PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10788940-B2
Application Number: US-201916274851-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Hybrid display integratable antennas using touch sensor trace and edge discontinuity structures

Abstract:
A touch panel for a display may include a touch sensor with a plurality of electrode traces. A first portion of the plurality of electrode traces may form sensing lines configured to receive touch input. The touch sensor includes an edge dummy area between an edge of the touch sensor and an electrode trace of a remaining portion of the plurality of electrode traces. The edge dummy area may be located outside of the sensing lines. The touch panel may further include an antenna with a radiation structure and a ground structure. The radiation structure may be located within a routing traces area outside of the touch sensor. The ground structure may be located within the edge dummy area. The ground structure may include an electrode trace of the plurality of electrode traces located within the edge dummy area of the touch sensor.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A touch panel for a display, the touch panel comprising:
 a touch sensor comprising a plurality of electrode traces, wherein a first subset of the plurality of electrode traces form a plurality of sensing lines and a plurality of driving lines, the plurality of sensing lines configured to receive touch input; and 
 an antenna comprising a radiation structure and a ground structure, wherein the ground structure comprises one or more electrode traces of a second subset of the plurality of electrode traces that do not overlap with the first plurality of electrode traces. 
 
     
     
       2. The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first subset of the plurality of electrode traces form a first layer with the plurality of sensing lines and a second layer with the plurality of driving lines. 
     
     
       3. The touch panel of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrode traces of the second subset of the plurality of electrode traces forming the ground structure are disposed within the first layer with the plurality of sensing lines. 
     
     
       4. The touch panel of  claim 3 , wherein the radiation structure is within a routing traces area associated with the first layer. 
     
     
       5. The touch panel of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more electrode traces of the second subset of the plurality of electrode traces forming the ground structure are disposed within the second layer with the plurality of driving lines. 
     
     
       6. The touch panel of  claim 5 , wherein the radiation structure is within a routing traces area associated with the second layer. 
     
     
       7. The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the ground structure comprises an electrode trace of the plurality of electrode traces located within an edge dummy area of the touch sensor, the edge dummy area located outside of the plurality of sensing lines. 
     
     
       8. The touch panel of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode trace of the ground structure is disposed along an edge of the touch sensor. 
     
     
       9. The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the ground structure and the touch sensor comprise a transparent conductive material. 
     
     
       10. The touch panel of  claim 9 , wherein the transparent conductive material comprises indium tin oxide (ITO). 
     
     
       11. The touch panel of  claim 10 , wherein the transparent conductive material comprises a micro-wire metal mesh. 
     
     
       12. The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation structure comprises an opaque conductive material. 
     
     
       13. A touch panel for a display, the touch panel comprising:
 a first touch sensor layer comprising a first plurality of electrode traces forming a plurality of sensing lines; 
 a second touch sensor layer comprising a second plurality of electrode traces forming a plurality of driving lines, the driving lines and the sensing lines configured to receive touch input, the second touch sensor layer having an edge dummy area formed between an edge of the second touch sensor layer and one of the plurality of driving lines, wherein the edge dummy area does not intersect the plurality of driving lines; and 
 an antenna comprising a plurality of antenna structures, wherein a first structure of the plurality of antenna structures is located within a routing traces area and does not overlap the plurality of driving lines and the plurality of driving lines, and a second structure of the plurality of antenna structures is located within the edge dummy area. 
 
     
     
       14. The touch panel of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of antenna structures comprises a radiation structure and a ground structure. 
     
     
       15. The touch panel of  claim 14 , wherein the ground structure is an electrode trace located along the edge of the second touch sensor layer. 
     
     
       16. The touch panel of  claim 15 , wherein the electrode trace forming the ground structure is directly coupled to a global ground ring that is co-planar with the second touch sensor layer and is located within the routing traces area. 
     
     
       17. The touch panel of  claim 15 , wherein the electrode trace forming the ground structure is capacitively coupled to the second plurality of electrode traces forming the second touch sensor layer. 
     
     
       18. The touch panel of  claim 14 , wherein the ground structure and the first touch sensor layer comprise a transparent conductive material, and wherein the transparent conductive material comprises indium tin oxide (ITO) or a micro-wire metal mesh. 
     
     
       19. A touch panel for a display, the touch panel comprising:
 a plurality of electrode traces forming a plurality of sensing lines in a first layer of a touch sensor and a plurality of driving lines in a second layer of the touch sensor; 
 a first antenna structure associated with a first antenna; and 
 a second antenna structure associated with a second antenna, wherein the first and second antenna structures are non-overlapping and are located within a routing traces area of one of the first layer or the second layer of the touch sensor. 
 
     
     
       20. The touch panel of  claim 19 , wherein the first antenna structure is a dipole antenna, and the second antenna structure is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/465,261, filed Mar. 21, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Aspects of the disclosure pertain to radio frequency (RF) communications. Some aspects of the disclosure pertain to wireless communication devices. Some aspects of the disclosure pertain to antennas, and more specifically, to a hybrid display integratable antenna. Some aspects of the disclosure relate to an edge antenna integratable within a touch panel display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As mobile and wireless communications continue to develop, touch screen devices have become increasingly popular as input devices. Wireless communication devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, ideally have an edge-to-edge bezel-less display. At the same time, the number of wireless communication protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi, 3G/4G/LTE/5G, FM, etc.) that need to be supported and the related antennas is increasing. Typically, antennas are hidden in the bezel surrounding the display. As touch screen displays of communication devices become closer to being bezel-less, implementing antennas within the communication device becomes more challenging. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       In the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. Some aspects of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not limitation, in the following figures of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic side view diagram of a stack of components of a touch panel display in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic plan view diagrams of a portion of a touch panel display including touch sensor layers in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate example embodiments of hybrid antennas integratable with touch sensor layers in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of an edge antenna using portions of a touch panel display in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example device, which can utilize the integrated antennas described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustrate specific aspects of the disclosure to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other aspects of the disclosure may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other changes. Portions and features of some aspects of the present disclosure may be included in, or substituted for, those of other aspects of the present disclosure. Given the benefit of the present disclosure, persons skilled in the relevant technologies will be able to engineer suitable variations to implement principles of the aspects of the present disclosure in other types of communication systems. Various diverse aspects of the present disclosure may incorporate structural, logical, electrical, process, and other differences. Portions and features of some aspects of the present disclosure may be included in, or substituted for, those of other aspects of the present disclosure. Aspects of the disclosure set forth in the claims encompass all presently-known, and after-arising, equivalents of those claims. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic side view diagram (in exaggerated dimension) of a stack of components of a touch panel display  100  in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the touch panel display  100  can be a display of a computing device, such as a smart phone, a tablet, or another mobile device, and can include a touch panel  110  and a display panel  120 . 
     The touch panel  110  may include a cover glass  112 , a two-layer touch sensor  114  (e.g.,  114 X and  114 Y), a touch glass  116  disposed between the two touch sensor layers, and a top polarizer layer  118 . The touch sensor  114  can include receive (Rx) or sensing electrode traces in layer  114 X, and transmit (Tx) or driving electrode traces in layer  114 Y. A more detailed Bar Type diagram of the dual layer touch sensor is illustrated in reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The display panel  120 , which is located under the touch panel  110 , can include a cover filter glass  121 , a color filter  122 , liquid crystal layer  123 , thin film transistor (TFT) layer  124 , TFT glass  125 , and a bottom polarizer layer  126 . These components of the display panel  120  are known, and thus for the sake of brevity their individual descriptions will not be provided here. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic plan view diagrams of a portion of a touch panel display including touch sensor layers in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the touch sensor  200  (which can be the same as the touch sensor  114 ) can be based on Projected Capacitive Touch (PCT). More specifically, the touch sensor  200  can include electrode traces in layers  202 X and  202 Y (corresponding to layers  114 X and  114 Y). The electrode traces in corresponding layers can be used for electrode columns and rows. For example, the touch sensor  200  is made up of a matrix of Rx (or sense) electrode columns (or lines)  204 X- 210 X, and Tx (or drive) electrode rows (or lines)  204 Y- 208 Y of conductive material. In an example, the sense and drive lines can be layered on sheets of glass. 
     The drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y are spaced apart from the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X. The drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y can be used to generate an electric field, and the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X can receive the electric field. Overlapping portions of the drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y and the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X form respective capacitors. When a conductive object, such as a user&#39;s finger or another contacting device (e.g., a stylus), comes into contact with the overlapping portions, the local electrostatic field becomes distorted at that point and grounds the respective capacitor. The variations of capacitance can be changed and measured at every overlapping portion of the matrix to trigger performing of touch-screen functionalities. 
     The sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X and the drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y can comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductor, micro wire metal mesh, and/or one or more other materials as suitable for the intended purpose (e.g., other types of transparent conductors). The electrode columns and rows may be more generally known as electrode traces, and the terms columns and rows are not meant to be limiting. Further, the disclosure is not limited to PCT, but may be any touch panel technology as suitable for the intended purpose. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the touch sensor  200  can further include sense electrode dummy areas (e.g.,  214 ,  216 ) located between the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X, as well as between an edge of the touch sensor  200  and a sense electrode column (e.g., dummy area  216 ). Similarly, the drive electrode dummy areas (e.g.,  220 ,  222 , and  224 ) are located between the drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y, as well as between an edge of the touch sensor  200  and a drive electrode row (e.g., dummy areas  220  and  224 ). The sense electrode dummy areas and the drive electrode dummy areas are areas where there are electrode traces which are not part of the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X or the drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y. 
     The distance between respective drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y can be referred to as drive electrode row pitch  218 , and the distance between respective sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X can be referred to as sense electrode column pitch  212 . The pitch (e.g.,  212  and  218 ) can be dependent on a target diameter of the touching object (e.g., a finger, stylus, etc.). The pitch can be, for example, about 5 mm for a finger touch. For the purpose of this discussion, the areas between respective drive electrode rows (or between a drive electrode row and an edge of the touch sensor) and also between the sense electrode columns (or between a sense electrode column and an edge of the touch sensor) can be referred to as “dummy areas.” For example, there are sense electrode dummy areas between adjacent sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X, and drive electrode dummy areas between adjacent drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y. 
     The width of the drive electrode rows and the sense electrode columns can be based on the integrated circuit manufacturing requirements and/or tolerances, and can be, for example, approximately 1.6 mm. In this example, the width of the dummy areas can be, for example, about 3.4 mm. These widths are provided for exemplary purposes and the embodiments are not limited to these values. 
     In an example, the drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y and the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X can be connected to routing traces  230 . The routing traces  230  can also include a global ground  228 , which can be a ground ring around the touch sensor  200 , or a partial ring (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). In an example, the global ground ring  228  can be co-planar with the electrode traces in touch sensor layer  202 X or  202 Y. Areas around the touch sensor  200 , which can be used to place the routing traces can be referred to as routing traces areas. For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates routing traces areas  226 A,  226 B,  226 C, and  226 D, with only routing traces areas  226 B and  226 C being occupied by routing traces for the drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y and the sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X. In an example, each of the routing traces area can be, for example, approximately 3 mm wide. These widths are provided for exemplary purposes and the embodiments are not limited to these values. 
     In an example, one or more hybrid antennas may be implemented so that one portion of the hybrid antenna (e.g., a radiation structure) is implemented within a routing traces area, and another portion of the hybrid antenna (e.g., a ground structure) is implemented within a dummy area of the touch sensor (e.g., using one or more electrode traces within the dummy area). In this regard, the portion of the antenna within the dummy area (e.g., an edge dummy area, which is a visible area of the touch panel display) is transparent, while the portion within the routing traces area (which is not visible) can be implemented using non-transparent conductive material. The hybrid antenna may be connected by a feed (e.g., at the radiation structure). The ground structure of the hybrid antenna can be directly connected to the global ground (e.g.,  228 ). Additionally, the ground structure can be capacitively coupled to one or more electrode traces of the touch sensor layer  202 X or  202 Y. In an example, the hybrid antenna can be a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). Options for connecting the feed include coplanar waveguide (CPW) and pogo pins. 
     In an example, an edge antenna can be implemented within one or more of the routing traces areas (e.g.,  226 A or  226 D). For example, a dipole antenna can be implemented within the routing traces area, and can be capacitively coupled to one or more electrode traces of the touch sensor layers  202 X or  202 Y. More detailed illustrations of the hybrid and edge antennas are illustrated in reference to  FIGS. 3-5 . 
     In this regard, the hybrid antenna and the edge antenna can be integrated into a touch panel display without compromising the touch sensitivity or the optical quality of the display. The proposed techniques for integrating a hybrid antenna can take advantage of the material discontinuity between view area transparent conductor material (e.g., the transparent conductive electrode traces of touch sensor layers  202 X and  202 Y) and the edge touch trace routing areas. The hybrid antenna also incorporates the radiation/feeding structures into a small unused bezel space used for touch sensor routing (e.g., routing traces areas  226 A- 226 D) to incorporate the antenna structure to fit into this area with designed orientation and location. For antenna designs that require a large ground, the hybrid antenna can be capacitively coupled (AC-coupled) to the corresponding touch sensor layer (e.g.,  202 X or  202 Y) so that all (or substantially all) of the electrode traces within the touch sensor layer are used as the ground. 
     Current integrated antenna solutions are metallic (non-transparent) conductor based and placed outside of the touch panel display, which requires additional large bezel area. Proposed integratable antenna solutions discussed herein can be based on transparent metallic conductor designs that integrated on the touch sensor, with feeding/radiation structures located within the touch sensor routing traces areas around the perimeter of the display to improve total antenna performance. 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate example embodiments of hybrid antennas integratable with touch sensor layers in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the diagram  300  illustrates the touch sensor  200  and a separate view of the RX touch sensor layer  202 X. More specifically, the touch sensor layer  202 X may include a plurality of electrode traces  304 . The electrode traces  304  can comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductor, micro wire metal mesh, and/or one or more other materials as suitable for the intended purpose (e.g., other types of transparent conductors). Some of the electrode traces  304  can be used to form the plurality of sense electrode columns  204 X- 210 X. 
       FIG. 3  additionally illustrates an edge dummy area  302  and a routing traces area  226 D. The edge dummy area  302  can be formed using some of the electrode traces  304  which are located between an edge of the touch sensor  200  and the sense electrode column  210 X. In an example, a hybrid antenna  306  can be implemented using the edge dummy area  302  and the routing traces area  226 D. More specifically, the hybrid antenna  306  can include a radiation structure  308  and a ground structure  310 . The radiation structure  308  can be implemented within the routing traces area  226 D, and the ground structure  310  can be implemented within the edge dummy area  302 . For example, one or more of the electrode traces  304  within the edge dummy area  302  can be floating and unconnected to other electrode traces. The ground structure  310  can be one of those floating electrode traces within the edge dummy area  302 , as seen in  FIG. 3 . 
     In an example, the radiation structure  308  can include feed terminal  312  for connecting the antenna  306  to a feed line. In an example, the hybrid antenna  306  can be connected to ground using the feed terminal  312 . In another example, the hybrid antenna  306  can be connected to ground using the ground structure  310 . More specifically, the ground structure  310  can be connected to the global ground ring  228  or to another ground connection available within the touch sensor  200 . In an example, the ground structure  310  can be capacitively coupled (AC coupled) to a remaining portion of the electrode traces  304  (e.g., a remaining portion of the touch sensor layer  202 X). 
     In this regard, the hybrid antenna  306  can combine display edge structures (e.g., radiation structure  308  within the routing traces area  226 D) with display area touch sensor traces (e.g., ground structure  310  can be implemented using an electrode trace within the edge dummy area  302 ) to improve antenna performance. Since the antenna radiation structure  308  is designed within the routing traces area (e.g.,  226 D), which is outside of the viewing area associated with the sensor layer  202 X, solid metal structures can be used to implement the radiation structure  308 . As a result, coupling is introduced between antenna structures and the touch sensor traces of sensor layer  202 X for improved antenna performance. Additionally, by implementing the hybrid antenna using both an edge dummy area of the electrode traces (which are transparent conductors) and routing traces area, a material discontinuity is introduced between solid metal (e.g., structures within the routing traces area  226 D) and meshed metal (e.g., structures within the edge dummy area located within the visible portion of the display) areas. Such discontinuity can result in edge and fringe coupling with the electrode traces within the display view area (i.e., the traces of the touch sensor layer  202 X), which can improve antenna performance. 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , the hybrid antenna  306  is implemented as planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). Even though antenna  306  is illustrated as a PIFA, the disclosure is not limited in this regard and other types of antennas can be used. Additionally, even though hybrid antenna  306  is implemented within the routing traces area  226 D and the edge dummy area  302 , other routing traces areas and edge dummy areas associated with the touch sensor  200  can be used as well. For example and in reference to  FIG. 2 , routing traces area  226 A or  226 B can be used as well. In an example, the hybrid antenna  306  can include portions  308  and  310 , which can be implemented as a single structure (e.g., ground structure can be implemented as a transparent conductor fused/connected with a non-transparent conductor used for the radiation structure  308 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the diagram  400  illustrates the touch sensor  200  and a separate view of the TX touch sensor layer  202 Y. More specifically, the touch sensor layer  202 Y may include a plurality of electrode traces  404 . The electrode traces  404  can comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductor, micro wire metal mesh, and/or one or more other materials as suitable for the intended purpose (e.g., other types of transparent conductors). Some of the electrode traces  404  can be used to form the plurality of drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y. 
       FIG. 4  additionally illustrates an edge dummy area  402  (which can be the same as dummy area  220  in  FIG. 2 ) and a routing traces area  226 A. The edge dummy area  402  can be formed using some of the electrode traces  404  which are located between an edge of the touch sensor  200  and the drive electrode row  204 Y. In an example, a hybrid antenna  406  can be implemented using the edge dummy area  402  and the routing traces area  226 A. More specifically, the hybrid antenna  406  can include a radiation structure  408  and a ground structure  410 . The radiation structure  408  can be implemented within the routing traces area  226 A, and the ground structure  410  can be implemented within the edge dummy area  402 . For example, one or more of the electrode traces  404  within the edge dummy area  402  can be floating and unconnected to other electrode traces. The ground structure  410  can be one of those floating electrode traces within the edge dummy area  402 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, as seen in  FIG. 4 , the hybrid antenna  406  can be implemented by overlaying the radiation structure  408  on top of an electrode trace (e.g.,  410 ) within the edge dummy area  402 . The ground structure  410  can be directly coupled (DC coupled) to ground (e.g., via the ground ring  228 ) or via a feeding terminal within the radiation structure  408 ). In an example, the ground structure  410  can be capacitively coupled (AC coupled) to electrode traces  404  of the touch sensor layer  202 Y. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of an edge antenna using portions of a touch panel display in accordance with some aspects of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the diagram  500  illustrates the touch sensor  200  and a separate view of the TX touch sensor layer  202 Y. More specifically, the touch sensor layer  202 Y may include a plurality of electrode traces  404 . The electrode traces  404  can comprise indium tin oxide (ITO) transparent conductor, micro wire metal mesh, and/or one or more other materials as suitable for the intended purpose (e.g., other types of transparent conductors). Some of the electrode traces  404  can be used to form the plurality of drive electrode rows  204 Y- 208 Y. 
       FIG. 5  additionally illustrates a routing traces area  226 A. In an example, an edge antenna  502  can be implemented within the routing traces area  226 A. More specifically, edge antenna  502  can utilize unused areas surrounding the touch sensor  200 , such as the routing traces area  226 A (or other routing traces areas as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). In an example, the edge antenna  502  can be a dipole antenna (as seen in  FIG. 5 ), but the disclosure is not limited in this regard and other types of antenna structures can be used as well for purposes of implementing an antenna within a routing traces area or other areas outside of the touch sensor  200 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the edge antenna  502  does not use a ground plane in order to radiate, which makes the edge antenna suitable for interference-friendly integration. 
     In an example, the edge antenna  502  can AC-couple with the ground ring  228 , or with one or more of the electrode traces  404  of the touch sensor layer  202 Y to gain additional antenna efficiency. In another example, the edge antenna  502  can include an additional antenna structure  504 , which can function as additional reflective structure and to further facilitate AC coupling with the ground ring  228 . 
     In an example, the coupling between the antenna structures (e.g.,  502 ,  504 ) and the touch panel traces (e.g.,  404 ) may be changed by changing the distance from the antenna structures to the edge of the sensor panel (e.g.,  202 Y) or to the ground ring  228 . There may be an optimized range that can balance and gain maximum performance. By varying the distance between antenna  502  and the ground ring  228 , extra antenna performance can be gained from the coupling between the antenna and the touch sensor traces. In an example, such distance may be 5 mm or less. 
     In an example, a hybrid antenna (such as antenna  306 ) can be implemented using an edge dummy area and a routing traces area of the touch sensor layer  202 X (as seen in  FIG. 3 ). Additionally, an edge antenna (such as antenna  502 ) can be implemented using a routing traces area of the touch sensor layer  202 Y (as seen in  FIG. 5 ). Furthermore, both the hybrid antenna (e.g.,  306 ) and the edge antenna (e.g.,  502 ) can be configured so that they are AC-coupled with each other for increased antenna efficiency. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example device, which can utilize the integrated antennas described herein. In alternative embodiments, the communication device  600  may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other communication devices. In a networked deployment, the communication device  600  may operate in the capacity of a server communication device, a client communication device, or both in server-client network environments. In an example, the communication device  600  may act as a peer communication device in peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment. The communication device  1100  may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any communication device capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that communication device. Further, while only a single communication device is illustrated, the term “communication device” shall also be taken to include any collection of communication devices that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, such as cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations. 
     Examples, as described herein, may include, or may operate on, logic or a number of components, modules, or mechanisms. Modules are tangible entities (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In an example, circuits may be arranged (e.g., internally or with respect to external entities such as other circuits) in a specified manner as a module. In an example, the whole or part of one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware processors may be configured by firmware or software (e.g., instructions, an application portion, or an application) as a module that operates to perform specified operations. In an example, the software may reside on a communication device readable medium. In an example, the software, when executed by the underlying hardware of the module, causes the hardware to perform the specified operations. 
     Accordingly, the term “module” is understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, specifically configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., transitorily) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or to perform part or all of any operation described herein. Considering examples in which modules are temporarily configured, each of the modules need not be instantiated at any one moment in time. For example, where the modules comprise a general-purpose hardware processor configured using software, the general-purpose hardware processor may be configured as respective different modules at different times. Software may accordingly configure a hardware processor, for example, to constitute a particular module at one instance of time and to constitute a different module at a different instance of time. 
     Communication device  600  may include a hardware processor  602  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory  604  and a static memory  606 , some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interlink (e.g., bus)  608 . The communication device  600  may further include a display unit  610 , an input device  612  (e.g., a keyboard), and a user interface (UI) navigation device  614  (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit  610 , input device  612 , and UI navigation device  614  may be a touch screen display. In an example, the input device  612  may include a touchscreen, a microphone, a camera (e.g., a panoramic or high-resolution camera), physical keyboard, trackball, or other input devices. 
     The communication device  600  may additionally include a storage device (e.g., drive unit)  616 , a signal generation device  618  (e.g., a speaker, a projection device, or any other type of information output device), a network interface device  620 , and one or more sensors  621 , such as a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerometer, motion detector, or other sensor. The communication device  600  may include an input/output controller  628 , such as a serial (e.g., universal serial bus (USB), parallel, or other wired or wireless (e.g., infrared (IR), near field communication (NFC), etc.) connection to communicate or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, etc.) via one or more input/output ports. 
     The storage device  616  may include a communication device (or machine) readable medium  622 , on which is stored one or more sets of data structures or instructions  624  (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by any one or more of the techniques or functions described herein. In an example, at least a portion of the software may include an operating system and/or one or more applications (or apps) implementing one or more of the functionalities described herein. The instructions  624  may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory  604 , within the static memory  606 , and/or within the hardware processor  602  during execution thereof by the communication device  600 . In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor  602 , the main memory  604 , the static memory  606 , or the storage device  616  may constitute communication device (or machine) readable media. 
     While the communication device readable medium  622  is illustrated as a single medium, the term “communication device readable medium” or “machine-readable medium” may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) configured to store the one or more instructions  624 . 
     The term “communication device readable medium” or “machine-readable medium” may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by the communication device  600  and that cause the communication device  600  to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting communication device readable medium examples may include solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media. Specific examples of communication device readable media may include: non-volatile memory, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM)) and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; Random Access Memory (RAM); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, communication device readable media may include non-transitory communication device readable media. In some examples, communication device readable media may include communication device readable media that is not a transitory propagating signal. The term “communication device readable medium” or “machine-readable medium” do not include signals or carrier waves. 
     The instructions  624  may further be transmitted or received over a communications network  626  using a transmission medium via the network interface device  620  utilizing any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, internet protocol (IP), transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networks may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the Internet), mobile telephone networks (e.g., cellular networks), Plain Old Telephone (POTS) networks, and wireless data networks (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family of standards known as Wi-Fi®, IEEE 802.16 family of standards known as WiMax®), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) family of standards, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, among others. 
     In an example, the network interface device  620  may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, or phone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communications network  626 . In an example, the network interface device  620  may include one or more wireless modems, such as a Bluetooth modem, a Wi-Fi modem or one or more modems or transceivers operating under any of the communication standards mentioned herein. In an example, the network interface device  620  may include a plurality of antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), MIMO, or multiple-input single-output (MISO) techniques. In some examples, the network interface device  620  may wirelessly communicate using Multiple User MIMO techniques. The term “transmission medium” shall be taken to include any intangible medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the communication device  600 , and includes digital or analog communications signals or other intangible medium to facilitate communication of such software. 
     In an example, the processor  602  can communicate with the RF transmitter  630  and the RF receiver  632  to transmit and receive wireless signals via the antenna  638 . In an example, the RF transmitter  630  in the RF receiver  632  may be implemented within the network interface device  620 . 
     In an example, the touchscreen display  610  can include a touch panel  634  and a display panel  636 . The antenna  638  can be integrated within the touch panel  634 . For example, the antenna  638  can be a hybrid antenna or an edge antenna as described herein above. The RF transmitter  630  can include suitable circuitry, logic, interfaces and code for transmitting radiofrequency signals via the antenna  638 . The RF transmitter  630  can generate the radiofrequency signals using baseband signals sent from the processor  602 . In this regard, the RF transmitter  630  can include an amplifier to amplify signals before transmission via the integrated antenna  638 . The RF transmitter  630  in the RF receiver  632  can be configured to transmit and receive radiofrequency signals of any frequency including, microwave frequency bands (0.3 to 300 GHz), which include cellular telecommunications, W LAN and WWAN frequencies. 
     Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. 
     Additional Notes &amp; Examples: 
     Example 1 is a touch panel for a display, the touch panel comprising: a touch sensor comprising a plurality of electrode traces, wherein a first portion of the plurality of electrode traces form sensing lines configured to receive touch input, the touch sensor having an edge dummy area between an edge of the touch sensor and one of the electrode traces of a remaining portion of the plurality of electrode traces, wherein the edge dummy area is outside of the sensing lines; and an antenna comprising a radiation structure and a ground structure, wherein the radiation structure is within a routing traces area outside of the touch sensor, and the ground structure is located within the edge dummy area. 
     In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes wherein the ground structure comprises an electrode trace of the plurality of electrode traces located within the edge dummy area of the touch sensor. 
     In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 optionally includes wherein the electrode trace of the ground structure is disposed along the edge of the touch sensor. 
     In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 optionally include wherein the ground structure and the touch sensor comprise a same transparent conductive material. 
     In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 4 optionally includes wherein the transparent conductive material comprises indium tin oxide (ITO). 
     In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 optionally includes wherein the transparent conductive material comprises a micro-wire metal mesh. 
     In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-6 optionally include wherein the radiation structure comprises an opaque conductive material. 
     In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-7 optionally include wherein the antenna radiation structure is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). 
     In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8 optionally include a global ground ring, wherein the global ground ring is directly coupled to the ground structure and is co-planar with the touch sensor. 
     In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9 optionally include wherein the ground structure is capacitively coupled to the plurality of electrode traces. 
     Example 11 is a touch panel for a display, the touch panel comprising: a first touch sensor layer comprising a first plurality of electrode traces forming a plurality of sensing lines; a second touch sensor layer comprising a second plurality of electrode traces forming a plurality of driving lines, the driving lines and the sensing lines configured to receive touch input; a global ground ring that is co-planar with the second touch sensor layer and is located within a routing traces area outside of the second touch sensor layer, the second touch sensor layer having edge dummy area located between an edge of the second touch sensor and one of the plurality of driving lines, wherein the edge dummy area is non-intersecting with the plurality of driving lines; and an antenna comprising a radiation structure and a ground structure, wherein the radiation structure is located within the routing traces area, and the ground structure is located within the edge dummy area and is coupled to the radiation structure. 
     In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 11 optionally includes wherein the radiation structure comprises a solid metal feed structure configured to receive an antenna feed line and an antenna ground line. 
     In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 11-12 optionally include wherein the ground structure is a floating ground structure within the edge dummy area. 
     In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 11-13 optionally include wherein the ground structure is an electrode trace located along the edge of the second touch sensor layer. 
     In Example 15, the subject matter of Example 14 optionally includes wherein the electrode trace forming the ground structure is directly coupled to the global ground ring. 
     In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 14-15 optionally include wherein the electrode trace forming the ground structure is capacitively coupled to the second plurality of electrode traces forming the second touch sensor layer. 
     In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 11-16 optionally include wherein the ground structure and the touch sensor comprise a same transparent conductive material. 
     In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 optionally includes wherein the transparent conductive material comprises indium tin oxide (ITO). 
     In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 17-18 optionally include wherein the transparent conductive material comprises a micro-wire metal mesh. 
     In Example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 11-19 optionally include a plurality of routing traces coupled to the plurality of driving lines and located within the routing traces area. 
     In Example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 11-20 optionally include a second radiation structure associated with a second antenna, wherein the second radiation structure is located within a routing traces area of the first touch sensor layer. 
     In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 optionally includes wherein the second radiation structure comprises a dipole antenna, the dipole antenna configured to receive an antenna feed line and an antenna ground line. 
     In Example 23, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-22 optionally include a plurality of routing traces coupled to the plurality of sensing lines and located within the routing traces area and outside of the first plurality of electrode traces. 
     In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-23 optionally include wherein the second radiation structure is capacitively coupled to the global ground ring. 
     In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-24 optionally include wherein the second radiation structure is capacitively coupled to the first plurality of electrode traces forming the plurality of sensing lines. 
     In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 21-25 optionally include a reflective structure associated with the second antenna, wherein the reflective structure is located within the routing traces area of the first touch sensor layer, between the second radiation structure and an edge of the first touch sensor layer. 
     In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 optionally includes wherein the reflective structure comprises a dipole antenna. 
     In Example 28, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 26-27 optionally include wherein the reflective structure is capacitively coupled to the second radiation structure and the first plurality of electrode traces forming the plurality of sensing lines. 
     Example 29 is a touch panel for a display, the touch panel comprising: a first touch sensor layer comprising a first plurality of electrode traces forming a plurality of sensing lines; a first radiation structure associated with a first antenna, wherein the first radiation structure is located within a routing traces area of the first touch sensor layer. 
     In Example 30, the subject matter of Example 29 optionally includes wherein the first radiation structure is a dipole antenna, and the second radiation structure is a planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA). 
     In Example 31, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 29-30 optionally include wherein the first radiation structure is capacitively coupled to the second radiation structure. 
     The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific aspects of the present disclosure that may be practiced. These aspects of the present disclosure are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples may include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, also contemplated are examples that include the elements shown or described. Moreover, also contemplated are examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein. 
     Publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) are supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls. 
     The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with others. Other aspects of the present disclosure may be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. However, the claims may not set forth every feature disclosed herein as aspects of the present disclosure may feature a subset of said features. Further, aspects of the present disclosure may include fewer features than those disclosed in a particular example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with a claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the aspects of the present disclosure disclosed herein is to be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190213
Publication Date: 20200929
Grant Date: 20200929
Priority Date: 20170321
Inventors: CHAI, MEI
SAJUYIGBE, ADESOJI J.
LEE, KWAN HO
HORINE, BRYCE D.
SKINNER, HARRY G.
KONANUR, ANAND S.
KARACAOGLU, ULUN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0446", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0445", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04107", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/0445", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q19/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04107", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04112", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q5/371", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q9/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04112", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q5/371", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q9/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q19/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/044", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q19/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04107", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q9/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F2203/04112", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/48", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q5/371", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63582632