MOBILE TERMINAL AND AN ANTENNA FOR A MOBILE TERMINAL

• US 20110165915A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jungha, Kim, Namyong
• Granted Patent: US 8,260,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2266 disposed inside the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/38 formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support patch antennas H01Q9/0407; microstrip dipole antennas H01Q9/065; microstrip slot antennas H01Q13/106; transmission line microstrip antennas H01Q13/206; manufacturing reflecting surfaces using insulating material for supporting the reflecting surface H01Q15/142
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 for a display module assembly

Abstract

A mobile terminal includes a body having a display unit for displaying at least visual information or a user input unit for inputting a control command on one surface of the display unit. The mobile terminal also includes an antenna pattern positioned near the display unit or the user input unit. The antenna pattern transmits or receives a wireless signal. The display unit or the user input unit is configured to transmit light therethrough from one surface of the body to an opposite surface of the body. The antenna pattern is formed at an end or side surface of the body that is transverse to the surface on which the display unit or user input unit is positioned and is positioned away from the display unit or the user input unit.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a body having a front surface, a rear surface positioned opposite the front surface, a first end surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface at a first end of the body and transverse to the front surface and the rear surface, and a first side surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface at a first side of the body, wherein the first side surface is transverse to the front surface and the rear surface and extends from the first end surface;

a first display unit positioned on the front surface of the body proximate the first end surface of the body and configured for displaying visual information; and

an antenna positioned proximate the first display unit and configured for at least transmitting or receiving a wireless signal,

wherein the first display unit is a light transmissive display unit, and

wherein the antenna is positioned proximate either the first end surface or the first side surface and away from the first display unit.

2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the antenna comprises:

a first layer including conductors; and

a second layer plated on the first layer and configured for at least transmitting or receiving the wireless signal,

wherein the second layer is formed of a conductive material.

3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the first layer is printed on the first end surface of the body and formed in a pattern with ink that contains the conductors.

4. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the first layer further includes a binder resin configured for adhering the conductors to at least an inner surface or an outer surface of the first end surface of the body.

5. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the antenna further comprises a third layer configured for protecting the second layer and plated on the second layer.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the first display unit comprises:

a window mounted to the front surface of the body; and

a transparent display formed of a transmissive material and configured to display the visual information,

wherein the transparent display is covered by the window.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the body includes a transmissive region and a non-transmissive region, the mobile terminal further comprising:

a second display unit positioned on the front surface of the body at the non-transmissive region,

wherein the first display unit is positioned at the transmissive region.

8. The mobile terminal of claim 7, further comprising a circuit board positioned at the non-transmissive region and configured for processing the wireless signal,

wherein the circuit board is electrically coupled to the antenna.

9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the first display unit is configured as a user input unit and the visual information is user input information, the first display unit comprising:

a case formed of a transmissive material and forming an appearance of the body; and

a touch sensor covering a surface of the case and configured for receiving a touch input.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, further comprising a circuit board electrically coupled to the touch sensor and configured for processing the wireless signal.

11. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the touch sensor is positioned between the circuit board and the antenna.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the antenna is positioned at the first end surface of the body.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, further comprising:

a circuit board configured for processing the wireless signal; and

an antenna feeding portion positioned at the first side surface of the body and configured for electrically coupling the antenna to the circuit board.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the antenna comprises:

a plate positioned at the first end surface of the body, the plate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;

a first antenna pattern formed on the first surface of the plate; and

a second antenna pattern formed on the second surface of the plate.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein:

the first antenna pattern and the second antenna pattern are electrically coupled to each other via a connection path formed at an edge surface of the plate positioned between the first surface of the plate and the second surface of the plate.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the body comprises:

a case formed of a transmissive material; and

a cover mounted to the case and configured for forming an appearance of the body.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the cover comprises a first cover member and a second cover member positioned transverse to each other, the mobile terminal further comprising:

a circuit board configured for processing the wireless signal; and

an antenna feeding portion positioned on the second cover member of the cover and configured for electrically coupling the antenna to the circuit board,

wherein the first cover member is configured for covering the antenna.

18. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a body having a front surface, a rear surface positioned opposite the front surface, a first end surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface at a first end of the body, and a first side surface positioned between the front surface and the rear surface at a first side of the body and extending from the first end surface;

a display unit positioned on the front surface of the body proximate the first end surface of the body and configured for displaying visual information;

an antenna positioned on the first end surface of the body; and

a circuit board electrically coupled to the antenna and configured for processing a wireless signal,

wherein the circuit board is covered by the front surface of the body,

wherein the antenna includes a first layer formed on the first end surface of the body and a second layer plated on the first layer,

wherein the first layer of the antenna contains conductors, and

wherein the second layer is formed of a conductive material and configured for at least transmitting or receiving the wireless signal.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 18, further comprising a light transmission unit positioned adjacent to the antenna and configured for allowing light to pass from the front surface of the body to the rear surface of the body.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 19, wherein:

the body comprises a first body portion and a second body portion coupled to each other and configured to move relative to each other between a closed configuration and an open configuration; and

the light transmission unit is formed on one of the first body portion or the second body portion and is configured to be covered by the other of the first body portion or the second body portion when the mobile terminal is in the closed configuration.

21. The mobile terminal of claim 18, wherein the display unit is configured as a user input unit and the visual information is user input information, the display unit comprising:

a case formed of a transmissive material and forming an appearance of the body; and

a touch sensor covering a surface of the case and configured for receiving a touch input.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein the touch sensor is electrically coupled to the circuit board.