LIGHT SWITCH AS A WIRELESS HUB

• US 20090274064A1
• Filed: 05/01/2008
• Published: 11/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optimal Innovations Incorporated
• Inventors: Schoettle, Roland
• Application Number:
  US12/113,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20090274064A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5445 Local network
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5454 Adapter and plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/542 the information being in digital form

Abstract

The current invention is directed to using utility outlets as wireless hubs within a premise so as to avoid the use of stand-alone wireless access points. Using utility outlets as wireless hubs requires the use of less cables and enhances security of wireless communication in a premises.

Claims

1. A utility outlet for use within a premises, said utility outlet comprising:

means for connecting devices to said premises'"'"' electrical power; and

means for connecting a first wireless communication device to at least one selected from a group consisting of;

a wired network, a second wireless communication device, a wired device, another utility outlet.

2. The utility outlet of claim 1 wherein said utility outlet is one of the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanent light socket.

3. The utility outlet of claim 1 further comprising:

means for controlling communications.

4. The utility outlet of claim 1 wherein said communication with another utility outlet is accomplished by:

wireless communications.

5. A method of using utility outlets in a premises as a wireless hub, said method comprising:

connecting, under control of a particular outlet, a first wireless communication device in a location proximate to said particular outlet to at least one selected from a group consisting of;

a wired network, a second wireless communication device, a wired device, and another outlet in a location physically remote from said particular outlet, said utility outlets capable of connecting other devices to said premises'"'"' electrical power.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said utility outlets are selected from the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanent light socket.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

controlling communications under control of at least one of said utility outlets.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein communication between said utility outlets is done using:

wireless communications.

9. A system of providing wireless service within a premise, said system comprising:

a plurality of utility outlets, said utility outlets capable of connecting devices to said premises'"'"' electrical power;

said outlets further capable of connecting a first wireless communication device to at least one selected from a group consisting of;

a wired network, a second wireless communication device, a wired device, another outlet.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the utility outlets are selected from the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanent light socket.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein at least one of said utility outlets is capable of controlling and routing communications.

12. A utility device for use within a premises, said utility device comprising:

terminals for connecting said utility device to said premise'"'"'s electrical power; and

a transceiver.

13. The utility device of claim 12 wherein said utility outlet is one of the group consisting of:

a power socket, an electrical switch, a permanent light socket.

14. The utility device of claim 12 further comprising:

a processor.

15. The utility device of claim 12 further comprising:

means for connecting said utility outlet to an electronic network.

16. The utility device of claim 12 wherein said transceiver connects a first wireless communication device to at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a wired network;

a second wireless communication device;

a wired device, another utility outlet.

17. The utility device of claim 16 wherein said utility device communicates wirelessly with said other utility device.