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 subscriber premises, the network interface device comprising:
- a first face configured to be at least partially exposed to an exterior of a subscriber premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the subscriber premises;
a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component and to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space;
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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising;
a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and;
a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device.
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0 Petitions
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.
66 Citations
52 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 subscriber 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 subscriber premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the subscriber premises; a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have disposed therein at least one telecommunication component and to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a network interface device configured to be disposed at a subscriber 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 subscriber premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the subscriber premises, a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; 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 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device.
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- 5. 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 subscriber 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 subscriber 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 subscriber premises, such that the exposure of at least a portion of the second face to the interior of the subscriber premises allows ambient environmental conditions of the interior of the subscriber 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, the network interface device further comprising a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device.
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22. 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 subscriber premises, a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of 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 subscriber premises and the second face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an interior of the subscriber premises. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. 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 subscriber premises, the first face comprising a security device configured to prevent unauthorized access to the network interface device from the exterior of the subscriber premises, a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; 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; 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device; 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 subscriber premises and the second face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an interior of the subscriber premises. - View Dependent Claims (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 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 subscriber 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 subscriber 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 subscriber premises, such that the exposure of at least a portion of the second face to the interior of the subscriber premises allows ambient environmental conditions of the interior of the subscriber 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, the network interface device further comprising a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of 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 subscriber premises and the second face of the network interface device is at least partially exposed to an interior of the subscriber premises.
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42. 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 subscriber premises, a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; and a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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46. 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 subscriber premises, a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of the subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; and a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. 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 subscriber premises, a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of the subscriber premises, wherein the first and second faces define an interior space of the network interface device, the interior space being configured to have generally stable environmental conditions, the first face being further configured to protect the interior space from ambient environmental conditions external to the subscriber premises, and the second face being further configured to allow ambient environmental conditions internal to the subscriber premises to influence the interior space; and a backup supply of electrical power disposed within the interior space defined by the first and second faces and in electrical communication with 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, the backup supply of electrical power comprising a plurality of batteries, the plurality of batteries comprising; a first battery that may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second battery that may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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52. In a relationship between a telecommunication service provider and a subscriber, a network interface device configured to be disposed at a subscriber 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 subscriber premises; a second face generally opposing the first face and configured to be at least partially exposed to an interior of a subscriber premises; at least one telecommunication component disposed within the space defined by the first and second faces; 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, wherein; a first portion of the backup supply may be accessed only via the first face of the network interface device, and; a second portion of the backup supply may be accessed only via the second face of the network interface device.
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Specification