Multiple-Enclosure Residential Gateways

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide network interface devices and systems and methods for using them. For instance, a system in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention comprises a network interface device adapted to receive a plurality of sets of telecommunication information (telecommunication can include, inter alia, voice signals, Internet Protocol data, audio signals, data representing encoded audio signals, video signals and data representing encoded video signals) and distribute at least one of the plurality to a customer premises. The system can further include a control point operable to transmit configuration information to the network interface device. The configuration information can be operable to configure the behavior of the network interface device with respect to one or more of the information sets.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is related to the following co-pending, commonly assigned applications, of which the entire disclosure of each is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently with this application and entitled “PACKET NETWORK INTERFACE DEVICE AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ITS USE” (Attorney Docket No 020366-087700US) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently with this application and entitled “SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES” (Attorney Docket No. 020366-090200US).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the provision of telecommunication services. In the past, there has been no consistent interface between telecommunication service providers' networks and their customers' premises wiring. For instance, telephone service often has been hard-wired to the customer's premises w...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In the past, there has been no consistent interface between telecommunication service providers' networks and their customers' premises wiring.

For instance, telephone service often has been hard-wired to the customer's premises wiring by a variety of methods, rendering service calls unnecessarily complicated and intrusive.

Such services calls often required service personnel to enter the customer premises, creating logistical issues for the telecommunication service provider and increasing customer frustration.

Moreover, the lack of any discrete interface between the customer's premises wiring and the provider's network sometimes forced the use of proprietary hardware from the customer's perspective and limited the provider's flexibility when considering options to upgrade or otherwise modify the network.

This problem has been exacerbated by the increased number of telecommunication services provided to customer premises.

For instance, many telecommunication service providers now provide xDSL service to their customers, but those skilled in the art will recognize that there is little (if any) standardization among providers.

Thus, implementations vary widely, each requiring different hardware and software configurations to be operable, and customers have little flexibility in choosing hardware.

And if a customer wants to add a new telecommunication service, an expensive service call (often including one or more new cable drops and / or the installation of new premises wiring) likely will be required.

Images