OA17838A - Mobile interconnection device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an interconnection device comprising : a wide area network interface (10) arranged to establish a connection with a base station of a plurality of wide area networks of the cellular network type; local area network interface (20) arranged to allow communication between a local device and the wide area network interface. The invention is suitable for the universal connection of any connectable device.

Description

MOBILE INTERCONNECTION DEVICE

Technical field and state of the art

The invention relates to a mobile interconnection device, a stand-alone, external device, allowing connection to a mobile communication network (wide area network) of a terminal such as a PC, a touchscreen tablet, a smartphone, a telephone, a display screen, video projector, etc.

Mobile interconnection devices are already known, for example a 3G key, allowing a user to connect a terminal such as a PC or a tablet to a cellular network for mobile access to the Internet. Such a device only allows the connection of a single terminal. In addition, such devices allow connection to a single cellular network, and therefore obviously do not allow a connection to be established in an area not covered by said network; this is penalizing for the user, especially in rural areas where coverage is often limited to a single rather weak network.

Moreover, such devices have fairly low data rates, limited to the rate available locally, at. proximity of devices, on the wide area network to which they are connected, and therefore provide unsatisfactory service.

Also, these devices do not allow simple connection of display terminals that do not have wireless transmission / reception means internally.

Description of the invention

The invention proposes a new interconnection device, making it possible to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of known interconnection devices.

More specifically, the invention relates to an interconnection device, comprising:

. a wide area network interface, arranged to establish a connection with a base station of a plurality of wide area networks of the cellular network type,. a local area network interface, arranged to allow communication between a local device and the wide area network interface.

With a wide area network interface arranged to establish a connection with a base station of a plurality of wide area networks, the device according to the invention makes it possible to have maximum coverage, and therefore the widest possible service geographically. .

The local network is preferably a wireless network, for example of the WIFI type.

Preferably, the local area network interface is arranged to share a signal received from the wide area network interface between several local devices. Thus, it is possible to connect several local devices, for example a PC, a tablet, a telephone, etc. simultaneously to a wide area network.

In the interconnection device according to the invention, the extended network interface can comprise:

. a wideband receiver arranged to continuously receive a plurality of communication signals from a plurality of base stations associated with the plurality of wideband networks having transmission frequencies between 500 and 3000 MHz, and. a selection device arranged to select a signal of greater power from among the plurality of signals received, and to transmit the selected signal.

A wideband receiver enables the device according to the invention to receive all signals from all wide area networks. The selection device then chooses the network, and more precisely the base station of said network, providing the strongest signal. This makes it possible to guarantee the best possible reception at a given instant and in a given geographical position of the device according to the invention, if the geographical area is covered by at least one wide area network.

Preferably, the selection device is also arranged to continuously select a new signal of greater power from among the plurality of signals received. In other words, ± 1 changes base station as soon as it detects a signal of greater power than the signal being transmitted. Thus, the selection device chooses and continuously transmits the most powerful signal, to guarantee optimum service to the user.

More preferably, the wide area network interface also comprises an amplifier arranged to amplify the plurality of signals received from the wideband receiver and transmit the plurality of amplified signals to the selection device. Thus, the selection device can easily choose the signal of higher power, even when all the signals received on the receiver have a relatively low power. In addition, the selected amplified signal is of better quality (higher bit rate, no bit rate break, etc.) for local devices that receive it through the LAN interface or through the LAN interface. audio / video interface. Thus, it becomes possible to simultaneously send the same information to several local devices with the same quality of service. Tests have thus made it possible to display the same video data stream simultaneously on a display terminal of the television type and on a display terminal of a smartphone, with very good sound and image quality. Also, the range of the local network interface is greater due to the better signal quality. Tests have made it possible, for example, to print to a printer from a smartphone, both more than 400 m from the interconnection box, and communicating together via the local network interface.

According to a variant, the amplifier is also arranged to attenuate the plurality of signals received from the wideband receiver if at least one of the signals received has a power greater than a maximum value, and to transmit the plurality of attenuated signals to the selection device. . In other words, the amplifier can also operate as an attenuator, when the wideband receiver receives at least one signal whose power is greater than a maximum value, for example when the interconnection device according to the invention is located in the immediate vicinity of 'a base station of a wide area network. Thus, by re-transmitting an attenuated signal at the level of the local network interface, one does not disturb the extended networks in the immediate vicinity.

In the wide area network interface, the wideband receiver 15 is preferably arranged for:

. read in a removable memory, for example a SIM card, connection data corresponding to a subscription to a wide area network,. transmit the connection data read to all the base stations accessible at a given time and in a given location to establish a connection with said base stations, and. receive signals from each of the base stations to which the receiver is connected.

A subscription to a single wide area network is sufficient to allow the broadband receiver to receive all the data signals transmitted by all the base stations of the mobile networks, including the base stations of other wide area networks owned by other operators. Also, signals can be received from several base stations of the same network. A reception between 500 and 3000 MHz can also receive signals from cellular networks of all types, GSM, 3G, 3G +, 4G, etc.

The device according to the invention can also include a buffer memory, for storing a signal received from the wide area network interface and transmitting said signal to the local network interface. Thus, the data is temporarily stored by the WAN interface, and is transmitted to the local network interface as and when depending on the local devices connected. The received signal can be stored at a first rate, and be transmitted at a second rate which may be different from the first rate. This allows better management of the signal transmitted over the local network, depending on the demand of the local devices.

The buffer memory is preferably arranged to store the received signal, and to transmit the signal shifted by a predefined time to the local network interface. This allows the interconnect device to continuously provide data to local devices via the local network interface, including during a possible interruption in the reception of data by the WAN interface, during an automatic change of network. base station for example.

The device according to the invention can also comprise an audio / video interface comprising. a VIDEO output terminal to allow the connection of a local device such as a terminal via a wired link in a V1DEO format, and. an audio / video decoder arranged to convert a signal received from the wide area network interface into a signal in VIDEO format and output the converted signal to the VIDEO output terminal.

The device according to the invention thus allows easy wired connection to an extended network of a display terminal, for example a screen, a video projector. The VIDEO format of the signal accessible on the VIDEO output terminal is of course suitable for the display terminal capable of being connected. For example, we will choose an HDHI, HDTV, etc. for connecting a screen, video projector, TV, etc.

Preferably, the audio / video decoder is also arranged for, if all or part of the filtered signal is an audio signal, converting an audio part of the filtered signal into a signal in an AUDIO format and transmitting the converted signal to a radio frequency transmitter of the device. audio / video. Thus, it is possible to connect loudspeakers by radio frequency in order to reproduce an audio signal received from the extended network.

The device according to the invention can also include a control device designed for:

. receive user instructions via an instruction transmission device, and. controlling the extended network interface, the local network interface, and where appropriate the buffer memory and / or the audio / video interface, according to a received user instruction.

The control device thus controls the operation of all the components of the interconnection device according to the invention, on the basis of user instructions that it receives.

According to one embodiment, the control device comprises:

. an instruction memory, for storing series of driving instructions for the interfaces and / or the memory, a series of driving instructions corresponding to a user instruction,. a microprocessor, to execute a series of control instructions as a function of a received user instruction.

The instruction transmission device comprises for example:

. a keyboard and / or a mouse connected to the control device, for example by a bluetooth link, and / or. a touch screen, connected to the control device via the audio / video interface, and / or. a personal computer, a touch pad, a smartphone, a telephone, etc., connected to the control device via the local network interface and / or. an on-board computer of a vehicle connected to the control device of the interconnection device, for example by means of a wired link between the on-board computer and the audio / video interface of the interconnection device according to 'invention.

More generally, the instruction transmission device can be any connectable object, connected to the control device via a bluetooth link, via the local network interface or via the audio / video interface, and arranged to produce at least one control instruction.

The interconnection device is particularly interesting thanks to its universal aspect. It is in fact designed for the rapid connection of:

. any type of communication device: phone, smartphone, tablet, etc., via a wifi link. any type of control accessory: keyboard, mouse, etc. via a bluetooth link,. any type of multimedia information dissemination accessory display terminal, television, etc. via a connection in VIDEO format, speaker for broadcasting sound via a radio link, etc., paper printer, etc.

To the various connected devices, the interconnection device according to the invention allows:

. data exchange with an extended cellular network access to the Internet via a cellular network for a telephone, smartphone, tablet, PC, etc.

. telephone communication with a third party via a cellular network for a telephone, smartphone, etc.

. the exchange of data or instructions between two devices connected to each other via the interconnection device, for example the display of an image on a display terminal or the audio broadcast on loudspeakers connected to the interconnection device, from data stored in a memory of the control device, in a memory of a telephone, a smartphone, a PC, etc. connected to the interconnection device, in an external storage device (eg a NAS, Network Attached Storage or network storage box) also connected to the interconnection device. etc.

The interconnection device according to the invention is also particularly advantageous for its ability to receive a signal originating from a telephone network, including in areas where network coverage is the most hazardous.

The interconnection device according to the invention is also particularly advantageous for its ability to remain connected and to provide a stable signal over time to the local network, including when the interconnection device is moving, when it is used in a network. moving vehicle for example.

The device according to the invention can also allow easy connection to the extended network of a communication system of a vehicle, of a system for managing the operation of an industrial installation, of a system for managing an installation. heating of a building, etc., for remote control of the operation of said system.

The device according to the invention can also allow rapid connection to the control device of the interconnection device of a connectable device arranged to produce at least one alert instruction, for example:

. a watch arranged to produce an alert signal if a physiological parameter (eg the pulse) of a wearer of said watch is outside an expected range of values,. a fall detection box arranged to produce an alert signal when a fall of a wearer of said detection box is detected,. a device for controlling a household appliance arranged to produce an alert instruction if a parameter of said appliance (eg the internal temperature of a cold room) is greater than a maximum authorized value,. an on-board computer of a vehicle, arranged to produce an alert signal when an impact or a serious fault of the vehicle is detected.

In these latter examples, in the device according to the invention, the control device stores in the instruction memory a series of instructions adapted so that, when it receives an alert signal, the control device transmits the signal. alert at the WAN interface or at the local network interface, for transmission to a remote device such as a monitoring station, a third party smartphone, a third party mail server, etc. .

Brief description of the figures

The invention will be better understood, and other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the light of the following description of an embodiment of an interconnection device according to the invention. These examples are given without limitation. The description should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of an interconnection device.

Description of an embodiment of the invention

As said previously, the invention relates to an interconnection device, comprising:

. a wide area network interface 10, arranged to establish a connection with a base station of a plurality of wide area networks of the cellular network type,. a local network interface 20, arranged to allow communication between a local device and the wide network interface.

In the example shown, the extended network is a cellular network, a mobile telephone network also allowing access to the mobile Internet. The local network is for its part a Wi-Fi network, to which a plurality of local devices, telephones, smartphones, printers, etc. can be connected in known manner. The local area network interface 20 is arranged to share a signal received from the wide area network interface between all of the local devices. The interface 20 is also arranged to allow local devices to exchange data and / or instructions with one another or to exchange data and / or instructions with a remote device accessible over the wide area network.

The wide area network interface 10 comprises a wideband receiver 11 arranged to continuously receive a plurality of communication signals from a plurality of base stations associated with the plurality of wide area networks; the receiver 11 receives all the signals having transmission frequencies between 500 and 3000 MHz.

In the interface 10 is provided a zone for positioning a memory card, of the SIM data card type, storing connection data corresponding to a subscription to a wide area network. The wideband receiver is designed for:

. reading connection data from the memory card, transmitting the connection data read to all the base stations accessible at a given time and in a given location in order to establish a connection with said base stations. receive signals from each of the base stations to which the receiver is connected.

The interface 10 also comprises a selection device 12 arranged to select a signal of greater power from among the plurality of signals received, and to transmit the selected signal. The selection device 12 is also arranged to continuously select a new signal of greater power from among the plurality of signals received, and to transmit the selected signal.

The wide area network interface 10 also comprises an amplifier 13 arranged to amplify the plurality of signals received from the wideband receiver 11 and transmit the plurality of amplified signals to the selection device. The amplifier is reversible, i.e. it is also arranged to attenuate the plurality of signals received from the broadband receiver if at least one of the signals received has a power greater than a maximum value, and to transmit the plurality of signals attenuated at the selection device. This is to avoid disturbing large networks in the immediate vicinity.

The broadband receiver receives signals from all mobile data networks accessible to the location where it is positioned. The selection device then selects the best network available at a given time and at the given point. The selection device continuously monitors the signals received from the broadband receiver, and changes networks as soon as a stronger signal is detected on another network. Positioned between the wideband receiver 11 and the selection device 12, the amplifier amplifies all the signals, which facilitates the activity of the selection device, in particular when all the signals received are quite weak. In addition, with an amplified signal, devices local to the interconnect device are ensured to receive the best possible signal.

The device according to the invention also comprises a buffer memory 30 for the temporary storage of data from the extended network. The memory is arranged to store a signal received from the WAN interface at a first rate and transmit said signal to the local area network interface at a second rate. The buffer memory is arranged to transmit the signal received at the time-shifted local area network interface, with a predefined delay of the order of 15 to 60 seconds. So, while the WAN interface changes base station because it has detected a stronger signal, the LAN interface continues to receive data from the buffer, without signal breakage. Thus, any signal change is completely invisible to local devices connected to the audio / video interface (see below) or to the local network interface.

The interconnection device according to the invention also comprises an audio / video interface 40 comprising:

. a VIDEO output terminal 41 to allow connection of a local device such as a display terminal via a wired connection in VIDEO format. an audio / video decoder 43 arranged to convert a signal received from the wide area network interface into a signal in VIDEO format and transmit the converted signal to the VIDEO output terminal.

In the example shown, the audio / video decoder is also arranged for, if all or part of the received signal is an audio signal, converting an audio part of the received signal into a signal in an AUDIO format and transmitting the converted signal to a transmitter radio frequency 45 of the audio / video interface.

In the example shown, the display terminal is a television 42; other types of display terminals can be envisaged for a computer screen, a video projector, etc.

The interconnection device also comprises a control device 50 arranged for:

. receive user instructions via an instruction transmission device, and. driving the wide area network interface 10, the local area network interface 20, the buffer memory and the audio / video interface 40, according to a received user instruction.

The control device 50 comprises:

. an instruction memory 51, for storing series of driving instructions for interfaces 10, 20, 40 and memory 30; a series of control instructions corresponds to a user instruction,. a microprocessor 52, to execute a series of driving instructions as a function of a received user instruction.

The instruction transmission device comprises in the example shown a keyboard 61 and a mouse 62 connected to the control device by a bluetooth link. More generally, all the terminals connected to the interconnection device (display terminal 42, mobile telephone, computer 63, smartphone 64, etc.) connected to the control device via the local network interface 20, the audio interface / video 40, or a bluetooth link) can transmit instructions to the control device.

Depending on the use made of the interconnection device, the instruction transmission device may include:

. a touch screen, connected to the control device via the audio / video interface,. a personal computer, a touchscreen tablet, a smartphone, a telephone, etc., connected to the control device via the local network interface. an on-board computer of a vehicle connected to the control device of the interconnection device, for example by means of a wired link between the on-board computer and the audio / video interface of the interconnection device according to 'invention.

The device according to the invention is preferably provided with an accumulator for supplying electrical energy to all the devices that it comprises. It is thus completely autonomous, it does not need to be connected to an energy distribution network and can therefore be used on the move.

In Figure 1, the arrows in thick lines show the flow of downlink data between the WAN interface and the various local devices. The arrows in thin lines show the transmission of instructions between on the one hand the control device and on the other hand the various components of the device according to the invention, and the local devices which are connected to it.

A prototype of an interconnection device has been produced, all in a case the size of a smartphone and weighing about 120 to 200 grams. It can thus be easily transported in a jacket pocket or a handbag, or be slipped into a glove box of a vehicle.

The prototype produced has been successfully tested in the most remote geographical areas where it is impossible to make a phone call with a smartphone or a telephone on a mobile telephone network. Also, tests carried out in a place where there is a good 3G signal have shown that the same Smartphone receives under optimal conditions up to ten times more signal by connecting via the interconnection device according to the invention than by by connecting directly to the network of the operator to which the user is subscribed. Also, tests have been made in trains and moving cars, and have made it possible to obtain on a smartphone a data rate of very good quality, without signal interruption, with a fluid and constant flow allowing to watch a stream. video in very good conditions.

The device according to the invention can be used in a building (private house, business, etc.), to create a local network and connect to it all the devices that can be connected in or around the building (multimedia devices, heating and / or air conditioning system , roller shutters, household appliances, etc.), link them together and connect them to the Internet.

The device according to the invention can also be worn by a user, in order to have at all times a perfect Internet connection for all his multimedia devices. It can still be installed in a vehicle.

References

10. WAN interface

11. Wideband receiver

12. Signal selection device

13. Amplifier

14. Sim data

20. Local network interface (WIFI)

30, Buffer memory

40. Audio / video interface

41. VIDEO output terminal, for example HDMI terminal

42. Display terminal, for example television

43. Audio / video decoder

45. Audio transmitter, for example radio frequency

50. Control device

51. Instruction memory

52. Microprocessor

61. Keyboard

62. Mouse

63. Laptop personal computer

64. Telephone, smartphone

Claims (15)

1. Interconnection device, comprising: . a wide area network interface (10), arranged to establish a connection with a base station of a plurality of wide area networks of the cellular network type,. a local area network interface (20), arranged to allow communication between a local device and the wide area network interface. 2. Device according to claim 1 wherein the local network interface is arranged to share a signal received from the wide network interface between several local devices. 3. An interconnection device according to one of the preceding claims wherein Γ wide area network interface comprises: . a wideband receiver (11) arranged to continuously receive a plurality of communication signals from a plurality of base stations associated with the plurality of wide area networks having transmission frequencies between 500 and 3000 MHz, and. a selection device (12) arranged to select a signal of greater power from among the plurality of signals received, and to transmit the selected signal. 4. An interconnection device according to claim 3 wherein the selection device is also arranged to continuously select a new signal of greater power from among the plurality of signals received, and to transmit the selected signal. 5. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4 wherein the wide area network interface also comprises an amplifier (13) arranged to amplify the plurality of signals received from the wideband receiver and transmit the plurality of amplified signals to the selection device. . 6. Device according to claim 5 wherein the amplifier is also arranged to attenuate the plurality of signals received from the wideband receiver if at least one of the signals received has a power greater than a maximum value, and to transmit the plurality of signals. attenuated to the selection device. 7. Device according to one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the broadband receiver is arranged for: . read in a removable memory, for example a SIM card, connection data corresponding to a subscription to a wide area network,. transmit the connection data read to all the base stations accessible at a given time and in a given location, to establish a connection with said base stations, and. receive signals from each of the base stations to which the receiver is connected. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims also comprising a buffer memory (30), for storing a signal received from the extended network interface and for transmitting said signal to the local network interface. 9. Device according to claim 8 wherein the buffer memory is arranged to store the signal received from the wide area network interface and transmit the signal shifted by a predefined time to the local network interface. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims also comprising an audio / video interface (40) comprising: . a VIDEO output terminal (41) to allow connection of a local device such as a terminal via a wired link in a VIDEO format. an audio / video decoder (43) arranged to convert a signal received from the wide area network interface into a signal in VIDEO format and output the converted signal to the VIDEO output terminal. 11. Device according to claim 10 wherein the audio / video decoder is also arranged for, if all or part of the received signal is an audio signal, converting an audio part of the received signal into a signal in an AUDIO format and transmitting the converted signal. to a radio frequency transmitter (45) of the audio / video interface. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims also comprising a control device (50) arranged for: . receive user instructions via an instruction transmission device, and. driving the wide area network interface, the local area network interface, the buffer memory and / or the audio / video interface, according to a received user instruction. 13. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the control device comprises. an instruction memory (51), for storing series of operating instructions for the interfaces and / or the memory, a series of operating instructions corresponding to a user instruction,. a microprocessor (52), to execute a series of driving instructions according to a received user instruction. 14. Device according to one of claims 12 or 13 wherein the instruction transmission device comprises: . a keyboard (61) and / or a mouse (62) connected to the control device, for example by a bluetooth link, and / or. a touch screen, connected to the control device via the audio / video interface, and / or. a personal computer (63), a tactile tablet, a smartphone (64), a telephone, etc., connected to the control device via the local network interface, and / or. an on-board computer of a vehicle connected to the control device of the interconnection device, for example via a wired link between the on-board computer and the audio / video interface of the interconnection device according to invention. 15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the local network is a wireless network, for example of the WIFI type.