Handheld Electronic Device With Cable Grounding

Abstract

A handheld electronic device may be provided that contains a conductive housing and other conductive elements. The conductive elements may form an antenna ground plane. One or more antennas for the handheld electronic device may be formed from the ground plane and one or more associated antenna resonating elements. Transceiver circuitry may be connected to the resonating elements by transmission lines such as coaxial cables. Ferrules may be crimped to the coaxial cables. A bracket with extending members may be crimped over the ferrules to ground the coaxial cables to the housing and other conductive elements in the ground plane. The ground plane may contain an antenna slot. A dock connector and flex circuit may overlap the slot in a way that does not affect the resonant frequency of the slot. Electrical components may be isolated from the antenna using isolation elements such as inductors and resistors.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wireless communications device having a front surface, a back surface, and side surfaces, comprising:
 a display forming the majority of the front surface of the wireless communications device;   a first housing structure that surrounds the display; and   a second housing structure attached to the first housing structure, wherein the second housing structure forms a majority of the back surface, and wherein the second housing structure forms a portion of the side surfaces of the wireless communications device.   
     
     
         2 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 1 , further comprising an ambient light sensor, wherein the ambient light sensor is mounted below the front surface formed by the display. 
     
     
         3 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a button that protrudes through the display. 
     
     
         4 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 3  wherein the button allows a user to supply an input command to the wireless communications device and wherein the button is round and has a concave exterior surface. 
     
     
         5 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a radio-frequency transceiver;   an antenna;   a transmission line coupled between the radio-frequency transceiver and the antenna;   a plurality of conductive fasteners connected to the transmission line; and   a conductive member connected to the conductive fasteners.   
     
     
         6 . A wireless communications device having a front surface and sides, comprising:
 a housing having a portion that surrounds the sides of the wireless communications device; and   a display positioned within the housing and having an integrated touch sensor and an outermost glass element, the glass element covering the front surface of the wireless communications device.   
     
     
         7 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the housing that surrounds the sides of the wireless communications device is formed from metal. 
     
     
         8 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the portion of the housing that surrounds the sides of the wireless communications device is formed from plastic that is coated with metal. 
     
     
         9 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the outermost glass element is planar. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the outermost glass element has at least one hole. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a button, wherein the button is accommodated by the hole. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 11 , wherein the button allows a user to supply an input command to the wireless communications device and wherein the button is round and has a concave exterior surface. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a speaker, wherein the speaker is accommodated by the hole. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 6 , wherein the outermost glass element includes a first hole in an upper region of the glass member and a second hole in a lower region of the glass member. 
     
     
         15 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 14 , wherein the first hole accommodates a speaker and the second hole accommodates a button. 
     
     
         16 . A wireless communications device having a front surface, comprising:
 a housing;   a speaker located at the front surface of the wireless communications device;   a button that allows a user to supply an input command and that is located at the front surface of the wireless communications device;   a display positioned in the housing, the display covering most of the front surface of the wireless communications device, and the display having one or more holes including a first hole to accommodate the button and a second hole to accommodate sound from the speaker; and   an antenna positioned within the housing.   
     
     
         17 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the button is round and has a concave exterior surface. 
     
     
         18 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the housing is formed from anodized aluminum. 
     
     
         19 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the display includes a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
         20 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the display includes an organic light emitting diode display. 
     
     
         21 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the display includes an outermost layer and wherein the outermost layer of the display is a glass layer. 
     
     
         22 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , wherein the wireless communications device includes a rear surface and side surfaces and wherein the housing forms at least the rear surface and the side surfaces. 
     
     
         23 . The wireless communications device defined in  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a metal frame;   a radio-frequency transceiver;   a transmission line coupled between the radio-frequency transceiver and the antenna;   a plurality of ferrules connected to the transmission line; and   a conductive member that is welded to the metal frame and that electrically connects the ferrules to the metal frame.