PICTURE FRAME ANTENNA ASSEMBLIES

• US 20080291345A1
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Antennas Direct, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Antennas Direct, Inc.
• Inventors: Schneider, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US12/126,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20080291345A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/836
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/007 specially adapted for indoor communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/28 Conical, cylindrical, cage, strip, gauze, or like elements having an extended radiating surface; Elements comprising two conical surfaces having collinear axes and adjacent apices and fed by two-conductor transmission lines waveguide horns or mouths H01Q13/00; slot antennas H01Q13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/285 Planar dipole H01Q9/065 takes precedence; patch antenna H01Q9/0407
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A picture frame antenna assembly comprising:

a backing defining at least one recess;

a frame removably attachable to the backing for holding a photograph therebetween, the frame having a generally annular shape with an opening through which a portion of the photograph is visible; and

at least one or more antenna element disposed within the recess defined by the backing.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna element is tuned to receive signals having a frequency associated with high definition television.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna element is tuned to receive signals having a frequency associated with UHF.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna element is tuned to receive signals having a frequency from about four hundred megahertz and about eight hundred megahertz.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna element is 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, and wherein the assembly is 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.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is defined by the backing with a shape corresponding to a shape of the at least one antenna element.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the at least one recess and at least one antenna element are generally H-shaped.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is defined by the backing with a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of the at least one antenna element such that the at least one antenna element is confined within a thickness defined by the backing.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one recess is defined by the backing to form an interference fit with the at least one at least one antenna element that helps retain the positioning of the at least one antenna element relative to the backing.

10. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one adhesive layer disposed over a front surface of the backing and the at least one antenna within the recessed portion to thereby help retain the at least one antenna element within the recessed portion and conceal the at least one antenna element.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one antenna element is adhesively attached to the backing.

12. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one adhesive member adhesive disposed generally between a rear surface of the at least one antenna element and a bottom surface of the recessed portion.

13. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a protective cover positionable generally between the frame and the backing through which at least a portion of the photograph is visible.

14. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one communication link for communicating signals received by the antenna element to an external device.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one communication link comprises a coaxial cable.

16. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising an easel pivotable relative to the backing between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the easel helps support the assembly on a generally horizontal surface.

17. An assembly suitable for displaying a photograph and operable for receiving signals, the assembly comprising:

a backing;

at least one photomount coupled to the backing;

at least one antenna element disposed generally between the backing and the photomount.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one antenna element is tuned to receive signals having a frequency associated with high definition television.

19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one antenna element is tuned to receive signals having a frequency associated with UHF.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one antenna element is tuned to receive signals having a frequency from about four hundred megahertz and about eight hundred megahertz.

21. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one antenna element is 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, and wherein the assembly is 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.

22. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the backing defines at least one recess in which the at least one antenna element is disposed.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one recess is defined by the backing with a shape corresponding to a shape of the at least one antenna element.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the at least one recess and at least one antenna element are generally H-shaped.

25. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one recess is defined by the backing with a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of the at least one antenna element such that the at least one antenna element is confined within a thickness defined by the backing.

26. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the at least one recess is defined by the backing to form an interference fit with the at least one at least one antenna element that helps retain the positioning of the at least one antenna element relative to the backing.

27. The assembly of claim 22, further comprising at least one adhesive layer disposed over a front surface of the backing and the at least one antenna within the recessed portion to thereby help retain the at least one antenna element within the recessed portion and conceal the at least one antenna element.

28. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one antenna element is adhesively attached to the backing.

29. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising at least one communication link for communicating signals received by the antenna element to an external device.

30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the at least one communication link comprises a coaxial cable.

31. The assembly of claim 17, further comprising an easel pivotable relative to the backing between a stowed position and a deployed position in which the easel helps support the assembly on a generally horizontal surface.

32. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the photomount comprises a frame removably attachable to the backing for holding a photograph therebetween, the frame defining a window through which at least a portion of the photograph is visible.

33. The assembly of claim 32, further comprising a protective cover positionable generally between the frame and the backing over at least the portion of the photograph visible through window.

34. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the photomount comprises a border removably attachable to the backing for holding a photograph therebetween.

35. The assembly of claim 34, further comprising a protective cover positionable generally between the border and the backing over at least the portion of the photograph visible through window.

36. A method of displaying a photograph and receiving high definition television signals, the method comprising positioning a photograph generally between a frame and a backing, removably attaching the frame to the backing, and connecting at least one communication link 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, whereby the at least one antenna element is hidden from view.