Hybrid service device and system

A hybrid service device, which can be embedded in a wall, includes a control module disposed on a first circuit board, a transmission functional module disposed on a second circuit board, and a service module disposed on a third circuit board. The control module includes a first circuit board connector and a socket, wherein the second circuit board is pluggable disposed on the socket, such that the first circuit board and the second circuit board are substantially parallel and the control module is electrically connected with the transmission functional module. The service module includes a second circuit board connector, wherein the third circuit board is pluggable connected with the first circuit board connector. The hybrid service device is connected with a first signal transmission line from the wall for receiving a transmission signal with a first format, and the hybrid service device selectively transform the first format to a second format and then transmits the transmission signal with the second format to an external access equipment by wired/wireless transmission.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Taiwan patent application entitled “HYBRID SERVICE DEVICE AND SYSTEM,” having serial number 098142507, filed on Dec. 11, 2009, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is related to a hybrid service device and system. More particularly, the invention is related to the wireless signal transmission hybrid service device and system.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When the general apartment needs to install WiFi wireless access point, each household has to install the ADSL Modem provided by the network service company or the Cable Modem provided by the cable TV company. Then, each household shall buy an external suspension wireless access point device to connect with the ADSL Modem or the Cable Modem. Such that the notebook or other WiFi wireless communication function mobile devices can connect the internet by the wireless access point. However, the external suspension of the wireless devices needs at least two cables (one power line, a network cable), such that the cables will often affect the visual effect of the cable settlement. Additionally, the size of the external suspension wireless access point device is not small to settle.

Furthermore, besides the WiFi, the wireless transmission protocol comprises the Bluetooth wireless transmission protocol, RFID wireless transmission protocol, Zeebee wireless transmission protocol, 3G/3.5G wireless transmission protocol, Wimax wireless transmission protocol or some wired transmission protocol. However, general wireless access point only supports the WiFi wireless transmission protocol. If the users want to use other wireless transmission protocol, they shall install the different access devices and it is hard to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to provide a hybrid service device which can be embedded in a wall. The hybrid service device comprises a main control module disposed on a first circuit board, a transmission functional module disposed on a second circuit board and a service module disposed on a third circuit board.

In view of the mechanism, the control module comprises a board connector and a socket, wherein the second circuit board is pluggably disposed on the socket, such that the first circuit board and the second circuit board are substantially parallel and the control module is electrically connected with the transmission functional module. The service module includes a second circuit board connector which is pluggably connected with the first circuit board connector, such that the service module is electrically connected to the control module.

In view of the circuit signal process, the control module comprises a CPU and a non-volatility memory device. The non-volatility memory device is connected to the CPU for saving an instruction set. The CPU initializes the hybrid service device according to the instruction set and controls the hybrid service device. Furthermore, the transmission functional module is controlled by the control module to provide a wired/wireless transmission service for a wireless access equipment. The service module comprises a format converter and a first wired network connector, wherein the first wired network connector is connected to the first signal transmission line for receiving a transmission signal.

The format converter is electrically connected with the first wired network connector to selectively transform the first format to a second format. Then, the service module transmits the transmission signal with the second format to the control module through the second circuit board connector and first circuit board connector. The transmission functional module, controlled by the control module, transmits the second format transmission signal to an external access equipment.

Furthermore, the service module can comprise a second wired network connector which is disposed on a third circuit board. The second wired network connector, connected to a second signal transmission line, selectively transmits the first format transmission signal or a second format transmission to the second signal transmission line, so that the wired external access equipment can receive the first format transmission signal or the second format transmission signal by the second signal transmission line.

The other aspect of the invention is to provide a source to the hybrid service device by the first format transmission signal. For example, when a first format transmission signal is a POE (Power Over Ethernet) signal or POC (Power Over Cable) signal. The service module further comprises a power source convert device which is disposed on the third circuit board. The power source convert device receives the first format transmission signal from the first wired network connector and captures the source signal from the first format transmission signal. The power source convert device generates a voltage signal according to the source signal for supplying with the hybrid service device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The hybrid service device is embedded in a wall and connected to the first signal transmission line from the wall. The first signal transmission line can be an Ethernet transmission line, a coaxial cable line, a twisted wire or a power line which can transmit the data signal. Transmitting the data to the hybrid service device through the first signal transmission line and then the hybrid service device transmits the data to a wired/wireless external access equipment such as a notebook or a PDA.

Please refer toFIG. 1(a) toFIG. 1(b).FIG. 1(a) toFIG. 1(b) are structure charts of inside circuit boards of the hybrid service system10according to one embodiment of the invention. The hybrid service device10comprises a control module110disposed on a first circuit board120, a transmission functional module130disposed on a second circuit board140and a service module150disposed on a third circuit board160. The control module110comprises a CPU (not shown in FIG.), a non-volatility memory device (not shown in FIG.), a first circuit board connector113and a socket114. The non-volatility memory device is connected to the CPU for saving an instruction set. When the hybrid service device10is turned on or reset, the CPU initializes the hybrid service device10according to the instruction set and controls the hybrid service device10. When the hybrid service device10is in the general working status, the related circuit of the hybrid service device10is controlled by the CPU according to the instruction set to let the hybrid service device10receive or transmit the related data. Additionally, the control module110can comprise a reset switch (not shown in FIG), disposed on the first circuit board, for resetting the hybrid service device when the reset switch is “ON”.

Next, the transmission functional module130of the second circuit board140is pluggably disposed on the socket114, such that the first circuit board120and the second circuit board140are substantially parallel and the control module110is electrically connected with the transmission functional module130. The transmission functional module130can provide a wireless transmission service for the external wireless access equipment. The external wireless access equipment can be a notebook or a PDA which has wireless transmission function. The service provided by the transmission functional module can be a WiFi service, a Bluetooth service, a RFID service, a Zeebee service, a 3G/3.5G transmission service or a Wimax service. The circuit design of the transmission functional module130and second circuit board140are different. The transmission functional module130and second circuit board140are electrically connected to the control module110and the first circuit board120according to the actual need by the socket114which is disposed on the first circuit board120, such that the function expansion and replacement of the hybrid service device10can be increased.

The service150comprises a format converter151, a first wired network connector152and a second circuit board connector153. The second circuit board connector153is pluggably connected with the first circuit board connector113control module110for letting the service module150electrically be connected with the control module110, wherein the first circuit board connector152and the second circuit board connector153can be pins or signal connectors which are corresponded to the PCI interface, USB interface or RS232 interface.

The first wired network connector152provides a connector accommodating space for connecting a first signal transmission line and receiving a first format transmission signal from the signal transmission line. When the first signal transmission line is an Ethernet transmission line, the wired network connector152can be a RJ-45 connector which is coupled to the Ethernet transmission line. The format converter151is electrically connected with the wired network connector152and selectively converts the first format transmission signal to a second format transmission signal. For example, when the first signal transmission line is the Ethernet transmission line, the first format transmission signal shall meet the IEEE802.3 format. When the transmission functional module130provides the WiFi wireless transmission service, the format converter151will transform the first format transmission signal of the IEEE802.3 format to the second format transmission signal of the IEEE802.11x format.

The service module150transmits the second format transmission signal to the control module110through the second circuit board connector153and the first circuit board connector113. The control module110controls the transmission functional module150to transmit the second format transmission signal to the wireless access equipment, such as a notebook or a PDA which has which has wireless transmission function. Additionally, the service module15can directly transmit the first format transmission signal to the external wired access equipment, such as a PC which has network line. For example, the service module150further comprises a wired network connector154which is disposed on the third circuit board160. The second wired network connector154is connected to the second signal transmission line. The second signal transmission line can be an Ethernet transmission line, a coaxial cable line, a twisted wire or a power line. When the first signal transmission line and the external second signal transmission line are the same, taking the Ethernet transmission line for example, the service module150transmits the first format transmission signal to the external second signal transmission line and the external wired access equipment. When the first signal transmission line is different from the external second signal transmission line, the service module150transforms the first format transmission signal to a third format transmission signal, then the service module150transmits the third format transmission signal to the second signal transmission line.

Additionally, the power of the hybrid service device10can be received via a POE (Power Over Ethernet) signal or a POC (Power Over Cable) signal. When the first signal embedded in the wall is an Ethernet transmission line, the power source can be added in the Ethernet transmission line, such that the first format transmission signal can be a POE (Power Over Ethernet) signal. For example, transmitting the 44-57V DC signal to the service module150through the Ethernet transmission line, 48V source signal is one embodiment in the invention. When the first signal embedded in the wall is a coaxial cable line, the power source can be added in the coaxial cable line, such that the first format transmission signal can be a POC (Power Over Cable) signal. For example, transmitting the 44-57V DC signal to the service module150through the coaxial cable line, 48V source signal is one embodiment in the invention. At the same time, the service module150further comprises a power source convert device (not shown in FIG) which is disposed on the third circuit board160, the power source convert device receives the first format transmission signal from the first wired network connector152and captures a 48V source signal from the first format signal. The power source convert device produces a voltage signal (5V or 12V DC signal) for the use of the hybrid service device10. Of course, in another embodiment, the power of the hybrid service device10is provided from the power line which is embedded in the wall. At the same time, the service module150comprises the power source convert device disposed on the third circuit160. The source convert device captures the voltage source from the voltage source line and generates a set of voltage signals for the use of the hybrid service device10accordingly.

Please refer toFIG. 2(a) toFIG. 2(b),FIG. 2(a) toFIG. 2(b) are structure charts of inside circuit boards of the hybrid service system according to another embodiment of the invention. The hybrid service device20comprises a control module210disposed on a first circuit board220and a service module250disposed on a third circuit board260. The control module210comprise a CPU (not shown in FIG.), a non-volatility memory device (not shown in FIG.), a first circuit board connector213, a third circuit board connector215, a WiFi transmission module (not shown in FIG.) and a format converter (not shown in FIG.), wherein the function of the non-volatility memory device, the CPU and the first circuit board connector213are described as previously. The WiFi transmission module provides a wireless transmission service which meets the IEEE802.11. When the hybrid service device20in the general working status, the WiFi transmission module and the hybrid service device20are controlled by the CPU according to the instruction set, to let the hybrid service device20receive or transmit the related data. That is to say, the control module210of the hybrid service device20provides a function of the access point (AP).

The service module250comprises a first wired network connector252and a second circuit board connector253. The second circuit board connector253is pluggable connected to the first circuit board connector21of the control module210, such that the control module250is electrically connected with the control module210. The first wired network connector252and the second circuit board connector253can be pins or the signal connectors which are corresponded to the PCI interface, USB interface or RS232 interface. The first wired network connector252provides a connector accommodating space for connecting a first signal transmission line and receiving a first format transmission signal from the signal transmission line. When the first signal transmission line is an Ethernet transmission line, the wired network connector252can be a RJ-45 connector which is coupled to the Ethernet transmission line. The service module250transmits the first format transmission signal to the control module210through the second circuit board connector253and the first circuit board connector213.

The format convertor of the control module210selectively transforms the first format transmission signal to the second format transmission signal and then transmits the second format transmission signal to a wireless external access equipment by the WiFi transmission module of the control module210, such as notebooks or PDAs which have the wireless transmission function. For example, when the first signal transmission line is an Ethernet transmission line, the first format transmission signal shall meet the IEEE802.3 format. The format converter transforms the first format transmission signal of the IEEE802.3 function to the second format transmission signal of the IEEE802.11x function for the use of the WiFi transmission module.

In one embodiment, the service module250can directly transmits the first format transmission signal to the external wired access equipment, such as PC. For example, the service module250can comprises a second wired network connector254which is disposed on the third circuit board260, wherein the second wired network connector254is used to the external second signal transmission line. The second signal transmission line can be an Ethernet transmission line, a coaxial cable line, a twisted wire or a power line which has data signals. When the first signal transmission line and the external second signal transmission line are the same, taking the Ethernet transmission line for example, the service module250transmits the first format transmission signal to the external second signal transmission line and the external wired access equipment. When the first signal transmission line is different from the external second signal transmission line, the service module250transforms the first format transmission signal to a third format transmission signal and then the service module250transmits the third format transmission signal to the second signal transmission line.

In the embodiment of the hybrid service device20, the control module210can be connected to the additional transmission functional module230by the third circuit board connector215for expanding the function of the hybrid service device20. The transmission functional module230, disposed on the second circuit board240, can provide a wireless transmission device. According to the difference of the wireless transmission devices, the wireless transmission device provided by the transmission functional module230can be a Bluetooth wireless transmission device, a RFID wireless transmission device, a Zeebee wireless transmission device, a 3G/3.5G wireless transmission device or a Wimax wireless transmission device. The circuit design of the transmission functional module230and the second circuit board240are different according to the wireless transmission devices. The second circuit board240of the transmission functional module230can be electrically connected to the control module210and the first circuit board220by the third circuit board connector215which is disposed on the first circuit board220, such that the expansion of the hybrid service device20can be increased. The third circuit board connector215of the control module210can be the socket114, such that the second circuit board240of the transmission functional module230is pluggable disposed on the socket114. Additionally, the third circuit board connector215of the control module210can be a general pins or a signal connector which are corresponded to the PCI interface, USB interface or RS232 interface, for the electric connection of the second circuit board240of the transmission functional module230. When the third circuit board connector215is a general pin, the second circuit board240of the transmission functional module230can be connected to the third circuit board connector215of the control module210, such that the transmission functional module230can be disposed on the notches of the accommodating shell flexibly.

Additionally, the transmission functional module230can not only provide the wireless transmission function, but also other function such as voice over IP (VOIP) function. As shown inFIG. 2(a) toFIG. 2(b), the power of the hybrid service device10can be received via a POE (Power Over Ethernet) signal or a POC (Power Over Cable) signal. Accordingly, the power source is described in detail previously so that the details will be hereby omitted.

To embed the hybrid service device20in the wall, the first circuit board, the second circuit board and the third circuit board shall be installed in the shell, the size of the shell is like a gang wall box. Please refer toFIG. 3(a) toFIG. 3(e),FIG. 3(a) toFIG. 3(e) are schematic diagrams of the shell of the hybrid service system according to another embodiment of the invention. The shell of the hybrid service device30comprises an accommodating shell310, a fixed ring320and a panel330. The accommodating shell310comprises a front plate311, a group of lateral plates312connected to the front plate311and a back plate313connected to the group of lateral plates312. The back plate313and the lateral plates312defines a circuit board accommodating space340. The lateral plates312comprise a first slide rail321and a second slide rail322. The first slide rail321and the second slide rail322can let the first circuit board and the third first circuit board slide into the circuit board accommodating space340to install the control module, transmission functional module and the service module into the circuit board accommodating space340. As previously described, the second circuit board240of the transmission functional module230can be connected to the third circuit connector215by the general cable to let the second circuit board240be flexibly disposed on the notches of the front plate311of the accommodating shell310instead of the circuit board accommodating space340.

Furthermore, the back plate313of the accommodating shell310comprises an open part which is corresponded to the first wired network connector of the service module. When the accommodating shell310is embedded in the wall, the first signal transmission line is connected to the first wired network connector through the open part of the back plate313. Additionally, the fixed ring320of the shell30is disposed on the front plate311the accommodating shell310, to prevent the first circuit board and the third circuit board from dropping put. In order to fix the fixed ring320on the accommodating shell310, the front plate311of the accommodating shell310comprises a set of flange314and the fixed ring320comprises a set of notches3200corresponded to the set of flange314. When the fixed ring320is disposed on the accommodating shell310, the set of notches3200of the fixed ring320are corresponded to the set of flange314, such that the control module and the service module, installed in the circuit board accommodating space340of the accommodating shell310, are prevented from dropping out.

The panel330of the shell30covers the front plate311and the fixed ring320of the accommodating shell310. To display the working status of the hybrid service device, the control module (or the service module) can comprises a group of status display lamps315which are disposed on the first circuit board and through a group of holes3202of the fixed ring320. The panel330comprises a group of open parts331of the display lamps which are corresponded to the status display lamps315. When the control module (or the service module) selectively drives the group of status display lamps315to emit the light, the light can provide a status message about the hybrid service device for the user. In another embodiment, the panel330comprises a display panel332which is connected to the control module (or the service module) by a signal cable. The control module (or the service module) selectively drives the LCD display panel332according to the status of the hybrid service device.

Accordingly, the circuit board of the hybrid service device are cut into three pieces and installed into a shell which is like a gang wall box, such that the volume of the hybrid service device can be reduced and embedded into the wall easily. The hybrid service device can be connected to the network transmission line or the power line, so the invention is different from the wireless access point of the prior art which is placed in the outside space. Additionally, the power source of the hybrid service device can be combined with the network transmission signal by a POE (Power Over Ethernet) signal or a POC (Power Over Cable) signal, to reduce the line of the installation. Furthermore, the transmission functional module can be pluggably changed according to the difference of the wired/wireless transmission service to increase the flexibility.

In another embodiment, the invention of the hybrid service system comprises a central data confluence device410and a plurality of the hybrid service device420which are described as previously. Please refer toFIG. 4.FIG. 4is a schematic diagram of the hybrid service system according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 4, each hybrid service device420is embedded in the wall and connected to the central data confluence device410by a first signal transmission line430. Each hybrid service device can provide a wireless transmission service to the external wireless access equipment such as a notebook or a PDA. If the hybrid service device comprises the second wired network connecter which is described as previously, the second wired network connecter can provide a wired transmission service to the external access equipment through the second signal transmission line.

The central data confluence device410can receive the outside data and transform the outside data to a first format transmission signal. The first format transmission signal can be transmitted through the first signal transmission line430. Each hybrid service device420selectively receives the first format transmission signal from the first signal transmission line. For example, when the first format transmission signal comprises a specific address information, only the specific hybrid service device receives the first format transmission signal. Otherwise, if the first format transmission signal is broadcast type, each hybrid service device receives the first format transmission signal. The first format transmission signal received by the hybrid service device, then the hybrid service device uses the format converter for selectively transforming the first format transmission signal to a second format transmission signal.

For example, when the first signal transmission line is an Ethernet transmission line and the hybrid service device420provides a WiFi wireless transmission service, the format converter of the hybrid service device420transforms the first format transmission signal (IEEE802.3 format) to a second format transmission signal (IEEE802.11x format). Then, the format converter transmits the second format transmission signal to the related wireless access equipment, such as a notebook or a PDA which has the wireless transmission function. However, if the hybrid service device420comprises a second wired network connecter which is connected to the external second signal transmission line, when the first signal transmission line and the second signal transmission line are Ethernet transmission lines, the service module directly transmits the first format transmission signal to the external second signal transmission line and external wired access equipment, such as a PC which has a wired network interface controller. Additionally, if the first signal transmission line is different from the second signal transmission line, the service module transforms the first format transmission signal to a third format transmission signal, then transmits the third format transmission signal to the external wired access equipment (such as a PC which has a wired network interface controller) by the signal transmission line.

Besides a building shall be installed only one central data confluence device by using the hybrid service system. The hybrid service system can receive the data from outside (such as the cable TV company or the network service company) and then transforms the data to a first format transmission signal. A room in a building just needs to be installed one hybrid service device, and the hybrid service device is connected to the central data confluence device through the first signal transmission line. The service module of every hybrid service device420selectively receives the first format transmission signal from the first signal transmission line. Then, the hybrid service device, receiving the first format transmission signal, selectively transforms the first format transmission signal to a second format transmission signal. According to the communication protocol of the external wired/wireless access equipment and the hybrid service device, the first format transmission signal or the second format transmission signal is transmitted and the first format transmission signal is transformed to a second format transmission signal. Otherwise, the external access equipment can transmit the data back to the hybrid service device. The hybrid service device transforms the data to a first format transmission signal according to the communication protocol and then transmits the format transmission signal back to the central data confluence device by the first signal transmission line. Finally, the central data confluence device transforms the first format transmission signal to a appropriate format and then transmits the appropriate format back to the cable TV company or the network service company

To sum up, the hybrid service device can be directly connected to the network transmission line or the power line which is in the wall, such that the hybrid service system is not be installed at the outside space. Additionally, the power of the hybrid service device can be received via a POE (Power Over Ethernet) signal or a POC (Power Over Cable) signal. Accordingly, the power source and the network transmission signal can be combined to reduce the line of the installation. Furthermore, the transmission functional module can be pluggably changed according to the difference of the wired/wireless transmission service to increase the flexibility.