PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-7639187-B2
Application Number: US-52719206-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Button antenna for handheld devices

Abstract:
Antennas, handheld electronic devices containing antennas, and methods for using antennas and handheld electronic devices are provided. A handheld device may have a conductive case. The antenna can be formed as part of a button such as a pushbutton. The pushbutton may protrude from the conductive case sufficiently to allow good transmission and reception of wireless signals. The protruding antenna contains a radiating element, while the conductive case serves as a ground. The radiating element may be formed from a low-profile antenna structure such as a planar antenna structure formed on a circuit board substrate. The pushbutton may be used to control operation of the handheld electronic device. With one suitable arrangement, actuation of the pushbutton antenna causes the antenna to protrude from the case and turns on transceiver circuitry in the handheld device.

Claims:
1. A handheld electronic device button antenna, comprising:
 a movable button member; 
 a latching mechanism; 
 a resonating element disposed in the button member; and 
 a ground, wherein the antenna is formed as part of a handheld electronic device that comprises transceiver circuitry coupled to the antenna and that comprises a conductive handheld electronic device case, wherein the ground is formed at least partly from the conductive handheld electronic device case, wherein the movable button member is movable between at least a first position in which the transceiver circuitry is in a first operating state and a second position in which the transceiver circuitry is in a second operating state that is different than the first state and wherein in the first position the movable button member is held in place with the latching mechanism. 
 
     
     
       2. The handheld electronic device button antenna defined in  claim 1  wherein the resonating element comprises:
 a planar substrate; and 
 a conductive trace formed on the substrate. 
 
     
     
       3. The handheld electronic device button antenna defined in  claim 1  wherein the latching mechanism comprises a push-push latching mechanism coupled to the button member. 
     
     
       4. The handheld electronic device button antenna defined in  claim 1  wherein the button member comprises a rectangular button surface and portions defining a slot, wherein the resonating element is disposed within the slot and comprises a planar substrate and a conductive trace formed on the substrate. 
     
     
       5. The handheld electronic device button antenna defined in  claim 1  wherein the button member comprises plastic, wherein the resonating element comprises a conductive trace, and wherein the ground is formed from a metal handheld electronic device case. 
     
     
       6. An electronic device comprising:
 storage that stores data; 
 processing circuitry coupled to the storage that generates data for wireless transmission and that processes wirelessly received data; 
 wireless communications circuitry that communicates with the processing circuitry, wherein the wireless communications circuitry comprises a movable button antenna comprising a resonating element formed on a planar substrate; and 
 a conductive housing that forms a ground for the button antenna and that has an outer surface, wherein the button antenna comprises:
 a button member that has a top surface; 
 a resonating element disposed within the button member; and 
 a latching mechanism that holds the button member in an undeployed button antenna position in which the top surface of the button member lies flush with the outer surface of the housing and a deployed button antenna position in which the top surface of the button member protrudes beyond the outer surface of the housing. 
 
 
     
     
       7. The electronic device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the top surface is pressed to move the button member. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the top surface is pressed to position the button member relative to the case. 
     
     
       9. An electronic device comprising:
 storage that stores data; 
 processing circuitry coupled to the storage that generates data for wireless transmission and that processes wirelessly received data; 
 wireless communications circuitry that communicates with the processing circuitry, wherein the wireless communications circuitry comprises a movable button antenna comprising a resonating element formed on a planar substrate; 
 a conductive housing that forms a ground for the button antenna; and 
 transceiver circuitry, wherein the button antenna comprises:
 a button member that has a surface; 
 a resonating element disposed within the button member; and 
 a latching mechanism that holds the button member in an undeployed button antenna position in which the transceiver circuitry is inactive and a deployed button antenna position in which the transceiver circuitry is active. 
 
 
     
     
       10. A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a button antenna that is movable between a deployed position and an undeployed position; 
 processing circuitry that is used to operate the handheld electronic device; 
 radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry and to the button antenna that transmits and receives radio-frequency signals using the button antenna when the button antenna is in the deployed position; 
 a metal housing that forms a ground for the button antenna; 
 a sensor that detects when the button antenna is in the deployed position and that detects when the button antenna is in the undeployed position; and 
 a latching mechanism that holds the button antenna in an undeployed button antenna position. 
 
     
     
       11. The handheld electronic device defined in  claim 10  further comprising:
 a display on a front surface of the handheld electronic device; and 
 a user input interface on the front surface. 
 
     
     
       12. A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a button antenna that is movable between a deployed position and an undeployed position; 
 processing circuitry that is used to operate the handheld electronic device; 
 radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry and to the button antenna that transmits and receives radio-frequency signals using the button antenna when the button antenna is in the deployed position; 
 a metal housing that forms a ground for the button antenna; 
 a sensor that detects when the button antenna is in the deployed position and that detects when the button antenna is in the undeployed position, wherein when the antenna is in the deployed position, the processing circuitry places the radio-frequency transceiver in an active state and when the antenna is in the undeployed position, the processing circuitry places the radio-frequency transceiver in an inactive state; and 
 a latching mechanism that holds the button antenna in the undeployed position. 
 
     
     
       13. A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a button antenna that is movable between a deployed position and an undeployed position; 
 processing circuitry that is used to operate the handheld electronic device; 
 radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to the processing circuitry and to the button antenna that transmits and receives radio-frequency signals using the button antenna when the button antenna is in the deployed position; 
 a metal housing that forms a ground for the button antenna, wherein the button antenna comprises a button member; and 
 a sensor that detects when the button antenna is in the deployed position and that detects when the button antenna is in the undeployed position, wherein when the antenna is in the deployed position, the processing circuitry places the radio-frequency transceiver in an active state and when the antenna is in the undeployed position, the processing circuitry places the radio-frequency transceiver in an inactive state, wherein the sensor comprises a switch that is attached to the button member; and 
 a latching mechanism that holds the button antenna in the undeployed position. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for using a handheld electronic device having a movable button antenna, wherein the movable button antenna has a button member that contains a resonating element and wherein the handheld electronic device comprises a conductive case that forms a ground for the button antenna, the method comprising:
 placing the movable button antenna in an in position in which the resonating element is substantially recessed within the conductive case and in which the movable button antenna is held in place with a latching mechanism; and 
 placing the movable button antenna in an out position in which the resonating element substantially protrudes from the conductive case and transmits and receives radio-frequency wireless signals. 
 
     
     
       15. The method defined in  claim 14  wherein placing the movable button antenna in the in position comprises placing the movable button antenna in an in position in which the resonating element does not transmit and does not receive radio-frequency wireless signals. 
     
     
       16. The method defined in  claim 14  wherein the handheld electronic device comprises a sensor, the method further comprising:
 sensing the position of the button member with the sensor. 
 
     
     
       17. The method defined in  claim 14  wherein the handheld electronic device comprises a radio-frequency transceiver coupled to the button antenna, the method further comprising:
 turning on the radio-frequency transceiver when the movable button antenna is in the out position; and 
 turning off the radio-frequency transceiver when the movable button antenna is in the in position. 
 
     
     
       18. The method defined in  claim 14  wherein the handheld electronic device comprises a sensor, the method further comprising:
 sensing the position of the movable button antenna by sensing the position of the button member with the sensor; 
 turning on the radio-frequency transceiver when the sensor senses that the movable button antenna is in the out position; and 
 turning off the radio-frequency transceiver when the sensor senses that the movable button antenna is in the in position. 
 
     
     
       19. The method defined in  claim 14  wherein the handheld electronic device comprises a power on-off button that is separate from the button antenna, the method further comprising:
 pressing the power on-off button to turn the handheld electronic device on, wherein placing the movable button antenna in the in position comprises turning off the transceiver while the handheld electronic device is on by pressing the button member into the case while the handheld electronic device is on. 
 
     
     
       20. A pushbutton antenna for an electronic device that has a conductive case with a conductive case surface, comprising:
 a button member having a top surface; 
 a radiating element attached to the button member; and 
 a pushbutton latching mechanism that holds the pushbutton antenna in a deployed position in which the radiating element protrudes outwardly beyond the conductive case surface and an undeployed position in which the radiating element is recessed beneath the conductive case surface. 
 
     
     
       21. The pushbutton antenna defined in  claim 20  wherein the top surface of the button member and the conductive case surface comprise flat surfaces and wherein when the pushbutton antenna is in the undeployed position the top surface of the button member lies flush with the conductive case surface. 
     
     
       22. The pushbutton antenna defined in  claim 20  wherein at least part of the conductive case forms a ground for the pushbutton antenna. 
     
     
       23. The pushbutton antenna defined in  claim 20  further comprising a spring-loaded pin that is attached to the button member and that makes electrical contact with the conductive case when the pushbutton antenna is in the deployed position. 
     
     
       24. The pushbutton antenna defined in  claim 20  further comprising a spring that is attached to the button member and that makes electrical contact with the conductive case when the pushbutton antenna is in the deployed position. 
     
     
       25. A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a movable button antenna, wherein the movable button antenna has a button member that contains a resonating antenna element formed on a planar substrate; 
 a radio-frequency transceiver; 
 a flexible conductive path that conveys signals between the radio-frequency transceiver and the movable button antenna and that maintains an electrical connection between the resonating antenna element and the radio-frequency transceiver as the movable button antenna is moved from an in position to an out position; 
 a metal case, wherein the metal case forms a ground for the movable button antenna and wherein the flexible conductive path contains a ground conductor; and 
 a latching mechanism that holds the movable button antenna in place when the movable button antenna is in the in position. 
 
     
     
       26. The handheld electronic device defined in  claim 25  further comprising:
 an electrical connecting structure that electrically connects the ground conductor in the flexible conductive path to the metal case when the movable button antenna is in the out position. 
 
     
     
       27. The handheld electronic device defined in  claim 25  further comprising:
 a spring-loaded pin that electrically connects the ground conductor in the flexible conductive path to the metal case when the movable button antenna is in the out position. 
 
     
     
       28. The handheld electronic device defined in  claim 25  wherein the flexible conductive path comprises a coaxial cable, the handheld electronic device further comprising:
 an electrical connecting structure that is attached to the button member and that electrically connects the ground conductor in the coaxial cable to the metal case when the movable button antenna is in the out position. 
 
     
     
       29. The handheld electronic device defined in  claim 25  wherein the flexible conductive path has a bend, wherein the button member has a top surface, and wherein the resonating element has at least one conductor that lies parallel to the top surface, the handheld electronic device further comprising:
 a spring-loaded pin that is attached to the button member and that electrically connects the ground conductor in the flexible conductive path to the metal case when the movable button antenna is in the out position; and 
 a button trim attached to the metal case that guides the button member as the movable button antenna moves between the in position and the out position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to antennas, and more particularly, to button-based antennas in wireless handheld electronic devices. 
     Handheld electronic devices such as media players are sometimes constructed with metal cases. Metal cases tend to be more durable than plastic housings and can have a superior appearance. 
     It may be desirable to include wireless communications capabilities in a handheld electronic device with a metal case. Wireless functionality can be used to download or upload media files, can be used to send and receive messages, and can be used to support wireless telephony. 
     Metal case materials such as stainless steel have a high conductivity. This poses challenges when designing an antenna. External antenna designs are often unwieldy and can add undesirable bulk and clutter to a handheld device. An internal antenna would be shielded by a high-conductivity case, so internal antenna designs are generally not considered practical in handheld electronic devices with metal cases. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide a satisfactory antenna for a handheld electronic device with a conductive case. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present invention, button antennas, handheld electronic devices containing button antennas, and methods for using button antennas and handheld electronic devices are provided. 
     A button antenna may have a button member formed from an insulating material such as plastic. The button member may reciprocate in and out of a hole (e.g., a round hole, a slot, or any suitable aperture) in a handheld electronic device case. The case of the handheld device may be formed of a highly-conductive material such as stainless steel or other metal. The button member may have an interior portion into which a resonating antenna element is located. The case of the handheld device may be used to form a ground plane for the button antenna. 
     The button antenna may be placed into an undeployed position in which the resonating element is at least partially recessed within the case of the handheld device. In this position, the case of the handheld device may tend to electromagnetically shield the resonating element. The button member may have a flat top surface. When in the undeployed position, the flat top surface of the button member may lie flush with an outer surface of the handheld electronic device. 
     When a user desires to use the button antenna to transmit and receive wireless signals, the button antenna is placed into a deployed position. In the deployed position, the top surface of the button member and the resonating element protrude out of the handheld device past the outer surface. This allows the resonating element to transmit and receive wireless signals. 
     The handheld electronic device may contain radio-frequency transceiver circuitry for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency wireless signals through the button antenna. A sensor may be used to sense the position of the button antenna. When the button antenna is in the deployed position, the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry may be placed in an active state and may be used to send and receive wireless signals. When the button antenna is in the undeployed position, the radio-frequency transceiver circuitry may be placed in an inactive state to reduce power consumption. 
     In the undeployed position, the button is at least partially recessed within the housing of the handheld electronic device. In this type of situation, the radio-frequency transceiver may, if desired, be at least partly functional (e.g., to receive signals only, to transmit signals only, to receive signals of a certain type, etc.). Intermediate button positions are also available if desired. In an intermediate button position, the transceiver circuitry and other circuitry of the handheld device may be completely inactivated, may be partly inactivated, or may remain functional. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative handheld electronic device with a button antenna in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a handheld electronic device with an illustrative button antenna in its retracted or down position in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a handheld electronic device with an illustrative button antenna in its deployed or up position in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative handheld electronic device and illustrative equipment with which the handheld electronic device may interact wirelessly in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an illustrative button antenna in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative handheld electronic device with a button antenna showing how a radio-frequency transceiver is coupled to the button antenna in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative handheld electronic device containing an illustrative switch for detecting the position of a button antenna in accordance with present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an illustrative retracted handheld electronic device button antenna that protrudes from a corner of a conductive case in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an illustrative deployed handheld electronic device button antenna that protrudes from a corner of a conductive case in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an illustrative retracted handheld electronic device button antenna that protrudes from a front or rear surface of a conductive case in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an illustrative deployed handheld electronic device button antenna that protrudes from a front or rear surface of a conductive case in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic top view of an illustrative handheld electronic device case showing possible directions of travel for button antennas in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic side view of an illustrative handheld electronic device case showing possible directions of travel for button antennas in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a “L” structure in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a conductive strip in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a structure with multiple conductive arms in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a zig-zag or meandering path structure in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a helical conductor structure in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a curled portion of flex circuit board in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a zig-zag structure on a substrate such as a flex circuit substrate in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a zig-zag structure contained in a plane that is parallel with a rounded or circular button&#39;s top surface in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna formed using a zig-zag structure contained in a plane that is parallel with a rectangular button&#39;s top surface in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna in a retracted position in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative handheld electronic device button antenna in a deployed position in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative button antenna connected to an illustrative circuit board in a handheld electronic device by an upwardly extended flexible conductive path in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of an illustrative button antenna connected to an illustrative circuit board in a handheld electronic device by a laterally-extending flexible conductive path in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of an illustrative button antenna connected to an illustrative circuit board in a handheld electronic device by a laterally-extending flexible conductive path with a loop in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of an illustrative button antenna connected to an illustrative circuit board in a handheld electronic device by an upwardly-extending flexible conductive path formed from a strip of flexible substrate in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of an illustrative button antenna connected to an illustrative circuit board in a handheld electronic device by an upwardly-extending flexible conductive path formed from a strip of flexible substrate that is integral with the button antenna&#39;s resonating element&#39;s substrate material in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative button antenna showing how a coaxial cable or other flexible conductive path can be coupled to the antenna&#39;s radiating element and a ground plane formed from a handheld electronic device case using a spring structure in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative button antenna showing how a coaxial cable or other flexible conductive path that is disposed along a handheld electronic device&#39;s longitudinal axis can be coupled to the antenna&#39;s radiating element and a ground plane formed from a handheld electronic device case using a spring-loaded pin in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative button antenna showing how a coaxial cable or other conductive path that is disposed perpendicular to a handheld electronic device&#39;s longitudinal axis can be coupled to the antenna&#39;s radiating element and a ground plane formed from a handheld electronic device case using a spring-loaded pin in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative button antenna with multiple conductive arms and multiple ground attachment points in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a perspective view of an illustrative pushbutton antenna mounted to the case of a handheld electronic device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of an interior portion of an illustrative pushbutton antenna of the type shown in  FIG. 34  in which a button arm reciprocates within a button housing in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of an illustrative pushbutton mechanism in an interior portion of an illustrative pushbutton antenna of the type shown in  FIG. 34  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of an illustrative button switch that may be used to detect the position of a button antenna in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a state diagram showing illustrative states and state transitions that may be exhibited during operation of a handheld electronic device containing a pushbutton antenna in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Illustrative portable electronic device  10  in accordance with the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Portable electronic devices such as device  10  may be small portable computers such as those sometimes referred to as ultraportables. Portable devices may also be somewhat smaller devices. Examples of smaller portable devices include wrist-watch devices, pendant devices, headphone and earpiece devices, and other wearable and miniature devices. With one particularly suitable arrangement, the portable electronic devices are handheld electronic devices. The use of handheld devices is generally described herein as an example, although any suitable electronic device may be used if desired. 
     Handheld devices may be, for example, cellular telephones, media players with wireless communications capabilities, handheld computers (also sometimes called personal digital assistants), remote controllers, and handheld gaming devices. The handheld devices of the invention may also be hybrid devices that combine the functionality of multiple conventional devices. Examples of hybrid handheld devices include a cellular telephone that includes media player functionality, a gaming device that includes a wireless communications capability, a cellular telephone that includes game and email functions, and a handheld device that receives email, supports mobile telephone calls, and supports web browsing. These are merely illustrative examples. Device  10  may be any suitable portable or handheld electronic device. 
     Device  10  includes housing  12 . Housing  12 , which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed of any suitable materials including metal, plastic, wood, glass, ceramics, other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. In some situations, housing  12  can be formed at least partly from highly-conductive materials. The presence of conductive materials in case  12  can pose challenges for antenna designs. In particular, internal antenna designs will tend to be electromagnetically shielded by a highly-conductive case, which can make operation difficult or impossible. 
     Device  10  has antenna  14  that can be formed using a button structure and is therefore sometimes referred to as a button antenna. Button antenna  14  can be placed in at least two positions. In the position shown in  FIG. 1 , button antenna  14  is in its “out,” “up,” or “deployed” position. When it is desired to lower the profile of button antenna  14 , the button structure is placed into a “down,” “in,” “retracted,” “recessed,” or “undeployed” position. In its undeployed position, button  14  need not protrude significantly from case  12 , which allows handheld electronic device  10  to retain its attractive uncluttered appearance. Intermediate positions may also be available, depending on desired functionality. 
     Button antenna  14  contains a resonant element. Case  12  of handheld electronic device  10  or other suitable conductive structure may be used to form a ground plane for the antenna. To ensure that the antenna transmits and receives radio-frequency signals satisfactorily, there should generally be a sufficient spatial separation between the antenna&#39;s ground and the antenna&#39;s resonating element. 
     There may, if desired, be sufficient separation between the ground and resonant element for at least some operation of antenna  14  when antenna  14  is in its retracted position. Separation is not necessary between the ground and resonant element if the antenna is not to be operated. As a result, the antenna may, if desired, be retracted within housing  12  when it is not being operated so that the top surface of button  14  is flush with the surface of housing  12  or is recessed below the surface of housing  12 . 
     To ensure high-quality wireless transmission and reception when antenna  14  is in normal operation, antenna  14  may be placed in a deployed position in which there is a significant separation between the ground plane and resonant element when antenna  14 . The amount of the separation between the resonant element and the ground that is needed for satisfactory operation when the antenna is deployed depends on operating requirements for the antenna and handheld electronic device and the size and shape of the button structure in which the resonant element is housed. With one suitable arrangement, the button is nearly flush with the housing surface (e.g., the button protrudes 0-1 mm from the surface of case  12 ) when retracted and protrudes about 5 mm from case  12  when deployed. 
     Handheld electronic device  10  may have input-output devices such as a display screen  16 , user input control devices  18  such as button  19 , and input-output ports such as port  20 . Display screen  16  may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display, or multiple displays that use one or more different display technologies. As shown in the example of  FIG. 1 , display screens such as display screen  16  can be mounted on front face  22  of handheld electronic device  10 . If desired, displays such as display  16  can be mounted on the rear face of handheld electronic device  10 , on a side of device  10 , on a flip-up portion of device  10  that is attached to a main body portion of device  10  by a hinge (for example), or using any other suitable mounting arrangement. 
     A user of handheld device  10  may supply input commands using user input interface  18 . User input interface  18  may include buttons such as button  19  (e.g., alphanumeric keys, power on-off, power-on, power-off, and other specialized buttons, etc.), a touch pad, pointing stick, or other cursor control device, a touch screen (e.g., a touch screen implemented as part of screen  16 ), or any other suitable interface for controlling device  10 . Although shown schematically as being formed on the top face  22  of handheld electronic device  10  in the example of  FIG. 1 , user input interface  18  may generally be formed on any suitable portion of handheld electronic device  10  (e.g., on the sides, top face, rear face, or other portion of device  10 ). 
     Handheld device  10  may have ports such as bus connector  20  that allow device  10  to interface with external components. Typical ports include power jacks to recharge a battery within device  10  or to operate device  10  from a direct current (DC) power supply, data ports to exchange data with external components such as a personal computer or peripheral, audio-visual jacks to drive headphones, a monitor, or other external audio-video equipment, etc. The functions of some or all of these devices and the internal circuitry of handheld electronic device can be controlled using input interface  18 . 
     Components such as display  16  and user input interface  18  may cover most of the available surface area on the front face  22  of device  10  (as shown in the example of  FIG. 1 ) or may occupy only a small portion of the front face  22 . Because these components are typically electrically shielded using conductive materials such as metal, it may not be possible to place a resonant antenna element under the front face  22  of the antenna, just as it may not be possible to mount an internal antenna within metal case  12 . 
     If desired, the position of button antenna  14  may be used to control the functions of some or all of the components in handheld electronic device  10 . Button antenna  14  may, for example, include a switch that serves as a sensor by forming an electrical short circuit when the button antenna is retracted and forming an electrical open circuit when the button antenna is deployed. The state of the electrical switch portion of button antenna  14  may be monitored by control circuitry in handheld electronic device  10  so that the functionality of the handheld electronic device can be adjusted as desired. With one suitable arrangement, for example, transceiver circuitry within the handheld electronic device  10  may be powered down when button antenna  14  is down and may be powered up when button antenna  14  is up. By selectively activating circuitry in the handheld electronic device  10 , power consumption can be conserved and battery life for batteries that are used to power device  10  may be extended. 
       FIG. 2  shows a front view of illustrative handheld electronic device  10  in which button antenna  14  is retracted.  FIG. 3  shows a front view of illustrative handheld electronic device  10  in which button antenna  14  is deployed. Button antenna  14  may be have a linear motion, may have a rotational motion (e.g., as with a rocker switch), or may exhibit any other suitable type of motion when transitioning between its deployed and undeployed states. In the example of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , button  14  travels along axis  24  and extends from upper side surface  26  of case  12 . If desired, button  14  may extend out of other portions of case  12 , such as lower side  28 , right side  30 , left side  32 , the case&#39;s back side (not shown), or any corner between these sides. 
     A schematic diagram of illustrative handheld electronic device  10  that may contain button antenna  14  is shown in  FIG. 4 . Handheld device  10  may be a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone with media player capabilities, a handheld computer, a remote control, a game player, a combination of such devices, or any other suitable portable electronic device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , handheld device  10  may include storage  34 . Storage  34  may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., FLASH or electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., battery-based static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. 
     Processing circuitry  36  may be used to control the operation of device  10 . Processing circuitry  36  may be based on a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits. 
     Input-output devices  38  may be used to allow data to be supplied to device  10  and to allow data to be provided from device  10  to external devices. Display screen  16  and user input interface  18  of  FIG. 1  are examples of input-output devices  38 . 
     Input-output devices  38  can include user input-output devices  40  such as buttons, touch screens, joysticks, click wheels, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, etc. A user can control the operation of device  10  by supplying commands through user input devices  40 . Display and audio devices  42  may include liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other components that present visual information and status data. Display and audio devices  42  may also include audio equipment such as speakers and other devices for creating sound. Display and audio devices  42  may contain audio-video interface equipment such as jacks and other connectors for external headphones and monitors. 
     Wireless communications devices  44  may include communications circuitry such as radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed from one or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, passive RF components, antennas such as button antenna  14  of  FIG. 1 , and other circuitry for handling RF wireless signals. Wireless signals can also be sent using light (e.g., using infrared communications). 
     Device  10  can communicate with external devices such as accessories  46  and computing equipment  48 , as shown by paths  50 . Paths  50  may include wired and wireless paths. Accessories  46  may include headphones (e.g., a wireless cellular headset or audio headphones) and audio-video equipment (e.g., wireless speakers, a game controller, or other equipment that receives and plays audio and video content). Computing equipment  48  may be a server from which songs, videos, or other media are downloaded over a cellular telephone link or other wireless link. Computing equipment  48  may also be a local host (e.g., a user&#39;s own personal computer), from which the user obtains a wireless download of music or other media files. 
     Antenna  14  and other wireless communications devices  44  may be used to cover communications frequency bands such as the cellular telephone bands at 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz, data service bands such as the 3G data communications band at 2170 MHz band (commonly referred to as UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), the WiFi® (IEEE 802.11) bands at 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz, and the Bluetooth® band at 2.4 GHz. These are merely illustrative communications bands over which antenna  14  may operate. Antenna  14  may be configured to operate over any suitable band or bands. If desired, multiple antennas  14  may be provided to cover more bands or one or more antennas  14  may be provided with wide-bandwidth resonating elements to cover multiple communications bands of interest. A tunable design may be used for antenna  14  when it is desired to cover a relatively larger range of frequencies without broadening the bandwidth of the antenna when operating at a fixed frequency. Multiple button antennas may be provided on a single device, such as when multiple bands are desirable. 
     A portion of illustrative button antenna  14  is shown in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , button antenna  14  may be formed from a button member  52 . Button member  52  may be formed from plastics such as polycarbonate-based plastics or plastics based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers. During fabrication, resonating element  54  is placed in the interior portion of button member  52  (e.g., in a slot or other suitable hollow recess formed in button member  52 ). 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , resonating element  54  can be formed from an L-shaped strip of conductor  56  that has been fabricated on the surface of a substrate  58 . The conductor  56  that is used in antenna  14  may be any suitable highly-conductive material, such as copper, gold, alloys containing copper and other metals, high-conductivity non-metallic conductors (e.g., high-conductivity organic-based materials, high-conductivity superconductors, highly-conductive liquids), etc. Substrate  58  may be any suitable support structure, such as printed circuit board material, flexible printed circuit board materials (“flex circuits”), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyimide, epoxy, plastic, etc. Electrical contact may be made to the conductor  56  in a contact region such as contact region  60 . Resonant element conductor  56  may be formed using any suitable technique (e.g., printing of conductive traces on a substrate, etching of deposited films using photolithography, laser or mechanical trimming, etc.). 
     In the example of  FIG. 5 , resonating element  54  is depicted as having a thin planar profile, which may facilitate placement of radiating element  54  within a low-profile button member  52 . The use of a radiating element with a planar structure is, however, merely illustrative. Radiating element  12  may be formed in any suitable shape. 
     A side view of an illustrative handheld electronic device  10  is shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , handheld electronic device  10  may contain a radio-frequency (RF) transceiver  66  (e.g., as part of wireless communications devices  44  of  FIG. 4 ). Transceiver  66  may be electrically connected to the components of antenna  14  via conductive paths such as paths  64  and  68 . Path  64  is connected between the transceiver  66  and the antenna&#39;s feed (positive terminal) at connection region  60  on resonating element  56 . The negative or ground connection of the antenna is made by connecting transceiver  66  to case  12  using conductive path  68 . Conductive path  68  may be connected to case  12  using connecting structure  62  (e.g., solder, a spring, a spring-loaded pin, etc.). 
     Paths  64  and  68  may be implemented using any suitable arrangement. With one illustrative arrangement, paths  64  and  68  are formed at least partly using coaxial cable. With another illustrative arrangement, paths  64  and  68  are formed from a strip of flex circuit on which conductive paths have been formed. Paths  64  and  68  may also be formed using circuit board traces, using wires, or using any other suitable conductive structures. 
     A user of handheld electronic device  10  can place button antenna  14  in its deployed and undeployed state, as desired. Any suitable mechanical button mechanism may be used. With one suitable arrangement, which is sometimes described herein as an example, button antenna  14  is formed using a pushbutton arrangement. This allows a user to deploy and recess the button by pressing the surface of the button. With one press, the button is deployed outward. With another press, the button is pushed inward until its surface lies flush with the surface of the case (as an example). 
       FIG. 7  shows illustrative button member  52  that has extending arm  70 . The position of arm  70  (and therefore the position of button antenna  14 ) may be sensed using switch  74  that is connected to processing circuitry  36  using conductive paths (e.g., wires)  76  and  78 . When button antenna  14  of  FIG. 7  is in its deployed position, arm  70  is separated from switch  74 . In this situation, processing circuitry  36  can sense that switch  74  is forming an open circuit (as an example). When button antenna  14  of  FIG. 7  is in its undeployed position, arm  70  can be placed in the position indicated by dotted line  72 . In this situation, arm  70  is in close proximity to switch  74  and causes switch  74  to form a closed circuit. Processing circuitry  36  can detect when switch  74  closes, so that processing circuitry  36  can conclude that button antenna  14  is in its undeployed (recessed) state. 
     Switch  74  can be formed using any suitable electronic structure that can sense the location of button antenna  14  (e.g., metal contacts that are forced into and out of contact with each other by pressure from arm  70 , magnetic sensors that sense the presence of a magnet attached to button member  52 , capacitive sensors, or any other suitable type of switch that can detect a button&#39;s position). 
     In the examples of  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , button antenna  14  is disposed on the upper side of case  12 . This is merely one illustrative arrangement. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , button antenna  14  may be formed from button member  52  that moves in and out of a corner of case  12 . In  FIG. 8 , button antenna  14  and button member  52  are shown in an undeployed position. In  FIG. 9 , button antenna  14  and button member  62  have been deployed (e.g., by pressing on the undeployed button of  FIG. 8 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , button antenna  14  may be formed from a button member  52  that moves in and out of the front or rear surface of case  12 . In  FIG. 10 , button antenna  14  and button member  52  are shown in an undeployed position in which the top surface of button member  52  is nearly even with the front surface of case  12  (i.e., the surface of case  12  that may contain a display such as display  16  of  FIG. 1  and a user interface such as user input interface  18  of  FIG. 1 ). In  FIG. 11 , button antenna  14  and button member  62  have been deployed (e.g., in response to pressing button member  52  of  FIG. 10 ). 
     It is not necessary for button antenna  14  to move in a direction that is perpendicular to a surface of case  12 .  FIG. 12  shows a top view of a handheld electronic device case  12 . Dotted arrows  80 ,  82 , and  84  illustrate some of the possible directions along which button antenna  14  can reciprocate or otherwise extend.  FIG. 13  shows a side view of a handheld electronic device case  12  and illustrates additional possible directions  86 ,  88 , and  90  along which button antenna  14  can reciprocate. In general, button  12  can reciprocate along any of the directions shown in  FIG. 12 , any of the directions shown in  FIG. 13 , any combination of the directions shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , or any other suitable direction. 
     The example of  FIG. 5  shows how resonating element  54  may be formed using an L-shaped conductor  56 . This is merely one illustrative arrangement for forming resonating element  54 . 
       FIG. 14  shows an example of resonating element  54  that can be formed from L-shaped conductor  56  similar to the arrangement of  FIG. 5 . When button member  52  is relatively long and thin in the dimensions along the surface of case  12 , it may be advantageous to use an L-shaped antenna of the type shown in  FIG. 14  in which the outer portion  100  of the L is longer than the inner portion  102 . 
       FIG. 15  shows an example of a resonating element  54  that is formed using a conductive strip. As shown by dotted line  92 , a conductive path such as a coaxial cable feed electrode is used to convey signals to the strip-shaped conductor  56 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 16 , resonating element  54  is formed from an F-shaped structure having arms  94  and  96 . The lengths of the arms  94  and  96  may be the same or may be different and may be chosen to adjust the bandwidth and efficiency of the antenna design. 
       FIG. 17  shows an example of a resonating element  54  that is based on a zig-zag structure  98 . 
     The substrates used in antennas of the type shown in  FIGS. 14 ,  15 ,  16 , and  17  may be printed circuit board material or any other suitable dielectric substrate, as described in connection with  FIG. 5 . 
     Another illustrative arrangement for resonating element  54  is shown in  FIG. 18 . In the  FIG. 18  example, resonating element  54  is formed from a length of conductor  104  that has been formed into a spiral (helix). Conductor  104  may be, for example, wire that is mounted to base  106  and to which electrical contact may be made at feed terminal  108 . 
     If desired, resonating element  54  for button antenna  12  may be formed using a flexible substrate that has been formed into a three-dimensional structure. This type of arrangement is shown in  FIG. 19 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , flexible substrate  58  may be curled together to form a cylindrical structure. Meandering conductive trace  56  may be formed on top of flexible substrate  58  before the substrate is curled. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , resonating element  54  may be constructed using a conductive trace  56  that forms a zig-zag or meandering pattern on the surface of substrate  58 . If substrate  58  is flexible, resonating element  54  may be bent as shown by dotted line  112 . With this type of arrangement, resonating element  54  may be shaped to conform to the inner surface of hollow button member  52 . 
     Conductive path  56  is used to form the resonating element  54  may lie in a plane that is substantially parallel to the top surface  114  of bottom member  52 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . Conductive path  116 , such as a coaxial cable center conductor, may be used to form an electrical connection with the zig-zag path traced out by conductor  56 . 
       FIG. 22  shows illustrative radiating element  54  that can be formed using conductive path  56  that is shaped to conform to rectangular upper surface  118  of a button member  52 . A conductive path such as conductive path  120  may be used to form the antenna&#39;s feed terminal. 
     Button antenna  14  moves during use. With one suitable arrangement, a flexible conductor is used to ensure that adequate electrical contact is maintained between transceiver  66  and antenna  14 . In particular, a flexible conductive path may be used to ensure that resonating element  54  (and particularly conductor  56 ) remains electrically connected to transceiver  66  at all times and that the antenna ground formed from case  12  remains connected at all times. The electrical path between transceiver  66  and the antennas positive or feed terminal formed by conductor  56  and resonating element  54  is shown schematically by line  64  in  FIG. 6 . Line  68  in  FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of the electrical path between transceiver  66  and the antenna&#39;s ground terminal formed, for example, by case  12  or other suitable grounding electrode structure. 
       FIGS. 23 and 24  show side views of illustrative handheld electronic device  10  that uses a flexible conductor arrangement based on a coaxial cable. In the situation shown in  FIG. 23 , button member  52  is in its undeployed state, so that button top surface  134  lies nearly even with the top side surface  136  of case  12 . In the situation shown in  FIG. 24 , button member  52  is in its deployed state, so the button top surface  134  protrudes significantly from the surface  126 . 
     Circuitry  128  may be, for example one or more circuit boards populated with one or more integrated circuits, such as integrated circuits for implementing RF transceiver  66 , processing circuitry  36 , etc. Coaxial cable  122  may be electrically and structurally connected to resonating element  54  and circuitry  128  using direct solder connections, micro-coaxial connectors  124  and  126 , or any other suitable connection structures. 
     Cable  122  forms a loop between resonating element  54  and circuitry  128 . Slack in the loop of cable  122  allows button member  52  to move between its deployed and undeployed positions without breaking the electrical connection between resonating element  54  and circuitry  128 . When the button antenna is undeployed, the loop of cable  122  has a considerable amount of slack, as shown by the relatively large size of the loop in  FIG. 23 . When the button antenna is deployed, the loop of cable  122  has less slack, as shown by the relatively small size of the loop of cable  122  in  FIG. 24 . 
     Arm  70  of button member  52  extends through switch mechanism  132  and is biased in direction  136  by spring  130 . Switch mechanism  132  may be any suitable latching mechanism for controlling the latching operation of button antenna  14 . With one suitable arrangement, which is described as an example, switch mechanism  132  and spring  130  form a pushbutton mechanism. A pushbutton mechanism allows button antenna  14  to be controlled by finger pushes from a user. When a button antenna in the undeployed state is pressed, a pushbutton-type switch mechanism  132  can release the button and allow spring  130  to deploy the button outward. When a button antenna in the deployed state is pressed, a pushbutton-type switch mechanism  132  can capture the button member arm  70  after the button has reached its recessed position. 
     The illustrative arrangement of  FIGS. 23 and 24  can use a flexible coaxial cable with a loop to make electrical contact between radiating element  54  and circuitry  128  such as the transceiver  66 . If desired, other flexible conductive path arrangements may be used to couple resonating element  54  and ground  12  to transceiver  66 . 
       FIG. 25  shows a side view of an illustrative flexible electrical coupling arrangement based on flexible conductor  138  that has a bend rather than a loop. In the example of  FIG. 25 , flexible conductive path  138  extends upward from the surfaces of resonating element  54  and circuitry  128 . An alternative arrangement is shown in the top view of  FIG. 26 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 26 , flexible conductive path  140  has a bend that lies in the same plane as the surfaces of resonating element  54  and circuitry  128 . The illustrative arrangement of  FIG. 27  is similar to the arrangement of  FIG. 26 , except that the flexible conductive path  144  of  FIG. 27  has a loop, whereas path  140  in  FIG. 26  has a bend without a loop. 
     The flexible electrical conductor may be coaxial cable or may be formed from conductors on a flexible planar substrate (e.g., polyimide, etc.). An illustrative flexible electrical coupling arrangement based on a flexible planar substrate  146  is shown in  FIG. 28 . In the example of  FIG. 29 , flexible electrical conductor  148  is formed as an integral portion of substrate  58  from which resonating element  54  is formed. Flexible electrical conductor  148  may also be formed from an integral portion of a substrate that is used to mount the transceiver  66  or other circuitry  128 . 
     Button antenna  14  can have at least one feed terminal (formed from resonating element  54 ) and at least one ground terminal. The ground terminal may be formed by any suitable ground conductor. With one suitable arrangement, the ground conductor for button antenna  14  is formed from conductive case  12 . Case  12  may be formed from any suitable material, such as metal, conductive polymers, etc. With one particularly suitable arrangement, case  12  is formed from  304  stainless steel. Stainless steel has a high conductivity and can be polished to a high-gloss finish so that it has an attractive appearance. As described in connection with  FIG. 6 , paths such as paths  64  and  68  can be used to respectively connect the antenna&#39;s feed and ground to the transceiver  66 . 
     A cross-sectional side-view of an illustrative electrical connecting arrangement for the antenna&#39;s feed and ground is shown in  FIG. 30 . As shown in  FIG. 30 , button antenna  14  can have a button member  52  that reciprocates along axis  162  parallel to the longitudinal axis  184  of handheld electronic device  10 . In the configuration of  FIG. 30 , button antenna  14  is deployed, so there must be a satisfactory electrical connection between transceiver  66  ( FIG. 6 ) and the antenna&#39;s feed and ground. One end of coaxial cable  122  is connected to the transceiver. The other end of the coaxial cable  122  is connected to resonating element  54  and case  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 30 , coaxial cable  122  has a center conductor  158  and coaxial ground conductor  156 . Center conductor  158  is typically a copper wire. Ground conductor  156  is typically a copper braid. 
     A portion of the copper braid (copper braid extension  154 ) may be soldered to spring  152  with solder  164 . Spring  152  may be mounted in slot  150  in button member  52 . When button antenna  14  is deployed, end  166  of spring  152  presses against the inner surface  168  of case  12  and makes a good, low resistance electrical contact between ground conductor  156  of coaxial cable  122  and the antenna&#39;s ground electrode formed by case  12 . 
     Center conductor  158  may be soldered to conductive path  56  of resonating element  54  with solder  160  at contact region  60 . Coaxial cable  122  may be attached to button member  52  using epoxy or another suitable adhesive, a mounting clip, or any other suitable attachment structure. 
     A cross-sectional side-view of an illustrative electrical connecting arrangement for the antenna&#39;s feed and ground that is based on a spring-loaded pin is shown in  FIG. 31 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , center conductor  158  of coaxial cable  122  may be soldered to conductive path  56  of resonating element  54  with solder  160 . 
     A suitable conductor  170  such as a portion of copper braid  156  may be soldered to spring-loaded pin  172  with solder  182 . Pin  172  may be mounted in a slot in button member  52 . A spring  174  in a cylindrical hollow inner portion  176  of pin  172  biases reciprocating pin member  178  in direction  180 . When button antenna  14  is deployed as shown in  FIG. 31 , the tip of the reciprocating pin member  178  presses against the inner surface  168  of case  12  and makes a low-resistance electrical contact between the ground conductor  156  of the coaxial cable  122  and case  12 . 
     In the illustrative arrangement of  FIG. 32 , ground conductor  156  of coaxial cable  122  is soldered to pin  172  in region  182 . As shown in  FIG. 32 , epoxy  184  or other suitable adhesive or attachment structure may be used to attach coaxial cable  122  to button member  52 . 
     An example of an electrical attachment arrangement for a resonating element with multiple conductive arms is shown in  FIG. 33 . As shown in  FIG. 33 , resonating element  54  can have a substrate  58  on which conductive lines  56  such as copper traces can be formed. Conductor  56  can have a first (capacitive) arm  188  and second (inductive) arm  190 . Center conductor  158  of coaxial cable  122  may be soldered to arm  188  with solder  160 . Ground conductor  156  of coaxial cable  122  can be soldered to arm  190  at solder joint  186 . A suitable electrical connection structure, such as spring-loaded pin  172  that is soldered to ground conductor  156  at solder location  192 , may be used to make electrical connection between ground conductor  156  and case  12 . 
     A perspective view of an illustrative pushbutton antenna  14  that is mounted to case  12  in a handheld electronic device  10  is shown in  FIG. 34 . In the mounting arrangement shown in  FIG. 34 , mounting brackets  196  are attached to case  12 . Any suitable attachment mechanism may be used to attach brackets  196  to case  12 . With one suitable arrangement, brackets  196  are made of metal and are laser welded to case  12 . 
     A structure such as button trim  194  may be used to guide button member  52 . Button member  52  may reciprocate within button trim  194  in directions  162 . Because the outer sidewalls of button member  52  may rub against the inner sidewalls of button trim  194 , it may be desirable to form button member  52  and button trim  194  from materials that exhibit a low coefficient of friction when rubbed against each other. With one suitable arrangement, button member  52  and button trim  194  can be formed from a lubricious plastic such as a plastic based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers. If desired, button member  52  and button trim  194  may also be formed from polycarbonate-based plastics. 
     Bracket  198  may be used to prevent button member  52  from traveling too far. When rear surface  214  of button member  52  presses against bracket  198 , motion of button member  52  is arrested. Bracket  198  and button trim  194  may have screw holes  200 . Brackets  196  may have threaded screw holes. Screws (not shown) may be inserted through screw holes  200  and screwed into place in the threaded screw holes of brackets  196  to attach bracket  198  and button trim  194  to bracket  196 . This can maintain bracket  198  and button trim  194  at a fixed location relative to case  12 . 
     Bracket  198  may have opening  214  through which resonating element  54  protrudes. Electrical connection of the button antenna&#39;s feed to conductor  56  may be made using arrangements of the types shown in  FIG. 23-33  (as an example). Resonating element  54  may be formed using any suitable arrangement, such as a piece of flex circuit backed by a 0.5 mm thick printed circuit board stiffener such as stiffener  220 . 
     Four threaded screw holes  216  are shown in button trim  194 , although any number may be used. Screws may be screwed into holes  216  to hold housing cover  202  in place against the button trim  194 . If desired, housing cover  202  may be provided with attachment tabs in addition to or instead of using screws to attach housing cover  202  to button trim  194 . Housing cover  202  may be formed from any suitable material such as plastic or metal. Suitable plastic covers may be about 0.5 mm in thickness, although any thickness with the necessary strength and/or cosmetic properties is possible. Metal covers may be preferred in some instances, because metal covers can be fabricated with thinner thicknesses (e.g., about 0.15 mm). Using a thinner cover can be advantageous when it is desired to minimize the overall dimensions of handheld electronic device  10 . 
     During assembly, before bracket  198  and button trim  194  have been secured to bracket  196 , it may be desirable to secure button trim  194  to housing  12 . With one suitable arrangement, double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape  208  or other suitable adhesives may be used to attach button trim  194  to case  12 . 
     A sensor that detects the position of button member  52 , such as switch  74  of  FIG. 7 , may be formed in region  210 . Electrical leads, such as leads  76  and  78  of  FIG. 7 , may be attached to the sensor through holes formed in cover  202 . 
     A button latching mechanism for button antenna  14  may be formed under region  218 . With one illustrative arrangement, the latching mechanism can be a push-push button latching mechanism. Bent down portion  206  of cover  202  can form a biasing tab. The biasing tab may be used to hold down a formed wire in the push-push button mechanism. 
       FIG. 35  shows how portions of an illustrative push-push button latching mechanism may be formed from button trim  194  and button member  52 . As a user pushes on button member  52 , button member  52  travels back and forth along axis  162 . The button trim  194  may form a channel that guides the arm portion  70  of button member  52  as button member  52  reciprocates within trim  194 . 
     Illustrative push-push latching mechanism  222  that may be used with button antenna  14  is shown in  FIG. 36 . In the example of  FIG. 36 , push-push mechanism can have a formed wire  224  (e.g., a stainless steel wire). End  226  of wire  224  is inserted into a hole in button trim  194 . During operation of the push-push mechanism, wire  224  can rotate back and forth around rotational axis  228 , as indicated by arrows  236 , while end  230  of wire  224  can trace out a counterclockwise path in region  232 . As described in connection with  FIGS. 23 and 24 , spring  130  can bias end surface  234  of button member  52  in direction  136 . 
     Illustrative switch  74  that may be used with button antenna  14  is shown in  FIG. 37 . As shown in  FIG. 37 , switch  74  may be formed from two conductive tabs  238  and  240 . Tabs  238  and  240  may be formed, for example, from springy metal strips. When end surface  242  presses against portion  244  of tab  240 , tab  240  can be pushed against tab  238 , so that tab  238  and tab  240  make electrical contact and form a short circuit. Leads such as wire leads  76  and  78  may be soldered to the protruding ends of tabs  238  and  240  using solder  246 . When the tabs are pressed against each other, processing circuitry  36  can detect that button member  52  is in its undeployed position, as described in connection with  FIG. 7 . When button member  52  is in its deployed position, tabs  238  and  240  form an open circuit between wires  76  and  78 , which can be detected by processing circuitry  36 . In this situation, processing circuitry  36  can conclude that button antenna  14  has been deployed. The switch sensor arrangement of  FIG. 37  is merely illustrative. In general, any suitable sensor may be used to determine the position of button member  152  and button antenna  14 . 
     When button antenna  14  is provided with a sensor such as switch  74  of  FIG. 37 , the operation of device  10  can be made to depend on the button antenna&#39;s position. Processing circuitry, such as processing circuitry  36  of  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 4 , may be used to adjust the functionality of device  10  in response to changes in the button antenna&#39;s position. In general, any suitable feature or features of the device may be tied to the button antenna&#39;s position. Examples of features and functionality that may be tied to the state of button antenna  14  include transceiver power, display power, handheld electronic device power, RF transmitter power, RF receiver power, wireless communications bit rate or mode (e.g., fast or slow with associated high or low power consumption levels), security (e.g., whether a key is used to encrypt wireless data), audio (e.g., whether present or not), screen backlighting (e.g., illumination level or whether or not present), status indicators (e.g., whether active or inactive), data transfer mode (e.g., whether wired or wireless), port status (e.g., whether or not a wired port is active or inactive), etc. 
     With one suitable arrangement, which is illustrated in  FIG. 38  as an example, the position of wireless button antenna  14  controls whether the circuits of RF transceiver  66  ( FIG. 6 ) (and/or other powered wireless communications devices  44  of  FIG. 4 ) are in a high-power (“active” or “on”) state or are in a low-power (“off,” “standby,” “inactive,” or “sleep”) state. At the same time, the remaining functions in the handheld electronic device  10  (e.g., the functions and circuitry associated with displaying data on display  16 , accepting data such as user key pad instructions via input interface  18 , playing media using display and audio devices  42 , etc.) may be controlled by a separate user input. The separate user input may be, for example, a power on-off button, a power-on button and a power-off button, a set of buttons, one or more soft keys (e.g., buttons formed using keys and associated instructions formed on display  16 ), on-screen buttons formed on a touch screen, voice-control circuitry that is used to accept voice commands, etc. 
     As shown in  FIG. 38 , the handheld electronic device  10  can be operated in at least four distinct states  248 ,  250 ,  252 , and  254 . In state  248 , RF transceiver  66  ( FIG. 7 ) of device  10  is off and processing circuitry  36  ( FIG. 7 ) is off. In this state, device  10  is fully off. 
     If the user presses a power-on button such as button  19  of  FIG. 1 , processing circuitry  36  can power up, while the RF transceiver  66  remains powered off, as indicated by state  252 . In state  252 , the user can use the features of handheld electronic device  10  that are not affected by the powered-down RF transceiver  66  (e.g., wired communications features, wireless communications using different antennas and transceivers in device  10 , media playback features, etc.) Because RF transceiver  66  is in a sleep mode or is otherwise inactive and not fully powered, transceiver circuitry  66  and handheld electronic device  10  consume a reduced amount of power. If desired, power consumption can also be reduced in this way by selectively deactivating part of the functionality of RF transceiver  66  (e.g., by disabling transmitter circuitry in transceiver  66  while allowing receiver circuitry to function normally or in a reduced-power state). 
     If the user presses the power button again (or presses a power-off button), the handheld electronic device  10  may transition from state  252  to state  248 . 
     If, however, the user presses antenna button  14  while in state  252  to place antenna button  14  in its out or deployed position, transceiver  66  and processing circuitry  36  may be powered (state  254 ). In state  254 , handheld device  10  may be fully functional. For example, a user can use transceiver  66  and button antenna  14  to wirelessly send and receive data with external components such as accessories  46  and computing equipment  48 , as described in connection with  FIG. 4 . 
     When the user presses button antenna  14  inwards while in state  254 , antenna  14  may no longer be far enough away from the ground of case  12  to function optimally. The transceiver  66  may therefore be powered down to conserve power (state  252 ). 
     If desired, device  10  may be permitted to enter a fourth state  250  in which transceiver  66  is on while the processing circuitry  66  is off. The user may enter this state from state  248  by deploying button antenna  14  before pressing the power-on button or may enter this state from state  254  by pressing the power-off button while the transceiver  66  is on. 
     If desired, the user may transition directly from state  248  to state  254  when button antenna  14  is pressed, thereby obviating the need to press both the power button and button antenna  14 . Other configurations (in which, for example, other buttons and functions of the handheld electronic device are involved) may be used if desired. The arrangement of  FIG. 38  is merely illustrative. 
     The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20060925
Publication Date: 20091229
Grant Date: 20091229
Priority Date: 20060925
Inventors: CABALLERO RUBEN
DABOV TEODOR
ZHANG ZHIJUN
FILSON JOHN BENJAMIN
SANFORD EMERY ARTEMUS
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01Q1/088", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/088", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/244", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/44", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/244", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 39149415