Abstract:
A WiFi chipset is integrated into a TV chassis as are wireless audio-video signal antennas that feed the chipset and that are embedded in the display bezel. The TV processor causes signals from home network components received through the antennas and chipset to be displayed on the TV.

Description:
I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to embedded wireless modules (chipsets) and associated antennas for network TVs. 
       II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Home networks are provided in which information including multimedia is shared among networked components. For example, a TV might access a disk player or central server to play multimedia programming stored on disk or at the server. The TV might also access a hard disk drive to play recorded TV programming, display digital photographs, etc. 
         [0003]    TVs also evolve, and presently relatively large flat panel display TVs can be mounted on walls as beautiful pieces of art work in which unsightly wires (network cables, video cables, etc.) are removed from view. This is often accomplished using wireless technology, wherein TVs wirelessly receive multimedia information from other components in the network. 
         [0004]    As understood herein, relatively large wireless bandwidth is required to transfer multimedia information in a home network. For instance, compressed high definition (HD) video requires between twenty and fifty megabits per second of bandwidth. 
         [0005]    Also understood herein, the evolution of flat panel display TVs has progressed with an emphasis on the TV&#39;s aesthetic value as it hangs in a room. With this in mind, TVs have morphed in decoration and become increasingly slim around the border of the display screen, limiting the space in which an antenna to support a WLAN network may be housed. Display screen borders in upcoming models are expected to be decorative, e.g. comprised of a transparent material, such as glass, further restricting the placement area for an antenna to have an unabated view of the room behind the TV. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Rather than removing the unsightly antenna, the present invention proposes to disguise the antenna as a cosmetic feature in order to improve antenna performance and maintain a sleek look. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, a TV includes a chassis, a TV display on the chassis, and a wireless module supported by the chassis and configured to receive at least audio and video signals. A TV processor communicates with the wireless module. The audio-video signals are presentable on the TV display under the control of the TV processor. A TV tuner receives TV signals from a TV signal source. At least one antenna element is juxtaposed with a bezel surrounding the display, sending at least audio and video signals received from a home network to the wireless module. 
         [0008]    Thus, a bezel surrounds the TV display. In example embodiments, various forms of antennas are embedded in the bezel surrounding the display. The bezel may be composed of transparent material, making the antennas themselves cosmetic features particularly when they are evenly placed and of decorative material. The bezel may have additional decorative elements to complement the real antennas. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments the antenna element is shaped like an inverted letter “F” defining a stalk of disposed along a diagonal from a corner of the bezel. Or, the antenna element can be a polarization diversity antenna disposed along a diagonal from a corner of the bezel. The antenna element may have a sawtooth shape. Yet again, the antenna element may include a meander line-diversity spacing antenna. Indeed, two meander-line like antenna elements can be parallel to each other and can extend generally vertically from a top edge of the bezel to a top edge of the display. 
         [0010]    The antenna element can be molded into a backside of the bezel. Or, the antenna element can be sandwiched between two pieces of the bezel. If desired, a decorative trim line can be disposed along a diagonal from a bezel corner symmetrically with the antenna element. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a display apparatus has a wireless chipset in a display chassis and a video display on the chassis. A bezel borders the display. At least one wireless audio-video signal antenna element feeds data to the chipset. The antenna is disposed on or in the bezel. A processor in the chassis causes signals from components received through the antenna and chipset to be presented on the display. 
         [0012]    In another aspect, a system is disclosed for facilitating presentation on a TV in a home network audio-video content wirelessly received from the home network without requiring antenna wires extending outside the TV to receive the content. The system includes means for displaying video content, means for holding the means for displaying. And means for framing the means for displaying. Antenna means are embedded in the means for framing and configured for wirelessly receiving the audio-video content from the home network. 
         [0013]    The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the front of a wall-mounted flat panel TV, showing network components schematically; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of a flat panel TV with various antenna embodiments to illustrate potential methods of disguising antenna in display border. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a home network  10  may include one more TVs  12  (only a single TV shown) with a TV chassis  14  holding a TV display  16 . Typically, a plastic frame-like bezel  18  frames the display  16 . 
         [0017]    A TV  12  may be mounted by means known in the art on a surface  20  of a dwelling, such as a wall or ceiling. The TV  12  may be an analog and/or digital TV with a flat panel (matrix-type) standard definition and/or high definition (HD) display  16 , although other types of displays may be used. 
         [0018]    The network  10  may include various components that communicate audio-video information wirelessly to the TV  12  using, e.g., WiFi principles, Bluetooth principles, or other wireless principles known in the art. For example, the TV  12  may receive compressed or uncompressed HD video from a computer server  22 , a disk player  24 , a personal video recorder (PVR)  26 , and a personal computer (PC)  28 , as well as other information such as digital photographs for display on the TV  12 . Other network components such as game players or indeed other TVs may be provided in the network  10 . A hand-held remote control device  30  may be manipulated by a person to input wireless command signals to the TV  12  and/or to various network components in accordance with principles known in the art. 
         [0019]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , the front of the TV  12  is shown. The display  16 , such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), is framed by a bezel  18 , illustrated here to be comprised of a clear or translucent material, e.g. glass. The bezel  18  may be any decorative item however, such as clear or translucent plastic. Example embodiments of the decorative antenna in the top left and top right corners of the bezel  18 , inverted—F antenna  32  (i.e., an antenna shaped like an inverted letter “F”, in some embodiments with the two cross lines connected together as shown and the stalk of the “F” disposed along a diagonal from the top left corner) and diagonal polarization diversity antenna  34 , respectively, which may be 2×MIMO antennas with polirization diversity. The diagonal antenna  34  is disposed along a diagonal from a corner such as the top right corner of the bezel as shown, and may have a sawtooth shape as shown. Alternatively, both antennas may be embedded in each corner for 4×4 802.11n MIMO, or any combination thereof. 
         [0020]    The third example embodiment, a meander line-diversity spacing antenna  36 , can be spaced around the bezel  18  for diversity performance. As shown, the antenna  36  may include two meander-line like elements parallel to each other and extending generally vertically from the top edge of the bezel  18  to the top edge of the display  16 . 
         [0021]    Any one or combination of the embodiments may be overmolded into the bezel (border)  18 , although the preferred mounting method is molded into the backside of the bezel  18  or sandwiched between two pieces of the bezel  18  to avoid damage. Regardless, the antennas preferably are embedded in the bezel to present a flush surface. The three embodiments shown in this figure may or may not be all used together. They are simply shown together in  FIG. 2  to conveniently illustrate various antenna structures that allow for cosmetic viewing pleasure. It is desirable that the antennas are disposed away from the metal display shield for improved reception. 
         [0022]    If desired, decorative trim lines  38  may be embedded or deposited or otherwise disposed on the bottom right and bottom left corners as shown, symmetrically to match the real antenna elements on the upper corners. The trim  38  may be of any decorative material, e.g., gold wire or bordering. 
         [0023]    While the particular EMBEDDED WIRELESS ANTENNA FOR NETWORK TV is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.