TECHNIQUE FOR PROVIDING SECURITY MEASURES FOR COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE CONNECTABLE TO A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
First Claim
1. A system for tracking a device connectable to a communications network through one of a plurality of nodes, the nodes being associated with respective ones of service areas, the device being identifiable by identifying data, the system comprising:
- an interface for receiving, through a first node, a request for connection of the device to the communications network after the device has been connected to the communications network through a second node, the request including information concerning the device; and
a server for determining whether at least part of the information corresponds to the identifying data, the first node being identified through which the request is received if it is determined that at least part of the information corresponds to the identifying data,whereby the device is presumed to be located in the service area associated with the first node.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A user may purchase in a retail outlet a host device for receiving cable services. The cable operator needs to provide a point-of-deployment (POD) module for insertion into the host device to realize out-of-band communications, and provide conditional access to premium subscription channels. Security measures are implemented to detect removal of the host device from its connection to a broadband communications system. If its removal is unauthorized, the service area in which the host device is located may be identified when it is reconnected to the system. In addition, a transmission device in the host device may be activated to transmit detectable signals to help recover the host device.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A system for tracking a device connectable to a communications network through one of a plurality of nodes, the nodes being associated with respective ones of service areas, the device being identifiable by identifying data, the system comprising:
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an interface for receiving, through a first node, a request for connection of the device to the communications network after the device has been connected to the communications network through a second node, the request including information concerning the device; and a server for determining whether at least part of the information corresponds to the identifying data, the first node being identified through which the request is received if it is determined that at least part of the information corresponds to the identifying data, whereby the device is presumed to be located in the service area associated with the first node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for receiving programming content from a communications network, the apparatus being identifiable by identifying data, the apparatus comprising:
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an interface for coupling with a device for effecting a communication to a server through the communications network, the communication including the identifying data, and an address of the device within the communications network; and a transmission mechanism, a message being sent to the address if the apparatus has been removed from a connection to the communications network without authorization, the message causing the transmission mechanism to generate a detectable signal for locating the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for tracking a device connectable to a communications network through one of a plurality of nodes, the nodes being associated with respective ones of service areas, the device being identifiable by identifying data, the method comprising:
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receiving, through a first node, a request for connection of the device to the communications network after the device has been connected to the communications network through a second node, the request including information concerning the device; and determining whether at least part of the information corresponds to the identifying data, the first node being identified through which the request is received if it is determined that at least part of the information corresponds to the identifying data, whereby the device is presumed to be located in the service area associated with the first node. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for use in an apparatus for receiving programming content from a communications network, the apparatus including a transmission mechanism and being identifiable by identifying data, the method comprising:
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providing an interface for coupling with a device for effecting a communication to a server through the communications network, the communication including the identifying data, and an address of the device within the communications network; and sending a message to the address if the apparatus has been removed from a connection to the communications network without authorization, the message causing the transmission mechanism to generate a detectable signal for locating the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification