In situ re-configurable wireless communications system (IRCWCS)

• US 7,805,114 B1
• Filed: 11/26/2002
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Dynamics Company - Bath Iron Works
• Original Assignee: Bath Iron Works Corp. (General Dynamics Corporation)
• Inventors: Houston, Scott, Norton, Mark A., Rinaldi, Michael J., Quintana, W. Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Appiah; Charles N
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOLLIDAY, JAIME MICHELE
• Application Number:
  US10/303,750
• Time in Patent Office: 2,863 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 455/11.1, 455/41.2, 455/90.1, 455/402, 455/554.1, 455/555, 455/575.2
• US Class Current: 455/90.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

In Situ Re-Configurable Wireless Communications System (IRCWCS) in combination with a wearable computer provides an individual user at a public gathering place, fixed facility or non-stationary object with new and enhanced capabilities. In one embodiment of the invention, the re-configurable wireless communication system includes a portable wireless access unit and a Long Range Ethernet (LRE) network switch that connects to an existing LAN. A bridge device such as an LRE puck connects the portable wireless access unit to the LRE network switch through a communications infrastructure. A wearable computer in wireless communication with the portable wireless access unit using a radio frequency link allows communication of video, voice and data to and from the existing LAN through the LRE network switch. The LRE network switch couples to a central command station through the existing LAN.

Claims

1. A portable wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one portable data device;

a portable wireless unit configured to be carried by hand to a first location, the portable wireless unit having a wireless access point device and a bridge device within a single case, the wireless access point device, while at the first location, being configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one portable data device to form, at least in part, a portable wireless network;

a network switch at a second location coupled to an existing network, the at least one portable data device being capable of communicating with the existing network via the network switch;

a sound powered phone cable configured to physically connect the bridge device at the first location to the network switch at the second location, wherein the cable comprises an X40J phone line; and

a cable reel in the portable wireless unit for dispensing the sound powered phone cable when the portable wireless unit is transported from the second location to the first location, the cable reel being configured to store the cable and to be transported with the portable wireless unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable data device includes a wearable computer.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cable is, at least in part, portable and includes a first end coupled to the network switch and a second portable end coupled to the portable wireless unit.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a plurality of portable data devices, each of the plurality of portable data devices being configured to wirelessly communicate with the other portable data devices through the portable wireless unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the network switch comprises a sound powered phone jack box at the second location.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one portable data device communicates at least one of video, voice, and data communications with the existing network.

7. A method of implementing a portable wireless network, comprising:

carrying a portable wireless unit by hand to a first location;

dispensing a sound powered phone cable from a cable reel within the portable wireless unit as the portable wireless unit is carried to the first location, wherein the cable comprises an X40J phone line;

wirelessly connecting at least one portable data device to the portable wireless unit to form, at least in part, a wireless network at the first location, the portable wireless unit having a bridge device and a wireless access point device within a single case, the wireless access point device in wireless communication with the at least one portable data device;

connecting the bridge device to a communications circuit;

connecting the communications circuit to a network switch coupled to an existing network, the network switch being physically connected to the sound powered phone cable at a second location remote from the first location; and

establishing data communication between the portable data device and the existing network via the network switch.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein establishing data communication includes transmitting data from a wearable computer to the existing network.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a plurality of portable data devices and further comprising:

wirelessly connecting each of the plurality of portable data devices to the other portable data devices through the portable wireless access unit.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the network switch comprises a sound powered phone jack box at the second location.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising establishing at least one of video, voice, and data communications with the existing network.

12. A portable wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one portable data device;

a portable wireless unit at a first location, the portable wireless unit having a wireless access point device and a bridge device, the wireless access point device, while at the first location, being configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one portable data device to form, at least in part, a portable wireless network;

a network switch at a second location coupled to an existing network, the at least one portable data device being capable of communicating with the existing network; and

an X40J phone line configured to connect the bridge device at the first location to the network switch at the second location.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a wearable computer.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the X40J phone line is, at least in part, portable and includes a first end coupled to the network switch and a second portable end coupled to the portable wireless unit.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a plurality of portable data devices, each of the plurality of portable data devices being configured to wirelessly communicate with the other portable data devices through the portable wireless unit.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the network switch comprises a sound powered phone jack box at the second location.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one portable data device communicates at least one of video, voice, and data communications with the existing network.

18. A portable wireless communication system, comprising:

at least one portable data device;

a portable wireless unit at a first location, the portable wireless unit comprising a wireless access point device coupled to a long reach Ethernet device, the wireless access point device being configured to wirelessly communicate with the at least one portable data device to form, at least in part, a portable wireless network;

a long reach Ethernet network switch at a second location coupled to an existing network, the at least one portable data device being capable of communicating with the existing network; and

a cable configured to connect the long reach Ethernet device at the first location to the long reach Ethernet network switch at the second location, wherein the cable comprises an X40J phone line.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a wearable computer.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the X40J phone line is, at least in part, portable and includes a first end coupled to the network switch and a second portable end coupled to the portable wireless unit.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a plurality of portable data devices, each of the plurality of portable data devices being configured to wirelessly communicate with the other portable data devices through the portable wireless unit.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the network switch comprises a sound powered phone jack box at the second location.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one portable data device communicates at least one of video, voice, and data communications with the existing network.

24. A method of implementing a portable wireless network, comprising:

carrying a portable wireless unit by hand to a first location, the portable wireless unit having a wireless access point device and a bridge device, the bridge device being connected to a network switch at a second location via an X40J phone line;

wirelessly connecting the wireless access point device at the first location to an at least one portable data device to form, at least in part, a portable wireless network; and

coupling the network switch at the second location to an existing network, the at least one portable data device being capable of communicating with the existing network via the bridge device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a wearable computer.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the at least one portable data device includes a plurality of portable data devices, the method further comprising:

wirelessly connecting each of the plurality of portable data devices to the other portable data devices through the portable wireless access unit.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the network switch comprises a sound powered phone jack box at the second location.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising establishing at least one of video, voice, and data communications with the existing network.