Methods and Apparatus for an RF Port with Removeable Submodules

• US 20080266102A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 10/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Malik, Ajay
• Application Number:
  US11/741,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20080266102A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.7
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/085 Access point devices with remote components

Abstract

An RF port device includes a digital module within a housing, wherein the digital module is configured to communicate with a network over a data connection (e.g., a GigE Ethernet connection), from which it may receive power. The digital module and housing are configured to removeably couple to two or more RF submodules—e.g., RFID reader submodules, 802.11 a/b/g access port submodules, 802.11n access port submodules, Wi-MAX submodules, Ultra Wide Band submodules, and Bluetooth submodules.

Claims

1. An RF port device comprising:

a housing; and

a digital module within the housing, the digital module configured to communicate with a network over a data connection;

the digital module and housing configured to removeably couple to two or more RF submodules.

2. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the data connection is a GigE Ethernet connection.

3. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the digital module and the RF submodules receive power from an Ethernet connection.

4. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the digital module is configured to removeably couple to RF submodules selected from the group consisting of an RFID reader submodule, an 802.11a/b/g access port submodule, an 802.11n access port submodule, a Wi-MAX submodule, an Ultra Wide Band submodule, and a Bluetooth submodule.

5. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to fit within a 1.0 in³ volume.

6. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to fit within an Ethernet jack.

7. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to fit within a power outlet.

8. The RF port device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to removeably attach, mechanically and electrically, to a power outlet or network cable wall jack.

9. An RF jack device comprising:

a housing;

a connector extending from the housing, the connector configured to removeably attach to an outlet;

a digital module within the housing, the digital module configured to communicate with a network over a data connection, wherein the housing is configured to removeably attach to two or more RF submodules.

10. The RF jack device of claim 9, wherein the digital module is configured to communicate over a GigE Ethernet connection.

11. The RF jack device of claim 9, wherein the digital module is configured to removeably couple to RF submodules selected from the group consisting of an RFID reader submodule, an 802.11a/b/g access port submodule, an 802.11n access port submodule, a Wi-MAX submodule, an Ultra Wide Band submodule, and a Bluetooth submodule.

12. The RF jack device of claim 9, wherein the housing is configured to fit within a 1.0 in³ volume.

13. The RF jack device of claim 9, wherein the connector is configured to removeably attach to a standard power outlet.

14. The RF jack device of claim 9, wherein the connector is configured to removeably attach to an Ethernet wall jack.

15. A wireless communication method comprising the steps of:

providing a digital module within a housing, the digital module configured to communicate with a network over a data connection, wherein the digital module and housing is configured to removeably couple to two or more RF submodules;

coupling at least one RF submodule to the housing;

removeably connecting the digital module to the network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the coupling step includes coupling to the digital module a submodule selected from the group consisting of an RFID reader submodule, an 802.11a/b/g access port submodule, an 802.11n access port submodule, a Wi-MAX submodule, an Ultra Wide Band submodule, and a Bluetooth submodule.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein removeably connecting the digital module includes connecting the digital module to an Ethernet jack.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein removeably connecting the digital module includes connecting the digital module to a power outlet.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein removeably connecting the digital module includes inserting the digital module within an electronic assembly.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a telephone device, a projector wall jack, an Ethernet jack, a power outlet, a thermostat device, and a fire alarm device.