Wi-Fi network locator with directional antenna and wireless adaptor

• US 20070060089A1
• Filed: 09/12/2005
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Burch Driver, James Owen
• Original Assignee: Burch Driver, James Owen
• Inventors: Owen, James, Driver, Burch
• Application Number:
  US11/225,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060089A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A wireless network locator device with a directional antenna and network adaptor. When the directional antenna is deployed, it allows the users to pinpoint the source of the RF signals. The network locator also has a network adaptor circuit to allow the users to readily connect to the RF source, using the same locator device. The network adaptor can be connected to the laptop through its USB connector, which also allows the locator device to re-charge itself when connected.

Claims

1. A wireless network locator for an electronic device, comprising:

a first housing;

a base housing, said first housing being hingedly connected to said base housing, forming a clam-shell form factor;

a directional antenna, said directional antenna being implemented within said first housing, said directional antenna being disposed to receive a predetermined wireless signal in a directional manner;

a wireless signal locator operatively coupled to said directional antenna, said locator being disposed to detect the presence of a wireless network based on the received wireless signal from said directional antenna.

2. The wireless network locator of claim 1, wherein said predetermined wireless signal is at least one of IEEE 802.11x Wi-Fi, WIMAX, UWB, RFID, Bluetooth, 3G and WCDMA.

3. The wireless network locator of claim 1, wherein said first housing is hingedly connected to said base housing through a universal hinge capable of rotating relative to said base housing.

4. The wireless network locator of claim 1, wherein said first housing is hingedly connected to said base housing through a hinge capable of controllably rotating in at least one axis relative to said base housing.

5. The wireless network locator of claim 1, further comprising:

a network adaptor operatively connected to said directional antenna, said network adaptor being controllably providing communication between said electronic device and said wireless network, said network adaptor being implemented at least partially within said base housing.

6. The wireless network locator of claim 5, further comprising:

a data connecting assembly implemented on said second housing, said data connecting assembly being detachably connected to said electronic device.

7. The wireless network locator of claim 6, further comprising a recharge circuit for recharging itself when said data connecting assembly is connected to said electronic device.

8. The wireless network locator of claim 6, wherein said data connecting assembly is compliant with one of IEEE 1394 and USB communications standards.

9. The wireless network locator of claim 5, wherein said network adaptor is disposed to detect if data security is enabled by said wireless network.

10. The wireless network locator of claim 5, further comprising a LCD display, said LCD display being disposed to display connection status information.

11. The wireless network locator of claim 10, wherein said directional antenna is a high-gain antenna with >

2 dB in passive antenna peak power.

12. A wireless network locator for an electronic device, comprising:

a first housing;

a base housing, said first housing being hingedly connected to said base housing, forming a clam-shell form factor, wherein said first housing is coupled to said base housing through a hinge capable of rotating in a vertical axis relative to said base housing;

a directional antenna, said directional antenna being implemented within said first housing, said directional antenna being disposed to receive a predetermined wireless signal in a directional manner;

a wireless signal locator operatively coupled to said directional antenna, said locator being disposed to detect the presence of a wireless network based on the received wireless signal from said directional antenna;

a network adaptor operatively coupled to said directional antenna, said network adaptor being controllably providing communication between said electronic device and said wireless network, said network adaptor being implemented at least partially within said base housing;

a data connecting assembly implemented on said second housing, said data connecting assembly being detachably connected to said electronic device.

13. The wireless network locator of claim 12, wherein said data connecting assembly is compliant with one of IEEE 1394 and USB standards.

14. The wireless network locator of claim 12, wherein said predetermined wireless signal is at least one of Wi-Fi, WIMAX, UWB, RFID, Bluetooth, 3G and WCDMA.

15. The wireless network locator of claim 13, wherein said directional antenna is a high-gain directional antenna with >

2 db in passive antenna peak power.

16. The wireless network locator of claim 13, further comprising a re-charge circuit for recharging itself when said data connecting assembly is connected to said electronic device.

17. The wireless network locator of claim 16, further comprising a battery unit disposed within said base housing.

18. The wireless network locator of claim 12, wherein said network adaptor is disposed to detect if security is enabled by said wireless network.

19. A handheld mobile device for locating and connecting to a wireless signal source, comprising:

a housing;

a high-gain directional antenna, said directional antenna being embedded within said housing and disposed to receive a predetermined wireless signal from said wireless signal source in a directional manner;

a wireless signal locator operatively connected to said directional antenna, being disposed to detect the presence of a wireless network based on the received wireless signal from said directional antenna.

20. The handheld mobile device of claim 19, further comprising:

a network adaptor operatively connected to said directional antenna in said housing, being disposed to provide communication for said handheld mobile device.

21. The handheld mobile device of claim 20, further comprising:

a data connecting assembly connected to said housing for providing physical connection for said communication through a universal ball joint.