Wireless access point

Abstract

An access point device and access point system support wireless and wired communications. The access point includes a front face and a rear housing sized to fit within a conventional wall box, e.g., a single gang box. The electrical components associated with the access point device include a plurality of printed circuit boards that are configured in an H-shaped or U-shaped manner, such that they fit within the rear housing. Interface members are provided to facilitate communications between and among the printed circuit boards. At least one jack is provided in the front face of the access device for wired communication, and a plug is outwardly directed from the rear housing to facilitate network connection. Power for the access point device is supplied over a cable or conduit that engages the outwardly directed plug using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) technology. The printed circuit boards include circuitry for managing operation of the access device and, in exemplary embodiments, includes power control circuitry to moderate potential heat generation.

1 . An access point, comprising: 
 a. a front face;    b. a rear housing that is detachably mounted with respect to the front face; and    c. electrical components that support data communication operations positioned in the region between the front face and the rear housing;    wherein the electrical components include a plurality of printed circuit boards in an H-shaped or U-shaped configuration.    
   
   
       2 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the front face includes a front housing member and a rear plate.  
   
   
       3 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical components further includes at least one jack, and wherein the at least one jack is mounted with respect to the front face.  
   
   
       4 . An access point according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one jack is positioned within the H-shaped or U-shaped configuration of the plurality of printed circuit boards.  
   
   
       5 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical components further includes a plurality of antennae.  
   
   
       6 . An access point according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of antennae includes a first antenna and a second antenna, and wherein the first and second antenna are mounted with respect to the front face.  
   
   
       7 . An access point according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of antennae includes a first antenna and a second antenna, and wherein each of said first and second antennae are adapted to process wireless communications in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transmission bands.  
   
   
       8 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical components further includes a first interface member and a second interface member.  
   
   
       9 . An access point according to  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of printed circuit boards includes a first printed circuit board, a second printed circuit board and a third printed circuit board, and wherein the first interface member effects electrical communication between the first and second printed circuit boards, and wherein the second interface members effects electrical communication between the second and third printed circuit boards.  
   
   
       10 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of printed circuit boards includes temperature control circuitry.  
   
   
       11 . An access point according to  claim 10 , wherein the temperature control circuitry is effective to reduce power usage of the plurality of printed circuit boards to reduce heat generation based upon predetermined temperature criterion.  
   
   
       12 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of printed circuit boards includes three printed circuit boards, wherein the electrical components further includes at least one RJ-45 jack, and wherein the three printed circuit boards and a rear portion of the at least one RJ-45 jack are configured and dimensioned to fit within a cavity defined by the rear housing.  
   
   
       13 . An access point according to  claim 12 , wherein the rear housing is configured and dimensioned to fit within a single gang wall box.  
   
   
       14 . An access point according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical components further includes a plug that is outwardly or rearwardly directed relative to the rear housing.  
   
   
       15 . An access point according to  claim 14 , wherein the plug is defined by a portion of one of the plurality of printed circuit boards and a plug housing.  
   
   
       16 . An access point system, comprising: 
 a. an access point device that includes (i) a front face, (ii) a rear housing that is detachably mounted with respect to the front face, and (iii) electrical components that support data communication operations positioned in the region between the front face and the rear housing, the electrical components including a plurality of printed circuit boards in an H-shaped or U-shaped configuration; and    b. a conduit in electrical communication with the access point.    
   
   
       17 . An access point system according to  claim 16 , wherein the access point device supports wireless communications.  
   
   
       18 . An access point system according to  claim 16 , wherein power required to operate the access point device is supplied over the conduit with data communication signals.  
   
   
       19 . An access point system according to  claim 16 , wherein the access point device is mounted with respect to a receptacle that includes an open corner region, and wherein the conduit passes through the open corner region.  
   
   
       20 . An access point system according to  claim 16 , wherein the access point device includes a pair of antennae mounted with respect to the front face, and wherein the antennae and plurality of printed circuit boards are effective for wireless communications at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transmission bands.