Patent ID: 12230877

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the drawings, the same or like elements are designated by the same or like reference signs as much as possible. In the following description and drawings, a detailed description of known functions or configurations that may make the subject matter of the disclosure unnecessarily unclear will be omitted.

FIG.1is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device in a network environment according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, the electronic device101in the network environment100may communicate with an electronic device102via a first network198(e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device104or a server108via a second network199(e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may communicate with the electronic device104via the server108. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include a processor120, memory130, an input module150, a sound output module155, a display module160, an audio module170, a sensor module176, an interface177, a connecting terminal178, a haptic module179, a camera module180, a power management module188, a battery189, a communication module190, a subscriber identification module (SIM)196, or an antenna module197. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal178) may be omitted from the electronic device101, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device101. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module176, the camera module180, or the antenna module197) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module160).

The processor120may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program140) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device101coupled with the processor120, and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor120may store a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module176or the communication module190) in volatile memory132, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory132, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory134. According to an embodiment, the processor120may include a main processor121(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), or an auxiliary processor123(e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor121. For example, when the electronic device101includes the main processor121and the auxiliary processor123, the auxiliary processor123may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor121, or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor123may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor121.

The auxiliary processor123may control, for example, at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display module160, the sensor module176, or the communication module190) among the components of the electronic device101, instead of the main processor121while the main processor121is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor121while the main processor121is in an active (e.g., executing an application) state. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor123(e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module180or the communication module190) functionally related to the auxiliary processor123. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor123(e.g., the neural processing unit) may include a hardware structure specified for artificial intelligence model processing. An artificial intelligence model may be generated by machine learning. Such learning may be performed, e.g., by the electronic device101where the artificial intelligence is performed or via a separate server (e.g., the server108). Learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, e.g., supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, or reinforcement learning. The artificial intelligence model may include a plurality of artificial neural network layers. The artificial neural network may be a deep neural network (DNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), a recurrent neural network (RNN), a restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM), a deep belief network (DBN), a bidirectional recurrent deep neural network (BRDNN), deep Q-network or a combination of two or more thereof but is not limited thereto. The artificial intelligence model may, additionally or alternatively, include a software structure other than the hardware structure.

The memory130may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor120or the sensor module176) of the electronic device101. The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program140) and input data or output data for a command related thereto. The memory130may include the volatile memory132or the non-volatile memory134.

The program140may be stored in the memory130as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)142, middleware144, or an application146.

The input module150may receive a command or data to be used by another component (e.g., the processor120) of the electronic device101, from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The input module150may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, a key (e.g., a button), or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen).

The sound output module155may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device101. The sound output module155may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record. The receiver may be used for receiving incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker.

The display module160may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device101. The display module160may 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 module160may include a touch sensor adapted to detect a touch, or a pressure sensor adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch.

The audio module170may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module170may obtain the sound via the input module150, or output the sound via the sound output module155or an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device102(e.g., a speaker or a headphone)) directly or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device101.

The sensor module176may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device101or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device101, and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module176may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, 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.

The interface177may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device101to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102) directly or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface177may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface.

A connecting terminal178may include a connector via which the electronic device101may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal178may include, for example, an HDMI connector, a USB connector, an SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector).

The haptic module179may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module179may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator.

The camera module180may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module180may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes.

The power management module188may manage power supplied to the electronic device101. According to one embodiment, the power management module188may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC).

The battery189may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the battery189may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell.

The communication module190may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device101and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device102, the electronic device104, or the server108) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module190may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor120(e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module190may include a wireless communication module192(e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module194(e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network198(e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network199(e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module192may identify or authenticate the electronic device101in a communication network, such as the first network198or the second network199, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module196.

The wireless communication module192may support a 5G network, after a 4G network, and next-generation communication technology, e.g., new radio (NR) access technology. The NR access technology may support enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC), or ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). The wireless communication module192may support a high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band) to achieve, e.g., a high data transmission rate. The wireless communication module192may support various technologies for securing performance on a high-frequency band, such as, e.g., beamforming, massive multiple-input and multiple-output (massive MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam-forming, or large scale antenna. The wireless communication module192may support various requirements specified in the electronic device101, an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device104), or a network system (e.g., the second network199). According to an embodiment, the wireless communication module192may support a peak data rate (e.g., 20 Gbps or more) for implementing eMBB, loss coverage (e.g., 164 dB or less) for implementing mMTC, or U-plane latency (e.g., 0.5 ms or less for each of downlink (DL) and uplink (UL), or a round trip of 1 ms or less) for implementing URLLC.

The antenna module197may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the antenna module may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). According to an embodiment, the antenna module197may include a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas). In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network198or the second network199, may be selected, for example, by the communication module190from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module190and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module197.

According to various embodiments, the antenna module197may form a mmWave antenna module. According to an embodiment, the mmWave antenna module may include a PCB, an RFIC disposed on a first surface (e.g., the bottom surface) of the PCB, or adjacent to the first surface and capable of supporting a designated high-frequency band (e.g., the mmWave band), and a plurality of antennas (e.g., array antennas) disposed on a second surface (e.g., the top or a side surface) of the PCB, or adjacent to the second surface and capable of transmitting or receiving signals of the designated high-frequency band.

At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)).

According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device101and the external electronic device104via the server108coupled with the second network199. Each of the external electronic devices102or104may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device101may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices102,104, or108. For example, if the electronic device101should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device101, instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device101. The electronic device101may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, mobile edge computing (MEC), or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. The electronic device101may provide ultra low-latency services using, e.g., distributed computing or mobile edge computing. In another embodiment In another embodiment, the external electronic device104may include an Internet-of-things (IoT) device. The server108may be an intelligent server using machine learning and/or a neural network. According to an embodiment, the external electronic device104or the server108may be included in the second network199. The electronic device101may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart city, smart car, or healthcare) based on 5G communication technology or IoT-related technology.

The electronic device according to various embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smartphone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devices are not limited to those described above.

It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to refer to similar or related elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the things, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases 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, or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in 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.

As used in connection with various embodiments of the disclosure, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may interchangeably be used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “part,” or “circuitry”. A module may be a single integral component, or a minimum unit or part thereof, adapted to perform one or more functions. For example, according to an embodiment, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program140) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory136or external memory138) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device101). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor120) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device101) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium.

According to an embodiment, 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 traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., 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. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer's server, a server of the application store, or a relay server.

According to various embodiments, 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, one or more of the above-described components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single component. In such a case, 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, 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.

FIG.2is a front perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.3is a rear perspective view illustrating the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, an electronic device101according to an embodiment may include a housing310including a front surface310A, a rear surface310B, and a side surface310C surrounding a space between the front surface310A and the rear surface310B. In another embodiment (not illustrated), In another embodiment (not illustrated), the term housing310may refer to a structure providing a part of the front surface310A, the rear surface310B, and the side surface310C inFIG.2. According an embodiment, at least a portion of the front surface310A may be provided by a substantially transparent front plate302(e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coating layers). The rear surface310B may be provided by a rear plate311made of glass, ceramic, a polymer, a metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of two or more of these materials. The side surface310C may be provided by a side bezel structure (or a side member)318coupled to the front plate302and the rear plate311and including a metal and/or a polymer. In some embodiments, the rear plate311and the side bezel structure318may be integrally configured and may include the same material.

InFIG.2, the front plate302may include, at the long opposite side edges thereof, two first edge areas310D, which are bent from the front surface310A toward the rear plate311and extend seamlessly. InFIG.3, the rear plate311may include, at the long opposite side edges thereof, two second edge areas310E, which are bent from the rear surface310B toward the front plate302and extend seamlessly. In some embodiments, the front plate302or the rear plate311may include only one of the first edge areas310D (or the second edge areas310E). In another embodiment, some of the first edge areas310D or the second edge areas310E may not be included. When viewed from a side of the electronic device101, the side bezel structure318may have a first thickness (or width) on the side surface portions that do not include the first edge areas310D or the second edge areas310E described above, and may have a second thickness, which is less than the first thickness, on the side surface portions that include the first edge areas310D or the second edge areas310E.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include at least one of a display device301, audio modules303,307, and314(e.g., the audio module170inFIG.1), a sensor module (e.g., the sensor module176inFIG.1), camera modules305,312, and313(e.g., the camera module180inFIG.1), a key input device317(e.g., the input module150inFIG.1), and connector holes308and309(e.g., the connection terminal178inFIG.1). In some embodiments, in the electronic device101, at least one of the components (e.g., the connector hole309) may be omitted, or other components may be additionally included.

According to an embodiment, the display301may be visually exposed through a substantial portion of the front plate302. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the display301may be exposed through the front plate302defining the front surface310A and the first edge areas310D. In some embodiments, the edges of the display301may be configured to be substantially the same as the shape of the periphery of the front plate302adjacent thereto. In another embodiment, the distance between the periphery of the display301and the periphery of the front plate302may be substantially constant in order to enlarge the exposed area of the display301.

According to an embodiment, the front plate302of the housing310may include a screen display area provided as the display301is visually exposed. For example, the screen display area may include the front surface310A and the first edge areas310D.

In another embodiment (not illustrated), a part of the screen display area (e.g., the front surface310A and the first edge areas310D) of the display301may define a recess or an opening and may include at least one of an audio module314, a sensor module (not illustrated), and a light-emitting element (not illustrated), and a camera module305, which are aligned with the recess or the opening. In another embodiment (not illustrated), The rear surface of the screen display area of the display301may include at least one of the audio module314, the sensor module (not illustrated), the camera module305, the fingerprint sensor (not illustrated), and the light-emitting element. In another embodiment (not illustrated), The display301may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch-sensitive circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring a touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer configured to detect a magnetic-field-type stylus pen. In some embodiments, at least some of the key input devices317may be disposed in the first edge areas310D and/or the second edge areas310E.

According to an embodiment, the audio modules303,307, and314may include a microphone hole303and speaker holes307and314. The microphone hole303may be disposed therein to acquire external sound, and In some embodiments, a plurality of microphones may be disposed therein to be able to detect the direction of sound. The speaker holes307and314may include an external speaker hole307and a phone call receiver hole314. In some embodiments, the speaker holes307and314and the microphone hole303may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker may be included therein without the speaker holes307and314(e.g., a piezo speaker). The audio modules303,307, and314are not limited to the above-described structure, and depending on the structure of the electronic device101, the design of the audio modules may be changed such that some of the audio modules are mounted or a new audio module is added.

According to an embodiment, sensor modules may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to an internal operating state of the electronic device101or an external environmental state. The sensor modules (not illustrated) may include a first sensor module (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the front surface310A of the housing310, and/or a third sensor module (e.g., a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor) and/or a fourth sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the rear surface310B of the housing310. (not illustrated), The fingerprint sensor may be disposed not only on the front surface310A of the housing310, but also on the rear surface310B. In another embodiment (not illustrated), The sensor modules may be disposed in one area of the display panel so as not to be recognized from the outside. The electronic device101may further include at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an IR sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor. The sensor modules are not limited to the above-described structure, and, depending on the structure of the electronic device101, the design of the sensor modules may be changed such that some of the sensor modules are mounted or a new sensor module is added.

According to an embodiment, the camera modules305,312, and313may include a front camera module305disposed on the front surface310A of the electronic device101, a rear camera module312disposed on the rear surface310B, and/or a flash313. The camera modules305and312may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an image signal processor. The flash313may include a light-emitting diode (LED) or a xenon lamp. In some embodiments, two or more lenses (e.g., an IR camera, a wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens), and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device101. The camera modules305,312, and313are not limited to the above-described structure, and depending on the structure of the electronic device101, the design of the camera modules may be changed such that some of the camera modules are mounted or a new camera module is added.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may include a plurality of camera modules (e.g., a dual camera or a triple camera) having different properties (e.g., angles of view) or functions, respectively. For example, a plurality of camera modules305and312including lenses having different angles of view may be configured, and the electronic device101is capable of controlling the change of the angles of view of the camera modules305and312executed therein based on a user's selection. For example, at least one of the plurality of camera modules305and312may be a wide-angle camera, and at least another of the camera modules may be a telephoto camera. Similarly, at least one of the plurality of camera modules305and312may be a front camera, and at least another of the camera modules may be a rear camera. In addition, the plurality of camera modules305and312may include at least one of a wide-angle camera, a telephoto camera, or an IR camera (e.g., a time-of-flight (TOF) camera, or a structured light camera). According to an embodiment, the IR camera may be operated as at least part of a sensor module. For example, the TOF camera may be operated as at least a part of a sensor module for detecting a distance to a subject.

According to an embodiment, the key input devices317may be disposed on the side surface310C of the housing310. In another embodiment, the electronic device101may not include some or all of the above-mentioned key input devices317, and a key input device that is not included in the above-mentioned key input devices, may be implemented in another type, such as a soft key, on the display301. In some embodiments, a key input device may include a sensor module316disposed on the second surface310B of the housing310.

According to an embodiment, light-emitting elements (not illustrated) may be disposed on, for example, the front surface310A of the housing310. The light-emitting elements (not illustrated) may provide, for example, information about the state of the electronic device101in an optical form. In another embodiment, the light-emitting elements (not illustrated) may provide a light source that is interlocked with, for example, the operation of the front camera module305. The light-emitting elements (not illustrated) may include, for example, an LED, an IR LED, and/or a xenon lamp.

According to an embodiment, the connector holes308and309may include a first connector hole308capable of accommodating a USB connector for transmitting/receiving power and/or data to/from an external electronic device, and/or a second connector hole309capable of accommodating a connector (e.g., an earphone jack) for transmitting/receiving an audio signal to/from an external electronic device.

According to an embodiment, some of the camera modules305and312and/or some sensor modules of the sensor modules may be disposed to be exposed to the outside through at least a portion of the display301. For example, the camera modules305may include a punch hole camera disposed inside a hole or recess provided in the rear surface of the display301. According to an embodiment, the camera modules312may be disposed inside the housing310such that the lens is exposed to the second surface310B of the electronic device101. For example, the camera modules312may be disposed on a PCB340.

According to an embodiment, the camera modules305and/or the sensor modules may be disposed from the internal space of the electronic device101to the front plate302of the display301to come into contact with the external environment through a transparent area. In addition, some sensor modules304may be disposed in the internal space in the electronic device so as to implement the functions thereof without being visually exposed through the front plate302.

FIG.4is an exploded perspective view illustrating the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.4, the electronic device101(e.g., the electronic device101inFIGS.1to3) according to various embodiments may include a support bracket370, a front plate320(e.g., the front plate302inFIG.2), a display330(e.g., the display301inFIG.2), a printed circuit board340(e.g., a PCB, flexible PCB (FPCB), or a rigid flexible PCB (RFPCB)), a battery350(e.g., the battery189inFIG.1), a second support member360(e.g., the rear case), an antenna390(e.g., the antenna module197inFIG.1), and a rear plate380(e.g., the rear plate311inFIG.2). The support bracket370of the electronic device101according to an embodiment may include a side bezel structure371(e.g., the side bezel structure318inFIG.2) and a first support member372.

In some embodiments, in the electronic device101, at least one of the components (e.g., the first support member372or the second support member360) may be omitted, or other components may be additionally included. At least one of the components of the electronic device101may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the electronic device101inFIG.2orFIG.3, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

According to various embodiments, the first support member372may be disposed inside the electronic device101to be connected to the side bezel structure371, or may be integrated with the side bezel structure371. The first support member372may be formed of a metal material and/or a non-metal material (e.g., a polymer). The display330may be coupled to one surface of the first support member372, and the PCB340may be coupled to the other surface of the first support member372.

According to various embodiments, on the printed circuit board340, a processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted. The processor may include one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor. According to various embodiments, the PCB340may include a flexible PCB type radio frequency cable (RFC). For example, the printed circuit board340may be disposed on at least a portion of the first support member372, and may be electrically connected to an antenna module (e.g., the antenna module197inFIG.1) and a communication module (e.g., the communication module190inFIG.1).

According to an embodiment, the memory may include a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory.

According to an embodiment, the interface may include a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a USB interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may electrically or physically connect the electronic device101to an external electronic device and may include a USB connector, an SD card/a multimedia card (MMC) connector, or an audio connector.

According to various embodiments, the battery350is for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device101and may include a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel cell. At least a portion of the battery350may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the PCB340. The battery350may be integrally disposed inside the electronic device101, or may be detachably disposed on the electronic device101.

According to various embodiments, the second support member360(e.g., the rear case) may be disposed between the PCB340and the antenna390. For example, the second support member360may include one surface to which at least one of the PCB340and the battery350is coupled, and the other surface to which the antenna390is coupled.

According to various embodiments, the antenna390may be disposed between the rear plate380and the battery350. The antenna390may include a near field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The antenna390may perform short-range communication with an external electronic device, or may wirelessly transmit/receive power required for charging to/from the external device in a wireless manner. In another embodiment, an antenna structure may be constituted with a part of the side bezel structure371and/or the first support member372, or a combination thereof.

According to various embodiments, the rear plate380may define at least a portion of the rear surface (e.g., the second surface310B inFIG.3) of the electronic device101.

FIG.5is an exploded perspective view of a stacked structure between a camera bracket connected to a rear plate of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.6illustrates a rear plate and a support bracket which are separated before assembling an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.7is a rear view of an electronic device before a camera bracket is coupled to a support bracket, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device101may include a housing310, a camera module312, a PCB340, and a battery350. The housing310may include a rear plate311covering the rear surface of the electronic device101and a first camera bracket311a.

Some or all of the configurations of the housing310, the camera module312, the PCB340, and the battery350ofFIGS.5,6and7may be the same as the configurations of the housing310and the camera module312ofFIGS.2and3and the PCB340and the battery350ofFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, the first surface oriented in the +Z-axis direction of the housing310may be provided by the rear plate311and the first camera bracket311aof the camera module312. For example, the rear plate311may include a recess structure401provided in an edge area, and the first camera bracket311ahaving a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess structure401may be disposed along the recess structure401to be exposed to the outside. The recess structure401may include various shapes, such as an opening, a hole, or a groove, having different thicknesses compared to adjacent areas.

According to various embodiments, the recess structure401located in the edge area of the rear plate311may include an opening401ain which at least some lenses are located such that a plurality of lens assemblies of the camera module312face the outside, and an edge portion401bprovided along the periphery of the opening401ain a closed loop shape. According to an embodiment, the edge portion401bof the recess structure401may include a material (e.g., glass) that may be the same as and may extend from the rear plate311. The edge portion401bof the recess structure401may be manufactured integrally with the rear plate311. According to an embodiment, the thickness of the recess structure401of the rear plate311(e.g., the length in the +Z-axis/−Z-axis direction) may be less than or equal to the thickness of other portions of the rear plate311.

According to various embodiments, an adhesive member402and a first camera bracket311amay be disposed above the recess structure401in the +Z-axis direction, and below the recess structure401(e.g., in the −Z-axis direction), a lens protection member403, a support member404, and an elastic member405may be sequentially disposed. The adhesive member402may include a material for waterproofing.

According to various embodiments, the adhesive member402disposed on the edge portion401bof the recess structure401may have a closed loop shape corresponding to the edge portion401b, and may block foreign substances such that the foreign substances cannot enter the inside of the camera module312or the electronic device101. The first camera bracket311amay be disposed on the adhesive member402, may be a separate component separated from the support bracket370, and may include a metal material (e.g., aluminum).

According to various embodiments, the first camera bracket311amay provide an outer rear surface of the electronic device101of the electronic device101together with the rear plate311. The first camera bracket311amay include one or more openings the number of which corresponds to the number of lens assemblies of the camera module312, and may reduce an external shock transmitted to the camera module312to protect the camera module312. When the first camera bracket311ais assembled to the rear plate311, the thickness of the first camera bracket311a(e.g., the length in the +Z-axis/−Z-axis direction) may be greater than or equal to the thickness of other portions of the rear plate311.

According to various embodiments, the support member404may support the lens assembly of the camera module312to prevent shaking, and may include a non-insulating material. The lens protection member403disposed above the support member404(e.g., in the +Z-axis direction) is configured to include openings the number of which corresponds to the number of lens assemblies, and the elastic member405disposed below the support member404(e.g., in the −Z-axis direction) may be made of a compressible material to prevent impact.

According to various embodiments, with reference to the recess structure401of the rear plate311, the adhesive member402and the first camera bracket311aare coupled in the +Z-axis direction and the lens protection member403, the support member404, and the elastic member405are assembled to form a stacked structure in the −Z-axis direction, and then the stacked structure and the support bracket370of the electronic device101may be coupled to each other. Since the first camera bracket311ais a structure physically separated from the support bracket370, the first camera bracket may be coupled via a separate member. For example, after various electronic components are mounted in the partitioned inner space of the support bracket370, the coupled structure of the rear plate311and the recess structure401may be coupled to the support bracket370to cover the mounted electronic components. According to an embodiment, a camera module312, a PCB340, and a battery350may be included between the coupled structure and the support bracket370.

FIG.8illustrates a display device, a support bracket, and a rear plate separated before assembling an electronic device according to another one of various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.9illustrates a structure of a camera bracket portion connected to a rear plate of an electronic device according to another one of various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device101may include a housing310, a camera module312, and a PCB340. The housing310may include a display assembly330stacked with a transparent plate that covers at least a portion of the front surface of the electronic device101, and a rear plate311and a second camera bracket311bthat cover the rear surface.

All or some of the configurations of the housing310, the display assembly330, the camera module312, and the PCB340ofFIGS.8and9may be the same as the configurations of the housing310, the display330, and the camera module312ofFIGS.2and3and the PCB340ofFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, the first surface oriented in the +Z-axis direction of the housing310may be provided by the rear plate311and the second camera bracket311bof the camera module312. For example, the rear plate311may include a first recess structure401provided in an edge area, and the second camera bracket311ahaving a shape corresponding to the shape of the first recess structure401may be disposed along the first recess structure401to be exposed to the outside. According to an embodiment, the second camera bracket311bmay be provided in the second recess structure406of the support bracket370. The second recess structure406may be configured to correspond to the first recess structure401of the rear plate311. With reference to the second camera bracket311bdisposed in the second recess structure406of the support bracket370, a lens protection member (not illustrated), a support member (not illustrated), and an elastic member may be sequentially disposed in the −Z-axis direction. The configurations of the lens protection member403, the support member404, and the elastic member405ofFIG.5may be applicable to those of the lens protection member (not illustrated), the support member (not illustrated), and the elastic member (not illustrated).

According to various embodiments, the first recess structure401and/or the second recess structure406may include various shapes, such as an opening, a hole, or a groove, having different thicknesses compared to adjacent areas. Alternatively, the first recess structure401provided in the rear plate311may have a shape obtained by manufacturing in a “┘” or “└” shape when viewed from above the rear plate311and then cutting one side of a corner of the rear plate311. The second camera bracket311bmay be provided in a shape corresponding to the cut shape, and may be connected to the rear plate311.

According to various embodiments, with reference to the support bracket370, the rear plate311may be coupled in the +Z-axis direction, and the display assembly330may be coupled in the −Z-axis direction opposite to the +Z-axis direction. The support bracket370may include a partitioned inner space in which a side surface of the electronic device101and electronic components may be mounted. A front camera module and the PCB340may be mounted in the inner space of the support bracket370that is oriented in the +Z-axis direction, and the rear camera module312may be mounted in the inner space of the support bracket370that is oriented in the +Z-axis direction to face the second camera bracket311b.

According to various embodiments, the second camera bracket311bmay be provided in an edge area of the support bracket370and disposed along the first recess structure401of the rear plate311to be exposed to the outside. For example, the second camera bracket311bis provided to protrude from the edge area of the support bracket370in the +Z-axis direction, and may include at least one opening into which at least a portion of the lens assembly of the rear camera module312can be inserted. Alternatively, the second camera bracket311bmay be provided integrally with the support bracket370and may be manufactured by including the same metal material as the support bracket370. Referring toFIGS.8and9, since the second camera bracket311band the support bracket370are integrally manufactured compared toFIGS.5,6and7, an additional attachment area for attaching the second camera bracket311bto the electronic device may be omitted. As a result, the size of the camera bracket may be reduced, thereby improving aesthetics in design.

FIG.10illustrates the inside of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.11illustrates an antenna structure of an electronic device from which a camera bracket is removed, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.12illustrates an antenna structure in which a partial area of an electronic device is covered by a camera bracket, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device101may include a housing310, a camera module312, a PCB340, and a battery350. The housing310may include a support bracket370disposed along a side surface of the electronic device101, a rear plate311covering the rear surface of the electronic device101, and a camera bracket315. The camera bracket315ofFIGS.10,11and12may include at least one of the first camera bracket311aofFIGS.5,6and7and the second camera bracket311bofFIGS.8and9.

Some or all of the configurations of the housing310, the camera module312, the PCB340, and the battery350ofFIGS.10,11and12may be the same as the housing310and the camera module312ofFIGS.2and3and the PCB340and the battery350ofFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, the housing310of the electronic device101may include a first surface (e.g., the rear surface) at least a portion of which is oriented in a first direction (e.g., the +Z-axis direction, a second surface (e.g., the front surface) at least a portion of which is oriented in a second direction (e.g., the −Z-axis direction) opposite to the first direction, and a side wall provided to surround an inner space defined between the first surface and the second surface. According to an embodiment, the first surface of the housing310may be provided by the rear plate311and the camera bracket315of the camera module312. For example, the rear plate311may include a recess structure provided in an edge area, and the camera bracket315having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recess structure may be disposed along the recess structure to be exposed to the outside.

According to various embodiments, the side wall of the housing310may be provided by the side portion of the support bracket370. The edge area of the support bracket370may have a closed loop shape, wherein a partial area of the edge area may be coupled to the rear plate311, and another partial area may be coupled to the camera bracket315. The edge area of the support bracket370has a substantially quadrilateral closed loop shape, and may include a first side wall410, a second side wall420, a third side wall430, and a fourth side wall440oriented in different directions. For example, referring toFIG.10, the first side wall410may include a surface facing the upper end (e.g., in the +Y-axis direction) of the electronic device101, and may be coupled to the upper end of the rear plate311(e.g., in the +Y-axis direction) and the upper end of the camera bracket315(e.g., in the +Y-axis direction). The second side wall420may include a surface facing the right end of the electronic device101(e.g., in the +X-axis direction) and may be coupled to the right end of the rear plate311(e.g., in the +X-axis direction). The third side wall430may include a surface facing the left end of the electronic device101(e.g., in the −X-axis direction), and may be coupled to the left end of the rear plate311(e.g., in the −X-axis direction) and the left end of the camera bracket315(e.g., in the −X-axis direction). The fourth side wall440may include a surface facing the lower end of the electronic device101(e.g., in the −Y-axis direction) and may be coupled to the lower end of the rear plate311(e.g., in the −Y-axis direction). Alternatively, the corner areas of the support bracket370connected to each other among the first side wall410, the second side wall420, the third side wall430, and the fourth side wall440may include seamlessly connected curved portions.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may include an antenna structure, and the antenna structure may include a plurality of antennas. According to an embodiment, a structure using a portion of the housing310disposed adjacent to the camera module312as an antenna will be described.

According to various embodiments, the antenna structure501may include an antenna pattern (e.g., a conductive portion511), a feeding part520, and a first ground part540. The antenna structure501may be provided in an upper end area of the housing310disposed adjacent to the camera bracket315. According to an embodiment, the antenna pattern may include at least a portion of the housing310(e.g., the support bracket370) formed of a conductive material. For example, the housing310may include a conductive portion511at least partially formed of a metal material, and a non-conductive portion disposed adjacent to the conductive portion (hereinafter, a segmented portion512or513) may be designed to be located at opposite ends of the conductive portion511so that the conductive portion511provides an arbitrary length in order to implement an antenna having a frequency band desired by a designer. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the feeding part520and/or the first ground part540may include a contact structure (e.g., a C-Clip or the like) for electrically connecting to the printed circuit board340.

According to various embodiments, the edge area of the support bracket370may include a (1-1)thside wall411connected to the rear plate311and a (1-2)thside wall411disposed to be spaced apart from the (1-1)thside wall411and connected to the camera bracket315. At least a portion of the (1-1)thside wall411may operate as an antenna. For example, the (1-1)thside wall411may protect components disposed inside the electronic device101and may provide a function of operating as an antenna. The conductive portion511of the (1-1)thside wall411acting as an antenna may be configured to transmit and/or receive radio frequency (RF) signals.

According to an embodiment, one or more segmented portions512or513may be located at end or opposite ends of the (1-1)thside wall411. The segmented portions512or513may provide an antenna by being located to separate the opposite ends of the conductive portion511of the (1-1)thside wall411from adjacent conductive portions. For example, the segmented portions512or513may be formed through processes such as etching, cutting, and stamping of the surface of the support bracket370such that the side walls of the housing310are divided into a plurality of conductive portion511, and the pieces formed through the above-mentioned processes may be insulated from each other by the segmented portion512or513.

According to an embodiment, the segmented portions512or513may include a first segmented portion512and a second segmented portion513located at opposite ends of the conductive portion511. The first segmented portion512may be located to separate the (1-1)thside wall411from other side walls. The first segmented portion512may be disposed to be spaced apart, by a first distance d1, from a portion (e.g., the boundary surface I) of the (1-2)hside wall412toward the (1-1)thside wall410. For example, the interface I may be an edge surface of the camera bracket315. Alternatively, the boundary surface I may be a portion of the (1-2)thside wall located on the same line as the edge surface of the camera bracket315.

According to an embodiment, the first segmented portion512may be designed so as not to separate the (1-2)thside wall412. For example, since the (1-2)thside wall412is electrically connected to the camera bracket315, when the (1-2)thside wall412, rather than the (1-1)thside wall411, is separated by segment, the current transmitted to the camera bracket315may be scattered on the camera bracket315. Accordingly, since there is no current returning to the ground unit after the feeding part, antenna radiation is eliminated.

According to an embodiment, the second segmented portion513may be located to separate the (1-1)thside wall411and may be disposed at a greater distance than the first segmented portion512with reference to the boundary surface I. Since the length of the conductive portion511is determined depending on the position of the second segmented portion513, a designer may change the design of the second segmented portion513such that the second segmented portion is located at various positions depending on a desired bandwidth.

According to an embodiment, the first segmented portion512and/or the second segmented portion513may be a non-conductive portion and may provide a dielectric constant different from that of the conductive portion511. For example, the first segmented portion512and/or the second segmented portion513may be referred to as an opening, a recess, or a groove provided to separate the (1-1)thside wall411. Alternatively, the first segmented portion512and/or the second segmented portion513may be filled with an insulating material for insulation, such as an elastomer material, ceramic, mica, glass, plastic, a metal oxide, air and/or an arbitrary insulative material including another material that is superior in insulative property to metal, but is not limited thereto.

According to various embodiments, the antenna structure501may include an antenna pattern, a feeding part520, and a first ground part540. According to an embodiment, the feeding part520may extend inwardly from the (1-1)thside wall411of the support bracket370. The feeding part520may be electrically connected to the PCB340in the housing310to transmit a current to the antenna pattern (e.g., the conductive portion511). For example, a transmission/reception (Tx/Rx) terminal of a communication circuit disposed on the PCB340may be connected in series with the feeding part520to communicate. The communication circuit may include any type of element, such as a switch, resistive element, a capacitive element, an inductive element, or any combination thereof to selectively provide series coupling with the feeding part520. Elements in a communication circuit may be used to selectively change the antenna frequency band.

InFIG.11, the feeding part520extends in a direction perpendicular to the (1-1)thside wall411, but is not limited thereto. The design of the feeding part may be changed to a configuration having a different thickness and/or angle.

According to an embodiment, the second ground parts530and530amay be at least a portion extending to the inside of the housing310from a conductive portion forming an antenna. For example, the second ground parts530and530amay be electrically connected to a portion of the PCB340and/or a portion of the support bracket370in the electronic device101. Alternatively, the second ground parts530and530amay include a conductive member disposed between an end extending inwardly from the (1-1)thside wall411and a portion of the PCB340. Conductive members, such as a wire, a C-clip, a screw, and a conductive sponge, may electrically connect the second ground parts530and530aand the portion of the PCB340.

According to various embodiments, the second ground parts530and530amay be disposed adjacent to the segmented portions512or513. Since the second ground portions530and530aare disposed adjacent to the first segmented portion512between the conductive portion511of the first side wall410used as an antenna and the camera bracket315, the conductive portion511and the camera bracket315may be electrically separated. According to an embodiment, the (1-2)thside walls412connected to the camera bracket315, the second ground parts530and530a, the first segmented portion512, and the feeding part520may be sequentially disposed. For example, when viewed toward the first side wall410of the housing310, the ground portion530may be disposed to be spaced apart by a second distance d2toward the first segmented portion512, from the boundary surface I between the (1-1)thside wall411and the (1-2)thside wall412. According to another embodiment, the second ground parts530and530amay be designed by limiting the second ground parts not to be located on the (1-2)thside wall412or on the third side wall430connected to the camera bracket315). When the second ground parts530and530aare provided on the (1-2)th side wall412(or on the third side wall430connected to the camera bracket315), the conductive area (e.g., a length) may be extended by a portion other than the conductive portion511connected to the feeding part520(e.g., the (1-2)thside wall412connected to the camera bracket315). The resonance generated due to the extended area may induce the current transmitted from the feeding part520and may reduce the overall antenna gain.

According to an embodiment, the first segmented portion512and the second segmented portion513may be designed to physically separate the conductive portion511in order to design an antenna, and the second ground parts530and530amay be designed to be adjacent to the boundary surface I of the (1-2)thside wall412in order to cut off the electrical coupling between the conductive portion511of the (1-1)thside wall411and the (1-2)thside wall412.

According to an embodiment, the first ground part540may be disposed between the first segmented part512and the feeding part520. For example, the first ground part540may be electrically connected to a portion of the support bracket370. The first ground part540is configured to change an impedance for adjusting a frequency band, wherein the first ground part540may include a switch and may be electrically connected to the PCB340. For example, the first ground part540provides various electrical lengths by switching to a direct ground without passing through an inductor, a capacitor, a combination thereof, or an intermediate element at a ground stage to create resonances desired by designers in the physically identical antenna pattern. As another example, the first ground part may be at least a portion extending from the (1-1)thside wall411to the inside of the housing310. According to an embodiment, the first ground part540may be connected to a portion of the PCB340within the electronic device101directly or via a conductive member. For example, the conductive member may include at least one of members such as a wire, a c-clip, a screw, and a conductive sponge.

In a ground connected to an active element, the active element may be at least one of a transistor, a filter, a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) and a ground switch. According to an embodiment, the second ground parts530and530aand/or the first ground part540may be a ground related to leakage current from a gate/a base such as a field effect transistor (FET) inside an IC/TR to a drain/an emitter. The second ground parts530and530aand/or the first ground part540may be of an element electrically connected to a feeding part of another conductive portion.

Referring toFIG.12, a flow of current according to an arrangement relationship of respective components of an antenna structure is illustrated. According to an embodiment, when an area S1above the rear plate311of the housing310is viewed, the camera bracket315, the (2-1)thground part530, the first ground part540, the feeding part520, and the (2-2)thground part530amay be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. The current provided from the feeding part520may be transmitted to the conductive part511to be directed toward the second ground parts530and530a. For example, the current directed toward the camera bracket315may be branched and delivered to the (2-1)thground part530and the first ground part540. Alternatively, the current directed in the direction away from the camera bracket315may be transmitted to the (2-1)thground part530a. According to an embodiment, since the conductive portion511and the (2-1)thground part530are disposed to be spaced apart from each other due to the first segmented portion512, the currents provided from the feeding part520may generate a coupling effect so as to flow from the conductive portion511to the second ground parts530and530a. Since the conductive portion511and the (2-2)thground part530aare disposed to be spaced apart from each other due to the second segmented portion513, the currents provided from the feeding part520may generate a coupling effect so as to flow from the conductive portion511to the (2-2)thground parts530and530a.

FIG.13illustrates an antenna structure in which a partial area of an electronic device is covered by a camera bracket, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.FIG.14illustrates an antenna structure of the electronic device from which the camera bracket is removed inFIG.13.FIG.15illustrates at least a portion of a side surface of an electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device101may include a housing310, a camera module312, and a PCB340. The housing310may include a support bracket370disposed along a side surface of the electronic device101, a rear plate311covering the rear surface of the electronic device101, and a camera bracket315. The camera bracket315ofFIGS.13to15may include at least one of the first camera bracket311aofFIGS.5,6and7and the second camera bracket311bofFIGS.8and9.

Some or all of the configurations of the housing310, the camera module312, and the PCB340ofFIGS.13,14and15may be the same as the housing310and the camera module312ofFIGS.2and3and the PCB340and the battery350ofFIG.4.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may include an antenna structure having a plurality of antennas. According to an embodiment, a structure using a portion of the housing310disposed adjacent to the camera module312as an antenna will be described. Some or all of the antenna structures of the electronic device ofFIGS.13,14and15may be the same as those of the electronic device ofFIGS.10,11and12. Hereinafter, differences will be mainly described.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device101may include a plurality of antenna structures. The electronic device101may include a first antenna structure601and a second antenna structure602, wherein the first antenna structure601may be designed in the upper portion of the electronic device101(e.g., the surface of the support bracket370oriented in the +Y-axis direction) and a peripheral area of the same, and the second antenna structure602may be designed in a left portion of the electronic device101(e.g., the surface of the support bracket370oriented in the −X-axis direction) and a peripheral area of the same. According to an embodiment, the electronic device101may further include a third antenna structure and a fourth antenna structure, wherein the third antenna structure may be designed in a lower portion of the electronic device101(e.g., the surface of the support bracket370oriented in the −Y-axis direction) and a peripheral area of the same, and the fourth antenna structure may be designed in a right portion of the electronic device101(e.g., the surface of the support bracket370oriented in the +X-axis direction) and the peripheral area thereof. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first antenna structure601and the second antenna structure602will be mainly described, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the antenna structure may be designed in various areas using the conductive portions of the housing310of the electronic device101. According to various embodiments, the first antenna structure601may include a first conductive portion611, a first feeding part620, and a (1-1)thground part640. The first antenna pattern may include a first conductive portion611disposed in an area adjacent to the camera bracket315and provided by the segmented portions612and613located at opposite ends of the first conductive portion611. For example, when the rear surface of the electronic device101is viewed, the first antenna structure601may be provided to face the right direction (e.g., in the X-axis direction) with reference to the camera bracket315disposed in the left upper end area of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the edge area of the housing310may include a first side wall400oriented in the +Y-axis direction and connected to the rear plate311and a second side wall420oriented in the +X-axis direction perpendicular to the +Y-axis direction and extending from the first side wall410. The first conductive portion611for operating as an antenna may extend from the first side wall410to the second side wall420. According to an embodiment, the connecting portion between the first side wall410and the second side wall420may extend seamlessly to form a curved surface. The curved surface may form a sequential inclination from the +Y-axis direction to the +X-axis direction.

According to an embodiment, the first segmented portions612and613separate the first conductive portion611from other conductive portions, and opposite ends of the first conductive portion611may be filled with an insulating material. In the structure for the first antenna pattern, one segmented portion612, a first conductive portion611, and another segmented portion613spaced apart from the camera bracket315are sequentially located along the edge of the support bracket370.

According to an embodiment, some of the structures of the feeding part520and the first ground part540of the antenna structures ofFIGS.10to12may be applicable to the structures of the first feeding part620and the (1-1)thground part640of the first antenna structure601. For example, the first feeding part620and the (1-2)thground part630may extend inwardly from the first side wall410or the second side wall420of the housing310. The first feeding part620may be electrically connected to the PCB340within the housing310to transmit a current to the first antenna pattern (e.g., the first conductive portion611).

According to an embodiment, the first conductive portion611ofFIGS.13,14and15is for designing the first conductive portion611having a relatively great length compared to the conductive portion511ofFIGS.10,11and12, and the (1-1)th ground part640and the first feeding part620may also be designed at various positions to be connected to the first conductive portion611. For example, the first feeding part620may be designed near the second side wall420of the housing310or the first side wall410adjacent to the second side wall420in consideration of the mounting position of an internal component, and the (1-1)thground part640may be designed to be adjacent to the second side wall420compared to the first ground part540ofFIGS.10,11and12.

According to an embodiment, the (1-2)thground part630may be disposed between the camera bracket315and the segmented part611adjacent to the camera bracket315.

According to various embodiments, the second antenna structure602may include a second antenna pattern (e.g., the second conductive portion711, a feeding part720, and a (2-1)thground part. The second antenna pattern may include a second conductive portion711disposed in an area adjacent to the camera bracket315and provided by the segmented portions712located at opposite ends of the second conductive portion711. For example, when the side surface of the housing310is viewed, the second antenna structure602may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first antenna structure601, with a side surface (e.g., the third side wall430) connected to the camera bracket315interposed therebetween. Alternatively, when the rear surface of the electronic device101is viewed, the second antenna structure602may be provided to face the lower direction (e.g., in the −Y-axis direction) with reference to the camera bracket315disposed in the left upper end area of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the edge area of the support bracket370may include a third side wall430oriented in the −X-axis direction opposite to the +X-axis direction. The second conductive portion711for operating as an antenna may be at least a portion of a portion extending along the third side wall430.

According to an embodiment, the second segmented portions712are structures for separating the second conductive portion711from other conductive portions, and opposite ends of the second conductive portion711may be filled with an insulating material. The second antenna pattern may include one segmented portion712spaced apart from the camera bracket315, the second conductive portion711, and another segmented portion which may be sequentially located along the edge of the housing310.

According to an embodiment, some of the structures of the feeding part520and the second ground parts530and530aof the antenna structures ofFIGS.10,11and12may be applicable to the structures of the second feeding part720and the (2-2)thground part. For example, the second feeding part720and the (2-2)thground part730may be portions extending inwardly from the third side wall430of the housing310. The second feeding part720may be electrically connected to the PCB340within the housing310to transmit a current to the second antenna pattern (e.g., the second conductive portion711. According to an embodiment, the (2-2)thground part730may be disposed between the camera bracket315and the segmented part711adjacent to the camera bracket315.

FIGS.16A and16Billustrate graphs related to antenna performance according to an embodiment and a comparative experiment, respectively.

FIG.16Ais an S1graph of an antenna structure according to an embodiment, andFIG.16Bis an S11graph of an antenna structure according to a comparative experiment.

According to various embodiments, the antenna structure may include an antenna pattern, a feeding part, and a ground part, and the antenna pattern may include a conductive part and a segmented portion. The side surface of the electronic device according to the disclosure may include a support bracket formed of metal and exposed to the outside, and the rear surface of the electronic device may be provided by a rear plate and a camera bracket.

According to various embodiments, in order to physically separate a side bracket (e.g., a conductive portion) used as an antenna structure from the camera bracket, a segmented part may be disposed between the conductive part and the camera bracket. In addition, in order to electrically separate the conductive part from the camera bracket, a ground part may be provided between the camera bracket and the segmented part.FIG.16Aillustrates an S11graph according to an embodiment.

FIG.16Billustrates an S11graph of when a ground part is provided in a portion of a support bracket connected to the camera bracket or provided in another portion of a side surface of the support bracket (portion spaced apart from the side surface of the support bracket on which an antenna pattern is provided by the camera bracket).

Referring toFIG.16B, it can be seen that, as undesired antenna resonance generated due to the length of the camera bracket is generated by the camera bracket other than the length of a conductive portion, an induced current is scattered and an antenna gain is decreased.

Referring toFIG.16A, it can be seen that as the resonance caused by the camera bracket is removed, the antenna gain is increased compared toFIG.16B. For example, it can be seen that the antenna gain is increased by about 5 decibels (dB).

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101inFIGS.1to4) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure includes a housing (e.g., the housing310inFIG.6) including a plate (e.g., the rear plate311inFIG.6) including a first surface, and a support bracket (e.g., the support bracket370inFIG.11) including a (1-1)thside wall (e.g., the (1-1)thside wall411inFIG.11) extending from an edge of the first surface and a (1-2)thside wall (e.g., the (1-2)thside wall412inFIG.11) separated from the (1-1)thside wall by a first segmented portion (e.g., the first segmented portion512inFIG.11), a camera bracket connected to the (1-2)thside wall of the housing (e.g., the camera bracket311ainFIG.6), a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board340inFIG.6) disposed within the housing. An antenna pattern (e.g., the antenna pattern ofFIG.11) formed on the support bracket may include a conductive portion (e.g., the conductive portion511inFIG.11) forming at least a portion of the (0-1)thside wall, and a ground portion (e.g., the second ground portion530ofFIG.11) connected to the conductive portion may be located between the camera bracket and the first segmented portion.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may further include a feeding part (e.g., the feeding part520inFIG.11) extending to the inside of the housing from the (1-1)thside wall of the support bracket and electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the first segmented portion may include an insulative material having a dielectric constant different from that of the conductive portion.

According to various embodiments, the first segmented portion may preventing a current transmitted from the feeding part so as not to be directed to the camera bracket.

According to various embodiments, the first segmented portion may be disposed at one end of the conductive portion and a second segmented portion (e.g., the second segmented portion513inFIG.11) is disposed at the other end of the conductive portion, and the second segmented portion may be located on the same line as the (1-1)thside wall of the support bracket or on the same line as a second side wall perpendicular to the (1-1)thside wall.

According to various embodiments, wherein the ground portion is disposed to be spaced apart, by a second distance (e.g., the second distance d2inFIG.11), from a first portion (e.g., the interface I inFIG.11) on the (1-2)thside wall toward the (1-1)thside wall.

According to various embodiments, the first segmented portion may be disposed to be spaced apart, by a first distance, from the first portion toward the (1-1)thside wall, and the first distance may be greater than the second distance.

According to various embodiments, the conductive portion is disposed to be spaced apart, by a first predetermined distance toward the (1-1)thside wall, from the first portion (e.g., the interface I inFIG.11) on the (1-2)thside wall, which extends from an edge surface of the camera bracket, and the ground portion may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first portion toward the segmented portion.

According to various embodiments, the ground portion may be configured to electrically separate the (1-1)thside wall and the (1-2)thside wall.

According to various embodiments, the ground portion and the printed circuit board may be electrically connected to each other by a conductive member.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may include a first ground part (e.g., the first ground part540inFIG.11) disposed between the first segment part and the feeding part when viewed toward the (1-1)thside wall of the support bracket, wherein the first ground part may be configured to change an impedance for adjusting a frequency band.

According to various embodiments, the ground portion or the first ground part may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may include an antenna structure, wherein the ground portion, the first segmented portion, the first ground portion, and the feeding portion may be sequentially arranged from a first portion (e.g., the interface I inFIG.11) on the (1-2)thside wall extending from an edge surface of the camera bracket toward the (1-1)thside wall to be spaced apart from each other.

According to various embodiments, the housing may include a recess structure, wherein the recess structure may include an opening in which at least a portion of a lens assembly of the camera module is located and an edge portion provided along the periphery of the opening, and the edge portion may be provided integrally with the plate.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may further include a waterproof member disposed on one surface of the recess structure that is oriented in the first direction, the camera bracket stacked with the waterproof member, a lens protection member disposed on one surface of the recess structure that is oriented in the second direction, a support member stacked with the lens protection member, and an elastic member bonded to the support member.

According to various embodiments, the housing may include a recess structure that may be provided integrally with the support bracket.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101inFIGS.1to4) according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a rear plate (e.g., the rear plate311inFIG.6) disposed to cover the rear surface of the electronic device and including a recess structure provided in an edge area, a camera bracket (e.g., the camera bracket311ainFIG.6) disposed along the recess structure and at least partially exposed outward, a support bracket370(e.g., the support bracket370inFIG.11) including a (1-1)thside wall (e.g., the (1-1)thside wall411inFIG.11) connected to the rear plate and a (1-2)thside wall (e.g., the (1-2)thside wall412inFIG.11) separated from the (1-1)thside wall and connected to the camera bracket, and an antenna pattern (e.g., the antenna pattern inFIG.11) formed on the support bracket and including a conductive portion (e.g., the conductive portion511inFIG.11) forming at least a portion of the (1-1)thside wall. At least one segmented portion (e.g., the segmented portion520inFIG.11) located at one end of the conductive portion may be spaced apart, by a first distance toward the (1-1)thside wall, from a first portion (e.g., the interface I inFIG.11) on the (1-2)thside wall extending from an edge surface of the camera bracket.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device may include a feeding part extending from the (1-1)thside wall of the support bracket to the inside of the electronic device and electrically connected to a printed circuit board, and a ground portion disposed adjacent to the at least one segmented portion.

According to various embodiments, the ground portion may be disposed to be spaced apart from the first portion toward the segmented portion.

According to various embodiments, the ground portion may be configured to electrically separate the (1-1)th side wall and the (1-2)th side wall.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined, not by the detailed description and embodiments, but by the appended claims and their equivalents.