PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11769940-B2
Application Number: US-202117544837-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Electronic device housing with integrated antenna

Abstract:
An electronic device includes a display, and a housing at least partially surrounding the display and comprising a first housing member defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device and a second housing member defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna. The electronic device also includes a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member including a reinforcement plate and a molded element at least partially encapsulating the reinforcement plate and engaged with the first housing member and the second housing member, thereby retaining the first housing member to the second housing member.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a display; 
 a housing at least partially surrounding the display and comprising:
 a first housing member defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device; and 
 a second housing member defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna; and 
 
 a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and comprising:
 a reinforcement plate; and 
 a molded element at least partially encapsulating the reinforcement plate and engaged with the first housing member and the second housing member, thereby retaining the first housing member to the second housing member. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the electronic device further comprises a cover member over the display and defining a front surface of the electronic device; 
 the reinforcement plate defines a first planar side and a second planar side parallel to the first planar side; and 
 the reinforcement plate is oriented in the joining structure such that the first and second planar sides are perpendicular to the front surface. 
 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first housing member defines a first slot configured to receive a first portion of the reinforcement plate therein; and 
 the second housing member defines a second slot configured to receive a second portion of the reinforcement plate therein. 
 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the electronic device further comprises a cover member over the display and defining a front surface; 
 the first slot is at least partially defined by a first bottom surface and a pair of first side surfaces; 
 the second slot is at least partially defined by a second bottom surface and a pair of second side surfaces; and 
 the first and second bottom surfaces and the pairs of first and second side surfaces are configured to retain the reinforcement plate in a perpendicular orientation relative to the front surface. 
 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reinforcement plate has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and 
 the molded element has a second CTE that is greater than the first CTE. 
 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the molded element has a residual tensile stress at a location within the molded element; and 
 the reinforcement plate has a residual compressive stress at a location within the reinforcement plate. 
 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the joining structure is less than 50% greater than a CTE of the first housing member and the second housing member. 
     
     
       8. A tablet computer comprising:
 a display; 
 a transparent cover member over the display and defining a touch-sensitive input surface; 
 a housing at least partially surrounding the display and coupled to the transparent cover member, the housing comprising:
 a first housing member defining a first portion of a side surface of the tablet computer; and 
 a second housing member defining a second portion of the side surface of the tablet computer; and 
 
 a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and defining a third portion of the side surface of the tablet computer, the joining structure comprising:
 a composite plate comprising a plurality of ceramic-fiber reinforced layers; and 
 a molded element bonded to the composite plate and to the first and second housing members. 
 
 
     
     
       9. The tablet computer of  claim 8 , wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are portions of a unitary metal structure. 
     
     
       10. The tablet computer of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the housing defines a back surface of the tablet computer; 
 the tablet computer has a first height dimension extending from the back surface of the tablet computer; and 
 the composite plate has a second height dimension that is greater than 80% of the first height dimension. 
 
     
     
       11. The tablet computer of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the composite plate defines:
 a first planar side; and 
 a second planar side parallel to the first planar side; and 
 
 the first and second planar sides are parallel to the touch-sensitive input surface of the transparent cover member. 
 
     
     
       12. The tablet computer of  claim 11 , wherein the composite plate defines a hole extending from the first planar side to the second planar side. 
     
     
       13. The tablet computer of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of ceramic-fiber reinforced layers comprises ceramic fibers extending along a direction parallel to the touch-sensitive input surface. 
     
     
       14. The tablet computer of  claim 8 , wherein:
 a first subset of the plurality of ceramic-fiber reinforced layers comprises ceramic fibers extending along a first direction parallel to the touch-sensitive input surface; and 
 a second subset of the plurality of ceramic-fiber reinforced layers comprises ceramic fibers extending along a second direction perpendicular to the touch-sensitive input surface. 
 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a transparent cover positioned over a display and defining a touch-sensitive input surface of the electronic device; 
 a housing coupled to the transparent cover and comprising:
 a first housing member formed of a conductive material and defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device; and 
 a second housing member formed of the conductive material and defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device; and 
 
 a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and comprising:
 a molded element positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device; and 
 a reinforcement plate at least partially encapsulated by the molded element and defining first and second major surfaces oriented perpendicular to the touch-sensitive input surface. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the reinforcement plate comprises a plurality of nonconductive fibers in a polymer matrix. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of nonconductive fibers are ceramic fibers. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first housing member defines a slot configured to receive the reinforcement plate therein; and 
 the reinforcement plate defines:
 a first ridge along the first major surface and in contact with a first side of the slot; and 
 a second ridge along the second major surface and in contact with a second side of the slot. 
 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein the contact between the first ridge and the first side of the slot and between the second ridge and the second side of the slot retains the reinforcement plate in the perpendicular orientation relative to the touch-sensitive input surface. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first ridge defines a first flat face in contact with the first side of the slot; and 
 the second ridge defines a second flat face in contact with the second side of the slot.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/242,252, filed Sep. 9, 2021 and titled “Electronic Device Housing with Integrated Antenna,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to electronic device housings, and more particularly to housings that include multiple housing members and integrated antennas. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices often use wireless communications to send and receive information. Tablet computers, mobile telephones, and notebook computers, for example, all use wireless radios to send and receive information. In some cases, a device may use multiple different antennas to facilitate wireless communications in different frequency bands. Antennas may be positioned inside of an electronic device housing and may send and receive wireless signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves) through the device housing. 
     SUMMARY 
     An electronic device includes a display, and a housing at least partially surrounding the display and comprising a first housing member defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device and a second housing member defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device and configured to function as an antenna. The electronic device also includes a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member including a reinforcement plate and a molded element at least partially encapsulating the reinforcement plate and engaged with the first housing member and the second housing member, thereby retaining the first housing member to the second housing member. 
     The electronic device may further include a cover member over the display and defining a front surface of the electronic device, and the reinforcement plate may further define a first planar side and a second planar side parallel to the first planar side. The reinforcement plate may be oriented in the joining structure such that the first and second planar sides are perpendicular to the front surface. The first housing member may define a first slot configured to receive a first portion of the reinforcement plate therein and the second housing member may define a second slot configured to receive a second portion of the reinforcement plate therein. 
     The electronic device may further include a cover member over the display and defining a front surface. The first slot may be at least partially defined by a first bottom surface and a pair of first side surfaces, the second slot may be at least partially defined by a second bottom surface and a pair of second side surfaces, and the first and second bottom surfaces and the pairs of first and second side surfaces may be configured to retain the reinforcement plate in a perpendicular orientation relative to the front surface. 
     The reinforcement plate may have a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and the molded element may have a second CTE that is greater than the first CTE. A coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the joining structure may be less than 50% greater than a CTE of the first housing member and the second housing member. The molded element may have a residual tensile stress at a location within the molded element, and the reinforcement plate may have a residual compressive stress at a location within the reinforcement plate. 
     A tablet computer may include a display, a transparent cover member over the display and defining a touch-sensitive input surface, and a housing at least partially surrounding the display and coupled to the transparent cover member, the housing including a first housing member defining a first portion of a side surface of the tablet computer and a second housing member defining a second portion of the side surface of the tablet computer. The tablet computer may further include a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and defining a third portion of the side surface of the tablet computer, the joining structure including a composite plate including a plurality of ceramic-fiber reinforced layers and a molded element bonded to the composite plate and to the first and second housing members. The ceramic-fiber reinforced layers may include ceramic fibers extending along a direction parallel to the touch-sensitive input surface. A first subset of the ceramic-fiber reinforced layers may include ceramic fibers extending along a first direction parallel to the touch-sensitive input surface, and a second subset of the ceramic-fiber reinforced layers may include ceramic fibers extending along a second direction perpendicular to the touch-sensitive input surface. 
     The first housing member and the second housing member may be portions of a unitary metal structure. The housing may define a back surface of the tablet computer, the tablet computer may have a first height dimension extending from the back surface of the tablet computer, and the composite plate may have a second height dimension that is greater than 80% of the first height dimension. 
     The composite plate may define a first planar side and a second planar side parallel to the first planar side, and the first and second planar sides may be parallel to the touch-sensitive input surface of the transparent cover member. The composite plate may define a hole extending from the first planar side to the second planar side. 
     An electronic device may include a transparent cover positioned over a display and defining a touch-sensitive input surface of the electronic device, and a housing coupled to the transparent cover and including a first housing member formed of a conductive material and defining a first portion of an exterior surface of the electronic device and a second housing member formed of the conductive material and defining a second portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device. The electronic device may further include a joining structure positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and including a molded element positioned between the first housing member and the second housing member and defining a third portion of the exterior surface of the electronic device, and a reinforcement plate at least partially encapsulated by the molded element and defining first and second major surfaces oriented perpendicular to the touch-sensitive input surface. The reinforcement plate may include a plurality of nonconductive fibers in a polymer matrix. The nonconductive fibers may be ceramic fibers. 
     The first housing member may define a slot configured to receive the reinforcement plate therein, and the reinforcement plate may define a first ridge along the first major surface and in contact with a first side of the slot and a second ridge along the second major surface and in contact with a second side of the slot. The contact between the first ridge and the first side of the slot and between the second ridge and the second side of the slot may retain the reinforcement plate in the perpendicular orientation relative to the touch-sensitive input surface. A first sacrificial portion of the first ridge and a second sacrificial portion of the second ridge may be sheared off during insertion of the reinforcement plate into the slot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  depicts a front view of an example electronic device; 
         FIG.  1 B  depicts a back view of the electronic device of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  1 C  depicts an exploded view of the electronic device of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  2    depicts a partial view of the electronic device of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 D  depict portions of the housing of the electronic device of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIG.  3 E  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the housing of the electronic device of  FIG.  1 A ; 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  depict partial cross-sectional views of example housings for electronic devices; 
         FIG.  5 A  depicts an example reinforcement plate; 
         FIG.  5 B  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the reinforcement plate of  FIG.  5 A ; 
         FIG.  5 C  depicts a partial cross-sectional view of another example reinforcement plate; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  illustrate example reinforcement plates; 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate an example reinforcement plate that forms an interference fit with housing members; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates an example curved reinforcement plate in a curved portion of a housing for an electronic device; 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  illustrate another example reinforcement plate in a housing for an electronic device; and 
         FIG.  10    depicts a schematic diagram of an example electronic device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     In conventional portable electronic devices, antennas may be positioned inside of a housing. For example, in the case of a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone) that includes a housing and a transparent cover, an antenna may be positioned in an internal cavity defined by the housing and the cover. The antenna may send and receive wireless signals (e.g., radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic signals) through the material of the housing and/or the cover. In order to avoid or reduce attenuation of the incoming and outgoing signals, the housing and/or cover may be formed from substantially non-conductive materials, such as plastic. 
     In some cases, it is desirable to use other housing materials. For example, a metal housing may be stronger, tougher, easier to manufacture, or the like. However, housings that include or are formed from metals (or other conductive materials such as carbon fiber) may have an effect on internal antennas that reduces their efficiency and/or effectiveness (e.g., a shielding effect). Accordingly, as described herein, where housings include conductive materials such as metals, a portion of the housing itself may be used as an antenna to send and/or receive RF signals. More particularly, a metal or conductive housing may include housing members that serve as both structural portions of the housing, such as a side wall, as well as RF radiating and/or receiving components. 
     In order to function as antennas, these housing members may need to be separated from other conductive portions of the housing while still being structurally joined to the other conductive portions of the housing. For example, a housing may include metal housing members that are separated from one another by a space, and the space may be filled with a non-conductive and/or electrically insulating material, such as a polymer. The polymer material may provide electrical isolation between the metal housing members (e.g., to avoid degradation and/or destruction of antenna function), while also structurally coupling the metal housing members together. 
     The instant application describes techniques for reinforcing the polymer material, or more broadly a joining structure that includes the polymer material, in order to provide a housing with a high strength and resistance to deformation and breaking, while also providing the requisite electrical isolation between housing members. In particular, a reinforcement plate that is formed from non-conductive and/or electrically insulating material may be positioned in the space between two housing members and at least partially encapsulated (and optionally fully encapsulated) by the polymer material. The reinforcement plate may include reinforcement fibers, such as ceramic fibers, that are oriented in a particular direction to improve structural properties (e.g., strength, toughness, stiffness) of the joining structure, and the housing as a whole. Further, the reinforcement plate has a shape and orientation in the device that is configured to provide significant strength improvements to the housing while utilizing a small volume. The particular shape and orientation are also configured so that it does not adversely affect how the polymer material of the joining structure flows into the space(s) between the housing members. For example, the reinforcement plate may be a rectangular plate (e.g., having a uniform thickness and defined by two flat major surfaces) that is positioned in a pair of slots formed in the ends of a pair of housing members. The slots may hold the reinforcement plate in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the front of the device (e.g., a touchscreen surface), which may provide advantageous mechanical properties (e.g., strength, stiffness, etc.) to the housing, as well as position the reinforcement plate in an orientation that does not substantially disrupt the flow of polymer material when the polymer is injected into place to form the joining structure. These and other features of a joining structure with a reinforcement plate are described herein. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 B  depict an electronic device  100 . The electronic device  100  is depicted as a tablet computer, though this is merely one example embodiment of an electronic device and the concepts discussed herein may apply equally or by analogy to other electronic devices, including mobile phones (e.g., smartphones), watches (e.g., smartwatches), wearable electronic devices, notebook computers, desktop computers, health-monitoring devices, head-mounted displays, digital media players (e.g., mp3 players), personal audio devices (e.g., headphones, earbuds), or the like. 
     The electronic device  100  includes an enclosure, which may include a housing  102  and a cover member  106  (also referred to simply as a cover) coupled to the housing  102 . The cover  106  may define a front surface of the electronic device  100 . For example, in some cases, the cover  106  defines substantially the entire front surface of the electronic device. The cover  106  may also define a touch-sensitive input surface of the device  100 . For example, as described herein, the device  100  may include touch and/or force sensors that detect inputs applied to the cover  106 . The cover  106  may be formed from or include glass, sapphire, a polymer, a dielectric, a laminate, a composite, or any other suitable material(s) or combinations thereof, and may be transparent. 
     The cover  106  may cover at least part of a display  107  that is positioned at least partially within the housing  102 . The display  107  may define an output region in which graphical outputs are displayed. Graphical outputs may include graphical user interfaces, user interface elements (e.g., buttons, sliders, etc.), text, lists, photographs, videos, or the like. The display  107  may include a liquid-crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode display (OLED), or any other suitable components or display technology. 
     The display  107  may include or be associated with touch sensors and/or force sensors that extend along the output region of the display and which may use any suitable sensing elements and/or sensing techniques. Using touch sensors, the device  100  may detect touch inputs applied to the cover  106 , including detecting locations of touch inputs, motions of touch inputs (e.g., the speed, direction, or other parameters of a gesture applied to the cover  106 ), or the like. Using force sensors, the device  100  may detect amounts or magnitudes of force associated with touch events applied to the cover  106 . The touch and/or force sensors may detect various types of user inputs to control or modify the operation of the device, including taps, swipes, multi-finger inputs, single- or multi-finger touch gestures, presses, and the like. Touch and/or force sensors usable with wearable electronic devices, such as the device  100 , are described herein with respect to  FIG.  10   . 
     The housing  102  of the device  100  may include joining structures  104 ,  105  (of which portions are visible in  FIG.  1 A ) that are positioned in gaps, spaces, or other areas between housing members  112 . The joining structures  104 ,  105  may define, along with the housing members, portions of the exterior surface of the device  100 . The housing members may be formed from or include a conductive material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, amorphous alloy, magnesium, or other metal or alloy), carbon fiber, or the like, and at least some of the housing members may define antenna structures of the device (e.g., radiating members of an antenna). 
     As described in greater detail herein, the joining structures  104 ,  105  may be formed from or include a molded element, such as a polymer material, and a reinforcement plate that is at least partially encapsulated (and optionally fully encapsulated) by the molded element. 
     The reinforcement plate may include reinforcement fibers that provide structural reinforcement to the joining structures, and to the device  100  as a whole. The reinforcement fibers may be ceramic, glass, or any other suitable material or composition. In some cases, the reinforcement fibers are or include aluminoborosilicate fibers, aluminosilica fibers, alumina fibers, or the like. As noted above, the joining structures may be positioned between conductive (e.g., metal) housing members, where at least one of the housing members acts as an antenna. In such cases, the joining structures may be configured to electrically (e.g., conductively and/or capacitively) isolate or insulate portions of the housing members from each other, as described in greater detail herein. Accordingly, the reinforcement fibers may be nonconductive fibers, such as ceramic fibers, glass fibers, or the like. The reinforcement plate may be positioned in place between (and optionally in contact with) the housing members. 
     The joining structures  104 ,  105  may also or instead act as radio-frequency transparent segments of the housing, through which internal antennas may communicate. For example, regardless of whether the housing members act as radiating structures of antenna systems, the joining structures  104 ,  105  (which may be substantially nonconductive) may allow wireless communication signals to pass therethrough (e.g., into and out of the internal volume of the device). 
     The joining structures  104 ,  105  may be formed of a substantially non-conductive and/or electrically insulating material, or otherwise configured to electrically (e.g., conductively and/or capacitively) isolate or insulate portions of the housing members  112  from each other, as described in greater detail herein. In some cases, the joining structures  104 ,  105  may be formed by injection molding a material into a gap, space, or other void defined between housing members  112 . In some cases, the joining structures  104 ,  105  are formed by introducing or molding a single polymer material, while in other cases, they are formed by introducing or molding multiple polymer materials in place. For example, a first polymer material may be introduced into the gap or space between housing members to partially fill the gap or space. A second polymer material may then be introduced in the gap or space. The two polymer materials may be different, such as having a different polymer composition, different amounts or types of reinforcement fibers (including no reinforcement fibers), different mechanical properties, different chemical properties, or the like. When the polymer material(s) are introduced into the gap or space (and in contact with multiple surfaces or portions of the housing members  112 ), the polymer materials may form a bonding interface along the mating surfaces. The mating surfaces may refer to the surfaces of the polymer material(s) and the housing members that are in contact with one another. The mating surfaces of the housing members may define micro-features (e.g., pits, recesses, grooves, or the like) that facilitate bonding between the polymer materials and the housing members. The micro-features may be formed via laser etching, chemical etching, machining, or any other suitable process. The polymer material may interlock with or otherwise engage with the micro-features of the housing members to form a bonding interface that secures the polymer material(s) to the housing members. Instead of or in addition to micro-features, an adhesive bond may be formed between the polymer materials and the housing members. The adhesive bond may be between the polymer material(s) and the housing member. In some cases, a bonding agent (e.g., a glue, liquid adhesive, etc.) may be used to produce or facilitate an adhesive bond between the polymer materials and the housing members. 
     As described herein, the housing members  112  may be discrete components of a housing, or they may be formed from part of a larger housing component (e.g., a housing member may be defined by machining or otherwise forming a beam, cantilevered member, or other structure as part of a monolithic metal structure). The device  100  is an example device with a housing that includes both types of housing members, as described in greater detail with respect to  FIG.  2   , though other housings may have different configurations, including different configurations of unitary housing structures and/or discrete housing components. Regardless of whether the housing members  112  are part of a larger unitary housing structure or discrete components, the joining structures  104 ,  105  may be positioned in gaps or spaces between the housing members  112  to fill the gaps, retain the housing members together, and provide the requisite electrical (e.g., capacitive) isolation between the housing members. 
       FIG.  1 B  depicts a back view of the device  100 .  FIG.  1 B  more clearly illustrates an example configuration of the housing members  112  and the joining structures  104 ,  105 . In some cases, the housing includes a body structure  101  that defines at least part of a back surface  114  of the device, as well as one or more of the housing members  112 . The joining structures  104 ,  105  may extend between multiple different housing members  112 . For example, the molded element of a joining structure may be positioned between various different housing members and may define portions of various exterior surfaces of the device  100 . As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the joining structure  105  has segments or portions that are positioned between various housing members  112 , and defines part of portions of three of the side surfaces of the device, as well as part of the back surface  114  of the device. Other configurations of housing members and joining structures, including different amounts and configurations of joining structures and/or different amounts and configurations of housing members are also contemplated. 
     The housing members  112  may also define part of one or more exterior surface(s) of the device  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 1 B , the housing members  112  may each define a portion of one or more side surfaces of the device, as well as a portion of the back surface of the device  100 . Further, as described herein, one or more of the housing members  112  may be configured to function as an antenna for the device  100 . 
     The joining structures  104 ,  105 , which are positioned in spaces or gaps between the housing members  112  (and in slots or other voids defined in the housing members  112  and/or the body structure  101 ), may also define part of the exterior surface(s) of the electronic device. For example, a joining structure  104  may define a portion of an exterior side surface between two of the housing members  112  (which also each define a portion of the exterior side surface). The portion of an exterior surface that is defined by two housing members and a joining structure may define a single continuous exterior surface of the device (e.g., a back surface, a side surface, etc.). The single continuous surface defined across two housing members and a joining structure that is between them may be (or may appear to a user to be) substantially smooth and/or seamless. For example, the interface between adjacent components (e.g., housing members and joining structures) may be sufficiently smooth or tight that a user cannot tactilely perceive or feel any gaps, crevices, grooves, dips, bumps, or other surface irregularities when handling the device. 
     Where a housing member  112  (or a portion thereof) is configured to be an antenna structure (e.g., a structure that sends and/or receives wireless communication signals), it may have a length that corresponds to a wavelength of a wireless communication protocol. In some cases, the length of the housing member  112  (or the portion configured as an antenna structure) may be equal to the wavelength of the frequency band of the wireless communication protocol (e.g., a full-wave antenna). In other cases, it may correspond to a fraction or harmonic frequency of the frequency band. For example, the length may be one half of the wavelength (e.g., a half-wave antenna), or one quarter of the wavelength (e.g., a quarter-wave antenna), or any other suitable length that facilitates communication over the desired frequency band. The wireless communication protocol may use a frequency band around 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 15 GHz, 800 MHz, 1.9 GHz, or any other suitable frequency band. As used herein, a frequency band may include frequencies at the nominal frequency of the frequency band, as well as additional frequencies around the nominal frequency. For example, an antenna structure that is configured to communicate using a 2.4 GHz frequency band may receive and/or radiate signals in a range from about 2.4000 GHz to about 2.4835 GHz (or in any other suitable range). Other frequency bands may also encompass a range of nearby frequencies, and an antenna configured to communicate via those frequency bands may be capable of radiating and receiving frequencies within those ranges as well. 
     The length of a housing member  112  may correspond to a length of the housing member from one terminal end to another terminal end, or, in the case where the housing member  112  is a segment of a larger structural component (as described with respect to  FIG.  2   ), from a base where the housing member joins the body structure  101  to an end of the housing member (e.g., a terminal end that is separated from the remainder of the body structure  101 ). A housing member  112  that is configured to operate as an antenna may be coupled to antenna circuitry that is configured to process signals corresponding to the wireless communication protocol. Example antenna circuitry may include processors, inductors, capacitors, oscillators, signal generators, amplifiers, or the like. 
       FIG.  1 C  depicts an exploded view of the device  100  of  FIG.  1 A , showing the cover  106  removed from the housing  102 . A display  107  may be positioned below the cover  106  and within the housing  102 . The display  107  may include various display components, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) components, light source(s) (e.g., light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs (OLEDs)), filter layers, polarizers, light diffusers, covers (e.g., glass or plastic cover sheets), and the like. The display  107  may be integrated with (or the device  100  may otherwise include) touch and/or force sensors. Using touch sensors, the device  100  may detect touch inputs applied to the cover  106 , including detecting locations of touch inputs, motions of touch inputs (e.g., the speed, direction, or other parameters of a gesture applied to the cover  106 ), or the like. Using force sensors, the device  100  may detect amounts or magnitudes of force associated with touch events applied to the cover  106 . The force sensors may be configured to produce an electrical response that corresponds to an amount of force applied to the cover  106 . The electrical response may increase continuously as the amount of applied force increases, and as such may provide non-binary force sensing. Accordingly, the force sensor may determine, based on the electrical response of the force sensing components, one or more properties of the applied force associated with a touch input. The touch and/or force sensors may detect various types of user inputs to control or modify the operation of the device, including taps, swipes, multi-finger inputs, single- or multi-finger touch gestures, presses, and the like. 
     The housing  102  may define an internal volume  109 , in which components of the device may be positioned. Example components of the device  100  are described in greater detail with respect to  FIG.  8   . 
       FIG.  1 C  also further depicts an interior view of the joining structures  104 ,  105 . In particular, the joining structures  104 ,  105  may include internal portions  118 ,  119 , respectively, which may at least partially define interior surfaces of the housing  102 . The internal portions  118 ,  119  may be formed from or be part of the molded element of the joining structures  104 ,  105 , respectively. The internal portions  118 ,  119  of the joining structures  104 ,  105  further illustrate how multiple housing members may be coupled together (and/or spaces between housing members may be filled) by a contiguous polymer material (e.g., the molded element of the joining structures). 
       FIG.  2    depicts a partial view of the housing  102 , corresponding to a bottom portion of the housing  102  (e.g., the lower-right corner of the housing  102 , as oriented in  FIG.  1 C ), showing the housing members with the joining structure omitted. As shown in  FIG.  2   , several housing members  112  define the housing  102 . For example, a housing member  112 - 5 , which is a discrete component from the remainder of the housing members  112  and the body structure  101  of the housing, may define a corner portion and a portion of each of two exterior side surfaces of the housing  102 . The housing member  112 - 5  may be set apart from adjacent housing members (e.g., housing members  112 - 4  and  112 - 6 ) by spaces  122 , and may be set apart from the body structure  101  by a space  125 . The spaces  122  may be at least partially filled by the joining structures, as described herein. 
       FIG.  2    also depicts example housing members that are formed as part of a unitary structure that includes another housing member of the device (illustrated in this case as a back wall  137 , though in other housings it may form a different part of the housing). For example, the housing members  112 - 1 ,  112 - 2 ,  112 - 3 ,  112 - 4 , and  112 - 6  and the back wall  137  are formed from a unitary structure. The housing members  112 - 1 ,  112 - 2 ,  112 - 3 ,  112 - 4 , and  112 - 6  may be defined at least in part by slots  124  formed through the body structure  101  to define the housing members and the back wall  137 . The slots  124  may separate the housing members  112 - 1 ,  112 - 2 ,  112 - 3 ,  112 - 4 , and  112 - 6  from the remainder of the body structure  101  (e.g., the back wall  137 ), and may define the cantilevered or beam-like housing members (e.g., members  112 - 2 ,  112 - 3 ,  112 - 4 ) that can operate as antennas for the device. The slots  124  may also define bridge segments (e.g., bridge segments  139 ) that join the housing members to the back wall  137 . The back wall  137  may at least partially define the back surface  114  of the device. 
     Joining structures may at least partially fill the slots  124  and the spaces  122 ,  125  and may engage with the housing members  112  and the body structure  101  to retain the housing members  112  and the body structure  101  together. In some cases, as described herein, the housing members  112  and/or the body structure  101  may define retention features that the joining structure (e.g., the molded element of the joining structure) engages to mechanically retain the joining structure to the housing members, and thereby retain the housing members  112  and the body structure  101  together. 
       FIG.  2    also illustrates an example configuration of the housing members  112  that facilitates the positioning and retention of a reinforcement plate into the joining structures. In particular, the housing members  112  define slots  132  that are configured to receive a portion of a reinforcement plate therein. The slots  132  may be defined by a bottom surface and a pair of side walls that support the reinforcement plate in a particular location and orientation during and after a molding process in which the molded element is formed. For example, and as described in greater detail herein, a reinforcement plate may be positioned in the slots  132  prior to formation of the molded element, and the slots  132  hold the reinforcement plate in place during an injection molding process in which a flowable polymer material is introduced into the spaces and slots between the housing members and around the reinforcement plates, thereby at least partially encapsulating (and optionally fully encapsulating) the reinforcement plates. The flowable polymer material is then allowed to harden, thereby securing the housing members  112  together. Slots  132  are labeled on the housing members  112 - 4  and  112 - 5  in  FIG.  2   , though they are also shown in  FIG.  2    at the terminal ends of each housing member  112 . It will be understood that all or a subset of the housing members  112  may define the slots  132 . In some cases, reinforcement plates may be omitted from the space between some housing members. In such cases, the slots  132  may be omitted. 
       FIG.  2    also illustrates how housing members  112  (e.g., the housing members  112 - 2  and  112 - 5 ) may be electrically connected to antenna circuitry to receive and/or send wireless communication signals. For example, antenna circuitry may be connected to the housing member  112 - 2  at a first connection point  126  and a second connection point  128 . In some cases, the first connection point  126  is coupled to an electrical ground, and the second connection point  128  is coupled to an antenna feed (e.g., a source of an electromagnetic signal that transmits wireless signals to the housing member  112 - 2 , and/or a circuit that receives and/or analyzes an electromagnetic signal received by the housing member  112 - 2 ). A conductive path  127  may be defined between the connection points  126 ,  128 , corresponding to an electromagnetic component of a transmitted or received wireless communication signal (e.g., the conductive path  127  may define a length of an electromagnetic component of a transmitted or received wireless communication signal).  FIG.  2    also illustrates a conductive path  131  of the housing member  112 - 5 . Antenna circuitry may be connected to the housing member  112 - 5  at a first connection point  129  and a second connection point  130 . In some cases, the first connection point  129  is coupled to an electrical ground, and the second connection point  130  is coupled to an antenna feed (e.g., a source of an electromagnetic signal that transmits wireless signals to the housing member  112 - 5 , and/or a circuit that receives and/or analyzes an electromagnetic signal received by the housing member  112 - 5 ). In some cases, any of the housing members that are electrically isolated from other housing members (e.g., via slots and/or at the terminal ends of the housing members) may define conductive paths and may be used as antennas. 
     As noted above, the joining structures  104  may be formed from or include nonconductive and/or electrically insulating materials, such as polymers, fiber-reinforced polymers, nonconductive reinforcement plates, or the like. The joining structures  104  may electrically isolate the housing members  112  from one another (e.g., the housing member  112 - 2  from the housing member  112 - 1  and/or the body structure  101 ), at least along a length of the housing members (e.g., the length of the slot  124 ) and proximate the terminal ends of adjacent housing members. Accordingly, the joining structures help define the conductive paths of the housing members and isolate the conducive paths to particular housing members, thus allowing the housing members to function as an antenna. 
     Due to the different lengths of the conductive paths  127 ,  131 , the housing members  112 - 2  and  112 - 5  may be configured to communicate using different frequencies, frequency bands, wireless communication protocols, or the like. For example, the housing member  112 - 2  shown in  FIG.  2    may be configured to operate on a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency band, while the housing member  112 - 5  may be configured to operate on an 800 MHz frequency band (including a suitable range of nearby frequencies, as described above). In some cases, one housing member  112  may operate on multiple frequency bands, while another housing member  112  may operate on a single frequency band. In this way, different wireless communication functions may be provided by different housing members  112 . For example, one housing member  112  may be configured as a WiFi antenna, while a different housing member is configured as a cellular antenna (e.g., to communicate with telecommunications providers via cellular telecommunications networks). 
       FIG.  3 A  depicts a detail view of the area  3 A- 3 A in  FIG.  2   , showing additional details of the housing members  112  and the slots  132  that receive a reinforcement plate therein. As shown, the slots  132  are formed into the housing members  112 , such as via machining, molding, or any other suitable process. The slots  132  may be provided as a pair of opposing slots, with each slot  132  formed into an end of a housing member  112 . The housing members  112  may also define a mounting surface  152 . The slots  132  may be formed into a surface  151  that is recessed relative to the mounting surface  152 . In some cases, the cover member  106  may be attached to the mounting surfaces  152  of the housing members, such as via adhesive. The joining structure, and more particularly the molded element and/or the reinforcement plate of the joining structure, may also define part of the mounting surface to which the cover member  106  is attached, as shown in  FIG.  3 D  (e.g., the joining structure may define a surface that is coplanar with the mounting surface  152 ). 
       FIG.  3 B  is a perspective view of the slot  132  in the housing member  112 - 5 . The slot  132  is defined by a bottom surface  134 , side surfaces  136 ,  138 , and an end surface  140 . The bottom surface  134  and the side surfaces  136 ,  138  are configured to retain a reinforcement plate in a particular orientation. As described herein, the orientation of the reinforcement plate may be based on factors such as the shape of the housing, characteristics of the forces to which the joining structure and/or the housing may be expected to be subjected, the direction of flow of a polymer material during formation of the joining structure, the direction and/or orientation of reinforcement fibers in the reinforcement plate, and the like. In the example housing shown in the figures, the slots  132 , and more particularly the bottom and side surfaces  134 ,  136 ,  138  of the slots  132 , may be configured to retain the reinforcement plate in a perpendicular orientation relative to the front surface of the device (e.g., the front surface that is defined by the cover member  106  ( FIG.  1 A )). More particularly, the major surfaces of the reinforcement plate may be perpendicular to the front surface of the device. 
       FIG.  3 C  depicts a reinforcement plate  300  positioned in the slots  132  of the housing members  112 - 4  and  112 - 5 . As described, the slots  132  retain the reinforcement plate in a perpendicular orientation relative to the front surface of the device. The orientation of the reinforcement plate  300  and the flat plate-like shape of the reinforcement plate  300  allow the reinforcement plate  300  to strengthen the joining between the housing members  112 - 4  and  112 - 5 , while also reducing or minimizing the effect of the reinforcement plate  300  on the flow of the polymer material that is introduced into the space  122 - 3  to complete the joining structure. For example, in some cases, the molded element of the joining structure is formed by an injection molding process in which a polymer material in a flowable state is flowed or injected into the space  122 - 3  to fill the space  122 - 3  and at least partially (and optionally completely) encapsulate the reinforcement plate  300 . The housing members  112 - 4 ,  112 - 5  (and/or all of the housing members of the housing) and the reinforcement plate(s) may be positioned in a mold, and the flowable polymer material may be injected into the mold, which guides the flowable polymer material into target locations, including in the spaces  122 , slots, and/or other target locations and/or features of the housing members. In some cases, the flowable material flows around the reinforcement plate  300  downwards from the top (relative to the orientations shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 C ), such that the flow of polymer material tends to force the reinforcement plate  300  against the bottom surfaces  134  of the slots  132 . Thus, the particular configuration of the slot and the direction of flow of the polymer material cooperate to force the reinforcement plate  300  into the target position and orientation in the slot. Further, the side surfaces  136  and  138  contact the planar surfaces (e.g., the major surfaces) of the reinforcement plate  300  to prevent the reinforcement plate  300  from tipping, falling, twisting, or otherwise being moved out of its target orientation (e.g., perpendicular to the front surface of the device, and/or parallel to the exterior side surface of the device). The end surfaces  140  may also prevent the reinforcement plate  300  from shifting or moving lengthwise in the slot  132 . 
     The reinforcement plate  300  may also be designed to reduce or minimize disruption to the flow of the polymer material during an injection operation. For example, as shown and described herein, the reinforcement plate  300  may be a flat, substantially featureless plate defined by two planar sides (or major surfaces) and a peripheral side between the two planar sides. The reinforcement plate  300  may lack fins, flanges, projecting features or walls, or other surfaces or portions that may disrupt or guide the flow of polymer material during an injection or other molding operation. Stated another way, the reinforcement plate  300  may be configured to reduce or minimize its effect on the flow of polymer material. 
       FIG.  3 D  shows the housing after the polymer material is introduced into the space  122  (and other spaces between housing members) to form the molded element  302  of the joining structure. As shown, the reinforcement plate  300  is completely encapsulated in the molded element  302 . The molded element  302  may be bonded to the reinforcement plate  300  and the housing members. For example, the molded element  302  may form an adhesive or mechanical bond to the reinforcement plate  300  and the housing members, thereby retaining the housing members together and securely retaining the reinforcement plate  300  within the molded element  302 . In some cases, as described herein, the housing members and/or the reinforcement plates define retention features, such as holes, slots, grooves, protrusions, threaded holes, posts, flanges, dovetails, or the like. The molded elements of the joining structures may engage these features to retain the joining structures to the housing members, thereby retaining the housing members together. 
       FIG.  3 E  is a cross-sectional view of the housing  102 , viewed along line  3 E- 3 E in  FIG.  3 D . As shown in  FIG.  3 E , the joining structure  104  includes both the reinforcement plate  300  and the molded element  302 . This combination may have improved mechanical properties (e.g., strength, stiffness, elastic modulus, toughness, etc.), as compared to a joining structure that lacks the reinforcement plate  300 . In particular, the reinforcement plate  300  may include reinforcement fibers that impart additional strength to the joining structure  104 . Further, due to the reliable and secure positioning of the reinforcement plate  300  in the housing members, the orientation of the reinforcing fibers relative to the overall housing and device structure may be specified to achieve target mechanical properties. For example, as described herein, a majority of the reinforcement fibers in the reinforcement plate  300  (and optionally all) may extend left-to-right in the reinforcement plate  300 , relative to the orientation of  FIG.  3 E . This orientation of reinforcement fibers parallel to the length of the side of the device may improve the strength and/or stiffness of the joining structures  104  along a left-to-right direction of the joining structures  104 , thereby improving structural and dimensional stability of the housing where the joining structures are located. 
     The inclusion of the reinforcement plate  300  in the joining structure may also improve the thermal properties of the joining structure. For example, the molded element  302  (which may be formed of or include a polymer material) may have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is different from that of the housing members (which may be formed of a metal, such as aluminum). By reducing the difference between the CTE of the housing members and the joining structure, the housing may be more resistant to deformations or other structural changes due to temperature changes, such as those that may occur during usage or manufacturing of the device. 
     In order to change the overall CTE of the joining structure, the CTE of the reinforcement plate  300  may be less than the CTE of the molded element  302 . For example, the reinforcement plate  300  may include ceramic fibers in a matrix material. The ceramic fibers may have a CTE that is less than the polymer of the molded element  302 . Due to its lower CTE than the molded element  302 , the reinforcement plate  300  may resist the expansion and/or contraction of the molded element resulting from changes in temperature. Accordingly, the overall CTE of the joining structure may be lower when a reinforcement plate  300  is included within the molded element  302 . 
     In some cases, the difference in the CTEs of the reinforcement plate  300  and the molded element  302  may result in residual stresses in the reinforcement plate  300 , the molded element  302 , and/or the housing members. For example, during a process of forming the joining structure  104 , a polymer material may be heated (e.g., above ambient temperature and optionally above a glass transition temperature of the polymer material) so that is can be flowed into the space(s) between housing members (e.g., melted or softened to a flowable state). During this operation, the heated polymer material may flow over and around the reinforcement plate  300  to at least partially (and optionally fully or completely) encapsulate the reinforcement plate  300 , which may result in the reinforcement plate  300  and housing members being heated as well. (In some cases, the housing members and reinforcement plate  300  may be heated by a heating operation other than contact with the polymer material.) When the polymer material, the reinforcement plate  300 , and the housing members cool, they may contract or shrink in size (in accordance with their CTEs). Because the reinforcement plate  300  has a lower CTE than the polymer material, the polymer material may tend to shrink or contract more than the reinforcement plate  300 , leading to the reinforcement plate  300  having a residual compressive stress, as indicated by arrows  304 , and the polymer material having a residual tensile stress, as indicated by arrows  306 . 
     In some cases, the housing members  112  have a lower CTE than the polymer material, such that the cooling and consequent shrinkage or contraction of the polymer material imparts a force on the housing members  112  as well. In such cases, the housing members may have a residual tensile stress. In some cases, the inclusion of the reinforcement plate  300  may reduce the difference between the CTE of the joining structure  104  and the housing members  112 , as compared to a joining structure without a reinforcement plate. In such cases, the amount of residual tensile stress in the housing members  112  may be less than that which would be present if the joining structure lacked the reinforcement plate  300 . The CTE of the joining structure  104  (with the reinforcement plate  300 ) may be less than 50% greater than the CTE of the housing members  112 , or less than 35% greater than the CTE of the housing members, or less than 15% greater than the CTE of the housing members  112 . 
     As the joining structure  104  includes both the molded element and the reinforcement plate  300 , the CTE of the joining structure  104  may depend on factors such as the relative sizes and positions of the molded element and the reinforcement plate  300 , the CTEs of the molded element and the reinforcement plate  300 , and the like. It will be understood that the benefits of the reduced CTE due to the inclusion of the reinforcement plate  300  may be realized without calculating or otherwise determining a numerical CTE value for the joining structure  104 . 
       FIG.  4 A  illustrates an example housing  400  (which may be an embodiment of or otherwise similar to the housing  102 ), in which the housing members  402  and the joining structure  404  have a different configuration than that shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 3 E . The housing members  402  may be embodiments of or otherwise similar to the housing members  112 . The joining structure  404  includes a molded element  406 , which may be an embodiment of or otherwise similar to the molded element  302 , and a reinforcement plate  408 , which may be an embodiment of or otherwise similar to the reinforcement plate  300 . The housing members  402  may define channels  412  formed into a curved interface surface  410 . Ends of the reinforcement plate  408  may extend into the channels  412  and optionally contact the surfaces of the channels  412 . In some cases, the channels  412  may extend from a bottom surface (e.g., similar to the bottom surface  134 ,  FIG.  3 B ) to a mounting surface of the housing members (e.g., similar to the mounting surface  152  in  FIGS.  3 B,  3 C ). 
       FIG.  4 B  illustrates an example housing  420  (which may be an embodiment of or otherwise similar to the housing  102 ), in which the housing members  422  define retention features, and the joining structure  424  includes complementary features that engage the retention features of the housing members  422 . The retention features and the joining structure&#39;s engagement with the retention features may contribute to the structural retention of the joining structure to the housing members. 
     The housing members  422  include example retention features, including recesses  432  and protrusions  430 . The recesses  432  may be or may define holes, blind holes, threaded holes, channels, slots, dovetails, undercuts, or the like. When the polymer material of the joining structure  424  is introduced into the space between the housing members  422 , the material may at least partially encapsulate the reinforcement plate  428 , and flow into the recesses  432  and ultimately form complementary shapes that engage the recesses  432 . Once the polymer material is hardened, a mechanical interlock may be formed between the recesses  432  and the polymer material, thereby structurally retaining the joining structure  424  to the housing members. Similarly, the housing members  422  may define protrusions  430 , which may be or may define posts, threaded posts, bumps, ridges, or the like. When the polymer material of the joining structure  424  is introduced into the space between the housing members  422 , the material may flow over and engage the protrusions  430  and ultimately form complementary shapes that engage the protrusions  430 . Once the polymer material is hardened, a mechanical interlock may be formed between the protrusions  430  and the polymer material, thereby structurally retaining the joining structure  424  to the housing members. The combination of recesses  432  and protrusions  430  may provide a strong and secure structural coupling between the housing members  422  and the joining structure  424 , thereby producing a strong housing. 
     While  FIG.  4 B  illustrates retention features (e.g., recesses and protrusions) having relatively simple shapes, it will be understood that housing members may employ more complex and varied combinations of retention features, including complex three-dimensional shapes with interconnected and non-interconnected channels, passageways, holes, protruding structures, and the like. In such cases, the interlocking between the retention features and the polymer material of the joining structure may provide a secure structural engagement that retains the housing members together to define the housing. Further, while retention features (e.g., recesses and protrusions) are shown in the example housing  420  of  FIG.  4 B , it will be understood that such features may be included in various combinations in any of the housing members described herein. For example, the housing members  112  may define retention features such as those as described with respect to  FIG.  4 B , and the joining structures  104 ,  105  may engage those retention structures to form interlocking structures. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate example reinforcement plates that may be used in joining structures to improve the structural properties of the joining structures and the device housings in which they are integrated.  FIG.  5 A  illustrates an example reinforcement plate  500 . The reinforcement plate  500  is a rectangular prism having a height “H,” a width “W,” and a length “L.” As described herein, the shape of the reinforcement plate  500  may be configured to improve structural properties of the joining structures without re-directing or otherwise detrimentally affecting the flow of a polymer material during a molding process. The rectangular prism of the reinforcement plate  500  therefore defines a first planar side  502  (e.g., a first major surface), a second planar side  504  (e.g., a second major surface) opposite the first planar side  502 , and a peripheral side  506  extending from the first planar side  502  to the second planar side  504 . The peripheral side  506  may include four side portions, each extending from the first planar side  502  to the second planar side  504 . The peripheral side  506  is shown with each side portion perpendicular to both the first and second planar sides  502 ,  504 , though in some cases the side portions may have a different angle relative to the first and second planar sides (e.g., defining a bevel surface extending between the planar sides). In some implementations, the reinforcement plate  500  defines only the first planar side  502 , the second planar side  504 , and the peripheral side  506 , as shown in  FIG.  5 A , and does not include projections, fins, flanges, or other features protruding or extending features apart from those shown in  FIG.  5 A . 
     The shape and/or dimensions of the reinforcement plate  500  may also be designed in conjunction with the shape and/or dimensions of the housing in which it is used in order to achieve target strength properties. For example, an electronic device, such as a tablet computer, may have a first height dimension (e.g., the height or thickness  150  in  FIG.  1 C ) that extends from a back surface of the electronic device to a front surface of the electronic device. The height dimension “H” of the reinforcement plate  500  may be above a target proportion of the height dimension of the electronic device. For example, the height of the reinforcement plate  500  may be greater than about 50%, greater than about 70%, greater than about 80%, or greater than about 90% of the height of the electronic device. In some cases, the strength improvement provided by a reinforcement plate is proportional to the height dimension of the reinforcement plate. Accordingly, a reinforcement plate with a height greater than about 50% (and optionally higher) provides a high degree of structural reinforcement and strength improvement to the housing. 
       FIG.  5 B  is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcement plate  500 , viewed along line  5 B- 5 B in  FIG.  5 A . The reinforcement plate  500  may include a plurality of fiber-reinforced layers  514 ,  516 . The fiber-reinforced layers may include reinforcement fibers  510  and a matrix material  508 . Thus, the reinforcement plate  500  may be a composite plate. 
     The reinforcement fibers  510  may be ceramic, glass, aramid (Kevlar), or any other suitable material(s). In some cases, the reinforcement fibers  510  are electrically non-conductive or electrically insulating materials. The use of such materials provides structural reinforcement between housing members without adversely affecting the electrical properties of the housing members. For example, reinforcement plates with non-conductive or electrically insulating reinforcement fibers may not increase capacitive coupling between housing members (or they may not change the capacitive coupling by more than about 5%, 10%, or another suitable value). In some cases, the reinforcement fibers may be formed from electrically conductive materials, such as carbon fiber, metal, or the like (e.g., where the housing members are not being used as antennas and/or to help tune or change the capacitive coupling between housing members). 
     The polymer matrix  508  of the layers  514 ,  516  may be an epoxy, resin, or other polymer material. The reinforcement layers  514 ,  516  may be provided as individual sheets or layers, such as a set of fibers pre-impregnated with the polymer matrix, also referred to as prepreg sheets or layers. The layers  514 ,  516  may then be combined (e.g., laminated) to form the composite structure of the reinforcement plate. 
     The reinforcement fibers  510  may be aligned in a particular orientation in the reinforcement plate  500  to achieve desired mechanical properties. For example, a minimum proportion of the reinforcement fibers may extend along (e.g., parallel to) the length dimension of the reinforcement plate  500 , such as the fibers  510 - 1 . When positioned in a joining structure as described herein, the fibers  510 - 1  may extend parallel to the sides of the housing, and parallel to the front surface of the device (e.g., the surface of a cover member). Fibers in this orientation may provide the structure benefits described above, such as the improved strength of the joining structure and reduced thermal sensitivity (e.g., reducing the CTE of the joining structure), and the like. The proportion of the reinforcement fibers extending along the length dimension of the reinforcement plate  500  may be about 70% or higher, 80% or higher, 90% or higher, 95%, or another suitable value. The reinforcement fibers  510 - 2  may be positioned perpendicular to or otherwise not parallel to the reinforcement fibers  510 - 1 . The reinforcement fibers  510 - 2  may provide additional structural reinforcement of the reinforcement plate and/or the joining structure in which it is positioned. 
     As shown, each reinforcement layer in the reinforcement plate  500  includes a set of unidirectional fibers. Thus, for example, the reinforcement layers  514  include unidirectional fibers extending parallel to the length dimension of the reinforcement plate  500 , and the reinforcement layers  516  include unidirectional fibers extending perpendicular to the length dimension of the reinforcement plate  500 . 
       FIG.  5 C  illustrates an example reinforcement plate  520 , illustrating a cross-section analogous to that shown in  FIG.  5 B . As shown in  FIG.  5 C , the reinforcement plate  520  includes a plurality of reinforcement layers  522 , with each layer including reinforcement fibers  524  in a polymer matrix  526 . As shown in  FIG.  5 C , all of the reinforcement fibers  524  are aligned parallel to the length dimension of the reinforcement plate  520 . The reinforcement fibers  524  and polymer matrix  526  may be the same as those described with respect to  FIG.  5 B . Other orientations of reinforcement fibers in a composite reinforcement plate are also contemplated, and may be selected based on strength targets for the joining structures in which they are integrated. 
       FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  illustrate additional examples of reinforcement plates that may be used in joining structures to provide the advantages described herein. The reinforcement plates in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D  may have reinforcement fibers in a matrix material, as described herein. The reinforcement plates shown in these figures include physical features that may provide mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plates and/or further facilitate the flow of a polymer material over the reinforcement plates. 
       FIG.  6 A  depicts a reinforcement plate  600  that defines a hole extending through the reinforcement plate  600  from a first planar side  604  to a second planar side  606  opposite (and parallel to) the first planar side  604 . The hole  602  may act as a mechanical engagement feature to secure the reinforcement plate  600  to the molded element of a joining structure. For example, when a polymer material at least partially encapsulates the reinforcement plate  600 , the polymer material may flow into and through the hole  602 , thereby interlocking the polymer material and the reinforcement plate  600  and forming a secure mechanical engagement therebetween. 
       FIG.  6 B  depicts a reinforcement plate  610  that defines notches  612  at the corners of the reinforcement plate  610 . The notches may provide additional mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plate  610  and the molded element of a joining structure. 
       FIG.  6 C  depicts a reinforcement plate  620  that includes first and second sides  622 ,  624  that define wavy surfaces (e.g., the reinforcement plate  620  may be corrugated). The wavy surfaces may provide additional mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plate  620  and the molded element of a joining structure. Further, the particular orientation of the waves may be configured to provide mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plate  620  and a molded element (e.g., formed from a polymer material) with minimal or inconsequential effect on the flow of the polymer material over the reinforcement plate  620 . For example, the waves (e.g., the peaks and troughs of the waves) may extend along the height dimension of the reinforcement plate  620 , such that the flow front of a polymer material flowing from top to bottom along the reinforcement plate  620  flows parallel to the waves (e.g., rather than perpendicular to or oblique to the waves). Additionally, the orientation of the waves may increase the strength of the physical engagement between the reinforcement plate  620  and the molded element along a direction parallel to the length dimension of the reinforcement plate  620 , which may be the main stress direction of the reinforcement plate  620  (e.g., the direction of most of the forces that the reinforcement plate  620  is designed to resist). 
       FIG.  6 D  depicts a reinforcement plate  630  that includes bumps  634  extending from one or both of the first and second sides  632 ,  636  of the reinforcement plate  630 . The bumps  634  may be formed of the matrix material of the reinforcement plate  630 . The bumps  634  may be spherical sections or have any other suitable shape. The bumps  634  may extend from the first and/or second sides  632 ,  636  to a maximum height that is less than about 50% of the thickness (e.g., width) of the reinforcement plate, less than about 25% of the thickness of the reinforcement plate, or another suitable dimension. The smooth (and optionally spherical) convex shape of the bumps  634  may be configured to provide mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plate  630  and a molded element (e.g., formed from a polymer material) with minimal or inconsequential effect on the flow of the polymer material over the reinforcement plate  630 . While  FIG.  6 D  shows the bumps as convex bumps, concave recesses may be used in place of the bumps in some implementations. 
       FIGS.  7 A- 7 B  illustrate another configuration of a reinforcement plate  700  that may include sacrificial portions that are configured to be deformed and/or partially removed during installation into the slots of a housing member. As shown in  FIG.  7 A , the reinforcement plate  700  defines a first side  701  and a second side  702 . Ridges  704  protrude from the first and second sides  701 ,  702 , and extend along the height dimension of the reinforcement plate  700 . The ridges  704  may be formed from the matrix material of the reinforcement plate  700 . For example, an epoxy, resin, or other suitable matrix material may be used to at least partially encapsulate reinforcement fibers, and may also define the ridges  704 . The ridges  704  may be formed by molding or another suitable shaping process. In some cases, the ridges  704  are formed from a different material than the matrix material and are applied or formed after the reinforcement fibers and matrix material are combined to define the composite structure of the reinforcement plate  700 . 
     The ridges  704  may extend along a direction parallel to an insertion direction of the reinforcement plate  700  into the slots of housing members where the reinforcement plate  700  is positioned. The ridges  704  may also define an area of increased width of the reinforcement plate  700 , such that the ridges  704  are forced into contact with the walls of the slot when the reinforcement plate  700  is inserted into the slot.  FIG.  7 B  illustrates the reinforcement plate  700  positioned in the slots  705  of housing members  710 . As shown, the ridges  704  are in contact with the walls  712  of the slots  705 . As noted, the width of the reinforcement plate  700  at the ridges  704  may be greater than the width of the slots  705 . Thus, when the reinforcement plate  700  is inserted into the slots  705 , the ridges are forced into contact with the walls  712 , thus providing a frictional or interference fit between the reinforcement plate  700  and the walls  712 . This frictional or interference fit may retain the reinforcement plate  700  in the slots  705  during formation of the molded element (e.g., during injection of the polymer material). The frictional or interference fit may also increase the mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plate  700  and the housing members  710 , which may further increase the structural reinforcement provided by the reinforcement plate  700 . 
     The interference fit between the reinforcement plate  700  and the walls  712  may be produced in various ways. For example, the ridges  704  may be compressed or deformed by the walls  712  as a result of insertion into the slots  705 . In some cases, the ridges include a sacrificial portion (e.g., a top portion of the ridges) that is configured to be sheared off by the walls during insertion of the reinforcement plate  700  into the slots  705 . Thus, once inserted into the slots  705 , the tops of the ridges  704  (which are now flat or otherwise shaped by the walls  712 ) will be in contact with the walls  712 . More particularly, the tops of the ridges  704  may define flat faces that are in contact with the walls of the slots  705 . In implementations where the depth of the slots is less than the height of the reinforcement plate  700  (e.g., such that the reinforcement plate  700  is not fully inside the slot), only a portion of the ridges  704  may be deformed, sheared off, or otherwise in contact with the walls of the slot (e.g., only a portion of each ridge may define a flat face that is in contact with the walls of the slot). 
     The examples above show a reinforcement plate positioned in a straight or linear portion of a device housing. As such, the reinforcement plates are shown as generally straight or flat plates. However, reinforcement plates may also be used to join housing members that define curved portions of device housings.  FIG.  8    illustrates a partial view of a device  800  with housing members  802  and a joining structure  804  between the housing members  802 . The joining structure  804  may include a molded element  810  and a reinforcement plate  806 . As described with respect to other joining structures, the joining structure  804  may mechanically couple and electrically isolate the housing members  802 . The housing members  802  define a curved portion of an electronic device housing, such as a curved corner. The housing members  802  also define slots  808  for receiving the reinforcement plate  806  therein. 
     Because the joining structure  804  is positioned along a curved portion of the housing, the reinforcement plate  806  may also be curved. The curve of the reinforcement plate  806  may generally match or follow the curvature of the housing members, or it may differ from the curvature of the housing members. 
     By curving the reinforcement plate  806 , the reinforcement plate  806  may extend along a stress path through the housing member, thereby providing reinforcement where it is most useful. Further, the curvature allows for efficient use of space, as the reinforcement plate  806  does not have to intrude into the interior volume of the device or otherwise require a larger molded element to encapsulate the reinforcement plate  806  (as might be required if a straight or generally flat reinforcement plate  806  were used in a curved joining structure). 
       FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  illustrate a partial view of a device  900  with housing members  902  and  904 . The housing member  902  may be an embodiment of or otherwise correspond, for example, to the housing member  112  (e.g.,  112 - 2 ), and may define a corner of the device  900 . The housing member  904  may define a back wall of the device, such as the back wall  137  ( FIG.  2   ). A slot  903  may be defined between the housing member  902  and the housing member  904 . The slot  903  may be an embodiment of or otherwise correspond, for example, to the slot  124  or  125 . The housing members may also define one or more recesses  910 ,  912  in which a reinforcement plate  906  may be positioned. The recesses  910 ,  912  may be formed by machining, forging, molding, or the like. 
     The reinforcement plate  906  may be positioned in the recesses  910 ,  912  and at least partially encapsulated by a molded element  914  ( FIG.  9 B ) that also at least partially fills the slot  903  and mechanically couples the housing members  902 ,  904  together. For example, if the housing member  902  corresponds to the housing member  112 - 5  ( FIG.  2   ), the molded element  914  may be the sole mechanical coupling between the housing member  902  and the housing member  904 . In an example where the housing member  902  corresponds to the housing member  112 - 2  ( FIG.  2   ), the housing members  902  and  904  may be part of a unitary structure, and the molded element  914  may mechanically couple the housing members  902  and  904  locally (e.g., by filling the slot  903  and bonding, interlocking, or otherwise coupling to both the housing member  902  and the housing member  904  proximate the slot  903 ). The molded element  914  and the reinforcement plate  906  together may be referred to as a joining structure  913  ( FIG.  9 B ), and may be an embodiment of or otherwise correspond to the joining structures  104 ,  105  ( FIG.  1 B ). The molded element  914  may be formed by placing the housing members  902 ,  904  and the reinforcement plate  906  into a mold, and flowing, injecting, or otherwise introducing a flowable polymer material into the mold (e.g., into the slot  903  and around or into engagement with other features and/or portions of the housing members), and subsequently allowing the polymer material to harden. 
     As shown, the recesses  910 ,  912  have a depth that is less than the full thickness of the housing members. Accordingly, when the material of the molded element  914  is introduced into the slot  903  and at least partially encapsulates the reinforcement plate  906 , the molded element  914  fills the remaining portion of the slot  903  along the under-side of the reinforcement plate  906  such that the exterior side of the housing (e.g., the under-side of the reinforcement plate  906  as oriented in  FIG.  9 A ) is covered by the molded element  914  and is not visible from the exterior of the device. In some cases, the molded element  914  fully encapsulates the reinforcement plate  906  such that the reinforcement plate  906  is not visible from either the interior or the exterior of the device. 
     The reinforcement plate  906  may improve the structural properties of the housing. For example, the reinforcement plate  906  may increase the strength of the joining structure  913 , as compared to a joining structure that lacks the reinforcement plate  906 . In particular, the reinforcement plate  906  may increase the tensile and compressive strength of the joining structure  913 , thereby helping prevent or inhibit the deformation of the joining structure  913 , as well as the housing members  902 ,  904 , in the region proximate the slot (at least as compared to a joining structure  913  without the reinforcement plate  906 ). For example, the reinforcement plate  906  may help prevent or inhibit the molded element  914  from being crushed or broken due to an impact on the corner of the housing. Further, the reinforcement plate  906  may help prevent or inhibit the housing member  902  from being bent, deformed, or otherwise damaged due to an impact on the corner of the device  900 . As another example, the reinforcement plate  906  may help prevent or inhibit the housing member  902  from splitting away from or otherwise becoming detached from the joining structure and/or the housing member  904 . The orientation of the reinforcement fibers  908 , as described below, may be configured to impart a particular strength or other structural property along a particular direction and/or to help prevent or inhibit a particular type of structural damage to the device  900 . 
     The reinforcement plate  906  may include reinforcement fibers  908 , similar to the reinforcement plates  300 ,  500 , or other reinforcement plates described herein. More particularly, the reinforcement plate may include reinforcement fibers in a matrix material. The reinforcement fibers  908  may be formed from or include a ceramic material, such as aluminoborosilicate, aluminosilica, alumina, or another suitable ceramic material. In some cases, the reinforcement fibers may be glass, aramid (Kevlar), metal, or the like. In cases where one or both of the housing members  902 ,  904  operate as antennas or are otherwise electrically operative to the device  900 , the reinforcement fibers may be nonconductive. The matrix material may be an epoxy, resin, or other polymer material. The reinforcement plate  906  may be formed from or otherwise include one or more fiber-reinforced layers, such as described with respect to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C , and may include physical features that may provide mechanical engagement between the reinforcement plates and/or further facilitate the flow of a polymer material over the reinforcement plates, such as described with respect to  FIGS.  6 A- 6 D . It will be understood that the features, structures, materials, processes, and other descriptions associated with  FIGS.  5 A- 6 D  may apply equally to the reinforcement plate  906 . Further, while  FIG.  9 B  illustrates the reinforcement fibers  908  with a number of broken lines, it will be understood that these are for illustration, and different amounts, patterns, locations, lengths, dimensions, etc., of reinforcement fibers  908  may be implemented. 
     The reinforcement fibers  908  may be oriented such that they extend across the slot  903 , or otherwise in a direction extending across the slot  903 . Where the reinforcement plate  906  extends along a curve, as shown in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B , the reinforcement fibers may extend along a radial direction (e.g., extending along or parallel to a radius of the curve). In some cases, a certain percentage of the reinforcement fibers  908  extend across (or in a direction that extends across) the slot  903 , while the remaining reinforcement fibers are oriented in one or more other directions. For example, at least 50% of the reinforcement fibers may extend across (or in a direction that extends across) the slot  903 . In other examples, at least 70%, 80%, 90%, or more, of the reinforcement fibers may extend across (or in a direction that extends across) the slot  903 . The directions and/or orientations of the reinforcement fibers  908  may be generally parallel to the direction or orientation in which the added strength is to be provided. For example, the radial orientation of the reinforcement fibers  908  in  FIG.  9 A  may improve the compressive and tensile strengths of the joining structure  913  along radial directions defined through the corner of the device  900 . Thus, for example, forces from impacts on the corner of the housing member  902  may be transferred along the longitudinal axes of the radially oriented reinforcement fibers to the housing member  904 , thereby helping dissipate the forces and prevent or inhibit the forces from crushing the molded element  914  and deforming the slot  903  (and optionally prevent or inhibit the housing member  902  from being deformed or damaged). Similarly, the reinforcement plate  906  may tend to counter any forces tending to pull the housing member  902  away from the housing member  904  (e.g., from an impact on a different portion of the device  900 ), thereby preventing or inhibiting the housing member  902  from pulling away from the housing member  904  (at least as compared to a joining structure without the reinforcement plate  906 ). 
     The reinforcement plate  906  may be secured to the housing members  902 ,  904  prior to the material of the molded element  914  being introduced into the slot and around the reinforcement plate  906 . For example, the reinforcement plate  906  may be glued or otherwise adhered to the housing members  902 ,  904 . In other examples, the reinforcement plate  906  may be secured via fasteners (e.g., screws), interlocking features (e.g., a dovetail), or the like. In other cases, the reinforcement plate  906  is positioned in the recesses  910 ,  912 , but is not otherwise secured to the housing members before the material of the molded element is introduced into the slot. 
     While  FIGS.  9 A- 9 B  illustrate the reinforcement plate  906  positioned in recesses  910 ,  912  formed in the housing members  902 ,  904 , in some cases the recesses  910 ,  912  may be omitted, and the reinforcement plate  906  may be positioned on a flat, non-recessed surface of the housing members  902 ,  904 . In such cases, it may be adhered, bonded, fastened, or otherwise secured to the housing members  902 ,  904  prior to the polymer material of the molded element  914  being introduced (e.g., molded) into position. In some cases, the reinforcement plate  906  is not encapsulated or embedded in the polymer material. For example, the reinforcement plate  906  may be applied after the polymer material is introduced into the slot  903  (and around or into engagement with other features and/or portions of the housing members). In such cases, the reinforcement plate may be applied to the surface of the housing members  902 ,  904  (and optionally the molded element  914 ) and secured thereto via fasteners (e.g., screws), adhesives, staking (e.g., heat staking), or any other suitable technique. 
       FIG.  10    depicts an example schematic diagram of an electronic device  1000 . By way of example, the device  1000  of  FIG.  10    may correspond to the electronic device  100  shown in  FIGS.  1 A- 2    (or any other electronic device described herein). To the extent that multiple functionalities, operations, and structures are disclosed as being part of, incorporated into, or performed by the device  1000 , it should be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all such described functionalities, operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of the device  1000  may have some, none, or all of the various capabilities, apparatuses, physical features, modes, and operating parameters discussed herein. 
     The device  1000  includes one or more processing units  1001  that are configured to access a memory  1002  having instructions stored thereon. The instructions or computer programs may be configured to perform one or more of the operations or functions described with respect to the device  1000 . For example, the instructions may be configured to control or coordinate the operation of one or more displays  1008 , one or more touch sensors  1003 , one or more force sensors  1005 , one or more communication channels  1004 , one or more sensors  1012 , and/or one or more haptic feedback devices  1006 . 
     The processing units  1001  of  FIG.  10    may be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing units  1001  may include one or more of: a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein, the term “processor” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     The memory  1002  can store electronic data that can be used by the device  1000 . For example, a memory can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, images, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing and control signals or data for the various modules, data structures or databases, and so on. The memory  1002  can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. 
     The touch sensors  1003  may be configured to determine a location of a touch on a touch-sensitive surface of the device  1000  (e.g., an input surface defined by the cover  106 ). The touch sensors  1003  may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical inputs. For example, the touch sensors  1003  may use or include capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, surface acoustic wave sensors, piezoelectric sensors, strain gauges, or the like. The touch sensors  1003  may include any suitable components for detecting touch-based inputs and generating signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacing layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.) processors, circuitry, firmware, and the like. In some cases, the touch sensors  1003  associated with a touch-sensitive surface of the device  1000  may include a capacitive array of electrodes or nodes that operate in accordance with a mutual-capacitance or self-capacitance scheme. The touch sensors  1003  may be integrated with one or more layers of a display stack (e.g., the display  107 ) to provide the touch-sensing functionality of a touchscreen. The touch sensors  1003  may operate in conjunction with the force sensors  1005  to generate signals or data in response to touch inputs. 
     The force sensors  1005  may detect various types of force-based inputs and generate signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions. The force sensors  1005  may use any suitable components and may rely on any suitable phenomena to detect physical inputs. For example, the force sensors  1005  may be strain-based sensors, piezoelectric-based sensors, piezoresistive-based sensors, capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, or the like. The force sensors  1005  may include any suitable components for detecting force-based inputs and generating signals or data that are able to be accessed using processor instructions, including electrodes (e.g., electrode layers), physical components (e.g., substrates, spacing layers, structural supports, compressible elements, etc.) processors, circuitry, firmware, and the like. The force sensors  1005  may be used in conjunction with various input mechanisms to detect various types of inputs. For example, the force sensors  1005  may be used to detect presses or other force inputs that satisfy a force threshold (which may represent a more forceful input than is typical for a standard “touch” input). Like the touch sensors  1003 , the force sensors  1005  may be integrated with or otherwise configured to detect force inputs applied to any portion of the device  1000 . The force sensors  1005  may be integrated with one or more layers of a display stack (e.g., the display  107 ) to provide force-sensing functionality of a touchscreen. 
     The device  1000  may also include one or more haptic devices  1006 . The haptic device  1006  may include one or more of a variety of haptic technologies such as, but not necessarily limited to, rotational haptic devices, linear actuators, piezoelectric devices, vibration elements, and so on. In general, the haptic device  1006  may be configured to provide punctuated and distinct feedback to a user of the device. More particularly, the haptic device  1006  may be adapted to produce a knock or tap sensation and/or a vibration sensation. Such haptic outputs may be provided in response to detection of touch and/or force inputs, and may be imparted to a user through the exterior surface of the device  1000  (e.g., via a glass or other surface that acts as a touch- and/or force-sensitive display or surface). 
     The one or more communications channels  1004  may include one or more wireless interface(s) that are adapted to provide communication between the processing unit(s)  1001  and an external device. In general, the one or more communications channels  1004  may be configured to transmit and receive data and/or signals that may be interpreted by instructions executed on the processing units  1001 . In some cases, the external device is part of an external communication network that is configured to exchange data with wireless devices. Generally, the wireless interface may include, without limitation, radio frequency, optical, acoustic, and/or magnetic signals, and may be configured to operate over a wireless interface or protocol. Example wireless interfaces include radio frequency cellular interfaces, fiber optic interfaces, acoustic interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, infrared interfaces, USB interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. The communications channels  1004  may be configured to use components of the device housing (e.g., the housing members  112 ) as antennas to send and/or receive wireless communications. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , the device  1000  may include a battery  1007  that is used to store and provide power to the other components of the device  1000 . The battery  1007  may be a rechargeable power supply that is configured to provide power to the device  1000  while it is being used by the user. 
     The device  1000  may also include one or more displays  1008 . The displays  1008  may use any suitable display technology, including liquid crystal displays (LCD), an organic light emitting diodes (OLED), active-matrix organic light-emitting diode displays (AMOLED), or the like. If the displays  1008  use LCD technology, the displays  1008  may also include a backlight component that can be controlled to provide variable levels of display brightness. If the displays  1008  include OLED or LED technologies, the brightness of the displays  1008  may be controlled by modifying the electrical signals that are provided to display elements. The displays  1008  may correspond to any of the displays shown or described herein (e.g., the display  107 ). 
     The device  1000  may also include one or more additional sensors  1012  to receive inputs (e.g., from a user or another computer, device, system, network, etc.) or to detect any suitable property or parameter of the device, the environment surrounding the device, people or things interacting with the device (or nearby the device), or the like. For example, a device may include accelerometers, temperature sensors, position/orientation sensors, biometric sensors (e.g., fingerprint sensors, photoplethysmographs, blood-oxygen sensors, blood sugar sensors, or the like), eye-tracking sensors, retinal scanners, humidity sensors, buttons, switches, lid-closure sensors, or the like. 
     To the extent that multiple functionalities, operations, and structures described with reference to  FIG.  10    are disclosed as being part of, incorporated into, or performed by the device  1000 , it should be understood that various embodiments may omit any or all such described functionalities, operations, and structures. Thus, different embodiments of the device  1000  may have some, none, or all of the various capabilities, apparatuses, physical features, modes, and operating parameters discussed herein. 
     The following discussion applies to the electronic devices described herein to the extent that these devices may be used to obtain personally identifiable information data. It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Also, when used herein to refer to positions of components, the terms above and below, or their synonyms, do not necessarily refer to an absolute position relative to an external reference, but instead refer to the relative position of components with reference to the figures.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20211207
Publication Date: 20230926
Grant Date: 20230926
Priority Date: 20210909
Inventors: RENDA, NICHOLAS A.
CATALANO, CARLO
WANG, CHEN
CRAMER, DAVID R.
ATOM, KELLEN M.
CORBET, LINDSAY D.
KUNA, MELODY L.
Durand, Robert J.
TERNULLO, STEPHANIE L.
VENKATESH, SUNITA
LELE, SUVRAT
CHEUNG, WANG CHUNG ALSTON
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q13/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q9/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q13/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/42", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 85385568