The present disclosure relates to picture frame antenna assemblies.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
People enjoy collecting, displaying, and viewing photographs of their family, friends, pets, as well as diplomas, artwork, etc. It is often convenient to use photo frames to display pictures in homes and offices.
Another activity many people enjoy is watching television. Recently, the television experience has been greatly improved due to the arrival of high definition television (HDTV). A great number of people pay for HDTV through their existing cable or satellite TV service provider. In fact, many people are unaware that HDTV signals are commonly broadcast over the free public airwaves. This means that HDTV signals may be received for free with the appropriate antenna. As recognized by the inventor hereof, existing HDTV antennas are usually designed for outdoor use, and those designed for indoor use are visually unattractive and obtrusive.
This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
According to various aspects of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are provided of picture frame antenna assemblies. In one exemplary embodiment, an assembly generally includes a backing defining at least one recess. A frame is removably attachable to the backing for holding a photograph therebetween. The frame has a generally annular shape with an opening through which a portion of the photograph is visible. At least one antenna element is disposed within the recess defined by the backing.
Another exemplary embodiment provides an assembly suitable for displaying a photograph and operable for receiving signals. In this exemplary embodiment, the assembly generally includes a backing and at least one photomount coupled to the backing. At least one antenna element is disposed generally between the backing and the photomount.
Other aspects relate to methods of making and using picture frame antennas. Various embodiments relate to methods of displaying a photograph and receiving high definition television signals. In one such embodiment, a method generally includes positioning a photograph generally between a frame and a backing. The frame may be removably attached to the backing. A communication link may be connected to a television for communicating signals to the television that are received by at least one antenna element disposed within at least one recessed portion of the backing.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill.
In order to provide an aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive antenna that may be used indoors for receiving signals, the inventor hereof has developed various embodiments of picture frame antenna assemblies. In some exemplary embodiments, an HDTV antenna is incorporated into or combined with a picture frame in an manner such that the HDTV antenna is operable for receiving HDTV signals while the HDTV antenna remains concealed and hidden from view. Plus, the assembly may also be used to display photographs, artwork, diplomas, etc. Accordingly, various embodiments of the picture frame antenna assemblies disclosed herein have dual functionality, e.g., receiving HDTV signals and displaying photographs, etc.
The picture frame antenna assembly 100 may be provided in various sizes and shapes. In one exemplary embodiment, the picture frame antenna assembly 100 is configured for holding an 8″×10″ photo, and the picture frame antenna assembly 100 is about nine inches tall by eleven inches wide and one inch deep. These dimensions for the picture frame antenna assembly and photo size (as are all dimensions set forth herein) are for purposes of illustration only as the specific dimensions for a particular application may be changed. For example, other embodiments may include the picture frame antenna being configured for holding other photograph sizes, such as 11″×17″, 5″×7″, 3.5″×3.5″, 3″×5″, 4″×6″, 8½″×11″, 11″×17″, etc.).
With further reference to
The frame 104 may be coupled to the adhesive layer 120 and/or backing 108 in various ways using various attachment methods or means (e.g., (e.g., adhesives, finishing screws, Velcro® hook and loop closures, magnets, etc.). In the particular illustrated embodiment, tabs, latches, or clips 136 are coupled to the frame 104. As shown in
A wide variety of materials may be used for the frame 104, including plastics, woods, composite materials, electrically non-conductive or dielectric materials, etc. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the frame 104 is formed from cherry wood, so as to be very elegant and aesthetically pleasing.
As shown in
But when stowed, however, the easel 132 may be substantially flush with the back of the backing 108. In which case, the easel 132 in the stowed position will not extend outwardly a significant distance beyond the frame's back surface, thereby allowing the picture frame antenna assembly 100 to lay substantially flat against a wall as shown in
Additionally, the length of the easel 132 preferably allows the picture frame antenna assembly 100 to lean upon and be supported by the easel 132 at an aesthetically pleasing angle (e.g., an oblique angle, about ninety degrees, etc.) so that a photograph is displayed by the picture frame antenna assembly 100 at an orientation that is in a generally upright or diagonally upwardly direction.
A wide range of materials may be used for the easel 132 including plastics, cardboard, wood, composite materials, electrically non-conductive or dielectric materials, etc. In one exemplary embodiment, the easel 132 is formed from one or more materials so as to provide the easel 132 with a relatively high coefficient of friction. This, in turn, would help the picture frame antenna assembly 100 resist sliding relative to the surface on which the picture frame antenna assembly 100 is being supporting by the easel 132.
In regard to the backing 108, a wide range of materials may also be used (e.g., electrically non-conductive or dielectric materials, soft materials, etc.). In some preferred embodiments, the backing 108 is made of a relatively soft material to prevent, or at least reduce, the possibility of the assembly 100 scratching the surface on which it is placed. In addition, the backing 108 may also be formed from one or more materials so as to provide the backing 108 with a relatively high coefficient of friction. This, in turn, would help the assembly 100 resist sliding relative to the surface (e.g., top surface of television as shown in
With further reference to
In some embodiments, the recesses 112 are sufficiently deep to allow the antenna elements 116 to be disposed or confined entirely therein. That is, the recesses 112 may each have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of the corresponding antenna element 116 such that the antenna elements 116 are confined entirely within the overall thickness of the backing 108. This, in turn, would allow a photograph or other item to lay substantially flat against the adhesive layer 120 without interference from the antenna elements 116, since the antenna elements 116 would not be protruding outwardly beyond the recesses 112.
In some embodiments, the recesses 112 are defined so as to form an interference, friction or snug fit with the antenna elements 116. In such embodiments, the interference fit may thus help retain the positioning of the antenna elements 116 relative to the backing 108. Alternatively, the backing 108 may include more or less than two recesses or depressed portions and/or with a different configuration (e.g., different shapes, sizes, positions, locations, etc.) depending, for example, on the particular configuration of the one or more antenna elements to be used. As an example, other embodiments may include a backing without any recesses such that the antenna elements are sandwiched between the backing and the adhesive layer.
As just noted, some embodiments include an interference or friction fit that is formed between the backing 108 and the antenna elements 116 when positioned within the recesses 112. In addition, or as an alternative to such a retention method, some embodiments adhesively attached the antenna elements to the backing 108.
For example,
Other embodiments may include only the adhesive layer 120 and not the adhesive strips 122. Still other embodiments may include the adhesive strips 122 but not the adhesive layer 120. Alternative methods may also be employed for retaining the antenna elements within the recesses.
In order to protect the photograph or other item being displayed, for example, from fingerprints, etc., various embodiments also include a protective cover 124. As shown in
For the exemplary assembly 100 shown in
In various embodiments, the antenna elements 116 is tuned to receive signals having a frequency associated with high definition television or UHF signals within a frequency range of about four hundred megahertz and about eight hundred megahertz. In such embodiments, narrowly tuning the antenna elements 116 for receiving these HDTV signals allows the antenna elements 116 to be smaller and yet still function adequately. With its smaller or discrete size, the antenna elements 116 may be disposed within the recesses 112 of the backing 108 in a manner such that the antenna elements 116 will not interfere or take away from the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the picture frame assembly 100 or interfere with displaying a photograph. For example, the antenna element 116 may in some embodiment be made sufficiently thin to fit entirely within the recess 112 such that the antenna element 116 is confined within the thickness of the backing 108. Accordingly, the antenna element 116 would thus not protrude outwardly beyond the backing 108, which might otherwise inhibit the photograph from lying flat against the adhesive layer 120.
A wide range of materials may be used for the antenna elements 116. In various preferred embodiments, the antenna elements 116 are formed of stainless steel. Alternatively, other materials may also be used.
In the illustrated embodiment, a coaxial cable 128 is used for transmitting signals received by the antenna elements 116 to an external device, such as a television (e.g.,
Various methods may be used for attaching the coaxial cable 128. As shown in
Exemplary operational parameters of the exemplary picture frame antenna assembly 100 will now be provided for purposes of illustration only. These operational parameters may be changed for other embodiments depending on the particular application and type of signals to be received by the antenna.
By way of example, the picture frame antenna assembly 100 may be configured such that it has a range of up to fifteen miles of the transmitter. In other words, the assembly 100 may performs best in strong signal areas, which usually occurs within fifteen miles of the transmitter. This, however, may depend on the particular transmitter that is transmitting the signals received by the assembly 100. Continuing with this example, the assembly 100 may be configured to have a gain of approximately 6.5 decibels and be tuned for receiving signals associated with UHF channels 14 through 69. The assembly 100 may include a cherry wood frame 104 with glass protective cover 124. The assembly 100 may also be configured to support a photograph in landscape orientation, portrait orientation, or both. The assembly 100 may further include a 75-ohm RG6 coaxial cable 124 fitted with F-Type connector (although other suitable communication links may also be employed).
The assembly 100 may be configured or tuned to receive signals having a frequency associated with digital television reception within a first frequency range of about 174 megahertz and about 216 megahertz, and within a second frequency range of about 470 megahertz and about 698 megahertz. The assembly 100 may be configured to have a maximum gain of about 6 dBi (decibels referenced to isotropic gain) above a reference dipole and an output with an impedance of about 75 Ohms.
In various embodiments, one or more externally visible portions of a picture frame antenna (e.g., back surface of the backing, front surface of the adhesive layer or sheet, frame member, etc.) may be provided or decorated with a wide range of indicia including advertising content, trademarks, trade names, service marks, graphic images, graphic elements, designs, artwork, distinctive marks, identifying symbols, company logos, company contact information, text, alphanumeric characters, sports team insignias, names, monograms, photographs, among others. For example, the frame 104 may be decorated with textual messages, ornate decorations, etc. Or, for example, the front surface portion of the adhesive layer 120 that is visible through the cover 124 may be provided with an image of a HDTV flat panel television in order to emphasize to potential customers that the picture frame antenna has the dual functionality of being a picture frame and a HDTV antenna. This, in turn, may thus enhance the commercial appeal of a picture frame antenna assembly.
In other embodiments, the backing may be used with different frame configurations (e.g., different shapes, different sizes, different designs, less elegant designs, different materials, etc.) and/or without any frame whatsoever.
For example,
In yet other embodiments, a combination antenna and photograph display device may include a backing with at least one recessed portion in which is positioned at least one antenna element. Such other embodiments may not include any frame or border 104, 204. For example, one such frameless display device may include a backing and antenna elements substantially identical in structure as the backing 108 and antenna elements 116 described above and shown in
Other embodiments relate to methods of making and using picture frame antenna assemblies. Various embodiments relate to methods of displaying a photograph while also receiving high definition television signals. In one such embodiment, a method generally includes positioning a photograph generally between a frame and a backing. The frame may be removably attached to the backing. A communication link may be connected to a television for communicating signals to the television that are received by at least one antenna element disposed within at least one recessed portion of the backing.
Embodiments disclosed herein may be used for displaying various objects and items, including photographs, artwork, diplomas, certificates, paintings, etc. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be limited to displaying any one particular type/size/shape of item or object, such as a photograph. Likewise, embodiments disclosed herein may include antenna elements tuned for receiving signals having frequencies not associated with HDTV, such as AM/FM radio signals, etc. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure should not be limited to receiving only signals having a frequency or within a frequency range associated with HDTV only. Picture frame antenna assemblies disclosed herein may alternatively be used in conjunction with any of a wide range of other electronic devices, such as radios, etc. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be limited to use with only HDTV televisions.
Terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” and the like when used herein refer to positions of the respective elements as they are shown in the accompanying drawings, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited to such positions. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.
When introducing elements or features and the exemplary embodiments, the articles “a,” “an,” “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/931,448 filed May 23, 2007. The entire closure of the provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60931448 | May 2007 | US |