US6380930B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laptop touchpad with integrated antenna
Assignee: Elan Microelectronics Corp
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Filing: 1999-03-09
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Granted: 2002-04-30
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Expires: 2019-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An antenna for wireless communication into a touchpad module. A touchpad module, which can be inserted into an aperture in a laptop computer, includes a touch sensor for detecting touch in a touch sensor circuit for processing signals from the touch sensor. The antenna is connected to a port (input or output) on the touchpad module. The touchpad provides an open aperture for the antenna to communicate with the outside world, without being blocked by the shielding used in a laptop computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilles Van Ruymbeke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169; G06F1/1698; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F1/182; G06F3/0354; G06F3/03547; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/038; G06F2203/0384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A computer having shielding with an aperture in said shielding, said computer including a touchpad module mounted in said aperture, said touchpad module comprising: a touch sensor for detecting touch; a touch sensor circuit, coupled to said touch sensor, for processing signals from said touch sensor; an antenna mounted on said touchpad module; a and an output port coupled to said antenna and said touch sensor circuit, for providing signals from said antenna and said touch sensor to said computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A computer having shielding with an aperture in said shielding, said computer including a touchpad module mounted in said aperture, said touchpad module comprising: a touch sensor for detecting touch; a touch sensor circuit, coupled to said touch sensor, for processing signals from said touch sensor; an antenna mounted on said touchpad module; a and an output port coupled to said antenna and said touch sensor circuit, for providing signals from said antenna and said touch sensor to said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The module of claim 1 further comprising: a flex circuit having said touch sensor on a first portion and said touch sensor circuit on a second portion, said touch sensor being configured to be placed within an aperture of laptop computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The touchpad module of claim 1 further comprising: an array of conductive lines in said touch sensor; an antenna receiver circuit; and a switching circuit configured to couple at least one of said sensor lines to said antenna receiver circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The touchpad module of claim 3 wherein said switching circuit is configured to alternate between a plurality of said sensor lines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The touchpad module of claim 4 further comprising: a directional circuit configured to determine a direction of a transmitted signal from relative signals received on different ones of said sensor lines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The touchpad module of claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises a ground plane of said touchpad module.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The touchpad module of claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises an array of traces of said touch sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The touchpad module of claim 7 wherein said antenna further comprises all the traces of said touchpad module, with a connection provided for connecting to a computer case as a ground plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The module of claim 1 further comprising: a printed circuit board; said touch sensor circuit being mounted on a first side of said printed circuit board; and said antenna being mounted on the opposite side of said printed circuit board from said touch sensor circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said antenna is proximate a border of said module.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The module of claim 1 further comprising: a port coupled to said antenna.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The module of claim 11 further comprising: a circuit, having inputs coupled to said touch sensor circuit and said antenna, and an output coupled to said output port.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The module of claim 12 wherein said circuit is a switching circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The module of claim 13 further comprising: a receiver circuit coupled between said antenna and said switching circuit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises at least one loop around said module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said module includes a plurality of layers, one of said layers including said antenna.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said port comprises an I/O port.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said touch sensor comprises a capacitive array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said touch sensor comprises a resistive sensor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said touch sensor is configured to be placed within an aperture of a remote control unit, with said antenna being configured to act as a transmitting antenna.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
112 words
A computer having shielding with an aperture in said shielding, said computer including a touchpad module mounted in said aperture, said touchpad module comprising: a touch array for detecting touch; a touch sensor circuit, coupled to said touch array, for processing signals from said touch array; an antenna mounted on said touchpad module; an output port coupled to said antenna and said touch sensor circuit for providing signals from said antenna and said touch sensor to said computer; a switching circuit, having inputs coupled to said touch sensor circuit and said antenna, and an output coupled to said output port; and a receiver circuit coupled between said antenna and said switching circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
112 words
A computer having shielding with an aperture in said shielding, said computer including a touchpad module mounted in said aperture, said touchpad module comprising: a touch array for detecting touch; a touch sensor circuit, coupled to said touch array, for processing signals from said touch array; an antenna mounted on said touchpad module; an output port coupled to said antenna and said touch sensor circuit for providing signals from said antenna and said touch sensor to said computer; a switching circuit, having inputs coupled to said touch sensor circuit and said antenna, and an output coupled to said output port; and a receiver circuit coupled between said antenna and said switching circuit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-29 | 2005-10-29 | 2006-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-29 | 2009-10-29 | 2010-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-29 | 2013-10-29 | 2014-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |