PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8427379-B2
Application Number: US-85970110-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Modular material antenna assembly

Abstract:
A modular material antenna assembly is provided that includes an antenna block having a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of an electrically non-conductive frame and secures the antenna block to the electrically non-conductive frame. The electrically non-conductive frame is attached to an interior of an electrically conductive housing so that the electrically non-conductive frame and the electrically conductive housing form an integrated structure. An antenna flex is then mechanically secured to the antenna block. The antenna flex may also be electrically connected to a circuit board. The frame is designed to support a cover glass for the portable electronic device and may be affixed to a housing. The dielectric constant of the antenna block is substantially less than the dielectric constant of the frame.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A portable electronic device comprising:
 an electrically conductive housing; 
 an electrically non-conductive frame formed of a frame material having a first dielectric constant and attached to an interior of the electrically conductive housing, the housing and the frame forming an integrated structure; 
 an antenna block formed of an antenna block material having a second dielectric constant that is substantially less than the first dielectric, wherein a portion of the antenna block has a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of the frame and secures the antenna block to the frame; and 
 an antenna flex mechanically secured to the antenna block. 
 
     
     
       2. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame material is glass-filled plastic. 
     
     
       3. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna block material is Cyclo Olefin Polymer. 
     
     
       4. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive housing comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
       5. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically non-conductive frame contains a rim designed to support a cover glass of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       6. The portable electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the rim contains a flange. 
     
     
       7. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the antenna block that has a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of the frame is a notched portion and the corresponding portion of the frame is a tabbed portion. 
     
     
       8. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna block further comprises a second portion that has a shape that interlocks with a second corresponding portion of the frame. 
     
     
       9. The portable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna flex is mechanically secured to a conductive bracket welded to the electrically conductive housing, and electrically connected to a circuit board of the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       10. A method for assembling a portable electronic device, comprising:
 providing an electrically conductive housing; 
 gluing an electrically non-conductive frame to an interior of the electrically conductive housing, forming an integrated structure, wherein the electrically non-conductive frame is formed of a frame material having a first dielectric constant; 
 securing an antenna block to the frame by interlocking a portion of the antenna block having a first shape with a portion of the frame having a second shape corresponding to the first shape, wherein the antenna block is formed of an antenna block material having a second dielectric constant substantially less than the first dielectric constant; and 
 mechanically securing an antenna flex to the antenna block. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising welding a conductive bracket to the housing and wherein the electrically connecting includes connecting the antenna flex to the antenna block and to the conductive bracket. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein connecting the antenna flex to the antenna block includes screwing a screw through a hole in the antenna flex and through a hole in the antenna block. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein connecting the antenna flex to the conductive bracket includes screwing a screw through a hole in the antenna flex and through a hole in the bracket. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising connecting the antenna flex to a system board so that the antenna block can be used to send and receive wireless communications. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the wireless communications are performed via a WiFi protocol. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the wireless communications are performed via a Bluetooth™ protocol. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the wireless communications are performed via a short range broadband standard. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the wireless communications are performed via a cellular telephone protocol. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first dielectric constant is approximately 5. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the second dielectric constant is approximately 2.25. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the frame material has a dielectric loss tangent of between 2.5 and 4. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the frame material has a dielectric loss tangent of approximately 0.0005. 
     
     
       23. A computer readable medium for storing in non-transitory tangible form computer instructions executable by a processor for assembling a portable electronic device, the computer readable medium comprising:
 computer code for affixing an electrically non-conductive frame to an interior of an electrically conductive housing, forming an integrated structure, wherein the electrically non-conductive frame is formed of a frame material having a first dielectric constant; 
 computer code for securing an antenna block to the frame by interlocking a portion of the antenna block having a first shape with a portion of the frame having a second shape corresponding to the first shape, wherein the antenna block is formed of an antenna block material having a second dielectric constant substantially less than the first dielectric constant; and 
 computer code for mechanically securing an antenna flex to the housing and to the antenna block. 
 
     
     
       24. The computer readable medium of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 computer code for securing an electrically conductive bracket to the housing and to the antenna flex. 
 
     
     
       25. The computer readable medium of  claim 23 , wherein the computer code for affixing include computer code for controlling a robotic arm to glue the electrically non-conductive frame to an interior of the electrically conductive housing. 
     
     
       26. The computer readable medium of  claim 24 , wherein the computer code for electrically connecting an antenna flex to the housing and to the antenna block includes computer code for controlling an automatic screwdriver to drive in a screw attaching the antenna flex to the antenna block and to the bracket.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to consumer products, and more particularly, to a modular material antenna assembly. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A portable electronic device can take many forms such as, for example, a tablet computing device along the lines of an iPad™, a portable communication device such as an iPhone™, or a portable media player, such as an iPod™, each manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Such devices often have wireless communication mechanisms, in order to provide wireless communication between the portable device and base stations, cell phone towers, desktop computers, etc. Common wireless communication mechanisms include IEEE 802.11a, b, g, and n (commonly known as “WiFi”), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and cellular communications mechanisms such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). What is needed is improved techniques for integrating antennas into portable electronic devices to enable wireless communication. 
     SUMMARY 
     Broadly speaking, the embodiments disclosed herein describe a modular material antenna assembly that includes an antenna block having a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of an electrically non-conductive frame and secures the antenna block to the electrically non-conductive frame. The electrically non-conductive frame is attached to an interior of an electrically conductive housing so that the electrically non-conductive frame and the electrically conductive housing form an integrated structure. An antenna flex is then mechanically supported by the antenna block, and electrically connected to a circuit board. The frame is designed to support a cover glass for the portable electronic device and may be affixed to a housing. The dielectric constant of the antenna block is substantially less than the dielectric constant of the frame. In one embodiment, the antenna block is made of Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP), while the frame is made of a glass-filled plastic. The resultant difference in dielectric constant, in conjunction with the interlocking portions of the frame and antenna block, as well as the difference in dielectric loss tangent, improves antenna performance. 
     In another embodiment, a method for assembling a portable electronic device is provided. In this embodiment, an electrically conductive housing is provided. Then, an electrically non-conductive frame is glued to an interior of the electrically conductive housing, forming an integrated structure. The electrically non-conductive frame is formed of a frame material having a first dielectric constant. Then, an antenna block is secured to the frame by interlocking a portion of the antenna block having a first shape with a portion of the frame having a second shape corresponding to the first shape. The antenna block is formed of an antenna block material having a second dielectric constant substantially less than the first dielectric constant. An antenna flex is then supported by the antenna block. 
     In another embodiment, a computer readable medium is provided having computer code for affixing an electrically non-conductive frame to an interior of an electrically conductive housing, forming an integrated structure, wherein the electrically non-conductive frame is formed of a frame material having a first dielectric constant. This may include computer code for controlling robotic arms to glue the electrically non-conductive frame to an interior of the electrically conductive housing. The computer readable medium may also include computer code for securing an antenna block to the frame by interlocking a portion of the antenna block having a first shape with a portion of the frame having a second shape corresponding to the first shape. This may include computer code for controlling robotic arms to perform the interlocking. The computer readable medium may also include computer code for causing the antenna flex to be mechanically supported by the antenna block. This may include computer code for controlling an automatic screwdriver to screw in the antenna feed to the antenna block and to an electrically conducing bracket welded to the housing. 
     Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The described embodiments will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective top view illustrating a representative consumer product in accordance with the described embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective top view of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows a first cross section of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  shows a second cross section of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  shows an expanded view of a top perspective view of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  depicts an alternative interlocking shape in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  depicts an alternative locking shape in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  depicts an alternative interlocking shape in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an alternative locking shape in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a flow diagram depicting a method for assembling a portable electronic device in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram of a portable consumer device according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying the described embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the underlying concepts. 
     Broadly speaking, the embodiments disclosed herein describe a modular material antenna assembly that includes an antenna block having a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of an electrically non-conductive frame and secures the antenna block to the electrically non-conductive frame. The electrically non-conductive frame is attached to an interior of an electrically conductive housing so that the electrically non-conductive frame and the electrically conductive housing form an integrated structure. An antenna flex is then mechanically supported by the antenna block and electrically connected to a circuit board. The frame is designed to support a cover glass for the portable electronic device and may be affixed to a housing. The dielectric constant of the antenna block is substantially less than the dielectric constant of the frame. In one embodiment, the antenna block is made of Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP) while the frame is made of a glass-filled plastic. The resultant difference in dielectric constant, in conjunction with the interlocking portions of the frame and antenna block, as well as the difference in dielectric loss tangent, improves antenna performance. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective top view illustrating a representative consumer product  100  in accordance with the described embodiments. Consumer product  100  can take many forms, not the least of which includes a portable media player such as an iPod™ or iPod Touch™, a smartphone such as an iPhone™, and a tablet computer such as an iPad™, each manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Consumer product  100  can utilize an internal antenna to send and/or receive wireless communications. These wireless communications may be performed for many different purposes. For example, as will be described later, the wireless communications may be performed for mobile phone communications, WiFi communications, Bluetooth™ communications, wireless broadband communications, etc. Making these communications more efficient and effective provides for an improved user experience when using consumer product  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective top view of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. Here, housing  200  is provided, which is made of an electrically conductive material. An example of an electrically conductive material suitable for use with this embodiment is stainless steel, although one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many other potential materials that would be suitable with this embodiment and the claims should not be construed as being limited to stainless steel unless expressly stated. Frame  202  is affixed to housing  200 , and generally may act to support a front face (not pictured) of the device. The front face may be made of transparent material, such as glass, and may act to cover the device, yet permit a user to view through the cover to a display (not pictured) underneath. This display may also act as an input device. For example, the display may be one of many different types of touchscreens. 
     In order to support the cover, frame  202  may include rim  204  having flange portion  206 . In one embodiment, the cover is glued to rim  204  about flange  206 , thus sealing the entire device. Thus, rim  204  acts not only as a support for the cover but also as a junction area where the cover may be affixed to the frame. Frame  202  may be made of an electrically non-conductive frame material, such as a glass filled plastic. One example glass-filled plastic suitable for use in frame  202  is KALIX™, manufactured by Solvay Advanced Polymers of Alpharetta, Ga. KALIX™ includes 50% glass-fiber reinforced high-performance nylon. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many other potential frame materials that would be suitable for use with this embodiment, and the claims should not be construed as being limited to KALIX™ or any other glass-filled plastic unless expressly stated. 
     The dielectric constant of frame  202  is substantially greater than the dielectric constant of antenna block  208 . Glass-filled plastic, for example, has a dielectric constant of about 5, while COP, which, as described earlier, can be used as an antenna block material, may have a dielectric constant of approximately 2.25. Additionally, the dielectric loss tangent of frame  202  is substantially greater than the dielectric loss tangent of antenna block  208 . Glass-filled plastic, for example, has a dielectric loss tangent of between 2.5 and 4, whereas antenna block  208  composed of COP may have a dielectric loss tangent of approximately 0.0005. Dielectric loss tangent is a parameter of a dielectric material that quantifies its inherent dissipation of electromagnetic energy. The term refers to the angle in a complex plane between the resistive (lossy) component of an electromagnetic field and its reactive (lossless) component. The smaller the dielectric loss tangent, the less “lossy” the antenna reception. 
     In addition to being formed of an antenna block material that, as just described, has a dielectric constant substantially less than the frame material, antenna block  208  additionally has a portion with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion of frame  202  and secures the antenna block to the frame. This is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The device may additionally contain a printed circuit board (not pictured) Integrated circuits and other electrical components may be mounted to circuit board and may be used to operate the device as well as control the display. The printed circuit board can include a processor or processors configured to perform various functions of the device. 
       FIG. 3  shows a first cross section of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. This cross section represents the view from the side of the device in  FIG. 2 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , antenna block  208  contains a portion  210  with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion  212  of frame  202 . Here, the interlocking portions include a tabbed portion  212  of frame  202 , with a notched portion  210  of antenna block  208 . However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there may be many different ways in which to interlock these components in a manner that secures antenna block  208  to frame  202 , and the claims should not be limited to any particular shape(s) unless expressly stated. 
       FIG. 4  shows a second cross section of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. This cross section represents the view from the top end of the device in  FIG. 3 . Here, antenna block  208  has another portion  214  with a shape that interlocks with a corresponding portion  216  of frame  202 . This portion  214  is tabbed portion on the antenna block  208  side, while portion  216  is a notched portion  216  on the frame  202  side. By alternating the tabbed and notched portions between antenna block  208  and frame  202 , antenna block  208  can be secured more tightly to frame  202 . It should be noted that it is not necessary for there to be any particular number of these corresponding portions to interlock antenna block  208  and frame  202 . It is enough to have one set of interlocking portions in order for the antenna block  208  to be secured to the frame  202 . Nevertheless, additional interlocking portions can be provided to provide additional strength to the coupling of the two components. Additionally depicted in this figure is bracket  218 , which connects to housing  200  and permits electrical conductivity between an item screwed into the bracket  218  via screw hole  222  and housing  200 . Bracket  218  may be welded to the housing  200 . Bracket  218  may be composed of an electrically conductive material. 
       FIG. 5  shows an expanded view of a top perspective view of a modular material antenna assembly in accordance with one embodiment. Here, an antenna flex  222  has been mechanically secured to the top of antenna block  208 . Antenna flex  222  may be secured to antenna block  208  through the use of a screw  224  into bracket  218 , depicted in  FIG. 4 . It should be noted that it is not necessary for bracket  218  to be a separate component from housing  200 , and in fact in one embodiment, bracket  218  is integrally formed with housing  200 . Antenna flex  222  may also be electrically connected to a circuit board (not pictured) of the consumer product, and electrical components on the circuit board can additionally be electrically connected housing  200  to ground each of the components. 
     Additionally, antenna block  208  may be ground to housing  200 . In one example, an electrically conductive spring (known as a grounding spring) may be used to perform this task. The spring may itself have shapes that interlock with corresponding portions of antenna block  208  and housing  200 , in order to secure the grounding spring. Such a spring is designed to deform elastically, which can reduce the effect of bumps or other trauma to the consumer device. The elastic deformability of the spring can allow the spring to be retained between antenna block  208  and housing  200  even during drop events or other such impacts. 
     While antenna block  208  is depicted in  FIGS. 2-5  as having a particular shape, it is not necessary for the antenna block generally to be formed in any particular shape. Indeed, the shape of the antenna block may vary based on a number of different factors, including the design and form of neighboring structures, ease of construction, ease of installation, and how tightly the antenna block is to be secured to the frame. The manner in which the frame and antenna block interlock with each other can also affect antenna performance, and it is believed that having the interlocking portions be made of materials having different dielectric constants further improves antenna performance above. In other words, the interlocking aspect of the different dielectric constant materials increases antenna performance above and beyond what would occur if the different dielectric constant materials were connected without interlocking portions. 
     Additionally, the shape of the antenna block may alter the characteristics of wireless reception of the device. Certain shapes and/or sizes may generally increase or decrease wireless reception. Additionally, certain shapes and sizes may increase wireless reception when the device is used in certain manners and decrease wireless reception when the device is used in other manners. For example, the position of a user&#39;s hand while holding the device may alter the wireless reception characteristics of the device. This affect may be reduced or eliminated by providing more room between the antenna block and the portion of the housing at which the user typically grasps the device, or by the placement of an electrically non-conductive and physically buffering material such as a rubber bumper. As such, the antenna block may be designed to balance all of the above factors in the most efficient manner possible. 
     The antenna block, frame, and housing may be manufactured from any suitable material, using any suitable process. This may include, for example, metals, composite materials, plastic, etc. These components may be manufactured using any suitable approach, such as, for example, forming, forging, extruding, machining, molding, stamping, and any other suitable manufacturing process, or combinations thereof. 
     The antenna block may be configured to operate over any suitable band or bands to cover any existing or new services of interest. If desired, multiple antenna blocks may be provided to cover more bands, or one or more antennas may be provided with wide-bandwidth resonating elements to cover multiple communications bands of interest. Unless expressly disclaimed, nothing in this application should be construed as limiting the claimed embodiments to a single antenna block. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an alternative interlocking shape in accordance with an embodiment. This figure depicts a close-up of the interlocking shape area of the antenna block and frame, and the other features of the antenna block and frame (and perhaps other interlocking shapes elsewhere on those elements) are not depicted. Here, antenna block  600  contains a rounded notched portion  602 , which interlocks with a rounded tabbed portion  604  of frame  606 . By manufacturing the interlocking portions with rounded shapes as opposed to substantially rectangular shapes, assembly becomes easier because the shapes slide together more quickly than many rectangular shapes. This must be counterbalanced, however, by the fact that a rounded shape may not provide as much resistance to separation as substantially rectangular shapes. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an alternative locking shape in accordance with another embodiment. This figure depicts a close-up of the interlocking shape area of the antenna block and frame, and the other features of the antenna block and frame (and perhaps other interlocking shapes elsewhere on those elements) are not depicted. This embodiment is similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 , except that antenna block  700  contains a rounded tabbed portion  702 , which interlocks with a rounded notched portion  704  of frame  706 . As with the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the rounded design may speed up assembly, but may also be less reliable as far as locking antenna block  700  to frame  706 . 
       FIG. 8  depicts an alternative interlocking shape in accordance with an embodiment. This figure depicts a close-up of the interlocking shape area of the antenna block and frame, and the other features of the antenna block and frame (and perhaps other interlocking shapes elsewhere on those elements) are not depicted. Here, antenna block  800  contains a notched portion  802  having a rectangular portion  804  and a rounded portion  806 . Notched portion  802  interlocks with tabbed portion  808  of frame  810 . Tabbed portion  808  contains rectangular portion  812  and rounded portion  814 . This design provides exceptional locking ability, providing significant resistance to separation of antenna block  800  and frame  810 . This must be counterbalanced, however, by the fact that assembly of such interlocking portions may be difficult or even impossible if there are multiple such notched portions  802  and tabbed portions  808  in the device. This embodiment may be ideal, however, in cases where there is only a single interlocking portion for each of the antenna block and frame. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an alternative locking shape in accordance with another embodiment. This figure depicts a close-up of the interlocking shape area of the antenna block and frame, and the other features of the antenna block and frame (and perhaps other interlocking shapes elsewhere on those elements) are not depicted. This embodiment is similar to that shown in  FIG. 8 , except that antenna block  900  contains a tabbed portion  902  having a rectangular portion  904  and a rounded portion  906 . Tabbed portion  902  interlocks with notched portion  908  of frame  910 . Notched portion  908  contains rectangular portion  912  and rounded portion  914 . As with the embodiment in  FIG. 8 , this embodiment may be ideal in cases where there is only a single interlocking portion for each of the antenna block and frame. 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram depicting a method for assembling a portable electronic device in accordance with one embodiment. At  1000 , an electrically conductive housing is provided. This housing may be made of, for example, stainless steel. At  1002 , a bracket is welded to the housing. This bracket may be also made of an electrically conductive material. At  1004 , an electrically non-conductive frame is glued, or otherwise secured, to an interior of the electrically conductive housing, forming an integrated structure. The electrically non-conductive frame is formed of a frame material having a first dielectric constant. At  1006 , an antenna block is secured to the frame by interlocking a portion of the antenna having a first shape with a portion of the frame having a second shape corresponding to the first shape. The antenna block is formed of an antenna block material having a second dielectric constant substantially less than the first dielectric constant. At  1008 , an antenna flex is mechanically secured to the antenna block. The antenna flex may also be electrically connected to a circuit board. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of a portable consumer device according to one embodiment of the invention. The portable consumer device  1100  can utilize the modular material antenna assembly in accordance with any of the embodiments described above. Portable consumer device  1100  includes a processor  1102  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of portable consumer device  1100 . Portable consumer device  1100  stores media data pertaining to media items in a file system  1104  and a cache  1106 . File system  1104  is, typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks. File system  1104  typically provides high capacity storage capability for portable consumer device  1100 . File system  1104  can store not only media data but also non-media data (e.g., when operated in a disk mode). However, since the access time to file system  1104  is relatively slow, portable consumer device  1100  can also include a cache  1106 . Cache  1106  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to cache  1106  is substantially shorter than for file system  1104 . However, cache  1106  does not have the large storage capacity of file system  1104 . Further, file system  1104 , when active, consumes more power than does cache  1106 . The power consumption is often a concern when portable consumer device  1100  is a portable consumer device that is powered by a battery (not shown). 
     In one embodiment, portable consumer device  1100  serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs) in file system  1104 . When a user desires to have the portable consumer device play a particular media item, a list of available media items is displayed on display  1108 . Then, using a touchpad built into display  1108 , a user can select one of the available media items. Processor  1102 , upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., an audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC)  1110 . CODEC  1110  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  1112 . Speaker  1112  can be a speaker internal to the portable consumer device  1100  or external to the portable consumer device  1100 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to portable consumer device  1100  would be considered an external speaker. Speaker  1112  can not only be used to output audio sounds pertaining to the media item being played, but also to output sound effects and cellular phone call audio. The sound effects can be stored as audio data on the portable consumer device  1100 , such as in file system  1104 , cache  1106 , ROM  1114  or RAM  1116 . A sound effect can be output in response to a user input or a system request. When a particular sound effect is to be output to speaker  1112 , the associated sound effect audio data can be retrieved by processor  1102  and supplied to CODEC  1110  which then supplies audio signals to speaker  1112 . In the case where audio data for a media item is also being output, processor  1100  can process the audio data for the media item as well as the sound effect. In such case, the audio data for the sound effect can be mixed with the audio data for the media item. The mixed audio data can then be supplied to CODEC  1110  which supplies audio signals (pertaining to both the media item and the sound effect) to speaker  1112 . 
     Portable consumer device  1100  also includes a network/bus interface  1118  that couples to a data link  1120 . Data link  1118  allows the portable consumer device  1100  to couple to a host computer. Data link  1118  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, network/bus interface  1118  can include a wireless transceiver. 
     In one embodiment, the internal antenna is utilized for Wi-Fi communications, such as those in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 a, b, g, and n standards. Wi-Fi is commonly used to wirelessly network computing devices, and as such it is common for computer-related information to be transferred over the Wi-Fi connection. Nevertheless, other types of communications have been increasingly conducted over Wi-Fi connections, including, for example, video phone calls, the downloading of electronic books to tablet computers, etc. The modular material antenna assembly described herein can be utilized for such Wi-Fi communications. In another embodiment, the internal antenna is utilized for short-range wireless networking communications, such as those in accordance with the Bluetooth™ standard. 
     In another embodiment, the internal antenna is utilized for wireless broadband (WiBB) communications, such as IEEE 802.16, also known as WiMAX, Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS), and Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS). In another embodiment, the internal antenna is utilized for cellular communications. This may include communications conducted using one of many different cellular communications protocols, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), 3GSM, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), Digital AMPS (IS-136/TDMA), and Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN). 
     In some embodiments, the internal antenna is a broadband antenna that can be configured to receive multiple different frequency bands. Additional bands are expected to be deployed in the future as new wireless services are made available. Antenna designs of various embodiments may be configured to operate over any suitable band or bands to cover any existing or new services of interest. If desired, multiple antennas may be provided to cover more bands or one or more antennas may be provided with wide-bandwidth resonating elements to cover multiple communications bands of interest. An advantage of using a broadband antenna design that covers multiple communications bands of interest is that this makes it possible to reduce device complexity and cost and to minimize the amount of a handheld device that is allocated towards antenna structures. 
     A broadband design may be used for one or more antennas in wireless devices when it is desired to cover a relatively larger range of frequencies without providing numerous individual antennas or using a tunable antenna arrangement. If desired, a broadband antenna design may be made tunable to expand its bandwidth coverage or may be used in combination with additional antennas. In general, however, broadband designs tend to reduce or eliminate the need for multiple antennas and tunable configurations. 
     In addition, embodiments of the present invention further relate to computer storage products with a computer-readable medium that have computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs and holographic devices; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer code include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. 
     In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes computer program instructions for performing the various steps of assembling a portable electronic device. Specifically, the computer program instruction may act to control various automatic installation components, such as, for example, robotic arms, automatic screwdrivers, etc. that can assemble the device without the need for human intervention (or, at least, minimizing human intervention). In this way, the computer instructions may be programmed to control a machine to weld a bracket to an electrically conductive housing, glue an electrically non-conductive frame to the interior of the electrically conductive housing, secure the antenna block to the frame by interlocking the portion of the antenna having a first shape with a portion of the frame having a second shape corresponding to the first shape, mechanically secure the antenna flex to the antenna block by, for example, screwing a screw through the antenna flex and the bracket, etc. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20100819
Publication Date: 20130423
Grant Date: 20130423
Priority Date: 20100819
Inventors: ROTHKOPF FLETCHER R.
HOBSON PHILLIP M.
MITTLEMAN ADAM
SHEDLETSKY ANNA-KATRINA
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "Y10T29/49016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/243", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49016", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 45593628