Wireless bridge for a broadband network

• US 6,822,946 B1
• Filed: 08/24/2000
• Issued: 11/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wallace, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, Dang
• Application Number:
  US09/645,659
• Time in Patent Office: 1,552 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/352, 370/401, 370/442, 370/469, 370/478, 370/277, 370/535, 370/466, 370/314, 370/228, 370/468, 370/261, 370/328, 370/480, 370/445, 370/351, 370/402-404, 709/236, 709/248, 714/31, 714/455, 714/504, 714/507, 714/448, 714/422.1, 713/400, 713/600, 713/502, 713/501, 713/500, 710/311, 375/219, 375/220
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40052 High-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus bus transfer protocol on a daisy chain bus using an embedded synchronisation G06F13/426
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40091 Bus bridging LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; single bridge functionality H04L12/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40097 Interconnection with other networks LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; single bridge functionality H04L12/462
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances

Abstract

An IEEE 1394 compliant wireless bridge for connecting local area network segments in multiple rooms. A pair of transceiver units each comply with IEEE 1394 for connectivity and communication with local area network devices. The transceiver units operate using high frequencies and low power levels over very short ranges to communicate data and control signals between rooms. Transmissions are short range and highly directional and thereby do not interfere with other local transmissions.

Claims

1. A wireless data bridge apparatus for bridging a network, comprising:

a connector port to connect to a segment of said network, said connector port to send data to and receive data from said network segment;

a controller, in electrical communication with said connector port, said controller to process data to and from said network segment;

a radio circuit, in electrical communication with said controller, to modulate data from said controller and to demodulate data to said controller;

an antenna assembly, in electrical communication with said radio circuit, said antenna assembly to transmit signals received from said radio circuit, and to receive signals which are sent to said radio circuit;

wherein said apparatus transmits and receives signals with a similar apparatus connected to another segment of said network, and

further wherein said controller is capable of scanning a local environment and selecting an unused frequency and wherein said controller is configured to cause said radio circuits to communicate using said unused frequency.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus complies with standard IEEE 1394.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said radio circuit communicates using a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said radio circuit communicates using a 5.0 GHz frequency band.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus communicates using preset frequencies.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an external power cable electrically connected to said apparatus.

7. A wireless data bridge apparatus having a transceiver unit comprising:

a connector port having power conductors and data conductors disposed within said at least one connector port, wherein said connector port is connectable to a local area network;

at least one controller in communication with said connector port, said controller including a memory member and a micro-controller member,

a radio circuit in communication with said controller;

an antenna assembly in communication with said radio circuit;

wherein said bridge apparatus transports bi-directional data across a wireless boundary from one segment of said local area network to another segment of said local area network, and

further wherein said controller is capable of scanning a local environment and selecting an unused frequency and wherein said controller is configured to cause said transmitter circuit and said receiver circuit to communicate with each other using said unused frequency.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said apparatus complies with standard IEEE 1394.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said transmitter ircuits and receiver circuits communicate using a 2.4 GHz frequency band.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said transmitter circuits and receiver circuits communicate using a 5.0 GHz frequency band.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said transceiver units communicate with each other using preset matched frequencies.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising an external power cable electrically connected to at least one of said transceiver units.