Environmentally-controlled network interface device and methods
First Claim
1. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a network interface device configured to be disposed at a customer premises, the network interface device comprising:
- a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device;
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space defined by the first and second faces being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component, the interior space defined by the first and second faces further having generally stable environmental conditions;
at least one telecommunication component disposed within the space defined by the first and second faces, the at least one telecommunication component being configured to provide connectivity between an internal communication medium and an external communication medium; and
a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with the at least one telecommunication component, the backup supply of electrical power being configured to provide operational power to the at least one telecommunication component in the event of a general electrical power failure affecting the subscriber premises.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Certain embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices, as well as systems and methods for using them. In accordance with some embodiments, a network interface device may provide a controlled environment for an interior space defined by the exterior of network interface device. The network interface device may further be configured to be exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises and/or to allow for thermal transfer between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior of the network interface device. In particular embodiments, the network interface device may be configured to be disposed at least partially within an external wall of the subscriber premises. In some cases, a portion of the network interface device exposed to the exterior of the subscriber premises may be insulated and/or one or more openings may be provided in the portion of the network interface device exposed to the interior of the subscriber premises, which can allow air to circulate between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior of the network interface device.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a network interface device configured to be disposed at a customer premises, the network interface device comprising:
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a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device;
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space defined by the first and second faces being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component, the interior space defined by the first and second faces further having generally stable environmental conditions;
at least one telecommunication component disposed within the space defined by the first and second faces, the at least one telecommunication component being configured to provide connectivity between an internal communication medium and an external communication medium; and
a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with the at least one telecommunication component, the backup supply of electrical power being configured to provide operational power to the at least one telecommunication component in the event of a general electrical power failure affecting the subscriber premises. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a network interface device configured to be disposed at a customer premises, the network interface device comprising:
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a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device;
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space defined by the first and second faces being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component, the interior space defined by the first and second faces further having generally stable environmental conditions; and
at least one attachment member disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces, the at least one attachment member being configured to be coupled with at least one telecommunication component.
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- 7. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a network interface device designed to be located at a subscriber premises, the network interface device being configured to provide a stable operating environment for telecommunication components, the network interface device comprising a first face and a second face generally opposing the first face, the first and second faces defining an interior space therebetween sufficient to house at least one telecommunication component, wherein the first face is configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, such that at least a portion of the first face may be accessed by a technician of the telecommunication service provider at a location exterior to the customer premises without requiring access to an interior of the subscriber premises, and wherein the second face is configured to be at least partially exposed to the interior of the customer premises, such that the exposure of at least a portion of the second face to the interior of the customer premises allows ambient environmental conditions of the interior of the customer premises to affect the environmental conditions of the space defined by the first face and the second face, the network interface device further defining at least one opening through which at least one external communication medium and at least one external communication medium may be disposed, allowing the at least one internal communication medium and the at least one external communication medium to be terminated within the network interface device.
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25. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a method of providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the method comprising:
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providing, at the subscriber premises, a network interface device, the network interface device comprising;
a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device;
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication components, the interior space being defined by the first and second faces having generally stable environmental conditions;
at least one telecommunication component disposed within the space defined by the first and second faces, the at least one telecommunication component being configured to provide connectivity between an internal communication medium and an external communication medium; and
a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with the at least one telecommunication component, the backup supply of electrical power being configured to provide operational power to the at least one telecommunication component in the event of a general electrical power failure affecting the subscriber premises; and
disposing the network interface device so that the first face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an exterior of the customer premises and the second face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an interior of the customer premises. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a method of providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the method comprising:
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providing, at the subscriber premises, a network interface device, the network interface device comprising;
a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device;
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication components, the interior space being defined by the first and second faces having generally stable environmental conditions; and
at least one attachment member disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces, the at least one attachment member being configured to be coupled with at least one telecommunication component; and
disposing the network interface device so that the first face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an exterior of the customer premises and the second face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an interior of the customer premises. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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44. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a method of providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the method comprising:
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providing a network interface device designed to be located at a subscriber premises, the network interface device being configured to provide a stable operating environment for telecommunication components, the network interface device comprising a first face and a second face generally opposing the first face, the first and second faces defining an interior space therebetween sufficient to house at least one telecommunication component, wherein the first face is configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, such that at least a portion of the first face may be accessed by a technician of the telecommunication service provider at a location exterior to the customer premises without requiring access to an interior of the subscriber premises, and wherein the second face is configured to be at least partially exposed to the interior of the customer premises, such that the exposure of at least a portion of the second face to the interior of the customer premises allows ambient environmental conditions of the interior of the customer premises to affect the environmental conditions of the space defined by the first face and the second face, the network interface device further defining at least one opening through which at least one external communication medium and at least one external communication medium may be disposed, allowing the at least one internal communication medium and the at least one external communication medium to be terminated within the network interface device; and
disposing the network interface device so that the first face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an exterior of the customer premises and the second face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an interior of the customer premises.
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45. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a system for providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the system comprising:
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an external communication medium in communication with a telecommunication network;
a network interface device in communication with the external communication medium and configured to provide communication between the external communication network and an internal communication local to a premises of the subscriber, the network interface device comprising;
a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device; and
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component, the interior space being defined by the first and second faces having generally stable environmental conditions. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A subscriber premises comprising:
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at least one external wall; and
a network interface device at least partially disposed within the at least one external wall, the network interface device comprising;
a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of the customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device; and
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space defined by the first and second faces being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component, the interior space defined by the first and second faces further having generally stable environmental conditions. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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51. A method of providing a subscriber premises, the method comprising:
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constructing a subscriber premises comprising at least one external wall; and
disposing at least partially within the at least one external wall a network interface device comprising;
a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a customer premises, the first face being further configured to protect an interior of the network interface device from ambient environmental conditions external to the customer premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of the customer premises, the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the customer premises to influence an interior space of the network interface device; and
an interior space defined by the first and second faces, the interior space defined by the first and second faces being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component, the interior space defined by the first and second faces further having generally stable environmental conditions. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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Specification