Secured broadband device

• US 9,012,790 B2
• Filed: 01/03/2014
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Shrum, Edgar V. Jr., Gonzalez, Francisco, Civiletto, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Milord, Marceau
• Application Number:
  US14/147,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20140116772A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.3, 455/41.2, 455/3.06, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/3.02, 174/520
• US Class Current: 174/520
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2834 Switching of information between an external network and a home network access arrangements H04L12/2856
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2898 Subscriber equipments DSL modems H04M11/062; cable modems H04L12/2801
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Secured broadband devices and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A broadband device may include a housing, at least one broadband component, and a securing mechanism. The at least one broadband component may be situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal. Additionally, the at least one broadband component may be configured to output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices. The securing mechanism configured to secure the housing to an electrical outlet.

Claims

1. A broadband device, comprising:

a housing comprising an electrical plug configured to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle of an electrical outlet;

at least one broadband component situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal and output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices;

a securing mechanism that couples the housing to the electrical outlet following an insertion of the electrical plug into the corresponding receptacle; and

a locking mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the locking mechanism prevents actuation of the securing mechanism.

2. The broadband device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is coupled to the housing by one or more hinges that allow the locking mechanism to move about a rotatable axis.

3. The broadband device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism prevents access to the securing mechanism.

4. The broadband device of claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a tamper resistant screw.

5. The broadband device of claim 1, wherein the at least one broadband component comprises at least one of (i) a broadband modem, (ii) a router, or (iii) a network bridging device.

6. A broadband device comprising:

a housing comprising an electrical plug configured to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle of an electrical outlet;

at least one broadband component situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal and output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices;

a securing mechanism that couples the housing to at least one of the electrical outlet or a structural surface associated with the electrical outlet following insertion of the electrical plug into the corresponding receptacle; and

a switch within the housing, the switch configured to detect removal of the broadband device from the electrical outlet or the structural surface.

7. The broadband device of claim 6, further comprising:

a controller, the controller configured to receive, from the switch, an indication that the broadband device has been removed from the electrical outlet or the structural surface, and perform one or more actions in response to receiving the indication.

8. The broadband device of claim 7, wherein the one or more actions comprise at least one of (i) communicating an alarm message to one or more remote devices or (ii) discontinuing the output of at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by the one or more external devices.

9. The broadband device of claim 6, wherein the switch comprises a tamper switch.

10. The broadband device of claim 6, wherein the structural surface is a wall.

11. The broadband device of claim 6, further comprising:

a locking mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the locking mechanism prevents actuation of the securing mechanism.

12. The broadband device of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism prevents access to the securing mechanism.

13. The broadband device of claim 11, wherein the securing mechanism comprises at least one of a screw or a bolt.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, by a broadband device, an indication that the broadband device was removed from an electrical outlet to which the broadband device was previously secured using a receptacle of the electrical outlet, wherein the indication is received from a switch within the broadband device that is configured to detect the removal;

communicating, by the broadband device based at least in part on the indication, an alarm message to a remote device;

receiving, from the remote device, a broadband signal comprising data for receipt by one or more external devices; and

discontinuing, by the broadband device based at least in part on the alarm message, output of at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by the one or more external devices.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the broadband device is situated within a housing, and wherein the broadband device is coupled to the electrical outlet following an insertion of an electrical plug of the housing into the receptacle of the electrical outlet.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the broadband device comprises:

a housing, the housing comprising the electrical plug for inserting into the electrical outlet; and

a locking mechanism coupled to the housing, wherein the locking mechanism prevents actuation of a securing mechanism that secures the housing to the electrical outlet.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a tamper resistant screw.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion comprises at least a first portion, and wherein the method further comprises outputting, by the broadband device, at least a second portion of the received broadband signal to the one or more external devices.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein outputting the at least a second portion comprises outputting a wireless signal for receipt by the one or more external devices.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the broadband device is situated within a housing, the housing comprising at least one output terminal configured to output at least a portion of the broadband signal.