Abstract:
The present invention presents a method and system for providing an intelligent data concentrator communicatively coupled to a network by a wireless mode. Specifically, the present invention comprises a portable intelligent device, communicatively connected to a network by a wireless mode, which may, for example, be placed in the center of a conference table to facilitate a number of client devices connecting for simultaneous access to the network and, at the same time, allowing for ease in moving about the room. In one embodiment, the portable intelligent data concentrator is communicatively coupled by a wireless mode to an access point. In one embodiment, the intelligent data concentrator is battery powered. In one embodiment, the access point through which the intelligent data concentrator is connected to the network is another intelligent data concentrator. In another embodiment, the access point is a Bluetooth access point.

Description:
RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to the copending provisional patent applications: patent application Ser. No. 60/277,593, entitled “‘Intellijack’ physical concepts,” with filing date Mar. 20, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention; patent application Ser. No. 60/277,767, entitled “A method for managing intelligent hardware for access to voice and data networks,” with filing date Mar. 20, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention; patent application Ser. No. 60/277,451, entitled “A method for filtering access to voice and data networks by use of intelligent hardware,” with filing date Mar. 20, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention; patent application Ser. No. 60/277,592, “‘Intellijack’ usage,” with filing date Mar. 20, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention; patent application Ser. No. 60/285,419, “Intelligent concentrator,” with filing date Apr. 20, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention; and patent application Ser. No. 60/301,532, “Intelligent concentrator,” with filing date Jun. 26, 2001, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of computer networks. In particular, the present invention relates to a device communicatively coupled to a network by a wireless mode. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern Local Area Networking (LAN) is generally accomplished by extensive runs of multiple parallel cables to multiple connections and devices at each work site. This is in addition to voice telephone, FAX, and device power cabling. In a large number of work sites, each electronic device connected to the LAN requires its own network cabling. When LAN infrastructures require change, it is very costly to move or add network cabling to support connected devices. 
     The current state of the art for implementing data multiplexing and Firewall technology, on a per user basis, is centered around providing the capability in a centralized head end data switch or router or by distributing these functions to the end user&#39;s location by placing a box level data concentrator switch and security equipment, whether hardware firewall, access control or hardware encryption device, next to the computing equipment that is to be connected to a data LAN. 
     An intelligent device (e.g., an intelligent data concentrator) for coupling a plurality of electronic devices to a network has been proposed. Typically this intelligent device resides in a wall, is communicatively coupled to the network via cables, and satisfies the need for reliably multiplexing voice, data, FAX and power lines in order to reduce the cost of installation and infrastructure change in a LAN. The intelligent data concentrator also may provide intelligence for aiding in the management of connected networks. A plurality of client devices may be communicatively coupled to the network by plugging into this single intelligent data concentrator. 
     However, situations may arise wherein it may be difficult or troublesome to connect a plurality of client devices to the aforementioned intelligent device. For example, in the instance where a relatively large number of client devices are being employed in one room, e.g., around a conference table in a conference room, the number of wires may interfere with people moving about the room. Furthermore, the intelligent device may not provide for ease of movement about a room when a number of devices are wired into the device for accessing a network. 
     There may be instances in which a wall mounted intelligent device may not be easily accessible due to placement of furniture or other equipment. In such instances, a device that may be easily moved to a more convenient location, such as a portable intelligent device, might be desirable. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for providing an intelligent data device that may be easily moved and that will allow multiple client devices access to one or more networks within a single room, at the same time allowing for ease of movement about the room. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention presents a method and system for providing an intelligent data concentrator communicatively coupled to a network by a wireless mode. Specifically, the present invention comprises a portable intelligent device, communicatively connected to a network by a wireless mode, which may, for example, be placed in the center of a conference table to facilitate a number of client devices connecting for simultaneous access to the network and, at the same time, allowing for ease in moving about the room. In one embodiment, the portable intelligent data concentrator is communicatively coupled by a wireless mode to an access point. In one embodiment, the intelligent data concentrator is battery powered. In one embodiment, the access point through which the intelligent data concentrator is connected to the network is another intelligent data concentrator. In another embodiment, the access point is a Bluetooth access point. 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides an intelligent device for coupling an electronic device to a network comprising a first interface for communicatively coupling, by a wireless mode, the intelligent device to the network, the network comprising at least one network device. The intelligent device also comprises a second interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to a plurality of client devices such that the client devices are communicatively coupled to the network. Additionally, the intelligent device comprises processor coupled to the first interface and the second interface and a wireless transceiver for communicatively coupling the first interface the network, coupled to the second interface. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the network device is an access point. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is communicatively coupled to the access point by means of a wireless link. 
     In one embodiment, the access point is a Bluetooth access point and the transceiver is a Bluetooth transceiver. In another embodiment, the access point is a wall-mounted intelligent data concentrator. 
     In one embodiment, the intelligent device is battery powered. In another embodiment, the intelligent device is powered by a conventional wall socket. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are illustrated in the various drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary wired desktop cluster coupled to a local area network (LAN) by a wireless mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of a portable intelligent data concentrator with an internal power source in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of a portable intelligent data concentrator with an external power source in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of a perspective view of an exemplary faceplate of a portable intelligent data concentrator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary LAN upon which embodiments of the present invention may be practiced. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an intelligent data concentrator within an exemplary LAN in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary conference room cluster coupled to a local area network (LAN) by a wireless mode in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of an intelligent data concentrator configured for communicatively coupling a plurality of client devices to a network by wireless means in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the steps in a process for achieving network server access in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are not described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the present invention. 
     Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. A procedure, computer executed step, logic block, process, etc., is here and generally conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps of instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of data representing physical quantities to achieve tangible and useful results. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or the like. 
     It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing”, “interpreting”, “sending”, “detecting”, “acting”, “notifying”, “polling”, or the like, refer to the actions and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device. The computer system or similar electronic device manipulates and transforms data represented as electronic quantities within the computer system&#39;s registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices. 
     Portions of the present invention are comprised of computer-readable and computer executable instructions which reside, for example, in computer-usable media of a computer system. It is appreciated that the present invention can operate within a number of different computer systems including general-purpose computer systems, embedded computer systems, and stand-alone computer systems specially adapted for controlling automatic test equipment. 
     The present invention provides a device and method for managing network server accessibility detection and client notification. Specifically, the present invention is a device and method for notifying end-users of network server failures. According to one embodiment, the present invention provides an intelligent device (e.g., an intelligent data concentrator) for coupling an electronic device to a network and for providing a polling means coupled to a means for processing and interpreting data and sending messages to the electronic device. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary personal area network (PAN)  100  coupled to a local area network (LAN)  150  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. PAN  100  comprises IP telephony  110 , notebook  120 , desktop workstation  130  (e.g., a computer system), and printer  140 , each of which is coupled to intelligent data concentrator  210 . Intelligent data concentrator  210  is communicatively coupled over wireless connection  170  to LAN  150 , thus acting as an interface from the various client devices (e.g., comprises IP telephony  110 , notebook  120 , desktop workstation  130 , and printer  140 ) to LAN  150 . The wireless connection  170  to LAN  150  affords ease in moving about a work area comprising PAN  100  without concern for location of wires and/or cables. In one embodiment, wireless connection  170  is communicatively coupled to an access point  160  that is communicatively coupled to LAN  150 . In one embodiment, the access point  160  is a Bluetooth device. It should be appreciated that the wireless mode is not limited to a Bluetooth device, and may employ any type of wireless interfaces, including but not limited to ultra wide band (UWB), USB2 wide band or any type of peer-to-peer wireless network. In one embodiment the access point  160  is another intelligent data concentrator  210  which has a wired connection to LAN  150 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of an intelligent data concentrator  210  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. One embodiment of the present invention implements intelligent hardware that is easy to install and reliably provides an antenna for wireless access to network  240 , implemented through an access point  260  provided for in an office cubicle or conference room. An external surface  230  of intelligent data concentrator  210  is intended to be accessible by the end user and would in most instances be easily accessed on desk or table top surface of a workspace or conference room. According to one embodiment, network  240  is a data network. In another embodiment, network  240  is a voice network. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2A , a plurality of standard communications ports  220  is mounted on external surface  230  of the present embodiment for access by client devices. In one embodiment, communication port  220  is an RJ-45 jack. In another embodiment, communication port  220  is an RJ-11 jack. It should be appreciated that communication port  220  is not limited to any particular jack, and that any type or combination of types of communication port(s) can be used. Additionally, while intelligent data concentrator  210  illustrates four communication ports  220 , it should be appreciated that alternative implementations could support a greater or lesser number of communication ports  220 . 
     Connections to network  240  are terminated at access point  260  from which communication is wirelessly coupled to intelligent data concentrator  210  via a means for transmitting and receiving data  245 . Means for transmitting and receiving data  245  may include, but not be limited to: an antenna, a wireless transceiver, a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter and Bluetooth transceiver. Access point  260  may be, but should not be limited to, a Bluetooth, 802.11, or infrared (IR) device, or it may be an in-wall intelligent data concentrator. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2A , in addition to wired connections to and from intelligent data concentrator  210  and the client devices, wireless connectivity is a viable method. Infrared (IR), Bluetooth, 802.11 or other means could be utilized by the client devices to communicate with the device. 
     In one embodiment, power for intelligent data concentrator  210  is provided by internal power source  270 . The present embodiment is also able to forward power to data devices that are connected to communications ports  220  on user accessible surface  230 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows intelligent data concentrator  210  connected to external power source  280 , according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, power for intelligent data concentrator  210 , as well as devices connected to it, is provided from external power source  280 . External power source may be any means of providing power to intelligent data concentrator  210 , including but not limited to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) and a PCMCIA card. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a perspective view  300  of an exemplary user-accessible external surface  230  of an intelligent data concentrator  210  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A user is able to connect data devices to a voice or data network through communications ports  220 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary LAN  400  upon which embodiments of the present invention may be practiced. LAN  400  comprises a network head end  405 , an access point  460 , and intelligent devices  410 ,  415 , and  420 . In one embodiment, intelligent devices  410 ,  415  and  420  are intelligent data concentrators (e.g., intelligent data concentrator  210  of  FIG. 2 ). In one embodiment, network head end  405  is a central control site that can access the intelligence of intelligent devices  410 ,  415 , and  420  via access point  460 . In another embodiment, network head end  405  is a central data switch or hub. Intelligent devices  410 ,  415 , and  420  are communicatively coupled to network  405  over wireless links  440 ,  445 , and  450 , respectively. In one embodiment, links  440 ,  445 , and  450  are Bluetooth connections. In another embodiment, links  440 ,  445  and  450  are IEEE standard 802.11 connections. It should be appreciated that links  440 ,  445  and  450  may be any appropriate wireless connection. 
     Intelligent device  410  is coupled to client devices  425   a  and  425   b . Similarly, intelligent device  415  is coupled to client devices  430   a ,  430   b  and  430   c , and intelligent device  420  is coupled to client devices  435   a  and  435   b . It should be appreciated that client devices can comprise any number of data devices, including but not limited to: computer systems, printers, voice IP telephones, and fax machines configured for use over voice IP networks. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an intelligent data concentrator  210  within an exemplary LAN in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Network  500 , in accordance with the present embodiment, comprises a DHCP server  520 , a DNS server  530 , a gateway server  540  and a firewall server  550  and is communicatively coupled to the intelligent data concentrator  210  via wireless access point  560 . Client devices  510   a ,  510   b ,  510   c , and  510   d  are, according to the present embodiment, are also communicatively coupled to the intelligent data concentrator  210 . Thus, intelligent data concentrator  210  may communicate with all client devices  510   a ,  510   b ,  510   c  and  510   d , and with DHCP  520 , DNS  530 , GW  540  and FW  550 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , intelligent data concentrator  210  sends a polling signal to servers  520 ,  530 ,  540  and  550  on a predetermined periodic basis. This polling signal may be in the form of, but not limited to, a ping, an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message, an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) message, a Simple Network Management Protocol message or any messaging protocol appropriate for polling the accessibility of server devices. Provided all servers  520 ,  530 ,  540  and  550  are accessible there is no notification sent to client devices  510   a - d . It is understood that the servers are not limited to the number or type exemplified in  FIG. 5 , but may include any number and classification of server devices as comprise a network. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary conference room  600  with a cluster of client devices  610  and  620   a - h  communicatively coupled to a local area network (LAN)  650  by a portable intelligent data concentrator  610  through a wireless mode, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The wireless coupling  660  of the intelligent data concentrator  610  to the LAN  650  affords ease in moving about conference room  600  without concern for location of wires and/or cables. In one embodiment, the wireless mode may be via an access point  640  which is coupled to LAN  650 . In one embodiment, the access point  640  may be a Bluetooth device. In one embodiment the access point  640  may be another intelligent data concentrator  610  which has a wired connection to LAN  650 . It should be appreciated that the wireless mode may employ any type of wireless interface. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram  700  of an intelligent data concentrator configured for communicatively coupling a plurality of client devices to a network by wireless means. 
     Intelligent data concentrator  702  comprises a first interface  704  for communicatively coupling intelligent data concentrator  702  to access point  714  by wireless means for coupling to network  708 . Intelligent data concentrator  702  also comprises a plurality of second interfaces  706   a - d  for communicatively coupling intelligent data concentrator  702  to a plurality of client devices  710   a - d . In one embodiment, second interfaces  706   a - d  are communication ports (e.g., communication ports  220  of  FIG. 2 ). It should be appreciated that there can be any number of second interfaces  706   a - d , and that the present invention is not meant to limit the number of second interfaces  706   a - d . First interface  704  operating in conjunction with second interfaces  706   a - d  operates to connect client devices  710   a - d  to network  708 . In one embodiment, first interface  704  may be a Bluetooth transceiver. In another embodiment, first interface  704  may be a 802.11 transceiver. It should be understood that first interface  704  may be any transmitting/receiving device compatible with access point  714 . Wireless access point may be a Bluetooth device in one embodiment, a 802.11 device in another embodiment and a wall-mounted intelligent device in yet another embodiment. It should be appreciated that the access point is not limited to the aforementioned devices, and any device providing wireless means for communicatively coupling the intelligent data concentrator  702  with network  708  may be employed. 
     Intelligent data concentrator  702  also comprises means for processing and interpreting data  712  coupled to the first interface  704  and intelligence  718  coupled to the means for processing and interpreting data  712 . Means for processing and interpreting data  712  is intended to include, but not limited to: a processor, input/output devices and memory. 
     Intelligence  718  may include, but not be limited to, a fault detection means, a polling means, a client device notification means and any number of functional means as may be required for the device application and supplied by software implementation or hardware design. 
     Intelligent data concentrator  702  also comprises means for transmitting and receiving data  720  coupled to the first interface  704 . Means for transmitting and receiving data  720  is intended to include, but not be limited to: an antenna, a wireless transceiver, a wireless receiver, a wireless transmitter and a Bluetooth transceiver. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart  800  of the steps in a process for providing network access to a number and variety of client devices by a wireless means, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At step  810 , an intelligent device coupled to a network by a wireless is provided. The intelligent device comprises a first interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to a network by a wireless mode. In one embodiment the intelligent device is an intelligent data concentrator (e.g., intelligent data concentrator  702  of  FIG. 7 ). 
     In one embodiment, the wireless mode is via an access point in the vicinity of the intelligent device. In one embodiment the access point is a Bluetooth access point. In one embodiment the access point is an IEEE standard 802.11 access point. In another embodiment the access point is an intelligent data concentrator. 
     At step  820  of process  800 , network access by means of an intelligent device is provided for a number of client devices. The intelligent device comprises a second interface for communicatively coupling the intelligent device to a plurality of client devices. In one embodiment the second interface comprises a plurality of jacks mounted on an accessible face of the intelligent device, to which a plurality of client devices may be connected. 
     Embodiments of the present invention, a method and system for providing an intelligent data concentrator communicatively coupled to a network by a wireless mode, is thus described. While the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, it should be appreciated that the present invention should not be construed as limited by such embodiments, but rather construed according to the below claims.