The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2002
Paul Moroney, Encinitas, CA (US);
Scott Contini, San Diego, CA (US);
Eric Sprunk, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Allen James Anderson, Katy, TX (US);
Paul Moroney, Encinitas, CA (US);
Scott Contini, San Diego, CA (US);
Eric Sprunk, Carlsbad, CA (US);
Allen James Anderson, Katy, TX (US);
General Instrument Corporation, Horsham, PA (US);
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.