Gateway device and system and method for use of same
A gateway device and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within an in-wall housing, which also interconnectedly includes a processor, memory, various physical ports and wireless transceivers. To improve convenience, the gateway device may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the gateway device may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network.
1. A gateway device comprising:
a housing securing a processor and memory therein, the housing being configured to be mounted within a wall located within a space, the housing including a utility box being an in-wall portion and a panel configured to mount thereto, the utility box having a plurality of sidewalls and a rear wall;
the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panel configured to mount substantially flush with the wall;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor and the memory;
a first physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the first physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for data and power to the gateway device, the first physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a second physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the second physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for data to the gateway device, the second physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a third physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the third physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for power to the gateway device, the third physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a plurality of wireless transceivers associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the plurality of wireless transceivers configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless standards;
at least one of the first physical port and the third physical port providing a power connection to the gateway device;
at least one of the first physical port, the second physical port, and the plurality of wireless transceivers providing a data link to a server, the server managing a geolocation and safety network including a plurality of gateway devices;
at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers being configured to communicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device;
at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers being configured to communicate with a proximate amenity, the proximate amenity being co-located with the gateway device at the space;
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including first processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
establish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the gateway device via at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers,
send user interface instructions relative to the amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a command signal, and
send the command signal to the amenity; and
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including second processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification,
generate a gateway signal including the personal location device identification, a gateway device identification, and signal characteristics indicator, and
send the gateway signal to the server via the data link.
2. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises an in-wall electrical box.
3. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the utility box further comprises a box selected from the group consisting of single gang utility boxes and double gang utility boxes.
4. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first physical port further comprises an RJ45 port.
5. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first physical port comprises a connection selected from the group consisting of CAT5 connections, CAT6 connections, and Ethernet connections.
6. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second physical port further comprises a coax port.
7. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the second physical port further comprises a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) connection.
8. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the wireless standards are selected from a group consisting of infrared (IR), 802.11, 802.15, 802.15.4, 3G, 4G, Edge, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), and Bluetooth.
9. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless transceivers is at least partially internal to the housing.
10. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wireless transceivers is at least partially external to the housing.
11. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of wireless transceivers further comprise an antenna.
12. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device comprises a device selected from the group consisting of personal computers, laptops, tablet computers, smart phones, and smart watches.
13. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the personal location device further comprises the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device.
14. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the personal location device further comprises a single button personal location device.
15. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the amenity is selected from a group consisting of lighting control, temperature control, speakers, window shade control, and door security.
16. The gateway device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the signal characteristics indicator is based on the beacon signal being received at the gateway device.
17. The gateway device as recited in claim 16 , wherein the signal characteristics indicator is selected from a group consisting of signal strength measurements, phase angle measurements, and flight time measurements.
18. A gateway device comprising:
a housing securing a processor and memory therein, the housing being configured to be mounted within a wall located within a space, the housing including a utility box being an in-wall portion and a panel configured to mount thereto, the utility box having a plurality of sidewalls and a rear wall;
the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panel configured to mount substantially flush with the wall;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor and the memory;
a first physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the first physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for data and power to the gateway device, the first physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a second physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the second physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for data to the gateway device, the second physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a third physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the third physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for power to the gateway device, the third physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a fourth physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the fourth physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface to communicate with a proximate amenity, the proximate amenity being co-located with the gateway device at the space;
a plurality of wireless transceivers associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the plurality of wireless transceivers configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless standards;
at least one of the first physical port and the third physical port providing a power connection to the gateway device;
at least one of the first physical port, the second physical port, and the plurality of wireless transceivers providing a data link to a server, the server managing a geolocation and safety network including a plurality of gateway devices;
at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers being configured to communicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device;
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including first processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
establish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the gateway device via at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers,
send user interface instructions relative to the amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a command signal, and
send the command signal to the amenity; and
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including second processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification,
generate a gateway signal including the personal location device identification, a gateway device identification, and signal characteristics indicator, and
send the gateway signal to the server via the data link.
19. The gateway device as recited in claim 18 , wherein the fourth physical port further comprises a USB connection.
20. A gateway device comprising:
a housing securing a processor and memory therein, the housing being configured to be mounted within a wall located within a space, the housing including a utility box being an in-wall portion and a panel configured to mount thereto, the utility box having a plurality of sidewalls and a rear wall;
the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panel configured to mount substantially flush with the wall;
a busing architecture communicatively interconnecting the processor and the memory;
a first physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the first physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for data and power to the gateway device, the first physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a second physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the second physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for data to the gateway device, the second physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a third physical port secured at the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the third physical port configured to provide a physical wired interface for power to the gateway device, the third physical port being located at the rear wall in the utility box;
a plurality of wireless transceivers associated with the housing and coupled to the busing architecture, the plurality of wireless transceivers configured to communicate via a plurality of wireless standards;
at least one of the first physical port and the third physical port providing a power connection to the gateway device;
at least one of the first physical port, the second physical port, and the plurality of wireless transceivers providing a data link to a server, the server managing a geolocation and safety network including a plurality of gateway devices;
at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers being configured to communicate with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device;
at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers being configured to communicate with a proximate amenity, the proximate amenity being co-located with the gateway device at the space;
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including first processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
establish a pairing between the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and the gateway device via at least one of the plurality of wireless transceivers,
send user interface instructions relative to the amenity to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
receive and process user input instructions relative to the amenity from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device,
generate a command signal, and
send the command signal to the amenity; and
the memory accessible to the processor, the memory including second processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive and process a beacon signal including a personal location device identification, the beacon signal including an operational alerts mode having a distress signal,
generate a gateway signal including the personal location device identification, a gateway device identification, and signal characteristics indicator, and
send the gateway signal to the server via the data link.