PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10177447-B2
Application Number: US-201715710474-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Radio frequency transparent patterns for conductive coating

Abstract:
Methods and devices useful in radio frequency (RF) signal transmission are provided. By way of example, a wireless electronic device may include a transceiver, and an enclosure in which the transceiver is disposed. The enclosure may include an RF transparent layer and an RF opaque coating disposed on the RF transparent layer, where the RF opaque coating includes a pattern formed therein to enable RF signals to pass therethrough.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wireless electronic device, comprising:
 a transceiver; 
 a substantially glass outer enclosure in which the transceiver is disposed, wherein the substantially glass outer enclosure comprises a radio frequency (RF) transparent layer; and 
 an RF opaque coating disposed between the transceiver and the RF transparent layer of the substantially glass outer enclosure, wherein the RF opaque coating comprises a pattern formed therein to enable RF signals to pass therethrough. 
 
     
     
       2. The wireless electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern is disposed in a region of the RF opaque coating proximate to, or aligned with, the transceiver. 
     
     
       3. The wireless electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the pattern is disposed only in the region of the RF opaque coating proximate to, or aligned with, the transceiver. 
     
     
       4. The wireless electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the RF opaque coating comprises a metal coating. 
     
     
       5. The wireless electronic device of  claim 4 , comprising a gap ratio between 2 percent and 5 percent. 
     
     
       6. The wireless electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the pattern comprises hexagonal shapes, square shapes, equilateral triangular shapes, round shapes, or non-uniform shapes. 
     
     
       7. The wireless electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the metal coating acts as a heat shield between internal componentry of the wireless electronic device and the substantially glass outer enclosure. 
     
     
       8. The wireless electronic device of  claim 1 , comprising an additional RF transparent layer, wherein the RF opaque coating is disposed between the RF transparent layer and the additional RF transparent layer. 
     
     
       9. The wireless electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless electronic device comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
       10. The wireless electronic device of  claim 1 , comprising a display, wherein the transceiver is disposed between the display and the substantially glass outer enclosure. 
     
     
       11. The wireless electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the RF opaque coating is disposed on an inner surface of the substantially glass outer enclosure. 
     
     
       12. A method of enabling radio frequency (RF) signal transmission to and from an electronic device, comprising:
 forming a glass case; 
 coating an inner surface of the glass case with a metal coating; and 
 etching a pattern into an area of the metal coating to enable an RF signal to transmit therethrough. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , comprising locating the area of the metal coating proximate to, or aligned with, a transceiver of the electronic device. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , comprising etching between 2% and 5% of the surface area of the metal coating. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , wherein etching the pattern into the area comprises etching hexagonal shapes, square shapes, equilateral triangular shapes, round shapes, or non-uniform shapes into the area. 
     
     
       16. A housing for an electronic device, the housing comprising:
 an outer casing formed primarily of glass; 
 a metal layer disposed on an inner surface of the outer casing; and 
 a pattern formed in the metal layer to remove a portion of the metal layer to enable an radio frequency (RF) signal to transmit from the electronic device, or to the electronic device, through the pattern and the outer casing. 
 
     
     
       17. The housing of  claim 16 , wherein the pattern comprises hexagonal shapes, square shapes, equilateral triangular shapes, round shapes, or non-uniform shapes, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       18. The housing of  claim 16 , wherein the metal layer comprises a first region having the pattern formed into the metal layer, and a second region not having the pattern formed into the metal layer. 
     
     
       19. The housing of  claim 16 , comprising a gap ratio of at least 2%. 
     
     
       20. The housing of  claim 16 , comprising a gap ratio of at least 5%. 
     
     
       21. The housing of  claim 16 , wherein the outer casing comprises a thickness between 4.5 and 5.5 millimeters. 
     
     
       22. The housing of  claim 16 , comprising an inner RF transparent layer disposed on the metal layer. 
     
     
       23. The housing of  claim 16 , wherein the metal layer is configured to act as a heat shield between internal componentry of the electronic device and the outer casing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Non-Provisional Application claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/399,134, entitled “RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSPARENT PATTERNS FOR CONDUCTIVE COATING,” filed Sep. 23, 2016, which is herein incorporated in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to coatings of cellular and wireless devices, and more particularly, to metal coatings having radio frequency transparent features. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Transmitters and receivers, or when coupled together as part of a single unit, transceivers, are commonly included in various electronic devices, and particularly, portable electronic devices such as, for example, phones (e.g., mobile and cellular phones, cordless phones, personal assistance devices), computers (e.g., laptops, tablet computers), internet connectivity routers (e.g., Wi-Fi routers or modems), radios, televisions, or any of various other stationary or handheld devices. Certain types of transceivers, known as wireless transceivers, may be used to generate and receive wireless signals to be transmitted and/or received by way of an antenna coupled to the transceiver. Specifically, the wireless transceiver is generally used to wirelessly communicate data over a network channel or other medium (e.g., air) to and from one or more external wireless devices. 
     Transceivers such as those described above may be disposed within (e.g., internal to) a wireless device. Unfortunately, other components or features of the wireless device may interfere with signals communicated to and from the transceiver. As such, it may be useful to provide more advanced and improved devices to support signal transmission to and from the transceiver. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     Various embodiments of the present disclosure may be useful in enabling radio frequency (RF) signal transmission through, for example, an RF opaque coating of a wireless device. By way of example, a wireless electronic device may include a transceiver, and an enclosure in which the transceiver is disposed. The enclosure may include an RF transparent layer and an RF opaque coating disposed on the RF transparent layer, where the RF opaque coating includes a pattern formed therein to enable RF signals to pass therethrough. 
     Various refinements of the features noted above may exist in relation to various aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure alone or in any combination. The brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of embodiments of the present disclosure without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device including an electronic display, in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a notebook computer representing an embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a hand-held device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of another hand-held device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a desktop computer representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view and side view of a wearable electronic device representing another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional, partially exploded side view of another embodiment of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency (RF) signal refracting through, and reflecting across, an interface between a glass layer and a metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of an RF signal refracting through, and reflecting across, an interface between a glass layer and a metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram of total internal reflection of an RF signal at an interface between a glass layer and a metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic illustration of a perspective view of a glass layer and metal coating the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a hexagonal pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a square pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a triangular pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a round pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes another round pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a mixed octagonal and square pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a curved-line pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic illustration of a top view of a metal coating disposed on a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a non-uniform pattern formed into the metal coating; 
         FIG. 19  is an illustration of data relating to transmission of an RF signal through a glass layer of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 20  is an illustration of data relating to transmission of an RF signal through a glass layer and metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 21  is an illustration of data relating to transmission of an RF signal through a glass layer and metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a hexagonal pattern; 
         FIG. 22  is an illustration of data relating to transmission of an RF signal having various frequencies through a glass layer and metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes a hexagonal pattern; 
         FIG. 23  is an illustration of data relating to transmission of an RF signal through a glass layer and metal coating of the electronic device of  FIG. 1 , where the metal coating includes variously shaped patterns; 
         FIG. 24  is an illustration of data relating to calculations of a gap length along shapes of a pattern formed in the metal coating, a gap width along the shapes, and a gap ratio defined in the description below; and 
         FIG. 25  is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of enabling RF signal transmission to and from the electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. These described embodiments are only examples of the presently disclosed techniques. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a layered structure of, for example, a housing of an electronic device. The electronic device may include an RF transparent layer (e.g., dielectric layer such as a glass layer or plastic layer) of the housing, and a RF opaque layer or coating (e.g., conductive coating, metal coating) disposed on a surface of the RF transparent layer. The layered structure (e.g., of the housing) may enable desirable aesthetic features of the electronic device. It should be noted that the following discussion, for clarity, may refer to an electronic device having a glass layer and a metal coating disposed on the glass layer. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed concepts can be implemented in comparable scenarios involving any RF transparent layer (e.g., any dielectric layer such as a glass layer or plastic layer) having an RF opaque layer or coating (e.g., conductive coating, metal coating) disposed thereon. Further, it should be appreciated that the disclosed concepts can be implemented on other devices and structures through which RF signal transmission is desired, such as buildings, motor vehicles, cycles, vessels and the like. 
     In certain areas or regions of the metal coating, a portion of the glass layer may be exposed through the metal coating of the layered structure. For example, material from the metal coating may be removed (e.g., etched, stripped, or otherwise removed) to form gaps along the metal coating, where the gaps may form a pattern. Additionally or alternatively, the metal material may be coated onto the glass layer to include the gaps forming the pattern. While the material of the metal coating may block or degrade transmission of an RF signal, the gaps forming the pattern along the metal coating may be transparent to the RF signal. Further, the gaps and/or the pattern along the metal coating may be indiscernible to the human eye. Accordingly, the gaps in the metal coating may enable the RF signal to pass therethrough (e.g., to an RF transceiver), without degrading the aesthetic features enabled by the layered structure. These and other features will be described in detail below with reference to the figures. 
     With the foregoing in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices that may employ an electronic display will be provided below. Turning first to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, among other things, one or more processor(s)  12 , memory  14 , nonvolatile storage  16 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , an input/output (I/O) interface  24 , network interfaces  26 , a transceiver  28 , and a power source  29 . The various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including circuitry), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in electronic device  10 . 
     By way of example, the electronic device  10  may represent a block diagram of the notebook computer depicted in  FIG. 2 , the handheld device depicted in  FIG. 3 , the handheld device depicted in  FIG. 4 , the desktop computer depicted in  FIG. 5 , the wearable electronic device depicted in  FIG. 6 , or similar devices. It should be noted that the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be generally referred to herein as “data processing circuitry.” Such data processing circuitry may be embodied wholly or in part as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the data processing circuitry may be a single contained processing module or may be incorporated wholly or partially within any of the other elements within the electronic device  10 . 
     In the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , the processor(s)  12  and/or other data processing circuitry may be operably coupled with the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  to perform various algorithms. Such programs or instructions executed by the processor(s)  12  may be stored in any suitable article of manufacture that includes one or more tangible, computer-readable media at least collectively storing the instructions or routines, such as the memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16 . The memory  14  and the nonvolatile storage  16  may include any suitable articles of manufacture for storing data and executable instructions, such as random-access memory, read-only memory, rewritable flash memory, hard drives, and optical discs. Also, programs (e.g., an operating system) encoded on such a computer program product may also include instructions that may be executed by the processor(s)  12  to enable the electronic device  10  to provide various functionalities. 
     In certain embodiments, the display  18  may be an active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display, which may allow users to view images generated on the electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the display  18  may include a touch screen, which may allow users to interact with a user interface of the electronic device  10 . Furthermore, it should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the display  18  may include one or more organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, or some combination of LCD panels and OLED panels. 
     The input structures  22  of the electronic device  10  may enable a user to interact with the electronic device  10  (e.g., pressing a button to increase or decrease a volume level). The I/O interface  24  may enable electronic device  10  to interface with various other electronic devices, as may the network interfaces  26 . The network interfaces  26  may include, for example, interfaces for a personal area network (PAN), such as a Bluetooth network, for a local area network (LAN) or wireless local area network (WLAN), such as an 802.11x Wi-Fi network, and/or for a wide area network (WAN), such as a 3rd generation (3G) cellular network, 4th generation (4G) cellular network, long term evolution (LTE) cellular network, or long term evolution license assisted access (LTE-LAA) cellular network. The network interface  26  may also include interfaces for, for example, broadband fixed wireless access networks (WiMAX), mobile broadband Wireless networks (mobile WiMAX), asynchronous digital subscriber lines (e.g., ADSL, VDSL), digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) and its extension DVB Handheld (DVB-H), ultra Wideband (UWB), alternating current (AC) power lines, and so forth. 
     In certain embodiments, to allow the electronic device  10  to communicate over the aforementioned wireless networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMAX, mobile WiMAX, 4G, LTE, and so forth), the electronic device  10  may include a transceiver  28 . The transceiver  28  may include any circuitry that may be useful in both wirelessly receiving and wirelessly transmitting signals (e.g., data signals). Indeed, in some embodiments, as will be further appreciated, the transceiver  28  may include a transmitter and a receiver combined into a single unit, or, in other embodiments, the transceiver  28  may include a transmitter separate from the receiver. For example, the transceiver  28  may transmit and receive OFDM signals (e.g., OFDM data symbols) to support data communication in wireless applications such as, for example, PAN networks (e.g., Bluetooth), WLAN networks (e.g., 802.11x Wi-Fi), WAN networks (e.g., 3G, 4G, and LTE and LTE-LAA cellular networks), WiMAX networks, mobile WiMAX networks, ADSL and VDSL networks, DVB-T and DVB-H networks, UWB networks, and so forth. As further illustrated, the electronic device  10  may include a power source  29 . The power source  29  may include any suitable source of power, such as a rechargeable lithium polymer (Li-poly) battery and/or an alternating current (AC) power converter. 
     In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  may take the form of a computer, a portable electronic device, a wearable electronic device, or other type of electronic device. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  in the form of a computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. By way of example, the electronic device  10 , taking the form of a notebook computer  10 A, is illustrated in  FIG. 2  in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The depicted computer  10 A may include a housing or enclosure  36 , a display  18 , input structures  22 , and ports of an I/O interface  24 . In one embodiment, the input structures  22  (such as a keyboard and/or touchpad) may be used to interact with the computer  10 A, such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications running on computer  10 A. For example, a keyboard and/or touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on display  18 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a front view of a handheld device  10 B, which represents one embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  10 B may represent, for example, a portable phone, a media player, a personal data organizer, a handheld game platform, or any combination of such devices. By way of example, the handheld device  10 B may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. The handheld device  10 B may include an enclosure  36  to protect interior components from physical damage and to shield them from electromagnetic interference. The enclosure  36  may surround the display  18 . The I/O interfaces  24  may open through the enclosure  36  and may include, for example, an I/O port for a hard wired connection for charging and/or content manipulation using a standard connector and protocol, such as the Lightning connector provided by Apple Inc., a universal service bus (USB), or other similar connector and protocol. As mentioned above, all or part of the enclosure  36  may be made of glass and all or a part of the glass may be coated with a patterned metal as described herein. 
     User input structures  22 , in combination with the display  18 , may allow a user to control the handheld device  10 B. For example, the input structures  22  may activate or deactivate the handheld device  10 B, navigate user interface to a home screen, a user-configurable application screen, and/or activate a voice-recognition feature of the handheld device  10 B. Other input structures  22  may provide volume control, or may toggle between vibrate and ring modes. The input structures  22  may also include a microphone may obtain a user&#39;s voice for various voice-related features, and a speaker may enable audio playback and/or certain phone capabilities. The input structures  22  may also include a headphone input may provide a connection to external speakers and/or headphones. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a front view of another handheld device  10 C, which represents another embodiment of the electronic device  10 . The handheld device  10 C may represent, for example, a tablet computer, or one of various portable computing devices. By way of example, the handheld device  10 C may be a tablet-sized embodiment of the electronic device  10 , which may be, for example, a model of an iPad® available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     Turning to  FIG. 5 , a computer  10 D may represent another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 . The computer  10 D may be any computer, such as a desktop computer, a server, or a notebook computer, but may also be a standalone media player or video gaming machine. By way of example, the computer  10 D may be an iMac®, a MacBook®, or other similar device by Apple Inc. It should be noted that the computer  10 D may also represent a personal computer (PC) by another manufacturer. A similar enclosure  36  may be provided to protect and enclose internal components of the computer  10 D such as the display  18 . In certain embodiments, a user of the computer  10 D may interact with the computer  10 D using various peripheral input devices, such as the keyboard  22 A or mouse  22 B (e.g., input structures  22 ), which may connect to the computer  10 D. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 6  depicts a wearable electronic device  10 E representing another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  that may be configured to operate using the techniques described herein. By way of example, the wearable electronic device  10 E, which may include a wristband  43 , may be an Apple Watch® by Apple, Inc. However, in other embodiments, the wearable electronic device  10 E may include any wearable electronic device such as, for example, a wearable exercise monitoring device (e.g., pedometer, accelerometer, heart rate monitor), or other device by another manufacturer. The display  18  of the wearable electronic device  10 E may include a touch screen display  18  (e.g., LCD, OLED display, active-matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display, and so forth), as well as input structures  22 , which may allow users to interact with a user interface of the wearable electronic device  10 E. 
     Turning to  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional, partially exploded side view of an electronic device  10 F, representing another embodiment of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , is shown. The illustrated electronic device  10 F may be any one of the notebook computer  10 A of  FIG. 2 , the handheld device  10 B of  FIG. 3 , the handheld device  10 C of  FIG. 4 , the computer  10 D of  FIG. 5 , the wearable device  10 E of  FIG. 6 , or any other suitable electronic device. As shown, the electronic device  10 F may include internal componentry  30  having one or more components of the electronic device  10 F. For example, the internal componentry  30  may include the transceiver  28 , an antenna  44 , and other circuitry or components of the electronic device  10 F. The electronic device  10 F may also include the enclosure  36  (e.g., a three-sided enclosure) at least partially surrounding the internal componentry  30 , where the enclosure  36  includes, for example, a glass layer  32 . It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the glass layer  32  may be separate from the enclosure  36 . For example, the glass layer  32  may be a case disposed around the enclosure  36 . Further, it should be noted that, as shown, the enclosure  36  may include, or be coupled to, the display  18  of the electronic device  10 F. 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, the glass layer  32  may include an inner surface  34  having a coating  35  disposed (e.g., coated) thereon, where the coating  35  may be considered a part of the enclosure  36  of the electronic device  10 F. In some embodiments, the coating  35  may additionally or alternatively be disposed on an outer surface  37  of the glass layer  32  opposite to the inner surface  34  of the glass layer or laminated between multiple layers of glass. Further, in some embodiments, the inner surface  34  may include one or more coatings of one or more different materials. For example, the illustrated coating  35  may be, or include, a metal. The combination of the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35  may enable desirable aesthetic features of the electronic device  10 F. Further, the metal coating  35  may act as a heat resistant layer between an internal area  38  (e.g., inside) of the electronic device  10 F and the glass layer  32  of the electronic device  10 F or an environment  40  external to the electronic device  10 F. Heat resistant performance of the metal coating  35  may depend at least in part on a thickness of the metal coating  35 . 
     As previously described, the electronic device  10 F may include the transceiver  28  configured to send and/or receive communications via a radio frequency (“RF”) signal. In some embodiments, depending on several factors including the type of material used for the coating  35  (e.g., metal), the thickness of the coating  35 , and the angle of incidence of the RF signal, the metal coating  35  may cause total reflection (e.g., total internal reflection) of the RF signal. In other words, the metal material of the metal coating  35  may block the RF signal from reaching the transceiver  28  (or from being transmitted by the transceiver  28  beyond the metal coating  35 ). However, in accordance with present embodiments, the metal coating  35  may include gaps in the material of the metal coating  35 , such that the glass layer  32  is exposed through the gaps. In some embodiments, the gaps may form a pattern. For example, the gaps may be etched into the metal coating  35  to remove portions of the material (e.g., metal) that cause reflection of (e.g., blocking of) the RF signal being sent to or from the transceiver  28 , and the gaps may form a hexagonal pattern. Alternatively, the metal coating  35  may be initially disposed on the glass layer  32  with the gaps in the metal coating  35  forming the pattern. The gaps in the metal coating  35 , which form the pattern as described above, can be selected in size and shape to allow RF signals to be transmitted into and out of the device  10 F. In accordance with the description below with reference to later figures, the patterns formed in the coating  35  may be limited to a particular region  42  or area of the coating  35 , and the region  42  may be selected based on its proximity to a position of the transceiver  28  and/or the antenna  44  thereof within the electronic device  10 F. 
     For clarity,  FIGS. 8-10  illustrate an RF signal meeting an interface  50  between two materials. The following discussion with respect to  FIGS. 8-10  relates to an angle of incidence of the RF signal, and how the angle of incidence impacts RF signal transmission. However, as will be appreciated below with reference to later figures, other factors may also impact RF signal transmission, including but limited to the characteristics of the pattern along the metal coating  35 , the thickness of the metal coating  35  and/or glass layer  32 , the type of metal used for the metal coating  35 , and the type of glass used for the glass layer  32 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the interface  50  may be between the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35  of the electronic device  10 F of  FIG. 7 . However, the interface  50  in accordance with the present disclosure may be between the glass layer  32  and air (e.g., of the environment illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), or between the metal coating  35  and the air (e.g., in embodiments having the metal coating  35  disposed on the outer surface  37  of the device  10 F in  FIG. 7 ). As shown in each of  FIGS. 8-10 , the RF signal includes an incident ray  52  traveling through the glass layer  32  at an incidence angle  54  with respect to a normal  56  of the interface  50 . Further, in each of  FIGS. 8-10 , at least a portion of the RF signal, referred to as a reflected ray  58 , reflects from the interface  50  at a reflection angle  60  with respect to the normal  56  of the interface  50 . In some embodiments (e.g., depending on the type and/or frequency of the RF signal), the incidence angle  54  may be equal or close to equal to the reflection angle  60 . Further still, in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , at least a portion of the RF signal, referred to as a refracted ray  62 , refracts across the interface  50  at a refraction angle  64  with respect to the normal  56  of the interface  50 . In the illustrated embodiments, as the angle of incidence  54  increases, so too does the angle of refraction  64 . In  FIG. 10 , the angle of incidence  54  is such that no portion of the RF signal refracts through the interface  50 , which may be referred to as total internal reflection. The smallest incidence angle  54  at which no portion of the RF signal refracts through the interface may be referred to as the critical angle. As previously described, other factors such as a thickness of the metal coating  35  and/or glass layer  32  may determine whether the RF signal transmits through the metal coating  35 . 
     In general, several factors may determine the critical angle. For example, factors that may determine the critical angle may include the type of materials forming the interface  50 , the thickness of the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35 , the frequency of the RF signal, the strength of the RF signal, and other factors. With respect to the electronic device  10 F illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the combination of factors described above may be such that no or very little RF signal passes through the metal coating  35 . Accordingly, as described above with respect to  FIG. 7  and in detail below with reference to later figures, one or more portions  42  of the metal coating  35  may include patterns formed into the metal coating  35  (e.g., to remove the metal material from the metal coating  35 ). In this way, the RF signal may more readily pass through the interface between the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35 , and through the metal coating  35  in general, to reach the transceiver  28  and/or the antenna  44  thereof (or to be sent from the transceiver  28  beyond the metal coating  35  and the glass layer  32 ). 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a schematic illustration of a perspective view of the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35  of the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  is shown, where the metal coating  35  includes a hexagonal pattern formed into the metal coating  35 . In the illustrated embodiment, the glass layer  32  includes a thickness  80  (e.g., height), and the metal coating  35  includes a thickness  82  (e.g., height). The thickness  80  of the glass layer  32  may be, for example, between 6 millimeters and 1 millimeter, between 5.5 millimeters and 2 millimeters, between 5 millimeters and 3 millimeters, or approximate 4.8 millimeters. The thickness  82  of the metal coating  35  may be, for example, between 100 nanometers and 10 nanometers, between 75 nanometers and 25 nanometers, or approximate 50 nanometers. As previously described, the thicknesses  80 ,  82  of the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35  may play a role in the amount of RF signal that is able to pass therethrough. However, in general, the metal coating  35  may block the RF signal more substantially than the glass layer  32 , and in some embodiments, the metal coating  35 , absent patterns formed therein by the gaps in the metal coating  35 , may block the RF signal entirely. Limiting the thickness  82  of the metal coating  35  may enable the formation (e.g., etching) of the patterns thereon, which may not otherwise be possible and/or as effective if the metal coating  35  is too thick. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the pattern is a hexagonal pattern including several hexagons  84  formed into the metal coating  35 . The hexagons  84  are separated by gaps  83 , where the gaps  83  show the exposed portions of the glass layer  32 . In other words, the illustrated hexagons  84  include the metal material of the metal coating  35 , and the illustrated gaps  83  between the hexagons  84  show the exposed glass material of the glass layer  32  beneath the metal coating  35 . The pattern may be defined at least in part by two characteristics: a gap length  86  of each segment of the gaps  83 , and a width  88  of each segment of the gaps  83 . It should be noted that sizes of the hexagons  84  may be dependent on the gap length  86  and/or width  88  of each segment of the gaps  83 . 
     A “gap ratio” of the surface area of the gaps  83  with respect to a surface area of the patterned portion of the metal coating  35  may be calculated, in the illustrated embodiment, by dividing a surface area of the gaps  83  by a combined surface area of the gaps  83  and the metal material of the metal coating  35  (e.g., the hexagons  84 ). Put differently, a gap ratio of 0.0 (i.e., 0%) corresponds with an area of the metal coating  35  in which none of the glass layer  32  is exposed, while a gap ratio of 1.0 (i.e., 100%) corresponds with an area along the metal coating  35  having only exposed glass. In certain embodiments, the gap ratio may be between 0.1 and 10 percent, between 0.5 and 5 percent, or between 1 and 3 percent. In the illustrated embodiment, the total area (e.g., of the combination of the gaps  83  and the metal material forming the hexagons  84 ) is equal to a length  85  of the total area multiplied by a width  87  of the total area. The surface area of the gaps  83  is equal to the gap length  86  of each of the gaps  83 , multiplied by the gap width  88  of each of the gaps  83 , multiplied by the total number of segments of the gaps  83  (adjusting for overlap of the gaps  83 ). As previously described, the gap ratio set forth above may generally be a factor of the amount of RF signal that passes through the metal coating  35 . 
     In accordance with present embodiments, other shapes may be included in the pattern of the metal coating  35 . For example,  FIG. 12  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the metal coating  35 , where the metal coating  35  includes a square pattern formed therein. The square pattern includes several squares  100 . Further,  FIG. 13  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the metal coating  35 , where the metal coating  35  includes a triangular pattern formed therein and the triangular pattern includes several equilateral triangles  102 . As previously described, the gap ratio for  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13  may be determined by dividing the surface area of the gaps  83  by the total surface area of the combined gaps  83  and shapes  100 ,  102  (e.g., length  85  multiplied by width  87 ). The gap ratio, as previously described, may determine, at least in part, how much of the RF signal passes through the metal coating  35 . 
     Although the embodiments in  FIGS. 11-13  illustrate patterns (e.g., etched patterns) having equilateral shapes (e.g., hexagons  84 , squares  100 , equilateral triangles  102 ), other shapes and patterns are also possible. For example,  FIGS. 14 and 15  are schematic illustrations of top views of the metal coating  35 , where the metal coating  35  includes round or circular pattern (e.g., circles  104  with diameters  89 ), for example, etched or otherwise disposed therein. To determine the gap ratio, as previously described, a surface area of the gaps  83  of the round or circular pattern is divided by the total surface area of the combined gaps  83  and metal of the metal coating  35  (e.g., the length  85  multiplied by the width  87 ). 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the metal coating  35 , where the metal coating  35  includes a combination square-octagon pattern, for example, etched or otherwise disposed therein. Further,  FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the metal coating  35 , where the metal coating  35  includes curvilinear lines, for example, etched or otherwise disposed therein. Further still,  FIG. 18  is a schematic illustration of a top view of the metal coating  35 , where the metal coating  35  includes a non-uniform pattern, for example, etched or otherwise disposed therein. In  FIGS. 16-18 , as previously described, the gap ratio may be determined by dividing the surface area of the gaps  83  in the metal coating  35  by the surface area of, for example, the total surface area of the combined gaps  83  plus metal of the metal coating  35  (e.g., the length  85  multiplied by the width  87 ). It should be noted that other shapes are also possible, including rectangles, ovals, pentagons, etc. Indeed, the shape of the pattern, as well as the size of each feature and the gap width, may also influence the transmissivity of the RF signal. 
     It should also be noted that, while larger gap ratios may generally enable better transmission of the RF signal, larger gap ratios may also reduce certain benefits of the metal coating  35 . For example, larger gap ratios may reduce the heat-resistant, reduction, or reflection capabilities of the metal coating  35 . Further, larger gap ratios may reduce an aesthetic quality of the combination of the glass layer  32  and the metal coating  35 , especially if the patterns can be detected by the human eye. However, it should also be noted that the types of shapes that form the etched pattern, as well as the size of the shapes, may play a role in the RF signal transmission at least partially independent from the gap ratio. For example,  FIGS. 19-25  illustrate simulated data regarding how the factors set forth above impact the RF signal transmission. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates graphs of transmission and reflection of RF signals up to 70 Ghz with respect to glass, which is generally a material relatively transparent to RF signals. As can be seen, from angles of incidence ranging from θ=0o to θ=75o, the RF signal is depleted only to a maximum of about −3 decibels at θ=0o and to a maximum of −12 decibels for θ=75o. Similarly, very little of the RF signal is reflected at θ=0o, with only about a −3 decibel decay of the RF signal based on reflection for θ=75o. 
     However, if the glass is covered with even a very thin solid metal coating, little of the RF signal passes through. As illustrated in  FIG. 20 , it can be seen that for θ=0o, the RF signal has been reduced in power by over 25 decibels, while for θ=75o, the RF signal has been reduced in power by approximately 45 decibels. Similarly, regardless of the angle of incidence, virtually all of the RF signal is reflected by the metal coating. 
     If patterns are formed in the metal coating, however, as discussed above, a substantial amount of the RF signal is able to pass through the glass and patterned metal coating. As illustrated in  FIG. 21 , for an hexagonal pattern having a gap ratio of 2% in the first example and 5% in the second example and having gap widths of 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm, and 0.05 mm, a substantial amount of the RF signal is transmitted through the glass and metal coating. This is especially true at lower frequencies and at more direct angles of incidence, such as θ=0 and θ=30, as well as for the higher gap ratio of 5%. 
     The feature size and the gap width can also affect the amount of RF signal that is able to pass therethrough. As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , for various RF signal frequencies, it can be seen that smaller etching ratios having smaller gap widths actually allow more of the RF signal to pass through as compared to higher gap ratios with larger gap widths. In other words, if the feature size is small with small gap widths between the features, the gap ratio will remain low while allowing more of the RF signal to pass therethrough as opposed to having fewer larger features with larger gap widths therebetween. 
     Furthermore, the shape of the pattern may also effect the amount of RF signal that is able to pass through the glass with a patterned metal coating. As illustrated in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the glass having a hexagonal metal pattern permits slightly better RF signal transmission as compared to the square pattern, and the square pattern permits slightly better RF signal transmission than the triangular pattern. In certain embodiments, a combination of the above-described patterns, or a non-uniform pattern, can be used to achieve different RF transmission qualities as well as aesthetic or heat reduction/reflection qualities. 
       FIG. 25  includes a process flow diagram illustrating a method  250  of enabling RF signal transmission to and from the electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated embodiment, the method  250  includes determining (block  251 ) a shape size, shape type, gap size, and/or gap width of a pattern for a metal coating. For example, as previously described, the gaps forming the pattern may be included to expose a portion of a glass layer on which the metal coating is disposed. Each of the shape size, shape type, gap size, and gap width may play a role in an amount of RF signal that transmits to and from a transceiver of the electronic device. 
     While the present disclosure has been described and illustrated as implemented in an electronic device, it should be appreciated that the disclosed concepts can be implemented in comparable scenarios involving RF transmission through glass having a metal or other RF opaque coating (e.g., conductive coating) deposited thereon. Examples include buildings and other structures with glass windows, skylights, or other glass openings, all types of motor vehicles, cycles, vessels and the like, or any other structure, device, or apparatus having a glass covered opening through which RF transmission is desired. 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170920
Publication Date: 20190108
Grant Date: 20190108
Priority Date: 20160923
Inventors: JIANG, YI
WU, JIANGFENG
YONG, Siwen
ZHANG, LIJUN
PASCOLINI, MATTIA
MELCHER, MARTIN
WILSON, JAMES
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "C03C17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/245", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q21/0006", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/72", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C2217/25", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3833", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C2218/33", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q15/0013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1698", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/245", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0202", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C2218/33", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C2217/25", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1698", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C2218/33", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C2217/25", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "C03C17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0283", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04B1/3833", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q21/0006", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q15/0013", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/181", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61685753