US5712645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antenna adapted for placement in the window of a vehicle
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1995-10-06
•
Granted: 1998-01-27
•
Expires: 2015-10-06
Abstract
Abstract An antenna adapted for placement in the window of a vehicle includes a flexible substrate having a pair of opposing surfaces, at least one of which is provided with electrically conductive metal traces in the form of a pattern configured to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals. The pitch, trace width, and thickness of the metal traces are selected such that the antenna has an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm/square for a pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory M. Jellum
- 👤 Bradley L. Givot
- 👤 Roger A. Brekken
- 👤 Susan N. Bohlke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:22
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10174; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/1271; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An antenna adapted for placement in the window of a vehicle, said antenna comprising a flexible substrate having a pair of opposing surfaces, at least one of which is provided with a series of electrically conductive metal traces in the form of a pattern configured to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals, said metal traces having a structure characterized by a pitch, trace width, and thickness dimensioned to provide said antenna with an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm/square for a pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An antenna adapted for placement in the window of a vehicle, said antenna comprising a flexible substrate having a pair of opposing surfaces, at least one of which is provided with a series of electrically conductive metal traces in the form of a pattern configured to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals, said metal traces having a structure characterized by a pitch, trace width, and thickness dimensioned to provide said antenna with an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm/square for a pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said antenna has an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 0.5 ohm/square.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region is at least about 10%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An antenna according to claim 1 further comprising electrically conductive metal traces for grounding said antenna.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said metal traces comprise copper traces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said surfaces of said substrate further comprises a primer on which at least a portion of said metal traces are located.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An antenna according to claim 6 wherein said primer comprises a metal alloy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said pattern comprises a grid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An antenna according to claim 1 further comprising a first colored topcoat overlying at least a portion of said metal traces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An antenna according to claim 9 further comprising a second colored topcoat on the opposing surface of said substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said pattern is configured to receive and transmit AM and FM radio signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said pattern is configured to receive and transmit a television signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An antenna according to claim 1 wherein said pattern is configured to receive and transmit a microwave signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for enabling a vehicle having one or more windows to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals comprising incorporating in a window of said vehicle an antenna comprising a flexible substrate having a pair of opposed surfaces on at least one of which is provided electrically conductive metal traces in the form of a pattern configured to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals, said metal traces having a structure characterized by a pitch, trace width, and thickness dimensioned to provide said antenna with an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm/square for a pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for enabling a vehicle having one or more windows to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals comprising incorporating in a window of said vehicle an antenna comprising a flexible substrate having a pair of opposed surfaces on at least one of which is provided electrically conductive metal traces in the form of a pattern configured to receive and transmit one or more electromagnetic signals, said metal traces having a structure characterized by a pitch, trace width, and thickness dimensioned to provide said antenna with an area-averaged resistivity of no greater than about 1 ohm/square for a pre-determined area-averaged transmission value in the visible region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 14 comprising affixing said antenna to a portion of the surface of said window.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 14 comprising incorporating said antenna within said window.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said vehicle comprises a windshield having a shade band area, said method comprising incorporating said antenna in said shade band area of said windshield.
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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) | 2001-01-26 | 2001-07-28 | 2002-01-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-26 | 2005-07-28 | 2006-01-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-26 | 2009-07-28 | 2010-01-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |