Integrated Antenna System for WiFi Video Streaming Signal Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video and audio streaming devices, such as the Roku Stick, face poor WiFi signal reception due to attenuation by television sets, and they lack the capability to receive local TV signals, requiring separate power supplies and amplifier circuits.
Innovation Solution
A low profile, omni-directional planar antenna is integrated with a WiFi video or audio streaming device, featuring a USB, HDMI, or MHL interface to avoid signal interference, and shares a power supply with the antenna's amplifier circuit, enabling simultaneous reception of off-air TV signals and WiFi data streaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a video streaming device is installed on the back side of a television set, then it can be conveniently positioned for TV viewing, but WiFi signal reception deteriorates due to attenuation by the television
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the video streaming device from the television set by integrating it into an antenna system that can be positioned independently on windows or walls, away from the TV. This segmentation allows the streaming device to access WiFi signals without being blocked by the television while still providing video output to the TV.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system serves as an intermediary between the video streaming device and the television set. The antenna receives both WiFi signals for streaming and over-the-air TV signals, then transmits both to the television through a single coaxial cable, eliminating the need for the device to be positioned directly on or near the TV.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate power supplies are provided for the video streaming device and the antenna amplifier circuit, then each component can be independently powered, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the power supply for the video streaming device and the antenna amplifier circuit into a single power source. The antenna system draws power through the coaxial cable that connects to the television, eliminating the need for separate power adapters and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaxial cable connection serves multiple functions: it transmits both video signals and power simultaneously. This multi-functional use of a single cable system allows the antenna and streaming device to share power without requiring additional power delivery infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the video streaming device is positioned close to the television, then cable connections are simplified, but signal interference occurs between the WiFi tuner and the antenna amplifier circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the video streaming device from the immediate vicinity of the television by integrating it into the antenna system. This physical separation removes the source of signal interference from the television's electromagnetic environment while maintaining simplified connections through the antenna's coaxial cable output.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna device includes a housing defining an interior cavity, and an RF antenna situated within the housing. The RF antenna receives high definition television signals broadcast over the air. An MHL connector is mounted on the housing. An external audio or video streaming signal device is coupleable to the MHL connector. An MHL to HDMI converter circuit situated within the interior cavity of the housing receives signals from the external audio or video streaming signal device and processes these signals into an HDMI signal format. The HDMI signals are provided on an HDMI output connector mounted on the housing. RF signals from the RF antenna are provided to an RF coaxial cable connector also mounted on the housing.