Wireless communication system

• US 7,406,298 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron Networked Solutions, Inc. (Itron, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (Itron, Inc.)
• Inventors: Luglio, Juan R., Nemer, Kurt J.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, TUAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/396,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20040192415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,953 Days
• Field of Search: 455 901- 3, 455/575.1, 455/8, 455/556.1, 455572-574, 455/344, 455/347, 455/349, 348/149, 348/151, 348/143, 340/500, 340/506, 340/511, 340/517, 340/521, 340531-532
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving

Abstract

A wireless communication apparatus adapted to be mounted on an elevated surface having an electrical socket thereon. The apparatus includes a housing, a photocell and a transceiver. The housing at least partially defines an interior space and has a portion which is translucent. The photocell is supported by the housing in the interior space so that ambient light exterior to the housing passes through the translucent portion to the photocell. The transceiver is also supported by the housing and is positioned within the interior space of the housing.

Claims

1. A wireless communication apparatus adapted to be mounted on an elevated surface having an electrical socket thereon, the apparatus comprising:

a housing at least partially defining an interior space and having a portion which is translucent;

a photocell supported by the housing in the interior space so that ambient light exterior to the housing passes through the translucent portion to the photocell;

a transceiver supported by the housing in the interior space; and

an antenna coupled to the transceiver, and wherein at least a portion of the antenna extends through an aperture in the housing.

2. A wireless communication apparatus adapted to be mounted on an elevated surface, the apparatus comprising:

a housing defining an interior space and having a translucent portion configured to allow in ambient light external to the housing;

a photocell positioned in the interior space, being adjacent the translucent portion, and operable to detect the ambient light exterior;

a transceiver coupled to the photocell, and positioned in the same interior space; and

an antenna coupled to the transceiver, positioned within the interior space, and extending through an aperture defined on the housing.

3. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elevated surface comprises an electrical socket thereon, the apparatus further comprising a pronged terminal extended through the housing and being adapted to be connected to the electrical socket, thereby supporting the housing on the elevated surface when the pronged terminal is plugged into the socket.

4. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 3, and wherein the antenna comprises a radiating element and a ground plane.

5. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 3, and further comprising a circuit support supported by the housing and positioned within the interior space of the housing, the circuit support at least partially defining an area for positioning an electrical circuit.

6. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 5, and wherein the transceiver is supported by the circuit support.

7. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 5, and further comprising:

an electrical connector supported by the housing and being adapted to be connected to the electrical socket so that when the electrical connector is connected to the electrical socket, the housing is supported on the elevated surface; and

a power circuit coupled to the electrical connector, the power circuit supported by the circuit support.

8. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 2, and further comprising a first circuit support, a second circuit support and a third circuit support, each circuit support positioned within the interior space of the housing and at least partially defining an area for positioning an electrical circuit.

9. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 8, and further comprising:

an electrical connector supported by the housing and being adapted to be connected to the electrical socket,

a power circuit supported by the first circuit support and coupled to the electrical connector; and

a radio frequency (“

RF”

) communication card supported by the second circuit support and coupled to the power circuit, the RF communication card including the transceiver; and

wherein the third circuit support supports the photocell, the photocell positioned adjacent the translucent portion of the housing.

10. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 9, and wherein the antenna is coupled to the RF communication card, and configured to transmit and receive RF communication signals.

11. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 10, and wherein the antenna includes a radiating element and a ground plane, and wherein the antenna is positioned substantially above the ground plane.

12. The wireless communication apparatus as set forth in claim 2, and wherein the elevated surface is a surface of a light fixture and the electrical socket is positioned on the surface of the light fixture, and further comprising a pronged terminal extended through the housing and being adapted to be inserted into the electrical socket, thereby supporting the housing on the light fixture when the pronged terminal is plugged into the socket.