Patent Application
20070063916
This invention generally relates to communications. More particularly, this invention relates to wireless systems.
Wireless communication systems are well known. Geographic regions are divided into cells or sectors that are served by base station transceivers. Mobile stations, such as cellular phones, communicate with a base station when the mobile station is within the corresponding cell, for example. As the mobile station moves between cells, the various base stations communicate signals to and from the mobile stations.
Under most circumstances, known wireless communication networks serve their intended purposes. There are occasions when a wireless communication network would be useful but the normal communication techniques render the network less than optimal for addressing such situations. For example, a disaster or emergency situation may be handled using wireless communications to minimize the damage or effects of such a situation.
Consider the attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, for example. There were significant efforts to search for and rescue individuals trapped in the rubble who may have had a cell phone or other wireless communication device. The limitations on traditional wireless communication networks prevent or degrade any use of wireless communication devices for such situations. For example, the debris associated with the collapse of the World Trade Center made it impossible for adequate signal transmission between base station transceivers and mobile stations within the rubble. Additionally, much of the network infrastructure in the vicinity of the World Trade Center was damaged and, therefore, not effective. Further, the additional load on the system from the large number of individuals attempting to contact others using wireless communications taxed system resources, which made them less available for targeted search and rescue efforts.
There is a need for enhancing wireless communication systems to improve communications with or search and rescue of individuals using wireless communication devices in emergency or disaster situations.
For example, it would be useful to be able to establish communication with a mobile station located where signals from that mobile station cannot be detected using existing wireless communication hardware. It would be useful to be able to at least detect signals from a mobile station within a pile of rubble, for example. The mass associated with such rubble typically interferes with the transmission of wireless communication signals from a mobile station such that it cannot be located using traditional arrangements.
There is a need for a device that is able to at least detect wireless signals from a mobile station, for example, under a wider variety of circumstances.
This invention addresses the need for a device that improves the ability to at least detect signals from a mobile station. An exemplary disclosed antenna assembly has the ability to probe into relatively inaccessible places for detecting wireless communication signals where they otherwise would not be detectable.
A disclosed example antenna assembly includes an antenna for at least detecting a selected type of radiation, such as a wireless communication signal from a mobile station. A substantially rigid shell covers over at least a portion of an exterior of the antenna. An elongated probe supports the antenna near one end of the probe. The probe allows for selectively moving the antenna into an area and subsequently removing the antenna from the area. The antenna is therefore able to detect signals at a variety of locations that were otherwise inaccessible.
One example assembly includes an indicator associated with the antenna for indicating whether the antenna detects the selected type of radiation.
One example includes a communication device, which comprises a portable base station transceiver, coupled with the antenna. The communication device allows for communication with the mobile station or communicating information to a wireless network regarding signals detected by the antenna.
Another example includes a radio frequency communication signal repeater as the communication device. Another example includes a mobile station associated with the antenna such that the mobile station acts as a communication device for transferring signals between the antenna and a wireless communication network, for example.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.
A disclosed example antenna assembly provides the ability to at least detect a signal from a mobile station. One use for such an antenna is to search for and locate individuals by detecting or locating mobile stations in the possession of or at least near such individuals. The disclosed example includes a robust, versatile antenna that is capable of entering relatively inaccessible areas for detecting radiation such as wireless communication signals within those areas where such signals would otherwise be undetectable.
The illustrated example assembly 20 includes an elongated probe 24 supporting the antenna 22 near one end of the probe. The probe 24 is capable of propelling the antenna 22 in a forward direction so that the antenna 22 can enter into relatively inaccessible places. For example, the antenna 22 is capable of traveling through crevices and small spaces within piles of debris into a variety of locations. The elongated probe 24 allows for moving the antenna 22 into a variety of locations and retracting or retrieving the antenna from those locations.
The elongated probe 24 in one example is constructed of similar materials and operates similar to industrial pipeline or sewer inspection probes, a variety of which are known. The illustrated example includes a drum assembly 28 and a supporting frame for manipulating the probe 24 in a desired manner.
The illustrated example includes a communication device 30 associated with the antenna 22. In this example, the elongated probe 24 supports at least one conductor extending between the antenna 22 and the communication device 30. The conductor facilitates transmitting signals between the antenna 22 and the communication device 30. In the illustrated example, the communication device 30 includes at least one display or indicator 32 to provide information to an individual regarding signals detected by the antenna 22.
In one example, the communication device 30 comprises a portable base station transceiver that operates similar to base station transceivers in known wireless communication networks. In another example, the communication device 30 comprises a signal repeater that is operative to repeat signals detected by the antenna 22 so that those signals can be processed by a remotely located device such as a wireless communication network base station transceiver. A signal repeater in one example repeats signals from a base station transceiver so that they are transmitted from the antenna 22 toward a mobile station, for example.
In one example, the communication device 30 includes the indicator 32 for providing an indication whether the antenna 22 is detecting any selected type of radiation such as a radio frequency wireless communication signal. In one example, the indicator 32 includes one visible indicator for showing when the antenna 22 detects radiation or a signal and another indicator for showing when the antenna 22 is not detecting any selected type of radiation or signal. Such an example may be useful as an initial searching or probing device for locating sources of selected radiation or wireless communication signals, for example. Upon locating a source of such a signal, another communication device may be associated with the antenna 22 or another similar antenna for attempting to utilize more information regarding the detected signal or to attempt communications with the mobile station providing the signal.
In one example, the communication device 30 is configured as a mobile station so that it can communicate with a wireless communication network in a generally known manner. At the same time, the mobile station communication device 30 can utilize information gathered by the antenna 22 or use the antenna 22 as a transmitter for transmitting signals into an area near the antenna 22.
The communication device 30 in one example has programming sufficient to determine at least one characteristic of a detected signal or radiation. For example, the communication device 30 in one embodiment provides an indication of the type of signal detected by the antenna 22. Such information may facilitate subsequent rescue attempts where the communication signals is of a character or includes content that indicates that search and rescue efforts are appropriate.
Because the antenna 22 is intended to be moved into a variety of locations, some examples are designed to withstand a variety of environmental conditions. For example, the antenna 22 may be moved in a manner that it penetrates through a pile of debris including sharp edges and hard materials. The antenna 22 in this example has a substantially rigid outer shell 40 along at least a portion of the exterior of the antenna 22. In some examples, the shell 40 comprises the same material as the antenna that is treated to provide a desired resiliency on the exterior surface. In another example, the outer shell 40 comprises a sheath fitted over at least a portion of the antenna 22. In one example, the sheath comprises a plastic material.
When the outer shell 40 comprises a covering over the antenna 22, openings 42 within the sheath or covering allow for some of the antenna material to be exposed as shown at 44 in
This description refers to a substantially rigid outer shell, which is intended to mean that the shell is generally hard but may have some flexibility to accommodate impacts or collisions with hard materials that will not permanently deform the antenna 22. A variety of plastic materials are known that provide a substantially rigid surface that has some flexibility yet is generally hard. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description will be able to select appropriate materials to realize a robust antenna design to meet the needs of their particular situation.
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The example antenna 22 is manipulative relative to the elongated probe 24. One example includes a coupling 36 that allows the antenna 22 to be pivoted relative to the probe 24 in a variety of directions.
Examples that include a camera 50 provide the capability for an individual to receive visual feedback regarding the area in which the antenna 22 is located.
The disclosed example provides an antenna assembly that is capable of moving into a variety of locations and withstanding a variety of environmental conditions to try to detect radiation such as radio frequency communication signals used by mobile stations. Such an assembly enhances the ability to search for, communicate with, or rescue individuals in a variety of situations including disaster conditions or military operations, for example.
The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.
