Broadband communication system

• US 20040242290A1
• Filed: 05/26/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael C. Keeling
• Original Assignee: Michael C. Keeling
• Inventors: Keeling, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US10/855,171
• Publication Number:
  US 20040242290A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/026 intended to be recessed in a ceiling or like overhead structure, e.g. suspended ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/37 U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A broadband communication system which conceals broadband transceivers in architectural elements that appear to be standard stock architectural elements. It provides connectivity without negatively impacting aesthetics, and is easily integrated with the other systems and architectural features of a building.

Claims

1. ) A broadband communication system, relating to locally supporting users with equipment having wireless communication ability in at least one area served by a plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures, comprising, in combination:

a) transceiver means for assisting wireless broadband communication by the users in the at least one area; and

b) concealer means for substantially concealing said transceiver means from the users in the at least one area;

c) wherein said concealer means comprises housing means for housing said transceiver means;

d) wherein said housing means comprises substantially stock fixture means for serving the at least one area; and

e) wherein said substantially stock fixture means comprises stock fixture subset means for providing at least one subset of the plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures.

2. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 1 wherein said stock fixture means comprises lighting means for lighting the at least one area.

3. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 1 further comprising building means for providing the at least one area.

4. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 3 wherein said stock fixture means comprises lighting means for lighting the at least one area.

5. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 4 wherein said building means comprises network means for connection of said transceiver means with at least one network.

6. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 2 wherein said lighting means comprises at least one light bulb.

7. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 2 wherein said transceiver means is structured and arranged to fit within the space of a standard lighting-fixture ballast.

8. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 1 wherein said transceiver means comprises power means for drawing power from at least one power distribution network serving the plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures.

9. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 1 further comprising display means for displaying transceiver status.

10. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 9 further comprising display adapter means for adapting said display means to be more easily seen.

11. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 1 wherein at least one single cable both carries data and provides power to said transceiver means.

12. ) A broadband communication system comprising, in combination:

a) at least one substantially stock lighting fixture; and

b) housed within said at least one substantially stock lighting fixture, at least one transceiver structured and arranged to assist wireless broadband communication;

c) wherein said broadband communication system is adapted to be connected to at least one source of electrical power and at least one communication network.

13. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 12 wherein said transceiver is adapted to fit within the space of a standard ballast.

14. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 12 wherein at least one single cable carries data and provides power to said at least one transceiver.

15. ) A method, related to providing a combined product related to use in a broadband communication system, related to locally supporting users with equipment having wireless communication ability in at least one area served by a plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures, comprising the steps of:

a) selecting an existing manufacturer of such similar-appearing stock fixtures;

b) selecting an existing manufacturer of transceivers structured and arranged to assist wireless broadband communication; and

c) assisting implementation of at least one joint development project, including both such existing manufacturer of such similar-appearing stock fixtures and such existing manufacturer of transceivers structured and arranged to assist wireless broadband communication, to provide combined product.

16. ) The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of using at least one at-least-partially-existing distribution channel of such existing manufacturer of such similar-appearing stock fixtures to distribute such combined product.

17. ) A broadband communication system, related to locally supporting users with equipment having wireless communication ability in at least one area served by a plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures, comprising, in combination:

a) at least one transceiver to assist wireless broadband communication by the users in the at least one area; and

b) at least one concealer adapted to substantially conceal said at least one transceiver from the users in the at least one area;

c) wherein said at least one concealer comprises at least one housing to house said at least one transceiver;

d) wherein said at least one housing comprises at least one substantially stock fixture adapted to serve the at least one area; and

e) wherein said at least one substantially stock fixture comprises at least one subset of a plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures.

18. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 17 wherein said at least one substantially stock fixture comprises at least one illuminator adapted to light the at least one area.

19. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 17 further comprising at least one building adapted to provide the at least one area.

20. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 19 wherein said at least one stock fixture comprises at least one illuminator adapted to light the at least one area.

21. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 20 wherein said at least one building comprises at least one network adapted to connect of said at least one transceiver within said at least one network.

22. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 18 wherein said at least one illuminator comprises at least one light bulb.

23. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 18 wherein said at least one transceiver is adapted to fit within the space of a standard lighting-fixture ballast.

24. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 17 wherein said at least one transceiver is adapted to draw power from at least one power distribution network of the plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures.

25. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 17 further comprising at least one display adapter to permit ease of viewing of at least one display of transceiver status.

26. ) The broadband communication system according to claim 17 wherein at least one single cable both carries data and provides power to said at least one transceiver.

27. ) A communication system, related to locally supporting users with equipment having wireless communication ability in at least one area served by a plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures, comprising, in combination:

a) transceiver means for assisting wireless communication by the users in the at least one area; and

b) concealer means for substantially concealing said transceiver means from the users in the at least one area;

c) wherein said concealer means comprises housing means for housing said transceiver means;

d) wherein said housing means comprises substantially stock fixture means for serving the at least one area; and

e) wherein said substantially stock fixture means comprises stock fixture subset means for providing at least one subset of the plurality of similar-appearing stock fixtures.