Technique for providing security measures for communications device connectable to a communications network

摘要

A user may purchase in a retail outlet a host device for receiving cable services. The cable operator needs to provide a point-of-deployment (POD) module for insertion into the host device to realize out-of-band communications, and provide conditional access to premium subscription channels. Security measures are implemented to detect removal of the host device from its connection to a broadband communications system. If its removal is unauthorized, the service area in which the host device is located may be identified when it is reconnected to the system. In addition, a transmission device in the host device may be activated to transmit detectable signals to help recover the host device.

主权项

1. A system for locating a device connected to a communications network through one of a plurality of nodes, the nodes being associated with respective ones of service areas, the device being identifiable by identifying data, the system comprising:
an interface for receiving, through a first node, a request for connection by the device to the communications network, the request including information concerning the device; and a server for determining that at least part of the information concerning the device corresponding to the identifying data is present in a theft list, whereby the device is determined to be located in the service area associated with the first node; the server, responsive to the at least part of the information concerning the device corresponding to the identifying data present in the theft list, being further operative to: trigger an authorization process of the device; receive an indication of a current postal address location during the authorization process of the device; and cause to be provided to a security enforcement agency information about a location of the device including the current postal address location.