Abstract:
A modular router forms the base for one or more stackable modules. The modules may take on various communication and data transfer forms such as modems, additional routers, VoIP module, etc. Each module has at least two legs, which hold the module up from the top surface of the router. The modules are connected to the router by a connector having a first portion located on a top surface of the router and a mating second portion located on a bottom surface of the module. One or both of the connector portions extend outward such that the connector will properly mate when the legs of the module are resting in depressions in the top surface of the router. Either of two interchangeable lids may be used with the router. The first lid is shallow and is used when the router is used without any modules. The second lid is much deeper and may be used to cover the unit with two modules. The back wall of the second lid has one or more access openings to allow users easy access to ports in frequent use. Insert panels may be placed in these openings to cover less used connectors or blank areas.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application No. 09/794,809 filed Feb. 26, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/241,780 filed Oct. 18, 2000, and this application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application No. 09/994,451 filed Aug. 30, 2001, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/304,546 filed Jul. 10, 2001. The specifications and drawings of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a configuration for a modular gateway system. More particularly, it relates to the configuration of a modular router base and one or more modules.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The connection between computers has evolved from simple connections to complex networks needing sophisticated routing protocols, protocol converters to connect heterogeneous networks and computers to help with network services such as address management, network management, and traffic monitoring. The cost of owning these networks is high, requires skilled employees, and is difficult to change.  
           [0004]    Communications networks that were once restricted to businesses are now moving into the residential environment. The deployment of residential high-speed communications has begun using Cable modems, ADSL, and wireless MAN technologies. These communications technologies carry not only computer data, but also voice and video services. It is very likely that residences will need to distribute this data to more than just a single device and therefore will need a residential communications network.  
           [0005]    While consumers desire to obtain the benefits provided by communication networks, the technology used by today&#39;s businesses may not be readily applied to the residence.  
           [0006]    Attempts have been made to create a simple residential gateway modular system, but prior attempts have not been universally accepted in the market. Obstacles to the acceptance of residential gateways include: (a) generally high initial cost of the enclosure, power, and control modules, (b) cost and effort required to wire the gateway to all the places in the home that the information is needed, (c) difficulty in supplying backup power for life-line services when the main power fails, (d) the generally high level of technical skill required to configure and diagnose problems and (e) the high cost of adding new modules as new networking technologies evolve. What is needed is a modular gateway network system that avoids the limitations and problems inherent in prior art attempts.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention takes the form of a modular router that forms the base for one or more modules connected thereto. The modules may take on various communication and data transfer forms such as modems, additional routers, VoIP module, etc. Each module has at least two legs located at or near the sides of the module. The legs hold the module up from the top surface of the router to provide air circulation for temperature control purposes. The modules are connected to the router by a connector having a first portion located on a top surface of the router and a mating second portion located on a bottom surface of the module. One or both of the connector portions extend outward from their respective surfaces and are sized such that the connector will properly mate when the legs of the module are resting on the top surface of the router. Depressions may be located in the top surface of the router to assist with placement and stability of the modules placed thereon.  
           [0008]    Either of two interchangeable lids may be used with the router. The first lid is shallow and is used when the router is used alone or without any modules stacked thereon. The second lid is much taller and may be used to cover the unit with up to two modules connected thereto. The back wall of the second lid has one or more cutouts or access openings to allow users easy access to ports and connectors in frequent use. If desired insert panels may be placed in these openings to cover less used connectors or blank areas, thereby minimizing the likelihood that a user will become confused by the number of accessible ports.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    FIGS.  1 A-D show the modular router of the present invention.  
         [0010]    FIGS.  2 A-J depict the USB ADSL modem module.  
         [0011]    FIGS.  3 A-G are views of an Ethernet ADSL modem module.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 shows the cable modem module.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 shows of the VoIP module.  
         [0014]    FIGS.  6 A-I are views of the assembled system.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of the assembled system with the insert panels installed.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIGS. 8A and 8B are exploded views of the system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view of the router  20 , FIG. 1B is a rear view thereof, FIG. 1C is a bottom view thereof and FIG. 1D is a top view thereof. FIGS.  6 A-F are orthographic projections of an assembled system  10 , including the router  20 , two modules  100 ,  130  and the lid  140 . FIG. 6G is a rear perspective view of an assembled system  10  with the lid  140  removed, FIG. 6H is a back view thereof and  6 I is a front view thereof. FIGS. 7A and B are rear and perspective views of the assembled system  10  with the insert panels  148  installed. FIGS. 8A and 8B are exploded views of the system  10  without and with modules.  
         [0018]    The router  20  has a plurality of status light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s)  22  located on the front  24  of the router unit  20 . The connection ports for communication within or outside the modular electronic communication system  10  are located on the back  26  of the router  20 . Although other connections could be used for connection with other types of equipment, the router  20  shown has a AC adaptor port  28 , a 25-pin printer serial port  30 , a USB port  32 , two telephone (DSL) RJ- 11  jacks  34  and four Ethernet RJ- 45  jacks  36  located between the two RJ- 11  jacks  34 . There are also two antennas  38  for wireless communication with remotely located modules and electronic devices, such as laptops. Both antennas  38  are used for transmitting and receiving signals.  
         [0019]    Also extending from the back  26  of the router  20  are two optional lid supports  40 . The lid supports  40  may be any convenient shape and may have a necked down portion  42  or a groove in the top for holding the bottom edge of the back wall of the lid  60 ,  140 , which is described below.  
         [0020]    The local modules, described in further detail below, are connected to the router  20  with a specialized module connector  44  located on the top surface  46  of the router  20 . The module connector  44  is used to provide one or more of power, data transfer and grounding to the module that is connected thereto. If the connector  44  is used to provide a data signal, the signal may be interfaced through either Ethernet or USB communications media. The module connector  44  may be located anywhere on the top surface  46  of the router  20 , but is located to match with the configuration of the mating connector located on the module. In the embodiment shown, the module connector  44  is located at or near the back of the top surface  46  of the router  20 .  
         [0021]    The bottom  48  of the router  20  may have an additional connector  50 , which may be similar in structure to the module connector  44 , for connecting to an additional module (not shown) upon which the router  20  could rest. The additional module would have a footprint similar in size to the router  20  and would have a corresponding connector located on the top surface of the additional module.  
         [0022]    The shape of the router  20  may be changed, if desired. For example, the sidewalls of the router  20  may be vertical or they may taper inward slightly as shown. The front  24  of the router  20  may have comers or it may be rounded to give the router  20  an ergonomic appearance. The number and placement of the air ventilation openings  52  may alter for particular environments. The current configuration of openings  52  is designed for typical residential applications. A plurality of feet  54  extend downward from the bottom surface  48  of the router  20  to elevate the router  20  from the surface, such as a table, another router or other equipment, on which the router  20  is resting. The feet  54  allow air to circulate beneath the router  20  to remove any excess heat generated by the unit  20 .  
         [0023]    FIGS.  1 A- 1 D also show a lid  60 , which is one of the two optional lids that may be used with the router  20 . This lid  60  is shallow and is used when the router  20  is used alone or without any modules stacked thereon. The lid  60  has a set of air ventilations openings  62  located above the air ventilation openings  52  on the top surface  46  of the router  20 . The remainder of the lid  60  is solid. The front and side walls of the lid  60  rest on the top surface  46  of the router  20 . The back wall of the lid  60  rests partially on the lid supports  40 , if present, and partially on the top surface  46  of the router  20 .  
         [0024]    The modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  may take on several forms, as seen in FIGS.  2 A- 5 . The shape of each module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  case is similar or the same. The top  76  and/or front  78  surfaces of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  has a plurality of status LED&#39;s  68  that correspond to the functions of the particular module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 . The top surface  76  of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  also has depressions  72  to match the feet  74  of other modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 , such that additional modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  may be stacked thereon to create a tower. The top, bottom and/or sides of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  include air ventilation openings  80  to control temperature and remove excess heat generated by the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 . The number and location of the air ventilation openings  80  may be standardized through all of the modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  or, if preferred, the openings  80  may be configured for the particular needs of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  or surrounding environment.  
         [0025]    The bottom surface of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  has feet  74  that extend down.  
         [0026]    The version of the modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  shown has two longitudinal feet  74  extending from front to back along the sides of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 . Alternate versions of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  may include a greater number and/or smaller or larger feet. The bottom surface of each module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  also has a connector  82  designed to connect with the module connector  44  located on the top surface  46  of the router  20 . One or both parts of the module connector  82 ,  44  may extend from the surface of the respective units. A plurality of ports specific to the particular module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  is located on the back panel  84  of each module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  as discussed below.  
         [0027]    FIGS.  2 A-C are rear perspective, rear and bottom views of the USB ADSL modem module  90 . This module  90  is one of the modules that may be placed on the router  20  and connected thereto. The back panel  84  of this module  90  includes a USB connector  92  and a telephone (DSL) RJ- 11  jack  94 . FIGS.  2 D- 2 H are orthographic projections of a USB ADSL modem module  90  with additional connector openings  96 , for other ports such as AC adaptor, a power switch, etc. and FIGS. 2I and 2J are cross-sectional views thereof.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3A is a rear perspective view of the Ethernet ADSL modem module  100 . FIGS.  3 B-G are orthographic projections thereof. The back panel  84  of this module  100  includes a telephone (DSL) RJ- 11  jack  102 , an Ethernet RJ- 45  jack  104 , USB connector  106 , a DB- 9  female serial port  108 , an AC adaptor port  110  and a power switch  112 .  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 shows the cable modem module  120 . The back panel  84  of this module  120  includes USB connector  122 , an Ethernet RJ- 45  jack  124 , a screw-on co-ax cable port  126  and an AC adaptor port  129 .  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 shows the VoIP module  130 . The back panel  84  of this module  130  includes two RJ- 11  telephone jacks  132 , two Ethernet RJ- 45  jacks  134  and AC adaptor port  136 .  
         [0031]    Other modules may be created to perform other functions. For example additional modules may take the form of an entertainment module, such as a personal video recorder (PVR) or set-top box module. This type of module would use a 20-pin connector.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIGS. 7A and 7B are views of the assembled system  10 . In these view there are two modules  100 ,  130  resting on and connected to the top surface  46  of the router  20 . Covering the top  46  of the router  20  and the two modules  100 ,  130  is a second version of the lid  140 . In this case, the lid  140  is taller to accommodate the modules  100 ,  130 . A row of air ventilation openings  142  extends across the curved front wall of the lid  140 . Similar to the shallow lid  60 , the tall lid  140  rests on the top surface  46  of the router  20  and the lid supports  40 , if present. The back wall  144  of the lid  140  has two access openings  146  for access to the back of the modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 . If desired, an insert panel  148  may be placed within one or both of the access openings  146 . The insert panel  148  may be made solid or with one or more openings  150  to allow the user access to frequently used ports. The insert panel  148  may cover some of the less used ports, thereby decreasing the likelihood that a user will be confused by the number of accessible ports. Specific insert panels  148  may be created for each type of module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 . When the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  is obtained, the user would also receive the appropriate insert panel  148 . During installation of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  on top  46  of the router  20 , the user would place the insert panel  148  in the corresponding access opening  146  of the lid  140 . If full access is needed to the back of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 , the lid  140  is used without one or both of the insert panels  148 . Although other mechanisms may be used, the current embodiment uses snap-in assembly for installation of the insert panels  148 .  
         [0033]    Additional removable port cover panels  152  may be used to cover ports on the router  20  or modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  in cases where specific ports are not being used. These port cover panels  152  may be seen in FIGS. 1B, 2A,  2 B,  6 H and  7 A. Although other mechanisms may be used, the current embodiment uses snap-in assembly for installation of the port cover panels  152 .  
         [0034]    [0034]FIGS. 8A and 8B are exploded views of the system  10 . The top surface  46  of the router  20  may also include depressions  56  to assist in proper placement and stability of any modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  placed on the router  20 . The depressions  56  are sized and located to match the size and location of the feet  74  extending downward from the modules  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130 . The distance the parts of the module connector  44 ,  82  extend from the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  and router  20  is matched with the height of the feet  74  of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  and the depth of the depression  56 , such that when the parts of the module connector  44 ,  82  are aligned and the feet  74  of the module  90 ,  100 ,  120 ,  130  are resting within the depressions  56  in the top  46  of the router  20 , the module connector  44 ,  82  is fully connected.  
         [0035]    An access panel  58  may be used to access the internal cavity of the router  20  for maintenance or to upgrade or switch out components. For example, depending on the content and configuration of the internal cavity, ports for PCMCIA or PCI may be accessed through the access panel  58 . Although the access panel  58  may take on other configurations, in the embodiment shown, the access panel  58  forms part of the top  46  and side panels of the router  20  case. These views also show alternate version of the module connector  44 ,  82  previously described.  
         [0036]    Many features have been listed with particular configurations, options, and embodiments. Any one or more of the features described may be added to or combined with any of the other embodiments or other standard devices to create alternate combinations and embodiments.  
         [0037]    Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only a few possible embodiments of the invention. For example, although the term router has been used, the router may be combined with a firewall or other equipment. Other embodiments and modifications will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art. Thus, the examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of the invention, and the full scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.