DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.

[0024] In one embodiment, computer system 10 , FIG. 1 , includes a microprocessor 12 , which is connected to a bus 14 . Bus 14 serves as a connection between microprocessor 12 and other components of computer system 10 . An input system 16 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide input to microprocessor 12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device 18 , which is coupled to microprocessor 12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system 10 further includes a display 20 , which is coupled to microprocessor 12 by a video controller 22 . A system memory 24 is coupled to microprocessor 12 to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor 12 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor 12 to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 2 , illustrated is a portable, notebook size computer designated 26 comprising a self-contained system, such as that illustrated at 10 in FIG. 1 , and including a hinged top or lid 28 rotatable about a hinge or hinges 30 from a nested position, “N” with a horizontal chassis base 32 , to a substantially vertical or open position “V,” FIG. 3 . Opening of the notebook style portable computer by manipulation of a latch 34 , reveals a plurality of input components such as a keyboard of keys 36 on base 32 , and a monitor screen 38 mounted in lid or top 28 . Base 32 includes a palm or wrist rest area 40 including an input area 42 of the input system 16 positioned above a battery housing 44 and adjacent keys 36 . Base 32 includes an exterior surface 50 . The keyboard keys 36 and also the adjacent palmrest area 40 are provided on the exterior surface 50 .

[0026] The monitor screen 38 , FIG. 4 comprises multiple layers including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) array layer 38 a supported by a metal support 38 b, a non-conductive protective glass layer 38 c adjacent the array 38 a and a non-conductive glass polarizer 38 d adjacent the protective glass layer.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, FIG. 5 , the protective glass layer 38 c includes a ground reference plane 52 and the polarizer 38 d includes a dipole antenna 54 . The ground reference plane 52 is formed of a transparent conductive silica based material or a thin film such as indium tin oxide, preferably coated on all or a portion of the glass layer 38 c on a surface S which abuts the polarizer 38 d. The ground reference plane 52 could also be etched into the glass layer 38 c using techniques similar to those used to make integrated circuits, however, this may not be as economically feasible as a coating. Also, the ground reference plane 52 would have a ground connection (not shown) extending beyond the edge of the glass and connecting to a stable ground within the system.

[0028] The antenna 54 can be imbedded in opposite edges 37 , 39 of the polarizer 38 d, or can be imbedded so as to extend through an interior portion 56 of polarizer 38 d, see FIG. 6 . Each portion of antenna 54 is formed of a transparent conductive polysilicon or silicon dioxide material or thin film and is joined to a connector or metal strap 58 which is provided to make connection with another connector 60 . Each connector 60 connects to a radio transmitter and receiver 62 in the form of a mini-PCI card, mounted in base 32 , by means of a coax cable 64 , see also FIG. 3 .

[0029] Returning to FIGS. 5 and 6 , each portion of antenna 54 also includes a cable extension such as a ground trace 65 which is formed of a transparent conductive material and is connected to a connector 66 which is provided to make connection with another connector 68 . Each connector 68 also connects to the coax cable 64 . Preferably and prior to the location of the implemented antenna 54 , a pair of ground traces 65 are spaced apart from their respective portion of antenna 54 by a portion of the non-conductive material in the polarizer 38 d. This serves as electrical isolation and serves a similar purpose with respect to protecting the signal from noise as does the coax cable 64 .

[0030] Although it is preferred to form the antenna 54 and the ground traces 65 of a transparent conductive material, it would not necessarily be required in the embodiment of FIG. 5 , because the antenna 54 and ground traces 65 are along the edges 37 , 39 of the polarizer 38 d and therefore not in a field of view of the array 38 a. However, it is preferred in each embodiment, to have the antenna 54 and ground traces 65 formed of the transparent conductive material, either a silica based material or a conductive thin film.

[0031] In another embodiment, FIG. 7 , polarizer layer 38 d or glass layer 38 c may be provided with the ground reference plane 52 on one surface 70 and the antenna 54 and associated ground traces 65 on an opposite surface 72 . The ground traces 65 are spaced apart from the antenna 54 by a portion P of the non-conductive material. In addition, it may be desired to place an antenna as described above in a desktop computer or a flat panel display, not shown.

[0032] FIGS. 8 a to 8 g show another embodiment. This technique has the advantage of totally encapsulating the antenna signal, in effect, creating a glass coax implementation which closely compares to the typical copper coax wire implementation used to get signals to an antenna. FIG. 8 a shows a view of nonconductive layer 38 d as would be the case before any signals are inserted. FIG. 8 b shows that a channel 71 has been etched into the layer 38 d. The channel 71 would extend from the edge of the layer 38 d where contacts will be placed and where it will connect to wires extending from the radio transmitter and receiver 62 . The channel 71 extends through the layer 38 d to the position where the antenna 54 will be placed. FIG. 8 c illustrates what the channel looks like after a transparent conductive shield or ground layer 73 is placed along the bottom and sides of the channel 71 . The layer 73 makes up the antenna signal shield and will be totally connected at the end of the process to form a total shield around the antenna signal line. FIG. 8 d demonstrates what the layer 38 d looks like after a transparent non-conductive layer 75 has been placed on the shield layer 73 . Like the shield layer 73 , this non-conductive layer 75 will totally encapsulate the signal layer discussed below. The purpose of the layer 75 is to insulate the conductive ground or shield 73 from a conductive antenna signal layer 77 , which is shown after it is formed in FIG. 8 e. FIG. 8 f shows a non-conductive shield layer 79 similar to layer 75 , placed to encapsulate antenna signal layer 77 . Along with the shield layer 75 , the shield layer 79 totally encloses the signal layer 77 . The last step in the process is to connect the ground layer 73 with a conductive layer 81 to enclose the antenna signal layer 77 . Once this process is complete and layers 73 and 81 are in place, the antenna signal layer 77 cannot radiate electromagnetic energy and serves the same purpose as would a coax antenna cable. All the layers inserted, whether conductive or non-conductive, are transparent and do not impede a users view of their LCD screen.

[0033] The antenna 54 would be implemented in a similar manner to the glass coax shown in FIG. 8 g but with the entire channel being filled with a transparent conductive material connected to antenna signal layer 77 . The ground or shield 73 , 81 would terminate about 1 to 5 mm prior to where the antenna begins, to insure that the shield and signal are kept separate. The antenna 54 would be formed in a pattern specific to the type of waveform and frequency that needs to be radiated and follows a pattern etched into the glass.

[0034] In either of the embodiments shown however, the antenna 54 and ground traces 65 are imbedded in a host layer to protect against damage due to abrasive wear. The traces 65 may be protected by using a polarized sheet of glass, which is typically used in LCD display technology, to completely cover the antenna and/or ground traces.

[0035] In operation, there are several considerations for implementing the disclosed embodiments.

[0036] If a visible wire antenna is large enough to see, then it can be placed toward the edge area of the glass. This can be the area that is covered by the bezel. Alternatively, the wire can be on the side or cut edge of the glass. Conductors may be placed either on the glass surface or molded into the glass.

[0037] If the wire antenna is thin enough that it can't be seen by the user, then the antenna can be placed across the glass surface over the display's viewable area. These conductors can be imbedded on or within the glass surface, but it is best not to place wires on the external surface where they may be rubbed off by the user (i.e., cleaning the display or vibration chaffing between two pieces of glass).

[0038] The wire antenna, as discussed above, may be made of a transparent conductive polysilicon, silicon dioxide compound or thin film which may be doped or sputtered into the glass via processes such as Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD). Prior to the doping, the wire position will be etched out of the glass. This may be performed using techniques similar to standard silicon wafer etching. Once the etching is accomplished, the wire may be doped into the glass and it then becomes a part of the glass. This insures the antennas robustness and minimizes any interference with the display from the antenna that a user might detect.

[0039] The antenna and coax may be made of transparent conductive and/or non-conductive materials as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 a - 8 g, or they may be made from transparent conductive thin-films that are placed on the surface of the glass.

[0040] When placing the antenna into or onto the display glass, it is important to insure that the “glass” antenna makes good contact with the radio wires or circuitry. This is done by bringing the antenna signal and ground shield feed points to the glass surface or edge where they can be contacted by conductive spring brushes or clips. The connecting spring brush or clip presses against the antenna feed point in or on the glass and insures good contact. If good electrical contact is not guaranteed at this point, the antenna will be mismatched to the radio and transmit/receive performance will be degraded.

[0041] As can be seen, the principal advantages of these embodiments are that a range of different antennas can be placed in the display glass during manufacture of the laptop. Depending on the type of wireless desired by the customer, different antennas may be activated to satisfy different wireless modes (WPAN, WLAN, or WWAN). These antennas may be placed far enough apart on/in the display to insure minimum coupling and maximum performance.

[0042] All laptops may be wireless enabled by always imbedding the antenna. For a laptop to become wireless, manufacturing (or the customer) simply plugs in the appropriate radio which then automatically selects the correct antenna for the selected desired comm mode.

[0043] The antenna has the potential to be manufactured as a part of the glass. This eliminates the time and cost of incorporating an antenna into the box at final assembly.

[0044] Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiment may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.