# US 10,122,401 B2 · Mobile terminal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,401 B2 - Document ID: US10122401B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/961,227 - Filed: 2018-04-24 - Published: 2018-08-23 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-12-03 - Assignees: LG Electronics Inc. - Applicants: LG Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Yeomin Youn; Jaehyun Choi; Jungsun Ahn; Changil Kim; Kangjae Jung - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122401B2 ## CPC - H04B 1/3888: Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 1/1656: {Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203)} - G06F 1/1698: {the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone (details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266)} - G06F 1/203: {for portable computers, e.g. for laptops} - H01Q 1/243: {with built-in antennas} - H01Q 1/44: using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna {, e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspect}(H01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence) - H01Q 5/30: Arrangements for providing operation on different wavebands - H04M 1/0202: {Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets (constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03)} - H04M 1/0249: {Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly} - H04M 1/18: Telephone sets specially adapted for use in ships, mines, or other places exposed to adverse environment (H04M1/19 takes precedence) - H04B 2001/3894: {Waterproofing of transmission device} - H04B: TRANSMISSION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A mobile terminal includes a metal frame including a base portion and an edge portion formed along the outer edge of the base portion, first and second cases bonded to the front and back sides of the metal frame so as to expose the edge portion to the outside, first and second waterproof layers formed between the cases and the metal frame, conductive members that operate a radiator for antennas, together with the edge portion, and are formed on one side of the second case, and feeding portions for feeding the conductive members, the feeding portions being disposed in an enclosed space formed by the waterproof layers. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wireless signals; and a frame comprised of a metallic material and configured to form an upper side, a lower side, and lateral sides of an outer appearance of the mobile terminal, wherein the frame comprises: a first non-metallic coupling portion disposed at an upper portion of the frame; a second non-metallic coupling portion disposed at a lower portion of the frame; a first edge member and a second edge member provided at the upper side of the frame and configured to transmit or receive wireless signals at different frequency bands, wherein the first edge member and the second edge member are isolated from each other by a portion of the first non-metallic coupling portion; a first slit defined between the first edge member and the second edge member, wherein the portion of the first non-metallic coupling portion is disposed in the first slit; a third edge member and a fourth edge member provided at the lower portion of the frame and configured to transmit or receive wireless signals at different frequency bands, wherein the third edge member and the fourth edge member are isolated from each other by a portion of the second non-metallic coupling portion; and a second slit defined between the third edge member and the fourth edge member, wherein the portion of the second non-metallic coupling portion is disposed in the second slit, wherein the first, second, third, or fourth edge member is configured to operate as a radiator of a corresponding antenna device of a plurality of antenna devices of the mobile terminal, and wherein the plurality of antenna devices are grounded to the frame such that a portion of the frame operates as a ground. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna devices are configured to operate at LTE frequency bands in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising a first circuit board comprising one or more transceiver circuits, wherein the one or more transceiver circuits are configured to cause operation of at least two of the plurality of antenna devices by simultaneously feeding at least two of the first, second, third, or fourth edge members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 3, further comprising a second circuit board, wherein the first circuit board is disposed at the upper portion of the mobile terminal and the second circuit board is disposed at the lower portion of the mobile terminal, and wherein the first circuit board and the second circuit board are spaced apart from each other and electrically coupled by a coaxial cable or a flexible printed circuit board. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the frame further comprises feeding portions coupled to the first circuit board and corresponding feeding connectors, and wherein each feeding connector electrically couples a corresponding feeding portion with a corresponding conductive member of a corresponding antenna device of the plurality of antenna devices. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein one of the first, second, third, or fourth edge members comprises a detachably coupled metallic cover. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna devices comprise a first antenna device and a second antenna device, wherein a first feeding portion of the first antenna device is capacitively coupled to the first edge member to indirectly feed the first antenna device with electricity, and wherein a second feeding portion of the second antenna device is electrically coupled to the second edge member to directly feed the second antenna device with electricity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the plurality of antenna devices comprise a third antenna device and a fourth antenna device, wherein a third feeding portion of the third antenna device is capacitively coupled to the third edge member to indirectly feed the third antenna device with electricity, and wherein a fourth feeding portion of the fourth antenna device is electrically coupled to the fourth edge member to directly feed the fourth antenna device with electricity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of antenna devices comprise conductive members corresponding to the plurality of antenna devices, and wherein one or more conductive members are electrically coupled to one or more corresponding edge members of the first, second, third, and fourth edge members. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein another one or more conductive members are capacitively coupled to another one or more corresponding edge members of the first, second, third, and fourth edge members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising a circuit board and a thermally conductive member contacting the frame, wherein the thermally conductive member is configured to transfer heat to the frame generated by one or more electronic elements disposed at the circuit board. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the frame and the first and second non-metallic coupling portions are integrated by plastic overmolding. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a main radiation area of the mobile terminal is directed in a lengthwise direction of the mobile terminal outwardly from an upper portion of the mobile terminal or a lower portion of the mobile terminal. ### Claim 14 A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wireless signals; a plurality of antenna devices correspondingly disposed at upper and lower portions of the mobile terminal and configured to transmit or receive radio signals; and a frame comprised of a metallic material and configured to form an upper side, a lower side, and lateral sides of an outer appearance of the mobile terminal, wherein the frame comprises: a first edge member and a second edge member disposed at an upper portion of the frame; a first slit defined between the first edge member and the second edge member; a third edge member and a fourth edge member disposed at a lower portion of the frame; and a second slit defined between the third edge member and the fourth edge member, wherein the first, second, third, or fourth edge member is configured to operate as a radiator of a corresponding antenna device of the plurality of antenna devices, and wherein the plurality of antenna devices are grounded to the frame such that a portion of the frame operates as a ground. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, further comprising a first non-metallic coupling portion and a second non-metallic coupling portion, wherein the first non-metallic coupling portion is disposed at the upper portion of the frame, wherein the first edge member and the second edge member are isolated from each other by a portion of the first non-metallic coupling portion, wherein the portion of the first non-metallic coupling portion is disposed in the first slit, wherein the second non-metallic coupling portion is disposed at a lower portion of the frame, wherein the third edge member and the fourth edge member are isolated from each other by a portion of the second non-metallic coupling portion, and wherein the portion of the second non-metallic coupling portion is disposed in the second slit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the plurality of antenna devices are configured to operate at LTE frequency bands in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, further comprising a first circuit board including one or more transceiver circuits, wherein the one or more transceiver circuits are configured to cause operation of at least two of the plurality of antenna devices by simultaneously feeding at least two of the first, second, third, or fourth edge members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 17, further comprising a second circuit board, wherein the first circuit board is disposed at the upper portion of the mobile terminal and the second circuit board is disposed at the lower portion of the mobile terminal, and wherein the first circuit board and the second circuit board are spaced apart from each other and electrically coupled by a coaxial cable or a flexible printed circuit board. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein the frame further comprises feeding portions coupled to the first circuit board and corresponding feeding connectors, and wherein each feeding connector electrically couples a corresponding feeding portion with a corresponding conductive member of a corresponding antenna device of the plurality of antenna devices. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein one of the first, second, third, and fourth edge members comprises a detachably coupled metallic cover. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein wherein the plurality of antenna devices comprise a first antenna device and a second antenna device, wherein a first feeding portion of the first antenna device is capacitively coupled to the first edge member to indirectly feed the first antenna device with electricity, and wherein a second feeding portion of the second antenna device is electrically coupled to the second edge member to directly feed the second antenna device with electricity. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein wherein the plurality of antenna devices comprise a third antenna device and a fourth antenna device, wherein a third feeding portion of the third antenna device is capacitively coupled to the third edge member to indirectly feed the third antenna device with electricity, and wherein a fourth feeding portion of the fourth antenna device is electrically coupled to the fourth edge member to directly feed the fourth antenna device with electricity. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the plurality of antenna devices comprise conductive members corresponding to the plurality of antenna devices, and wherein one or more conductive members are electrically coupled to one or more corresponding edge members of the first, second, third, and fourth edge members. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 23, wherein another one or more conductive members are capacitively coupled to another one or more corresponding edge members of the first, second, third, and fourth edge members. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, further comprising a circuit board and a thermally conductive member contacting the frame, wherein the thermally conductive member is configured to transfer heat to the frame generated by one or more electronic elements disposed at the circuit board. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the frame and the first and second non-metallic coupling portions are integrated by plastic overmolding. ### Claim 27 (depends on 14) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein a main radiation area of the mobile terminal is directed in a lengthwise direction of the mobile terminal outwardly from the upper portion of the mobile terminal or the lower portion of the mobile terminal. ### Claim 28 A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wireless signals; a plurality of antenna devices correspondingly disposed at upper and lower portions of the mobile terminal and configured to transmit or receive radio signals; a first cover disposed at a front side of the mobile terminal; a second cover disposed at a rear side of the mobile terminal; a first circuit board disposed at the upper portion of the mobile terminal and comprising one or more transceiver circuits; a second circuit board disposed at the lower portion of the mobile terminal; and a frame comprised of a metallic material disposed between the first cover and the second cover and configured to form an upper side, a lower side, and lateral sides of an outer appearance of the mobile terminal, wherein the first circuit board and the second circuit board are spaced apart from each other and electrically coupled by a coaxial cable or a flexible PCB, wherein the frame comprises: a first edge member and a second edge member disposed at an upper portion of the frame; a first slit defined between the first edge member and the second edge member; a third edge member and a fourth edge member disposed at a lower portion of the frame; and a second slit defined between the third edge member and the fourth edge member; wherein the mobile terminal further comprises one or more feeding portions electrically coupled with corresponding one or more feeding connectors of the first circuit board, wherein the first, second, third, or fourth edge member is configured to operate as a radiator of a corresponding antenna device of the plurality of antenna devices, wherein the plurality of antenna devices are grounded to the frame such that a portion of the frame operates as a ground, and wherein the plurality of antenna devices are configured to operate at LTE frequency bands in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The bar-type mobile terminal of claim 28, wherein the one or more transceiver circuits are configured to cause operation of at least two of the plurality of antenna devices by simultaneously feeding at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth edge members. ### Claim 30 A bar-type mobile terminal, comprising: a wireless communication unit configured to communicate wireless signals; a plurality of antenna devices correspondingly disposed at upper and lower portions of the mobile terminal and configured to transmit or receive radio signals; a frame comprised of a metallic material and configured to form an upper side, a lower side, and lateral sides of an outer appearance of the mobile terminal, wherein the frame comprises: a first edge member and a second edge member disposed at an upper portion of the frame; a first slit defined between the first edge member and the second edge member; a third edge member and a fourth edge member disposed at a lower portion of the frame; and a second slit defined between the third edge member and the fourth edge member, wherein the first, second, third, or fourth edge member is configured to operate as a radiator of a corresponding antenna device of the plurality of antenna devices, and wherein one of the plurality of antenna devices is configured to operate in a LTE B4 frequency band and another one of the plurality of antenna devices is configured to operate in a LTE B13 frequency band.