Multi-function RF Device Touchpad Antenna Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating a Radio-Frequency device with touch control and wireless transmission into a computer system while maintaining good signal transmission and metal product appearance is challenging due to signal shielding issues with metal housings.

Innovation Solution

A multi-function RF device is integrated into a computer system, featuring a substrate with a touchpad area for generating touch signals, an antenna for RF signal reception and transmission, and a control module to process these signals, with a ferromagnetic sheet to mitigate electromagnetic interference, allowing wireless communication and touch control in a single module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a metal housing is used for the computer system, then the product appearance is maintained, but signal shielding occurs which deteriorates wireless communication quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct appearanceVSAvoidsignal shielding

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the housing into metal and non-metal portions, allowing the antenna to be positioned in the non-metal segment (touchpad area) to avoid signal shielding while maintaining metal housing for aesthetic purposes in other areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different material properties to different locations: the touchpad area uses non-metal material to ensure signal transmission quality, while other housing areas can use metal material to maintain product appearance and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate antennas and touch control devices are integrated into the computer system, then wireless communication and touch control functions are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction integrationVSAvoidmodule quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the antenna and touch control device into a single integrated module, where the touchpad area serves dual purposes as both the touch-sensitive surface and the antenna location, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining both functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the touchpad area multi-functional by using it as both the touch control interface and the antenna location for wireless communication, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes and reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8985466B2Multi-function radio-frequency device, computer system and method of operating multi-function radio-frequency device

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 WISTRON NEWEB CORP

AI summary

A multi-function Radio-Frequency device integrated into a computer system is disclosed and includes a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a touchpad area disposed on the first surface of the substrate for generating a touch signal according to a touch situation, an antenna disposed on the first surface and/or the second surface of the substrate for receiving and transmitting a Radio-Frequency signal, and a control module disposed on the second surface of the substrate and coupled to the touchpad area and the antenna for generating a touch control signal according to the touch signal and generating an identification signal according to the Radio-Frequency signal to the computer system.