Apple Files Patent for Radio-Transparent Zirconia Casings

Apple describes the patent as "A handheld computing device is disclosed. The handheld computing device includes an enclosure having structural walls formed from a ceramic material that is radio-transparent."

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seamless enclosure, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Apple claims the following about the invention patent which was filed on August 7, 2006.

[Claim 1] A portable computing device capable of wireless communications, the portable computing device comprising: an enclosure that surrounds and protects the internal operational components of the portable computing device, the enclosure including a structural wall formed from a ceramic material that permits wireless communications therethrough.

[Claim 2] The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the portable computing device is capable of radio frequency communications and wherein the structural wall formed from a ceramic material is radio-transparent.

[Claim 3] The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the ceramic material is zirconia.

[Claim 4] The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the ceramic material is alumina.

[Claim 6] The portable computing device as recited in claim 1 wherein the portable computing device is a handheld computing device.

[Claim 7] The portable computing device as recited in claim 6 wherein the handheld computing device is a cell phone.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective diagram of an electronic device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The patent is summarised with the following statements:-

The invention relates, in one embodiment, to a portable computing device capable of wireless communications. The portable computing device includes an enclosure that surrounds and protects the internal operational components of the portable computing device. The enclosure includes a structural wall formed from a ceramic material that permits wireless communications therethrough. The wireless communications may for example correspond to RF communications, and further the ceramic material may be radio-transparent thereby allowing RF communications therethrough.

The invention relates, in another embodiment, to a handheld computing device. The handheld computing device includes a seamless tube formed from a ceramic material and extending along a longitudinal axis. The seamless tube has a first open end and a second open end opposite the first open end. The elongated seamless tube defines an internal lumen which is sized and dimensioned for insertion of operational components of the handheld computing device.