Plug-in network appliance
First Claim
1. A mesh network in an indoor facility, the mesh network comprising:
- a plurality of mesh nodes distributed about the indoor facility, each mesh node connected via a wireless link with at least one other mesh node, each mesh node comprising;
an enclosure;
a processor positioned within the enclosure;
a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format;
a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility; and
means for bridging data between at least two communication formats,wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes at least one mesh node in wired connection with an attached device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A plug-in network appliance is disclosed. In one aspect, a network appliance performs a bridge between two wireless communication formats. In another aspect, a network appliance is deployed to perform position location services. In another aspect, a mesh network comprising one or more network appliances is deployed. A mesh network comprising one or more network appliances may be deployed to perform position location services. A plug-in form factor is described. A network appliance may convert power received from a plug in a first format to power in a second format for powering various components. A network appliance may connect with a wireless network and/or a network connected through a plug. A plug-in network appliance may connect to a weight-bearing outlet. Various other aspects are also presented.
71 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A mesh network in an indoor facility, the mesh network comprising:
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a plurality of mesh nodes distributed about the indoor facility, each mesh node connected via a wireless link with at least one other mesh node, each mesh node comprising; an enclosure; a processor positioned within the enclosure; a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format; a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility; and means for bridging data between at least two communication formats, wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes at least one mesh node in wired connection with an attached device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for an indoor facility, the system comprising:
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a mesh network including a plurality of mesh nodes distributed about the indoor facility, each mesh node connected via a wireless link with at least one other mesh node, each mesh node comprising; an enclosure; a processor positioned within the enclosure; at least one wireless local area network interface positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, the wireless local area network interface comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format; and a plug extending outward from the enclosure, the plug physically and electrically connecting the mesh node with an outlet of the indoor facility, such that the mesh node remains at a stationary location within the indoor facility; at least one attached device in wired communication with a respective one of the plurality of mesh nodes; a position location engine connected to one of the plurality of mesh nodes; and at least one tag located within the indoor facility, the tag emitting a signal for receipt by at least one neighboring mesh node, wherein the at least one neighboring mesh node processes the signal to generate position location information for the tag and transfers the position location information to the position location engine. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for transmitting and receiving tracking information for a plurality of mobile objects on a continuous basis in a facility utilizing an indoor wireless network, the method comprising:
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transmitting position location information signals on a continuous periodic basis for each of the plurality of mobile objects, the position location information signals for each of the plurality of mobile objects transmitted from a RFID tag attached to each of the plurality of mobile objects, the RFID tag of each of the plurality of mobile objects transmitting the position location information signals in a first communication format at a low power; connecting a plurality of stationary devices to power from a plurality of wall outlets within the facility to form an indoor wireless network, each of the plurality of stationary devices comprising; an enclosure; a processor positioned within the enclosure; a receiver positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor; a transmitter positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor; and a power converter capable of receiving power from the wall outlet in a first power format and delivering power to the transmitter and receiver in a second power format, the power converter positioned within the enclosure; receiving position location information signals on a continuous periodic basis at the plurality of stationary devices in a first wireless communication format over a first wireless link from the plurality of mobile objects; and transmitting the position location information over a second wireless link in a second wireless communication format at a high power from the plurality of stationary devices to an access point, the high power of the second wireless communication format higher than the low power of the first communication format; and transmitting the position location information from the access point to a remote position location engine. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A system for an indoor facility, the system comprising:
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a wireless network including a plurality of stationary devices distributed about the indoor facility, each stationary device comprising; an enclosure; a processor positioned within the enclosure; at least one wireless local area network interface positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor, the wireless local area network interface comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting data according to a communication format; a plurality of access points, each of the plurality of access point in communication with at least one of the plurality of stationary devices; and a position location engine in communication with each of the plurality of access points; and a plurality of mobile objects within the indoor facility, each of the plurality of mobile objects comprising a RFID tag for emitting on a continuous periodic basis a position location tracking signal for receipt by the plurality of stationary devices; wherein the position location tracking signals from each of the RFID tags of each of the plurality of mobile objects are utilized to generate position location information for each of the plurality of mobile objects by the position location engine.
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Specification