Portable Wireless Mesh Device

Abstract

A wireless mesh network comprising a plurality of mobile mesh devices coupled as nodes in a mesh network topology is provided herein. Generally speaking, each mobile mesh device may be a portable, self-contained unit, which does not require network or power wiring to communicate network traffic between the nodes. According to one embodiment, the mobile mesh device may include a small cell gateway for capturing, converting and re-routing cellular signals throughout and beyond the wireless mesh network. According to another embodiment, the mobile mesh device may include a real-time locating services (RTLS) hardware / software engine for capturing network traffic, identifying the identity and location of the device transmitting the network traffic, and triggering an action in response to either the identity and / or the location of the transmitting device. In some embodiments, the RTLS hardware / software engine may be combined with the small cell gateway to automatically re-route converted cellular signals throughout and beyond the wireless mesh network based on the identity of captured data packets.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]The present application claims priority to prior U.S. Application No. 61 / 876,875 filed Sep. 12, 2013.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to wireless mesh networks, and more particularly to a portable wireless mesh device that can be used to provide a temporary and / or rapidly deployable wireless mesh network.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion within this section.[0006]Wireless communication networks have gained widespread use in recent years. Among the commonly used forms of wireless networks are those that implement versions of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE standard 802.15 (Bluetooth) and IEEE standard 802.16 (WiMAX). In general, there is a push in the industry to continually improve both the range and reliability of such networks...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a mobile mesh device that has multiple end-fed dipole antennas with a channel selection pin that can adjust the resonant frequency of the antennas. The device also has an inverted ground plane configuration that directs the antenna radiation back towards the ground, improving the antenna's radiation pattern. The device can also detect and locate the transmitting device, and provide RTLS services without the need for site surveys or fingerprinting. The technical effects of the patent are improved network performance and efficiency, reduced setup time and cost, and improved user experience.

Problems solved by technology

However, at least in the case of many wireless networks, regulations limit the amount of power that a node can use to transmit.

One drawback of conventional wireless mesh networks is that the mesh routers are typically fixed in place or have extremely limited mobility, since they generally require a wired connection to either an external network and / or a power source.

This renders fixed wireless mesh networks, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, unsuitable for mobile mesh networking applications in which portability of the mesh routers is not only desired, but required to meet the needs of a given application.

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