Environmentally-controlled network interface device and methods

• US 20050008131A1
• Filed: 05/28/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cook, Charles I.
• Granted Patent: US 7,474,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.50
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/005 with transmission via computer network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/1739 the upstream communication being transmitted via a separate link, e.g. telephone line
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4886 for displaying a ticker, e.g. scrolling banner for news, stock exchange, weather data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/658 Transmission by the client directed to the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 : Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/108 : the cable being constituted by a pair of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 : between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085

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.

Claims

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.

2. A network interface device as recited in claim 1, wherein the backup supply of electrical power comprises at least one battery.

3. A network interface device as recited in claim 2, wherein the backup supply of electrical power comprises a plurality of batteries, wherein a first of the plurality of batteries may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and wherein a second of the plurality of batteries may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device.

4. A network interface device as recited in claim 1, wherein the backup supply of electrical power may be accessed via the first face of the network interface device.

5. A network interface device as recited in claim 1, wherein the backup supply of electrical power may be accessed via the second face of the network interface device.

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:

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.

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.

8. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the second face defines at least one opening configured to allow the exchange of airflow between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

9. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the second face is configured to encourage thermal transfer between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

10. A network interface device as recited in claim 9, wherein the second face comprises a relatively thermally-conductive material.

11. A network interface device as recited in claim 9, wherein the second face comprises a plurality of baffles configured to provide a relatively large surface area across which thermal transfer may occur.

12. A network interface device as recited in claim 8, further comprising a circulation device configured to facilitate the exchange of airflow between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

13. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the first face comprises an insulating material configured to inhibit thermal conductivity between environmental conditions outside the customer premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

14. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the network interface device is configured to be disposed at least partially within an external wall of the subscriber premises.

15. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the network interface device is configured to be disposed between two structural members of an external wall of the subscriber premises.

16. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the second face of the network interface device is configured to be sufficiently small that, if the network interface device were displaced, a human would not be able to access the interior of the subscriber premises through an opening created by the displacement of the network interface device.

17. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the second face of the network interface device is configured to provide access from the interior of the subscriber premises to at least a portion of the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

18. A network interface device as recited in claim 17, wherein the network interface device is further configured to secure the second face to prevent access to the interior of the subscriber premises from the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

19. A network interface device as recited in claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the second face is configured as an access panel that can be opened to provide access from the interior of the subscriber premises to at least a portion of the interior space defined by the first and second faces, and wherein the network interface device further comprises means to prevent the access panel from being opened except from the interior of the subscriber premises.

20. A network interface device as recited in claim 17, further comprising a dividing member disposed to divide the interior space defined by the first and second faces into a first interior space and a second interior space.

21. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, wherein the first face of the network interface device is configured to provide access to at least a portion of the interior space defined by the first and second faces from the location exterior to the subscriber premises.

22. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, further comprising a dividing member configured to divide the space defined by the first and second faces of the network interface device into a first space and a second space, wherein at least one of the first and second spaces has ambient environmental conditions substantially similar to the ambient environmental conditions of the interior of the subscriber premises.

23. A network interface device as recited in claim 7, further comprising at least one telecommunication component disposed within the interior space and configured to provide communication between the at least one external telecommunication medium and the at least one internal telecommunication medium.

24. A network interface device as recited in claim 23, further comprising a backup power source disposed within the interior space and in electrical communication with the at least one telecommunication component, the backup power source being configured to provide electrical power to the at least on telecommunication component in the event of a general electrical power failure affecting the subscriber premises.

25. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a method of providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the method comprising:

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.

26. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the first face comprises a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the customer premises.

27. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the second face comprises a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the customer premises from the interior space of the network interface device.

28. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein 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 comprises disposing the network interface at least partially within an external wall of the subscriber premises.

29. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein disposing the network interface device so that the first face is at least partially exposed to an exterior of the customer premises and the second face is at least partially exposed to an interior of the customer premises comprises disposing the network interface between two structural members of an exterior wall of the subscriber premises.

30. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

terminating an external communication medium within the interior space defined by the first and second faces;

terminating an internal communication medium within the interior space defined by the first and second faces; and

providing with the at least one telecommunication component communications between the external communication medium and the internal communication medium.

31. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising maintaining the interior space of the network interface device at relatively constant environmental conditions.

32. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising accessing the interior space of the network interface device from a location external to the subscriber premises via the first face of the network interface device.

33. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising accessing the interior space of the network interface device from the interior of the subscriber premises via the second face of the network interface device.

34. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising securing the second face of the network interface device such that the interior space of the network interface device may be accessed from the interior of the subscriber premises via the second face of the network interface device but the second face of the network interface device may not be opened from the interior of the network interface device, preventing unauthorized access to the interior of the subscriber premises from the interior of the network interface device.

35. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising insulating the first face of the network interface device to inhibit thermal transfer from the exterior of the subscriber premises to the interior space defined by the first and second faces of the network interface device.

36. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising providing at least one opening in the second face of the network interface device, the at least one opening being configured to allow the exchange of airflow between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

37. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the second face is configured to encourage thermal transfer between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

38. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the second face comprises a relatively thermally-conductive material.

39. A method as recited in claim 37, wherein the second face comprises a plurality of baffles configured to provide a relatively large surface area across which thermal transfer may occur.

40. A method as recited in claim 25, wherein the network interface device further comprises a circulation device configured to facilitate the exchange of airflow between the interior of the subscriber premises and the interior space defined by the first and second faces, the method further comprising operating the circulation device.

41. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a method of providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the method comprising:

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.

42. A method as recited in claim 41, further comprising:

coupling a telecommunication component with the at least one attachment member, so that the telecommunication component is disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces.

43. A method as recited in claim 42, further comprising:

terminating an external communication medium within the interior space defined by the first and second faces;

terminating an internal communication medium within the interior space defined by the first and second faces; and

providing with the at least one telecommunication component communications between the external communication medium and the internal communication medium.

44. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a method of providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the method comprising:

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.

45. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a system for providing telecommunication services to the subscriber, the system comprising:

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.

46. A system for providing telecommunication services as recited in claim 45, wherein the first face comprises a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the customer premises.

47. A system for providing telecommunication services as recited in claim 45, wherein the second face comprises a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the subscriber premises from the interior space of the network interface device.

48. A system for providing telecommunication services as recited in claim 45, wherein the network interface device further comprises 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.

49. A subscriber premises comprising:

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.

50. A subscriber premises as recited in claim 49, wherein:

the at least one external wall comprises a first structural member and a second structural member; and

the network interface device is disposed between the first structural member and the second structural member.

51. A method of providing a subscriber premises, the method comprising:

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.

52. A method of providing a subscriber premises as recited in claim 51, wherein:

constructing a subscriber premises comprising at least one external wall comprises incorporating within the at least one external wall a first structural member and a second structural member; and

disposing at least partially within the at least one external wall a network interface device comprises disposing the network interface device between the first structural member and the second structural member.

53. A method of providing a subscriber premises as recited in claim 51, wherein:

the network interface device further comprises 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

the method further comprises coupling at least one telecommunication component with the at least one attachment member.

54. A method of providing a subscriber premises as recited in claim 53, wherein the step of coupling at least one telecommunication component with the at least one attachment member is performed substantially after the steps of constructing a subscriber premises and disposing the network interface device.