Abstract:
An antenna configuration for storing and deploying an antenna used with a hand-held wireless device, and method thereof. The device housing has a molded opening for holding a stylus element used with the device. The antenna is also stored in the housing within the molded opening, and the base end of the antenna is pivotably attached to the housing. In the present embodiment, the pivotable antenna is held in place within the molded opening by the stylus element. When the stylus element is removed, the antenna automatically pivots to the position in which it protrudes from the device housing. Thus, the antenna can be stored where it is protected and out of the way. In addition, the current form factor (size, shape and appearance) of the hand-held device can be retained.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of wireless transceiver devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to an antenna configuration for a portable wireless transceiver device. 
     2. Related Art 
     Wireless technologies are widely used for communication in modern society. In addition to personal cordless telephones (e.g., cell phones) and pagers, computer systems (in particular, handheld or portable computer systems including personal digital assistants) are more commonly being equipped with transceivers capable of broadcasting wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) over relatively long distances. 
     In addition, efforts are underway to develop technologies allowing hardware connections (e.g., cable connections) between devices to be replaced with wireless ones. For example, the Bluetooth technology provides a technology specification for small form factor, low-cost, short-range radio links between personal computers, mobile phones and other devices. Bluetooth is targeted at users who wish to establish a link, or small network, between their computer, cellular phone and other peripherals. 
     Wireless communication technologies provide users with greater mobility and convenience. Mobility and convenience are enhanced as devices such as cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are reduced in size. However, even as wireless communication devices are being made smaller and lighter, consumer preferences are driving manufacturers to further reduce the size and weight of such devices relative to the competition. 
     Manufacturers are also being driven by consumer preferences to provide wireless communication devices with additional functionality and features, in order to enhance user convenience as well as to distinguish their devices from competing devices. Accordingly, manufacturers must turn to creative and innovative approaches to provide added functionality and features without increasing the size and weight of the device, and without eliminating existing features. 
     Antennas used by wireless devices take many different forms in the prior art. One problem with prior art antenna designs is that they are in a fixed position extending from the device, even when not in use, and thus may be prone to breakage. Another problem is that such antennas, because they extend from the device, can get in the way or can otherwise inconvenience a user. As described above, it is desirable for the wireless devices to be as small as possible. However, an antenna protruding from the device in effect increases the size of the device, perhaps preventing the user from storing the device in a desired location (e.g., within his or her pocket). In addition, even if the wireless device can be placed in a pocket, for example, the protruding antenna may still cause the user some degree of discomfort or inconvenience. 
     Thus, it is desirable to have an antenna design located on a wireless device such that the antenna is both unobtrusive to a user and protected. Furthermore, it is desirable to have an antenna design that satisfies the above need and that can be conveniently implemented by the user. In addition, it is desirable to have an antenna design that satisfies the above needs and that will not increase the size or shape of the wireless device. The present invention provides these advantages and others not specifically mentioned above but described in the sections to follow. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an antenna design and method thereof that locates an antenna in an unobtrusive and protected location on a wireless device. Furthermore, the present invention provides an antenna design and method thereof that allow the antenna to be conveniently implemented by the user. In addition, the present invention provides an antenna design and method thereof that will not increase the size or shape of the wireless device. 
     The present invention pertains to an antenna configuration for storing and deploying an antenna used with a hand-held wireless device, and a method thereof. The device housing has a molded opening for holding a stylus element used with the device. The antenna is also stored in the housing within the molded opening, and the base end of the antenna is pivotably attached to the housing. In the present embodiment, the pivotable antenna is held in place within the molded opening by the stylus element. When the stylus element is removed, the antenna automatically pivots to the position in which it protrudes from the device housing. 
     The antenna can be coupled to the transceiver by suitable means. In one embodiment, the antenna is coupled to the transceiver using a flexible connector that allows the antenna to move. In another embodiment, a conducting element coupled to the transceiver is situated in the molded opening at a location that allows the conducting element to be in contact with the antenna when the antenna is moved to its protruding position. 
     Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the antenna can be stored in a position in which it is protected and out of the way. In addition, by using the molded opening to store and deploy the antenna, the form factor (size, shape and appearance) of existing hand-held devices can be retained. Furthermore, the antenna can be readily stored and deployed by a user. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the various drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment including a portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a portable computer system connected to other computer systems and the Internet via a cradle device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a top side perspective view of a portable computer system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom side perspective view of the portable computer system of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the components of the portable computer system of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a portable computer system in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a network of devices coupled using wireless connections in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a wireless transceiver in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a wireless device showing an antenna in a stored position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of a wireless device showing an antenna in a deployed position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration of a portable computer system showing an antenna deployed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the steps in a process for storing and deploying an antenna in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be recognized by one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalents thereof. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
     Exemplary Portable Computer System Network Environment 
     FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary network environment  50  including a portable computer system  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Portable computer system  100  is also known as a palmtop or palm-sized computer system or as a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     In the present embodiment, portable computer system  100  has the ability to transmit and receive data and information over a wireless communication interface (e.g., a radio interface). In one embodiment, the wireless communication interface is integrated into portable computer system  100 ; in another embodiment, the wireless communication interface is accomplished with a wireless modem attachment (not shown). Wireless signals are transmitted and received by portable computer system  100  using antenna  85 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, antenna  85  is a pivotable antenna. Additional information is provided in conjunction with FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  9  and  10 . 
     In the present embodiment, base station  32  is both a transmitter and receiver base station, which can be implemented by coupling it into an existing public telephone network  34 . Implemented in this manner, base station  32  enables portable computer system  100  to communicate with a proxy server computer system  36 , which is coupled by wire to the existing public telephone network  34 . Furthermore, proxy server computer system  36  is coupled to the Internet  52 , thereby enabling portable computer system  100  to communicate with the Internet  52 . 
     Coupled with Internet  52  are multiple servers exemplified by server  30 . Residing on server  30  is a Web site  40 . When communicating with a Web site over Internet  52 , protocols such as CTP (Compact Transport Protocol) and CML (Compact Markup Language) can be used by portable computer system  100  in the present embodiment. 
     It should be further appreciated that other embodiments of a communications network, planned or envisioned, may be utilized in accordance with the present invention. For example, a wireless connection may be made from portable computer system  100  via antenna  85  directly to the Internet  52 . 
     The data and information which are communicated between base station  32  and portable computer system  100  via antenna  85  are the same type of information and data that can conventionally be transferred and received over a public telephone wire network system. However, a wireless communication interface is utilized to communicate data and information between portable computer system  100  and base station  32 . It should be appreciated that one embodiment of a wireless communication system in accordance with the present invention is the Mobitex wireless communication system. 
     FIG. 1B illustrates another embodiment of a system  51  that can be used in conjunction with various embodiments of the present invention. System  51  comprises a host computer system  56  which can either be a desktop unit as shown, or, alternatively, can be a laptop system  58 . Optionally, one or more host computer systems can be used within system  51 . Host computer systems  58  and  56  are shown connected to a communication bus  54 , which in one embodiment can be a serial communication bus, but could be of any of a number of well known designs, e.g., a parallel bus, Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN), etc. Bus  54  can provide communication with the Internet  52  using a number of well-known protocols. Coupled with Internet  52  are multiple servers exemplified by server  30 . Residing on server  30  is a Web site  40 . 
     In one embodiment, bus  54  is coupled to a cradle  60  for receiving and initiating communication with portable computer system  100  of the present invention. Cradle  60  provides an electrical and mechanical communication interface between bus  54  (and anything coupled to bus  54 ) and the computer system  100  for two-way communications. Computer system  100  also contains a wireless infrared communication mechanism  64  for sending and receiving information from other devices (e.g., “beaming”). 
     In accordance with the present invention, portable computer system  100  may instead be coupled to host computer systems  56  and  58  via a wireless (radio) connection using antenna  85 . In this embodiment, antenna  85  is a pivotable antenna. Additional information is provided in conjunction with FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  9  and  10 . 
     Exemplary Portable Computer System with Wireless Transceiver and Pivotable Antenna 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the top face  100   a  of one embodiment of the palmtop computer system  100  of the present invention. The top face  100   a  contains a display screen  105  surrounded by a bezel or cover. A removable stylus  80  is also shown. In this embodiment, top face  100   a  is formed with a recess  24  for holding stylus  80 . 
     The display screen  105  is a touch screen able to register contact between the screen and the tip of the stylus  80 . The stylus  80  can be of any material to make contact with the screen  105 . The top face  100   a  also contains one or more dedicated and/or programmable buttons  75  for selecting information and causing the computer system to implement functions. The on/off button  95  is also shown. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a pivotable antenna  85  is also situated within recess  24 , in proximity to stylus  80 . Additional information with regard to the pivotable antenna  85  is provided in conjunction with FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  9  and  10 . 
     FIG. 2 also illustrates a handwriting recognition pad or “digitizer” containing two regions  106   a  and  106   b . Region  106   a  is for the drawing of alphabetic characters therein (and not for numeric characters) for automatic recognition, and region  106   b  is for the drawing of numeric characters therein (and not for alphabetic characters) for automatic recognition. The stylus  80  is used for stroking a character within one of the regions  106   a  and  106   b . The stroke information is then fed to an internal processor for automatic character recognition. Once characters are recognized, they are typically displayed on the screen  105  for verification and/or modification. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates the bottom side  100   b  of one embodiment of the palmtop computer system that can be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. A communication interface  180  is also shown. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication interface  180  is a serial communication port, but could also alternatively be of any of a number of well-known communication standards and protocols, e.g., parallel, SCSI (small computer system interface), Firewire (IEEE 1394), Ethernet, etc. Also shown is a battery storage compartment door  90 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the palmtop computer system  100  in accordance with one implementation. Computer system  100  contains a back cover  245 , and a front cover  210  having an outline of region  106  and holes  75   a  for receiving buttons  75   b . A flat panel display  105  (both liquid crystal display and touch screen) fits into front cover  210 . Any of a number of display technologies can be used, e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD), field emission display (FED), plasma, etc., for the flat panel display  105 . A battery  215  provides electrical power. A contrast adjustment (potentiometer)  220  is also shown, as well as an on/off button  95 . A flex circuit  230  is shown along with a printed circuit (PC) board  225  containing electronics and logic (e.g., memory, communication bus, processor, etc.) for implementing computer system functionality. The digitizer pad is also included in PC board  225 . A midframe  235  is shown along with stylus  80 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, antenna  85  is a pivotable antenna. Additional information is provided in conjunction with FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  9  and  10 . 
     Infrared communication mechanism  64  (e.g., an infrared emitter and detector device) is for sending and receiving information from other similarly equipped devices (see FIG.  1 B). A signal (e.g., radio) receiver/transmitter device  108  is also shown. The receiver/transmitter device  108  is coupled to the antenna  85  and also coupled to communicate with the PC board  225 . In one implementation the Mobitex wireless communication system is used to provide two-way communication between computer system  100  and other networked computers and/or the Internet via a proxy server (see FIG.  1 A). 
     FIG. 5 illustrates circuitry of computer system  100 , some of which can be implemented on PC board  225  (FIG.  4 ). Computer system  100  includes an address/data bus  110  for communicating information, a central processor  101  coupled with the bus for processing information and instructions, a volatile memory  102  (e.g., random access memory, RAM) coupled with the bus  110  for storing information and instructions for the central processor  101  and a non-volatile memory  103  (e.g., read only memory, ROM) coupled with the bus  110  for storing static information and instructions for the processor  101 . Computer system  100  also includes an optional data storage device  104  (e.g., memory stick) coupled with the bus  110  for storing information and instructions. Device  104  can be removable. As described above, computer system  100  also contains a display device  105  coupled to the bus  110  for displaying information to the computer user. PC board  225  can contain the processor  101 , the bus  110 , the ROM  103  and the RAM  102 . 
     With reference still to FIG. 5, computer system  100  also includes a signal transmitter/receiver device  108 , which is coupled to bus  110  for providing a physical communication link between computer system  100 , and a network environment (e.g., network environments  50  and  51  of FIGS.  1 A and  1 B). As such, signal transmitter/receiver device  108  enables central processor unit  101  to communicate wirelessly with other electronic systems coupled to the network. 
     It should be appreciated that within the present embodiment, signal transmitter/receiver device  108  is coupled to antenna  85  (FIG. 4) and provides the functionality to transmit and receive information over a wireless communication interface. It should be further appreciated that the present embodiment of signal transmitter/receiver device  108  is well suited to be implemented in a wide variety of ways. For example, signal transmitter/receiver device  108  could be implemented as a modem. 
     In one embodiment, computer system  100  includes a communication circuit  109  coupled to bus  110 . Communication circuit  109  includes an optional digital signal processor (DSP)  120  for processing data to be transmitted or data that are received via signal transmitter/receiver device  108 . Alternatively, processor  101  can perform some or all of the functions performed by DSP  120 . 
     Also included in computer system  100  of FIG. 5 is an optional alphanumeric input device  106  that in one implementation is a handwriting recognition pad (“digitizer”) having regions  106   a  and  106   b  (FIG.  2 ), for instance. Alphanumeric input device  106  can communicate information and command selections to processor  101 . Computer system  100  also includes an optional cursor control or directing device (on-screen cursor control  107 ) coupled to bus  110  for communicating user input information and command selections to processor  101 . In one implementation, on-screen cursor control device  107  is a touch screen device incorporated with display device  105 . On-screen cursor control device  107  is capable of registering a position on display device  105  where the stylus makes contact. The display device  105  utilized with computer system  100  may be a liquid crystal display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a field emission display device (also called a flat panel CRT) or other display device suitable for generating graphic images and alphanumeric characters recognizable to the user. In the preferred embodiment, display device  105  is a flat panel display. 
     Exemplary Bluetooth System and Wireless Communication Device with Pivotable Antenna 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the topology of a network of devices wirelessly connected in a Bluetooth system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Bluetooth is the code name for a technology specification for small form factor, low-cost, short-range radio links between personal computers, mobile phones and other devices. In the parlance of Bluetooth, a collection of devices connected in a Bluetooth system is referred to as a “piconet” or a “subnet.” A piconet starts with two connected devices, such as a computer system and a cellular phone, and may grow to eight connected devices. All Bluetooth devices are peer units; however, when establishing a piconet, one unit will act as a master and the other(s) as slave(s) for the duration of the piconet connection. 
     A Bluetooth system supports both point-to-point and point-to-multi-point connections. Several piconets can be established and linked together in a “scatternet,” where each piconet is identified by a different frequency hopping sequence. All devices participating on the same piconet are synchronized to their respective hopping sequence. 
     Accordingly, devices  610 ,  620 ,  630  and  640  are coupled in piconet  601  using wireless connections  680   a-c . Similarly, devices  650 ,  660  and  670  are coupled in piconet  602  using wireless connections  680   e-f . Piconet  601  and piconet  602  are coupled using wireless connection  680 d. Devices  610 - 670  can be printers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), desktop computer systems, laptop computer systems, cell phones, fax machines, keyboards, joysticks and virtually any other digital device. In the present embodiment, devices  610 - 670  are Bluetooth devices; that is, they are equipped with a Bluetooth radio transceiver, or they are adapted to communicate with Bluetooth devices (“Bluetooth-enabled”). That is, the Bluetooth radio transceiver may be integrated into a device, or it may be coupled to a device. 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a transceiver  708  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment (the “Bluetooth embodiment”), transceiver  708  is a Bluetooth device comprising a digital component (e.g., a Bluetooth controller) and an analog component (e.g., a Bluetooth radio). 
     In the present embodiment, transceiver  708  comprises an antenna  705  for receiving or transmitting radio signals, a radio frequency (RF) module  710 , a link controller  720 , a microcontroller (or central processing unit)  730 , and an external interface  740 . In the present embodiment, transceiver  708  is coupled by a system bus  700  to an external device  790  (e.g., a host device such as a computer system or similar intelligent electronic device, a PDA, a printer, a fax machine, etc.). However, it is appreciated that in another embodiment, transceiver  708  may be integrated into external device  790 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, antenna  705  is a pivotable antenna. Additional information is provided in conjunction with FIGS. 8A,  8 B,  9  and  10 . 
     In the Bluetooth embodiment, RF module  710  is a Bluetooth radio. In this embodiment, link controller  720  is a hardware digital signal processor for performing baseband processing as well as other functions such as Quality-of-Service, asynchronous transfers, synchronous transfers, audio coding, and encryption. 
     In one embodiment, microcontroller  730  is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In the Bluetooth embodiment, microcontroller  730  is a separate central processing unit (CPU) core for managing transceiver  708  and for handling some inquiries and requests without having to involve the host device. In the Bluetooth embodiment, microcontroller  730  runs software that discovers and communicates with other Bluetooth devices. 
     In the present embodiment, before any connections between Bluetooth devices are created, all devices are in a standby mode. In this mode, an unconnected unit “listens” for messages at a regular rate on a set of hop frequencies defined for that unit. In a sniff mode, a Bluetooth device listens to the piconet at a reduced rate (relative to the regular rate). In a park mode, a Bluetooth device is still synchronized to the piconet but does not participate in the traffic. 
     With reference still to FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, interface  740  is for coupling transceiver  708  to external device  790  in a suitable format, such as but not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), CardBus, or Personal Computer (PC) Card. In the present embodiment, interface  740  runs software that allows transceiver  708  to interface with the operating system of external device  790 . 
     Pivotable Antenna for a Wireless Transceiver Device 
     FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of a wireless communication device  800  showing a pivotable antenna  885  in a stored position in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communication device  800  may be, for example, a PDA such as portable computer system  100  of FIGS.  1 A through FIG. 5, or a Bluetooth device such as transceiver  708  of FIG.  7 . It is appreciated that pivotable antenna  885  can be used with other types of devices that have a stylus element  880 . 
     With reference to FIG. 8A, in the present embodiment, wireless communication device  800  is typically contained within a housing  802  that has a molded opening  810  for holding, for example, a stylus element  880 . It is appreciated that the molded opening  810  need not be for a stylus, but can be for holding a similar type of element. 
     In the present embodiment, molded opening  810  is completely enclosed within housing  802 ; however, in other embodiments, molded opening  810  may be only partially enclosed by housing  802 . That is, molded opening  810  may be recessed into housing  802 , like recess  24  of FIG.  2 . 
     With reference to FIG. 8A, antenna  885  is in a stored position (position  1 ) within molded opening  810 . In one embodiment, antenna  885  is held in position  1  by stylus element  880 . Antenna  885  is coupled to housing  802  at the base end of the antenna by pinned antenna connection  820 . In this embodiment, removal of stylus element  880  causes antenna  885  to pivot (rotate) about the antenna&#39;s pinned antenna connection  820  in response to a force applied by a spring  850  or a similar type of element. 
     In the present embodiment, antenna  885  is coupled to transceiver  808  by a flexible connector  830  (e.g., a wire or lead). Flexible connector  830  allows antenna  885  to pivot and still remain connected to transceiver  808 . It is appreciated that other means can be used in accordance with the present invention to couple transceiver  808  and antenna  885 . For example, pinned antenna connection  820  or a conductive element located within molded opening  810  can be used. The conductive element is situated in the molded opening at a location that allows the conducting element to be in contact with the antenna when the antenna is moved to its protruding position. 
     FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the wireless communication device  800  of FIG. 8A showing the antenna  885  in a deployed (protruding) position (position  2 ) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, stylus element  880  (FIG. 8A) has been removed, allowing antenna  885  to pivot (rotate) about pinned antenna connection  820  to a position in which the end of antenna  885  extends outside of housing  802 . 
     In one embodiment, in which molded opening  810  is completely enclosed within housing  802 , antenna  885  moves to position  2  through a slot  840  located in molded opening  810 . 
     FIG. 8B shows antenna  885  moving laterally to position  2  in the same plane as wireless communication device  800 . However, it is appreciated that, in other embodiments, antenna  885  can also move to a position  2  that is perpendicular to the plane defined by wireless communication device  800 . That is, antenna  885  can move to a position  2  that is pointing forward or backward relative to wireless communication device  800 . Furthermore, in other embodiments, antenna  885  can move to any position  2  that can be achieved with one end of the antenna anchored and the other end of the antenna free to move about the anchored end, within the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is an illustration of a portable computer system  100  (FIG.  1 A through FIG. 5) showing an antenna  85  deployed (e.g., in position  2 ) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. It is appreciated that pivotable antenna  85  can be used with other types of devices that have a stylus element (not shown). As described in conjunction with FIGS. 8A and 8B, antenna  85  can pivot (rotate) from a position within molded stylus holder  810  (position  1 ) to a position in which antenna  85  extends outside of housing  802  (position  2 ). As shown, molded stylus holder  810  is enclosed within housing  802 ; however, molded stylus holder  810  can instead be recessed into housing  802  (like recess  24  of FIG.  2 ). In the present embodiment, when stored (position  1 ), antenna  85  would not extend beyond housing  802 . 
     Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the antenna is stored on a wireless device (e.g., a portable computer system  100  or a Bluetooth device such as transceiver  708 ) so that the antenna is both unobtrusive to a user and protected. Furthermore, the antenna design of the present invention is conveniently implemented by the user. In addition, the antenna design of the present invention maintains existing form factors, and therefore will not increase the size or shape of the wireless communication device. 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the steps in a process  1000  for storing and deploying an antenna (e.g., antenna  885  of FIGS. 8A and 8B) used by a wireless device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     In step  1010 , antenna  885  is rotated into the stored position (position  1 ) within the molded opening  810 . Thus, in accordance with the present invention, antenna  885  and stylus element  880  are both positioned within molded opening  810 . In one embodiment, stylus element  880  holds antenna  885  in position  1 . 
     In step  1020  of FIG. 10, with reference also to FIG. 8A, in the present embodiment, the stylus element  880  is inserted into molded opening  810  in the housing  802  of a wireless communication device  800 . In the present embodiment, stylus element  880  is used to hold antenna  885  in the stored position (position  1 ). 
     In step  1030  of FIG. 10, with reference also to FIG. 8B, in the present embodiment, stylus element  880  is removed from molded opening  810 . 
     In step  1040  of FIG. 10, and with reference to FIG. 8B, with stylus element  880  removed, antenna  885  is free to pivot (rotate) into the deployed (or protruding) position (position  2 ). In one embodiment, when stylus element  880  is removed, antenna  885  automatically moves to position  2  because of a force applied by spring  850 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention, antenna flip-up on removal of stylus for handheld device, is thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the below claims.