Abstract:
A set back box is provided that comprises: an outer housing having one input side and one output side; stacked printed circuit boards within the outer housing; an input panel for receiving at least one input electrical cable at the one input side; and an output panel for providing signal to a display through at least one output cable at the output side. A strain relief cable is also provided that connects to the output side, wherein the strain relief cable is configured to attach to the display and configured to ensure any output cables are not under tension.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Applications 61/429,639 filed Jan. 4, 2011 and 61/465,786 filed Mar. 24, 2011 which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention is related to set back boxes and mounting of set back boxes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    An increasing number of consumers prefer to reduce the visibility of set top boxes. In response, an effort to eliminate set top boxes from view has been undertaken which includes the development of set back boxes. These set back boxes perform the traditional functions of a set top box, but are generally hidden from the field of view. 
         [0004]    In one configuration the set back boxes are designed to be supported by and hung by one of its functioning cables that connect to the back a display device. 
         [0005]    Even though set back boxes have been configured to have minimal size and to not take up much surface area or volume in entertainment centers, such set back boxes are believed to generate strain on the cables. This strain was unexpected, because cables and the set back box housings are robust objects and the set back boxes are generally designed to be small. 
         [0006]    It should also be noted that even though electronic devices such as set top boxes and the like need to become smaller, these devices are still expected to receive signals from service providers such as cable and satellite providers and these devices are expected to able to receive signals transmitted through in-home networks. In short, there is a demand to augment the receiving circuitry capability and functionality of set top boxes even though these devices are expected to be smaller and hidden from view. 
         [0007]    Traditionally, much signal receiving circuitry would be included in a television; however, now set top boxes are expected to have such receiving circuitry. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, while the size and volume of electronics have shrunk, their functionality has not, and, in fact, their functionality may be increasing with the need to interoperate on multiple networks simultaneously. 
         [0009]    Set top boxes typically connect to a plurality of wires or coaxial cables, which can or need to be long.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  show views of a set top box  1  according the prior art, wherein  FIG. 1B  is a rear view of a set top box showing the various input and output connectors which can each receive or connect to cables. The set top box  1  is a conventional set top box which can be 25 mm high and have a single printed circuit board which can, for example, be 95 mm×85 mm and which can support the various functionalities associated with the connectors shown in  FIG. 1B . The wires that connect to set top box  1  in  FIG. 1B  can become an eye-sore. Some have mounted set top boxes inside walls to hide the boxes from view; however, this is cumbersome and may not be encouraged in some households. Some have attached the set back boxes to the backs of displays; however, this approach places displays at risk of damage, because robust adhesive used to facilitate proper mounting can spall the mounting surfaces. Alternatively, keyhole slots placed in the bottom of the set top box for mounting with screws to the walls or displays have been considered; however, additional safeguards in the set top boxes are then need to protect the circuit board from possible short circuits. 
         [0010]    The inventive arrangements taught herein address the above-mentioned shortcomings of set top boxes and set back boxes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    A set back box device which replaces the traditional visible rectangular set top box is provided. The device has all of the functionality of a traditional set top box, but has the advantages of being out of sight (i.e. can be hidden from view behind a television) and requires less space. The device can have printed circuit boards which are fragmented and stacked in a manner that permit the internal contents to be efficiently housed in a cylindrically shaped housing. The device is suspended behind a television by a working electrical cable that connects to the television and the device can have a strain relief cable to reduce damage due to cable pulling on the set back box. 
         [0012]    In embodiments of the invention, the set back box comprises: an outer housing having one input side and one output side; stacked printed circuit boards within the outer housing; an input panel for receiving at least one input electrical cable at the one input side; and an output panel for providing signal to a display through at least one output cable at the output side. The set back box can further comprise a strain relief cable connected to the output side, wherein the strain relief cable is configured to attach to the display and is configured to ensure any output cables are not under tension. The set back box can have at least three stacked printed circuit boards, wherein the stacked printed circuit boards can be parallel to one another, and the stacked printed circuit boards can be oriented perpendicular to at least one of the sides. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, the set back box can have three printed stacked circuit boards, wherein a first printed circuit board of the three is over a second printed circuit board of the three, a third printed circuit board of the three is under the second printed circuit board, and the second printed circuit board is wider than the first and second printed circuit boards along a dimension parallel to the input side. In these embodiments and others, the outer housing can have a circular cross section in a plane parallel to the input side. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the outer housing can be tapered such that a cross sectional area of one of the ends of the outer housing is smaller than a cross section area of the end. 
         [0015]    Set back boxes of the invention can also be adapted to mount in a display or in a wall. For mounting in a display, the set back box can comprise a flange on the outer housing arranged such that the input side is exterior to the display and the input side is inside the display. For mounting in a wall, the set back box can comprise a flange on the outer housing arranged such that the input side is on an interior side of the wall and the output side is on the exterior side of the wall. These embodiments make the set back box easier to hide. 
         [0016]    The set back box can also comprise a two part outer housing having an upper component, a lower body component and at least one connection cable bridging the upper and lower components for signal transmission therebetween, wherein a strain relief cable can bridge the upper and lower components to ensure that any connection cables are not under tension. The stacked printed circuit boards can be in one of the components. 
         [0017]    The set back box can comprise a flange on the upper component adapted to mount the set back box in a display wall such that the input side is exterior to the display and the output side is inside the display. On the other hand, the set back box can comprise a flange on the upper component adapted to mount the set back box to a wall such that the input side is on an interior side of the wall and the output side is on the exterior side of the wall. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures which are as follows: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows views of a set top box according to the prior art; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows views of a display employing the set back box according to the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an interior view and the panel jack of the set back panel according to the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows different types of set back boxes according to the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the set back box incorporating a strain relief cable according to the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of one implementation of the set back box mounted in a display according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of another implementation of the set back box mounted in a display according to the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows views of a two body configuration of the set back box according to the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a side view of one implementation of the set back box mounted in a wall according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows a side view of another implementation of the set back box mounted in a wall according to the invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows views of a two body configuration of the set back box mounted in a wall according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The set back box  13  which will now be described was developed to be a low cost device adapted to provide cable, satellite or hybrid whole home DVR (digital video recording) services when used in tandem with video gateways. The set back box  13  can also be adapted to receive and decode MPEG content and provide a flexible platform to support a wide range of applications for home networking architectures that can include various Ethernet and coaxial cable standards and WiFi. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  shows various views of a display  10  employing the set back box  13  of the invention.  FIG. 2A  is a rear view of the display  10  supported by a base  12  in which the set back box  13  is shown being connected to at least one connector on the panel jack  11  through front cable  14  on the back  16  of the display  10 .  FIG. 2B  shows the front  17  of the display  10  which demonstrates how the set back box is hidden from view and  FIG. 2C  shows a side view of the display  10  showing the rear cable  15  from which the set back box can receive external signal from a cable or satellite provider or some network. To further aid in hiding the set back box  13  from view, the set back box can be equipped with a radio frequency remote receiver (which is not shown and can be in the set back box or on the set back box). An IR receiver (not shown) could likewise be used; however, the IR receiver may have to be somewhat in the field of view to receive signals from a remote control. It should be noted that although working electrical cables may be described as being input or output cables, these cables can provide two-way electrical communication and individual cables can transmit signal in either direction. 
         [0032]      FIG. 3A  shows an interior view of the set back box  13  and  FIG. 3B  shows the set back box panel jack/control button cluster  33  on the rear end or wall  21  of the set back box  13 . In a preferred embodiment, the exterior wall  19  of the set back box  13  is cylindrical and the printed circuit board assembly is not a single conventional printed circuit board, but rather is three printed circuit boards  20 . The rear wall  21  is essentially the input side of the set top box  13 . The printed circuit boards  20  are stacked to substantially reduce the cross sectional area and reduce the width of the set back box. It should be noted that having stacked or split circuit boards  20  in a set back box  13  may not be considered desirable by some in the case of a set back box  13  employing high speed network protocols (e.g. gigabit Ethernet standard), because conventional ribbon cables that are used to connect high speed signal between circuit boards can substantially attenuate high speed signals; however, some special flat print circuit connection cables can be utilized to permit the construction and the use of stacked boards  20  in  FIG. 3A  in high speed routing systems. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C each show different types of designs for the set back box  13  according to the invention and how buttons, jacks, connectors, etc. can be positioned. Each of the figures shows a view of the top  22 , the rear end  21 , and the front end  23  of the set back boxes  13 . The front ends  23  can essentially be the output side of the set back box  13  and can have output panel  55 .  FIGS. 4A and 4B  also include views of the bottom  24  of the set back boxes  13 .  FIG. 4C  shows a side view of a side  22  of the set back box  13 . As shown in these views of  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the set back boxes can have at least one elongated side that is generally planar and the at least one side can have control buttons or jacks on them. Hence, cables and/or control buttons can be on three sides of a set back box  13 .  FIG. 4B  shows that the set back box  13  can have a rectangular cross section and  FIG. 4C  shows that the set back box  13  can have a tapered cross section in which the cross sectional area decreases from the front end  23  toward the rear end  21 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the set back box  13  incorporating a strain relief cable  32 . The strain relief cable  32  helps to facilitate the in-line product scheme of the set back box  13  as shown in  FIG. 2  in which rear end  21  has a input coaxial connector  35  on rear end  21  which can face downward. The strain relief cable  32  can be on the front wall  23  which can face upward and can be on the output side toward the display. The strain relief cable  32  will be next to the front cables  14  which can be audio and/or video cables  34 . The strain relief cable  32  is preferably shorter than any of the front cables. Thus, there is essentially no pulling force on any of the connectors on the panel jack  11  components to which the front cables  14  are attached to the display  10 . The strain relief cable  32  can be attached to a strain relief cable holder  50  (shown in  FIG. 2A ) which can be attached or built in the back  16  of the display  10  which can be next to the panel jack  11  or incorporated in the panel jack  11 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show side views of two implementations of the set back box  13  according to the invention in which the set back box  13  is actually attached to the back  16  of the display  10  through a flange  51 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  also show plan views of two possible rear wall configurations in which one configuration is circular and another is rectangular. The flange  51  can be either on the display or on the set back box  13  components. The rear wall  21  of the set back box  13  is on the exterior side of the back  16  and the front wall  23  is on the interior side of the back  16 .  FIG. 7  shows that the front cables  14  can be on a side of the set back box  13  and not on the front wall  23 . In both implementations, the rear end  21  can be on the outside of the display  10 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  shows views of a two body configuration of the set back box  13   a ,  13   b  according to the invention having an upper body component  13   b  and lower body component  13   a .  FIG. 8  shows how the invention can incorporate packaging to allow the set back box  13   a ,  13   b  to occupy space behind the back  16  of the display. The assembly can contain a flange  51  to mount the upper component  13   b . The upper component  13   b  can have the rear end  21  which contains the box panel jack/control button cluster  33 . The upper body component  13   b  has a connecting side  54  from which rear connection cables  15   a  and strain relief cable  32  will be attached. The strain relief cable  32  is next to the rear connection cables  15   a . The strain relief cable  32  is preferably shorter than any of the rear connection cables  15   a . The rear connection cables  15   a  permit signal communication between rear cables  15  and the lower body component  13   a . The lower body component  13   a  contains the printed circuit boards  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show side views of two implementations of the set back box  13  according to the invention which are similar to the configurations in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Here, however, the set back box  13  is actually mounted in a wall  9  in which the wall  9  has an interior side  7  and an exterior side  8  that faces the display  10  (not shown). The set back box  13  is mounted in an aperture of the wall in which a mounting flange  51  can be utilized. In these implementations the front walls  23  and rear walls  21  are the reverse of the configurations in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  also show plan views of two possible front wall  23  configurations in which one configuration is circular and another is rectangular. The flange  51  can be either on the wall or on the set back box  13  components. If an aperture in the wall  9  is appropriately sized, it may not be necessary to use an actual flange. The rear wall  21  of the set back box  13  is on the interior side  7  of the wall  9  and the front wall  23  is on the exterior side  8  of the wall  9 .  FIG. 10  shows that the front cables  14  can be on a side of the set back box  13  and not on the front wall  23 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows views of a two body configuration of the set back box  13   a ,  13   b  according to the invention having an upper body component  13   b  and lower body component  13   a  which is similar to the configuration in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 11  shows how the invention can incorporate packaging to allow the set back box  13   a ,  13   b  to occupy space behind a wall  9  in which the wall  9  has an interior side  7  and an exterior side  8  that faces the display  10  (not shown). The assembly can contain a flange  51  to mount the upper component  13   b . The upper component  13   b  can have the front end  23  at one end and an opposing connecting side  54  on another end from which rear connection cables  15   a  and strain relief cable  32  will be attached. The strain relief cable  32  is next to the rear connection cables  15   a . The strain relief cable  32  is preferably shorter than any of the rear connection cables  15   a . The rear connection cables  15   a  permit signal communication between rear cables  15  and the lower body component  13   a . The lower body component  13   a  contains the printed circuit boards  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Front cables  14  extending from front wall  23  can connect to the display  10  through the panel jack  11  shown is  FIG. 2A . It should be noted that the strain relief cables  32  can be cables, cords, wires, ribbons, or tape that are not an electrical components. 
         [0039]    The foregoing illustrates only some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents. 
         [0040]    Other devices could benefit from this packaging style and application of the disclosed invention such as cable modems, DSL modems, VoIP devices, etc.