Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a thin-film antenna device particularly well suited for use with remote vehicle starting systems. The antenna device includes an electrically conducting film printed on an insulating substrate that can be bonded to any suitable supporting surface, such as the windshield of a vehicle. The electrically conductive film is protected by an outer protective coating along its entire surface except at two areas that form contact pads for receiving the terminals of a signal processing unit such as a radio receiver, demodulator, filter and amplifier, among many others. The signal processing unit is mounted to the same surface to which the antenna device is secured by a releasable attachment system such as a hook and loop type fastener. In a typical installation, a patch of hook-type material is adhesively bonded to the supporting surface overlying the antenna device. The patch of hook-type material includes a pair of apertures registering with the contact pads of the antenna device. The signal processing unit includes a printed circuit board to which is bonded a patch of loop-type material. A pair of resilient three-dimensional contact elements project through the loop-type material patch such that when the two patches are mated the contact elements pass through the apertures of the hook-type material patch and engage the contact pads of the antenna device.

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First Claim