Patent Description:
An electronic device such as a smartphone may provide various functions such as e.g., phone calling, multimedia playback or the like. A side key may be disposed on one side of the electronic device to provide some functions such as e.g., volume control of phone calling and/or multimedia playback, screen on/off or the like. When a button of the side key exposed to the outside is depressed, an actuating part connected to the button moves inward to the inside of the electronic device to press an outer contact part, so that a key input signal can be generated by an electrical contact between the outer contact part and an inner contact part. Further, the generated key input signal may be transferred to a processor mounted on a printed circuit board to perform a function related to a side key input.

In the meantime, the electronic device needs to efficiently secure a space for arranging at least one antenna, which is an essential component for communication, while preventing deterioration of radiation performance. For this end, a structure in which the antenna is arranged in a side key assembly may be considered.

<CIT> discloses a mobile device includes a first circuit board, a metal frame, an electronic component, a second circuit board, and an RF (Radio Frequency) module. The first circuit board includes a system ground plane. The metal frame at least includes a first portion. The first portion is electrically coupled to the system ground plane and a feeding point. An antenna structure is formed by the first portion and the feeding point. The second circuit board is electrically coupled to the electronic component. The electronic component and the second circuit board are adjacent to the first portion of the metal frame. The RF module is electrically coupled to the feeding point, so as to excite the antenna structure.

In the course of operating at least one antenna equipped in a side key flexible circuit board (or assembly), malfunctions (e.g., ceased screen, screen slowdown, reboot, etc.) may occur in cameras disposed adjacent to the side key flexible circuit board due to current flowing therethrough. Such a malfunction of the camera may be alleviated or minimized by reducing (e.g., Tx backoff) the transmission power of the antenna placed on the side key circuit board or by minimizing placement of the antenna in an area adjacent to the camera, but it may cause occurrence of unnecessary backoff of the transmission power as well as considerable restrictions in mounting the antenna.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, provided is an electronic device having a structure capable of minimizing malfunction of a camera, owing to an efficient design of a conductive wall and a side key flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) located in an area adjacent to the area in which the side key FPCB is disposed.

An electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a display <NUM>, a housing <NUM> including a transparent front side plate <NUM> through which the display <NUM> can be viewed, a rear side plate <NUM> spaced apart from the front side plate and disposed to be parallel thereto, and a side surface member <NUM> connected to the front side plate and the rear side plate, at least one camera, at least one electronic component located inside the housing, a conductive wall <NUM> formed between the at least one camera and the at least one electronic component, a side key <NUM> located in at least one opening formed in a part of the side surface member, and a side key flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) for detecting a depression of the side key, and to generate and transmit an electrical signal in response to a detection of the depression of the side key. In an embodiment, a first portion of the side surface member adjacent to the side key is a first antenna. In an embodiment, the side key FPCB includes a first connector connected to the first antenna to transmit a first radio frequency (RF) signal to the first antenna. In an embodiment, the side key FPCB includes an extended part extending into an inside of the housing of the electronic device. In an embodiment, the extended part is disposed between the camera and the conductive wall. In an embodiment, the conductive wall includes at least one hole <NUM> formed in a partial region of the conductive wall corresponding to the extended part.

According to embodiments of the disclosure, it is advantageously possible to minimize camera radio frequency interference (RFI) that may occur when operating an antenna disposed on a side key circuit board when providing an electronic device according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

Further, according to embodiments of disclosure, it is advantageously possible to provide an effect of improving radio frequency (RF) performance of an electronic device by minimizing backoff of the transmission power in an upper antenna of the electronic device when providing an electronic device according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the disclosure, it is advantageously possible to provide an effect of minimizing spatial restrictions that may occur in arranging an antenna in an area around a camera mounted in an electronic device when providing an electronic device according to the embodiments of the disclosure.

The effects that can be obtained from the disclosure are not limited to those described above, and any other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the disclosure belongs from the description below.

In conjunction with the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for the same or similar components.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, they are not intended to limit the disclosure to their specific embodiments, and should be appreciated that they may include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives of embodiments of the disclosure. In the following description, like or similar reference numbers are used for substantially the same components, and any redundant descriptions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

<FIG> illustrates a front side of an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a rear side of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a housing <NUM> including a front side plate <NUM> (e.g., a surface facing +z axis direction), a rear side plate <NUM> (e.g., a surface facing -z axis direction), and a side surface member <NUM> (e.g., a surface facing +x/-x axis directions and/or a surface facing +y/-y axis directions) surrounding a space between the front side plate <NUM> and the rear side plate <NUM>. In the following description, the housing <NUM> may refer to a structure forming a portion of the front side plate <NUM>, the rear side plate <NUM>, and the side surface member <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the front side plate <NUM> may be, for example, formed by a front plate (not shown) (e.g., a glass plate including various coating layers, or a polymer plate) at least a portion of which is substantially transparent. The rear side plate <NUM> may be formed by a substantially opaque rear plate <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> may be, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of these materials. The side surface member <NUM> may be coupled to a front plate (not shown) and a rear plate <NUM>, and may be formed by a bracket <NUM> (e.g., a side bezel structure) including a metal and/or a polymer. The rear plate <NUM> and the bracket <NUM> may be integrally formed. The rear plate <NUM> may include transparent glass covering a camera.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM> (e.g., a display module <NUM> of <FIG>), at least one camera module (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) (e.g., a camera module <NUM> of <FIG>), at least one key input device (<NUM>, <NUM>) (e.g., an input module <NUM> of <FIG>), a sensor module (not shown) (e.g., a sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>), and a connector hole (not shown) (e.g., a connecting terminal <NUM> of <FIG>). The electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may omit at least one of these components or additionally include another component.

In an embodiment, the display <NUM> may be visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> through the front side plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, at least a portion of a surface of the housing <NUM> may include a screen display area formed as the display <NUM> is visually exposed. For example, the screen display area may be formed on at least a portion of the front side plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring the intensity (pressure) of a touch, and/or a digitizer for detecting a magnetic field type of stylus pen.

In an embodiment, the screen display area may include a sensing area (not shown) configured to acquire biometric information of a user. Here, the meaning of "the screen display area including a sensing area" may be understood to mean that at least a portion of the sensing area may be overlapped with the screen display area. For example, the sensing area, like other areas of the screen display area, may display visual information by the display <NUM>, and may additionally refer to an area capable of acquiring biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint) of the user.

In an embodiment, the camera modules (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) may include a first camera module <NUM> (e.g., a punch hole camera) exposed to the front side plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, a second camera module <NUM> exposed to the rear side plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and a flash <NUM>. The first camera module <NUM> and the second camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash <NUM> may include a light emitting diode or a xenon lamp. According to an embodiment, two or more lenses (infrared camera, wide-angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first camera module <NUM> may be visually exposed through a portion of the screen display area of the display <NUM>. For example, the first camera module <NUM> may be exposed to the front side plate <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and/or a partial area of the screen display area, through an opening (not shown) formed in a portion of the display <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the second camera module <NUM> may include a plurality of camera modules (e.g., a dual camera, a triple camera, or a quad camera). However, the second camera module <NUM> is not necessarily limited to including a plurality of camera modules, and may include one camera module.

In an embodiment, the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on the side surface member <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one side key or a side button disposed on the bracket <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM>, and the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> not installed therein may be implemented on the display <NUM> in another form such as a soft key.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may perform a function of turning on/off the screen of the display <NUM> in response to inputs of the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM>. Alternatively, it may perform a function of adjusting the volume of phone calling or multi-media playback in response to inputs of the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, The key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include a power key (e.g., <NUM>) or a volume key (e.g., <NUM>). According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to receive and/or obtain biometric information (e.g., a fingerprint) of a user. For example, the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured with a fingerprint sensing button capable of sensing fingerprint. The key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include a fingerprint sensor module (not shown), and may be configured to sense a user's fingerprint by the fingerprint sensor module, when a user's body part (e.g., a finger) comes into contact with the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sensor module (not shown) (e.g., a sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>) may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to an internal operation state or an external environment state of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the sensor module may include at least one of a proximity sensor, an HRM sensor, a fingerprint sensor, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an IR (infrared) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, or the like.

In an embodiment, connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to accommodate connectors. The connector holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed on the side surface member <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In an embodiment, a first connector hole <NUM> may accommodate a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to/from an external electronic device, or a connector (e.g., an earphone jack) for transmitting and receiving audio signals to/from an external electronic device. In an embodiment, a second connector hole <NUM> may accommodate a storage device (e.g., a subscriber identification module (SIM) card).

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include an audio module. In an embodiment, the audio module may include a microphone hole <NUM> and speaker holes <NUM> and <NUM>. In the microphone hole <NUM> may be disposed a microphone for acquiring sound from the outside, and in some embodiments, a plurality of microphones may be disposed to detect a direction of the sound. The speaker holes may include an external speaker hole <NUM> and a receiver hole <NUM> for phone calling. In an embodiment, the speaker hole <NUM> and the microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented of a single hole, or a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) may be included without such a speaker hole <NUM>.

In an embodiment, electromagnetic waves may be radiated through the side surface member <NUM> from a slot area (e.g., a first antenna area <NUM> and a second antenna area <NUM>) of the housing corresponding to an antenna contact disposed on the side key.

<FIG> illustrates a housing and a side key of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> and a side key <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be a device corresponding to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the housing <NUM> may form part of a side surface member of the electronic device <NUM>. A rear side plate (e.g., a rear plate <NUM>) may be coupled to the housing <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the housing <NUM> may include a conductive wall <NUM> formed across the side surface of the electronic device <NUM> in x-axis direction. The conductive wall <NUM> may be configured to spatially separate a region (hereinafter, referred to as an upper region) formed in a first direction (+y direction) of the housing <NUM> and a region (hereinafter, referred to as a lower region) formed in a second direction (-y direction). That is, if the conductive wall <NUM> is considered to be along a y = <NUM> line, then the upper region is a region of the housing and/or electronic device above the y-axis, and the lower region is a region of the housing and/or the electronic device below the y-axis.

In an embodiment, the conductive wall <NUM> may refer to a portion of the bracket <NUM> formed by an extending part of the side surface member <NUM>. The bracket may be formed by extending the side surface member <NUM>, and may support a display, a printed circuit board (PCB), a battery, or the like.

In an embodiment, the side surface member <NUM>, the bracket <NUM>, and the conductive wall <NUM> may be integrally formed. As the electronic device performs various functions, the conductive wall <NUM> may effectively block any noise that may occur in the upper and lower regions, respectively. That is, the conductive wall <NUM> may act to prevent or reduce noise which occurs in one region from affecting any components provided in the other region.

In an embodiment, a camera area <NUM> for disposing a camera (not shown) (e.g., a camera module <NUM>) may be formed in the housing <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may be disposed in the camera area <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the camera area <NUM> may be formed in +y direction with respect to the conductive wall <NUM>. In an embodiment, the battery (not shown) may be disposed in -y direction with respect to the conductive wall <NUM>. The camera and the battery may be spatially separated by the conductive wall <NUM>. That is, the camera area may be provided in the upper region, and the battery may be provided in the lower region.

The side key <NUM> according to an embodiment may include the key input devices <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, a circuit board including the same, and a bracket. Although not shown separately, the circuit board may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and/or a flexible printed circuit board (flexible PCB).

In an embodiment, at least one antenna contact may be disposed on the circuit board of the side key <NUM>. For example, a first antenna contact may be disposed in a first region <NUM>, and a second antenna contact may be disposed in a second region <NUM>.

In an embodiment, although not shown in the drawings, the side key <NUM> may further include a side key FPCB connecting an antenna (e.g., a first antenna, a second antenna) and an internal component (e.g., a processor, a communication module, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM>. The side key FPCB will be further described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the housing <NUM>, according to an embodiment, may be formed a first antenna area <NUM> to which the first antenna contact disposed in the first region <NUM> of the side key <NUM> is coupled, and a second antenna area <NUM> to which the second antenna contact disposed in the second region <NUM> of the side key <NUM> is coupled.

In an embodiment, the first antenna contact disposed in the first region <NUM> may be disposed in the first antenna area <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the second antenna contact disposed in the second region <NUM> may be disposed in the second antenna area <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

In an embodiment, one or more slots may be formed in one or both of the first antenna area <NUM> and the second antenna area <NUM>. For example, the first antenna area <NUM> may include a power feeder <NUM>-<NUM>, a housing region <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to a housing frame including the power feeder <NUM>-<NUM>, and a slot region <NUM>-<NUM>. Resonance may be generated through the slot region <NUM>-<NUM>, and a signal may be radiated through the housing region <NUM>-<NUM>. Further, for example, the second antenna area <NUM> may include a power feeder <NUM>-<NUM>, a housing region <NUM>-<NUM> corresponding to the housing frame including the power feeder <NUM>-<NUM>, and a slot region <NUM>-<NUM>. Resonance may be generated through the slot region <NUM>-<NUM>, and a signal may be radiated through the housing region <NUM>-<NUM>.

In an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may perform power feeding by contacting the first antenna contact disposed in the first region <NUM> with the power feeder <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may perform power feeding by contacting the second antenna contact disposed in the second region <NUM> with the power feeder <NUM>-<NUM>.

Although not shown in the drawings, the side key FPCB connected to the side key <NUM> may connect an internal component (e.g., a communication module, a processor, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM> and the antenna (e.g., a first antenna, a second antenna) disposed on the side key <NUM>, across a space formed in the camera area <NUM> and the conductive wall <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a housing of an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a housing and a side key flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) of an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an enlarged view of an upper region of the housing <NUM> shown in <FIG> and a region including the conductive wall <NUM>. A side key FPCB <NUM> of <FIG> may refer to the configuration of connecting the antenna (e.g., a first antenna, a second antenna) of the side key <NUM> and the internal component (e.g., a processor, a communication module) of the electronic device, although not illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may include a conductive wall <NUM>. The conductive wall <NUM> may have a configuration corresponding to the conductive wall <NUM> of <FIG>.

According to an embodiment, the conductive wall <NUM> may include at least one hole <NUM>. In <FIG> and hereinafter, the conductive wall <NUM> is shown to include three holes, but this is only an example and may include less than or more than three holes.

In an embodiment, the hole <NUM> may be formed in an area adjacent to the camera area <NUM>. For example, the hole <NUM> may be formed in an area overlapping the camera area <NUM> with respect to the y-axis. Since the hole is for reducing radio frequency interference (RFI) of the camera when operating the antenna included in the side key, at least one hole may be formed in the camera area <NUM> in which the camera is disposed. That is, the function of the hole <NUM> is to help reduce the radio frequency interference experienced by the camera when the antenna included in the side key is being operated. As such, the at least one hole may be formed in the area or region in which the camera is provided.

In an embodiment, the holes <NUM> may be formed in the y-axis direction. In other words, the cross section of the hole may be a plane parallel to an x-z plane having the y-axis as a normal line. In other words, the holes <NUM> may be provided along a y = <NUM> direction. Noise generated from the FPCB disposed between the camera area and the conductive wall <NUM> through the hole formed in the conductive wall <NUM> is spread in the second direction (the -y direction) to form a radiation pattern from the upper region to the lower region, thereby causing the noise to be dispersed. Accordingly, the effect of noise on the camera may be reduced due to the current flowing through the FPCB.

In an embodiment, the width of the holes <NUM> may be formed to be the same as each other. For example, as shown in <FIG>, all three holes may have the same length (a). In other words, all of the holes may have the same diameter. As shown in <FIG>, all three holes have a diameter of size or length a.

In an embodiment, the interval between the holes <NUM> may be formed substantially the same as the width of the hole. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the distance between the holes may be formed substantially the same as the length (a), which is a width of the hole. In other words, the distance between holes may be equal to (or substantially equal to) the diameter of the holes. As shown in <FIG>, both the diameter of the holes and the separation between successive holes has a value or length of a.

In an embodiment, the hole <NUM> is shown to have an ellipse shape in the drawing, but it is only an example and the hole <NUM> may have various shapes such as e.g., a circular shape, a polygon or the like (e.g., a triangle, a square, a pentagon, etc.). Where the holes are ellipse-shaped, the terms 'diameter', 'length' or 'size' of the hole refer to a measure of the distance from one side of the hole to the other, passing through the center of the hole.

In order to form a radiation pattern in the lower region through the hole <NUM> according to an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may also have a corresponding structure. <FIG> shows a partial region of the side key FPCB, and it may illustrate a partial region of the side key FPCB <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> as below.

In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may include three layers. For example, the side key FPCB <NUM> may have a structure of three layers in which a base layer, a first conductive layer formed in a +y-axis direction with respect to the base layer, and a second conductive layer formed in a -y-axis direction with respect to the base layer are stacked in three layers. For the convenience of the description, in the following description, the base layer may be referred to as a "second layer", the first conductive layer may be referred to as a "first layer", and the second conductive layer may be referred to as a "third layer". The structure of the side key FPCB will be described in more detail in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may include a transmission line <NUM> connected to the first antenna and a transmission line <NUM> connected to the second antenna. The transmission line <NUM> may connect the first antenna to an internal component (e.g., a processor, a communication module) of the electronic device <NUM>, and the transmission line <NUM> may connect the second antenna to an internal component (e.g., a processor, a communication module) of the electronic device <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may be disposed between the camera area <NUM> and the conductive wall <NUM>. The transmission line disposed or formed on the side key FPCB <NUM> may be wired to the third layer, and a ground layer may be formed on the first or second layer. For example, the side key FPCB <NUM> may form wiring in the form of a microstrip line. The transmission line may be arranged or formed to be wired to a partial area of the third layer overlapping the area in which the hole is formed and to be exposed to the outside. For example, the transmission line may be a conductive pattern formed on the upper surface of the second layer. In the case of an area other than a hole area <NUM>, the second transmission line <NUM> may be disposed on the first layer, and the first and third layers may be connected through a via or the like. When the side key FPCB <NUM> is disposed, the hole area <NUM> may refer to an area on the side key FPCB <NUM> overlapping the area in which at least one hole <NUM> of the conductive wall <NUM> is formed.

<FIG> illustrates a side key FPCB according to an embodiment. In the description of <FIG>, content overlapping with the content described in <FIG> may be omitted, and the same configuration may be described with the same reference numeral(s). <FIG> illustrates the side key FPCB <NUM> of <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the first region <NUM> may refer to a region corresponding to the first region <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the first antenna contact is disposed, and the second region <NUM> may refer to a region corresponding to the second region <NUM> of <FIG>, in which the second antenna contact is disposed.

In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may be disposed to pass between the area in which the camera is disposed and the area in which the conductive wall is formed. In the case of the hole area <NUM> corresponding to the area in which the hole <NUM> of the conductive wall <NUM> is formed, a transmission line may be wired to the third layer, and a ground layer may be formed on the first or second layer. For example, a wiring in the form of a microstrip line may be formed. For example, the transmission line may be disposed on an upper surface of the second layer. In the case of an area other than the hole area <NUM>, the second transmission line <NUM> may be disposed on the first layer, and the first and third layers may be connected through a via or the like.

<FIG> illustrates a stacked structure of a side key FPCB according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a stacked structure of an area including the hole area <NUM> of the side key FPCB <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the side key FPCB <NUM> may include three layers. In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may include a base layer <NUM>, a first conductive layer <NUM>, and a second conductive layer <NUM>. The first conductive layer <NUM> and the second conductive layer <NUM> may be arranged or formed in the first direction and the second direction of the base layer <NUM>. The first direction may refer to +y direction (the direction in which the conductive wall <NUM> faces the camera area <NUM>) with respect to the base layer <NUM>, and the second direction may refer to -y direction (a direction opposite to the direction in which the conductive wall <NUM> faces the camera area <NUM>) with respect to the base layer <NUM>. The base layer <NUM> may be formed of an insulating material, and may serve to separate the first conductive layer <NUM> from the second conductive layer <NUM>. In the following description, the first conductive layer <NUM> may be referred to as a "first layer", the base layer <NUM> as a "second layer", and the second conductive layer <NUM> as a "third layer".

In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may include a transmission line <NUM> formed in the first conductive layer <NUM>, the base layer <NUM>, and the second conductive layer <NUM>. An electrical signal may flow between an internal component (e.g., a processor, a communication module, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM> and a component (e.g., a first antenna, a second antenna, etc.) disposed on the side key <NUM>, through a transmission line. The transmission line <NUM> may include a conductive material.

In an embodiment, the transmission line <NUM> may refer to a line formed by connecting a first transmission line <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, a plurality of vias <NUM>, and a second transmission line <NUM> in succession. The first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may refer to a portion disposed or formed on the first conductive layer <NUM> in the transmission line <NUM>, and the second transmission line <NUM> may refer to a portion disposed or formed on the second conductive layer in the transmission line <NUM>. The second transmission line <NUM> may be formed only in the hole area <NUM> and may be connected through the plurality of vias <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first conductive layer <NUM> may include first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> through which electrical signals flow. The first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed or formed adjacent to the base layer <NUM>. For example, although not shown in the drawings, the first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the base layer <NUM> may have a structure attached to each other. The first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be conductive patterns formed on a lower surface of the base layer <NUM>. A portion of the first conductive layer <NUM> surrounding the first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include an insulating material. The 'transmission line' described throughout the following description may be referred to as 'wiring', 'wiring pattern', 'signal line', 'transmission line', or any other terms equivalent thereto.

In an embodiment, the second conductive layer <NUM> may include a second transmission line <NUM> through which an electrical signal flows. Although not shown in the drawings, the transmission line <NUM> may be arranged or formed to be wired to a partial area of the second conductive layer <NUM> overlapping the hole area <NUM> and exposed to the outside. For example, the second transmission line <NUM> may be a conductive pattern formed on an upper surface of the second conductive layer <NUM>. In the case of a transmission line for an antenna being arranged on the first conductive layer <NUM>, the performance of the antenna may be satisfied, but the transmission line is placed adjacent to the camera, so that radio frequency interference (RFI) may occur in the camera. Thus, some wirings in an area adjacent to the camera may be pulled up to the third floor to disperse noise. Such a configuration makes it possible to disperse the current distribution, by forming a radiation pattern in the rear side direction of the electronic device.

In an embodiment, although not shown in the drawings, the transmission line <NUM> may include a ground layer in the first conductive layer <NUM> or the base layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the second transmission lines <NUM> may have the same length (a). In an embodiment, the first transmission lines <NUM> may have the same length. In an embodiment, the first transmission lines <NUM> and the second transmission lines <NUM> may have the same length.

In an embodiment, the side key FPCB <NUM> may include a plurality of vias <NUM>. The plurality of vias <NUM> may be disposed or formed at a boundary area in between the hole area <NUM> and a portion other than the hole area <NUM>. The plurality of vias <NUM> may include a conductive material.

In an embodiment, the first conductive layer <NUM> and the second conductive layer <NUM> may be connected through a plurality of vias <NUM>. The plurality of vias <NUM> may connect the first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to the second transmission line <NUM>. The plurality of vias <NUM> may be disposed or formed to pass through the base layer <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first transmission line <NUM> may be connected to an internal configuration (e.g., a processor, a communication module, etc.) of the electronic device <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first transmission line <NUM> may be disposed or formed in between the hole areas <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the first transmission line <NUM> may be connected to the side key <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the distance (b) between the second transmission line <NUM> and the hole may be less than the distance (c) between the first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and the conductive wall.

In an embodiment, at least one camera may be disposed in -y direction with respect to the second conductive layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the battery and other electronic components may be disposed in +y direction with respect to the first conductive layer <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a side key FPCB according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a side key FPCB according to another embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a side key FPCB according to yet another embodiment. <FIG> illustrates the first conductive layer <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the base layer <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates the second conductive layer <NUM> of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the first transmission lines <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed or formed on the first conductive layer <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of vias <NUM> may be disposed or formed on the base layer <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a second transmission line <NUM> may be formed in the second conductive layer <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, some (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) of the components may be integrated into a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

For example, when the electronic device <NUM> includes the main processor <NUM> and the auxiliary processor <NUM>, the auxiliary processor <NUM> may be configured to use lower power than the main processor <NUM> or to be specified for a designated function.

The display <NUM> may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display <NUM> may include a touch sensor configured to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor configured to measure the intensity of a force generated by the touch.

According to an embodiment, the sensor module <NUM> may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an accelerometer, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a <NUM> network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)). The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify or authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module <NUM>.

The antenna module <NUM> may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device). According to an embodiment, the antenna module <NUM> may include one antenna including a radiator formed of a conductor or conductive pattern formed on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., an antenna array). In this case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, may be selected from the plurality of antennas by, e.g., the communication module <NUM>. According to an embodiment, other parts (e.g., radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) than the radiator may be further formed as part of the antenna module <NUM>.

The external electronic devices <NUM> or <NUM> each may be a device of the same or a different type from the electronic device <NUM>. In another embodiment, the external electronic device <NUM> may include an Internet-of-things (IoT) device.

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating a wireless communication module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, and an antenna module <NUM> of an electronic device <NUM> according to various embodiments. Referring to <FIG>, the wireless communication module <NUM> may include an MST communication module <NUM> or an NFC communication module <NUM>, and the power management module <NUM> may include a wireless charging module <NUM>. In such a circumstance, the antenna module <NUM> may include a plurality of antennas including an MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM> connected to the MST communication module <NUM>, an NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM> connected to the NFC communication module <NUM>, and a wireless charging antenna <NUM>-<NUM> connected to the wireless charging module <NUM>. For convenience of description, components overlapping those of <FIG> will be omitted or briefly described.

The MST communication module <NUM> may receive, from the processor <NUM>, a signal including control information or payment-related information such as card information, generate a magnetic signal corresponding to the received signal via the MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM>, and then transmit the generated magnetic signal to the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a POS device). According to an embodiment, in order to generate the magnetic signal, the MST communication module <NUM> may include a switching module (not shown) including one or more switches connected to the MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM>, and may control the switching module to change a direction of a voltage or current supplied to the MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM> according to the received signal. The change in direction of the voltage or current makes it possible for the direction of a magnetic signal (e.g., a magnetic field) transmitted via the MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM> to change accordingly. When the magnetic signal in the state of changing direction is detected by the external electronic device <NUM>, it may cause the magnetic signal to cause an effect (e.g., waveform) similar to a magnetic field generated when a magnetic card corresponding to the received signal (e.g., card information) is swiped with a card reader of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the payment-related information and the control signal received in the form of the magnetic signal by the electronic device <NUM> may be, for example, transmitted to the external server <NUM> (e.g., a payment server) via the network <NUM>.

The NFC communication module <NUM> may obtain a signal including control information or payment-related information such as card information from the processor <NUM>, and transmit the obtained signal to the external electronic device <NUM> via the NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM>. According to an embodiment, the NFC communication module <NUM> may receive such a signal transmitted from the external electronic device <NUM> via the NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM>.

The wireless charging module <NUM> may wirelessly transmit power to the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a mobile phone or a wearable device) via the wireless charging antenna <NUM>-<NUM>, or wirelessly receive power from the external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a wireless charging device). The wireless charging module <NUM> may support at least one of various wireless charging methods including, for example, a magnetic resonance scheme or a magnetic induction scheme.

According to an embodiment, some of the MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM>, the NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM>, or the wireless charging antenna <NUM>-<NUM> may share at least a portion of a radiation part with each other. For example, the radiation part of the MST antenna <NUM>-<NUM> may be used as a radiation part of either the NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM> or the wireless charging antenna <NUM>-<NUM>, and vice versa. In this case, the antenna module <NUM> may include a switching circuit (not shown) configured to selectively connect (e.g., close) or disconnect (e.g., open) at least some of the antennas <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, or <NUM>-<NUM>, under the control of the wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., the MST communication module <NUM> or the NFC communication module <NUM>) or the power management module <NUM> (e.g., the wireless charging module <NUM>). For example, in the case that the electronic device <NUM> uses the wireless charging function, the NFC communication module <NUM> or the wireless charging module <NUM> may control the switching circuit to temporarily disconnect at least a partial area of the radiation part shared by the NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM> and the wireless charging antenna <NUM>-<NUM> from the NFC antenna <NUM>-<NUM> and then connect the same to the wireless charging antenna <NUM>-<NUM>.

According to an embodiment, at least one function of the MST communication module <NUM>, the NFC communication module <NUM>, or the wireless charging module <NUM> may be controlled by an external processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>). According to an embodiment, designated functions (e.g., payment-related function) of the MST communication module <NUM> or the NFC communication module <NUM> may be performed in a trusted execution environment (TEE). According to various embodiments, the TEE may form an execution environment in which at least some designated region of the memory <NUM> is allocated for use in performing a certain function that requires a relatively high level of security (e.g., a financial transaction or a personal information-related function). In such a case, the access to the designated region may be allowed in a limited manner, for example, depending upon a subject accessing the designated region or an application executed in the TEE.

The electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be one of various types of electronic devices.

The various embodiments and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutes of the embodiment. In connection with the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the item, unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise. In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases, or all possible combinations thereof. Terms such as "the first", "the second", or "first", or "second" may be used simply to distinguish a corresponding component from another corresponding component, and do not limit the corresponding components in view of other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term "operatively" or "communicatively", as "coupled with", "coupled to", "connected with", or "connected to" another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element.

The term "module" used in various embodiments of the present document may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware and be used interchangeably with terms such as e.g., logic, logic block, part, component, or circuitry, for example. The module or unit may be a minimum unit or a part of the integrally configured component or the component that performs one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module or unit may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program <NUM>) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., an internal memory <NUM> or an external memory <NUM>) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., PlayStore™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities, and some of the multiple entities may be separately disposed in different components. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. In such a case, according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the integrated component may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>), comprising:
a display (<NUM>);
a housing (<NUM>) including a transparent front side plate (<NUM>) through which the display (<NUM>) can be viewed, a rear side plate (<NUM>) spaced apart from the front side plate and disposed to be parallel thereto, and a side surface member (<NUM>) connected to the front side plate and the rear side plate;
at least one camera;
at least one electronic component located inside the housing;
a conductive wall (<NUM>) formed between the at least one camera and the at least one electronic component;
a side key (<NUM>) located in at least one opening formed in a part of the side surface member; and
a side key flexible printed circuit board, FPCB, for detecting a depression of the side key, and to generate and transmit an electrical signal in response to a detection of the depression of the side key,
wherein a first portion of the side surface member adj acent to the side key is a first antenna,
wherein the side key FPCB includes a first connector connected to the first antenna to transmit a first radio frequency, RF, signal to the first antenna,
wherein the side key FPCB includes an extended part extending into an inside of the electronic device,
wherein the extended part is disposed between the camera and the conductive wall, and
wherein the conductive wall includes at least one hole (<NUM>) formed in a partial region of the conductive wall corresponding to the extended part.