Wireless network connection apparatus and method for portable computers

• US 20030208629A1
• Filed: 09/27/2001
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Parkman, David S.
• Application Number:
  US09/965,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208629A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/04 Interfaces between hierarchically different network devices

Abstract

A wireless connectivity device is provided for connecting a computing device to a wireless network onboard an aircraft. The wireless connectivity device converts a networking signal received from the computing device into a standardized format for sending to a wireless networking interface card. The wireless network interface card is disposed within the wireless connectivity device. In a preferred embodiment the wireless connectivity device is powered by a rechargeable battery disposed within the housing of the wireless connectivity device. In a second preferred embodiment, the wireless connectivity device is powered by a second connection to a USB port disposed within the computing device. In a third preferred embodiment, a networking signal is received from a networking port in the computing device and converted to a wireless signal for connectivity to a wireless network. In the third preferred embodiment, the circuitry of the wireless network interface card is integrated into the wireless connectivity device without the necessity of a separate wireless networking interface card.

Claims

1. A wireless connectivity apparatus for connecting a computing device of an individual to a wireless network, wherein the wireless connectivity apparatus connects the computing device to the wireless network without first requiring modification to the hardware of the computing device, the apparatus comprising:

a first connector interface cable comprising a connector for connecting the apparatus to the computing device wherein the connector interface cable connects to a networking interface circuit of the computing device for receiving a first networking signal from the computing device, wherein the networking interface circuit is predisposed in the computing device;

a conversion module for receiving the first networking signal from the connector interface cable and converting the first networking signal into a second networking signal; and

a wireless networking interface card in communication with said conversion module for interfacing the second networking signal with said wireless network, to thereby interface said computing device to said wireless network.

2. The wireless connectivity apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a connector interface port for receiving said wireless networking interface card, wherein the second connector interface port receives the second networking signal and sends the second networking signal to the wireless networking interface card.

3. The wireless connectivity apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a power source connected to the conversion module for providing power to the conversion module.

4. The wireless connectivity apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a power source connected to the conversion module and to the second connector interface port for providing power to the conversion module and to the wireless networking interface card.

5. The wireless connectivity apparatus of claim 3, wherein the power source is a battery disposed within a housing of the apparatus.

6. The wireless connectivity apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wireless networking interface card comprises an industry standard specification for the wireless network.

7. A method for providing wireless network connectivity on a mobile platform, wherein an individual on the mobile platform is able to connect their computing device to the wireless network without modification to hardware within their computing devices, comprising the steps of:

placing the computing device in connection to the wireless network wherein the computing device has disposed within its housing a network interface for connecting the computing device to a wired network; and

connecting the network interface of the computing device to a wireless connectivity device wherein the wireless connectivity device connects the portable computer to the wireless network.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

providing power to the wireless connectivity device through a rechargeable battery cell disposed within the wireless connectivity device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

providing power to the wireless connectivity device through a second connection between the computing device and the wireless connectivity device wherein the second connection is to a universal serial bus disposed in the computing device.

10. A method of providing wireless network connectivity to a computer predisposed with a wired network interface, comprising:

providing a wireless connectivity device with a wireless networking card disposed within, wherein the wireless connectivity device converts the networking signal of the wired network interface into a standardized second networking signal;

connecting the wired network interface of the computer to the wireless connectivity device wherein the wireless connectivity device is in communication with a wireless network base station.

11. A method for providing wireless network connectivity on a mobile platform to a portable computing device of an individual, wherein the computing device includes a network interface circuit, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an independent apparatus having a circuit for converting signals output from a network port of said computing device, from a first format into a second format suitable for use with an existing wireless network;

using a cable to interface said apparatus to said network port of said computing device; and

using a network card operably associated with said independent apparatus for receiving said signals in said second format and transmitting said signals to said wireless network.