Wireless infrared network transceiver
First Claim
1. An infrared transceiver node, comprising:
- a support assembly;
at least two infrared transceivers connected to said support assembly, each of said infrared transceivers includinga single light source consisting of an infrared transmitter including a light-emitting diode and a transmitter lens for generating an infrared beam having a beam divergence of in the range of about 0.5 to 1 degree,an infrared receiver including a receiver lens and a photo detector, for receiving an infrared beam and for converting said infrared beam to an electronic signal,a first drive assembly for adjusting the elevation of said infrared transceiver,a second drive assembly for adjusting the azimuth of said infrared transceiver, anda processor connected to each of said first and second drive assemblies for controlling the azimuth and elevation of said infrared transceiver;
a connector for connecting said infrared transceiver node to a user computer; and
a switching engine connected to said connector and to each of said at least two infrared transceivers for switching data between said user computer and said at least two infrared transceivers.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A digital data network uses network nodes incorporating infrared transceivers. Each node includes a plurality of infrared transceivers having transmitter and receiver optics designed to facilitate line-of-sight infrared optical communications in a residential or business neighborhood. New nodes are installed with at least one selected transceiver having line-of-sight access to at least one existing transceiver. Automated tracking and acquisition processes are used to align transceivers to enable data communication and to acquire newly installed nodes into the network.
Other automated tracking programs operate on an as-needed or scheduled basis to maintain good alignment and communications between adjoining node transceivers.
Network nodes include weather-proof housings and are of a size and shape to be easily mounted on existing structures so as not to disrupt the visual appeal of a neighborhood.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An infrared transceiver node, comprising:
-
a support assembly; at least two infrared transceivers connected to said support assembly, each of said infrared transceivers including a single light source consisting of an infrared transmitter including a light-emitting diode and a transmitter lens for generating an infrared beam having a beam divergence of in the range of about 0.5 to 1 degree, an infrared receiver including a receiver lens and a photo detector, for receiving an infrared beam and for converting said infrared beam to an electronic signal, a first drive assembly for adjusting the elevation of said infrared transceiver, a second drive assembly for adjusting the azimuth of said infrared transceiver, and a processor connected to each of said first and second drive assemblies for controlling the azimuth and elevation of said infrared transceiver; a connector for connecting said infrared transceiver node to a user computer; and a switching engine connected to said connector and to each of said at least two infrared transceivers for switching data between said user computer and said at least two infrared transceivers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A network of infrared transceiver nodes, comprising:
-
a network controller; a plurality of infrared transceiver nodes, each of said infrared transceiver nodes including a support assembly; at least two infrared transceivers connected to said support assembly, each of said infrared transceivers including a single light source consisting of an infrared transmitter including a light-emitting diode and a transmitter lens for generating an infrared beam having a beam divergence of in the range of about 0.5 to 1.0 degree, an infrared receiver including a receiver lens and a photo detector, for receiving an infrared beam and for converting said infrared beam to an electronic signal; a first drive assembly for adjusting the elevation of said infrared transceiver, a second drive assembly for adjusting the azimuth of said infrared transceiver, and a processor connected to each of said first and second drive assemblies for controlling the azimuth and elevation of said infrared transceiver; a connector for connecting said infrared transceiver node to a user computer; a switching engine connected to said connector and to each of said at least two infrared transceivers for switching data between said user computer and said at least two infrared transceivers; each of said plurality of infrared transceiver nodes positioned outdoors on the surface of a support structure; said plurality of infrared transceiver nodes relatively positioned so that each infrared transceiver node has a line-of-sight to at least one other infrared transceiver; and means for connecting at least one of said plurality of infrared transceiver nodes to said network controller. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification