Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a router. The router comprises a first shell, a second shell, a printed circuit board (PCB), an antenna, a light guide column, and a middle frame structure. The antenna is installed in the middle frame structure and is coupled with the PCB. The first shell and the second shell form an accommodation cavity, wherein the outer side wall of the accommodation cavity is an arc. The middle frame structure, the antenna, the light guide column and the PCB are all accommodated in the accommodation cavity. A splicing seam is formed between the first shell and the second shell. The peripheral wall of the light guide column props against the inner side wall of the accommodation cavity and is exposed out of the splicing seam, a ribbon-shaped light source is arranged on the surface, close to the annular light guide column, of the PCB in an annular manner, and the ribbon-shaped light source faces the light guide column.

<CIT> discloses a signal transceiving device. The device, comprises: at least one plug-in card and a backplate, wherein the plug-in card comprises two waveguide plates, a multi-layer circuit board sandwiched between the two waveguide plates, an antenna array mounted on the two waveguide plates, and a first waveguide interface. A waveguide groove is disposed on one side of the two waveguide plates facing the multi-layer circuit board, and a metal layer corresponding to the waveguide groove is disposed on both sides of the multi-layer circuit board. Correspondence means that the metal layer and the waveguide groove cooperate with each other to form a double-layer waveguide channel respectively located on both sides of the multi-layer circuit board and connected to the antenna array and the first waveguide interface. A second waveguide interface is disposed on the backboard. The waveguide connection between the plug-in card and the backplate are realized by means of docking between the first waveguide interface and the second waveguide interface.

This document describes an access point device and associated systems and methods. The access point device described herein includes a housing that is substantially cylindrical with smooth, rounded edges. The described access point device has improved robustness, simplicity, and compactness in comparison to conventional access point devices.

This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of an access point device, which is further described below in the Detailed Description and Drawings. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The details of one or more aspects of an access point device are described in this document with reference to the following drawings. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components:.

This document describes techniques and systems that enable an access point device. The access point device described herein has improved robustness, simplicity, and compactness compared to conventional access point devices.

In aspects, an access point device is disclosed. The access point device includes a housing, an antenna carrier, a circuit board assembly, a heat sink, and a heat shield. The housing includes a top housing member having a generally cylindrical vertical wall and a top-end portion connected to a first end of the vertical wall via rounded corners. The vertical wall has a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, and an opposing outer surface. At least a portion of the vertical wall has a non-uniform thickness in a direction of the longitudinal axis based on the outer surface of the vertical wall being curved in the direction of the longitudinal axis and the inner surface of the vertical wall being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. Additionally, the top-end portion is concave down in a side view of the top-end portion. The housing also includes a bottom housing member connected to the top housing member at a second end of the vertical wall. The bottom housing member has a bottom exterior surface and an opposing interior surface, wherein the bottom exterior surface defines a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder. The bottom housing member includes a curved edge between the bottom exterior surface and the vertical wall of the top housing member. The antenna carrier supports multiple antennas operable to transmit and receive communication signals. In aspects, the antenna carrier has a substantially disk-shaped body and a plurality of flanges, with one of the plurality of flanges connected to one of the multiple antennas. The antenna carrier is positioned within the housing such that the multiple antennas are positioned proximate to the inner surface of the vertical wall. The circuit board assembly is positioned within the housing and is operable to provide a gateway to a wireless network. The heat sink is positioned between the antenna carrier and the circuit board assembly within the housing. The heat shield is proximate to the circuit board assembly to shield the circuit board assembly from electromagnetic interference. The circuit board assembly is positioned between the heat shield and the heat sink.

In aspects, a system is disclosed. The system includes a housing having first and second housing members sharing a common central axis and connected to each other. At least one of the first or second housing members includes side walls having a zero-draft inner surface and a partially-curved outer surface. The housing also includes rounded edges. Also, the system includes a plurality of dual-band antennas positioned within the housing proximate to the zero-draft inner surface of the side walls. Also, the system includes a circuit board assembly communicatively connected to the plurality of dual-band antennas to provide a gateway to a wireless network and a node to a wireless mesh network. Additionally, the system includes a heat sink positioned between the circuit board assembly and the plurality of antennas.

These are but a few examples of how the described techniques and devices may be used to enable an access point device. Other examples and implementations are described throughout this document. The document now turns to an example device, after which example systems are described.

<FIG> illustrates a top front perspective view <NUM> of an example implementation of an access point device <NUM>. The access point device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> that has a substantially cylindrical shape with rounded edges. The housing <NUM> includes a central axis <NUM> (e.g., longitudinal axis). The housing <NUM> is simple, such that the housing <NUM> has a smooth exterior surface with few visible features. The housing <NUM> includes a top housing member <NUM> and a bottom housing member <NUM>.

As is further described below, the housing includes a seam <NUM> on an outer surface of the housing <NUM>. The seam <NUM> is aligned with a location at which the top housing member <NUM> attaches to the bottom housing member <NUM>. The top housing member <NUM> is connected (e.g., threaded, snapped, fastened, pressed, glued, ultrasonic welded, etc.) to the bottom housing member <NUM>.

The access point device is configured to provide access to a wireless network. In some aspects, the access point device can also serve as a node to a wireless mesh network. For example, the access point device can interface with a modem at a user's home to act as a wireless router for a local wireless network for the user.

<FIG> illustrate various elevational views of the access point device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a front elevational view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM> with the central axis <NUM> displayed vertically. The top housing member <NUM> includes a substantially vertical wall <NUM> that is generally cylindrical about the central axis <NUM> (e.g., the vertical wall has an x-axis radius substantially equal to a y-axis radius such that the x-axis radius is within an approximately ten millimeter tolerance of the y-axis). Also, the top housing member <NUM> includes a top-end portion <NUM> that is concave down in the front elevational view <NUM> such that the top-end portion <NUM> curves toward the vertical wall <NUM>. The top-end portion <NUM> is connected to a first end (e.g., top end) of the vertical wall <NUM> via rounded edges <NUM>.

The bottom housing member <NUM> shares the central axis <NUM> with the top housing member <NUM> and is connected to the top housing member <NUM> at a second end (e.g., bottom end) of the vertical wall <NUM>, which is opposite the first end. The bottom housing member <NUM> includes rounded edges <NUM> that may have a similar radius to the rounded edges <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. In the illustrated example <NUM>, the bottom housing member <NUM> is substantially shorter in the direction of the central axis <NUM> than the top housing member <NUM>, such that the seam <NUM> is located on the lower half of the housing <NUM>. However, the bottom housing member <NUM> and the top housing member <NUM> can be any suitable height such that the seam <NUM> can be located at any location on the housing where the top housing member <NUM> is connected to the bottom housing member <NUM>. A radius of the vertical wall <NUM> about the central axis <NUM> can be any suitable radius, such as a radius within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>.

The bottom housing member <NUM> includes a bottom exterior surface (not shown in FIGS. 2A to 2E) that defines a plane <NUM> that is substantially perpendicular to the central axis <NUM> (e.g., an angle between the plane <NUM> and the central axis <NUM> is within a five degree tolerance of a right angle). Connected to the bottom housing member <NUM> is a footpad <NUM> that provides friction. The bottom housing member <NUM> is positioned between the top housing member <NUM> and the footpad <NUM>. The footpad <NUM> can be formed of any suitable material with a sufficiently high friction coefficient to reduce sliding between the housing <NUM> and a surface upon which the housing <NUM> is resting. The footpad <NUM> may be any suitable height, examples of which include a height within a range of approximately <NUM> millimeters to approximately <NUM> millimeters.

<FIG> illustrates a rear elevational view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. As illustrated in the rear elevational view <NUM>, the bottom housing member <NUM> includes an opening <NUM>. The opening provides accessibility for cables (e.g., power cables, Ethernet cables, etc.) to connect to ports underneath the housing without causing the housing <NUM> to rest on the cables.

<FIG> illustrates a left elevational view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. As illustrated, a profile of the opening <NUM> changes a curvature of the rounded edge <NUM> proximate to the opening <NUM> relative to the curvature of the rounded edge <NUM> at other portions. Similarly, <FIG> illustrates a right elevational view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. Here, the opening <NUM> changes the curvature of the rounded edge <NUM>. However, other edges, sides, and exterior surfaces of the housing <NUM> remain similar in each of the different elevational views 2A to 2D.

<FIG> illustrates a top plan view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. Here, the access point device <NUM> is generally circular with no distinctive surface features. In the top plan view <NUM>, the top-end portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is shown.

<FIG> illustrates a bottom plan view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. The bottom housing member <NUM> includes an exterior cavity <NUM> formed by a portion of a bottom exterior surface, and the exterior cavity <NUM> is accessible via the opening <NUM>. As is further described below, the cavity <NUM> includes openings <NUM> that align with various ports on a circuit board assembly positioned within the housing. The ports include Ethernet ports and an electrical power connector. The openings <NUM> are located in a vertical wall of the cavity <NUM> that is substantially parallel to the central axis <NUM> of the housing <NUM> such that an angle between the central axis <NUM> and the vertical wall of the cavity <NUM> is less than approximately five degrees.

The footpad <NUM> is connected to the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM>. The footpad <NUM> has a general C-shape such that the footpad <NUM> partially encircles the cavity <NUM> to opposing sides of the opening <NUM>.

In addition, the bottom housing member <NUM> includes a cantilever member <NUM> formed within the bottom housing member <NUM> and connected to the bottom housing member <NUM> at a fulcrum. The cantilever member <NUM> is illustrated as dotted lines because in this bottom plan view <NUM>, the cantilever member <NUM> is located behind the footpad <NUM>. Accordingly, the cantilever member <NUM> may be hidden from view due to the positioning of the footpad <NUM>. The cantilever member <NUM> is coplanar with the plane <NUM> defined by the bottom exterior surface of the bottom housing member <NUM>. The cantilever member <NUM> is bendable, by a force applied to a free end of the cantilever member <NUM>, to interface with a reset mechanism (described below in relation to <FIG>) on the circuit board assembly that is positioned within the housing <NUM>. In aspects, the cantilever member <NUM> acts as a reset button that the user can press to reset the access point device <NUM>. The footpad <NUM> includes a hole <NUM> aligned with the free end of the cantilever member <NUM>. The hole <NUM> in the footpad <NUM> provides an indication to a user of a location of the reset button. The bottom plan view <NUM> includes a section line <NUM>-<NUM>, which corresponds to the sectional view in <FIG>, and a section line <NUM>-<NUM>, which corresponds to a sectional view in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM> of <FIG> taken at the horizontal sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section line <NUM>-<NUM>. In this sectional view <NUM>, the access point device <NUM> is upside down such that the top housing member <NUM> is shown in the lower region of the illustration and the bottom housing member <NUM> is shown in the upper region of the illustration. The access point device <NUM> includes various hardware components within the housing <NUM> in a compact assembly. The access point device <NUM> includes an antenna carrier <NUM> supporting multiple antennas <NUM> attached thereto. The antenna carrier <NUM> is positioned within the housing <NUM> proximate (e.g., adjacent) to an inner surface of the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. In addition, each of the antennas <NUM> is positioned proximate to an inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM>, such that the antennas <NUM> are located within a tolerance distance of approximately two millimeters of the inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM>.

The access point device also includes a heat sink <NUM> and a circuit board assembly <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> is positioned within the housing <NUM> proximate (e.g., adjacent) to, and abuts, the antenna carrier <NUM> such that the heat sink <NUM> is between the antenna carrier <NUM> and the circuit board assembly <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> may be formed from any suitable heat-conducting material, including die-cast aluminum.

The circuit board assembly <NUM> may include any suitable circuit board with connected electronic components in any suitable arrangement. One example includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The circuit board assembly <NUM> is positioned between the heat sink <NUM> and a heat shield <NUM>. The heat shield <NUM> blocks heat transfer between opposing sides of the heat shield <NUM>, e.g., in the direction of the central axis <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat shield <NUM> shields heat, generated by the circuit board assembly <NUM>, from transferring to the bottom housing member <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. This reduces the risk of thermal damage to cables or wires (not shown) that are connected to the access point device <NUM>. In addition, the heat shield <NUM> is adjacent to the circuit board assembly <NUM> to shield the circuit board assembly <NUM> from electromagnetic interference (EMI) from the external wires or cables connected to the access point device <NUM>, such as a power cable connected to an electrical power connector <NUM> (e.g., barrel jack) or a cable connected to an Ethernet port <NUM> of the access point device <NUM>. The Ethernet ports <NUM> and the electrical power connector <NUM> are accessible via the exterior cavity <NUM> of the bottom housing member <NUM>. The heat shield <NUM> is positioned between the circuit board assembly <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a sectional view <NUM> of the access point device <NUM> of <FIG> taken at the vertical sectioning plane and in the direction indicated by section line <NUM>-<NUM>. In this sectional view <NUM>, the access point device <NUM> is illustrated with the central axis <NUM> being horizontal such that the top housing member <NUM> is shown on the right and the bottom housing member <NUM> is shown on the left. As shown in <FIG>, the Ethernet ports <NUM> extend substantially perpendicularly from the circuit board assembly <NUM> in the direction of the central axis <NUM> and toward the bottom housing member <NUM>. The circuit board assembly <NUM> is positioned substantially perpendicular to the central axis <NUM>. The heat shield <NUM> is positioned between a portion of the circuit board assembly <NUM> and the bottom housing member, such that the heat shield <NUM> is positioned between the exterior cavity <NUM> of the bottom housing member <NUM> and the portion of the circuit board assembly <NUM>. The heat shield <NUM> is not, however, positioned between the Ethernet ports <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM>. The heat shield <NUM> is shaped as a partial disk (e.g., approximately <NUM>% to approximately <NUM>% of a circular disk) to enable the Ethernet ports <NUM> to be positioned adjacent to the bottom housing member <NUM>.

The top housing member <NUM>, at the top-end portion <NUM> and the rounded edges <NUM>, has a substantially uniform thickness. For example, inner and outer surfaces of the rounded edges <NUM> and the top-end portion <NUM> follow a substantially same curve. The vertical walls <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>, however, may not include a uniform thickness. This is due to the outer surface of the vertical wall <NUM> having a curve while the inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> has a substantially zero-draft surface (e.g., straight surface with approximately zero taper). In aspects, the zero-draft surface is substantially parallel to the central axis <NUM> such that an angle between the zero-draft surface and the central axis is less than approximately five degrees. This zero-draft inner surface of the vertical wall <NUM> enables the components within the housing to be slidably removable for easy disassembly and/or slidably insertable for easy assembly. A more detailed view of this aspect is shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an enlarged view <NUM> of a portion of the rear sectional view <NUM> of <FIG>, as indicated by a dashed circle in <FIG> and shows a connection point between top and bottom housing members of the housing. In the enlarged view <NUM>, the top housing member <NUM> is connected to the bottom housing member <NUM>. As described above, the vertical wall <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM> includes a varying (e.g., non-uniform) thickness based on a zero-draft inner surface <NUM> and a curved outer surface <NUM>. The curved outer surface <NUM> provides a soft-looking surface for the exterior of the access point device <NUM> while the zero-draft inner surface <NUM> enables easy insertion or removal of internal components of the access point device <NUM>. Also shown in the enlarged view <NUM> is a portion of the heat sink <NUM>, which includes a protrusion <NUM> positioned within a recess <NUM> of the bottom housing member <NUM> for stability.

The housing <NUM> includes a vertical step member <NUM> that interfaces the bottom housing member <NUM> to the top housing member <NUM>. As illustrated, the vertical step member <NUM> is inset toward the central axis of the housing <NUM> (horizontally offset from outer surfaces of the top and bottom housing members <NUM>, <NUM>) by a distance x <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> to approximately <NUM>. The vertical step member <NUM> has a height y <NUM> that is within a range of approximately <NUM> millimeters to approximately <NUM> millimeters. The vertical step member <NUM> creates a horizontal gap (e.g., the seam <NUM> from <FIG>) between the top housing member <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM>, with the gap including a height equal to the height y <NUM> of the vertical step member <NUM> and a depth equal to the distance x <NUM> that the vertical step member <NUM> is inset. The resulting gap has a height variance of less than <NUM> millimeters such that the gap is substantially uniform according to user perception. Without the vertical step member <NUM>, the connection between the top housing member <NUM> and the bottom housing member <NUM> may create a seam that is more easily perceived by the human eye as being non-uniform in height. Accordingly, the gap created by the vertical step member <NUM> is less likely to be perceived, by the user, as not being uniform.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate example exploded views <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, of the access point device. As generally shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the antenna carrier <NUM> is positioned between the top housing member <NUM> and a heat spreader <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the antenna carrier <NUM> to the top housing member <NUM>. Any suitable fastener may be used, such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. The first heat spreader <NUM> is positioned between the antenna carrier <NUM> and the heat sink <NUM> to help spread heat across a surface of the heat sink <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> is positioned between the first heat spreader <NUM> and the circuit board assembly <NUM>. Additional fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the heat sink <NUM> to the antenna carrier <NUM>. The first heat spreader <NUM> includes several holes through which protrusions on the heat sink <NUM> pass through to abut the antenna carrier <NUM>. The additional fasteners <NUM> are positioned within holes in the protrusions and connect to the antenna carrier <NUM>.

Thermal interface material <NUM> (e.g., thermal gel, thermal pads) are positioned between the heat sink <NUM> and the circuit board assembly <NUM>. The circuit board assembly <NUM> is positioned between the heat sink <NUM> and a second heat spreader <NUM>. The second heat spreader <NUM> abuts the heat shield <NUM> such that the second heat spreader <NUM> is positioned between the circuit board assembly <NUM> and the heat shield <NUM>. The heat shield <NUM> abuts the bottom housing member <NUM>. Fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the circuit board assembly <NUM> to the heat sink <NUM>. In addition, fasteners <NUM> can be used to secure the heat shield <NUM> to the circuit board assembly <NUM>, or to secure the heat shield <NUM> to the heat sink <NUM> via holes in the circuit board assembly <NUM>. Fastener <NUM> can be used to secure the bottom housing member <NUM> to the heat sink <NUM> via holes in the heat shield <NUM> and the circuit board assembly <NUM>. The footpad <NUM> may be adhered to the bottom housing member <NUM> using any suitable adhesive. Also, a label <NUM> is adhered to the bottom of the bottom housing member <NUM>, within the exterior cavity <NUM> shown in <FIG>, to cover the fasteners <NUM> and the cantilever member <NUM>.

The top housing member <NUM> also includes a recess <NUM> in the inner surface of the vertical wall. The top housing member <NUM> is translucent between the recess <NUM> and the outer surface of the top housing member <NUM>. The top housing member <NUM> is formed of a partially translucent material (e.g., polymer or thermoplastic) such that light can pass through the material if the thickness of the material is below a threshold value. For example, a light source (e.g., light-emitting diode (LED)) connected to the circuit board assembly <NUM> can radiate light onto the inner surface of the top housing member <NUM>. Based on the thickness of the top housing member <NUM> being below the threshold value at a location aligned with the LED, such as between the recess <NUM> and the outer surface of the vertical wall <NUM>, the light passes through the top housing member <NUM> at that location. The light can correspond to an operating status of the access point device <NUM>. Any suitable location on the top housing member <NUM> may be used to provide a status light, including a location on the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. A light blocker <NUM> is positioned around the recess <NUM> to prevent the light from leaking through the top housing member <NUM> at locations or regions other than the intended location (e.g., the recess <NUM>). Any suitable material can be used as the light blocker <NUM>. One example light blocker <NUM> includes graphite (e.g., graphite adhesive) adhered to the top housing member <NUM>. Another example light blocker <NUM> may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET) adhered to the top housing member.

<FIG> illustrates a front perspective view <NUM> of an antenna carrier of the access point device. The antenna carrier <NUM> has a generally disk-shaped body <NUM> having flanges <NUM> connected to the antennas <NUM>. The antenna carrier <NUM> may be formed of any suitable non-conductive material, such as a polymer or thermoplastic. In this implementation, the antenna carrier <NUM> includes four flanges <NUM>, each carrying a dipole (e.g., antenna <NUM>) that can be implemented as a dual-band antenna. The antenna carrier <NUM> also includes a plurality of protrusions <NUM> (e.g., vertical beams) that abut the inner surface of the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> define a position of the antennas <NUM> relative to the top-end portion <NUM> of the top housing member <NUM>. Each antenna <NUM> includes a wired connection to the circuit board assembly <NUM> (shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) via a respective wire <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate various views of an example circuit board assembly. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view <NUM> of the circuit board assembly <NUM> from <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> and is oriented based on an axis <NUM>. The axis <NUM> is aligned with a plane defined by a PCB <NUM> of the circuit board assembly <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a top plan view <NUM> of the circuit board assembly <NUM> from <FIG>. The circuit board assembly <NUM> includes a system-on-chip (SoC) <NUM>, a memory device <NUM>, a thread control block <NUM>, a wireless network module <NUM>, and a light-emitting diode (LED) <NUM>. The memory device <NUM> can include any suitable memory, such as a double data rate memory. The wireless network module <NUM> can include any suitable wireless network module, such as a <NUM> Wi-Fi module. The LED <NUM> corresponds to an operating status of the access point device <NUM>. In aspects, the LED <NUM> is aligned with the recess <NUM> in the top housing member <NUM> to radiate light through a translucent portion of the top housing member <NUM> that is between the recess <NUM> and the outer surface of the top housing member <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a right elevational view <NUM> of the circuit board assembly <NUM> from <FIG>. Here, the Ethernet port <NUM> is shown as extending perpendicularly from a plane defined by the PCB <NUM> of the circuit board assembly <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a bottom plan view <NUM> of the circuit board assembly <NUM> from <FIG>. The circuit board assembly <NUM> includes an additional wireless network module <NUM>, such as a <NUM> Wi-Fi module. Using the wireless network module <NUM> and the additional wireless network module <NUM>, the circuit board assembly <NUM> can be implemented as a dual-band router. In addition, the circuit board assembly <NUM> includes a tactile switch <NUM> that is usable to toggle power to the electrical power connector <NUM>. The circuit board assembly also includes a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) <NUM> to control various components of the circuit board assembly <NUM>, as well as components of the access point device <NUM>. The arrangement of components on the circuit board assembly <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are shown as an example only and are not to be construed as limiting. The components of the circuit board assembly <NUM> can be implemented in any suitable configuration on the PCB <NUM> for implementing aspects of the access point device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example mesh network device <NUM> that can be implemented as any mesh network device in a mesh network in accordance with one or more aspects of the access point device described herein. The device <NUM> can be integrated with electronic circuitry, microprocessors, memory, input output (I/O) logic control, communication interfaces and components, as well as other hardware, firmware, and/or software to implement the device in a mesh network. Further, the mesh network device <NUM> can be implemented with various components, such as with any number and combination of different components as further described with reference to the example device shown in <FIG>.

In this example, the mesh network device <NUM> includes a low-power microprocessor <NUM> and a high-power microprocessor <NUM> (e.g., microcontrollers or digital signal processors) that process executable instructions. The device also includes an input-output (I/O) logic control <NUM> (e.g., to include electronic circuitry). The microprocessors can include components of an integrated circuit, programmable logic device, a logic device formed using one or more semiconductors, and other implementations in silicon and/or hardware, such as a processor and memory system implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC). Alternatively or in addition, the device can be implemented with any one or combination of software, hardware, firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that may be implemented with processing and control circuits. The low-power microprocessor <NUM> and the high-power microprocessor <NUM> can also support one or more different device functionalities of the device. For example, the high-power microprocessor <NUM> may execute computationally intensive operations, whereas the low-power microprocessor <NUM> may manage less-complex processes such as detecting a hazard or temperature from one or more sensors <NUM>. The low-power processor <NUM> may also wake or initialize the high-power processor <NUM> for computationally intensive processes.

The one or more sensors <NUM> can be implemented to detect various properties such as acceleration, temperature, humidity, water, supplied power, proximity, external motion, device motion, sound signals, ultrasound signals, light signals, fire, smoke, carbon monoxide, global-positioning-satellite (GPS) signals, radio-frequency (RF), other electromagnetic signals or fields, or the like. As such, the sensors <NUM> may include any one or a combination of temperature sensors, humidity sensors, hazard-related sensors, security sensors, other environmental sensors, accelerometers, microphones, optical sensors up to and including cameras (e.g., charged coupled-device or video cameras), active or passive radiation sensors, GPS receivers, and radio-frequency identification detectors. In implementations, the mesh network device <NUM> may include one or more primary sensors, as well as one or more secondary sensors, such as primary sensors that sense data central to the core operation of the device (e.g., sensing a temperature in a thermostat or sensing smoke in a smoke detector), while the secondary sensors may sense other types of data (e.g., motion, light or sound), which can be used for energy-efficiency objectives or smart-operation objectives.

The mesh network device <NUM> includes a memory device controller <NUM> and a memory device <NUM>, such as any type of a nonvolatile memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage device. The mesh network device <NUM> can also include various firmware and/or software, such as an operating system <NUM> that is maintained as computer executable instructions by the memory and executed by a microprocessor. The device software may also include a smart-home application <NUM> that implements aspects of the access point device. The mesh network device <NUM> also includes a device interface <NUM> to interface with another device or peripheral component, and includes an integrated data bus <NUM> that couples the various components of the mesh network device for data communication between the components. The data bus in the mesh network device may also be implemented as any one or a combination of different bus structures and/or bus architectures.

The device interface <NUM> may receive input from a user and/or provide information to the user (e.g., as a user interface), and a received input can be used to determine a setting. The device interface <NUM> may also include mechanical or virtual components that respond to a user input. For example, the user can mechanically move a sliding or rotatable component, or the motion along a touchpad may be detected, and such motions may correspond to a setting adjustment of the device. Physical and virtual movable user-interface components can allow the user to set a setting along a portion of an apparent continuum. The device interface <NUM> may also receive inputs from any number of peripherals, such as buttons, a keypad, a switch, a microphone, and an imager (e.g., a camera device).

The mesh network device <NUM> can include network interfaces <NUM>, such as a mesh network interface for communication with other mesh network devices in a mesh network, and an external network interface for network communication, such as via the Internet. The mesh network device <NUM> also includes wireless radio systems <NUM> for wireless communication with other mesh network devices via the mesh network interface and for multiple, different wireless communications systems. The wireless radio systems <NUM> may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, Mobile Broadband, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and/or point-to-point IEEE <NUM>. Each of the different radio systems can include a radio device, antenna, and chipset that is implemented for a particular wireless communications technology. The mesh network device <NUM> also includes a power source <NUM>, such as a battery and/or to connect the device to line voltage. An AC power source may also be used to charge the battery of the device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example system <NUM> that includes an example device <NUM>, which can be implemented as any mesh network device that implements aspects of the access point device <NUM> as described with reference to the previous <FIG>. The example device <NUM> may be any type of computing device, client device, mobile phone, tablet, communication, entertainment, gaming, media playback, and/or other type of device. Further, the example device <NUM> may be implemented as any other type of mesh network device that is configured for communication on a mesh network, such as a thermostat, hazard detector, camera, light unit, commissioning device, router, border router, joiner router, joining device, end device, leader, access point, a hub, and/or other mesh network devices.

The device <NUM> includes communication devices <NUM> that enable wired and/or wireless communication of device data <NUM>, such as data that is communicated between the devices in a mesh network, data that is being received, data scheduled for broadcast, data packets of the data, data that is synched between the devices, etc. The device data can include any type of communication data, as well as audio, video, and/or image data that is generated by applications executing on the device. The communication devices <NUM> can also include transceivers for cellular phone communication and/or for network data communication.

The device <NUM> also includes input/output (I/O) interfaces <NUM>, such as data network interfaces that provide connection and/or communication links between the device, data networks (e.g., a mesh network, external network, etc.), and other devices. The I/O interfaces can be used to couple the device to any type of components, peripherals, and/or accessory devices. The I/O interfaces also include data input ports via which any type of data, media content, and/or inputs can be received, such as user inputs to the device, as well as any type of communication data, such as audio, video, and/or image data received from any content and/or data source.

The device <NUM> includes a processing system <NUM> that may be implemented at least partially in hardware, such as with any type of microprocessors, controllers, or the like that process executable instructions. The processing system can include components of an integrated circuit, programmable logic device, a logic device formed using one or more semiconductors, and other implementations in silicon and/or hardware, such as a processor and memory system implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC). Alternatively or in addition, the device can be implemented with any one or combination of software, hardware, firmware, or fixed logic circuitry that may be implemented with processing and control circuits. The device <NUM> may further include any type of a system bus or other data and command transfer system that couples the various components within the device. A system bus can include any one or combination of different bus structures and architectures, as well as control and data lines.

The device <NUM> also includes computer-readable storage memory <NUM>, such as data storage devices that can be accessed by a computing device, and that provide persistent storage of data and executable instructions (e.g., software applications, modules, programs, functions, or the like). The computer-readable storage memory described herein excludes propagating signals. Examples of computer-readable storage memory include volatile memory and non-volatile memory, fixed and removable media devices, and any suitable memory device or electronic data storage that maintains data for computing device access. The computer-readable storage memory can include various implementations of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and other types of storage memory in various memory device configurations.

The computer-readable storage memory <NUM> provides storage of the device data <NUM> and various device applications <NUM>, such as an operating system that is maintained as a software application with the computer-readable storage memory and executed by the processing system <NUM>. The device applications may also include a device manager, such as any form of a control application, software application, signal processing and control module, code that is native to a particular device, a hardware abstraction layer for a particular device, and so on. In this example, the device applications also include a smart-home application <NUM> that implements aspects of the access point device, such as when the example device <NUM> is implemented as any of the mesh network devices described herein.

In aspects, at least part of the techniques described for the access point device may be implemented in a distributed system, such as over a "cloud" <NUM> in a platform <NUM>. The cloud <NUM> includes and/or is representative of the platform <NUM> for services <NUM> and/or resources <NUM>.

The platform <NUM> abstracts underlying functionality of hardware, such as server devices (e.g., included in the services <NUM>) and/or software resources (e.g., included as the resources <NUM>), and communicatively connects the example device <NUM> with other devices, servers, etc. The resources <NUM> may also include applications and/or data that can be utilized while computer processing is executed on servers that are remote from the example device <NUM>. Additionally, the services <NUM> and/or the resources <NUM> may facilitate subscriber network services, such as over the Internet, a cellular network, or Wi-Fi network. The platform <NUM> may also serve to abstract and scale resources to service a demand for the resources <NUM> that are implemented via the platform, such as in an interconnected device embodiment with functionality distributed throughout the system <NUM>. For example, the functionality may be implemented in part at the example device <NUM> as well as via the platform <NUM> that abstracts the functionality of the cloud <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An access point (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) comprising:
a top housing member (<NUM>) having a wall (<NUM>) that is generally cylindrical about a longitudinal axis (<NUM>), the top housing member (<NUM>) having a top-end portion (<NUM>) connected to a first end of the wall (<NUM>) via rounded corners (<NUM>), the wall (<NUM>) having an inner surface (<NUM>) and an opposing outer surface (<NUM>); and
a bottom housing member (<NUM>) connected to the top housing member (<NUM>) at a second end of the wall (<NUM>), the bottom housing member (<NUM>) having a bottom exterior surface and an opposing interior surface, the bottom housing member (<NUM>) comprising a curved edge (<NUM>) between the bottom exterior surface and the second end of the wall (<NUM>) of the top housing member (<NUM>);
multiple antennas (<NUM>) positioned within the housing (<NUM>) and operable to transmit and receive communication signals, the multiple antennas (<NUM>) positioned within a tolerance distance of two millimeters to the inner surface (<NUM>) of the wall (<NUM>);
a circuit board assembly (<NUM>) positioned within the housing (<NUM>) and operable to provide a gateway to a wireless network, the circuit board assembly (<NUM>) comprising one or more Ethernet ports (<NUM>); and
a heat shield (<NUM>) positioned adjacent to the circuit board assembly (<NUM>) to shield the circuit board assembly (<NUM>) from electromagnetic interference,
wherein:
the bottom housing member (<NUM>) includes an exterior cavity (<NUM>) formed by a portion of the bottom exterior surface; and
the exterior cavity (<NUM>) comprises an interior side that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>), the exterior cavity (<NUM>) having one or more openings (<NUM>) aligned with the one or more Ethernet ports (<NUM>) of the circuit board assembly (<NUM>).