PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8581788-B2
Application Number: US-201113051905-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Antennas for electronic devices

Abstract:
A removable antenna and a resilient antenna are provided for an electronic device such as a laptop computer. An antenna resonating element is mounted within the antenna. Flexible coupling structures are used to physically and removably attach the antenna to the electronic device. The flexible coupling structures couple the antenna resonating element to circuitry in the electronic device. The coupling structures may allow the antenna to break away from the electronic device without causing damage. A user may extend the antenna by rotating the removable antenna to its extended position. The electronic device may have an antenna receptacle that holds the resilient antenna in a stowed position and that allows the resilient antenna to flex to an extended position. A user may extend the resilient antenna by removing the resilient antenna from the antenna receptacle and flexing the antenna into its extended position.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus comprising:
 an electronic device having an antenna receptacle; and 
 a resilient antenna formed from a conductive elastic material, wherein the resilient antenna elastically flexes between a stowed position in the antenna receptacle and an extended position outside of the antenna receptacle and wherein the antenna receptacle comprises portions defining a trough and at least one tab that at least partially extends across the trough. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the resilient antenna is configured to flex into the trough and wherein the tab is configured to restrain the resilient antenna within the trough. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the at least one tab comprises at least two tabs, each of which at least partially extends across the trough. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus defined in  claim 3  wherein the resilient antenna is configured to flex into the trough and wherein the tabs are configured to restrain the resilient antenna within the trough. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the resilient antenna has a width, wherein the trough has a width, wherein the tab has a width that extends partly across the trough, and wherein the width of the resilient antenna plus the width of the tab is less than the width of the trough. 
     
     
       6. An electronic device comprising:
 an antenna receptacle; 
 an antenna, wherein the antenna flexes between a stowed position in the antenna receptacle and an extended position outside of the antenna receptacle; 
 a radio-frequency transceiver; and 
 a communications path that conveys radio-frequency signals between the radio-frequency transceiver and the antenna, wherein the antenna receptacle has portions defining a trough and at least one tab that at least partially extends across the trough, wherein the antenna has a width, wherein the trough has a width, wherein the tab has a width that extends partly across the trough, and wherein the width of the antenna plus the width of the tab is less than the width of the trough. 
 
     
     
       7. An electronic device comprising:
 an antenna receptacle; 
 an antenna, wherein the antenna flexes between a stowed position in the antenna receptacle and an extended position outside of the antenna receptacle; 
 a radio-frequency transceiver; and 
 a communications path that conveys radio-frequency signals between the radio-frequency transceiver and the antenna, wherein the antenna receptacle has portions defining a trough and at least a first tab and a second tab, each of which at least partially extends across the trough, wherein the trough has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first tab is connected to the first side of the trough, and wherein the second tab is connected to the second side of the trough. 
 
     
     
       8. An electronic device comprising:
 an antenna receptacle; and 
 an antenna configured to flex between a stowed position within the antenna receptacle and an extended position, wherein the antenna receptacle comprises a trough and at least one tab that extends across the trough and wherein, when the antenna is in the stowed position, the antenna is within the trough. 
 
     
     
       9. The electronic device defined in  claim 8  wherein, when the antenna is in the stowed position, the at least one tab bears against the antenna and restrains the antenna in the trough. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device defined in  claim 8  wherein the at least one tab comprises first and second tabs on opposing sides of the trough, wherein the first and second tabs each extend partly across the trough, and wherein, when the antenna is in the stowed position, the first and second tabs bear against the antenna and restrain the antenna in the trough. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device defined in  claim 8  wherein the antenna comprises an elastic wire.

Description:
This application is a division of patent application Ser. No. 12/061,194, filed Apr. 2, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,911,397 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to antennas, and more particularly, to removable antennas and resilient antennas for electronic devices. 
     It may be desirable to include wireless communications capabilities in an electronic device. Electronic devices may use wireless communications to communicate with wireless base stations. For example, electronic devices may communicate using the Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) bands at 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz and the Bluetooth® band at 2.4 GHz. Electronic devices may also use other types of communications links. For example, electronic devices such as cellular telephones may communicate using cellular telephone bands at 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz (e.g., the main Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM cellular telephone bands). Communications are also possible in data service bands such as the 3G data communications band at 2100 MHz (commonly referred to as UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). 
     Many popular housing materials for electronic devices such as metal have a high conductivity. This poses challenges when designing an antenna for an electronic device with this type of housing. An internal antenna would be shielded by a high-conductivity housing, so internal antenna designs are often not considered practical in electronic devices with conductive cases. On the other hand, external antenna designs that permanently protrude from a device&#39;s housing may have an unattractive appearance. Conventional protruding antenna designs may also be susceptible to damage. 
     It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved antennas for electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, removable antennas and resilient antennas for electronic devices are provided. A removable antenna may be removably coupled to an electronic device. A removable antenna may also be referred to as a break-away antenna. The antenna and the electronic device may have corresponding coupling structures. The coupling structures may be flexible and may removably couple the antenna to the electronic device. Flexible coupling structures may be integrated into the structure of the antenna and the structure of the electronic device. With one suitable arrangement, the coupling structures may be formed in distinct portions of the antenna and the electronic device. At least one of the coupling structures maybe formed from a flexible material that is not permanently deformed when bent (i.e., an elastic material). Because the antenna is removably coupled to the electronic device with flexible elastic coupling structures, the antenna may be removed from the electronic device without damaging the antenna, the electronic device, or the flexible coupling structures. This helps to prevent damage in the event that the antenna is accidently dislodged from the electronic device. 
     If desired, the antenna may be extendable. The electronic device may have a conductive housing. The antenna may exhibit improved transmission and reception efficiencies when the antenna is placed in an extended position away from the conductive housing. In the antenna&#39;s extended position, the antenna&#39;s performance may be enhanced by the increase in separation (e.g., compared to a stowed position) between an antenna resonating element in the antenna and the ground plane of the metal housing of the electronic device. The antenna resonating element in the antenna may be formed using any suitable antenna design. For example, the antenna resonating element may be formed from a flex circuit containing a strip of conductor, a piece of stamped metal foil, a length of wire, etc. 
     In addition to physically coupling the antenna and the electronic device together, the coupling structures may electrically couple the antenna resonating element structures in the antenna to a transceiver in the electronic device through a communications path. The coupling structures may allow the antenna resonating element to be electrically coupled to and decoupled from the communications path without damaging the coupling structures. 
     The coupling structures may be conductive. Conductive coupling structures may be used to electrically connect the communications path and the antenna resonating element while physically coupling the antenna to the electronic device using the elastic properties of the coupling structures. 
     A removable and extendable antenna may be configured to extend by rotating about an axis. For example, an antenna may be extended by rotating the antenna about an axis centered near one of the ends of the antenna. 
     The coupling structures may provide feedback to a user of the electronic device when the antenna is in its extended or its stowed position and when the antenna is coupled to or decoupled from the electronic device. For example, the coupling structures may be configured to make a noise when the antenna enters its extended or its stowed position or may be configured make a noise when the antenna is coupled to or decoupled from the electronic device. 
     A removable and extendable antenna may be configured to blend in with surrounding portions of an electronic device when the antenna is in a stowed position. For example, the antenna may have an outer surface that is appropriately colored, textured, and shaped such that the antenna in its stowed position appears as a nearly seamless or unobtrusive portion of the electronic device. Magnetic coupling structures may produce a magnetic force that aligns the antenna with the electronic device in its stowed state such that the antenna properly blends in with the surrounding portions of the electronic device. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, resilient antennas are provided that may be non-removable. The resilient antenna may be physically and electrically coupled to an electronic device. The electronic device may have an antenna receptacle that holds the resilient antenna. The resilient antenna may be elastic and may be configured so that the antenna can be stowed by elastically bending or flexing the resilient antenna into the antenna receptacle in the electronic device. The antenna receptacle may have tabs that hold the resilient antenna in its stowed position. The antenna receptacle may allow a user to stow or extend the resilient antenna by flexing the antenna around the tabs in the antenna receptacle. The resilient antenna may be formed from a superelastic material such as Nitinol®. 
     Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device and an illustrative extendable, removable antenna in a stowed state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an illustrative electronic device and an illustrative resilient antenna in an extended state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an illustrative electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of an illustrative electronic device and an illustrative extendable, removable antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative antenna coupling structure in an electronic device and an illustrative extendable, removable antenna in a coupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative antenna coupling structure and the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 5A  in a partially coupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative antenna coupling structure and the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 5A  in an uncoupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view of an illustrative extendable, removable antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a top view of the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 6A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of another illustrative extendable, removable antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a top view of the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 7A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a side view of another illustrative extendable, removable antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a side view of the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 8A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8C  is a top view of the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 8A  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  9 C,  9 D,  9 E,  9 F,  9 G,  9 H,  9 I, and  9 J are cross-sectional views of illustrative coupling structures that may be used in an extendable, removable antenna to couple the extendable, removable antenna to an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 10A ,  10 B,  10 C,  10 D,  10 E,  10 F,  10 G,  10 H,  10 I, and  10 J are cross-sectional views of illustrative coupling structures that may be used in an electronic device to couple the electronic device to an extendable, removable antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative antenna coupling structure in an electronic device and an illustrative extendable, removable antenna in a coupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative antenna coupling structure and the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 11A  in a partially coupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view of the illustrative antenna coupling structure and the illustrative extendable, removable antenna of  FIG. 11A  in an uncoupled state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative antenna receptacle in an electronic device and an illustrative resilient antenna in a stowed state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of an illustrative antenna receptacle in an electronic device and an illustrative resilient antenna in a stowed state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates generally to antennas, and more particularly, to extendable, removable antennas and resilient antennas for wireless electronic devices. 
     The wireless electronic devices may be any suitable electronic devices. As an example, the wireless electronic devices may be desktop computers or other computer equipment. The wireless electronic devices may also be portable electronic devices such as laptop computers or small portable computers of the type that are sometimes referred to as ultraportables. With one suitable arrangement, the portable electronic devices may be handheld electronic devices. 
     Examples of portable and handheld electronic devices include cellular telephones, media players with wireless communications capabilities, handheld computers (also sometimes called personal digital assistants), remote controls, global positioning system (GPS) devices, and handheld gaming devices. The devices may also be hybrid devices that combine the functionality of multiple conventional devices. Examples of hybrid 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, has music player functionality and supports web browsing. These are merely illustrative examples. 
     An illustrative electronic device such as a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Device  10  may be any suitable electronic device. As an example, device  10  may be a laptop computer. 
     Device  10  may handle communications over one or more communications bands. For example, wireless communications circuitry in device  10  may be used to handle cellular telephone communications in one or more frequency bands and data communications in one or more communications bands. Typical data communications bands that may be handled by the wireless communications circuitry in device  10  include the 2.4 GHz band that is sometimes used for Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) and Bluetooth® communications, the 5.0 GHz band that is sometimes used for Wi-Fi communications, the 1575 MHz Global Positioning System band, and 3G data bands (e.g., the UMTS band at 1920-2170). These bands may be covered by using single band and multiband antennas. For example, cellular telephone communications can be handled using a multiband cellular telephone antenna and local area network data communications can be handled using a multiband wireless local area network antenna. As another example, device  10  may have a single multiband antenna for handling communications in two or more data bands (e.g., at 2.4 GHz and at 5.0 GHz). 
     Device  10  may have housing  12 . Housing  12 , which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed of any suitable materials including plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, other suitable materials, or a combinations of these materials. 
     Housing  12  or portions of housing  12  may also be formed from conductive materials such as metal. An illustrative metal housing material that may be used is anodized aluminum. Aluminum is relatively light in weight and, when anodized, has an attractive insulating and scratch-resistance surface. If desired, other metals can be used for the housing of device  10 , such as stainless steel, magnesium, titanium, alloys of these metals and other metals, etc. In scenarios in which housing  12  is formed from metal elements, one or more of the metal elements may be used as part of the antenna in device  10 . For example, metal portions of housing  12  and metal components in housing  12  may be shorted together to form a ground plane in device  10  or to expand a ground plane structure that is formed from a planar circuit structure such as a printed circuit board structure (e.g., a printer circuit board structure used in forming antenna structures for device  10 ). 
     Device  10  may have one or more buttons such as buttons  14 . Buttons  14  may be formed on any suitable surface of device  10 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , buttons  14  have been formed on the top surface of device  10 . As an example, buttons  14  may form a keyboard on a laptop computer. 
     If desired, device  10  may have a display such as display  16 . Display  16  may be a liquid crystal diode (LCD) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display, or any other suitable display. The outermost surface of display  16  may be formed from one or more plastic or glass layers. If desired, touch screen functionality may be integrated into display  16 . Device  10  may also have a separate touch pad device such as touch pad  20 . An advantage of integrating a touch screen into display  16  to make display  16  touch-sensitive is that this type of arrangement can save space and reduce visual clutter. Buttons  14  may, if desired, be arranged adjacent to display  16 . With this type of arrangement, the buttons may be aligned with on-screen options that are presented on display  16 . A user may press a desired button to select a corresponding one of the displayed options. 
     Device  10  may have circuitry  18 . Circuitry  18  may include storage, processing circuitry, and input-output components. Wireless transceiver circuitry in circuitry  18  may be used to transmit and receive radio-frequency (RF) signals. Communications paths such as coaxial communications paths and microstrip communications paths may be used to convey radio-frequency signals between transceiver circuitry and antenna structures in device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, communications path  22  may be used to convey signals between antenna structure  26  and circuitry  18 . Communications path  22  may be, for example, a coaxial cable that is connected between an RF transceiver (sometimes called a radio) and a multiband antenna. Antenna structures such as antenna structure  26  may be located adjacent to a corner of device  10  as shown in  FIG. 1  or in other suitable locations. For example, antenna structure  26  may be located along a top edge of display  16 , along any edge of device  10 , or may be located in a suitable portion of any planar surface of device  10 . 
     Antenna structure  26  may be removable and extendable. Antenna structure  26  may be physically but removably coupled to device  10  to allow the antenna structure to be removed without damaging antenna structure  26  or device  10 . The coupling of antenna structure  26  to device  10  may facilitate easy replacement of antenna structure  26  and may facilitate break away of the antenna structure when a force is applied that could otherwise damage the antenna structure. 
     Antenna structure  26  may rotate from a stowed position (e.g., the position shown in  FIG. 1 ) into an extended position and vice-versa (e.g., as indicated by line  29  and the dotted outline of antenna structure  26 ). The extended position of antenna structure  26  may be used to increase the efficiency of signal reception and transmission. For example, the extended position of antenna structure  26  may enhance wireless communications functionality by increasing the separation between the ground plane of device  10  and antenna resonating elements in antenna structure  26  relative to the separation between the ground plane and the antenna resonating elements when antenna structure  26  is in the stowed position. 
     Antenna structure  26  may be configured such that in the stowed position the antenna structure is flush, or nearly flush, with the surrounding portions of device  10 . The stowed position of the antenna structure may improve the visual appearance of device  10 . For example, when the antenna structure is in the stowed position, the antenna structure may blend in with the surrounding portions of device  10  and thereby reduce visual clutter. In the stowed position, the antenna structure is also generally less vulnerable to accidental detachment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , antenna structure  26  may rotate about an axis such as axis  33 . Antenna structure  26  may rotate about axis  33  when transitioning between its stowed state and its extended state. 
     Device  10  may have sensors to determine whether antenna structure  26  is attached or detached and to determine whether antenna structure  26  is in an extended or stowed position. Communications path  24  may be used to convey signals between these sensors and circuitry  18 . Communications path  24  may be implemented using any suitable cable or wires. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  may have a resilient antenna structure that is flexible and extendable such as antenna structure  27 . Antenna structure  27  may be formed from an elastic material that has an original shape such as the shape shown in  FIG. 2 . Antenna structure  27  may be formed from a material that is capable of returning to its original shape (e.g., the shape shown in  FIG. 2 ) even after potentially extensive stress or deformation. For example, antenna structure  27  may be formed from a shape memory alloy, a suitably elastic material, a superelastic material such as a nickel-titanium alloy (e.g., Nitinol®), or any other suitable material. A superelastic material may be any material which only deforms elastically and not plastically during the range of deformations that antenna structure  27  may encounter. Antenna structure  27  may be made of a material that deforms elastically and not plastically while the antenna structure is flexed or bent (e.g., the deformation of antenna structure  27  is reversible). 
     Antenna structure  27  may be mounted on device  10  at any suitable attachment point. For example, antenna structure  27  may be attached to the top or side edge of device  10 . Antenna structure  27  may be stowed by bending the antenna structure  27  along line  31  into an antenna receptacle in device  10  such as antenna receptacle  28 . Antenna structure  27  may be extended from removing the antenna structure from antenna receptacle  28  and allowing the antenna structure to elastically return to its natural position (e.g., the position of  FIG. 2 ). 
     Advantages of utilizing a resilient antenna structure such as antenna structure  27  in device  10  may include a simplified design of device  10  and a more efficient utilization of available space in device  10  (e.g., relative to a design of device  10  utilizing a removable antenna structure). For example, the mechanical and electrical connection between device  10  and antenna structure  27  may not require moving parts that could add to the complexity and cost of device  10 . Antenna structure  27  may also, as an example, be formed from a single flexible wire that may be significantly smaller (e.g., take up less space in device  10 ) than a removable antenna structure such as antenna structure  26 ). 
     A schematic diagram of an embodiment of electronic device  10  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Electronic device  10  may be a notebook computer, a tablet computer, an ultraportable computer, a mobile telephone, a mobile telephone with media player capabilities, a handheld computer, a remote control, a game player, a global positioning system (GPS) device, a combination of such devices, or any other suitable portable or handheld electronic device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , electronic device  10  may include storage  30 . Storage  30  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., battery-based static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. 
     Processing circuitry  32  may be used to control the operation of device  10 . Processing circuitry  32  may be based on a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits. With one suitable arrangement, processing circuitry  32  and storage  30  are used to run software on device  10 , such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. Processing circuitry  32  and storage  30  may be used in implementing suitable communications protocols. Communications protocols that may be implemented using processing circuitry  32  and storage  30  include internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi®), protocols for other short-range wireless communications links such as the Bluetooth® protocol, protocols for handling 3G data services such as UMTS, cellular telephone communications protocols, etc. 
     Input-output devices  34  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 , keys  14 , and touchpad  20  of  FIG. 1  are examples of input-output devices  34 . 
     Input-output devices  34  may include user input-output devices  36  such as buttons, touch screens, joysticks, click wheels, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, speakers, tone generators, vibrating elements, etc. A user can control the operation of device  10  by supplying commands though user input devices  36 . 
     Display and audio devices  38  may include liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens or other screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other components that present visual information and status data. Display and audio devices  38  may also include audio equipment such as speakers and other devices for creating sound. Display and audio devices  38  may contain audio-video interface equipment such as jacks and other connectors for external headphones and monitors. 
     Wireless communications devices  40  may include communications circuitry such as radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry formed from one or more integrated circuits, power amplifier circuitry, passive RF components, one or more antennas (e.g., antenna structures such as antenna structure  26  of  FIG. 1 ), and other 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  42  and computing equipment  44 , as shown by paths  46 . Paths  46  may include wired and wireless paths. Accessories  42  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  44  may be any suitable computer. With one suitable arrangement, computing equipment  44  is a computer that has an associated wireless access point or an internal or external wireless card that establishes a wireless connection with device  10 . The computer may be a server (e.g., an internet server), a local area network computer with or without internet access, a user&#39;s own personal computer, a peer device (e.g., another electronic device  10 ), or any other suitable computing equipment. 
     The antenna structures and wireless communications devices of device  10  may support communications over any suitable wireless communications bands. For example, wireless communications devices  40  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 2100 MHz (commonly referred to as UMTS or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11) bands at frequencies such as 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz (also sometimes referred to as wireless local area network or WLAN bands), the Bluetooth® band at 2.4 GHz, and the global positioning system (GPS) band at 1575 MHz. Device  10  can cover these communications bands and/or other suitable communications bands with proper configuration of the antenna structures in wireless communications circuitry  40 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , device  10  may have an extendable, removable antenna structure such as antenna structure  26 . Antenna structure  26  may be physically but removably coupled to device  10  to allow the antenna structure to be intentionally or accidentally removed without damaging antenna structure  26  or device  10 . 
     In the  FIG. 4  example, antenna structure  26  is shown near device  10  in approximately its stowed and coupled state. If the antenna structure were to be moved in the direction of arrow  48 , the antenna structure would be in the approximate position of its stowed and coupled state. 
     Antenna structure  26  may be extended from a stowed position that may enhance the aesthetics of device  10  to an extended position that may enhance the performance and efficiency of the antenna structure by rotating about a rotational axis such as the axis of line  33  (e.g., the axis of coupling between structure  26  and device  10 ). Physical coupling may be used to hold antenna structure  26  in place on device  10  during rotational movement (e.g., to limit non-rotational movement between structure  26  and device  10 ). The antenna structure may be configured to blend in with surrounding portions of device  10  when the antenna structure is it its stowed position. For example, antenna structure  26  may have an outer surface that is appropriately colored, textured, and shaped such that the antenna structure in its stowed position appears as a nearly seamless or unobtrusive portion of device  10 . 
     Antenna structure  26  may be configured to break away from device  10  to prevent damage to the antenna structure and device  10 . For example, if antenna structure  26  rotates too far around axis  33 , antenna structure  26  may break away from device  10 . Antenna structure  26  may also break away when a force acts upon the antenna structure to either push or pull the antenna structure away from device  10 . For example, if the antenna structure is struck in direction  50  or direction  51 , the physical coupling between device  10  and antenna structure  26  may give way before damage occurs to the antenna structure, the device, or the coupling structures in the antenna structure and the device. 
     Antenna structure  26  may be mechanically and electrically coupled to device  10  using coupling structures such as coupling structure  52  on device  10  and a corresponding coupling structure on antenna structure  26  such as coupling structure  54 . Coupling structure  52  and a corresponding coupling structure in antenna structure  26  such as coupling structure  54  may be used to couple communications path  22  to an antenna resonating element in antenna structure  26 . 
     Coupling structures  52  and  54  may be configured to allow antenna structure  26  to rotate about an axis such as axis  33 . Antenna structure  26  may rotate about axis  33  when rotating from a stowed position into an extended position or when rotating from an extended position into the stowed position. Coupling structures  52  and  54  may be configured to couple antenna structure  26  to device  10  in such a way as the antenna structure is not released during normal operations (e.g., while rotating antenna structure  26  around axis  33 ) but so that the antenna structure may break away from device  10  during abnormal operations (e.g., when the antenna structure is pulled from device  10  or is rotated too far around axis  33 ). 
     Coupling structures  52  and  54  may be configured to provide feedback to a user when the antenna structure is coupled or decoupled or when the antenna structure is in its extended or its stowed position. For example, the coupling structures may be configured to make a noise when the antenna structure enters its extended or its stowed position. The coupling structures may be configured to make a noise when the antenna structure is coupled to or decoupled from device  10 . 
     Magnetic coupling structure  53  on device  10  and corresponding magnetic coupling structure  55  on antenna structure  26  may provide a magnetic attraction force between the device and the antenna structure when the antenna structure is in its stowed position. The magnetic attraction force provided by coupling structures  53  and  55  may hold the antenna structure in its stowed position. Coupling structures  53  and  55  (or portions of the coupling structures) may be made of one or more magnetic elements (magnets) and/or one or more ferromagnetic elements (e.g., iron bars). 
     Magnetic or ferromagnetic portions of the coupling structures may produce a magnetic force that holds antenna structure  26  to device  10  in the antenna structure&#39;s stowed position. The magnetic coupling structures may contribute to a magnetic force that aligns the antenna structure with device  10  in its stowed position such that the antenna structure properly blends in with the surrounding portions of device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5A , antenna structure  26  may have an antenna resonating element such as antenna resonating element  57  and an overmold portion such as overmold  58 . Antenna resonating element  57  may be formed from any suitable antenna resonating element structure. For example, the antenna resonating element may be formed from a flex circuit containing a strip of conductor, a piece of stamped metal foil, a length of wire, etc. Overmold  58  may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic. Overmold  58  may be flexible and may serve to protect antenna resonating element  57  from damage. Overmold  58  may enhance the visual appearance of antenna structure  26  and may provide antenna structure  26  with structural integrity. 
     Circuitry  18  (e.g., a radio-frequency transceiver in device  10 ) may be electrically coupled to antenna resonating element  57  in antenna structure  26  through communications path  22  and coupling structures  62  and  64 . For example, circuitry  18  may be electrically coupled to element  57  through physical contact between coupling structures such as structures  62  and  64 . With another suitable arrangement, circuitry  18  may be electrically coupled to element  57  when coupling structures such as structures  62  and  64  are in close proximity. This kind of arrangement may be referred to as capacitive coupled (e.g., capacitive coupling between structures  62  and  64 ). Circuitry  18  may transmit and receive radio-frequency signals using antenna resonating element  57  as one pole of an antenna. Circuitry  18  may utilize a separate ground plane for the antenna by grounding to a metal structure such as housing  12  (e.g., as shown by ground symbol  60 ). Coupling structures  62  and  64  may be configured to maintain the electrical coupling between antenna resonating element  57  and communications path  22  as antenna structure  26  rotates between its extended and stowed positions (e.g., as antenna structure  26  rotates around axis  33  of  FIG. 4 ). 
     In the  FIG. 5A  example, antenna structure  26  is illustrated in its stowed and coupled position and coupling structures  62  are mated with corresponding coupling structure  64  in the antenna structure. Antenna structure  26  may rotate from the illustrated stowed position into an extended position (e.g., into or out of the plane of  FIG. 5A ) by rotating about an axis centered on coupling structure  64  and structures  62  (e.g., axis  33 ). 
     Device  10  (e.g., the coupling structure in device  10 ) may have protrusions or wall structures that act to limit non-rotational movement of antenna structure  26 . A portion of antenna structure  26  may fit in between the wall structures of device  10 . The portion of antenna structure  26  that fits in between the wall structures of device  10  may be formed from elastic materials that enhance the ability of the antenna structure to break away from the electronic device. 
     The coupling structures of the  FIG. 5A  example are merely illustrative examples of coupling structures and any suitable coupling structure may be used (e.g., such as the types shown in  FIGS. 6-10 ). Coupling structures  62  and  64  may be electrically conductive or may have an electrically conductive coating in order to provide sufficient electrical coupling between communications path  22  and antenna resonating element  57 . 
     Coupling structures  62  may be formed of an elastic material such as an elastic metal or other suitable material. Elastic properties of coupling structures  62  may facilitate the physical and electrical coupling of antenna structure  26  to device  10  while allowing structure  26  to break-away from device  10  without causing damage to the antenna structure, the device, or the coupling structures. Elastic coupling structures may be configured to flex or bend in the elastic deformation regime while avoiding plastic deformation (e.g., non-reversible deformation). Coupling structure  64  may be formed using a cylindrical hole in antenna structure  26  that coupling structures  62  press into when the antenna structure is in its coupled position. Coupling structures  62  may be configured to flex so that, as antenna structure  26  is removed, coupling structures  62  may flex into a position that allows the antenna structure to be removed from or inserted into its coupled state with device  10 . 
     In  FIG. 5B , antenna structure  26  of  FIG. 5A  is shown in a partially removed or partially coupled state. The position of  FIG. 5B  may occur as the antenna structure is being removed from or attached to device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , elastic coupling structures  62  may be pressed into a flat configuration by a portion of antenna structure  26  as the antenna structure is removed or inserted. 
     In  FIG. 5C , antenna structure  26  of  FIG. 5A  is shown in a fully removed or uncoupled state. As shown in  FIG. 5C , elastic coupling structures  62  may return to their natural positions when antenna structure  26  is removed (e.g., their position when no forces are applied). As shown by line  66 , antenna structure  26  may be removed from or inserted into device  10 . 
     In  FIGS. 6A and 6B , two views of coupling structure  64  in antenna structure  26  are shown. Coupling structure  64  may be a cylindrical hole in antenna structure  26 .  FIG. 6A  shows a side view with dotted lines illustrating the bore of the cylindrical hole in antenna structure  26 . 
       FIG. 6B  shows a top view of the antenna structure of  FIG. 6A  (e.g., from the perspective indicated by lines  68 ). From the perspective of  FIG. 6B , the cylindrical hole in antenna structure  26  appears as a circular hole. 
     A coupling structure such as coupling structure  70  that may be used in antenna structure  26  is shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Coupling structure  70  may be a spherical depression in one side of antenna structure  26 .  FIG. 7A  shows a side view of coupling structure  70  with dotted lines indicating the outline of the spherical depression of coupling structure  70  in antenna structure  26 . 
       FIG. 7B  shows a top view of the coupling structure of  FIG. 7A  from the perspective indicated by lines  68 . From the perspective of  FIG. 7B , the spherical depression of coupling structure  70  appears as a circular depression (i.e., the deepest portions are in the center of the circular depression). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  8 C, a rectangular coupling structure such as coupling structure  72  may also be used in antenna structure  26 . Coupling structure  72  may be a rectangular depression in one side of antenna structure  26 .  FIG. 8A  shows a side view of coupling structure  70  with dotted lines indicating the outline of the rectangular depression of coupling structure  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , coupling structure  72  may have rounded edges. Rounded edges of coupling structure  72  may allow antenna structure  26  to be removed or break away with less applied force. For example, rounded edges of structure  72  may reduce the initial force require to remove antenna  26 . Rounded edges of structure  72  may also reduce the wear on structures  72  and corresponding coupling structures in antenna  26 . For example, the rounded edges of structure  72  may allow the corresponding coupling structure in antenna  26  to slide smoothly into structure  72  without grinding against sharp edges and wearing down either of the coupling structures. 
       FIG. 8C  shows a top view of coupling structure  70  (e.g., the coupling structure of  FIG. 8A  or  8 B) from the perspective indicated by lines  68 . 
     Coupling structure  72  and a corresponding rectangular coupling structure in device  10  may be configured to favor holding the antenna structure in one or more extended positions and a stowed position. Because coupling structure  72  is rectangular, the coupling structure may prefer to align with the corresponding coupling structure in device  10  at certain angles of extension. For example, antenna structure  26  may be configured to favor its stowed position, a fully extended position, and certain partially extended positions. If the fully extended position is defined to be ninety degrees of rotation around axis  33  from the stowed position, antenna structure  26  may be configured to favor zero degrees, ninety degrees, and one hundred and eighty degrees of rotation around axis  33 . In embodiments where antenna structure  26  is configured to favor multiple extended positions (i.e., rotational detents), a coupling structure with more than four sides may be used (e.g., a pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, etc.) Coupling structures with straight edges may limit antenna structure  26  from rotating further around axis  33  when one or more of the straight edges of the coupling structure are aligned. 
       FIGS. 9A-9J  illustrate various coupling structures that may be used in antenna structure  26  (e.g., as a part of coupling structure  54  of  FIG. 4 ) to physically and electrically couple the antenna structure to device  10 . The coupling structures of  FIGS. 9A-9J  may be electrically conductive or may be coated with an electrically conductive coating. The coupling structures of  FIGS. 9A-9J  that protrude from antenna structure  26  may be made from a flexible material to facilitate the physical and removable coupling of antenna structure  26  with device  10 . For example, coupling structures  74  and  80  may be formed from elastic materials. 
     Coupling structure  74 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 D, may be a spherical flexure. For example, coupling structure  74  may be formed in a spherical shape with an elastic material. Coupling structure  74  may couple with a corresponding coupling structure in device  10  such as a circular hole or a spherical depression in device  10  (e.g., in coupling structure  52  of  FIG. 4 ). Coupling structure  74  may be secured to antenna structure  26  at location  75  and may be able to flex into or against antenna structure  26 . For example, a force applied against coupling structure  74  may press the coupling structure into or flat against antenna structure  26  (e.g., so that the antenna structure may be removed from device  10 ). 
     Coupling structures that are described herein as spherical coupling structures (e.g., coupling structures such as coupling structure  62 ,  70 ,  74 ,  76 ,  86 , and  88 ) may be any suitable portion of a sphere and are not required to be complete spheres. For example, the spherical shape of the coupling structures of the present invention may also be referred to as a spherical cap (e.g., a portion of a sphere cut off by a plane). 
     With one suitable arrangement, coupling structures including those that are described herein as spherical coupling structures (e.g., structures  62 ,  70 ,  74 ,  76 ,  86 , and  88 ) may be formed in non-spherical shapes. For example, coupling structures may be formed using splined shapes, parabolic shapes, conical shapes, etc. Splined shapes may be, as an example, similar to deformed spherical shapes (e.g., lopsided spherical shapes). 
     Coupling structure  80  may be a rectangular flexure. Coupling structure  80  may be formed in a rectangular shape with an elastic material. In another example, coupling structure  80  may be formed in any suitable shape such as a pentagon, hexagon, etc. Coupling structure  80  may couple (e.g., mate) with a corresponding coupling structure in device  10  such as a rectangular hole or depression in device  10 . When coupling structure  80  is formed in a shape such as a pentagon, hexagon, etc., the corresponding coupling structure in device  10  may be a hole or depression with the appropriate shape. Coupling structure  80  may be secured to antenna structure  26  at location  75  and may be able to flex into or against antenna structure  26 . For example, when antenna structure  26  is removed from device  10 , coupling structure  80  may be pressed into or flat against antenna structure  26 . 
     Coupling structure  76 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 C, and  9 E, may be a spherical depression in antenna structure  26 . Coupling structure  76  may be configured to couple with a corresponding coupling structure in device  10  that may be similar to coupling structure  74 . 
     Illustrated by  FIGS. 9D ,  9 E, and  9 F, coupling structure  78  may be a rectangular depression in antenna structure  26 . Coupling structure  78  may couple with a corresponding coupling structure in device  10  such as a coupling structure similar to coupling structure  80 . 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 9H , antenna structure  26  may be configured with a single coupling structure (e.g., structure  80 ) and with no coupling structure on the opposing side (e.g., side  81 ). 
     A ball biased by a spring or other biasing member may be used as a coupling structure. As shown in  FIG. 9I , ball  82  may be biased by spring  84  and may be used to physically and electrically couple antenna structure  26  to device  10 . Ball  82  and/or spring  84  may be electrically conductive or may be coated with an electrically conductive coating. Ball  82  may be biased by spring  84  into a corresponding coupling structure in device  10  when the antenna structure is coupled with the device. For example, ball  82  may be biased into a spherical depression in device  10  such as the depression in coupling structure  86 . 
     In one embodiment, antenna structure  26  may be configured with two balls  82  that are biased by a single spring  84 . In another embodiment, the two balls may be biased by separate springs. The two balls may be biased into two corresponding coupling structures (e.g., structures  86  of  FIG. 10B ) when the antenna structure is coupled with device  10 . 
       FIGS. 10A-10J  illustrate various coupling structures that may be used in device  10  (e.g., as a part of coupling structure  52  of  FIG. 4 ) to physically and electrically couple antenna structure  26  to device  10 . The coupling structures of  FIGS. 10A-10J  may be electrically conductive or may be coated with an electrically conductive coating. The coupling structures of  FIGS. 10A-10J  that protrude from device  10  may be made from a flexible material or an elastic material to facilitate the physical and removable coupling of antenna structure  26  with device  10 . For example, coupling structures  88  and  90  may be formed from elastic materials. 
     Coupling structure  88 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 C, and  10 E, may be a suitably shaped flexure. For example, coupling structure  88  may be formed in a spherical shape with an elastic material. Coupling structure  88  may couple with a corresponding coupling structure in antenna structure  26  such as a circular hole or a spherical depression (e.g., such as coupling structure  54  of  FIG. 4 ). Coupling structure  88  may be secured to device  10  at location  85  and may be able to flex into or against device  10 . For example, a force applied against coupling structure  88  may press the coupling structure into or flat against device  10  (e.g., so that antenna structure  26  may be removed from device  10 ). Coupling structure  88  may be similar to coupling structure  74 . 
     Coupling structure  90  may be a rectangular flexure. Coupling structure  90  may be formed in a rectangular shape with an elastic material. In another example, coupling structure  90  may be formed in any suitable shape such as a pentagon, hexagon, etc. Coupling structure  90  may couple with a corresponding coupling structure in antenna structure  26  such as a rectangular hole or depression. When coupling structure  90  is formed in a shape such as a pentagon, hexagon, etc., the corresponding coupling structure in the antenna structure may be a hole or depression with the appropriate shape. Coupling structure  90  may be secured to device  10  at location  85  and may be able to flex into or against device  10 . For example, a force applied to coupling structure  90  may press the coupling structure into or flat against device  10 . 
     Coupling structure  86 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B, and  10 D, may be a spherical depression in device  10 . Coupling structure  86  may be configured to couple with a corresponding coupling structure in antenna structure  26  that may be similar to coupling structures  74  or  88 . 
     Illustrated by  FIGS. 10F ,  10 G, and  10 H, coupling structure  92  may be a rectangular depression in device  10 . Coupling structure  92  may couple with a corresponding coupling structure in antenna structure  26  such as a coupling structure similar to coupling structure  80  or  90 . 
     As illustrated by  FIG. 10H , device  10  may be configured with a single coupling structure (e.g., structure  92 ) and with no coupling structure on the opposing side (e.g., side  94 ). 
     A ball biased by a spring or other biasing member may be used as a coupling structure in an electronic device. As shown in  FIG. 10I , ball  96  may be biased by spring  98  and may be used to physically and electrically couple device  10  to antenna structure  26 . Ball  96  and/or spring  98  may be electrically conductive or may be coated with an electrically conductive coating. Ball  96  may be biased by spring  98  into a corresponding coupling structure in antenna structure  26  when the antenna structure is coupled with device  10 . For example, ball  96  may be biased into a spherical depression in coupling structure  54  of the antenna structure such as the depression in coupling structure  76 . 
     In one embodiment, device  10  may be configured with two balls  96  that are biased by springs  98 . The two balls may be biased into two corresponding coupling structures (e.g., structures  76  of  FIG. 9C ) when antenna structure  26  is coupled with device  10 . 
     The coupling structures of  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 A- 9 J, and  10 A- 10 J are merely illustrative examples of coupling structures that may be used in antenna structure  26  and device  10 . Any suitable combination of the various coupling structures described in connection with  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A,  7 B,  8 A- 8 C,  9 A- 9 J, and  10 A- 10 J may be used in antenna structure  26  and/or device  10 . Coupling structures that have been described as being in the antenna structure or in device  10  (e.g., as part of coupling structure  52  or  54  of  FIG. 4 ) may be swapped between the antenna structure and the device without sacrificing the functionality of the coupling structures. 
       FIGS. 11A ,  11 B, and  11 C show three stages of coupling of an antenna structure with device  10 .  FIG. 11A  illustrates antenna structure  26  in a coupled position with device  10 . When the coupling structures of antenna structure  26  and device  10  are in the coupled position, the antenna structure and the device are both physically and electrically coupled together. The coupling structures of antenna structure  26  and device  10  are illustrated as coupling structures  88  and  64 , respectively. However, any suitable coupling structures may be used in the antenna structure and the device. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11B , the antenna structure may be removed from device  10 . As the antenna structure is removed from device  10 , the coupling structures of the antenna structure and the device may flex to allow the antenna structure to be removed. For example, the coupling structures of device  10  (e.g., structures  88 ) may be deformed by the antenna structure as it is removed or inserted into device  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11C , when the antenna structure is completely decoupled from device  10 , the coupling structures of device  10  and antenna structure  26  may elastically return to their natural positions. For example, coupling structures  88  of device  10  may elastically return to the position shown in  FIG. 11C . As illustrated by dotted line  100 , antenna structure  26  may be coupled with or decoupled from device  10 . 
     As illustrated by  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the resilient antenna of  FIG. 2  (e.g., antenna structure  27 ) may be bent and secured into an antenna receptacle such as antenna receptacle  28  in device  10 . Antenna receptacle  28  may be a trough or a long, narrow, and shallow receptacle that is configured to hold resilient antenna structure  27  in a stowed position. For example, antenna receptacle  28  may be a trough with one or more tabs  102  that hold the antenna structure in its stowed position. Any suitable number of tabs may be used. The tabs may restrain the antenna structure within the trough of the antenna receptacle. The tabs may be spaced at least far enough apart that the resilient antenna may elastically flex or bend around the tabs when the resilient antenna is removed from the antenna receptacle. The antenna structure may include a flexible antenna resonating element formed from an elastic wire or other such structure. When a user desires to extend the antenna structure, the user may elastically flex or bend the resilient antenna structure around tabs  102  and the antenna structure may be removed through openings in the antenna receptacle such as openings  104 . The user may then extend the antenna structure by elastically flexing or bending the antenna structure to its extended position. With one suitable arrangement, the antenna structure may elastically return to its extended position when no stresses are applied (e.g., when the user is not bending the antenna into the antenna receptacle, or when the tabs are holding the antenna in the antenna receptacle). Antenna structure  27  may be electrically coupled to circuitry  18  (e.g., a radio-frequency transceiver) in device  10  through communications path at coupling point  106 . 
     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: 20110318
Publication Date: 20131112
Grant Date: 20131112
Priority Date: 20080402
Inventors: DEGNER BRETT WILLIAM
MCDONALD MATTHEW IAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/6276", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/2258", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/084", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/088", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6276", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/085", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/02", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6315", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/088", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6315", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/084", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/2258", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 41132777