Foldable device with hinge-integrated antenna

A method of configuring a signal transducer of a foldable UE (user equipment), the method comprising:

• providing a first panel comprising a first conductor configured to provide a first portion of the signal transducer, the signal transducer being configured to transduce between guided signals and wireless signals;
• providing a second panel comprising a second conductor configured to provide a second portion of the signal transducer, at least one of the first panel and the second panel further comprising a respective portion of a display;
• providing a hinge connected to the first panel and the second panel and configured to allow the first panel to rotate relative to the second panel about a pivot axis of the hinge, the hinge comprising a third conductor configured to provide a third portion of the signal transducer, the third conductor electrically coupling the first conductor to the second conductor;
• providing a fourth conductor that is physically separate from the first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor;
• and
• selectively causing the fourth conductor to provide a fourth portion of the signal transducer.

A foldable UE (user equipment) comprising:

• a first panel comprising a first conductor configured to provide a first portion of a signal transducer that is configured to transduce between guided signals and wireless signals;
• a second panel comprising a second conductor configured to provide a second portion of the signal transducer, at least one of the first panel and the second panel further comprising a respective portion of a display;
• a hinge connected to the first panel and the second panel and configured to allow the first panel to rotate relative to the second panel about a pivot axis of the hinge, the hinge comprising a third conductor configured to provide a third portion of the signal transducer, the third conductor electrically coupling the first conductor to the second conductor;
• a fourth conductor that is physically separate from the first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor;
• and
• means for selectively causing the fourth conductor to provide a fourth portion of the signal transducer.

A method of configuring a signal transducer of a foldable UE (user equipment), the method comprising:

• selectively coupling a first-panel conductor, of a first panel of the foldable UE, to a first conductor of the first panel;
• and
• selectively coupling a radio frequency circuit of a second panel of the foldable UE to either a second-panel conductor of the second panel or to a second conductor of the second panel, at least one of the first panel and the second panel comprising a respective portion of a display;
• wherein the first conductor is electrically coupled to the second conductor by a third conductor of a hinge that is connected to the first panel and the second panel and that is configured to allow the first panel to rotate relative to the second panel about a pivot axis of the hinge;
• wherein the first-panel conductor, the first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor form the signal transducer with the first-panel conductor selectively coupled to the first conductor and the radio frequency circuit selectively coupled to the second conductor;
• and
• wherein the first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor, and the second-panel conductor form the signal transducer with the first-panel conductor selectively uncoupled from the first conductor and the radio frequency circuit selectively coupled to the second-panel conductor.