Wireless, self-contained relay device

摘要

A relay apparatus comprising a housing having a bottom surface, a radio, and a processor, both mounted within the housing. A self-righting mechanism is mounted to the housing such that the self-righting mechanism is configured to reposition the housing from any initial position to an upright position so that the housing rests on the bottom surface. The radio is configured to relay RF signals and to operate as a node in an ad hoc telecommunications network. The processor is operatively coupled to the radio and the self-righting mechanism.

主权项

1. A relay apparatus comprising:
a housing having a bottom surface; a radio mounted within the housing, wherein the radio is configured to relay RF signals and to operate as a node in a telecommunications network; a self-righting mechanism mounted to the housing such that the self-righting mechanism is configured to reposition the housing from any initial position to an upright position such that the housing rests on the bottom surface; a processor mounted within the housing and operatively coupled to the radio and the self-righting mechanism; an extendable antenna operatively coupled to the radio, wherein the antenna has an extended position and a retracted position and wherein the antenna is configured to extend in a direction away from the bottom surface; and wherein the housing further comprises an antenna bay configured to stow the antenna, wherein the self-righting mechanism comprises two bay doors, each hingedly connected to opposite, outer edges of the antenna bay, and wherein the two bay doors, upon a command from the processor, are configured to move to an open position thereby constraining the housing to rest on the bottom surface.