Self-configuring, adaptive, three-dimensional, wireless network

• US 20040246936A1
• Filed: 07/12/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Rearden Studios, Inc.
• Inventors: Perlman, Stephen G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,385,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/343
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A network for wireless transmission of a media data in a building includes a plurality of access points. A first access point receives the media data from a source and transmits the media data downstream at a first data rate. A plurality of additional access points is distributed about the building, each of which includes an upstream transceiver to receive the media content on a first channel and a downstream transceiver to re-transmit the media content at substantially the first data rate on a second channel. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims

1-44. -44. (Canceled).

45. A wireless access point comprising:

a plug for insertion into an electrical outlet;

a power supply unit coupled to the plug for converting an A.C. voltage provided by the electrical outlet into a D.C. voltage;

means powered by the D.C. voltage for receiving and transmitting data;

a housing, the power supply unit and the means being enclosed within the housing, the plug being attached to the housing such that the electrical outlet physically supports the wireless access point in a position against the electrical outlet when the plug is inserted into the electrical outlet.

46. The wireless access point of claim 45 wherein the means comprises a wireless transceiver.

47. The wireless access point of claim 46 wherein the wireless transceiver comprises a device compliant to an IEEE 802.11 standard.

48. The wireless access point of claim 45 wherein the means receives and transmits data on a single frequency channel.

49. The wireless access point of claim 45 wherein the means receives data on a first frequency channel and transmits data on a second frequency channel.

50. The wireless access point of claim 45 wherein the data comprises audio data.

51. The wireless access point of claim 45 wherein the data comprises video data.

52. A wireless access point comprising:

a housing;

a plug fixedly attached to the housing for insertion into an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet physically supporting and powering the wireless access point;

at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data, the at least one transceiver being enclosed within the housing;

a port independent from the electrical outlet that provides a physical data interface.

53. The wireless access point of claim 52 wherein the physical data interface comprises an IEEE 1394 interface.

54. The wireless access point of claim 52 wherein the physical data interface comprises an optical interface.

55. The wireless access point of claim 52 wherein the at least one transceiver receives and transmits data on a single frequency channel.

56. The wireless access point of claim 52 wherein the at least one transceiver receives data on a first frequency channel and transmits data on a second frequency channel.

57. A wireless access point comprising:

a processor;

means coupled to the processor for receiving audio data repeated from another wireless access point; and

a port that provides a physical data interface coupled to the processor.

58. The wireless access point of claim 57 wherein the physical data interface comprises an IEEE 1394 interface.

59. The wireless access point of claim 57 wherein the physical data interface comprises an optical interface.

60. The wireless access point of claim 57 wherein the physical data interface comprises a digital media interface.

61. A wireless access point comprising:

a processor;

means coupled to the processor for receiving video data repeated from another wireless access point; and

a port that provides a physical data interface coupled to the processor.

62. The wireless access point of claim 61 wherein the physical data interface comprises an IEEE 1394 interface.

63. A wireless access point comprising:

means for transmitting audio data repeated from another wireless access point; and

a port that provides a physical data interface coupled to the means for transmitting audio data.

64. The wireless access point of claim 63 wherein the physical data interface comprises an IEEE 1394 interface.

65. The wireless access point of claim 63 wherein the physical data interface comprises an optical interface.

66. The wireless access point of claim 63 wherein the means for transmitting comprises a processor coupled to a wireless transceiver.

67. A wireless access point comprising:

means for receiving video data repeated from another wireless access point;

a memory to store encryption key information for authorizing access to the audio data; and

a port other than an electrical outlet connection that provides a physical data interface coupled to the means for receiving audio data.

68. The wireless access point of claim 67 wherein the physical data interface comprises an IEEE 1394 interface.

69. The wireless access point of claim 67 wherein the physical data interface comprises an optical interface.

70. The wireless access point of claim 67 wherein the means for receiving comprises a processor coupled to a transceiver.

71. A wireless access point comprising:

a housing;

a plug fixedly attached to the housing for insertion into an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet physically supporting and powering the wireless access point;

means enclosed in the housing for repeating audio data repeated from another wireless access point, the means and the another wireless access point communicating on a single frequency channel; and

a port independent from the electrical outlet that provides a physical data interface coupled to the means for repeating.

72. A wireless access point comprising:

a housing;

a plug fixedly attached to the housing for insertion into an electrical outlet, the electrical outlet physically supporting and powering the wireless access point;

means enclosed in the housing for repeating video data repeated from another wireless access point, the means and the another wireless access point communicating on a single frequency channel; and

a port that provides a physical data interface coupled to the means for repeating.

73. A wireless access point comprising:

a plug for insertion into an electrical outlet;

a power supply unit coupled to the plug for converting an A.C. voltage provided by the electrical outlet into a D.C. voltage;

means powered by the D.C. voltage for receiving and transmitting data;

a housing, the power supply unit and the means being enclosed within the housing, the plug being attached to the housing such that the electrical outlet physically supports the wireless access point in a position against the electrical outlet when the plug is inserted into the electrical outlet; and

one or more wired interfaces coupled to the means, the one or more wired interfaces not being connected to the electrical outlet.

74. A wireless access point comprising:

means for receiving audio data repeated from another wireless access point;

a memory to store encryption key information for authorizing access to the audio data; and

a port that provides a physical data interface coupled to the means for receiving audio data.