Background and Problem to Solve

Small form factor electronic devices such as personal digital assistants, cell phones, mobile media devices and so on have become increasingly popular in today's society. They serve as work tools, communication devices and provide entertainment, among other functions, and are often carried by hand, clip or in a pocket. Many times, a smaller form factor device will be more popular or able to demand a higher retail price than a functionally equivalent larger device.

For structural and aesthetic purposes, some electronic devices have a metal or significantly metal housing design – and this is a problem. The metal housing creates challenges to providing communication capability, such as through radio frequency (RF) or other frequency transmissions, for the device. One technique for radiating out of a metal housing is creating a plastic cutout pocket. However, this may result in a surface color and texture difference in a finished product – and something that Apple has done in the past. Another technique includes limiting the material selection of the product enclosures to materials such as plastic that are transparent to the frequencies used in communication and thereby no longer using the metal housing.

A New Antenna Clip: Apple's Proposed Solution

The first patent application relates to electronic devices receiving wireless transmissions and, more particularly, to providing an radio frequency (RF) radiating element in an attachment member of an electronic device.

According to Apple, certain embodiments may take the form of an electronic device having a metal housing encapsulating operative circuitry for the device. The electronic device includes an attachment member coupled to the metal housing at an attachment point. An antenna is coupled to the attachment member and communicatively coupled to the operative circuitry in the metal housing via the attachment point to enable the electronic device to communicate wirelessly.

Another embodiment may take the form of a small form factor, metal housed electronic device. The device includes a metal housing and a radio frequency (RF) component located within the metal housing. An attachment clip is moveably coupled to the metal housing and an antenna is located on the attachment clip. A conduit communicatively couples the RF component and the antenna.

Yet another embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing a metallic, small form factor electronic device. The method includes milling a metal housing and a metal attachment member. A portion of the attachment member is relief cut and filled with an RF transparent material. An antenna is positioned in the relief cut portion of the attachment member. Components are secured within the metal housing, a conduit connection is provided external to the housing that is communicatively coupled to an RF component in the metal housing and the housing is sealed. The method includes communicatively coupling the antenna and the conduit and coupling the metal housing and the metal attachment member using a hinge pin.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 illustrates a small form factor electrical device having an antenna located in an attachment member; FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the attachment member of FIG. 1.

Apple states that the invention could apply to their iPod family (MP3 players), a radio, an audio/video recorder, a mobile telephone, personal digital assistant, tablet computing device, or other similar device. Considering that the patent figures represent an "exploded view" of the device, you have to wonder if this is associated with an iPhone-nano-like device. It's just a thought.

For more information on Apple's antenna clip invention, see patent application 20110193751 which was originally filed in Q1 2010 by inventors Albert Golko, Daniel Jarvis and Felix Alvarez.

Apple Keeps Plugging Away at Bringing Solar Power to the Power Mix

The second patent application relates to another solar power patent regarding powering portable devices from the iPod to the MacBook Pro. The patent basically covers portable electronic devices having multiple power interfaces.

Today's patent application mirrors their January 2011 granted patent that we covered under the report title of "Apple Wins their First Solar Powered Patent for Portables."

Apple's patent FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating systems for operating an electronic device with solar power.

Other solar related patent reports: 1) Apple Thinks Green Again with Solar Cell Panels for Media Players, 2) Solar Powered MacBooks May be in our Future, 3) Apple's Vision of a Solar Cell iPhone Supports Prototype in the Wild, and 4) Apple Working on a New Power Adapter that will use Solar Energy.

For more information on Apple's solar related invention, see patent application 20110193517 which was originally filed in Q4 2010 by inventors Wendell Sander and Daniel Warren.

Apple's Process for Fighting Finger Oils on Touch Surfaces

The third patent application of the day relates to applying an oleophobic coating to the surface of a material. In particular, this is directed to using a direct liquid application in a Physical Vapor Deposition ("PVD") chamber to apply the coating to the material.

Apple states that as the user touches the surface of a device such as an iOS device, oils and other particles from the user's fingers could be deposited on the surface. This may adversely affect the appearance of the surface, especially if information is being displayed. One way to limit the amount of oils and particles deposited on the surface of portable devices is to apply an oleophobic treatment to the surface. However, this approach could be difficult to accomplish.

Apple states that to prevent the deposition of oils on an electronic device surface, an oleophobic ingredient could be bonded to the electronic device surface. The oleophobic ingredient could be provided as part of a raw liquid material in one or more concentrations. To avoid adverse reactions due to exposure to air, heat, or humidity, the raw liquid material can be placed in a bottle purged with an inert gas during the manufacturing process.

The bottle could be placed in a liquid supply system having a mechanism for controlling the amount of raw liquid material that passes through the liquid supply system. Upon reaching the vaporizing unit, the liquid could be vaporized and the oleophobic ingredient within the liquid can then be deposited on the electronic device component surface. As the liquid supply is drained from the bottle, additional inert gas is supplied in its place to further prevent contamination.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electronic device on which an oleophobic surface treatment is applied in accordance with embodiments of the invention; Patent FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustrative system for applying an oleophobic material in liquid form on a device surface.

For more details concerning this invention, see patent application 20110195187 which was originally filed in February 2011 by inventors Douglas Weber and Naoto Matsuyuki of Japan. The filing date might actually point to a new iOS device coating on the way rather than one that  already exists. Okay, that caught my attention.   

Notice: Patently Apple presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. Apple's patent applications have provided the Mac community with a clear heads-up on some of Apple's greatest product trends including the iPod, iPhone, iPad, iOS cameras, LED displays, iCloud services for iTunes and more.

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