Allen E Anderson

US Patent:

8068610, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Nov 20, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/301092

Inventors:

Paul Moroney - Encinitas CA, US
Scott Contini - San Diego CA, US
Eric Sprunk - Carlsbad CA, US
Allen James Anderson - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04L 9/00
H04N 7/173
H04N 7/16

US Classification:

380277, 725100, 725125, 725151

Abstract:

Two or more set-top boxes are installed in a household. A communications link, preferably a physical link, is provided between or among the set-top boxes. One of the boxes is designated as a “master” box while the other box or boxes are “slaves. ” The slave box will use the communications link to communicate in a secured and encrypted manner with the master box. If that communication is severed, e. g. , if an attempt is made to move the slave box to another household to provide unauthorized service in that household, the slave box will stop working when it can no longer communicate with the master box.

US Patent:

20120110612, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Nov 2, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/287576

Inventors:

Paul Moroney - Encinitas CA, US
Scott Contini - San Diego CA, US
Eric Sprunk - Carlsbad CA, US
Allen James Anderson - Katy TX, US

Assignee:

GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04N 21/25
H04N 21/2665

US Classification:

725 30, 725 85, 725 81, 725 68

Abstract:

Two or more set-top boxes are installed in a household. A communications link, preferably a physical link, is provided between or among the set-top boxes. One of the boxes is designated as a “master” box while the other box or boxes are “slaves.” The slave box will use the communications link to communicate in a secured and encrypted manner with the master box. If that communication is severed, e.g., if an attempt is made to move the slave box to another household to provide unauthorized service in that household, the slave box will stop working when it can no longer communicate with the master box.