Abstract:
A wireless network system for distributing broadband signals through a plurality of terminal devices located a distance from the origination point of the broadband signals, such as a cell tower. The wireless network has an interface point (receiving antenna) for communicating signaling data from the service point to a selected one of the terminal devices, such as a subscriber&#39;s computer. The wireless network allows transmission of a radio-frequency signal to a number of service subscribers, who have special antennas mounted on their buildings. The network system establishes radio to network communications between the cell tower and an individual point of service location The antennas convert the received signal to allow establishing broadband Internet connection.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to a wireless broadband network and equipment for use in such networks for establishing wireless communication.  
         [0002]     In recent years, a number of new services have been offered to consumers to allow establishing network communications between a customer&#39;s computer and other Internet service providers. These include access points in airports, Internet cafes, and other such places also known as Y-Fi hot spots. Y-Fi cells having 2.4 gig capacity transmit Internet traffic between the service provider and a selected hot spot location, for instance a room in a building or in some cases, the entire building. The recent trend is to use the Y-Fi cells through a wireless network, without having to run fibreoptic cables or coaxial cables into individual homes. The Y-Fi signals are transmitted from a central tower or beacon to the individual hot spots. The problem with this type of communication is that at present, there is no cost effective reliable and easy way to establish a network based on Y-Fi cells directly from the tower to individual hot spots.  
         [0003]     Conventionally, wireless services have large antennas placed at strategic locations where interference from buildings, landscape, or vegetation is minimized. The broadcasting antenna usually provides a 120-degree overlap in the circular transmission zones. Some of the antennas have the capability of transmitting to 5-15 mile coverage areas; others have as short as a 1-mile signal transmission.  
         [0004]     Recent developments in the communication technology have led to the spread of different wideband distribution networks for offering subscribers an array of video services, including video on demand service, which allows the user to selectively choose a particular video to be transmitted to the user&#39;s antenna. Some technical solutions include provision of a wireless cable system using a bi-directional converter with a single microwave antenna to receive microwave-programming signals at a first set of frequencies then transmit data as upstream signals at a second set of frequencies. However, if the signal from the central tower is not strong enough, the receiver of the individual user will fail to receive and transmit the required communication services, as is often the case with the wireless Internet service providers (ISPs).  
         [0005]     The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associated with the prior art and provision of a broadband communication network which will enable the user to pick up the signal through an antenna mounted on the individual&#39;s house, similar to television antennas, and access the Internet through the antenna.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a wireless network access capability to individual users to conveniently communicate with the wireless network system.  
         [0007]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless network access antenna for receiving various or different frequencies.  
         [0008]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a radio antenna mountable on a vertical surface for establishing the wireless network access to an individual building.  
         [0009]     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a wireless network system for distributing broadband signals through a plurality of terminal devices located a distance from the origination point of the broadband signals. The wireless network comprises an interface point for communicating signaling data from the service point to an interface point and then to a selected one of the terminal devices, such as a computer located inside a subscriber&#39;s premises. The wireless network allows transmission of a radio-frequency signal to a number of service subscribers, who have special antennas mounted on their buildings. The network system establishes radio to network communications between the cell tower and an individual point of service location The antennas convert the received signal to allow establishing broadband Internet connection through a computer connected to the receiving antenna.  
         [0010]     The antenna assembly comprises an electronic circuit, which has a 2.4-gig bridge connected to the antenna receiver. A radio card, PCMCIA card is electronically connected to a cable leading from the antenna body and slides inside the circuit motherboard. The PCMCIA card converts the radio frequency to a network protocol. The circuit also contains a number of knobs, such as a power knob, a reset knob, and a connector knob for connecting the motherboard to CAT-5 cable.  
         [0011]     The cable extends into the interior of the building, on which the antenna assembly is mounted. Inside the building, the network system uses a standard power source, which can be a 12-volt DC power source to inject power, which is connected to a communications device, and into the communication port thereof. The same power source injects power into the CAT-5 cable and to the radio mounted on the outside of the building. A network cable extends from the adapter device to a crossover cable, where the user may have a selection of routing the signal to a computer or to pass through a cable to another device, for instance a switch router or communication hub. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a general schematic view of the network system of the present invention communicating with a cell tower.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the wireless network in accordance with the present invention for establishing radio to network communications between the cell tower and an individual point of service location.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a detail view of the antenna in accordance with the present invention mounted on a side of a building.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view illustrating the antenna of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of a wall plate mountable on the side of a building.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a detail back view of the antenna housing.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a detail front view of the antenna housing.  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating transmission of the signal inside the user&#39;s building.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the electronic circuit components for converting radio frequency signals to network protocol for use in the system of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     Conventional wireless network systems use one or more access devices for establishing communication between the service provider and the end user. The users may be communicated with the access device with personal computers or notebook computers that have wireless network cards wired in the computer. Some of the communicating devices are Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 801.11.a, IEEE 802.11.b and IEEE 802.11.g. The IEEE frequency device is selectively operable with an IEEE 802.11.a, IEEE 802.11.b, or an IEEE 802.11.g or the combination of the frequencies in order to allow the signals of different frequencies to be quickly transmitted or communicated with each other. In addition to communicating at predetermined frequencies, the access devices also have to check the service set identifier or SSID of the user.  
         [0023]     Similarly to the conventional communication systems, the system of the present invention receives signals from a conventional communications transmitter, such as a cell tower  10 . The signal may be transmitted as 2.4 or 5.8 gig signal. The cell tower  10  transmits the radio signal that is picked up a distance away by a number of terminal devices through an interface point, such as antenna  12 . In the system of the present invention, the radio antenna  12  is secured to a building  14  and is oriented towards the signal path of radio waves emitted by the tower  10 . The subscriber&#39;s radio has a 30-degree path, and the signals are received by the antenna  12 , when the antenna is properly oriented towards the transmitter  10 .  
         [0024]     As schematically shown in  FIG. 2 , conventionally, a signal transmitted by the tower  10  is spread with overlapping 120-degree segments  16 . An obstruction,  18 , which can be tall trees, elevations or tall buildings, interferes with the normal wave distribution of the signal within a certain zone. At such zones, the signal may be transmitted to a distance of about one mile. To solve the problem of inadequate signal reception, the network system of the present invention allows conversion of a radio signal to a network communication signal by an antenna circuit, thereby increasing the distance of reception to 5-15 mile radius from the point of origin of the cell tower  10 .  
         [0025]     Another type of interference may be prevented by a radio  20 , which may be a Linksis radio. The communication system of the present invention operates at IEEE 802.1.b/g and it is expected to have 11 channels in the range between 2.4-5.8 gig. When there is no interference by landscape for transmitter, the antenna  12  will receive the signal as a radio signal emitted by the tower  10 . The signal received by antenna  12  is converted from the radio frequency to TCP-IP (Internet Protocol). It is envisioned that within the 11-channel distribution received by antenna  12 , the user will be able to select the broadcasting channel, which responds to the strongest signal in the particular location. To prevent overlapping of the signals, the communication network of the present invention may omit 2 or 3 channels between each broadcasting channel. The administrative protocol allows receipt of the signal only by the designated antennas within the network of the system.  
         [0026]     Turning now to  FIGS. 3-7 , the antenna assembly for use in the communication system of the present invention is shown in more detail. The antenna assembly  12  comprises a housing  30  having a front panel  32 , a back panel  34 , a top panel  36 , a bottom panel  38 , and side panels  40 . An opening  42  is formed adjacent the bottom of the back panel  34  to allow extension of a CAT-5 cable  44  therethrough.  
         [0027]     A plurality of slots  46  is formed above the peripheral edge of the back panel  34  to allow engagement of the back panel  34  with the side panels  40 , top panel  36 , and the bottom panel  38 . A central opening  48  formed in the back panel  34  shows a securing screw  50  for attachment of the back panel to a support arm  52 . A plurality of hook-shaped retainers  52  engage within the slots  46  to allow forming of a unitary body, the housing  30 .  
         [0028]     A radio  54  is mounted inside the housing  30  for receiving the radio signal transmitted by the tower  10 . A pair of screws  56  extend through corresponding openings  58  formed in the back panel  34  ensuring the engagement of the side panels  40  with the back panel  34 . The support arm  52  engages the back panel  34  in the center part thereof. A distant end of the support arm  52  carries a sleeve  50 , which has a tubular configuration and is provided with a plurality of slots  62  placed equidistantly about the periphery thereof. The slots  62  extend through the wall of the sleeve  60  and are adapted for receiving a tightening clamp (when necessary) for retaining the sleeve  60  on a shaft  64  of the mounting bracket  66 .  
         [0029]     A longitudinal slot  68  is formed in the sleeve  60  for receiving a thumbscrew therein. The thumbscrew normally retains the sleeve  60  and the antenna housing  30  in a desired orientation and position on the mounting bracket  66 . If the integrity of the thumbscrew is compromised, a clamping band inserted through the slots  62  tightens the sleeve  60  on the shaft  64 . The mounting bracket  66  is an elbow bracket that can tilt about two axes: vertical (up and down) and horizontal (side to side). An adjustment knob  70  can be turned by an installer to orient the shaft  64 , which supports the antenna housing  30 , at the best angle to receive the signal from the tower  10 .  
         [0030]     A mounting plate  72  is adapted for attachment to a side of the housing, for instance a residence of the user in the location most beneficial for receiving the signal from the tower  10 . The mounting plate  72  may be attached by nails, screws or other conventional methods in the eaves area or other convenient location. The network cable  44  extends from the housing  30 , through the plate  72  into the interior of the user&#39;s building. The network cable  44  provides power to the radio  54  and provides data back into the network. It is envisioned that the power injector inside the user&#39;s building may be used to provide power to the radio  54 .  
         [0031]     The front panel  32 , similarly to the back panel  34 , is provided with a plurality of peripheral slots  76  which are adapted for receiving hook-shaped retainers (not shown) therethrough. The front panel  32  is further provided with openings  78  which are designed for receiving retaining screws therein.  
         [0032]     Inside the building  14 , the network system uses a standard power source  80 , which can be a 12-volt DC power source to inject power to the system. The power source is coupled through a communication port to adapter  82 . The same power source  80  injects power into the CAT-5 cable  44  and to the radio  12  mounted on the outside of the building. A network cable  84  extends from the adapter device  82  to a crossover bridge  86 , which allows the user to route the signal to a computer  88  or to a pass-through cable  90 . The user may connect the cable  90  to a variety of receivers, for instance a switch router or communication hub, schematically designated as device  92  in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 9  schematically illustrates the functional elements of the network communication device located inside the housing  30 . The circuit motherboard  100  has 2.4-gig bridge  102  connected to the antenna  12 . A radio card, or PCMCIA card  104  is electronically connected to the cable  44  and slides inside the motherboard  100 . The PCMCIA card  104  will convert the radio frequency to a network protocol. The circuit also contains a number of knobs, such as a power knob  106 , a reset knob  108 , and a connector knob  110  for connecting the motherboard  100  to CAT-5 cable  112 .  
         [0034]     A plurality of indicators  114  are connected to the card  104 . The indicators  114  may be LED indicators signaling the present selections of power, network connections, or wireless connection. Should the user lose his communication or password or does not know what the IP address of the radio is, the housing  30  may be opened and the reset button  108  may be pressed to reset the circuit to the factory default. This provides a substantial advantage as compared to conventional systems where the user has to physically disassemble the device to determine the condition of the circuit.  
         [0035]     In order to communicate through the communication network of the present invention, the user will need to subscribe to the service and select a password, which will be user specific to the particular computer or to the wireless radio installed in the application.  
         [0036]     The communication network of the present invention converts radio frequency signals to networking signals and allows the user to receive signals from similar antenna at a greater distance that has been possible heretofore. The distance of a wireless communication network from the antenna and the Internet service provider can establish service to a greater number of people without concern for interference or breaking of the service by natural obstacles.  
         [0037]     Many changes and modifications can be made in the system of the present of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. We therefore pray that our rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.