signals received by the mobile device may also be stored in the RAM
1180.
[0035] The processing device
1800, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications
1300A-1300N on the device
1000. A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as
data and voice communications
1300A and
1300B, may be installed on the device
1000 during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM) application
may be installed during manufacture. The PIM is preferably capable of organizing and
managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and
task items. The PIM application is also preferably capable of sending and receiving
data items via a wireless network
1401. Preferably, the PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated
via the wireless network
1401 with the device user's corresponding data items stored or associated with a host
computer system.
[0036] Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through
the communications subsystem
1001, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem. The communications
subsystem
1001 includes a receiver
1500, a transmitter
1520, and one or more antennas
1540 and
1560. In addition, the communications subsystem
1001 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP)
1580, and local oscillators (LOs)
1601. The specific design and implementation of the communications subsystem
1001 is dependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device
1000 is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device
1000 may include a communications subsystem
1001 designed to operate with the Mobitex™, Data TAC™ or General Packet Radio Service
(GPRS) mobile data communications networks, and also designed to operate with any
of a variety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM,
etc. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also
be utilized with the mobile device
1000.
[0037] Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of communication system.
For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks, mobile devices are registered on
the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each
device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber
or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identity module,
commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS network.
[0038] When required network registration or activation procedures have been completed,
the mobile device
1000 may send and receive communications signals over the communication network
1401. Signals received from the communications network
1401 by the antenna
1540 are routed to the receiver
1500, which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel
selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital
conversion of the received signal allows the DSP
1580 to perform more complex communications functions, such as demodulation and decoding.
In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network
1401 are processed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP
1580 and are then provided to the transmitter
1520 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification
and transmission to the communication network
1401 (or networks) via the antenna
1560.
[0039] In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP
1580 provides for control of the receiver
1500 and the transmitter
1520. For example, gains applied to communications signals in the receiver
1500 and transmitter
1520 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented
in the DSP
1580.
[0040] In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page
download, is processed by the communications subsystem
1001 and is input to the processing device
1800. The received signal is then further processed by the processing device
1800 for an output to the display
1600, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device
1060. A device user may also compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using the keypad
1400 and/or some other auxiliary I/O device
1060, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device.
The composed data items may then be transmitted over the communications network
1401 via the communications subsystem
1001.
[0041] In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device is substantially
similar to the data communications mode, except that received signals are output to
a speaker
1100, and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone
1120. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem,
may also be implemented on the device 1000. In addition, the display
1600 may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example to display the identity
of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.
[0042] The short-range communications subsystem enables communication between the mobile
device
1000 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices.
For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include an infrared device
and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth™ communications module to provide
for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.
[0043] Many modifications and other embodiments will come to the mind of one skilled in
the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions
and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that various modifications
and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:
a portable housing;
a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by said portable housing;
a wireless transceiver carried by said PCB;
an antenna connected to said transceiver and carried by said PCB; and
at least one director element for directing a beam pattern of said antenna and comprising
an electrically conductive main branch carried by said portable housing, and
an electrically conductive connector portion extending between said main branch and
said PCB.
2. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said PCB has a generally
rectangular shape with opposing sides and opposing ends; and wherein said electrically
conductive main branch extends parallel with a side of said PCB.
3. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said PCB comprises a
top portion and a bottom portion; and wherein said antenna is carried by the bottom
portion of said PCB.
4. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said PCB has a generally
rectangular shape with opposing sides and opposing ends; wherein said at least one
director element comprises a pair thereof; and wherein a respective electrically conductive
main branch of each director elements extends parallel to a respective side of said
PCB.
5. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said PCB has a generally
rectangular shape with opposing front and rear surfaces; and wherein said electrically
conductive main branch extends parallel with the rear surface of said PCB.
6. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive
main branch is carried within said portable housing.
7. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive
main branch is carried externally of said portable housing.
8. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said PCB comprises an
antenna feed area connected to said antenna; and wherein said electrically conductive
connector portion contacts said PCB adjacent said antenna feed area.
9. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said antenna has an operating
wavelength; and wherein said electrically conductive main branch has a length of about
¼ to ½ the operating wavelength.
10. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive
main branch comprises an electrically conductive bar.
11. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive
connector portion extends transversely from a medial portion of said electrically
conductive main branch.
12. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 wherein said wireless transceiver
comprises a cellular transceiver.
13. The mobile wireless communications device of Claim 1 further comprising a ground plane
carried by said PCB; and wherein said electrically conductive connector portion extends
between said electrically conductive main branch and said ground plane.
14. A method for improving hearing aid compatibility (HAC) of a mobile wireless communications
device for a user with an electronic hearing aid and comprising a portable housing,
a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing, a wireless transceiver
carried by the PCB, an antenna connected to the transceiver and carried by the PCB,
the method comprising:
positioning at least one director element for directing a beam pattern of the antenna
to reduce interference with the electronic hearing aid, the at least one director
element comprising an electrically conductive main branch carried by the portable
housing and an electrically conductive connector portion extending between the main
branch and the PCB.
15. The method of to Claim 14 wherein the PCB has a generally rectangular shape with opposing
sides and opposing ends; and wherein the electrically conductive main branch extends
parallel with a side of the PCB.
16. The method of Claim 14 wherein the PCB comprises a top portion and a bottom portion;
and wherein the antenna is carried by the bottom portion of the PCB.
17. The method of Claim 14 wherein the PCB has a generally rectangular shape with opposing
front and rear surfaces; and wherein the electrically conductive main branch extends
parallel with the rear surface of the PCB.
18. The method of Claim 14 wherein the PCB comprises an antenna feed area connected to
the antenna; and wherein the electrically conductive connector portion contacts the
PCB adjacent the antenna feed area.
19. The method of Claim 14 wherein the antenna has an operating wavelength; and wherein
the electrically conductive main branch has a length of about ¼ to ½ the operating
wavelength.
20. The method of Claim 14 wherein the electrically conductive connector portion extends
transversely from a medial portion of the electrically conductive main branch.
Amended claims in accordance with Rule 86(2) EPC.
1. A mobile wireless communications device (20) comprising:
a portable housing (24);
a printed circuit board PCB (37) carried by said portable housing having a top portion
(42a) and a bottom portion (42b);
a wireless transceiver (38) carried by said PCB; and
an antenna (35) connected to said transceiver and carried by the bottom portion of
said PCB and within the housing; and
at least one director element (30) for directing a beam pattern of said antenna, said
at least one director element comprising
an electrically conductive main branch (32) carried by said portable housing, and
an electrically conductive connector portion (33) extending between said main branch
and said PCB.
2. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said PCB (37) has
a generally rectangular shape with opposing sides (41a, 41b) and opposing ends (42a,
42b); and wherein said electrically conductive main branch (32) extends parallel with
a side of said PCB.
3. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said PCB (37) has
a generally rectangular shape with opposing sides (41a, 41b) and opposing ends (42a,
42b); wherein said at least one director element (30) comprises a pair thereof; and
wherein a respective electrically conductive main branch (32) of each director elements
extends parallel to a respective side of said PCB (37).
4. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said PCB (37) has
a generally rectangular shape with opposing front and rear surfaces; and wherein said
electrically conductive main branch extends parallel with the rear surface of said
PCB.
5. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said electrically
conductive main branch (32) is carried within said portable housing (24).
6. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said electrically
conductive main branch (32) is carried externally of said portable housing (24).
7. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said PCB (37) comprises
an antenna feed area (40) connected to said antenna (35); and wherein said electrically
conductive connector portion (33) contacts said PCB adjacent said antenna feed area.
8. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said antenna (35)
has an operating wavelength; and wherein said electrically conductive main branch
(32) has a length of about ¼ to ½ the operating wavelength.
9. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said electrically
conductive main branch (32) comprises an electrically conductive bar.
10. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said electrically
conductive connector portion (33) extends transversely from a medial portion of said
electrically conductive main branch (32).
11. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 wherein said wireless transceiver
(38) comprises a cellular transceiver.
12. The mobile wireless communications device (20) of Claim 1 further comprising a ground
plane carried by said PCB (37); and wherein said electrically conductive connector
portion (33) extends between said electrically conductive main branch (32) and said
ground plane.
13. A method for improving hearing aid compatibility (HAC) of a mobile wireless communications
device (20) for a user (21) with an electronic hearing aid (22) and comprising a portable
housing, a printed circuit board PCB (37) carried by the portable housing and having
a top portion (42a) and a bottom portion (42b), a wireless transceiver (38) carried
by the PCB, an antenna (35) connected to the transceiver and carried by the bottom
portion of the PCB and within the housing, the method comprising:
positioning at least one director element (30) for directing a beam pattern of the
antenna to reduce interference with the electronic hearing aid, the at least one director
element comprising an electrically conductive main branch (32) carried by the portable
housing and an electrically conductive connector portion (33) extending between the
main branch and the PCB.
14. The method of to Claim 13 wherein the PCB (37) has a generally rectangular shape
with opposing sides (41a, 41b) and opposing ends (42a, 42b); and wherein the electrically
conductive main branch (32) extends parallel with a side of the PCB.
15. The method of Claim 13 wherein the PCB (37) has a generally rectangular shape with
opposing front and rear surfaces; and wherein the electrically conductive main branch
(32) extends parallel with the rear surface of the PCB.
16. The method of Claim 13 wherein the PCB (37) comprises an antenna feed area (40) connected
to the antenna (35); and wherein the electrically conductive connector portion (33)
contacts the PCB adjacent the antenna feed area.
17. The method of Claim 13 wherein the antenna (35) has an operating wavelength; and
wherein the electrically conductive main branch (32) has a length of about ¼ to ½
the operating wavelength.
18. The method of Claim 13 wherein the electrically conductive connector portion (33)
extends transversely from a medial portion of the electrically conductive main branch
(32).