US 7,324,824 B2 · Wireless network monitoring system

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.

Claims26

Dependent claims

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:

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 tag attached to each of the plurality of mobile objects, the tag of each of the plurality of mobile objects transmitting the position location information signals in a first communication format at a low power;
attaching a plurality of stationary devices to 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 plug to physically and electrically connect with a receptacle of one of the plurality of wall outlets, the plug extending outward from 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 plug 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 the first 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 communication format at a high power from the plurality of stationary devices to a remote position location engine, the high power of the second communication format higher than the low power of the first communication format.

9 more elements

A stationary network appliance for transmitting and receiving tracking information for a plurality of mobile objects in a facility utilizing a mesh network within the facility, the stationary network appliance comprising:

an enclosure;
a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting object tracking information according to a communication format, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure;
a plug to physically and electrically connect with a receptacle of a wall outlet of the facility, the plug extending outward from the enclosure;
a power converter receiving power from the plug in a first power format and delivering power in a second power format to the at least one transceiver, the power converter positioned within the enclosure;
a processor comprising means for processing a plurality of continuous periodic signals from each of the plurality of mobile objects, each of the plurality of continuous periodic signals transmitted from a tag associated with each of the plurality of mobile objects, the plurality of continuous periodic signals received at one of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces according to a first communication format to generate position location information for each of the plurality of mobile objects;
means for storing the position location information for the RFID tag, the storing means disposed within the enclosure;
and
means for delivering the position location information for each of the plurality of mobile objects to at least one of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces for transmitting to a remote device according to a second communication format, wherein the second communication format is transmitted at a greater power than the first communication format.

5 more elements

A method for transmitting and receiving tracking information for a plurality of mobile objects in a facility utilizing a network within the facility, the method comprising:

transmitting position location information signals on a continuous periodic basis for each of the plurality of mobile objects, the position location in formation 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;
attaching a plurality of stationary devices to a plurality of wall outlets within the facility to form a network, each of the plurality of wall outlets having a receptacle, each of the plurality of stationary devices comprising:
an enclosure;
a processor positioned within the enclosure;
a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting object tracking in formation according to a communication format, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor;
a plug to physically and electrically connect with the receptacle of a wall outlet of the facility, the plug extending outward from the enclosure;
and
a power converter receiving power from the plug in a first power format and converting the power from the first power format to a second power format;
receiving position location information signals on a continuous periodic basis for each of the plurality of mobile objects at the plurality of stationary devices in the first communication format;
and
transmitting the position location in formation signals for the plurality of mobile objects from the plurality of stationary devices to a remote device on a continuous periodic basis according to a second communication format, wherein the second communication format is transmitted at a greater power than the first communication format.

8 more elements

A method or transmitting and receiving tracking information for an object in a facility utilizing an indoor wireless mesh network, the method comprising:

transmitting position location information on a continuous periodic basis for each of the plurality of mobile objects, the position location information for each of the plurality of mobile objects transmitted from a tag attached to each of the plurality of mobile objects, the tag of each of the plurality of mobile objects transmitting the position location information in a communication format at a low power;
attaching a plurality of stationary devices to a plurality of wall outlets within the facility to form an indoor wireless mesh network, each of the plurality of wall outlets having a receptacle, each of the plurality of stationary comprising:
an enclosure;
a processor positioned within the enclosure;
a plurality of wireless local area network interfaces, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces comprising at least one transceiver for receiving and transmitting object tracking information according to a communication format, each of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces positioned within the enclosure and in communication with the processor;
a plug to physically and electrically connect with the receptacle of a wall outlet of the facility, the plug extending outward from the enclosure;
and
a power converter receiving power form the plug in a first power format and delivering power to the at least one transceiver of the plurality of wireless local area network interfaces in a second power format;
receiving position location information signals on a continuous periodic basis for each of the plurality of mobile objects at the plurality of stationary devices in the first communication format, to generate position location data for each of the plurality of mobile objects, wherein the first communication format is a low power 802.15.4 communication link;
transmitting the position location data for each of the plurality of mobile objects from at least one of the plurality of stationary devices across the indoor wireless mesh network according to a second communication format, wherein the second communication format is a 802.11 communication link.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wireless network monitoring system

Life of this patent

Wireless network monitoring system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26