A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This present disclosure generally relates to the field of data communications.

More specifically, the present disclosure relates to facilitating various types of communications, including secure, high-speed data communications, and voice communications when current end user devices may detect that little or no wireless or voice signal is available. Network failures and slow data communications occur for a myriad of reasons—from crowded networks to natural disasters—leading to frustrations in a society that is growing ever dependent on the ability to transmit and receive communications, including secure, high-speed data. Further, obtaining data and voice communication in remote areas without readily available power supplies, internet connectivity, and/or where cellular coverage is weak or non-existent can be difficult if not impossible, which can be especially undesirable for public safety officials and others that often rely on data and voice communications for work projects in rural environments and in disaster relief situations.

Conventional data communication units are large, bulky, and difficult to transport, and thus are typically retained in a generally fixed or permanent location. Additionally, conventional, portable antennas are typically located on the outside of a data communications unit, creating a cumbersome device that is not aesthetically pleasing, where the antennas are freely exposed to external wear, tear and breakage.

What is needed then are improvements to data communication units.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a data communications apparatus including a case. In some embodiments, the case can have a base and a lid connectable to the base, the lid movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position. A power supply can be positioned inside the case. A router device can be positioned inside the case. An antenna array can be positioned inside the case, the antenna array in electrical communication with the router device.

In some embodiments, the antenna array can include a least two cellular antennas, at least two wireless networking antennas, and a satellite antenna. The data communications apparatus of the present disclosure can be utilized in one application in various vertical markets for failover when there is a power outage or the Wide Area Network (WAN) is down. The data communications apparatus of the present disclosure can also be used in areas where cellular coverage may appear to be weak or even non-existent in order to amplify or increase the wireless or voice signal detected by an end user device, such as a phone, tablet, or laptop. The data communications apparatus of the present disclosure may also be deployed for events, such as sales meetings, sporting, entertainment or news events, etc. In some embodiments, the power supply can be positioned inside the lid of the case, and the satellite antenna array can be secured inside the base of the case. In some embodiments, the satellite antenna can be pivotally connected to the case so that the orientation of the satellite antenna can be adjustable with respect to the case.

One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a portable data and voice communications system that allows for reliable wireless and cellular communications and/or GPS location services when power outages or signal disruptions occur.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a portable, data and voice communications system that allows for reliable wireless and cellular communications and/or GPS location services in areas where signal strength is weak or nonexistent.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to allow for greater mobility and durability for portable data and voice communications systems. In conventional portable data and voice communications systems, antennas have not been housed inside protective carrying cases and thus have not been capable of withstanding significant impact.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to help increase the aesthetic appearance of portable data communications system. Rather than carrying a data communications case with bulky antennas on the outside of the case often prone to snagging or being broken, the apparatus of the present disclosure can help provide the power and speed provided by large, bulky antennas with the benefit of an aesthetically pleasing case.

Numerous other objects, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following description of certain embodiments, including the drawings and figures attached hereto.

