MODULAR COMMUNICATIONS APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20070155325A1
• Filed: 07/05/2006
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Britt Bambic, Casimir Lawler
• Original Assignee: Britt Bambic, Casimir Lawler
• Inventors: LAWLER, CASIMIR, BAMBIC, BRITT
• Application Number:
  US11/428,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20070155325A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/00 Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices

Abstract

Briefly, and in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a modular device for providing wireless services and a network of such devices. The modular device may include one or more modules including, but not limited to, a module for providing cell phone services, a module for providing conditioned power to other modules included in the modular device, a module for presenting wireless networking services, a module for bridging to other modular devices arranged in a network, a module for monitoring physical phenomena such as air quality, a module for providing public services such as public service announcements, and a module for storing data. Some embodiments include an integrated enclosure.

Claims

1. A modular device for wireless communications, comprising:

a first module capable of communicating wirelessly to an electronic device;

at least one second module; and

a bus providing data communication and power transmission between said second module and said first module.

2. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said second module is:

a provisioning module capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber units;

a power module capable of providing electrical power to said modular device;

a bridge module capable of communicating with another said modular device;

a network access module;

a monitor module capable of monitoring at least one physical phenomenon;

a position module capable of determining the location of said modular device;

a data storage module capable of storing digital data for later retrieval;

or

a multimedia module capable of presenting audiovisual information.

3. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said power module comprises a battery for storing electrical energy and an electronic circuit for conditioning the voltage and current.

4. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said bridge module communicates wirelessly.

5. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said bridge module communicates via an electrical conductor.

6. The modular device of claim 5, wherein said electrical conductor is:

an electric power line;

a fiber optic cable;

a coaxial cable;

a telephone line;

or

a dedicated electrical conductor.

7. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said position module determines the location of said modular device by using a satellite navigation system.

8. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said at least one physical phenomenon is:

a weather phenomenon;

an ambient air temperature;

an internal temperature of the modular device;

a particulate content of ambient air;

or

a pollutant content of ambient air.

9. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said monitor module comprises a camera.

10. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said provisioning module is adapted to accept a plurality of electronic cards, wherein each said electronic card is configured to support a pre-selected wireless communications protocol.

11. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said provisioning module is adapted to communicate with a communications satellite.

12. The modular device of claim 11, wherein said provisioning module further comprises an antenna adapted to communicate with said communications satellite.

13. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said multimedia module presents multimedia information using a visual display or a speaker attached to said multimedia module.

14. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said multimedia module presents multimedia information using a visual display or a speaker detached from said multimedia module.

15. The modular device of claim 2, wherein said multimedia module further comprises a call box or an external communications link.

16. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said first module is:

a provisioning module capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber units;

a bridge module capable of communicating with another said modular device;

or a network access module.

17. The modular device of claim 1, further comprising a weather resistant housing.

18. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said bus is adapted to conduct electrical power.

19. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said bus conducts data via an Internet protocol.

20. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said second module is removable.

21. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said modular device aggregates one or more communications sources for communication through a single telecommunications carrier.

22. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said modular device aggregates communications of one or more protocols through a single protocol and telecommunications carrier.

23. The modular device of claim 1, further comprising a structure adapted to support said bus, said power module, and at least one said second module.

24. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said first module further comprises a structure adapted to support at least one said second module.

25. The modular device of claim 1, wherein said modular device is adapted to be supported by a fixed structure, pole, building, or cable.

26. The modular device of claim 1, furtherer comprising an electronic circuit adapted to communicate with a low-earth orbit satellite, whereby configuration commands may be transmitted to the modular device via said low-earth orbit satellite.

27. The modular device of claim 26, wherein said low-earth orbit satellite is a global positioning system satellite.

28. A communications network,comprising a plurality of said modular a plurality of said modular devices of claim 1.

29. A communication network, comprising:

a plurality of nodes, each node comprising a modular communication device adapted to aggregate data from one or more wireless data sources and communicate said data to another node, wherein said modular communication device comprises;

a first module capable of communicating wirelessly to an electronic device;

one or more second modules; and

a bus providing data communication and power transmission between at least one said second module and said first module.

30. The communication network of claim 29, wherein said data sources comprise a subscriber unit.

31. The communication network of claim 29, wherein said data sources comprise said modular communication device.

32. The communication network of claim 29, wherein at least one said modular communication device is configured to communicate said data with a non-network device.

33. The communication network of claim 32, wherein said non-network device is a communication satellite.

34. The communication network of claim 32, wherein said modular communications device communicates with said non-network device via a wireless communications, broadband over power line, or telephone line.

35. The communications network of claim 29, wherein each node communicates to another node using a communications channel selected from the group consisting of a cellular communications channel, a wired telephone channel, broadband over power lines channel, or a wireless networking channel.

36. A method for providing communication services, comprising the steps of:

determining communication services required for a pre-selected site;

adapting a modular communications device to provide said communication services by installing modules or removing modules from said modular communications device;

installing said modular communications device at said pre-selected site;

selecting a primary communications channel from among a set of at least one communication channels; and

aggregating said communication services to said primary communications channel.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of selecting said modules from the group consisting of a provisioning module, a power module, a network access module, a bridge module, a monitor module, a position module, a data storage module, and a multimedia module.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of establishing a command channel with a satellite.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

determining the geographic location of said modular communications device, wherein the modular communications device determines its geographic location by use of a satellite navigation system.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the primary communications channel comprises a communications satellite.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein the primary communications channel is selected from the group consisting of a cellular communications channel, a wired telephone channel, broadline over power lines channel, or a wireless networking channel.

42. A modular communications device, comprising:

means for adapting said modular communications device to provide pre-selected communication services by installing modules or removing modules from said modular communications device;

means for selecting said modules from the group of consisting of a provisioning module, a power module, a network access module, a bridge module, a monitor module, a position module, a data storage module, and a multimedia module;

means for installing said modular communications device at said pre-selected site; and

means for aggregating said communication services to a communications channel.

43. A modular communications device, comprising:

a first module capable of communicating wirelessly to an electronic device, wherein the first module is;

a module capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more subscriber units,

a module capable of wirelessly communicating with another said modular device,

or a module capable of acting as a hub for users of wireless services to connect to a network;

one or more second modules, wherein each said second module is;

a module adapted to provide electrical power to said first module,

a module adapted to monitor at least one physical phenomenon,

a module adapted to determine the location of said modular device,

a module adapted to enable a person to summon aid,

a module adapted to enable a public service function,

a module adapted to present multimedia information,

or a module adapted to digital data for later retrieval; and

a bus providing data communication and power transmission between at least one said second module and said first module;

wherein said first module includes a structure adapted to support at least one said second module and housing.

44. A communications network, comprising a plurality of said modular devices of claim 43.