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WEARABLE ACCESS POINT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to access points for networks, 5 and more particularly to portable access points.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of a io wireless router 100 according to the prior art is presented. The wireless router 100 includes a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) transceiver 102, which uses IEEE 802.11 to communicate with multiple wireless client devices (not shown). The wireless LAN transceiver 102 communicates with a rout- 15 ing module 104 and with a processor 106. The processor 106 communicates with system storage 108 and with a WAN (Wide Area Network) Ethernet port 110, which provides an RJ-45 connector for connecting to a cable modem, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem, or any other suitable WAN 20 connection. The wireless router 100 is powered via a power cable socket 112 that receives power from an electrical outlet, usually through a transformer (not shown).
The routing module 104 also communicates with a firewall 114 and a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) 25 server 116. The routing module 104 communicates packets between the WAN Ethernet port 110 and the wireless LAN transceiver 102, subject to firewall 114 restrictions. The firewall 114 protects against malicious traffic, and may also allow for parental control. The routing module 104 can also 30 send packets between wireless devices communicating with the wireless LAN transceiver 102. The DHCP server 116 answers requests received by the wireless LAN transceiver 102 for IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. These IP addresses are dynamically assigned to wireless devices as they attempt 35 to connect to the wireless router 100.
The firewall 114 may also provide NAT (Network Address Translation) capability for sharing a common IP address among the multiple wireless devices communicating with the wireless LAN transceiver 102. The processor 106 controls 40 operation of the wireless LAN transceiver 102, the routing module 104, system storage 108, the WAN Ethernet port 110, the firewall 114, and the DHCP server 116. The processor 106 retrieves instructions from system storage 108, and may also store operating parameters in system storage 108. The pro- 45 cessor 106 may also function as a web server to provide a convenient interface to client devices for updating various settings of the wireless router 100. The firewall 114 and DHCP server 116 may be implemented as functions of the processor 106. 50
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A portable access point comprises a wireless LAN transceiver that is capable of establishing a plurality of Ethernet 55 wireless links with a plurality of wireless client devices, respectively. A wireless WAN transceiver establishes an Ethernet data connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from at least one of said wireless client devices to said ISP and receives and 60 forwards Ethernet data packets from said ISP to said one of said wireless client devices. A routing device routes Ethernet data packets between said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless WAN transceiver. A control module controls operation of said wireless LAN transceiver and said wireless WAN 65 transceiver. A first storage device stores operating system and application instructions for said control module.
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In other features, a charging connection provides power from the power source to an external battery-powered device. The wireless LAN transceiver includes a sleep mode that stops transmission and waits for a resume signal to be received, and wherein the control module places the wireless LAN transceiver in the sleep mode to conserve power. The control module places the wireless LAN transceiver in the sleep mode when packets have not been received at the wireless LAN transceiver for a first period of time.
In further features, the control module monitors a state of charge of the power source, the first period of time varying in accordance with the state of charge. The control module monitors a state of the power source to determine a power saving feature level. A second storage device is used for storing at least one of backup data and media information. The second storage device includes a universal file system to allow the second storage device to appear as a removable storage device to the wireless devices.
In still other features, the wireless WAN transceiver includes a Bluetooth transceiver operable to communicate with a Bluetooth mobile phone that can establish a data service with the ISP. The wireless WAN transceiver includes a digital cellular transceiver operable to communicate with the ISP via a data service of a mobile telephony service provider. A belt clip permits wearing of the portable access point. A firewall protects the wireless devices from malicious activity. The firewall provides Network Address Translation (NAT) for the wireless devices. A DHCP server leases Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the wireless devices.
In other features, an expansion port is operable for connecting to a headset. The expansion port is operable for connecting to physiological sensors. The physiological sensors include at least one of a thermometer, a blood glucose meter, a bloodpressure monitor, a stethoscope, a pedometer, an ECG recorder, and an EEG recorder. The expansion port includes at least one analog to digital converter for converting analog physiological data to a digital format. The expansion port includes at least one preamplifier to boost a signal level from one of the physiological sensors.
In further features, a Global Positioning System receiver determines a physical location of the portable access point, wherein the control module is operable to transmit the physical location to a remote site when an alarm condition is detected. A display displays information pertaining to collected data from the physiological sensors. An input device accepts input from the input device to determine when to sample data from the physiological sensors. A web server module provides a secure web interface to authorized users for accessing collected data from the physiological sensors.
In still other features, the control module receives media information, and at least one of records and streams the media information. Media information is received from the satellite radio tuner and the AM/FM tuner. An audio port is operable to connect to at least one of headphones and a stereo system. The portable access point also includes a microphone, a speaker, an input device that receives information including telephone numbers, and a display for displaying the telephone numbers and call status. Wired ports communicate with wired network devices.
A portable access point comprises providing mobile access point that supports a wireless local area network (LAN) and a wide area network; selectively establishing a plurality of Ethernet wireless links with a plurality of remote wireless client devices, respectively; selectively establishing an Ethernet data connection with a remote Internet Service Provider (ISP); receiving and forwarding Ethernet data packets from at least one of said wireless client devices to said ISP; receiving
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and forwarding Ethernet data packets from said ISP to said one of said wireless client devices; routing packets between said wireless LAN and said wireless WAN; controlling operation of said wireless LAN and said wireless WAN; and storing operating system and application instructions. 5
In other features, the method further comprises providing power to an external battery-powered device. The method further comprises operating in a sleep mode until a resume signal is received from one of the plurality of wireless devices. 10
In further features, operating in sleep mode is performed when packets have not been received from the plurality of wireless devices for a first period of time. Operating in sleep mode includes monitoring a state of charge and varying the first period of time in accordance with the state of charge. The 15 method further comprises monitoring a state of charge to determine a power saving feature level. The method further comprises storing at least one of backup data and media information.
In still other features, the method wherein the establishing 20 includes communicating with a mobile phone capable of establishing a data service with the ISP. Establishing includes communicating directly with a data service of a mobile telephony service provider. The method further comprises protecting the wireless devices from malicious activity. The 25 method further comprises providing Network Address Translation (NAT) to the wireless devices. The method further comprises providing IP address leases to the wireless devices.
In still further features, the method further comprises 3Q receiving data from physiological sensors. The physiological sensors include at least one of a thermometer, a blood glucose meter, a blood pressure monitor, a stethoscope, a pedometer, an ECG recorder, and an EEG recorder. The method further comprises converting analog physiological data into a digital 35 format. The method further comprises boosting a signal level from one of the physiological sensors.
In other features, the method further comprises determining a physical location and transmitting the physical location to a remote site when an alarm condition is detected. The 40 method further comprises displaying information pertaining to collected data from the physiological sensors. The method further comprises accepting input to determine when to sample data from the physiological sensors. The method further comprises providing a secure web interface to authorized 45 users for accessing collected data from the physiological sensors.
In further features, the method further comprises receiving media information, and at least one of recording and streaming the media information. Receiving includes receiving 50 media information from a satellite radio tuner. Receiving includes receiving media information from an AM/FM tuner.
Aportable access point comprises wireless LAN transceiving means for establishing a plurality of Ethernet wireless links with a plurality of wireless client devices, respectively. 55 Wireless WAN transceiving means establishes an Ethernet data connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP), receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from at least one of said wireless client devices to said ISP and receives and forwards Ethernet data packets from said ISP to said one of 60 said wireless client devices. Routing means routes Ethernet data packets between said wireless LAN transceiving means and said wireless WAN transceiving means. Control means controls operation of said wireless LAN transceiving means and said wireless WAN transceiving means. Storing means 65 stores operating system and application instructions for said control means.
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In other features, charging means provides power from the charge storage means to an external battery-powered device. The wireless LAN transceiving means includes a sleep mode that stops transmission and waits for a resume signal to be received, and wherein the control means places the wireless LAN transceiving means in the sleep mode to conserve power. The control means places the wireless LAN transceiving means in the sleep mode when packets have not been received at the wireless LAN transceiving means for a first period of time.
In further features, the control means monitors a state of charge of the charge storage means, the first period of time varying in accordance with the state of charge. The control means monitors a state of the charge storage means to determine a power saving feature level. Second storage means stores at least one of backup data and media information. The second storage means includes universal file means for allowing the second storage means to appear as a removable device to the wireless devices.
In still other features, the wireless WAN transceiving means includes Bluetooth transceiving means for communicating with Bluetooth mobile means for establishing a data service with the ISP. The wireless WAN transceiving means includes digital cellular means for communicating with the ISP via a data service of a mobile telephony service provider. Belt clip means allows wearing of the portable access point. Firewall means protects the wireless devices from malicious activity. The firewall means provides Network Address Translation (NAT) for the wireless devices. DHCP means leases Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the wireless devices.
In still further features, expansion port means connects to a stereo system. Expansion port means connects to a headset. Expansion port means receives data from physiological sensors. The physiological sensors include at least one of a thermometer, a blood glucose meter, a blood pressure monitor, a stethoscope, a pedometer, an ECG recorder, and an EEG recorder. The expansion port means includes at least one analog to digital converting means for converting analog physiological data to a digital format. The expansion port means includes at least one preamplifying means for boosting a signal level from one of the physiological sensors.
In other features, Global Positioning System means determines a physical location of the portable access point, wherein the control means is operable to transmit the physical location to a remote site when an alarm condition is detected. Display means displays information pertaining to collected data from the physiological sensors on the display means. Input means accepts input to determine when to sample data from the physiological sensors. Web server means provides a secure web interface to authorized users for accessing collected data from the physiological sensors.
In further features, the control means receives media information, and at least one of records and streams the media information. Satellite radio tuning means receives satellite radio media information. AM/FM tuning means receives AM/FM media information. Audio port means connects to at least one of headphones and a stereo system. The portable access point also includes microphonic means for receiving audio information, speaker means for producing audio information, input device means for receiving user information including telephone numbers, and display means for displaying the telephone numbers and call status. Wired LAN means communicates with wired network devices.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodi
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