PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10957969-B2
Application Number: US-201815874805-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Integrated antennas for portable electronic devices

Abstract:
Aspects of the subject technology relate to electronic devices with antennas. The antenna may be a display-integrated antenna. An antenna feed for the antenna may be located in a recess in a sidewall of a housing of the device. The antenna feed may be coupled to transceiver circuitry on a logic board of the device by a pair of flex circuits. A first one of the pair of flex circuits may form a portion of an antenna feed assembly. A second one of the pair of flex circuits may be an impedance-matching flex having an end that is soldered to the main logic board. The antenna may be coupled to a conductive portion of the housing of the device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a sidewall with a recess; 
 an antenna; 
 a display including an integrated antenna layer that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna; and 
 an antenna feed for the antenna, the antenna feed being coupled to a first end of the display and located within the recess in the sidewall, wherein the antenna feed is configured to convey communications signals for three different communications protocols to the antenna element, and wherein an opposing second end of the display is electrically coupled to the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the three different communications protocols comprise a global positioning system protocol, a WiFi® protocol, and a Bluetooth® protocol. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is monolithic conductive housing and wherein the antenna element is an antenna emitting and receiving element that both emits and receives electromagnetic signals. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible printed circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna feed and extending along the sidewall. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4 , further comprising radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to the antenna via the flexible printed circuit and the antenna feed, the transceiver circuitry configured to transmit and receive antenna signals at frequencies above 960 MHz using the antenna. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 4 , further comprising a connector formed on the flexible printed circuit. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible printed circuit is a first flexible printed circuit and the connector formed on the flexible printed circuit is a first connector, the device further comprising a second flexible printed circuit having a second connector coupled to the first connector. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the housing further comprises a ledge that runs along the sidewall, wherein the display includes a display cover layer having an edge that mates with the ledge, wherein the ledge is disposed at a front of the housing, wherein the device further comprises a printed circuit board at a rear of the housing, and wherein the second flexible printed circuit extends from the first connector along the sidewall to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the sidewall of the housing is a first sidewall having first and second ends, wherein the recess is located nearer a first end of the first sidewall than a second end of the first sidewall, and wherein the housing further comprises:
 a second sidewall that extends perpendicularly from the first end of the first sidewall, and 
 a third sidewall that extends perpendicularly from the second end of the first sidewall, and 
 wherein the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and a portion of the first sidewall that extends from the recess to the third sidewall are free of antenna elements. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board; and 
 a display flexible printed circuit coupled between the printed circuit board and the display, 
 wherein the housing is a conductive housing that is conductively coupled to an exposed contact on the display flexible printed circuit. 
 
     
     
       11. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a sidewall with a recess; 
 an antenna; 
 a display including an integrated antenna layer that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna; 
 an antenna feed for the antenna, the antenna feed being located within the recess in the sidewall and coupled to a first end of the display, wherein an opposing second end of the display is electrically coupled to the housing; 
 a first flexible printed circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna feed and extending along the sidewall; and 
 a second flexible printed circuit having a first end communicatively coupled to the first flexible printed circuit, an opposing second end that is communicatively coupled to a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, and a mid-portion that extends along the sidewall between the first end and the opposing second end. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the sidewall includes:
 a vertical portion that extends perpendicularly from a rear portion of the housing toward a front of the housing; and 
 an angled portion that extends non-perpendicularly away from the rear portion of the housing and toward an outer sidewall surface of the sidewall. 
 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the first flexible printed circuit is disposed on the angled portion of the sidewall and wherein the mid-portion of the second flexible printed circuit includes an s-curve portion disposed on the vertical portion of the sidewall. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13 , wherein the s-curve portion of the second flexible printed circuit extends along the vertical portion of the sidewall in a direction that is parallel to a boundary between the vertical portion and the angled portion. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the opposing second end of the second flexible printed circuit is soldered to the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the first flexible printed circuit is detachably connected to the first end of the second flexible printed circuit. 
     
     
       17. An electronic device, comprising:
 a housing having a rear surface and one or more sidewalls; 
 an antenna; 
 a display including an integrated antenna layer that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna, wherein the one or more sidewalls extend vertically from the rear surface of the housing to the display; 
 an antenna feed for the antenna, the antenna feed being located within the recess in the sidewall and coupled to a first end of the display, and 
 a connector that electrically couples the antenna to a conductive portion of the housing, wherein the connector is coupled to an opposing second end of the display. 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a peripheral ledge, wherein the display comprises a display cover layer having a surface that interfaces with the peripheral ledge, and wherein the connector extends from the peripheral ledge to the interfacing surface of the display cover layer. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18 , further comprising a touch sensor disposed between the peripheral ledge and the interfacing surface of the display cover layer, wherein the connector extends through the touch sensor. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the connector comprises a spring clip attached to the display and forming a conductive press-fit contact with the conductive portion of the housing. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the connector comprises a flexible conductive tape that extends from the opposing second end of the display to the conductive portion of the housing. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device of  claim 21 , further comprising a connection interface coupled to the flexible conductive tape, wherein the connection interface is configured to fit in a slot in the conductive portion of the housing. 
     
     
       23. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the connector conductively or capacitively couples the antenna to a conductive portion of the housing. 
     
     
       24. The electronic device of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a printed circuit board; and 
 a display flexible printed circuit coupled between the printed circuit board and the display, 
 wherein the connector comprises a conductive tape coupled between the conductive portion of the housing and an exposed contact on the display flexible printed circuit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/557,054, entitled “INTEGRATED ANTENNAS FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES” filed on Sep. 11, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present description relates generally to portable electronic devices, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to portable electronic devices with antennas. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are often provided with antennas. However, challenges can arise when attempting to integrate one or more antennas into a compact portable electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device implemented as a smart watch having an antenna in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic block diagram of an electronic device having an antenna in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of an illustrative monopole antenna in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic diagram of an illustrative slot antenna in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative electronic device having an antenna of the type shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates is a perspective view of an illustrative conductive tab that may be used in coupling an antenna feed terminal to conductive display structures that are used in an antenna in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an illustrative set of spring fingers that may be used to couple a positive antenna feed terminal to the conductive tab of  FIG. 6  in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the spring fingers of  FIG. 7  disposed in a recess in a sidewall of a housing of a portable electronic device in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of communications circuitry disposed on a sidewall of a housing of a portable electronic device in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a rear perspective view of display structures that may be used in forming a part of a display-integrated antenna and that are shorted to conductive device housing structures in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front perspective view of an electronic device having conductive display structures that are used in forming a part of an antenna and that are shorted to conductive device housing structures in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an electronic device having conductive interconnect structures that short display printed circuits to conductive device housing structures in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front perspective view of an electronic device having conductive display structures that are used in forming a part of an antenna and that are shorted to conductive device housing structures by a connector in a housing slot in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an electronic device having display-integrated antenna structures coupled to a ledge of a housing of the electronic device in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an electronic device having display-integrated antenna structures coupled to a sidewall of a housing of the electronic device by a conductive press-fit clip in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be clear and apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. 
     Portable electronic devices such as a mobile phones, portable music players, smart watches, and tablet computers are provided that include a display and an antenna having one or more antenna elements that emit and/or receive electromagnetic signals. Particularly for compact devices such as smart watches, it can be challenging to house both a display and one or more antennas in a configuration in which the antennas efficiently emit and receive electromagnetic signals, and in which the display and the antenna(s) do not interfere with each other. 
     In order to address some of these challenges with the integration of a display and an antenna in a compact device, in accordance with some aspects of the subject disclosure, a display-integrated antenna is provided with an antenna element for the antenna that is integrated with the display. 
     An antenna element can be an antenna receiving element that receives electromagnetic signals from an external source, an antenna emitting element that emits electromagnetic signals to be received by an external source, or an antenna emitting and receiving element that both emits and receives electromagnetic signals. In any of these examples, the antenna element can sometimes be referred to herein as an antenna emitting/receiving element. The antenna element may be a resonant antenna element or a non-resonant antenna element. The display-integrated antenna may be a patch antenna such as a cavity-backed patch antenna, a slot antenna, an inverted-F antenna such as a planar inverted-F antenna, a helical antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, hybrids of these designs, etc. 
     Various challenges can also arise when attempting to integrate a display-integrated antenna into a compact device housing. For example, challenges related to antenna bandwidth effects caused by the device housing and other components mounted therein, challenges related to impedance matching for antenna supply circuitry for the antenna, and challenges related to grounding of antenna elements can arise. 
     In accordance with various aspects of the subject disclosure, various features of the housing, and the arrangement of antenna circuitry with respect to the housing, are described herein that may address the challenges related to antenna bandwidth effects of the device housing. 
     In accordance with various aspects of the subject disclosure, various features of antenna feed structures for the antenna are described herein that may address the challenges related to impedance matching for antenna supply circuitry for the antenna. 
     In accordance with various aspects of the subject disclosure, various features of grounding structures for the antenna are described herein that may address the challenges related to grounding of antenna elements for a display-integrated antenna. 
     As described in further detail hereinafter, the combination of the disclosed features of the housing, the arrangement of the antenna circuitry with respect to the housing, the feed structures for the antenna, and the grounding structures for the antenna allow a single antenna, integrated with electronic device display structures, to function to provide many or all of the standard communications protocols consumers expect in a modern device (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) communications, WiFi® communications, and near-field communications such as Bluetooth® communications). 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of electronic device  100  in a configuration in which electronic device  100  has been implemented in the form of a wearable device such as a smart watch having a display-integrated antenna. As shown, in a smart watch implementation, strap  112  may be coupled to housing  106  at interfaces  114  and arranged to secure device  100  to a part of a user&#39;s body such as around the user&#39;s wrist. Smart watch  100  may have a housing  106  that is formed from a monolithic conductive structure or may be formed from two or more conductive and/or non-conductive parts. However, it should be appreciated that electronic device  100  may be implemented in other configurations such as in the form of a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or other mobile or portable electronic device. 
     A schematic block diagram of an illustrative electronic device with a display-integrated antenna is shown in  FIG. 2 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , device  100  includes display  110  with an integrated antenna  103 . Communications circuitry  122  may be coupled to antenna  103  in the display to send and received the desired signals using the display-integrated antenna. 
     Device  100  also includes processing circuitry  128  and memory  130 . Memory  130  may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., static or dynamic random-access-memory), magnetic or optical storage, permanent or removable storage and/or other non-transitory storage media configure to store static data, dynamic data, and/or computer readable instructions for processing circuitry  128 . Processing circuitry  128  may be used in controlling the operation of device  100 . Processing circuitry  128  may sometimes be referred to as system circuitry or a system-on-chip (SOC) for device  100 . 
     Processing circuitry  128  may include a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits, multi-core processors, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) that execute sequences of instructions or code, as examples. In one suitable arrangement, processing circuitry  128  may be used to run software for device  100 , such as communications applications, internet browsing applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, software for capturing and processing images, software implementing functions associated with gathering and processing sensor data, and/or software that controls audio, visual, and/or haptic functions. 
     Device  100  may also include battery  124  and input/output components  126 . Input/output components  126  may include a touch-sensitive layer of display  110 , a keyboard, a touch-pad, and/or one or more real or virtual buttons. Input/output components  126  may also include audio components such as one or more speakers and/or one or more microphones. 
     To support interactions with external equipment, processing circuitry  128  may be used in implementing communications protocols. Communications protocols that may be implemented using processing circuitry  128  include internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as WiFi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communications links such as the Bluetooth® protocol, cellular telephone protocols, MIMO protocols, antenna diversity protocols, etc. 
     Communications circuitry  122  includes radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed from one or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, low-noise input amplifiers, and/or passive RF components coupled to one or more antennas such as antenna  103 , transmission lines, and other circuitry for handling RF wireless signals. Wireless signals can also be sent using infrared communications. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , communications circuitry  122  includes radio-frequency transceiver circuitry such as global positioning system (GPS) circuitry  105 , Bluetooth® and WiFi® transceiver circuitry  107 , and near-field communications circuitry  109  for handling communications with antenna  102  in various radio-frequency communications bands. For example, transceiver circuitry  107  may be wireless local area network transceiver circuitry that can handle communications in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for WiFi® (IEEE 802.11) communications and that can handle communications in the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth® communications band. 
     Communications circuitry  122  may include 60 GHz transceiver circuitry, circuitry for receiving television and radio signals, paging system transceivers, near field communications (NFC) communications circuitry  109  (e.g., an NFC transceiver operating at 13.56 MHz or other suitable frequency), etc. Communications circuitry  122  includes satellite navigation system circuitry such as global positioning system (GPS) circuitry  105  for receiving GPS signals at 1575 MHz or for handling other satellite positioning data. 
     Although not explicitly shown, communications circuitry  122  may include cellular telephone transceiver circuitry for handling wireless communications in frequency ranges such as a low communications band from 700 to 960 MHz, a mid-band from 1400 MHz or 1500 MHz to 2170 MHz (e.g., a mid-band with a peak at 1700 MHz), and a high band from 2170 or 2300 to 2700 MHz (e.g., a high band with a peak at 2400 MHz) or other communications bands between 700 MHz and 2700 MHz or other suitable frequencies (as examples). Communications circuitry  122  may handle voice data and non-voice data. Communications circuitry  122  can include circuitry for other short-range and long-range wireless links if desired. In WiFi® and Bluetooth® links and other short-range wireless links, wireless signals are typically used to convey data over tens or hundreds of feet. In cellular telephone links and other long-range links, wireless signals are typically used to convey data over thousands of feet or miles. Display integrated antenna  103  may be operated by transceiver circuitry  105  and  107  to send and/or receive communications in GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth® bands. 
     Electronic device  100  may include wireless power receiver  111  for receiving wirelessly transmitted power from a wireless power adapter. Electronic device  100  may be implemented in the form of a cellular telephone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a somewhat smaller portable device such as a wrist-watch device, pendant device, or other wearable or miniature device, a media player, a gaming device, a navigation device, a fitness device, or other electronic equipment. 
       FIG. 3  is a simplified cross-sectional side view of device  100  showing how a display-integrated antenna such as antenna  103  in display  110  for device  100  may be formed within a cavity formed from housing  106 . Antenna  103 F of  FIG. 3  has an antenna element such as element  302  (sometimes referred to as an antenna emitting/receiving element) coupled to an antenna feed such as feed  300 . Feed  300  may have a positive antenna feed terminal such as positive antenna feed terminal  304  and a ground antenna feed terminal such as ground antenna feed terminal  306 . Positive antenna feed terminal  304  is coupled to antenna emitting/receiving element  302 . Ground antenna feed terminal  306  is coupled to ground (e.g., to metal sidewall portions of housing  106  and other conductive structures around element  302  such as printed circuit structures to form an antenna cavity in the example of  FIG. 3 ). Feed  300  may be coupled to transceiver circuitry (e.g., GPS circuitry  105  and Bluetooth® and WiFi® transceiver circuitry  107 ) by a transmission line. As described in further detail hereinafter, the transmission line may include one or more coaxial cables and/or one or more flexible printed circuits that form the transmission line. Antenna element  302  may be a monopole antenna element (e.g., antenna  103 F may be a cavity-backed monopole antenna) or other suitable antenna element such as an antenna resonating element. Feed  300  may convey communications signals for three different communications protocols to the antenna element of display  110 . For example, the three different communications protocols may be a global positioning system protocol, a WiFi protocol, and a Bluetooth protocol (e.g., covering a range of frequencies and/or frequency bands between 1.5 GHz to 2.5 GHz). 
     As shown in the illustrative configuration of  FIG. 3 , a portion of antenna element  302  such as end  310  of antenna element  302  may be coupled to ground (e.g., housing  106 ) by inductive path  308  (e.g., a path formed from metal traces on a flexible printed circuit or other suitable signal path as described in further detail hereinafter). Antenna  103 F may be used to transmit and receive radiofrequency signals in GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth® bands and other bands (e.g., bands above 700 MHz, bands above 960 MHz, etc.) or other suitable frequency bands. Additional antennas may also be provided in device  100  to handle these frequency bands and/or other frequency bands. The configuration for antenna  103 F of  FIG. 3  is merely illustrative. 
     For example,  FIG. 4  is a simplified cross-sectional side view of device  100  showing how display-integrated antenna  103  of display  110  may be formed as a slot antenna in cooperation with housing  106 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , antenna  103  may include conductive structures of display  110  coupled to an antenna feed such as feed  300 . As with the patch antenna configuration of  FIG. 3 , feed  300  may have a positive antenna feed terminal such as positive antenna feed terminal  304  and a ground antenna feed terminal such as ground antenna feed terminal  306 . Positive antenna feed terminal  304  may be coupled to conductive display structures of display  110 . Ground antenna feed terminal  304  may be coupled to ground (e.g., to metal sidewalls  106 W of housing  106  and other conductive structures around display  110  such as printed circuit structures). Housing  106  and conductive display structures of display  110  may define an interior cavity or volume  330 . Additional device components may be mounted within volume  330  if desired. Feed  300  may be coupled to transceiver circuitry (e.g., GPS circuitry  105  and Bluetooth® and WiFi® transceiver circuitry  107 ) by a transmission line. As described in further detail hereinafter, the transmission line may include one or more coaxial cables and/or one or more flexible printed circuits that form the transmission line. 
     Conductive emitting and/or receiving structures of display  110  may be coupled to ground (e.g., housing wall  106 W) by interconnect path  312  (e.g., across gap  313  at the side of display  110  opposing feed  300 ). Interconnect path  312  may include conductive structures that are directly connected to display  110 , may include conductive structures that are capacitively coupled to (but not in contact with) display  110  (e.g., while still spanning gap  313  and electrically shorting display  110  to housing  106 ), and/or may include conductive structures that are not coupled to display structures  110 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , housing  106  (e.g., a conductive or non-conductive housing such as a ceramic housing with a conductive sputter) defines a rear wall of device  100  that opposes display  110  (e.g., volume  330  may be partially defined by a rear wall of device  100 ). This is merely illustrative. If desired, some or all of the rear wall of device  100  may be formed from dielectric materials and volume  330 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of device  100  showing how conductive paths  308  and/or  312  may be implemented within antenna  103  (e.g., as in the configurations of antenna  103  in  FIG. 3 or 4 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , device  100  may have (e.g., conductive) housing sidewalls  106 W that extend from the rear face to the front face of device  100 . Housing  106  may include a rear housing wall such as housing wall  548  that may be formed from conductive and/or dielectric materials. Display  110  may be formed at the front face of device  100  whereas rear housing wall  3148  is formed at the rear face of device  100 . Sidewalls  106 W may be metal housing sidewalls  106 W that may be coupled to ground feed terminal  306  of antenna  103 . In other examples, sidewalls may be non-conductive (e.g., ceramic) sidewalls on which conductive antenna feeds and returns are mounted. Display  110  may include a display cover layer  546  and a display module  540  under cover layer  546 . 
     Display module  540  of display  110  may include conductive components that are used in forming conductive structures of antenna  103  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). The conductive components in display module  540  may, for example, have planar shapes (e.g., planar rectangular shapes, planar circular shapes, etc.) and may be formed from metal and/or other conductive material that carries antenna currents. The thin planar shapes of these components and the stacked configuration of  FIG. 5  may, for example, capacitively couple these components to each other so that they may operate together at radio frequencies to form an antenna element of display  110  of  FIGS. 3 and 4  (e.g., to effectively/electrically form a single conductor). 
     The components that form the antenna element of display  110  may include, for example, planar components on one or more layers  542  (e.g., a first layer  542 - 1  such as a touch layer, a second layer  542 - 2  such as a display panel layer, a third layer  542 - 3  such as a communications layer or antenna layer, or other desired layers). As one example, touch layer  542 - 1  may form a touch sensor for display  110 , display panel layer  542 - 2  may form a display panel (sometimes referred to as a display, display layer, or pixel array) for display  110 , and communications layer  542 - 3  may form a GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and/or other near-field communications antenna for device  100  and/or other circuitry for supporting GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and/or other near-field communications. 
     Touch layer  542 - 1  may be a capacitive touch sensor and may be formed from a polyimide substrate or other flexible polymer layer with transparent capacitive touch sensor electrodes (e.g., indium tin oxide electrodes), for example. Display panel layer  542 - 2  may be an organic light-emitting diode display layer or other suitable display layer. Communications layer  542 - 3  may be formed from a flexible layer that includes a magnetic shielding material (e.g., a ferrite layer or other magnetic shielding layer) and that includes loops of metal traces. If desired, a conductive back plate, metal shielding cans or layers, and/or a conductive display frame may be formed under and/or around communications layer  542 - 3  and may provide structural support and/or a grounding reference for the components of module  540 . Module  540  may sometimes be referred to herein as display assembly  540 . 
     Conductive material in touch layer  542 - 1 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , communications layer  542 - 3 , a conductive back plate for display  110 , conductive shielding layers, conductive shielding cans, and/or a conductive frame for display  110  may be used in forming an antenna element of display-integrated antenna  103 . This and/or other conductive material in display  110  used to form an antenna element of display-integrated antenna  103  may be coupled together using conductive traces, vertical conductive interconnects or other conductive interconnects, and/or via capacitive coupling, for example. 
     Antenna  103  may be fed using antenna feed  300 . Feed  300  may have a positive terminal such as terminal  304  that is coupled to display module  540  and therefore conductive display structures such as communications layer  542 - 3 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , touch layer  542 - 1 , a metal back plate for module  540 , and/or a metal display frame for module  540 ). Feed  300  may have a ground terminal such as terminal  306  that is coupled to an antenna ground in device  100  (e.g., metal housing wall  106 W). 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , device  100  may include printed circuit board structures such as printed circuit board  563 . Printed circuit board  563  may be a rigid printed circuit board, a flexible printed circuit board, or may include both flexible and rigid printed circuit board structures. Printed circuit board  563  may sometimes be referred to herein as main logic board (MLB)  563 . Electrical components such as transceiver circuitry  590  (e.g., an implementation of GPS circuitry  105  and Bluetooth® and WiFi® transceiver circuitry  107 ), display interface circuitry  558 , and other components may be mounted to main logic board  563 . Radiofrequency signals may be conveyed by antenna  103  through display cover layer  546 , as shown by arrow  544 . 
     Display module  540  may include one or more connectors  554 . Connectors  554  may be coupled to one or more printed circuits  556 . Printed circuits  556  may include flexible printed circuits (sometimes referred to herein as display flexes  556 ), rigid printed circuit boards, or traces on other substrates if desired. Connectors  554  may convey signals between layers  542  of display module  540  and display interface circuitry  558  on logic board  563  over display flexes  556 . 
     As an example, display module  540  may include a first connector  554  that conveys GPS, WiFi, and/or Bluetooth® communications signals to and/or from communications layer  542 - 3  over a first flex circuit  556 , a second connector  554  that conveys display data (e.g., image data) from display interface  558  to display panel layer  542 - 2  over a second flex circuit  556  (e.g., layer  542 - 2  may emit light corresponding to the display data), and a third connector  554  may convey touch sensor signals from touch layer  542 - 1  to interface circuitry  558  over a third flex circuit  556 . Connectors  554  may include conductive contact pads, conductive pins, conductive springs, conductive adhesive, conductive clips, solder, welds, conductive wires, and/or any other desired conductive interconnect structures and/or fasteners for conveying data associated with display module  540  between display module  540  and circuitry on logic board  563  or elsewhere in device  100 . 
     Radio-frequency transceiver  590  may be coupled to feed  300  of antenna  103  over a radiofrequency transmission line. The radio-frequency transmission line may include conductive paths in flexible printed circuit  560  and structure  562 . Structure  562  may, for example, be formed from plastic or other dielectric materials and/or may include a second flexible printed circuit. The conductive paths associated with the radio-frequency transmission line formed by printed circuit  560  may be coupled to the conductive paths associated with structure  562  over radio-frequency connector  564 . 
     Ground conductor  568  may be formed in the transmission line and may be coupled to ground feed terminal  306  over path  568  (e.g., ground traces in substrate  562  may be coupled to terminal  304  over path  568 ). Path  568  may include a conductive wire, conductive adhesive, conductive fasteners such as screws, conductive pins, conductive clips, conductive brackets, solder, welds, and/or any other desired conductive interconnect structures. Signal conductor  566  of the transmission line may be coupled to feed terminal  306  of antenna  103  over conductive clip  552  (e.g., signal traces in substrate  562  may be coupled to terminal  306  over conductive clip  552 ). 
     If desired, a conductive tab or blade such as conductive tab  550  may be coupled to the conductive structures of display module  540  (e.g., conductive structures in layers  542 , a conductive back plate, a conductive frame, conductive shielding cans or layers, and/or other conductive structures in module  540 ). Clip  552  may mate with tab  550  to form an electrical connection between the transmission line and feed terminal  304  (e.g., feed terminal  304  may be located on tab  550  when clip  552  is attached to tab  550 ). Clip  552  may, for example, be a tulip clip or other clip that has prongs or other structures that exerts pressure towards tab  550 , thereby ensuring that a robust and reliable electrical connection is held between tab  550  and clip  552  over time. 
     When configured in this way, antenna currents may be conveyed over feed  300  and may begin to flow (e.g., in the X-Y plane of  FIG. 5 ). Conductive interconnect paths such as paths  308  and/or  312  may span gap  513  (e.g., an implementation of gap  313  or a gap associated with a patch antenna or other type of antenna) between a given side of module  540  and an adjacent sidewall  106 W. In the example of  FIG. 5 , conductive interconnect paths such as paths  308  and/or  312  are implemented using conductive interconnect structures  572  and/or conductive interconnect structures  574 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , conductive interconnect structure  572  may be shorted to (e.g., in direct contact with) the conductive material in module  540  (e.g., conductive material within touch layer  542 - 1 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , or communications layer  542 - 3 , a conductive frame of module  540 , a conductive back plate of module  540 , shielding structures in module  540 , and/or other conductive material in module  540  that are used to form the antenna emitting/receiving element of antenna  103 ). For example, conductive adhesive or conductive fastening structures such as pins, springs, screws, clips, brackets, and/or other fastening structures may be used to ensure that interconnect  572  is held in contact with conductive material in display module  540 . Interconnect  572  may extend across gap  513  and may be shorted to housing wall  106 W. Interconnect  572  may be held into contact with housing wall  106 W using conductive adhesive, pins, springs, screws, clips, brackets, and/or other structures if desired. In the example of  FIG. 5  a conductive screw  570  fastens interconnect  572  to wall  106 W and serves to electrically short interconnect  572  and the antenna emitting/receiving element of antenna  103  to wall  106 W. 
     When configured in this way, conductive interconnect  572  may define a portion of the perimeter of a slot of antenna  103  (e.g., in the X-Y plane of  FIG. 5  in a slot antenna configuration for antenna  103 ). Alternatively, or in addition, interconnect  572  may form a short circuit between conductive material in module  540  and housing sidewall  106 W (e.g., antenna currents for antenna  103  may flow over interconnect  572  between module  540  and housing wall  106 W). By shorting module  540  to wall  106 W across gap  513 , any excessively strong electric fields in region  513  may be mitigated, thereby optimizing antenna efficiency relative to scenarios where module  540  is completely isolated from walls  106 W. 
     This example is merely illustrative. Interconnect paths  308  and/or  312  need not directly contact display module  540 . In another suitable arrangement, interconnect paths  308  and/or  312  may span gap  513  without directly contacting display module  540  (e.g., as shown by conductive interconnect structures  574 ). In this scenario, interconnect structures  574  may be (e.g., a flexible conductive tape such as a conductive grounding tape) electrically shorted to one or more display flexes  556  (e.g., to ground conductors or other conductive material in display flexes  556 ). For example, interconnect structures  574  may be electrically shorted to display flexes  556  using conductive adhesive or conductive fastening structures such as pins, springs, screws, clips, brackets, and/or other structures that ensure that interconnect structures  574  are held in contact with display flexes  556 . Interconnect  574  may extend across gap  513  and may be shorted to housing wall  106 W using screw  570  or other fastening structures. 
     If desired, conductive interconnect structures  574  may be located sufficiently close to the conductive material in display module  540  so as to effectively short the antenna emitting/receiving element of display  110  to ground (e.g., at radio-frequencies handled by feed  300 ). For example, interconnect structures  574  may be capacitively coupled to conductive structures in display module  540  and antenna currents associated with antenna  103  may flow between display module  540  and housing wall  106 W over interconnect  574  (e.g., via direct or capacitive coupling). Conductive interconnect structures  574  need not be shorted to display flexes  556  in this scenario, if desired. 
     In another suitable arrangement, conductive interconnect structures  574  may be located far enough away from display module  540  so that interconnect structures  574  are not capacitively coupled to the conductive material in display module  540 . In this scenario, interconnect structure  574  is held at a ground potential (e.g., because interconnect structure  574  shorts ground structures in display flexes  556  to grounded housing wall  106 W). 
     The example of  FIG. 5  is merely illustrative. In general, housing sidewalls  106 W, cover layer  546 , and rear housing wall  548  may have any desired shapes. Additional components may be formed within volume  5130  if desired. A substrate or other support structure may be interposed between logic board  563  and display flexes  556  if desired (e.g., to hold flexes  556  in place). Other arrangements may be used if desired. If desired, flexible printed circuit  560  may be coupled to feed  300  without structure  562  or flexible printed circuit  560  may be omitted (e.g., structure  562  may be coupled directly to transceiver circuitry  590 ). Other transmission line and feeding structures may be used if desired. 
     Tabs, clips, or other protruding portions of display module  540  such as tab  550  may serve as antenna feed terminal  304 . Tab  550  may be formed at edge  579  of display module  540  and may be received between flexible spring fingers such as metal prongs in clip  552 . A rear perspective view of module  540  in an illustrative configuration in which tab  550  has been formed from a strip of metal is shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , display module  540  may include conductive structures  600  such as conductive structures in communications layer  542 - 3 , a metal frame for module  540 , a metal back plate for module, shielding structures, or other conductive structures. Tab  550  may be coupled to conductive structures  600 . For example, tab  550  may be formed from an integral protrusion of conductive structures  600  or may be coupled to structures  600  using conductive adhesive, conductive screws, welds, solder, or other conductive fasteners. If desired, tab  550  may have a coating such as coating  672  (e.g., gold, nickel, or other metals) to facilitate satisfactory ohmic contact between tab  550  and the prongs of clip  552  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) when the coated surface of tab  550  is received between the prongs of clip  552 . 
     A perspective view of clip  552  in an illustrative configuration in which clip  552  is secured using fasteners such as screws  774  is shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , clip  552  may be mounted on a plastic support structure  762  or other suitable support structures. Support structure  762  and clip  552  may be mounted in a recess in a sidewall of housing  106 , as described in further detail hereinafter. Metal traces on structure  562  may route positive antenna feed signals from a flexible integrated circuit (flex circuit) on the sidewall of housing  106  to clip  552 . Clip  552  may include prongs  552 P that mechanically hold tab  550  in place and that electrically couple the metal traces on structure  762  to feed terminal  304 . If desired, impedance matching circuitry and other circuitry may be mounted on support structure  562  or otherwise coupled to clip  552 . For example and as discussed in further detail hereinafter, the impedance matching circuitry can include a second flexible integrated circuit that extends along a portion of the sidewall of housing  106  to MLB  563 . The example of  FIG. 7  is merely illustrative and, if desired, other conductive fastening mechanisms may be mounted within a recess in the sidewall of housing  106  or elsewhere to secure a transmission line to feed terminal  304 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a portion of housing  106  that illustrates how an antenna feed such as clip  552  and support structure  762  can be mounted in a recess  808  in a sidewall  802  of housing  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , housing  106  includes a first sidewall  802  having first and second ends and includes recess  808  located nearer the first end than the second end. A second sidewall  809  extends perpendicularly from the first end of first sidewall  802  (e.g., via a soft-curved corner in the example of  FIG. 8 ). A third sidewall  807  extends perpendicularly from the second end of the first sidewall (e.g., via a soft-curved corner in the example of  FIG. 8 ). As shown in  FIG. 8 , ledge  800  may be formed on housing  106  and may run along the first, second, and third sidewalls  802 ,  809 , and  807  (and along a fourth sidewall not shown in  FIG. 8 ). 
     Display  110  having an integrated antenna  103  may have a cover layer that that mates with ledge  800  of housing  106  in an assembled device. Antenna feed  300  (e.g., clip  552 ) is located within recess  808  in first sidewall  802 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , second sidewall  809 , third sidewall  807 , and a portion  811  of the first sidewall that extends from recess  808  to third sidewall  807  are free of antenna emitting/receiving elements. In this way, the arrangement of housing  106  and the components attached thereto help contribute to allowing a display-integrated antenna to be used to send and/or receive signals in the GPS, WiFi, and Bluetooth® bands. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , flexible printed circuit  812  is communicatively coupled to antenna feed  552  and extends along first sidewall  802  from recess  808  into at least part of portion  811  of first sidewall  802  that extends from recess  808  to third sidewall  807 . In the example of  FIG. 8 , sidewall  802  includes a vertical portion  804  that extends perpendicularly from a rear portion of housing  106  toward a front of housing  106  and an angled portion  806  that extends non-perpendicularly from vertical portion  804  in a direction away from the rear portion of housing  106  and toward an outer sidewall surface  817  of sidewall  802 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 8 , flex circuit  812  extends along angled portion  806  from between support structure  762  in recess  808  toward third sidewall  807 . Flex circuit  812  also includes a portion  816  that extends along vertical portion  804  of sidewall  802  and a portion  814  that extends from portion  816 . Portion  814  is connected to printed circuit  900  (e.g., an implementation of main logic board  563 ). Portion  814  may include a surface mount connector, another type of connector, or may be soldered or otherwise electrically connected to printed circuit  900 . Radio-frequency transceiver circuitry such as transceiver circuitry  590  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) may be mounted to printed circuit  900  and coupled to antenna feed  552  via flex circuit  812  to transmit and receive antenna signals at frequencies above 960 MHz using the antenna (e.g., GPS signals, WiFi® signals, and Bluetooth® signals). As shown in  FIG. 8 , ledge  800  is disposed at a front of housing  106  and printed circuit  900  is disposed at a rear of housing  106 . Fasteners such as screws  820  may secure a feed assembly  813 , including flex circuit  812 , feed  552  and support structure  762 , and circuitry  818  formed on flex circuit  812 , to sidewall  802 . Screws  820  may be conductive screws that provide a grounding connection between flex circuit  812  and housing  106  or may mechanically couple feed assembly  813  to sidewall  802  without providing an electrical connection to the sidewall. The arrangement of feed assembly  813  of  FIG. 8  is merely illustrative. 
       FIG. 9  shows another arrangement for feed assembly  813 . In the example of  FIG. 9 , flex circuit  812  includes a first flex circuit  812 - 1  that is a part of feed assembly  813  and a second flex circuit  812 - 2  that is detachably connected to first flex circuit  812 - 1  by a connector  902 . First flex circuit  812 - 1  and second flex circuit  812 - 2  may include respective first and second portions of connector  902  (e.g., an implementation of connector  564  of  FIG. 5 ) that can be mechanically and electrically mated together to couple transceiver circuitry  590  on printed circuit  900  to feed  552 . Flex circuits  812 - 1  and  812 - 2  may be implementations, respectively, of elements  562  and  560  of  FIG. 5 , for example). 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , second flex circuit  812 - 2  extends from a first portion of connector  902  along first sidewall  802  to printed circuit board  900 . First flexible printed circuit  812 - 1  is communicatively coupled to antenna feed  552  and extends along sidewall  802  (e.g., along angled portion  806  of sidewall  802 ). A first portion of detachable connector  902  is formed on first flexible printed circuit  812 - 1 . Second flexible printed circuit  812 - 2  has a first end that includes a second portion of detachable connector  902  and an opposing second end  904  that is connected (e.g., soldered) to printed circuit board  900 . For example, connector  902  may be a board-to-board connector, a zero-insertion-force connector or other connector having first and second portions respectively formed on first and second flex circuits  812 - 1  and  812 - 2 . Second flex circuit  812 - 2  includes mid-portion  906  that extends along sidewall  802  (e.g., along vertical portion  804  of the sidewall) between the first end and the second end of second flex circuit  812 - 2 . 
     In the example of  FIG. 9 , first flexible printed circuit  812 - 1  is disposed on angled portion  806  of first sidewall  802  and mid-portion  906  of second flexible printed circuit  812 - 2  includes an s-curve portion that is disposed on the vertical portion  804  of the first sidewall. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the s-curve portion of second flexible printed circuit  812 - 2  may extend along vertical portion  804  of sidewall in a direction that is parallel to a boundary  909  between the vertical portion and the angled portion. 
     The arrangement of feed assembly  813  as shown in  FIG. 9  may allow impedance matching for antenna feed  552  (e.g., based on the length and shape of the s-curve of second flex circuit  812 - 2 ) and may improve the reworkability of device  100  during manufacturing and/or during repairs during the lifetime of the device. For example, in the arrangement of  FIG. 9 , feed assembly  813  can be replaced by detaching connector  902 , replacing feed assembly  813 , and recalibrating flex  812 - 2  and transceiver circuitry  590  with a probe at the portion of connector  902  on second flex circuit  812 - 2 , without removing components disposed between display  110  and MLB  900 . Providing a permanent solder connection between second flex circuit  812 - 2  and MLB  900  also reduces the height of the components within housing, which can help reduce the size of device  100 . 
     Although  FIGS. 8 and 9  show a substantially square housing with four straight sidewalls and four rounded corners, it should be appreciated that the antenna and related feed structures disclosed herein can be provided in housings having other shapes. As examples, housing  106  can be provided with three straight sidewalls and three rounded corners in a substantially triangular shape, five or more straight sidewalls with five or more corresponding rounded corners in a pentagonal or other shape with straight sidewalls, any of these shapes with sharp corners or multi-angled corners, or a substantially round (e.g., circular or oval) shape with a continuously curved sidewall without corners. 
     Although  FIGS. 8 and 9  show portion  816  of flexible printed circuit  812  ( FIG. 8 ) and portion  906  of second flexible printed circuit ( FIG. 9 ) extending vertically from printed circuit  900  to coupling structures for clip  552  along sidewall  802 , it should be appreciated that portion  816  of  FIG. 8  and/or portion  906  of  FIG. 9  can extend vertically within housing  106  without being coupled to, attached to, or in contact with sidewall  802 . For example,  FIG. 5  shows how these vertically extending portions of the feed circuitry for clip  552  (and accordingly for the display-integrated antenna) can extend vertically within housing  106 , but away from or separate from the sidewalls of the housing. In these examples, clip  552  and/or the other structures shown in sidewall  802  can be mounted on the sidewall as shown or can be located away from the sidewall (e.g., floating within the housing or mounted to an intermediate support structure within the housing and away from the sidewall). 
     As described above in connection with, for example,  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 , one or more grounding connectors such as connectors  172  and/or  174  may be provided between the antenna structure of display-integrated antenna  103  and a conductive portion of housing  106 . Antenna feed assembly  813  may be disposed at a first end  918  of housing  106 . The grounding connector may be coupled between the display-integrated antenna at an opposing second end  920  of housing  106 . 
     A rear perspective view of illustrative electrical components that may be stacked under display cover layer  546  and that may form antenna conductor elements of antenna  103  is shown in  FIG. 10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , display module  540  may include touch layer  542 - 1 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , and antenna layer  542 - 3 . Touch layer  542 - 1 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , and communications layer  542 - 3  are stacked next to each other and may therefore be capacitively coupled to each other, if desired. This may, for example, allow layers  542  to operate together as conductive display structures of antenna  103  at radio frequencies (e.g., at WLAN, WPAN, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, and/or cellular telephone frequencies). 
     Touch layer  542 - 1 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , and communications layer  542 - 3  may be interconnected with other components in device  100  such as display module interface circuitry  558  (see., e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) using connectors  554  (e.g., a first connector  554 - 1  coupled to touch layer  542 - 1 , a second connector  554 - 2  coupled to display panel layer  542 - 2 , and a third connector  542 - 3  coupled to communications layer  542 - 3 ). Connectors  554  may be mounted on the underside of communications layer  542 - 3 , on tail  542 - 2 T of display panel layer  542 - 2 , on tail  542 - 1 T of touch layer  542 - 1 , and/or on other suitable structures. Layers  542  need not have tails if desired. 
     Components  1012  may be mounted to touch layer  542 - 1 , display panel layer  542 - 2 , and/or communications  542 - 3 . Components may, for example, include communications circuitry such as near-field communications circuitry, touch sensor processing circuitry, and/or display driver circuitry. Other types of components may be mounted in the stack of module  540  if desired. For example, a force sensor layer may be included in module  540 . As another example, the functions of two or more of these layers may be consolidated. For example, capacitive touch sensor electrodes for a capacitive touch sensor may be formed from metal traces on organic light-emitting diode display layer  542 - 2  and a separate touch sensor layer  542 - 1  may be omitted. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , conductive interconnect structure  572  may be shorted to conductive structures such as conductive structures  1010  of display module  540 . Conductive structures  1010  may include conductive traces on layers  542 , conductive contact pads, conductive electrodes on layers  542 , portions of a conductive frame or back plate for module  540 , shielding structures in module  540 , NFC antenna structures, pixel circuitry, ground lines in module  540 , or any other desired conductive structures (e.g., structures coupled to feed terminal  304  and that include some or all of the conductive structures of display  110 ). 
     Conductive interconnect structure  572  may include a first region (portion)  572 P that is coupled to conductive structures  1010  on module  540  and a second (tail) region  572 T. Region  572 P may be secured to communications layer  542 - 3  or other portions of module  540  using conductive adhesive, conductive screws, conductive springs (e.g., conductive springs that exert a force on region  572 P towards communications layer  542 - 3 ), or any other desired conductive fastening structures. Conductive interconnect structure  572  may include conductive traces on a flexible printed circuit, stamped sheet metal, metal foil, a layer of conductive adhesive, a conductive layer having adhesive and non-adhesive portions, combinations of these, or any other desired conductive structures or layers. 
     When display  110  is assembled on housing  106 , tail region  572 T may extend across gap  513  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). Tail region  572 T may include one or more brackets or tabs  1002  having corresponding holes  1000  (e.g., a first tab  1002 - 1  having a first hole  1000 - 1  and a second tab  1002 - 2  having a second hole  1000 - 2 ). Tabs  1002  may be secured to housing wall  106 W. Tabs  1002  may be held in place by screws  570  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) or other conductive fasteners to maintain a reliable mechanical and electrical connection between tabs  1002  and housing wall  106 W. In this way, an antenna element in display  110  may be shorted to housing wall  106 W across gap  513  using interconnect structure  572 . The example of  FIG. 10  is merely illustrative. If desired, holes  1000  may be omitted. If desired, tail  572 T may include a single continuous conductor extending across any desired length of housing wall  106 W. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective front view of device  100  showing how conductive interconnect  572  may be coupled between housing wall  106 W and display module  540 . In the perspective view of  FIG. 11 , display cover layer  546  and display module  540  have been removed from device  100  (e.g., one end of display  110  has been rotated upwards off of housing sidewalls  106 W as shown by arrow  1103 ) to expose the components within device  100 . When device  100  is fully assembled, display  110  may be mounted onto sidewalls  106 W so that the bottom of cover layer  146  lies flush with the top edges or ledge  800  (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) of sidewalls  106 W. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , multiple display flex circuits  556  may be formed over logic board  563  (e.g., a first flex  556 - 1 , a second flex  556 - 2 , and a third flex  556 - 3 ). If desired, flexes  556 - 1 ,  556 - 2 , and  556 - 3  may be mounted on a support structure such as support structure  1157  on logic board  563 . When display  110  is closed onto housing walls  106 W, display flex  556 - 3  may be electrically coupled to connector  554 - 3  on display module  540 , display flex  556 - 2  may be electrically coupled to connector  554 - 2  on display module  540 , and display flex  556 - 1  may be electrically coupled to connector  554 - 1  on display module  540 . Display flex  556 - 3  and connector  554 - 3  may, for example, convey communications signals between communications layer  542 - 3  on module  540  and other communications circuitry (e.g., transceiver circuitry  590 ) on logic board  563 . Display flex  556 - 2  and connector  554 - 2  may, for example, convey image data between display panel layer  542 - 2  on module  5540  and display circuitry on logic board  563 . Display flex  556 - 1  and connector  554 - 1  may, for example, convey touch sensor data between touch layer  542 - 1  on module  540  and control circuitry on logic board  563 . 
     Tab  1002 - 1  of conductive interconnect structure  572  may be secured to housing wall  106 W using conductive screw  570 - 1  and/or other conductive fastening structures. If desired, screw  570 - 1  may be received by a mating threaded hole  1171 - 1  in housing wall  106 W. Tab  1002 - 2  of conductive interconnect structure  572  may be secured to housing wall  106 W using conductive screw  570 - 2  and/or other conductive fastening structures. If desired, screw  570 - 1  may be received by a mating threaded hole  1171 - 2  in housing wall  106 W. Conductive interconnect  572  may short conductive structures in display module  540  to housing sidewall  106 W over tabs  1002  and screws  570 . When display  110  is closed over sidewalls  106 W, conductive interconnect  572  may bridge gap  513 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective front view of device  100  showing how conductive interconnect  574  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ) may be coupled between housing wall  106 W and display flexes  556 . Conductive interconnect  574  may be formed within device  100  in addition to or instead of conductive interconnect  572  of  FIGS. 10 and 11 . In the perspective view of  FIG. 12 , display cover layer  546  and display module  540  (i.e., display  110 ) are not shown for the sake of clarity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , display flex circuits  556  may have conductive regions  1220 . Conductive regions  1220  may, for example, include ground traces or other grounded portions of flex circuits  556 . For example, flex circuit  556 - 1  may have a first conductive region  1220 - 1 , flex circuit  556 - 2  may have a second conductive region  1220 - 2 , and flex circuit  556 - 3  may have a third conductive region  1220 - 3 . Conductive interconnect structure  574  may include tabs or brackets  1222  each having a corresponding hole  1224  (e.g., a first tab  1222 - 1  having a first hole  1224 - 1  and a second tab  1222 - 2  having a second hole  1224 - 2 ). 
     Conductive interconnect structure  574  may include one or more branches  1226 . For example, conductive interconnect structure  574  may include a first branch  1226 - 1 , a second branch  1226 - 2 , and a third branch  1226 - 3 . While the use of different branches may reduce the amount of space required to form interconnect structure  574  in device  100 , in another suitable arrangement, each of the branches may be formed as a part of a single continuous (e.g., planar) conductor. 
     When device  100  is fully assembled, conductive interconnect structure  574  may be lowered towards logic board  563  as shown by arrows  1230 . This may place branch  1226 - 1  into contact with conductive region  1220 - 1 , may place branch  1226 - 2  into contact with conductive region  1220 - 2 , and may place branch  1226 - 3  into contact with conductive region  1220 - 3  on flex circuits  556 . If desired, conductive adhesive, conductive screws, solder, welds, clips, or other conductive fastening structures may be used to secure branches  1226  to corresponding conductive regions  1220  when interconnect structure  574  is lowered onto device  100 . Tab  1224 - 1  may be secured to housing wall  106 W via a first screw  570  extending through opening  1224 - 1  and mating with threaded hole  1171 - 2  in housing wall  106 W. Tab  1224 - 2  may be secured to housing wall  106 W via a second screw  570  extending through opening  1224 - 2  and mating with threaded hole  1171 - 1  in housing wall  106 W. This is merely illustrative and, if desired, other conductive fasteners may be used. One or more than two tabs  1224  may be used to secure interconnect structure  574  to housing wall  106 W. 
     In this way, when fully assembled, conductive interconnect structure  570  may short grounded regions  1220  on display flexes  556  to housing wall  106 W. This may serve to electrically define at least some of the boundaries of a slot antenna element in a slot antenna implementation for antenna  103 . If desired, branches  1226  may be capacitively coupled to conductive structures in display module  540 . In this scenario, branches  1226  may short antenna currents flowing through display module  540  to housing sidewall  106 W via capacitive coupling. Branches  1226  need not be coupled to regions  1220  on flexes  556  in this scenario if desired. 
       FIG. 13  shows an implementation of interconnect  572 , as described above in connection with  FIG. 11 , in which tabs  1002 - 1  and  1002 - 2  are replaced with a single tab  1199  having a connection interface such as connector  1300 . In the example of  FIG. 13 , housing  106  includes a slot  1302  for receiving connector  1300  to conductively couple interconnect  572  (e.g., a conductive grounding tape) to housing  106 . Slot  1302  may be a recess in a fourth sidewall of housing  106  that is sized and configured to receive connector  1300 . Connector  1300  may be press fit into slot  1302  by moving connector  1300  in the direction of arrow  1301  and may be secured in slot  1302  by bracket  1304 . 
       FIG. 13  also shows how ledge  800  may be partially covered by a touch sensor such as a force-sensing layer  1311  that is configured to be disposed between ledge  800  and an interfacing surface  1309  of display cover  546 . In some scenarios, conductive paths  308  and/or  312  may be implemented without connectors  572  or  574 . For example,  FIG. 14  shows an implementation in which antenna element structures within display module  540  are coupled to housing  106  by a conductive structure  1400  that extends along an interior surface of display cover layer  546  and a conductive structure  1401  that passes through force sensor  1311  disposed on ledge  800  between ledge  800  and an interfacing surface of display cover layer  546 . As shown, force sensor  1311  (e.g., a piezoelectric, resistive, capacitive, or other force sensor) may include multiple layers such as layers  1402 ,  1404 , and  1406  through which conductive structure  1401  (e.g., a conductive via passing through layers  1402 ,  1404 , and  1406 ) passes. 
       FIG. 15  shows another example implementation of conductive paths  308  and/or  312 . In the example of  FIG. 15 , antenna element structures within display module  540  are coupled to housing  106  by a conductive press-fit contact structure  1500  such as a spring clip. As shown in  FIG. 15 , conductive press-fit contact  1500  may extend from display module  540 , along an interior surface of display cover layer  546 , to a press-fit contact location  1504  on housing  106 . For example, conductive press-fit contact  1500  may be a flexible conductive structure having a protrusion  1502  that is compressed against the interior surface of housing  106  when display  110  is pressed into housing  106  (e.g., in direction  1505 ) and protrusion  1502  is then pressed in direction  1506  by housing  106  to create a press-fit contact between protrusion  1502  and housing  106 . 
     In accordance with various aspects of the subject disclosure, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing having a sidewall with a recess. The electronic device also includes an antenna. The electronic device also includes a display that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna. The electronic device also includes an antenna feed for the antenna, the antenna feed located within the recess in the sidewall and configured to convey communications signals for three different communications protocols to the antenna element. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing having a sidewall with a recess. The electronic device also includes an antenna. The electronic device also includes a display that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna. The electronic device also includes an antenna feed for the antenna, the antenna feed located within the recess in the sidewall. The electronic device also includes a first flexible printed circuit communicatively coupled to the antenna feed and extending along the sidewall. The electronic device also includes a second flexible printed circuit having a first end communicatively coupled to the first flexible printed circuit, an opposing second end that is communicatively coupled to a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, and a mid-portion that extends along the sidewall between the first end and the opposing second end. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing having a sidewall with a recess. The electronic device also includes an antenna. The electronic device also includes a display that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna. The electronic device also includes an antenna feed for the antenna, the antenna feed located within the recess in the sidewall. The electronic device also includes a connector that electrically couples the antenna to a conductive portion of the housing. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the subject disclosure, an electronic device is provided that includes a housing having a rear surface and one or more sidewalls. The electronic device also includes an antenna. The electronic device also includes display that forms at least part of an antenna element for the antenna. The one or more sidewalls extend vertically from the rear surface of the housing to the display. The electronic device also includes an antenna feed for the antenna. The electronic device also includes a flexible printed circuit having a first end communicatively coupled to the antenna feed, an opposing second end that is communicatively coupled to a printed circuit board disposed in the housing, and a mid-portion between the first end and the opposing second end that extends vertically within the housing in a direction that is parallel to the vertically extending one or more sidewalls. 
     Various functions described above can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware or hardware. The techniques can be implemented using one or more computer program products. Programmable processors and computers can be included in or packaged as mobile devices. The processes and logic flows can be performed by one or more programmable processors and by one or more programmable logic circuitry. General and special purpose computing devices and storage devices can be interconnected through communication networks. 
     Some implementations include electronic components, such as microprocessors, storage and memory that store computer program instructions in a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (alternatively referred to as computer-readable storage media, machine-readable media, or machine-readable storage media). Some examples of such computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, read-only compact discs (CD-ROM), recordable compact discs (CD-R), rewritable compact discs (CD-RW), read-only digital versatile discs (e.g., DVD-ROM, dual-layer DVD-ROM), a variety of recordable/rewritable DVDs (e.g., DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, etc.), flash memory (e.g., SD cards, mini-SD cards, micro-SD cards, etc.), magnetic and/or solid state hard drives, ultra density optical discs, any other optical or magnetic media, and floppy disks. The computer-readable media can store a computer program that is executable by at least one processing unit and includes sets of instructions for performing various operations. Examples of computer programs or computer code include machine code, such as is produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code that are executed by a computer, an electronic component, or a microprocessor using an interpreter. 
     While the above discussion primarily refers to microprocessor or multi-core processors that execute software, some implementations are performed by one or more integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some implementations, such integrated circuits execute instructions that are stored on the circuit itself. 
     As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms “display” or “displaying” means displaying on an electronic device. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a computer. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals. 
     To provide for interaction with a user, implementations of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer having a display device as described herein for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. 
     Many of the above-described features and applications are implemented as software processes that are specified as a set of instructions recorded on a computer readable storage medium (also referred to as computer readable medium). When these instructions are executed by one or more processing unit(s) (e.g., one or more processors, cores of processors, or other processing units), they cause the processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated in the instructions. Examples of computer readable media include, but are not limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, RAM chips, hard drives, EPROMs, etc. The computer readable media does not include carrier waves and electronic signals passing wirelessly or over wired connections. 
     In this specification, the term “software” is meant to include firmware residing in read-only memory or applications stored in magnetic storage, which can be read into memory for processing by a processor. Also, in some implementations, multiple software aspects of the subject disclosure can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program while remaining distinct software aspects of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, multiple software aspects can also be implemented as separate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs that together implement a software aspect described here is within the scope of the subject disclosure. In some implementations, the software programs, when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems, define one or more specific machine implementations that execute and perform the operations of the software programs. 
     A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network. 
     It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes disclosed is an illustration of example approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes may be rearranged, or that all illustrated blocks be performed. Some of the blocks may be performed simultaneously. For example, in certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure. 
     The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or design 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180118
Publication Date: 20210323
Grant Date: 20210323
Priority Date: 20170911
Inventors: PANDYA, SAMEER
Martinis, Mario
OZGEN, Baris
BUSHNELL, TYLER S.
TANG, SHERRY
YANG, HENRY H.
WERNER, CHRISTOPHER M.
NATH, JAYESH
DI NALLO, CARLO
Ruaro, Andrea
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G04R60/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/026", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/045", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04R60/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0277", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L69/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/38", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0266", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04R60/12", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04L69/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63442504