Wireless network adapter

• US 20050086389A1
• Filed: 10/17/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Linkpeople, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Linkpeople, Inc.
• Inventors: Chang, Phillip
• Application Number:
  US10/686,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20050086389A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/250
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/10 Flow control between communication endpoints
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0296 switching to a backup power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A self-powered wireless network adapter device that provides convenient wireless access to a wired network environment by simply plugging the device into a network port. The device is a networking device that offers users a method to eliminate messy wiring when connecting to a network on the road. Once the device is inserted into the port, the user can immediately access the network with their wireless device and transfer files, access email, or browse the Internet. Rechargeable batteries allow the device to be self-powered and recharged. A universal serial bus connector is provided for recharging the device via a USB port. The invention further provides wireless communication capabilities via the USB connector for devices without wireless communication abilities by plugging the invention into the device'"'"'s USB port. The invention not only provides wireless access to wired networks, but also allows non-wireless electronic devices to become capable of wireless communication.

Claims

1. A network adapter device for providing wireless connectivity to a network comprising:

an antenna;

a radio frequency modem for receiving data from a wireless device and for transmitting data to the wireless device via the antenna;

a baseband for providing a signal channel;

a media access control for regulating traffic between the device and the wireless device;

an Ethernet layer for communicating with the network; and

a network connector for physically connecting the device to a network port.

2. The network adapter device of claim 1, whereby the network connector is an RJ-45 connector.

3. The network adapter device of claim 1, further comprising a sensitivity gain for adjusting coverage area.

4. The network adapter device of claim 1, further comprising a battery for providing power to the device.

5. The network adapter device of claim 4, whereby the battery is a rechargeable battery.

6. The network adapter device of claim 5, further comprising recharge circuitry for recharging the rechargeable battery.

7. The network adapter device of claim 1, whereby the device draws power from the network.

8. The network adapter device of claim 1, further comprising a universal serial bus connector for recharging the rechargeable battery via a universal serial bus.

9. The network adapter device of claim 8, whereby the device provides wireless communication capabilities to a non-wireless compatible device when the universal serial bus connector is connected to a universal serial bus port of the non-wireless compatible device.

10. The network adapter device of claim 8, further comprising a flash memory for storing data;

whereby the universal serial bus connector of the device is connected to a universal serial bus port on a computer and data is stored in or accessed from the flash memory by the computer.

11. The network adapter device of claim 1, whereby a plurality of media access controls are provided for regulating traffic between the device and multiple wireless devices.

12. A portable self-powered network adapter that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network.

13. A network adapter device for providing wireless connectivity to a network comprising:

an antenna;

a radio frequency modem for receiving data from a wireless device and for transmitting data to the wireless device via the antenna;

a baseband for providing a signal channel;

a media access control for regulating traffic between the device and the wireless device;

a rechargeable battery for providing power to the device;

recharge circuitry for recharging the rechargeable battery;

an Ethernet layer for communicating with the network; and

an RJ-45 network connector for physically connecting the device to a network port.

14. The network adapter device of claim 13, further comprising a sensitivity gain for adjusting coverage area.

15. The network adapter device of claim 13, further comprising a universal serial bus connector for recharging the rechargeable battery via a universal serial bus.

16. The network adapter device of claim 15, whereby the device provides wireless communication capabilities to a non-wireless compatible device when the universal serial bus connector is connected to a universal serial bus port of the non-wireless compatible device.

17. The network adapter device of claim 15, further comprising a flash memory for storing data;

whereby the universal serial bus connector of the device is connected to a universal serial bus port on a computer and data is stored in or accessed from the flash memory by the computer.

18. The network adapter device of claim 13, whereby a plurality of media access controls are provided for regulating traffic between the device and multiple wireless devices.

19. A network adapter device for providing wireless connectivity to a network comprising:

an antenna;

a modem for receiving data from a wireless device and for transmitting data to the wireless device via the antenna;

a media access control for regulating traffic between the device and the wireless device;

a power source for providing power to the device;

a communications protocol adapter for providing communication protocol compatibility between wireless devices and the network; and

a network connector for physically connecting the device to a network port.

20. The network adapter device of claim 19, whereby the network connector is an RJ-45 connector.

21. The network adapter device of claim 19, further comprising a sensitivity gain for adjusting coverage area.

22. The network adapter device of claim 19, whereby the power source is a rechargeable battery.

23. The network adapter device of claim 22, further comprising recharge circuitry for recharging the rechargeable battery.

24. The network adapter device of claim 19, whereby the device draws power from the network.

25. The network adapter device of claim 19, further comprising a universal serial bus connector for recharging the rechargeable battery via a universal serial bus.

26. The network adapter device of claim 25, whereby the device provides wireless communication capabilities to a non-wireless compatible device when the universal serial bus connector is connected to a universal serial bus port of the non-wireless compatible device.

27. The network adapter device of claim 25, further comprising a flash memory for storing data;

whereby the universal serial bus connector of the device is connected to a universal serial bus port on a computer and data is stored in or accessed from the flash memory by the computer.

28. The network adapter device of claim 19, whereby a plurality of media access controls are provided for regulating traffic between the device and multiple wireless devices.