Patent Description:
<CIT> describes a mobile terminal comprising: a display; a middle frame comprising a supporting and a side portion provided around the supporting portion to define a lateral external appearance; a main board comprising a ground; a first wireless communication unit configured to transceive a first signal; a second wireless communication unit configured to transceive a second signal; and a rear case configured to cover a rear surface of the main board, wherein the side portion comprises a plurality of conductive members of which ends are divided into slits, and the plurality of the conductive members comprises a common antenna electrically connectable with the first wireless communication unit and the second wireless communication unit and configured to receive the first signal and the second signal; and an independent antenna electrically connectable with the first wireless communication unit and configured to receive the first signal.

<CIT> describes an electronic device comprising: a conductive housing comprising a first surface facing in a first direction, a second surface facing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a side surface surrounding at least a part of a space formed between the first surface and the second surface; a printed circuit board seated inside the housing; and a side key fastened in an edge area of the housing. The side key comprises a side key circuit board comprising: a button unit having a surface covering a first through-hole formed through the side surface of the housing and having another surface exposed outwards; an operation unit extending from the surface of the button unit covering the first through-hole towards the inside of the housing such that at least a part of the extension is inserted into the first through-hole, and the inserted part moves in a third direction parallel with a direction perpendicular to the side surface of the housing according to whether or not the button unit is pressurized; an outer contact-point unit pressurized by a movement of the operation unit; an inner contact-point unit configured to contact the outer contact-point unit according to whether or not the outer contact-point unit is pressurized; and a switch module for producing an electric signal by means of contact between the outer contact-point unit and the inner contact-point unit. In addition, the side key comprises: a side key bracket for fixing and supporting the side key circuit board, at least a part of the side key circuit board being seated on the side key bracket; and an antenna using the first through-hole as an antenna opening for transmitting/receiving radio waves.

This document describes methods and systems for an antenna system integrated with side-keys of an electronic device. The antenna system enables antenna integration in a metal frame using a metal support structure and fastener(s) to route antenna signals around side-key modules embedded in the frame without encountering or causing interference with the side-key modules. By using these techniques to integrate antennas on areas around the side-key modules, more antennas can be implemented on the electronic device, leading to improved capabilities supporting additional wireless standards and a better user experience in terms of improved communication quality.

In aspects, an electronic device includes a housing and a main logic board disposed within the housing. The main logic board has a signal generator configured to generate, through one or more antennas, one or more antenna signals. The electronic device also includes a metal frame disposed along at least one edge of the housing and configured to provide structural support for the housing. The metal frame includes one or more apertures that enable the metal frame to be configured as an antenna radiating element of the one or more antenna signals generated by the one or more antennas. The metal frame also includes an interior surface and an opposing, exterior surface. In addition, the electronic device includes a side-key module embedded in the metal frame. The electronic device also includes a metal support having an elongated shape and is oriented to be substantially parallel with the metal frame. The metal support has one or more contact surfaces that abut the interior surface of the metal frame on one or more opposing sides of the side-key module. At least a portion of the side-key module is positioned directly between the metal support and the metal frame. The metal support also has a rear surface that is opposite the one or more contact surfaces. Additionally, the electronic device includes an antenna spring and one or more metal fasteners. The antenna spring is in direct electrical contact with the metal support and the signal generator and is configured to inject the one or more antenna signals into the metal support. The one or more metal fasteners affix the metal support to the metal frame to provide a path for the one or more antenna signals to be routed from the metal support to the metal frame.

In some implementations, the side-key module is positioned between the antenna spring and the metal frame. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the side-key module includes a user input mechanism configured to control one or more functions of the electronic device or an application executing on the electronic device. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the side-key module includes a pressable button or a touch-sensitive control. In some implementations, in some of these implementations, the side-key module includes a volume button or a power button.

In some implementations, the electronic device further includes a flexible printed circuit wrapped around at least a portion of the metal support to connect the side-key module to the main logic board. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the electronic device also includes a pressure sensitive adhesive connecting the flexible printed circuit to the metal support. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the flexible printed circuit is routed along a first lengthwise portion of the interior surface of the metal frame, wrapped around one or more lateral sides of the metal support, and routed along a second lengthwise portion of the rear surface of the metal support.

In some implementations, the one or more fasteners are electrically conductive and transfer the one or more antenna signals from the metal support to the metal frame.

In some implementations, the one or more fasteners include at least two fasteners separated by the side-key module. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the electronic device also includes one or more gaskets positioned between the metal support and the metal frame. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the one or more gaskets include two gaskets each positioned on an opposing side of the side-key module from one another to reduce signal interference from the antenna signal to the side-key module. In addition or as an alternative, in some of these implementations, the two gaskets are located between two of the at least two fasteners.

In some implementations, the one or more fasteners include screws, bolts, rivets, or studs.

In some implementations, the electronic device also includes multiple antenna springs including the antenna spring. Each antenna spring is in direct electrical contact with the metal support and is configured to inject corresponding antenna signals into the metal support to route the corresponding antenna signals through the one or more metal fasteners and to the metal frame to induce radiation that generates the one or more antennas.

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts concerning an antenna system integrated with side-keys of an electronic device, which is further described below in the Detailed Description and Drawings. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The details of one or more aspects of an antenna system integrated with side-keys of an electronic device are described in this document with reference to the following drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:.

This document describes methods and systems for an antenna system integrated with side-keys of an electronic device. The antenna system described herein enables areas around the side-keys (e.g., buttons or button-like components) to be utilized as antennas without experiencing interference from the side-keys and without causing interference with the functionality of the side-keys. Antenna integration is implemented by using an electrically conductive (e.g., metallic) support structure and fastener (e.g., screw). For example, a metallic frame having one or more arms (e.g., antenna structures) is formed as one or more antennas based on, e.g., slits in appropriate locations on the frame. Injecting signals electrically into the frame and its arm(s) can induce electric currents flowing along the frame, which can induce radiation that generates an antenna. To accommodate side-keys, which are embedded in the frame, and avoid signal interference, the support structure helps route the injected signals around the side-keys and into the frame. Antenna springs are connected to the support structure and are configured to inject the antenna signals into the support structure. The support structure is affixed to the frame by the fastener, which helps transfer the signals from the support structure to the frame.

While features and concepts of the described methods and systems for an antenna system integrated with side-keys of an electronic device can be implemented in any number of different environments, aspects are described in the context of the following examples.

<FIG> illustrates an example implementation <NUM> of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device <NUM>) having an antenna system <NUM> integrated with one or more side-key module(s) <NUM>. In an example, the side-key module <NUM> is embedded in a frame (e.g., metal frame <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> and connected to a main logic board (MLB) <NUM> by a flexible printed circuit (FPC) <NUM>. The metal frame <NUM> may include one or more apertures <NUM> (e.g., slots, slits, holes, cutouts) that enable the metal frame <NUM> to act as a radiating element for one or more antennas.

To provide a direct electrical path for antenna signals generated by one or more signal generators <NUM> on the MLB <NUM> to the metal frame <NUM>, the antenna system <NUM> includes one or more antenna springs <NUM>, one or more electrically conductive fasteners (e.g., fasteners <NUM>), and a conductive support structure (e.g., metal support <NUM>). Although the signal generator <NUM> and the antenna spring <NUM> are illustrated as separate components, this is not intended to be limiting. Rather, in an aspect, the signal generator <NUM> and the antenna spring <NUM> may comprise a single entity or part having the characteristics of both the signal generator <NUM> and the antenna spring <NUM> as well as being configured to perform functionalities of the both of the signal generator <NUM> and the antenna spring <NUM>. Using the various components of the antenna system <NUM> described herein, antenna signals can be routed around the side-key module <NUM> and injected into the metal frame <NUM> sufficient to cause the metal frame <NUM> to act as a radiating element for one or more antennas without causing signal interference to the side-key module <NUM>.

Further, the antenna system <NUM> enables the electronic device <NUM> to communicate wirelessly with other devices and/or servers over a network (e.g., network <NUM>). The network <NUM> may be any suitable network, some examples of which include a local-area-network (LAN), a wireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network (PAN), a wide-area-network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, a peer-to-peer network, point-to-point network, or a mesh network.

In more detail, consider <FIG>, which illustrates an example implementation <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> from <FIG>. The electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> is illustrated with a variety of example devices, including a smartphone <NUM>-<NUM>, a tablet <NUM>-<NUM>, a laptop <NUM>-<NUM>, a desktop computer <NUM>-<NUM>, a wearable electronic device (e.g., a computing watch <NUM>-<NUM>, computing spectacles <NUM>-<NUM>), a gaming system <NUM>-<NUM>, a home-automation and control system <NUM>-<NUM>, and a microwave <NUM>-<NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can also include other devices, e.g., televisions, entertainment systems, audio systems, automobiles, drones, track pads, drawing pads, netbooks, e-readers, home security systems, and other home appliances. Note that the electronic device <NUM> can be mobile, wearable, non-wearable but mobile, or relatively immobile (e.g., desktops and appliances).

The electronic device <NUM> also includes one or more computer processors <NUM> and one or more computer-readable media <NUM>. The one or more computer-readable media <NUM> includes memory media <NUM> and storage media <NUM>. Applications <NUM> and/or an operating system <NUM> implemented as computer-readable instructions on the computer-readable media <NUM> can be executed by the computer processors <NUM> to provide some or all of the functionalities described herein.

Various implementations of the antenna system <NUM> can include, or communicate with, a System-on-Chip (SoC), one or more Integrated Circuits (ICs), a processor with embedded processor instructions or configured to access processor instructions stored in memory, hardware with embedded firmware, a printed circuit board with various hardware components, or any combination thereof.

The electronic device <NUM> may also include a network interface <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can use the network interface <NUM> for communicating data over wired, wireless, or optical networks (e.g., the network <NUM>). By way of example and not limitation, the network interface <NUM> may communicate data over a local-area-network (LAN), a wireless local-area-network (WLAN), a personal-area-network (PAN), a wide-area-network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, a peer-to-peer network, point-to-point network, or a mesh network.

The electronic device <NUM> also includes one or more sensors <NUM>, which can include any of a variety of sensors, including an audio sensor (e.g., a microphone), a touch-input sensor (e.g., a touchscreen, a fingerprint sensor, a capacitive touch sensor), an image-capture device (e.g., a camera or video-camera), proximity sensors (e.g., capacitive sensors), or an ambient light sensor (e.g., photodetector). In aspects, the sensor <NUM> may include, or be integrated with, the side-key module <NUM> in <FIG>. For example, the side-key module <NUM> may be a fingerprint sensor to detect and scan a fingerprint of a user's finger, e.g., for authentication to the electronic device <NUM>. In another example, the side-key module <NUM> may include a capacitive touch sensor configured to detect touch input by the user to trigger a function of an application (e.g., the application <NUM>) running on the electronic device <NUM>, such as to increase or decrease the volume, skip to a next music track, repeat a previous music track, trigger a capture of a screen shot, trigger image capture by a camera, etc..

The electronic device <NUM> can also include a display device (e.g., display device <NUM>). The display device <NUM> can include any suitable touch-sensitive display device, e.g., a touchscreen, a liquid crystal display (LCD), thin film transistor (TFT) LCD, an in-place switching (IPS) LCD, a capacitive touchscreen display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, an active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) display, super AMOLED display, and so forth. The display device <NUM> may be referred to as a display or a screen, such that digital content may be displayed on-screen.

These and other capabilities and configurations, as well as ways in which entities of <FIG> and <FIG> act and interact, are set forth in greater detail below. These entities may be further divided, combined, and so on. The implementation <NUM> of <FIG> and the detailed illustrations of <FIG> illustrate some of many possible environments, devices, and methods capable of employing the described techniques, whether individually or in combination with one another.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view <NUM> of a portion of the electronic device from <FIG>, including the antenna system <NUM> integrated with the side-keys of the electronic device <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a portion of the metal frame <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> is disposed along an edge of the electronic device <NUM>. The edge may be any suitable edge of the electronic device <NUM> including, for example, an edge that borders a display screen (e.g., the display device <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>.

The metal frame <NUM> defines one or more slots <NUM> used to embed the side-key modules <NUM> (e.g., a first side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>, a second side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>) into the metal frame <NUM>. The metal frame <NUM> has an interior surface <NUM> and an exterior surface <NUM> that is opposite the interior surface <NUM>. The metal frame <NUM> may be disposed along at least one edge of a housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and provides structural support for the electronic device <NUM>. In implementations, the exterior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM> may form part of an exterior surface of a housing of the electronic device <NUM>. In another example, the metal frame <NUM> may be housed within the housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> such that the exterior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM> is located inside the housing <NUM>. The metal frame <NUM> acts as a grounded metallic radiator with a length enabling its resonant mode to be aligned with the signal frequency and result in one or more antennas.

The metal support <NUM> is aligned with the metal frame <NUM> and affixed to the metal frame <NUM> via one or more of the fasteners <NUM>. The metal support <NUM> includes a longitudinal axis <NUM>, which is aligned (e.g., substantially parallel) with the metal frame <NUM> along the edge of the housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the metal support <NUM> includes one or more contact surfaces <NUM>, which are configured to abut the interior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM>. The contact surfaces <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> surround a hole through which a fastener <NUM> (e.g., screw, bolt, stud, rivet) is inserted and fastened to the metal frame <NUM> to provide a clamping force and solidify the connection between the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM>. This connection also provides a direct electrical path from the metal support <NUM> to the metal frame <NUM> via the fastener <NUM> and in some implementations, via the contact surface <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> to the interior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM>.

In another example, the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM> may be a single part, rather than separate components that are fixed together. For instance, the metal support <NUM> may be formed by creating one or more slots in a relatively thick metal frame <NUM>. Such as slot can be used to make space for the side-key module <NUM> and the routing FPCs <NUM>. In such an implementation, the metal frame <NUM> and the metal support <NUM> are connected without using the fasteners <NUM>, and the metal support <NUM> is part of the metal frame <NUM>.

In addition, one or more gaskets <NUM> may be disposed between the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM> to seal a gap between the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM> on opposing sides of the side-key module <NUM>. In an example, the gaskets <NUM> are located proximate to opposing lengthwise ends of the side-key module <NUM> such that the side-key module <NUM> is oriented to be elongated in a direction that intersects the gaskets <NUM>. In addition, the gaskets <NUM> help improve electrical conductivity between the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM> by reducing resistance for the current flowing along the metal support <NUM> to the metal frame <NUM>. The gaskets <NUM> may further reduce signal interference between the side-key module <NUM> and the antenna signals traveling to the metal frame <NUM> to form antennas.

The one or more gaskets <NUM> may also be used to prevent antenna ohmic loses that are caused by floating metal parts introduced around the antenna. For example, the FPC <NUM> includes metallic ground traces that are connected to the side-key module <NUM> but which are not electrically connected to the metal frame <NUM> or the metal support <NUM>. In this way, the metal ground traces are floating metal parts. One or more gaskets <NUM> can connect the ground traces of the FPC <NUM> and cause the FPC <NUM> and the metal support <NUM> to act electrically as a single conductive body.

In aspects, the metal support <NUM> may include one or more recessed areas <NUM> configured to receive a portion of an FPC wrapping around at least a portion of the metal support <NUM>. For example, the FPC <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM>-<NUM> connected to a second portion <NUM>-<NUM>, which is connected to a third portion <NUM>-<NUM>. As illustrated, the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> may be positioned between the metal frame <NUM> and the metal support <NUM> such that the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> connects to the first side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>. The second portion <NUM>-<NUM> wraps around the metal support <NUM> (e.g., radially around the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the metal support <NUM>) and connects to the third portion <NUM>-<NUM>, which is located on an opposing side (e.g., rear surface <NUM>) of the metal support <NUM> from the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> (e.g., the side of the metal support <NUM> proximate to the MLB <NUM>). The rear surface <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> is opposite the contact surfaces <NUM> of the metal support <NUM>. The third portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> may be connected to a fourth portion <NUM>-<NUM>, which is connected to the MLB <NUM>. In some implementations, the FPC <NUM> may be attached to the metal support <NUM> via adhesive (e.g., pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA), glue).

One or more additional FPCs (e.g., FPC <NUM>) may also wrap around the metal support <NUM>, providing a direct electrical connection from the MLB <NUM> to another side-key module <NUM> (e.g., the second side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>). For example, the FPC <NUM> includes a first section <NUM>-<NUM> connected to a second section <NUM>-<NUM>, which bends around the metal support <NUM> and is connected to the MLB <NUM>. As the FPC <NUM> bends around the metal support <NUM>, the FPC <NUM> may be routed through one of the recessed areas <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> to reduce the length of the FPC <NUM> between the MLB <NUM> and the second side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a front view <NUM> of the portion of the electronic device from <FIG> in an assembled state. As illustrated, the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM> are assembled together by three fasteners <NUM>, providing electrical paths on opposing sides of the side-key modules <NUM>. Further, one or more of the antenna springs <NUM> are located directly behind the side-key modules <NUM> (e.g., the first side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>, the second side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>), which prevents a linear connection to the metal frame <NUM>. In some implementations, the side-key module <NUM> may be a pressable button (e.g., the first side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>), which may be embedded in the metal frame <NUM> and extend outwardly from the exterior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM>. In other implementations, the side-key module <NUM> may be a touch-sensitive button (e.g., the second side-key module <NUM>-<NUM>), which may be embedded in the metal frame <NUM> and aligned with a recessed area <NUM> defined by the metal frame <NUM>. The recessed area <NUM> may provide a tactile indication to a user of where the touch-sensitive button is located. As mentioned, the metal frame <NUM> provides a path for antenna signals, generated by the MLB <NUM> and injected into the metal support <NUM> by the antenna spring <NUM>, to travel around the side-key module <NUM> without interfering with the functionality of the side-key module <NUM>.

As illustrated, the FPC <NUM> wraps around a portion of the metal support <NUM>. For example, the first portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is disposed on the interior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM>, which is proximate to a first side <NUM> (e.g., frame-side) of the metal support <NUM>, and connects to one of the side-key modules <NUM>. The second portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> passes underneath (in the front view <NUM>) the metal support and the third portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> is disposed proximate to a second side <NUM> (MLB-side) of the metal support <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the third portion <NUM>-<NUM> is disposed on the second side <NUM> of the metal support <NUM>, which corresponds to the rear surface <NUM> of the metal support <NUM>. The fourth portion <NUM>-<NUM> of the FPC <NUM> connects directly to the MLB <NUM>. The additional FPC <NUM> may be similarly oriented. For example, a portion of the FPC <NUM> is disposed on the first side <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> and connects to one of the side-key modules <NUM>. The FPC <NUM> wraps underneath (in the front view <NUM>) the metal support <NUM> and onto the second side <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> to connect directly to the MLB <NUM>. In another example, the FPC <NUM> and/or the FPC <NUM> wrap over the top (in the front view <NUM>) of the metal support <NUM>, rather than underneath the metal support <NUM>.

In this arrangement, the FPCs <NUM> and <NUM> provide direct electrical connections from the MLB <NUM> to the side-key modules <NUM>. Further, the antenna springs <NUM>, the metal support <NUM>, the fasteners <NUM>, and the metal frame <NUM> provide a direct electrical path for antenna signals from the MLB <NUM> to the metal frame <NUM> to enable the metal frame <NUM> to act as a resonating antenna element without interfering with the functionality of the side-key modules <NUM>. A portion <NUM> of the front view <NUM> is shown in <FIG> in a simplified form to illustrate the path of the antenna signals generated by the antenna signal generator <NUM>.

Although the illustrated example includes three fasteners <NUM> and three antenna springs <NUM> used to realize three antennas by the metal frame <NUM>, any suitable number of fasteners and antenna springs can be used. Aspects including the length of the metal frame <NUM>, a grounding location, the number of fasteners, antenna springs, and realized antennas are not limiting factors to the subject matter described herein. These aspects can be modified in any suitable manner. For example, if additional antennas with different frequency specifications are to be incorporated into the electronic device, the techniques described herein can be applied to enable the additional antennas.

Each antenna spring <NUM> may use a different fastener <NUM> than the other antenna springs <NUM> to connect the corresponding antenna signals to the metal frame <NUM>. However, the number of fasteners is not limited by the number of antenna springs <NUM>. Additional fasteners may be implemented to establish additional connection between the metal frame <NUM> and the metal support <NUM>. Alternatively, fewer than three fasteners may be implemented. The number of fasteners used may depend on the architecture of the electronic device <NUM>, including available space in the electronic device <NUM>, number of side-key modules embedded in the metal frame <NUM>, number of antennas to realize via the metal frame <NUM>, and so forth.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view <NUM> of the portion of the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, taken along line A-A. The sectional view <NUM> illustrates a point of contact <NUM> between a spring connector <NUM> of the antenna spring <NUM> and the metal support <NUM>. The sectional view <NUM> also illustrates the side-key module <NUM>, which is located directly between the antenna spring <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM>. Further, the antenna spring <NUM> is mounted on the MLB <NUM>. Although an antenna spring is used in the illustrated example, any suitable electrical connector may be used to provide direct electrical contact to the metal support <NUM> for injecting the antenna signal.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view <NUM> of the portion of the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, taken along line B-B. The sectional view <NUM> illustrates the fastener <NUM> securing, based on a clamping force, the metal support <NUM> to the metal frame <NUM> to solidify the connection between the metal frame <NUM> and the metal support <NUM> and enable passage of the antenna signal. The antenna signal may travel through the fastener <NUM> as well as through areas of the metal support <NUM> that contact the metal frame <NUM>, including the contact surface <NUM> of the metal support <NUM> that abuts the interior surface <NUM> of the metal frame <NUM>. Accordingly, the fastener <NUM> is an integral part of the antenna system <NUM> because the fastener <NUM> helps transfer the antenna signal from the metal support <NUM> to the metal frame <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a simplified view <NUM> of a portion of the front view <NUM> from <FIG>, showing example current flow in the antenna system. The direction arrows <NUM> in the diagram indicate the direction of electric current flowing through the antenna system <NUM> at approximately <NUM>. The density of the illustrated pattern filling in the arrows <NUM> indicates an amount of the current flowing at that location. In the illustrated example, antenna signals, in the form of electric current, are injected into the metal frame <NUM> at location <NUM> and location <NUM> via the antenna springs <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

As illustrated, the current (e.g., the arrows <NUM>) flows from the injection sites (e.g., locations <NUM> and <NUM>) left and right through the metal support <NUM>. The current then flows through the fasteners <NUM> (e.g., shown at arrow <NUM>) and the surrounding surfaces of the metal support <NUM> and the metal frame <NUM> that are contacting one another. Then, the current flows into the metal frame <NUM>. Due to the geometry of the metal frame (e.g., slots, cutouts, etc. in the metal frame <NUM>), the metal frame <NUM> can act as the resonating antenna element for one or more antennas. Accordingly, the current flows around the side-key module <NUM>, which is embedded in the metal frame <NUM>, without interfering with the side-key module <NUM> functionality.

Generally, any of the components, modules, methods, and operations described herein can be implemented using software, firmware, hardware (e.g., fixed logic circuitry), manual processing, or any combination thereof. Some operations of the example methods may be described in the general context of executable instructions stored on computer-readable storage memory that is local and/or remote to a computer processing system, and implementations can include software applications, programs, functions, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, any of the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components, including, and without limitation, Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SoCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and the like.

An electronic device may comprise: a housing; a main logic board disposed within the housing, the main logic board having a signal generator configured to generate, through one or more antennas, one or more antenna signals; a metal frame disposed along at least one edge of the housing and configured to provide structural support for the housing, the metal frame having: one or more apertures that enable the metal frame to be configured as an antenna radiating element of the one or more antenna signals generated by the one or more antennas; and an interior surface and an opposing, exterior surface; a side-key module embedded in the metal frame; a metal support having an elongated shape and oriented to be substantially parallel with the metal frame, the metal support having one or more contact surfaces that abut the interior surface of the metal frame on one or more opposing sides of the side-key module, at least a portion of the side-key module positioned directly between the metal support and the metal frame, the metal support having a rear surface that is opposite the one or more contact surfaces; an antenna spring in direct electrical contact with the metal support and the signal generator, the antenna spring configured to inject the one or more antenna signals into the metal support; and one or more metal fasteners affixing the metal support to the metal frame to provide a path for the one or more antenna signals to be routed from the metal support to the metal frame.

The side-key module may be positioned between the antenna spring and the metal frame.

The side-key module may include a user input mechanism configured to control one or more functions of the electronic device or an application executing on the electronic device.

The side-key module may include a pressable button or a touch-sensitive control.

The side-key module may include a volume button or a power button.

The electronic device may further comprise a flexible printed circuit wrapped around at least a portion of the metal support to connect the side-key module to the main logic board.

The electronic device may further comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive connecting the flexible printed circuit to the metal support.

The flexible printed circuit may be routed along a first lengthwise portion of the interior surface of the metal frame, wrapped around one or more lateral sides of the metal support, and routed along a second lengthwise portion of the rear surface of the metal support.

The one or more fasteners may be electrically conductive and transfer the one or more antenna signals from the metal support to the metal frame.

The one or more fasteners may include at least two fasteners separated by the side-key module.

The electronic device may further comprise one or more gaskets positioned between the metal support and the metal frame.

The one or more gaskets may include two gaskets each positioned on an opposing side of the side-key module from one another to reduce signal interference from the antenna signal to the side-key module.

The two gaskets may be located between two of the at least two fasteners.

The one or more fasteners may include screws, bolts, rivets, or studs.

The electronic device may further comprise multiple antenna springs including the antenna spring, wherein each of the multiple antenna springs is configured to: be in direct electrical contact with the metal support; and inject corresponding antenna signals into the metal support to route the corresponding antenna signals through the one or more metal fasteners and to the metal frame to induce radiation that generates the one or more antennas.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a main logic board (<NUM>) disposed within the housing, the main logic board having a signal generator (<NUM>) configured to generate, through one or more antennas, one or more antenna signals;
a metal frame (<NUM>) disposed along at least one edge of the housing and configured to provide structural support for the housing, the metal frame having:
one or more apertures (<NUM>) that enable the metal frame to be configured as an antenna radiating element of the one or more antenna signals generated by the one or more antennas; and
an interior surface (<NUM>) and an opposing, exterior surface (<NUM>);
a side-key module (<NUM>) embedded in the metal frame;
a metal support (<NUM>) having an elongated shape and oriented to be substantially parallel with the metal frame, the metal support having one or more contact surfaces (<NUM>) that abut the interior surface of the metal frame on one or more opposing sides of the side-key module, at least a portion of the side-key module positioned directly between the metal support and the metal frame, the metal support having a rear surface (<NUM>) that is opposite the one or more contact surfaces;
an antenna spring (<NUM>) in direct electrical contact with the metal support and the signal generator, the antenna spring configured to inject the one or more antenna signals into the metal support; and
one or more metal fasteners (<NUM>) affixing the metal support to the metal frame to provide a path for the one or more antenna signals to be routed from the metal support to the metal frame.