Plug-In Network Appliance
First Claim
1. A mesh network in an indoor facility, the mesh network comprising:
- a plurality of mesh nodes distributed about the indoor facility, each mesh node connected via a wireless link with at least one other mesh node, each mesh node comprising;
an enclosure;
a processor positioned within the enclosure;
a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format;
a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility; and
means for bridging data between at least two communication formats, wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes at least one mesh node in wired connection with an attached device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plug-in network appliance is disclosed. In one aspect, a network appliance performs a bridge between two wireless communication formats. In another aspect, a network appliance is deployed to perform position location services. In another aspect, a mesh network comprising one or more network appliances is deployed. A mesh network comprising one or more network appliances may be deployed to perform position location services. A plug-in form factor is described. A network appliance may convert power received from a plug in a first format to power in a second format for powering various components. A network appliance may connect with a wireless network and/or a network connected through a plug. A plug-in network appliance may connect to a weight-bearing outlet. Various other aspects are also presented.
123 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mesh network in an indoor facility, the mesh network comprising:
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a plurality of mesh nodes distributed about the indoor facility, each mesh node connected via a wireless link with at least one other mesh node, each mesh node comprising;
an enclosure;
a processor positioned within the enclosure;
a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format;
a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility; and
means for bridging data between at least two communication formats, wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes at least one mesh node in wired connection with an attached device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for an indoor facility, the system comprising:
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a mesh network including a plurality of mesh nodes distributed about the indoor facility, each mesh node connected via a wireless link with at least one other mesh node, each mesh node comprising;
an enclosure;
a processor positioned within the enclosure;
at least one wireless local area network interface positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, the wireless local area network interface comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format; and
a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility, such that the mesh node remains at a stationary location within the indoor facility;
at least one attached device in wired communication with a respective one of the plurality of mesh nodes;
a position location engine connected to one of the plurality of mesh nodes; and
at least one located within the indoor facility, the tag emitting a signal for receipt by at least one neighboring mesh node, wherein the at least one neighboring mesh node processes the signal to generate position location information for the tag and transfers the position location information to the position location engine. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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20. A method for tracking an object within an indoor facility, the method comprising:
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establishing an indoor mesh network comprising a plurality of plug-in network appliances and a positioning engine, the mesh network established by attaching each of the plurality of plug-in network appliances to an electrical outlet within the indoor facility, each of the plurality of plug-in network appliances comprising an enclosure, a processor positioned within the enclosure, at least one wireless local area network interface positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, the wireless local area network interface comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format, and a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility, such that the mesh node remains at a stationary location within the indoor facility;
attaching a radiofrequency tag to the object, the radiofrequency tag emitting a periodic signal;
receiving and processing the periodic signal from the radiofrequency tag at at least one of the plurality of plug-in network appliances to create a processed signal for the location of the object; and
transmitting the processed signal to the position engine.
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Specification