Display housing for computing device

• US 20050270244A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Lam, Lawrence, Bell, Jory, Stringer, Chris J., Riccomini, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 7,679,893 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

an antenna, said antenna being configured to transmit or receive RF signals; and

a computer housing, said computer housing being configured to enclose said antenna such that said antenna is entirely contained internal to said computer housing and is operable while being internal to said computer housing without having to extend any portion of said antenna outside said computer housing.

2. A computer system as recited in claim 1,

wherein said computer housing includes at least a display housing, said display housing including at least a display screen, and

wherein said antenna is provided internal to said display housing.

3. A computer system as recited in claim 2,

wherein said antenna has first and second antenna poles, and

wherein said display housing has first and second sides, the first antenna pole being placed at the first side and the second antenna pole being placed at the second side.

4. A computer system as recited in claim 3, wherein said display housing includes first and second recesses which respectively receive therein the first and second antenna poles.

5. A computer system as recited in claim 4, wherein the first and second recesses are separated from said display screen by at least a predetermined amount.

6. A computer system as recited in claim 3, wherein the first and second antenna poles are separated from any metal surfaces within said display housing by at least a predetermined amount.

7. A computer system as recited in claim 3, wherein the first and second antenna poles are disposed at an outer peripheral region of said display housing yet internal to said display housing and substantially invisible external to said display housing.

8. A computer system as recited in claim 3, wherein said computer system is a portable computing device.

9. A computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer system is a portable computing device.

10. A computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein antenna comprises:

an antenna cable having first and second conductors;

an outer conductor, said outer conductor being operatively coupled to said second conductor of said antenna cable;

an inner conductor, said inner conductor being operatively coupled to said first conductor of said antenna cable; and

an antenna housing, said antenna housing being disposed around the outer periphery of said outer conductor and said inner conductor, and wherein said antenna housing maintains a fixed separation between said outer conductor and said antenna cable.

11. An antenna device for transmitting and receiving RF for use by a computer, said antenna device comprising:

an antenna cable having first and second conductors;

an outer conductor, said outer conductor being operatively coupled to said second conductor of said antenna cable;

an inner conductor, said inner conductor being operatively coupled to said first conductor of said antenna cable; and

an antenna housing, said antenna housing being disposed around the outer periphery of said outer conductor and said inner conductor, and wherein said antenna housing maintains a fixed separation between said outer conductor and said antenna cable.

12. An antenna device as recited in claim 11, wherein said antenna housing is formed from polycarbonate.

13. An antenna device as recited in claim 11, wherein said outer conductor is formed from copper.

14. An antenna device as recited in claim 11, wherein said antenna cable is a coaxial cable.

15. An antenna device as recited in claim 11, wherein an outer peripheral surface of said antenna housing is surrounded by shrink tubing.

16. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing for enclosing functional components of the portable electronic device; and

an internal antenna disposed entirely inside the housing and configured to transmit or receive RF signals from within the housing.

17. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 wherein the housing is an LCD display housing that encloses an LCD panel.

18. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 wherein the housing is a lid of a portable computer that includes an LCD panel therein.

19. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 the inner surface of the housing being provided with a recess for receiving the antenna.

20. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the antenna is disposed at the outer perimeter edge of the housing around and spaced away from the functional components.

21. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 wherein the housing provides sufficient space at its sides for placement of the antenna away from internally located metal objects.

22. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 wherein the antenna comprises first and second poles connected to an antenna cable, and wherein the housing includes recesses for receiving the first and second poles, and a groove for receiving the antenna cable.

23. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 16 wherein the functional components include a flat panel display that emits light in a forward direction and in a back direction when active;

and wherein the housing includes a back wall having a transparent portion through which a portion of the light emitted by said flat panel display in the back direction is able to pass, thereby illuminating the transparent portion when said flat panel display is active, the antenna being largely unnoticeable to the untrained observer from the exterior of the housing.

24. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 23 wherein the portable electronic device is a portable computer including a base and a lid, and wherein the housing corresponds to the housing of the lid, the portable electronic device further comprising a frame attached to the housing and supporting the flat panel display with dimensional stability, the frame being coupled to the base via a hinge.

25. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 23 further including a foam stiffener provided internal to the housing so as to substantially fill unused space internal to the housing, thereby providing stiffness to the housing.