Power receptacle wireless access point devices for networked living and work spaces

摘要

Described herein are power receptacle wireless access point (AP) devices that may be used as part of a networked (smart) living and work space. These power receptacle wireless AP devices may be wall-mounted and/or retrofitted over existing electrical outlets or light switches, for providing wireless access to a room or region of a room. The power receptacle wireless AP device may connect via power line communication to a data connection.

主权项

1. A power receptacle wireless access point (AP) device, the device comprising:
a wall power input configured to connect to a power line in a wall of a room: a power line communication (PLC) circuit, the PLC circuit configured to receive data from and transmit data on a power line connected to the wall power input; at least one antenna comprising a microstrip antenna having a bent emitter surface arranged along a lateral side of a faceplate adjacent to at least one plug receptacle, wherein the bent emitter surface comprises a front surface facing a frontal surface plane in which the at least one plug receptacle is placed and a side surface comprising a plurality of plates shaped for defining a beamforming range, the front and the side surface forming a curvature resulting in a beamforming pattern that excludes directions of lateral sides of the frontal surface plane and the directions towards the back of the wall; a wireless AP circuit connected to the PLC circuit, the wireless AP configured to receive data from the PLC circuit and to wirelessly transmit the data using the at least one antenna, and further configured to receive wireless data on the at least one antenna and to transmit the received data to the PLC circuit; and a mount configured to mount the device in or over an electrical box.