Methods and apparatus for alerting a wireless network administrator to the location or status of a wireless device

• US 20060178168A1
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Peter Roach
• Original Assignee: Peter Roach
• Inventors: Roach, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/052,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20060178168A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/567
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for alerting a user, technician, or network administrator to the status or location of a wireless device.

Claims

1. The method of utilizing an audio output device mounted into a wireless local area networking device to allow sounds to be played indicating the status or location of the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1 where an electronically encoded file can be sent to the device to be played by the audio output device

3. The method of claim 2 where the content of the file is primarily to assist in locating the device

4. The method of claim 1 where the wireless device stores an electronic file locally on the wireless device to be played should the wireless device detects a corresponding stimulus or event

5. The method of claim 1 where the wireless device stores multiple electronic files locally on the wireless device to be played in the event the wireless device detects corresponding stimuli or events.

6. The method of claim 1 where the electronic files are stored on the network to be retrieved by the wireless device and played when the wireless device detects a stimuli or events.

7. An apparatus consisting of at least

a wireless networking device

a device to create an audio signal capable of producing an output frequency within the human range of hearing

an electronic file encoded in the format to allow the generation of a sound

a stimulus to trigger the wireless device to play the electronic file and generate the sound

8. The apparatus of claim 7 where the electronic file is generated by the user in real time and transmitted to the wireless device for output.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 where the user sends a trigger to the wireless device to cause it to play the electronic file via the speaker.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 where the sound generated by the device is primarily intended to assist in locating the device.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 where the sound generated by the device is designed to correspond to the status of the device.

12. An apparatus consisting of

A networking device

A first wireless channel to enable communications with end user devices

A second wireless channel utilized to backhaul signals to the wired network

An electronically encoded message representing a sound or tone

A method of converting the electronically encoded message into audible sounds detectable by a human

13. The apparatus of claim 12 where the networking device is programmed to play the electronically encoded message in the event of a stimulus.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 where the networking device plays the electronically encoded message in response to a message received over the second wireless channel

15. The apparatus of claim 12 where the networking device plays the electronically encoded message in response to a message received over the first wireless channel.

16. An apparatus consisting of

a wireless networking device

a display to visually convey textual information

logic in the device to determine appropriate textual information to display

17. The apparatus of claim 16 where the display was located on the bottom of the device in order to allow the viewing of the display on a wireless networking device that is mounted on the ceiling or high in the environment.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 where a query message is used by the wireless device to determine the proper textual information to display.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 where the display presents at least an identifier uniquely associated with the wireless device.

20. The apparatus of claim 16 where the display a differing message when the wireless device determines an abnormal function.