Three-dimensional geometric space loop antenna

Abstract

An antenna system includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion form an antenna loop. The first portion may be etched on a printed circuit board. The second portion may be coupled with the first portion or extend from the first portion. The first portion and the second portion each may have one or more turns. Further, the second portion of the antenna loop resides in a three-dimensional geometric space that is different from the first portion of the antenna loop. The antenna system is particularly well suited for electronic devices having a confined internal space, for example, a cordless pointing device, a cordless gaming device, or a cordless camera device. A method for designing an antenna system is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A loop antenna system configured within a confined space having an electronics printed circuit board, the loop antenna system comprising an antenna member configured to communicatively coupled with an electronic circuit on the printed circuit board and configured to provide a loop having at least on turn in a geometric space substantially separate from the printed circuit board.  
     
     
         2 . The loop antenna system of  claim 2  wherein the antenna member is configured to partially reside on an outer edge of the printed circuit board.  
     
     
         3 . The loop antenna system of  claim 2  wherein the antenna member on the outer edge of the printed circuit board comprises a trace.  
     
     
         4 . The loop antenna system of  claim 1  wherein a turn of the loop comprises a wire.  
     
     
         5 . The loop antenna system of  claim 1  wherein a turn of the loop is configured to reside on a second printed circuit board.  
     
     
         6 . The loop antenna system of  claim 5  wherein the turn comprises a trace.  
     
     
         7 . The loop antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the antenna member is configured to transmit or receive a radio frequency signal at a frequency substantially less then 100 Mhz.  
     
     
         8 . The loop antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the loop is oriented to lay in a plane substantially parallel to the circuit board.  
     
     
         9 . The loop antenna system of  claim 1  wherein the antenna member is configured to provide a plurality of loops.  
     
     
         10 . An antenna system comprising: 
 a first means for transmitting radio frequency signals configured to form a first portion of a loop antenna having at least one turn; and    a second means for transmitting radio frequency signals configured to form a second portion of the loop antenna in a geometric plane substantially separate from the first means.    
     
     
         11 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the first means comprises a wire.  
     
     
         12 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the first means comprises a trace on a circuit board.  
     
     
         13 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the second means comprises a trace on a second circuit board.  
     
     
         14 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the second means comprises a wire.  
     
     
         15 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the first and second means comprise a wire.  
     
     
         16 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the first and second means comprises a trace on at least one circuit board.  
     
     
         17 . The antenna system of  claim 10  wherein the separate geometric plane is parallel to a plane described by the first portion of the loop antenna.  
     
     
         18 . The antenna system of  claim 10 , wherein the antenna system is configured to transmit or receive a radio frequency signal of less than 100 Mhz.