Handheld electronic touch screen communication device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9838059-B2
Application number	US-201615226086-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2016
Priority date	Jun 21, 2007
Publication date	Dec 5, 2017
Grant date	Dec 5, 2017

Abstract

A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. Transceiver circuitry, such as radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry configured to transmit and receive RF signals, may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. The electronic device may have an integrated touch screen display in which a user can control the device by interacting directly with the display.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of using a wireless communications device having a front surface, sides, and back, the method comprising:
receiving and sending radio frequency (RF) signals through RF circuitry for wireless communications, wherein the RF circuitry includes an RF transceiver;
accepting input through contact with a touch sensor integrated with a display of the wireless communications device, wherein the display includes a glass element having an exposed surface that is planar with the front surface of the wireless communications device;
converting the contact with the touch sensor into commands for the wireless communications device; and
accepting input commands for the wireless communications device from a button integrated into the exposed surface of the glass element of the display.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
creating sound through a speaker integrated in the wireless communications device.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving voice commands through a microphone integrated in the wireless communications device.

4. A wireless communications device having a front surface, sides, and back, the wireless communications device comprising:
radio frequency (RF) circuitry configured to receive and send RF signals for wireless communications, wherein the RF circuitry includes an RF transceiver;
a display, wherein the display includes at least one touch sensor integrated with the display, wherein the display is configured to accept input through contact with the touch sensor, wherein the display converts the contact into commands for the wireless communications device, and wherein the display includes a glass element having an exposed surface that is planar with the front surface of the wireless communications device; and
a button integrated into the exposed surface of the glass element of the display, wherein the button is configured to accept input commands for the wireless communications device.

5. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , further comprising a speaker configured to create sound.

6. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , further comprising a microphone configured to receive voice commands.

7. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a metal element that defines at least a portion of the sides of the wireless communications device.

8. The wireless communications device of claim 7 , wherein the display is secured relative to the metal element.

9. The wireless communications device of claim 7 , wherein the metal element surrounds a periphery of the wireless communications device.

10. The wireless communications device of claim 7 , wherein the metal element is formed from aluminum.

11. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , wherein the display covers most of an available surface area on the front surface of the wireless communications device.

12. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , wherein the button is round.

13. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , wherein the display include a liquid crystal display.

14. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , wherein the display includes an organic light emitting diode display.

15. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , wherein the button includes an electrical assembly.

16. The wireless communications device of claim 15 , wherein the electrical assembly includes a switch and a flex circuit.

17. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , further comprising:
a cover at the back of the wireless communications device, wherein the cover is formed from a dielectric material.

18. The wireless communications device of claim 17 , wherein the dielectric material is plastic.

19. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , wherein the display includes an outermost layer and wherein the outermost layer of the display is the glass element.

20. The wireless communications device of claim 4 , further comprising:
an ambient light sensor mounted behind the glass element of the display.

Assignees

• Apple Inc
• Seid Vincent Keane

Inventors

• Hobson Phillip Michael
• Wang Erik L
• Jenks Kenneth A
• Hill Robert J
• Schlub Robert W
• Dinh Richard Hung Minh
• Tan Tang Yew
• Mittleman Adam D
• Andre Bartley K
• Coster Daniel J
• De Iuliis Daniele
• Howarth Richard P
• Ive Jonathan P
• Jobs Steven P
• Kerr Duncan Robert
• Nishibori Shin
• Rohrbach Matthew Dean
• Satzger Douglas B
• Seid Calvin Q
• Stringer Christopher J
• Whang Eugene Antony
• Zörkendörfer Rico L

Classifications

• H04M1/03

  Constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. telephone hand-sets · CPC title

• H04M2250/22

  including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector · CPC title

• H04B1/3833 Primary

  Hand-held transceivers · CPC title

• H04M2250/74

  with voice recognition means · CPC title

• H04M1/0266 Primary

  for a display module assembly · CPC title