Wi-Fi access point device and system

• US 20050152306A1
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Ortronics Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Martich, Mark E., Bonnassieux, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 7,785,138 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/22 with access to wired networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

An access point device and system that offers Wi-Fi access and is easily integratable into its environment is provided. The access point device and system is advantageously well suited for integrating operative aspects of a Wi-Fi access point in a wall using, for example, standard switch and outlet boxes and/or standard wall plates. The access point device and system can advantageously be well suited for incorporating a wiring structure such as, for example, a 110 block or the like, suitable for use in connecting to a wired network. Further, the access point device and system may beneficially permit the integration of complementary connections within the access point including, for example, data, voice, video, CATV or other like connection types.

Claims

1. An access point device comprising:

housing means for accommodating Wi-Fi access point circuitry;

Wi-Fi access point circuitry mounted with respect to said housing means; and

communication means mounted with respect to said housing means and adapted to provide network communication to said Wi-Fi access point circuitry;

wherein the housing means is configured and dimensioned for installation with respect to an outlet box.

2. The access point device of claim 1, wherein said housing means is a housing structure defined at least in part by a back plate.

3. The access point device of claim 2, wherein said housing means is adapted to engage with a detachable cover plate.

4. The access point device of claim 3, wherein said back plate and said cover plate define an enclosed region, and wherein said Wi-Fi access point circuitry is positioned within said enclosed region.

5. The access point device of claim 3, wherein said housing means includes vent openings for venting heat generated within the enclosed region.

6. The access point device of claim 4, wherein said vent openings are defined in said cover plate.

7. The access point device of claim 2, wherein said communication means includes at least one jack operatively associated with said back plate.

8. The access point device of claim 7, wherein said at least one jack is in electronic communication with said Wi-Fi access point circuitry.

9. The access point device of claim 7, wherein said back plate defines a front face, a rear face and a mounting opening extending through said back plate, and wherein said at least one jack is mounted with respect to said mounting opening.

10. The access point device of claim 9, wherein said at least one jack extends from the rear face of said back plate.

11. The access point device of claim 9, wherein said at least one jack is positioned with respect to said back plate such that said at least one jack extends into the outlet box when said housing means is installed with respect to said outlet box.

12. The access point device of claim 9, wherein said at least one jack is mounted with respect to said back plate such that IDC contacts extend rearwardly from said back plate.

13. The access point device of claim 12, wherein said IDC contacts are angularly oriented with respect to said back plate.

14. The access point device of claim 13, wherein said IDC contacts are at an angle of about 30°

to about 60°

relative to said back plate.

15. The access point device of claim 1, wherein said communication means includes one or more 110 blocks operatively in electronic communication with said Wi-Fi access point circuitry.

16. The access point device of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional communication element mounted with respect to said housing means.

17. The access point device of claim 16, wherein said at least one additional communication element is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) one or more data transmission elements, (ii) one or more audio transmission elements, (iii) one or more video transmission elements, (iv) one or more CATV transmission elements, (v) a power connection, (vi) a wiring element, and (vii) a combination thereof.

18. The access point device of claim 1, wherein said housing means is configured and dimensioned for installation with respect to at least one of a single gang box, a dual gang box, a triple gang box and a multiple gang box.

19. The access point device of claim 1, wherein said housing means includes a back plate and said back plate includes mounting apertures that are positioned to facilitate mounting of said housing means with respect to a rectangular outlet box and a circular outlet box.

20. The access point device of claim 1, wherein said communication means includes a plurality of jacks mounted with respect to said housing means.

21. The access point device of claim 1, wherein said Wi-Fi access point circuitry includes one or more antenna.

22. The access point device of claim 21, wherein said one or more antenna includes diversity antenna.

23. The access point device of claim 1, further comprising at least one cable management structure positioned with respect to said housing means.

24. The access point device of claim 23, wherein said cable management structure is positioned to minimize RF interference stemming from electrical components associated with said housing means.

25. The access point device of claim 24, wherein said electrical components include one or more cables, one or more antenna and a printed circuit board associated with said Wi-Fi access point circuitry.

26. The access point device of claim 23, wherein said cable management structure includes one or more cable guide structures configured to direct cable within said housing means.

27. The access point device of claim 1, further comprising means for focusing RF energy within a predefined area.

28. The access point device of claim 27, wherein said focusing means includes one or more metallic surfaces operatively associated with said housing means.

29. The access point device of claim 28, wherein said one or more metallic surfaces operate to inhibit RF signals from propagating without said predefined area.

30. A network device comprising:

a housing for accommodating Wi-Fi access point circuitry, said housing including a detachable face plate and a back plate, wherein said back plate includes;

(i) an outwardly extending communication device operatively associated therewith for providing dedicated network communications to said Wi-Fi access point circuitry and (ii) means for enabling a network device to be operatively connected to a new workstation outlet or an existing workstation outlet.

31. A network device of claim 30, further comprising at least one additional communication element mounted with respect to said housing means, and wherein said at least one additional communication element is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) one or more data transmission elements, (ii) one or more audio transmission elements, (iii) one or more video transmission elements, (iv) one or more CATV transmission elements, (v) a power connection, (vi) a wiring element, and (vii) a combination thereof.

32. A method of installing an access point device comprising:

(a) providing a workstation outlet box having one or more jacks operatively associated therewith;

(b) separating at least one of said one or more jacks from said workstation outlet box to make at least one network cable available;

(c) providing an access point device that includes a back plate, Wi-Fi access point circuitry and a communication element in electronic communication with said Wi-Fi access point circuitry and extending rearwardly from said back plate;

(d) connecting said at least one network cable to said rearwardly extending communication element; and

(e) installing said access point device with respect to said workstation outlet box.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said step of connecting said network cable to said communication device is accomplished via one or more 110 blocks.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein further comprising mounting a cover plate with respect to said back plate to define a housing within which is positioned said Wi-Fi access point circuitry.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein said housing includes mounting structures that facilitate said step of installing said access point device with respect to said workstation outlet box.

36. A method of installing an access point device comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an outlet box;

(b) installing a recessed plate to said outlet box;

(c) providing said recessed plate with a jack;

(d) connecting said jack to an access point via a patch cord; and

(e) installing said access point device over said jack so that said jack is behind said access point device.