Wireless network system

• US 20050113060A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CADRE5
• Original Assignee: CADRE5
• Inventors: Lowery, Kenneth E.
• Application Number:
  US10/967,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20050113060A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/402
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks

Abstract

A wireless network system that facilitates locating and powering a plurality of wireless remote transceivers by incorporating the transceivers into a pre-existing infrastructure, such as electrical power lines so that costs associated with locating and providing power sources for the remote transceivers is reduced.

Claims

1. A wireless network system for wirelessly interconnecting a plurality of devices, comprising a power line system and a plurality of wireless remote transceivers supportably positioned on the power lines and configured to receive electrical power for operation from the power lines, wherein the wireless remote transceivers communicate with each other to form the wireless network and communicate wirelessly with the plurality of devices to transmit data between said devices.

2. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the power line system comprises pre-existing power line infrastructure.

3. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise induction coils for receiving electrical power from the power lines and the power lines comprise conductors.

4. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless transceivers comprise fixed access points through which wireless devices may connect to an internet hub.

5. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise a first half and a second half which are joined by a hinge, such that the halves may be clamped together on the power line.

6. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise cellular communication devices.

7. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise radio communication devices.

8. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices comprise computers.

9. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers are in a wired relationship with the power lines.

10. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers wirelessly communicate with a central network hub.

11. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise sensors.

12. The wireless network system of claim 1, wherein the sensors comprise at least one of weather sensors, strain gauges, audio sensors, visual sensors, radiation sensors, and chemical sensors.

14. The suspended sensor array of claim 12, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers and the plurality of sensors are supportably positioned on the power lines.

15. The suspended sensor array of claim 12, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise induction coils for receiving electrical power from the power lines.

16. The suspended sensor array of claim 12, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise at least one of weather sensors, strain gauges, audio sensors, visual sensors, radiation sensors, and chemical sensors.

17. The suspended sensor array of claim 12, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers are in wireless communication with a central network hub.

18. The suspended sensor array of claim 12, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers comprise a first half and a second half which are joined by a hinge, such that the halves may be clamped together on the power line.

19. The suspended sensor array of claim 12, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers are mounted on power line support poles.

13. A suspended sensor array, comprising a power line system, a plurality of sensors, and a plurality of wireless remote transceivers, the plurality of wireless remote transceivers and the plurality of sensors supportably positioned on the power line system and configured to receive electrical power for operation from the power line.

20. A wireless network system comprising:

a power line system;

a plurality of wireless remote transceivers for wirelessly connecting a plurality of wireless devices, wherein the plurality of wireless remote transceivers are supportably positioned on the power lines and comprise induction coils for receiving power from the power lines; and

a sensor array for collecting information, the sensor array comprising at least one sensor in communication with the wireless remote transceivers, such that the wireless remote transceivers transmit the collected information to a central hub.