JP2002026620A - Antenna system and wireless communication unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an antenna system and a wireless communication unit that can conduct wireless communications with a simple operation. SOLUTION: The wireless communication unit 10 is provided with an antenna element 12 that is telescopically held in a case 11, can be contained in the inside of the case 11 and freely extended to the outside of the case 11; and a drive means 24 that extends the antenna element 12 in response to an extension instruction signal supplied from an insertion and fitting object 16 and houses the antenna element 12 in response to a housing instruction signal supplied from the insertion and fitting object 16.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an antenna device and a radio communication device, and is suitably applied to, for example, a radio communication PC card.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a notebook personal computer) of a notebook personal computer (Personal Computer) has been used.
al Computer) There is a wireless communication PC card used by inserting it into a card slot.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 8, in this wireless communication PC card 50, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer) is used.
r A card board 51 provided with a transmitting / receiving circuit for wireless communication is accommodated in a flat rectangular card case 51 conforming to the standard of the Memory Card International Association). A connector 53 having a plurality of signal pins electrically connected to a circuit board 52 is provided. At the other end of the card case 51, a manually retractable rod antenna 54 is provided.

The PC card 50 for wireless communication
When inserted into a PC card slot provided in a notebook computer (not shown), the transmission data supplied from the notebook computer is taken into a circuit board via a connector 53, and the transmission data is transmitted to the circuit board. After performing a predetermined transmission process on the wireless communication PC card 10 via the rod antenna 54.

The wireless communication PC card 50 captures received data transmitted from another wireless communication PC card 50 into a circuit board via a rod antenna 54, and performs predetermined reception processing on the received data. After that, it is sent to the notebook computer 16 via the connector 53.

Accordingly, the wireless communication PC card 50 is
The wireless communication can be performed with another wireless communication PC card 50.

Here, in the wireless communication PC card 50, the rod antenna 54 is used during the wireless communication.
By standing up and separating from the card case 51, the electrical effect of the card case 51 on the rod antenna 54 can be reduced, and the rod antenna 54 can be tilted down along the card case 51 when wireless communication is not performed. The projecting amount of the rod antenna 54 from the card case 51 is reduced, so that the portability of the wireless communication PC card 50 can be improved.

[0008]

However, in such a PC card for wireless communication, it is necessary to manually raise the rod antenna prior to the start of wireless communication, and thus there is a problem that the operation is complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to propose an antenna device and a wireless communication device capable of performing wireless communication with a simple operation.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided an antenna device for use in a wireless communication device which is used by being inserted into a predetermined insertion target.
An antenna element that is reciprocally held by a housing of the antenna device, is housed inside the housing, and is provided so as to be extendable outside the housing, and an antenna according to an expansion instruction signal supplied from an insertion target. Driving means for extending the element and accommodating the antenna element in response to a storage instruction signal supplied from the insertion target is provided.

The drive means extends and retracts the antenna element in accordance with the extension instruction signal and the accommodation instruction signal supplied from the object to be inserted, eliminating the need to manually extend and retract the antenna element. The operation can be simplified and the wireless communication can be reliably performed without forgetting to extend the antenna element.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a wireless communication PC card according to a first embodiment, and a card case 1 having a flat rectangular shape.
1, a rod antenna 12 and a circuit board (not shown) are housed, and one end face 11AX of the card case 11 in the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) is provided with a plurality of electrically connected circuit boards. A connector (not shown) having the signal pins is provided.

The wireless communication PC card 10 has a main body 14 provided with various operation keys 13 and a display unit 15 attached to the main body 14 so as to be freely opened and closed. P provided on 14A
It is inserted into the C card slot 17 and thus can be detachably attached to the notebook computer 16 to be inserted.

After the wireless communication PC card 10 is inserted into the notebook personal computer 16, the notebook personal computer 1
When a predetermined initialization signal is given from the connector 6 via the connector, the built-in rod antenna 12 is extended in the longitudinal direction of the card case 11 in response to the signal, and furthermore, a predetermined transmission signal is transmitted to the transmission data given from the notebook personal computer 16. After performing the processing, another wireless communication P via the rod antenna 12 is performed.
Send to C card 10.

The wireless communication PC card 10 receives the received data transmitted from the other wireless communication PC card 10 via the rod antenna 12, performs a predetermined receiving process on the received data, and then connects the received data to the connector PC. To the notebook personal computer 16 via.

Thus, the wireless communication PC card 10 is
Data can be transmitted / received to / from another wireless communication PC card 10.

Next, the internal configuration of the wireless communication PC card 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the wireless communication PC card 10, a motor 24 as a driving means is provided at a predetermined position inside the card case 11. A worm 25 is fitted on the output shaft of the motor 24,
A worm wheel 26 meshing with the worm 25 is rotatably supported by the card case 11.

Further, a rack 22 made of an insulating synthetic resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is fitted in the card case 11 within a predetermined range in the longitudinal direction of the wireless communication PC card 10 while meshing with the worm wheel 26. It is slidably supported.

The card case 1 in the rack 22
A rod antenna 12 as an antenna element is connected to an end of the front side (in the direction of arrow Y shown in FIG. 2) of 1. The rod antenna 12 is formed of a metal material in a round bar shape, and its electric length is selected to be, for example, １ ／ wavelength of the wireless communication frequency used in the wireless communication PC card 10.

The tip of the rod antenna 12 is inserted through an antenna hole 21 formed in the front side surface 11A of the card case 11. In the rod antenna 12, when the rack 22 moves to the movement limit on the front side of the card case 11, almost the entire length thereof is exposed to the outside of the card case 11, and the rack 22 moves to the movement limit on the rear side of the card case 11. The physical length is selected such that the tip thereof is flush with the front side surface 11A of the card case 11 when moved.

The motor 24 rotates under the control of an antenna control unit (described later) provided on the circuit board 20, and the driving force is transmitted to the worm 25 and the worm wheel 2.
6, the rod antenna 12 is reciprocated by transmitting the signal to the rack 22.
Is extended outside the card case 11 and housed inside.

Also, at the rear end of the rod antenna 12,
A feeder 12A having an outer diameter one step larger than that of the rod antenna 12 is formed, and an antenna hole 21A is formed.
Power supply contact 2 made of a metal material in a cylindrical shape
3 are provided.

The power supply contact 23 is electrically connected to a transmission / reception unit (described later) provided on the circuit board 20 via a power supply line (not shown). In the power supply contact 23, the inner diameter is selected to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the power supply portion 12A, and the power supply contact 22 and the power supply portion 12A fit and come into contact with each other in the extended state of the rod antenna 12, and
Thus, the rod antenna 12 and the transmission / reception unit are electrically connected via the power supply contact 23.

At a predetermined position inside the card case 11, a stored state detecting sensor 27 for detecting that the rod antenna 12 is in a retracted state, and an extended state for detecting that the rod antenna 12 is in an extended state. A detection sensor 28 is provided.

Actually, the storage state detection sensor 27 is disposed near the rear end 22A of the rack 22 in the storage state of the rod antenna 12 (that is, the rearmost state of the rack 22). When the contact 27A of the storage state detection sensor 27 comes into contact with the portion 22A, it is detected that the rod antenna 12 is in the storage state. Similarly, the extension state detection sensor 28 is provided near the rear end 22A of the rack 22 in the extension state of the rod antenna 12 (that is, the most forward state of the rack 22), and the rack 22 advances and the rear end 22A extends. By separating from the contact 28A of the state detection sensor 28, it is detected that the rod antenna 12 is in the extended state.

Thus, in the wireless communication PC card 10, the rod antenna 12, the rack 22, the power supply contact 2
3, motor 24, worm 25, worm wheel 2
6. Storage state detection sensor 27 and extension state detection sensor 2
8 forms an antenna device 29. A connector 30 is provided on a rear side surface of the card case 11.

Next, the operation of extending and storing the rod antenna 12 in the wireless communication PC card 10 will be described.

In practice, when the wireless communication PC card 10 is inserted into the notebook personal computer 16 (FIG. 1) and used, the PC card 10 for wireless communication is operated under the operating system.
Is installed in the notebook computer 16 in advance.

Then, when the start of wireless communication is notified from the wireless communication program running on the notebook personal computer 16, the CPU of the notebook personal computer 16 initializes the wireless communication PC card 10 according to the driver program. Transmit the activation signal.

As shown in FIG. 3A, a wireless communication PC
A rod antenna 12 is mounted on a circuit board 20 of the card 10.
Transmission / reception unit 31 for transmitting / receiving data via antenna, antenna control unit 3 for controlling extension and storage of rod antenna 12
2, and an antenna position detection unit 33 that detects the stored state and the extended state of the rod antenna 12 and notifies the antenna control unit 32 of the state. In the wireless communication PC card 10, the rod antenna 12 is housed inside the card case 11 at the time of non-communication.

When the transmission / reception unit 31 receives an initialization signal from the notebook personal computer 16 via the connector 30, the transmission / reception unit 31 initializes each unit of the wireless communication PC card 10 and instructs the rod antenna 12 to extend. The antenna extension signal is supplied to the antenna control unit 32.

The antenna control unit 32 controls the rotation of the motor 24 in a predetermined positive direction in response to the antenna extension signal, and transmits the driving force of the motor 24 to the rack 22 via the worm 25 and the worm wheel 26. The rod antenna 12 is moved forward together with the rack 22.

At this time, the antenna position detection unit 33 monitors the extension state detection sensor 28, and when it detects that the rack 22 has moved to the most forward position through the extension state detection sensor 28, the rod position is accordingly determined. An extension position signal indicating that the antenna 12 is at the extension position is supplied to the antenna control unit 32.

The antenna control section 32 stops the rotation of the motor 24 in response to the extension position signal, and supplies an extension completion signal indicating that the extension of the rod antenna 12 has been completed to the transmission / reception section 31. In this state, the feeding portion 12A of the rod antenna 12 is fitted to the feeding contact 23,
Thus, the transmitting / receiving unit 31 and the rod antenna 12 are electrically connected (FIG. 3B).

When the transmission / reception unit 31 receives the decompression completion signal, the transmission / reception unit 31 transmits an initialization completion signal indicating that the preparation for wireless communication has been completed to the notebook personal computer 16 in response to the signal.

According to the driver program, the CPU of the notebook personal computer 16 notifies the wireless communication program that the wireless communication PC card 10 is ready for wireless communication in response to receiving the initialization completion signal. The CPU starts supplying a transmission signal to the wireless communication PC card 10 according to the wireless communication program.

Transmission / reception section 31 of wireless communication PC card 10
Modulates a transmission signal input via the connector 30 and transmits the modulated signal via the rod antenna 12, and demodulates a received signal received via the rod antenna and supplies the demodulated signal to the notebook personal computer 16. 10 performs wireless communication with another wireless communication PC card 10.

When the notebook personal computer 16 is notified of the end of the wireless communication from the wireless communication program, the CPU of the notebook personal computer 16 transmits a communication end signal to the wireless communication PC card 10 according to the driver program.

Transmission / reception unit 31 of wireless communication PC card 10
Receives a communication end signal from the notebook computer 16 via the connector 30, stops the modulation of the transmission signal and the demodulation of the reception signal in response to the signal, and sets the rod antenna 1
The antenna control unit 32 supplies an antenna storage signal instructing storage of the second antenna.

The antenna control unit 32 controls the rotation of the motor 24 in a predetermined reverse direction in response to the antenna storage signal, and transmits the driving force of the motor 24 to the rack 22 via the worm 25 and the worm wheel 26. The rod antenna 12 is moved backward together with the rack 22.

At this time, the antenna position detection unit 33 monitors the storage state detection sensor 27, and when it detects that the rack 22 has moved to the last retreat position via the storage state detection sensor 27, the rod position is accordingly determined. A storage position signal indicating that the antenna 12 is at the storage position is supplied to the antenna control unit 32.

Then, the antenna control unit 32 stops the rotation of the motor 24 in response to the storage position signal, and thus the storage of the rod antenna 12 is completed.

In the above configuration, the wireless communication PC
In the card 10, a motor 24 for reciprocatingly driving the rod antenna 12 together with the rack 22 is provided inside the card case 11.
Was provided.

When the PC card 10 for wireless communication receives an initialization signal from the notebook personal computer 16 prior to the start of wireless communication, the antenna control unit 32 rotates the motor 24 in the forward direction in response to the initialization signal. To extend the rod antenna 12 to the outside of the card case 11, and electrically connect the rod antenna 12 to the transmission / reception unit 31 via the power supply unit 12 </ b> A and the power supply contact 23, and perform other wireless communication via the rod antenna 12. Communication PC card 1
Wireless communication is performed between the communication device and the device.

Further, in the wireless communication PC card 10, when the communication end signal is received from the notebook personal computer 16, the antenna control section 32 rotates the motor 24 in the reverse direction in response to the signal, thereby causing the rod antenna 12 to rotate the card case. 11 inside.

According to the above configuration, the notebook personal computer 16
Rod antenna 12 according to the initialization signal transmitted from
Is extended and the rod antenna 12 is housed in response to the communication end signal. This eliminates the need to extend and house the rod antenna 12 manually, thereby avoiding forgetting to extend the rod antenna 12 and ensuring wireless communication. Communication can be performed.

Further, by storing the rod antenna 12 inside the card case 11 when the wireless communication PC card 10 is not communicating, the wireless communication PC card 10 can be carried alone.
The overall shape can be reduced in size, and the rod antenna 12 can be protected by the card case 11 to prevent the rod antenna 12 from being damaged.

(2) Second Embodiment In FIG. 4 in which the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, 40 denotes a wireless communication PC card according to the second embodiment, and a rod antenna 41. The configuration is the same as that of the wireless communication PC card 10 according to the first embodiment, except that the antenna guide 42 is provided in the card case 11 and the card case 11. Since the notebook computer 16 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

The wireless communication PC card 40 extends the built-in rod antenna 41 in the upper direction (Z direction shown in FIG. 4) via the antenna guide 42 in response to the initialization signal transmitted from the notebook personal computer 16. Data is transmitted and received to and from another wireless communication PC card 40 via the rod antenna 41.

That is, in FIG. 5 in which the same reference numerals are assigned to the same parts as in FIG. 2, a front end of the rack 22 is provided via a feeder 43 formed of a conductive material such as brass in a short column shape. For example, a rod antenna 41 made of a wire of a superelastic alloy such as a nickel titanium alloy is connected. Incidentally, the superelastic alloy has such a property that even if it is greatly deformed by receiving an external force, when the external force is removed, the deformation is recovered and returns to the original shape.

The rod antenna 41 is covered with a flexible insulator (not shown) such as a vinyl chloride resin, and the tip of the rod antenna 41 is attached to the card case 1.
1 is inserted through an antenna hole 45 formed in the front side surface portion 11A.

The front side surface 11A of the card case 11
Is provided with an antenna guide 42. In the antenna guide 42, one end of a substantially L-shaped antenna guide hole 42A penetrating therethrough matches the antenna hole 45, and the other end of the antenna guide hole 42A faces the upper surface of the card case 11 ( (Z direction).

On the back side of the antenna hole 45, there is provided a power supply contact 44 formed by forming a metal material into a cylindrical shape.

The power supply contact 44 is electrically connected to a transmission / reception unit provided on the circuit board 20 via a power supply line (not shown). Further, the inner diameter of the feeder contact 44 is selected to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the feeder 43, and the feeder contact 44 and the feeder 43 come into contact with each other in the extended state of the rod antenna 41. Thus, the rod antenna 41 and the transmission / reception unit are electrically connected.

The rod antenna 41 has an electrical length of one of the wireless communication frequencies used in the wireless communication PC card 40.
In the state where 波長 wavelength is selected and the rack 22 is at the rearmost position as shown in FIG.
The tip is the inner surface 42B of the bent portion of the antenna guide hole 42A.
The physical length is selected so as to touch the.

Thus, in the wireless communication PC card 40, the rod antenna 41, the rack 22, the power supply contact 4
4, motor 24, worm 25, worm wheel 2
6. Storage state detection sensor 27, extension state detection sensor 28
The antenna device 46 is configured by the antenna guide 42.

When receiving the initialization signal from the notebook computer 16, the wireless communication PC card 40
2 and the rod antenna 41 is driven forward, thereby extending the rod antenna 41 in the direction of the upper surface of the wireless communication PC card 40 while contacting and bending the inner surface 42B of the bent portion as shown in FIG. .

When receiving the communication end signal from the notebook personal computer 16, the wireless communication PC card 40
At the same time, the rod antenna 41 is driven backward, whereby the rod antenna 41 is stored in the card case 11 again as shown in FIG. At this time, since the rod antenna 41 is formed of a superelastic alloy, the rod antenna 41 recovers from the bending due to the contact with the inner surface 42B of the bent portion and returns to the original linear shape.

Incidentally, since the antenna guide 42 slides with the rod antenna 41 every time the rod antenna 41 is extended and stored, it is necessary to use a material having high wear resistance.
Further, since the motor 24 drives the rod antenna 41 against the frictional force between the antenna guide 42 and the rod antenna 41, it is necessary to select a motor having a larger driving force as compared with the first embodiment.

In the above configuration, the wireless communication PC
In the card 40, a rod made of a superelastic alloy is used as the rod antenna 41, and one end of the antenna guide hole 42A matches the antenna hole 45, and
The other end of the antenna guide hole 42A faces the upper surface direction of the wireless communication PC card 16 so that the antenna guide 42
Was provided.

In the wireless communication PC card 40, when the initialization signal is received from the notebook computer 16 prior to the start of the wireless communication, the antenna control unit 31 rotates the motor 24 in the forward direction in response to the initialization signal. As a result, the rod antenna 41 advances while being bent by the antenna guide 42 and extends in the upper surface direction.

Here, the directivity of the rod antenna 41 is non-directional on a plane perpendicular to the rod antenna 41, and the rod antenna 41 is connected to the PC card 4 for wireless communication.
When the main body 14 of the notebook personal computer 16 on which the wireless communication PC card 40 is inserted is placed horizontally, the rod antenna 41 becomes omnidirectional in a horizontal plane.

According to the above configuration, the rod antenna 41
By using a wire made of a super-elastic alloy in a linear shape and extending the rod antenna 41 while bending it in the direction of the upper surface of the wireless communication PC card 40, the directivity of the rod antenna 41 can be reduced to a non-directional horizontal plane. Thus, wireless communication can be reliably performed regardless of the installation direction of the notebook computer 16.

(3) Other Embodiments In the above-described first embodiment, the rod antenna 12 is formed of a conductive metal rod, and the rod antenna 12 is attached to the long side of the PC card 10 for wireless communication. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 7, a joint 47A is provided on a rod antenna 47 made of a conductive metal rod, and an arbitrary part is provided around the joint 47A. The rod antenna 47 may be extended in the direction.

Thus, the rod antenna 47 can be extended in any direction according to the direction of arrival of the radio wave and the plane of polarization.

Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the rod antenna 41 is formed of a wire made of a superelastic alloy. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an elastic wire such as a phosphor bronze wire may be used. The rod antenna 41 is made of a material such as a wound spring that can be bent in a desired direction by the antenna guide 42 and can easily be restored to a linear state.
May be formed.

In the above-described second embodiment, the rod antenna 41 is extended in the direction of the upper surface of the wireless communication PC card 40 by the antenna guide 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the antenna guide 42 can be rotated in any direction about the hole 45, the rod antenna 41 can be extended in any direction on a plane parallel to the front side surface 11A of the card case 11.

In the first and second embodiments, the rod antenna 12 (41) is connected to the transmission / reception circuit via the power supply contact 23 (44). The present invention is not limited to this, and the receiving circuit and the rod antenna 12 (41) may be connected via a flexible conductive wire.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the rod antenna is extended outside the card case 11 and housed inside. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the helical antenna and the Various antenna elements such as a loop antenna may be extended and housed.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the rod antenna 12 is changed in accordance with the end of the communication.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rod antenna 12 may be used in response to the end of the operation of the notebook computer 16 (power off) or the removal of the wireless communication PC card 10 from the notebook computer 16. (41) may be stored.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the rod antenna 12 (41) is expanded according to the initialization signal transmitted prior to the start of communication, and is expanded according to the end of communication. Although the rod antenna 12 (41) is housed, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rod antenna 12 (41) may be extended and housed according to a user operation.

By doing so, the rod antenna 12 (41) can be extended even when wireless communication is not being performed, thereby enabling communication from the other wireless communication PC card 10 (40). Standby can be performed.

In this case, the wireless communication PC card 10 (4
By using the driver program of 0) to display an antenna operation window for inputting an instruction to extend and retract the rod antenna on the display unit 15 of the notebook computer 16, it is possible to provide the notebook computer 16 with a special operation input means. Instead, the rod antenna 12 (41) can be extended and housed in accordance with the operation of the user.

Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the extended and retracted state of the rod antenna 12 (41) is detected by the retracted state detection sensor 27 and the extended state detection sensor 28. The present invention is not limited to this. The rod antenna 12 (4) is monitored by monitoring the current consumption of the motor 24 and detecting an increase in the current consumption when the rack 22 moves to the movement limit and the motor 24 stops.
The extension and storage states of 1) may be detected.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the motor 24 controls the rod antenna 12
Although (41) is extended and housed, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rod antenna 12 (41) may be extended and housed by various driving means such as a solenoid.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the rod antenna 12 is
Although (41) is extended and stored, the present invention is not limited to this, and the rod antenna 12 (41) may be stored by pushing the rod antenna 12 (41) by hand.

In this case, the motor 24, the worm 25, and the worm wheel 26 are integrally urged toward the rack 22 by urging means such as a spring, and also in response to an external force applied to the rod antenna 12 (41). The worm wheel 26 and the rack 22 against the urging by the urging means.
What is necessary is just to make the tooth | gear disengage between.

As a result, for example, the notebook computer 16 hangs up (stops functioning) and the rod antenna 12 (4
Even if 1) remains extended, the rod antenna 12 (41) can be stored manually.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the wireless communication PC card 10 performs wireless communication with another wireless communication PC card. Not limited to this, wireless communication may be performed with various communication targets.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, the driving means expands and retracts the antenna element in accordance with the extension instruction signal and the storage instruction signal supplied from the object to be inserted. This eliminates the need to extend and store the antenna element, thereby simplifying the operation and avoiding forgetting to extend the antenna element, thereby enabling reliable wireless communication.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an overall configuration of a wireless communication PC card according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal configuration of the wireless communication PC card according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the wireless communication PC card according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an overall configuration of a wireless communication PC card according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an internal configuration of a wireless communication PC card according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an extended state of a rod antenna.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a rod antenna according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a conventional wireless communication PC card.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 40, 50 ... PC card for wireless communication, 11, 5
1 Card case, 12, 41, 46, 54 Rod antenna, 20, 52 Circuit board, 22 Rack, 23, 44 Feeding contact, 24 Motor, 25
... Worm, 26 worm wheel, 27, storage state detection sensor, 28, extension state detection sensor, 30
... A connector, 31 a transmitting / receiving section, 32 an antenna control section, 33 an antenna position detecting section, 42 an antenna guide.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An antenna device used in a wireless communication device which is used by being inserted into a predetermined insertion target, wherein the antenna device is reciprocally held by a housing of the antenna device, housed in the housing, and An antenna device comprising: an antenna element provided to be extendable outside of a housing; and a driving unit for extending the antenna element in response to an extension instruction signal supplied from the insertion target. 2. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein said driving means stores said antenna element in response to a storage instruction signal supplied from said insertion target. 3. The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna element is made of an elastic material, and the antenna element includes bending means for bending and extending the antenna element in a direction different from a driving direction of the driving means. The antenna device according to claim 1. 4. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna element has a joint capable of directing a tip of the antenna element in an arbitrary direction. 5. A wireless communication device to be used by being inserted into a predetermined insertion target, wherein the wireless communication device is reciprocally held by a housing of the wireless communication device, housed inside the housing and outside the housing. An antenna element that is provided to be freely extendable, a driving unit that extends the antenna element in response to an extension instruction signal supplied from the insertion target, and a communication unit that is connected to the antenna element and communicates via the antenna element. And a communication circuit for performing the communication. 6. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said driving means stores said antenna element in response to a storage instruction signal supplied from said insertion target. 7. The antenna device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna element is made of a material having elasticity, and the antenna element includes bending means for bending and extending the antenna element in a direction different from a pushing direction by the pushing means. The wireless communication device according to claim 5. 8. The radio communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the antenna element has a joint capable of directing a tip of the antenna element in an arbitrary direction.