ANTENNA ATTACHMENT FOR BOOSTING OR EXTENDING ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNALS

Abstract

The embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein relate to a device, kit and method for boosting electromagnetic signals. Embodiments of the device, kit and method find particular utility in residential and commercial settings. Specifically, electromagnetic signals generated by various remote controls, including but not limited to, TV remote controls, garage door openers, A/C remote controls, blinds, lights, entertainment systems such as home theatres, CD and DVD players. Bluetooth connected devices and wi-fi connectivity can also be boosted by use of embodiments of the antenna attachment as described herein.

Claims

1. A kit for boosting the electromagnetic signals, said kit comprising: a length of wire, having a first end and a second end; a metal clip attached to said first end of said wire; and instructions for use.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said wire is selected from the group consisting of copper wire, bare copper wire, coaxial cable, and speaker wire.

3. The kit of claim 1, wherein said wire is between 10 and 22 gauge.

4. The kit of claim 1, wherein said wire is between 1 and 10 feet long.

5. The kit of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic signals are infrared or radio frequency.

6. The kit of claim 1, wherein said infrared signals are generated by a remote-control transmitter.

7. The kit of claim 6, wherein said remote control transmitter sends signals to a satellite TV receiver, cable TV receiver, wireless router, or a garage door opener control box.

8. The kit of claim 1, wherein said metal clip is configured for attachment to a satellite TV receiver, cable TV receiver, wireless router, or a garage door opener control box.

9. A method of boosting electromagnetic signals, said method comprising the steps of: attaching a metal clip to a length of wire; connecting said metal clip to a receiver unit; arranging said length of wire in a direction extending away from said receiver box.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said metal clip is connected to an antenna on said receiver unit.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said receiver unit is a satellite TV receiver box, cable TV receiver box, wireless router, or a garage door opener control box.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said electromagnetic signals are infrared or radio frequency.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said infrared signals are generated by a remote-control transmitter.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said radio frequency signals are part of a wireless network.

15. A device for boosting electromagnetic signals, said device comprising: a length of wire, having a first end and a second end; and a metal clip attached to said first end of said wire.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said wire is selected from the group consisting of copper wire, bare copper wire, coaxial cable, and speaker wire.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said wire is between 10 and 22 gauge.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said wire is between 1 and 10 feet long.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates an aspect of the subject matter in accordance with a satellite TV embodiment of the invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an aspect of the subject matter in accordance with a cable TV embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an aspect of the subject matter in accordance with a wireless network embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates an aspect of equipment used in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Devices and methods for carrying out the invention are presented in terms of embodiments depicted within the FIGS. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and the configurations shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

[0031] The embodiments of the invention as disclosed herein relate to a device, kit and method for boosting electromagnetic signals. Embodiments of the device, kit and method find particular utility in residential and commercial settings. Specifically, electromagnetic signals generated by various remote controls, including but not limited to, TV remote controls, garage door openers, A/C remote controls, blinds, lights, entertainment systems such as home theatres, CD and DVD players, Bluetooth connected devices and wi-fi connectivity can also be boosted by use of embodiments of the antenna attachment as described herein.

[0032] Remote controls work by emitting electromagnetic waves that devices can pick up. Typically, the remote controls of TV and home entertainment systems emit infrared waves. The IR remote functions as a transmitter, using light to carry signals from the remote to the device it controls. It emits pulses of invisible infrared light that correspond to specific binary codes. These codes represent commands, such as power on, volume up, or channel down. The controlled device, i.e. the receiver, decodes the infrared pulses of light into binary code that its internal microprocessor decodes, the microprocessor executes the commands.

[0033] IR remotes use LED lights to transmit their infrared signals. This results in a few limitations of the technology. Since light is used to transmit the signal, IR remotes require line-of-sight, which means a clear open path between the transmitter and receiver. This means that IR remotes won't work through walls or around corners. They also have a limited range of about 30 feet.

[0034] An alternative electromagnetic signal that is widely used in remote controls is radio-frequency (RF) which works in a similar way to IR but instead of using infrared light, the remotes transmit binary codes to a receiver via radio waves. RF remotes have a much greater range than IR remotes. RF remotes can work at distances of 100 feet or more. This makes them useful in applications such as garage door openers and car alarms. Indeed, some modern satellite television systems also use RF remotes.

[0035] Although range is greatly improved, compared to IR remotes, interference can be an issue for RF remotes due to the large number of radio waves constantly surrounding us. For example, wireless networks and cell phones both use radio signals. To get around the issue of interference, many RF remotes only transmit at specific frequencies. They can also embed digital address codes in the radio signals to ensure that a receiver only responds to the correct radio signals.

[0036] WiFi signals are also transmitted using radio waves. Devices' wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal. The wireless router receives the signal, decodes it, and sends information to the Internet using its physical Ethernet connection. WiFi boosters, repeaters, and extenders are devices to improve WiFi coverage.

[0037] The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out in the specification. The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a typical arrangement for a TV 102, satellite dish 104, and satellite receiver box 106. In normal operation, the satellite dish 104 receives the satellite signal 114 that is forwarded to the satellite receiver box 106, and then to the TV 102. The satellite TV remote control 108 sends a signal to the remote control antenna 116 on the satellite receiver box 106.

[0039] As previously described, the satellite TV remote control 108 emits electromagnetic waves that the satellite receiver box 106 receives via the remote control antenna 116. Typically, the remote controls for satellite TV systems emit RF or IR waves. The satellite TV remote control 108 functions as a transmitter, sending signals to the satellite receiver box 106. The signals represent commands, such as power on, volume up, or channel down. The controlled device, i.e. satellite receiver box 106, decodes the signals into a binary code that its internal microprocessor decodes, the microprocessor executes the commands.

[0040] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 shows an antenna 110 attached to the remote control antennae 116 on the satellite receiver box 106 via an antenna clip 112. The combination of the antenna 110 and antenna clip 112, when attached to the remote control antenna 116, or metal casing of the satellite receiver box 106, serves to boost the signal from the satellite TV remote control 108 to the satellite receiver box 106. In this particular embodiment, the antenna 110 is composed of a length of wire, selected from but not limited to copper, coaxial cable, speaker wire. The composition and length of the wire can be selected to provide optimal performance and typically ranges from 1 to 10 feet or longer. The gauge of the wire can vary, typically within the range from 10-28 gauge.

[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a typical arrangement for a TV 102 that is receiving its cable signal via a cable TV line 212 or a fiber optic cable 210. In normal operation, the cable TV signal 206 is received via a cable TV tower 208 that is forwarded to the end user via a cable TV line 212. In the alternative, the cable signal can be delivered to the end used via a fiber optic cable 210. The cable signal then enters the cable TV receiver 202 and is forwarded to the TV 102. The cable TV remote control 204 sends a signal to the remote control antenna 116 on the cable TV receiver 202.

[0042] Similarly, as described for the satellite TV system, the cable TV remote control 204 emits electromagnetic waves that the cable TV receiver 202 receives via the remote control antenna 116. Typically, the remote controls for cable TV systems emit IR waves. The cable TV remote control 204 functions as a transmitter, sending signals to the cable TV receiver 202. The signals represent commands, such as power on, volume up, or channel down. The controlled device, i.e. cable TV receiver 202, decodes the signals into a binary code that its internal microprocessor decodes, the microprocessor executes the commands.

[0043] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2 shows an antenna 110 attached to the remote control antenna 116 on the cable TV receiver 202 via an antenna clip 112. The combination of the antenna 110 and antenna clip 112, when attached to the remote control antenna 116 or the metal casing of the cable TV receiver 202, serves to boost the signal from the cable TV remote control 204 to the cable TV receiver 202. In this particular embodiment, the antenna 110 is composed of a length of wire, selected from but not limited to copper, coaxial cable, and speaker wire. The composition and length of the wire can be selected to provide optimal performance and typically ranges from 1 to 10 feet or longer.

[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates a typical arrangement for a wireless router that is configured to receive information from, and transmit information to, the internet. The router then creates and communicates with the home Wi-Fi network using a built-in antenna. As a result, a variety of devices such as a computer or laptop 310, printer 312, cell phone 314, tablet 316, hand held game controls 318, and gaming devices 320, have internet access.

[0045] A wireless router is a hardware device used to connect a computer to a network without running cables from the computer to the router. A wireless router allows you to share an internet connection with several other computer users, usually within 100 feet of the wireless signal.

[0046] The wireless router when hooked up to a cable or DSL internet connection uses radio frequency waves to transmit and receive networking signals. This allows transmission of data from one location to another. Data from the devices are translated into a radio signal and then transmitted. A wireless router receives the signal, decodes it, and then sends the information to the internet using a wired connection. The router also can receive information from the internet, translate it into a radio signal, and then send it to the devices.

[0047] In normal operation, the WiFi router 302 receives internet connectivity via a cloud connection 306, WiFi tower 308 or fiber optic cable 210. As described for the satellite and cable TV system, electromagnetic waves are boosted, extended or amplified. In this embodiment the electromagnetic waves are radio waves as opposed to infrared waves.

[0048] The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 shows an antenna 110 attached to the w WiFi antenna 304 on the WiFi router 302. The combination of the antenna 110 and antenna clip 112, when attached to the WiFi antenna 304 or the metal casing of the WiFi router 302, serves to boost the signal from the WiFi router 302 to the devices. Similarly, when information is transmitted back to the WiFi router 302 by the devices, the combination of the antenna 110 and antenna clip 112 extends the working range of the WiFi connectivity.

[0049] In this particular embodiment, the antenna 110 is composed of a length of wire, selected from but not limited to copper wire, bare copper wire, coaxial cable, and speaker wire. The composition and length of the wire can be selected to provide optimal performance and typically ranges from 1 to 10 feet or longer.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates, in its simplest form, the components of an embodiment of the invention. An antenna 110 can be fashioned from a length of wire. The composition and length of the wire can be selected to provide optimal performance and typically ranges from 1 to 10 feet or longer. The gauge of the wire can vary, typically within the range from 10-22 gauge. The gauge of the wire in the embodiment as illustrated is 16 gauge.

[0051] The specific composition of the wire is not critical to the functioning of embodiments of the invention. Electromagnetic waves travel through empty space or through insulating materials. The electromagnetic waves cannot travel through conducting materials such as wire, although they can travel along their surfaces. The wire may be selected from, but not limited to copper wire, bare copper wire, coaxial cable, and speaker wire, typically bare copper wire has been found to perform optimally.

[0052] Various means known to those of skill in the field may be employed to extend or shorten the length of the antenna are considered to be within the scope of protection sought by the various embodiments of the invention.

[0053] In some embodiments of the invention, the mounting mechanism shown in FIG. 4 as an antenna clip 112, may have a means of angling the antenna in a preferred direction.

[0054] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.