Wireless dual-function network device dynamically switching and reconfiguring from a wireless network router state of operation into a wireless network coordinator state of operation in a wireless communication network

• US 8,457,013 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Essinger, Steven, Zhu, Xiaoxun, Schnee, Michael, Liu, JiBin, Shen, Xin, Chen, LiangLiang, Lu, Jun
• Primary Examiner(s): WILSON, ROBERT W
• Application Number:
  US12/319,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20100177660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/00 Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/10 Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/00 Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices

Abstract

Various wireless network components that offer increased flexibility, ease of use, functionality and performance in many demanding applications in diverse fields of use, namely: a wireless multi-function network device for use on a wireless communication network, that can serve multiple functions and dynamically switch and reconfigure from a network router into a network coordinator in the event that the originally designated network coordinator is permanently or temporally disabled; a wireless mesh-type communication network, including a plurality of wireless network router devices, each capable of performing the functions of a network controller/coordinator; a wireless network router device for use on a wireless communication network, and employing an integrated phased-array antenna structure, supporting the spatial isolation of multi-regions, and utilizing beam steering principles of operation, for illuminating multiple wireless network end-devices over separate regions; a network gateway device that supports a USB-type communication interface and RF-based wireless communication interface; a network protocol translation (NPT) based gateway device for use in a wireless communication network; and wireless network coordinator device for automatically establishing a Personal Area Network (PAN) on a wireless communication network, and having a compact housing with an electrical wall plug integrated therein having electrical prongs for plugging into a standard electrical wall socket.

Claims

1. A wireless dual-function network device for use in a wireless communication network, said wireless dual-function network device comprising:

a housing containing said at least one printed circuit board (PCB), a power management module, a RF transceiver, a microprocessor with program memory and flash memory;

wherein said power management module provides electrical power to said PCB, said RF transceiver, and said microprocessor with program memory and said flash memory;

wherein said flash memory stores dual-function firmware which, when executed by said microprocessor and said program memory, configures said microprocessor to operate in a first mode as a wireless network router, or in a second mode as a wireless network coordinator;

wherein said RF transceiver is coupled to said microprocessor and generates data signal packets in both said first mode and said second mode;

wherein an RF antenna structure is coupled to said RF transceiver in order to send and receive the data signal packets in both said first mode and said second mode;

wherein an initial configuration of said microprocessor is to operate in said first mode as a wireless network router, and another wireless dual-function network device is configured to operate in said second mode as a first wireless network coordinator; and

wherein if said another wireless dual-function network device is permanently or temporally disabled on said wireless communication network, then said microprocessor reconfigures the dual-function firmware to operate in said second mode as a replacement wireless network coordinator on said wireless communication network.

2. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication network is a personal area network (PAN).

3. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 1, wherein said PCB comprises a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB);

said PCB has one or more LED indicators for visually indicating the status of operation of said wireless dual-function network device.

4. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 1, which further comprises a GPS module operably connected to said microprocessor, for locating said wireless dual-function network device using a real-time location technique.

5. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 1, wherein said housing is provided with an external wall source power adapter.

6. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 5, wherein said external wall source power adapter comprises an electrical wall plug having electrical prongs for plugging into an electrical wall socket.

7. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 1, wherein said RF antenna structure is a phased-array antenna structure.

8. The wireless dual-function network device of claim 1, which further comprises a backup battery source for maintaining electrical power to said wireless dual-function network device in the event of a short-term power failure.