Abstract: A WiFi router based appliance control system and method. The router monitors the activity of various router connected devices, and compares this against various user selected criteria according to an overall combined activity scheme, where some activities may be rewarded and some penalized. Depending on the results, the router may in turn use various algorithms to control various router controlled devices, in a manner encouraged to encourage overall compliance with these schemes. Thus for example if the router may balance social media use versus exercise or energy use, and take steps (restricting web pages, altering thermostat settings) to encourage compliance with various user determined criteria. In some embodiments, the router may cooperate with external servers to extend the range of activities monitored and range of reward/penalty criteria.

Abstract: A WiFi router based appliance control system and method. The router infers the presence of certain human or animal users based on the association between the user and the WiFi signals emitted by WiFi equipped computerized devices typically associated with the users. The router is configured to control various appliances (router controlled devices), and based on the inference that certain users are or are not local to the router, and various algorithms programmed into the router, the router will in turn control the various router controlled devices. Thus for example, if the router detects a WiFi equipped smartphone coming in range, it can respond by automatically turning on lights or adjusting heating and air conditioning appropriately.

Abstract: A Wi-Fi router with an integrated configuration touch-screen, and method to use this integrated touch screen to provide enhanced security features. The Wi-Fi router, which has a wired or optical network interface, may be factory pre-configured with hard to anticipate passwords and encryption codes, thus making even its default Wi-Fi settings difficult to attack. Besides displaying interactive menus on the touch-screen, the router may also generate touch sensitive dynamic alphanumeric virtual keypads to enable administrators to interact with the device without the need of extra computers or software. Inexperienced administrators secure in the knowledge that they may access and change even difficult to remember security settings at any time through the built-in touch-screen controller and simplified user interface, are encouraged to set up secure Wi-Fi systems. The device may optionally include security software that, upon touch of a button, can provide new randomized or otherwise obfuscated router settings.

Abstract: Wireless Internet routers are disclosed. The routers include a casing that has a front side, a backside, a top side, a bottom side, and two additional sides. The casing is configured to house at least one printed circuit board of the router. An indentation area is located in the backside of the casing. The indentation area includes one or more walls, and a surface that meets and is integrally formed with the one or more walls. A plurality of connection ports that are located within the one or more walls of the indentation area (which may be oriented in a variety of positions). The router is configured to visually hide the cables that are attached to the connection ports, regardless of whether the router is oriented in a vertical, horizontal, vertically slanted, or flush wall mounted position.

Abstract: A Wi-Fi router with an integrated configuration touch-screen, and method to use this integrated touch screen to provide enhanced security features. The Wi-Fi router, which has a wired or optical network interface, may be factory pre-configured with hard to anticipate passwords and encryption codes, thus making even its default Wi-Fi settings difficult to attack. Besides displaying interactive menus on the touch-screen, the router may also generate touch sensitive dynamic alphanumeric virtual keypads to enable administrators to interact with the device without the need of extra computers or software. Inexperienced administrators secure in the knowledge that they may access and change even difficult to remember security settings at any time through the built-in touch-screen controller and simplified user interface, are encouraged to set up secure Wi-Fi systems. The device may optionally include security software that, upon touch of a button, can provide new randomized or otherwise obfuscated router settings.

Abstract: A Wi-Fi router with an integrated configuration touch-screen, and method to use this integrated touch screen to provide enhanced security features. The Wi-Fi router, which has a wired or optical network interface, may be factory pre-configured with hard to anticipate passwords and encryption codes, thus making even its default Wi-Fi settings difficult to attack. Besides displaying interactive menus on the touch-screen, the router may also generate touch sensitive dynamic alphanumeric virtual keypads to enable administrators to interact with the device without the need of extra computers or software. Inexperienced administrators secure in the knowledge that they may access and change even difficult to remember security settings at any time through the built-in touch-screen controller and simplified user interface, are encouraged to set up secure Wi-Fi systems. The device may optionally include security software that, upon touch of a button, can provide new randomized or otherwise obfuscated router settings.

Abstract: A unitized device and method to optimize directional antenna alignment for long-distance communications using the low-cost IEEE 802.11 (and related) compatible RF-chipsets (originally designed for short range Wireless-LAN and Wireless-PAN networks). The device combines these chipsets, along with a microprocessor, software, electronics to drive a directional antenna, and the motors and gearing necessary to physically move a directional antenna, into a unitized low weight, and low cost assembly designed to enable reliable digital radio links of many miles or more to be established with minimal costs, time, and installer skill. In one embodiment, the software methods incorporated into the software of this unitized device can include methods necessary to automatically or semi-automatically configure and align the directional antenna to one or more distant target sources. Various mechanical designs, as well as various software and electronics methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A Wi-Fi router with an integrated configuration touch-screen, and method to use this integrated touch screen to provide enhanced security features. The Wi-Fi router, which has a wired or optical network interface, may be factory pre-configured with hard to anticipate passwords and encryption codes, thus making even its default Wi-Fi settings difficult to attack. Besides displaying interactive menus on the touch-screen, the router may also generate touch sensitive dynamic alphanumeric virtual keypads to enable administrators to interact with the device without the need of extra computers or software. Inexperienced administrators secure in the knowledge that they may access and change even difficult to remember security settings at any time through the built-in touch-screen controller and simplified user interface, are encouraged to set up secure Wi-Fi systems. The device may optionally include security software that, upon touch of a button, can provide new randomized or otherwise obfuscated router settings.

Abstract: A unitized device and method to optimize directional antenna alignment for long-distance communications using the low-cost IEEE 802.11 (and related) compatible RF-chipsets (originally designed for short range Wireless-LAN and Wireless-PAN networks). The device combines these chipsets, along with a microprocessor, software, electronics to drive a directional antenna, and the motors and gearing necessary to physically move a directional antenna, into a unitized low weight, and low cost assembly designed to enable reliable digital radio links of many miles or more to be established with minimal costs, time, and installer skill. In one embodiment, the software methods incorporated into the software of this unitized device can include methods necessary to automatically or semi-automatically configure and align the directional antenna to one or more distant target sources. Various mechanical designs, as well as various software and electronics methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A switchable channel-pass filter may be used on the receiver path of a multichannel radio system. The channel-pass filter may have several filter elements that may be switched in and out of the circuit to narrowly filter the incoming signal outside of the channel spectrum, which may be significantly narrower than the normal spectrum of the radio. The switchable channel-pass filter may be downstream from at least one low noise amplifier and may operate within the intermediate frequency area of the receiver path. Common applications for the switchable channel-pass filter may be IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 radio systems.

Abstract: An integrated wireless transceiver is described. The integrated wireless transceiver may include a radio, a frequency converter coupled to the radio, a switch coupled to the frequency converter, and at least one antenna coupled to the frequency converter. The radio may be configured to convert a first signal from a baseband to a first band of frequencies and to convert the first signal into a first transmit signal in accordance with a wireless local area network (LAN) communications protocol. The frequency converter may be configured to convert the first transmit signal from the first band of frequencies to a second band of frequencies. The second band of frequencies may correspond to a band of frequencies that is different than one or more bands of frequencies associated with the wireless LAN communications protocol.