Patent ID: 7785138

Claim:
A wireless access point adapted to communicate with a wired network having at least one service cable with a free end accessible in proximity to a standard outlet box defining an outlet box interior region, comprising: a. a housing having a first plate defining a first plane, a second plate defining a second plane that is substantially parallel to the first plane and an intermediate housing region extending between the first plane defined by the first plate and the second plane defined by the second plate; b. electronic circuitry providing communication functionality positioned within the housing in the intermediate housing region; c. a pair of antennae adapted for Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) communications positioned within the housing in the intermediate housing region; and d. at least one jack in electrical communication with the electronic circuitry, the at least one jack being mounted with respect to the housing; wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted with respect to the standard outlet box with (i) the second plate positioned external to the outlet box interior region and mounted with respect to the standard outlet box, (ii) the first plate also positioned external to the outlet box interior region, and (iii) the at least one jack positioned within the outlet box interior region for electrically connecting the electronic circuitry to the accessible free end of the service cable of the wired network at a conductive junction positioned within the outlet box interior region.