Data communications network and method of selective restriction regarding user access to device(s) and / or interactive media

Abstract

The present invention provides a data communications network to selectively prevent or restrict a user's access to their device(s) and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services until designated goals and / or objectives are completed. The goals and / or objectives counterbalance the potentially negative aspects associated with over-exposure to devices and / or interactive media services. Information is received from, or on behalf of, the user relating to the goals and / or objectives, and progress with respect to same is monitored to enable the user to receive an indication regarding the completion or otherwise of the goals and / or objectives. Based upon detecting that the goals and / or objectives have been completed, the prevention or restriction of access to the user's device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) is disabled.

Description

DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK AND METHOD OF SELECTIVE RESTRICTION REGARDING USER ACCESS TO DEVICE(S) AND / OR INTERACTIVE MEDIAFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented data communications network and method of implementing same for selectively preventing or restricting a user’s access to one or more designated device(s) and / or interactive media accounts, channels and / or services. In particular, the network and method enables users to set their own goals and / or objectives that require completion prior to the prevention or restriction being disabled, hence providing the user with a self-defined tangible and worthy goal or objective that counterbalances the potentially negative aspects associated with over- exposure to devices and / or interactive media services such as social media, chat and messaging services.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of portable electronic devices such as mobile (cell) phones that enable users to engage with social media applications and platforms over the internet has become ubiquitous in society today. However, a problem has arisen in that the use of such devices and access to certain platforms is highly attractive and hence many individuals spend excessive time on their devices which can have an adverse impact upon their overall health and mental wellbeing and often results in social isolation. Negative behaviour patterns can also emerge due to decreased attention to (and engagement with) real-world activities, and achievements I progress in respect thereof.

[0003] The abovementioned problems associated with over-engaging with portable electronic devices and interactive media content that is available across the internet (most notably in social media platforms and chat / messaging services) are often acknowledged by such individuals, yet there are few remedies available to assist a reduction in their excessive use. There exist solutions that seek to deny users access to their devices, or to particular interactive media services, according to criteria such as the amount of time they have been engaged and / or the amount of content they have viewed. However, such solutions are rarely effective since there is no tangible benefit or outcome that isobservable in substantially real-time by the user in exchange for disengaging from their device.

[0004] Another problem is the need for engagement with interactive media to be more constructive, particularly on a neuropsychological level. For example, there is emerging research regarding the neuropsychological pathways of addiction regarding how associated behaviours of individuals suffering from addiction, including phone and interactive media content addiction, can be either interrupted or redirected to provide a healthier approach to satisfy the same addiction. The present Applicant has therefore identified a need to not only address the problem of individuals over-engaging with their portable devices, but to do so in a manner that assists individuals to constructively address and overcome their addiction.

[0005] There is also a need for the above problems to be addressed in a manner that remains engaging for individuals, ensuring that individuals remain focused and motivated on their path to achieving goals and / or objectives whilst making any requisite sacrifice to disengage from their devices and other potentially addictive interactive media to achieve the real world goods and / or objectives.

[0006] A technical problem also arises when individuals over-engage with devices and interactive media content, namely, that significant data processing, memory and electrical power resources are consumed giving rise to substantial utilization of available network bandwidth. Inefficient use of available resources, including bandwidth of data communications networks, is clearly undesirable since slow and / or unreliable data communications are frustrating (and expensive) for users. This problem is exacerbated during times of high network traffic which consume available bandwidth. In any event, the present invention at least constitutes a technical solution to a significant real world problem.

[0007] The present invention seeks to mitigate the problems discussed herein, or at least provide an alternative solution to existing systems and methods for managing and reducing waste.

[0008] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any suggestion, that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a data communications network operably connected with one or more data communications devices and one or more individual user devices, and a method of operating same to selectively prevent or restrict user access to one or more designated devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, the method including, prompting, by one or more processors, a user to establish a user account using their device and provide permission for the one or more processors to link with the one or more designated user devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services which are used or proposed to be used by the user, preventing or restricting, by one or more processors, the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user, receiving, by one or more processors, information from or on behalf of the user relating to goals and / or objectives the user needs or prefers to achieve and thereby requires completion before the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) can be disabled, monitoring, by one or more processors, progress with respect to the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion, in response to said monitoring, providing, by one or more processors, an indication to the user regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion, and based upon detecting that one or more of the goals and / or objectives have been completed by the user, disabling, by one or more processors, the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s).

[0010] Accordingly, the solution proposed above involves the selective prevention or restriction of user access to device(s) and / or interactive media until such time as the user achieves one or more goals and / or objectives, thereby ensuring that users achieve a worthy goal or objective likely to benefit the user’s physical and / or mental health prior to gaining access to the interactive media services. Rather than deny access to interactive media services according to criteria such as time and / or content, the present invention seeks to enable users to access their device(s) and / or preferred interactive media content on the basis that they previously satisfy a goal and / or objective. Achieving the goal(s) and / or objective(s) is considered sufficient to balance disadvantageous outcomesnormally associated with accessing devices and interactive media services including social isolation and a sense of failure regarding a lack of achieving any goals. Such interruption I redirection in respect of the user’s behaviour also represents a constructive and productive approach to satisfy the user’s potential addiction to their device, and hence may assist the user to overcome their addiction.

[0011] In an embodiment, the goals and / or objectives, or attributes thereof including one or more of difficulty or duration of tasks (including present and future tasks), may be adjusted in substantially real-time according to received progress and related data (eg. user behaviour, preference, performance and / or responsiveness data) and the substantially real-time processing of same using one or more artificial intelligence techniques. For example, if data received from one or more tools used to monitor progress of the user indicates that tasks are being completed easily and / or quickly according to a predetermined threshold, then tasks allocated to the user (including current tasks as well as subsequent tasks which have been allocated to enable the user to achieve the goals and / or objectives) may be adjusted (eg. may have their difficulty and / or duration increased) or replaced with other tasks (eg. may be replaced with more difficult and / or tasks requiring longer duration) accordingly.

[0012] In an embodiment, the device(s) to which access is prevented or restricted include one or more of, a smartphone, a television, a tablet or personal computer of the user, a handheld gaming device of the user, gaming hardware, a gaming console of the user, or parts and accessories relating to one or more of the above.

[0013] In an embodiment, the interactive media channels, accounts and / or services include one or more of, social media channels, interactive chat services, interactive messaging services, a streaming service, or gaming software.

[0014] In an embodiment, the method further includes obtaining, by one or more processors, data from the device(s) and / or interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) to confirm that the user who has established an account is verified and that the device(s) and / or interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) designated by the user are genuinely those belonging to the user.

[0015] In an embodiment, preventing or restricting the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or designated interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, includes one or more of preventing access to a data communications device associated with the user such that access to the device is not permitted or restricted, or preventing or restricting access to one or more interactive media service software applications that are normally accessible using one or more data communications devices of the user.

[0016] In an embodiment, the goals and / or objectives established by or on behalf of the user include one or more of physical, mental, cognitive, emotional, social or learningbased goals and / or objectives, and relate to overcoming one or more addictions of the user, including an addiction to electronic devices, websites, and / or particular interactive media services.

[0017] In an embodiment, the received information relating to goals and / or objectives includes one or more of, a requirement to complete a task including a physical task or a series of physical tasks, a requirement to engage in a learning activity, a requirement to increase the user’s knowledge regarding a field of study or practice, a requirement to undertake exercise or meditation (eg. a hike), a requirement to complete journal entries, a requirement to complete an experience (eg. a social activity), or instructions to access and receive visual and / or audio media including content relating to one or more of the above requirements (eg. media relating to learning a musical instrument).

[0018] In an embodiment, the method further includes extracting, by one or more processors, from the designated interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, examples of goals and / or objectives previously viewed and / or investigated by the user and any other interests exhibited by the user according to their use of the interactive media channels, accounts and / or services.

[0019] In an embodiment, the method further includes generating and providing, by one or more processors, suggestions to the user regarding goals and / or objectives requiring completion, including based on the extracted examples of goals and / or objectives previously viewed and / or investigated by the user.

[0020] In an embodiment, the method further includes providing, by one or more processors, information to users regarding locally based social activities, workshopsand / or events that are likely to be considered a worthwhile goal and / or objective of the user, and enabling the user to allocate such goals and / or objectives as requiring completion before the prevention or restriction can be disabled.

[0021] In an embodiment, the method further includes utilising, by one or more processors, one or more artificial intelligence (Al) techniques to assist with determining suggested goals and / or objectives for the user as goals and / or objectives requiring completion before the prevention or restriction can be disabled.

[0022] In an embodiment, the one or more Al techniques are configured to recommend goals and / or objectives for the user, including recommending an appropriate number and / or type of goals and / or objectives for the user to achieve.

[0023] In an embodiment, the one or more Al techniques are further configured to recommend goals and / or objectives based on historical data relating to the user’s usage of the device(s) and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, including the type of device(s) and / or services accessed and duration regarding same.

[0024] In an embodiment, the method further includes prompting, by one or more processors, the user to subscribe to particular events and / or learning services consistent with activities suggested to achieve the goals and / or objectives, thereby enabling the user to receive the suggestions and establish necessary connections or subscriptions to the particular events and / or learning services.

[0025] In an embodiment, the method further includes utilising or accessing, by one or more processors, sensors and / or other devices or sources of data to assist in the determination regarding completion by the user of any goals and / or objectives.

[0026] In an embodiment, the sensors and / or other sources of data include one or more of, sensors associated with wearable health monitors, camera devices, GPS location facilities associated with data communications device(s) of the user, physical parameter sensing including body temperature and / or body movement sensing, information or confirmation issued by third-parties regarding attendance at social activities, Al models, or behaviour data.

[0027] In an embodiment, the method further includes receiving, by one or more processors, preferences from the user regarding an extent to which their access to the device(s) and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services is to be prevented or restricted, wherein the preferences include limiting access between certain times of day irrespective of the completion of the one or more previously designated goals and / or objectives. User preferences may also specify user-defined restriction levels, whitelisting and blacklisting of selected media services, and application of restrictions regardless of goal status (if required by the user).

[0028] In an embodiment, the level of restriction of access to the device(s) and / or one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services is automatically determined on behalf of the user, or alternatively, a user may opt-in to have the level of restriction defined on their behalf by a third party (eg. a clinician). For example, the user may be prevented or restricted from accessing certain websites or interactive media services that are deemed to be potentially harmful to the user in relation to any condition or addiction of the user, whilst continuing to enjoy access to other websites or interactive media services that are not considered problematic. Known neuropsychological principles and pathways, including those that correspond with particular addictions, may be utilised and form a basis upon which the user restrictions are selected and / or implemented, and may also be incorporated into user default settings such that the type, number and / or extent of restriction is automatically determined with a view to assisting the user to overcome their particular addiction(s).

[0029] In an embodiment, the method further includes prompting the user to establish an override that enables the user to disable the prevention or restriction of access irrespective of whether the user has completed the goals and / or objectives. In a further embodiment, the method includes sending a code to a nominated second user (eg. a friend, relative, etc), wherein the user must obtain the code from the second user before the override is enabled, thereby encouraging social engagement to activate the over-ride facility.

[0030] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a computer- implemented system for selectively preventing or restricting access to one or more designated devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or sensors, thesystem including one or more computer processors configured to, prompt a user to establish a user account using their device and provide permission for the one or more processors to link with the one or more designated user devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services which are used or proposed to be used by the user, prevent or restrict the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user, receive information from or on behalf of the user relating to goals and / or objectives the user needs or prefers to achieve and thereby requires completion before the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) can be disabled, monitor progress with respect to the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion, in response to said monitoring, provide an indication to the user regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion, and based upon detecting that one or more of the goals and / or objectives have been completed by the user, disable prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services.

[0031] In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable medium that, when executed on a computer, causes one or more processors of the computer to perform the steps of, prompting a user to establish a user account using their device and provide permission for the one or more processors to link with the one or more designated user devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services which are used or proposed to be used by the user, preventing or restricting the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user, receiving information from or on behalf of the user relating to goals and / or objectives the user needs or prefers to achieve and thereby requires completion before the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) can be disabled, monitoring progress with respect to the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion, in response to said monitoring, providing an indication to the user regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion, and based upon detecting that one or more of the goals and / or objectives have been completed by the user, disabling prevention or restriction of accessto the user device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

[0033] Figure 1 provides an overview of a data communications network according to an embodiment of the present invention showing, in particular, the interaction of various network components;

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary diagram associated with a server component within the network illustrated in Figure 1 ;

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables users to download and install a software application, and subsequently access, or register to use, the software application for interaction with the network illustrated in Figure 1 , including to provide relevant permissions to enable the platform to link with one or more user devices and one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user;

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a process that enables users to input information relating to goals and / or objectives the user prefers to achieve prior to the user gaining access to their device(s) and / or one or more designated interactive media channels / accounts / services, and based on monitoring progress and completion with respect to same, disabling the prevention or restriction;

[0037] Figure 5 illustrates a diagram associated with further example interfaces of the software application including a reward interface and an interactive media interface;

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates a diagram associated with further example interfaces of the software application including an activities interface and a search interface; and

[0039] Figure 7 illustrates a diagram associated with a further example interface of the software application that enables users to access additional functionality of the software application.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0040] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring to embodiment(s) thereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a better understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that the current disclosure may be practiced without limitation to the specific details. In other instances, some features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0041] The present invention, according to an embodiment, relates to a data communications network and method of implementing same for preventing or selectively restricting user access to one or more of their devices and / or designated interactive media channels / accounts / services (60). The terms “channel”, “account” or “service” when referenced with respect to interactive media herein, whether used in the singular or plural, shall be interpreted as referring to any one of these terms individually or any combination of them collectively, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

[0042] As depicted in Figure 1 , the network and method provide a platform that hosts a computer-executable software application (40), wherein the application (40) is accessible by users (30) seeking to have their access to one or more device(s) (50) and / or interactive media channels / accounts / services (60) restricted until such time that one or more goals and / or objectives (70) are completed prior to the access prevention or restriction being disabled. The goals and / or objectives requiring completion, as well as the type and / or level of restricted access to device(s) and / or interactive media channel(s) (60), may be selected and / or implemented based upon an overall aim to interrupt and / or redirect the user’s behaviour in a manner that seeks to address any potential addiction(s) of the user having regard to neuropsychological pathways to addiction.

[0043] The platform is provided by a central server (20) which maintains one or more processors and / or databases for performing functions, including prompting a user (30) to establish a user account and providing relevant permission(s) for the platform to link with one or more devices (50) of the user and / or one or more interactive media channels / accounts / services (60) used, or proposed to be used, by the user (30). The functions further include preventing or restricting the user’s access to the one or more devices (50) and / or one or more interactive media channels / accounts / services (60), andreceiving information from, or on behalf of (eg. from a clinician), the user (30) relating to the goals and / or objectives (70) the user needs or prefers to achieve, and thereby require completion, before the prevention or restriction of access can be disabled.

[0044] The platform further enables the monitoring of progress with respect to the user (30) achieving the one or more goals and / or objectives (70) requiring completion, wherein according to such monitoring, the user (30) is provided with an indication regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives (70) (or stages associated therewith). Based upon detecting that the one or more goals and / or objectives (70) have been completed by the user (30), the prevention or restriction of access to the device(s) (50) and / or the interactive media channels / accounts / services (60) is disabled. In this way, the user (30) is granted access to their device(s) (50) and / or one or more designated interactive media services (60).

[0045] The person skilled in the relevant field of technology will appreciate that the platform provides a solution to problems associated with users who have developed addictive behavioural patterns by over-engaging with devices and / or interactive media content that is available across the internet. These can include smartphone and gaming devices, and social media platforms and other interactive services such as chat and messaging services. Rather than solely denying access to devices and / or interactive media services, the present invention enables users (30) to earn access by achieving tangible and worthy objectives (including self-defined objectives) that counteract the potentially negative aspects associated with over exposure and / or addiction to devices (50) and interactive media services (60) such as social media and chat / messaging services.

[0046] Figure 1 is divided into segments which are further expanded in subsequent Figures 2-7. In particular, segment 200 of Figure 1 illustrates the server component (20) with which a software application (40) operating on a data communication device (50) of a user (30) is configured to communicate. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the relevant field of technology that the software application (40) may be a mobile application or web application and that, similarly, the data communication devices (50) utilized by users (30) may be portable devices or fixed location computing devices. Examples of portable devices include laptops, mobile phones and tablets, and examples of fixedlocation computing devices include workstations and personal computers. The server component (20) is additionally detailed in Figure 2.

[0047] The skilled person will further appreciate that the steps described herein may be executed by devices (50) wherein such operations are facilitated by the software application (40) operating on each device. According to another implementation, the server (20) may be programmed to provide all, or most, of the processing functions described herein, particularly where they cannot be provided locally on the user devices (50) or where it may be commercially or technically impractical to implement such arrangements. In other words, the steps described herein as being performed by the devices (50), or components thereof, may be associated with hardware that is located externally of the devices (50) such as the remote central server (20) for example (ie. in a distributed architecture). Different arrangements are possible in this regard, and alternate variations will be apparent to the person skilled in the relevant field of technology.

[0048] Segment 300 of Figure 1 illustrates how the server (20) may be configured for communication with the devices (50) associated with users (30). In one example, after a user (30) has downloaded and installed the application (40), the server (20) may receive data from the devices (50) for the purpose of establishing a user account and profile (eg. based upon entry of details from users (30), and for the purposes of providing relevant permissions that enable the platform to link with one or more devices of the user (which may include the device (50) used to access the application (40) or one or more other devices including gaming devices (not shown)) and / or one or more interactive media channels (60) used, or proposed to be used, by the user (30), as further detailed in Figure 3. Segment 400 of Figure 1 illustrates an example interface (180) that enables the goals and / or objectives (70) requiring completion to be uploaded to and / or generated by the software application (40), and a further interface (190) that enables users (30) to monitor their own progress with respect to completing the goals and / or objectives (70), as further detailed in Figure 4.

[0049] Segment 500 of Figure 1 illustrates additional example interfaces including a rewards interface (210) that enables reward alerts (90) to be displayed to the user (30) based on particular achievements, and a device and / or interactive media access interface (220) which confirms the disabling of prevention or restriction of access to the designateddevice(s) and / or interactive media service(s) (60) based upon the user (30) receiving a reward (90) or completing one or more of the goals and / or objectives (70), as further detailed in Figure 5. Segment 600 of Figure 1 illustrates additional example interfaces including suggestions interface (230) for providing suggestions to users (30) regarding locally based social activities, workshops and / or events, and a search interface (240) enabling users (30) to conduct searches in respect of same, as further detailed in Figure 6. Finally, segment 700 of Figure 1 illustrates an example interface (250) in which additional functionality of the software application (40) may be provided including, for example, chat and report generation facilities, as further detailed in Figure 7.

[0050] As mentioned above, Figure 2 shows in greater detail the segment 200 of Figure 1 and, in particular, Figure 2 shows the server component (20) which includes infrastructure upon which the platform of the present invention operates. The infrastructure may be local or cloud-based. The central server (20) may operate one or more computer processors and maintain one or more databases to enable the following functionality and / or storage:• User account register (100) storing details relating to registered users (30) (eg. name, address, contact details, and any additional details that may be relevant for the purpose of identifying each user (30)). Additional details which may be stored in the register (100) include user device details, preferences of each user (30) including with respect to any conditions or addictions of the user, the extent to which user access to their device(s) and / or interactive media services (60) should be restricted, etc;• Device and interactive media channel / account / service database (105) storing details relating to the device(s) (50) and / or interactive media channel(s) / account(s) / service(s) (60) to which each user (30) is linked and seeks to gain access based upon partial or full completion of particular goals and / or objectives (70), including but not limited to the smartphone and gaming devices, and social media channels and interactive chat and messaging services. It is to be understood that the user accounts along with the designated device(s) (50) and / or interactive media channels (60) associated with each user (30), and any additional information and / or documentation that is linked to particular user accounts, maybe indexed utilizing a data structure to facilitate the subsequent location and retrieval of relevant information and / or documents pertaining to particular user accounts in accordance with received requests;• Monitoring tools database (115) storing details relating to the tools (80) used for monitoring the progress of particular goals and / or objectives requiring completion (70), where again such tools (80) may be linked to a particular user account. The tools (80) may include, but are not limited to, cameras, smart devices such as smartphones and wearables including smart glasses / watches, cameras or Internet of Things (loT) devices, sensors, heart rate monitors, GPS location sensors / facilities, devices capable of physical parameter sensing including body temperature and / or body movement sensing (eg. thermometers, accelerometers and motion sensors), and one or more external devices capable of transmitting data from a third party system in relation to activities undertaken by users (30) (eg. data from clinicians, event providers, etc, and hardware associated with such providers capable of transmitting recorded data). The database (115) may also store details relating to the location of particular tools (80) and proximity of such tools from the user (30) and other tools (80) in order to improve monitoring of the user’s completion of tasks including, for example, ensuring that the user is satisfying minimum social engagement requirements associated with same;• Data processing functionality (120) for processing functions including processing user input commands and any additional data received for the purpose of generating outputs for display. For example, functionality (120) may process the monitored data relating to the progress of users (30) achieving particular goals and / or objectives (70) (such data received from the tools (80) or manually entered) and converting same into useful information for display on user device (50), including an indication of completion of goals and / or objectives (70) (or stages thereof), as well as disabling the prevention or restriction of access to particular devices (60) and / or interactive media channels (60) based upon completion of the goals and / or objectives (70). Functionality (120) may also be responsible for generating and providing suggestions to users (30) regarding new goals and / or objectives (70) requiring completion, and in that regard artificial intelligence (Al)techniques may also be utilized to assist with determining such goals and / or objectives, including having regard to neuropsychological pathways of addiction;• Payment gateway functionality (125) for managing all financial transactions that may be required through the platform including handling the payment of subscription fees, or payments from users (30) who are penalized for breaching access restrictions to the designated device(s) (50) and / or interactive media service(s) (60);• Reward I penalty facility (130) for managing rewards based upon users (30) making particular progress with respect to completion of a goal and / or objective (70) (eg. with time-limited access credits enabling access to devices (50) and / or interactive media services (60) for a short time period as a reward), and penalties based upon users (30) breaching access restriction requirements (eg. with time debits or cash penalties)). In this regard, the reward I penalty facility (130) may be responsible for monitoring completion of particular stages of a goal and / or objective (70), which may be particularly helpful in circumstances where a goal and / or objective (70) is significant and therefore unlikely to be completed for a significant period of time (such as learning to play a musical instrument). The user (30) may prefer to receive rewards based upon completion of stages in order to incentivize the user (30) and ensure that access is provided to devices (60) and / or interactive media services (60) in the meantime. The reward I penalty facility (130) may also be responsible for monitoring attempted user access to the designated device(s) (60) and / or interactive media service(s) (60) and issue penalties to such users (30);• Alert / notifications facility (135) responsible for managing the issuance of alerts and / or notifications to users (30). Such alerts / notifications may issue for a variety of reasons, including for example when different goal / objective milestones are reached and a reward is issued, the completion of a goal and / or objective (70), when prevention or restriction of access has been enabled / disabled, when the system detects that the user (30) is attempting to access the interactive media services and a penalty is issued, the receipt of a communication from another user or administrator, etc.

[0051] Figure 2 also depicts that server (20) is configured to enable communication (140) with the devices (50) and, in particular, the software application (40) operating on each device (50). Such communications may occur by use of a data communications network such as the internet or similar network.

[0052] Figure 3 illustrates in greater detail segment 300 of Figure 1 and, in particular, the steps associated with a user (30) installing (150) the software application (40) on their device (50) and subsequently accessing a user login and registration interface (160) associated with the application (40). Such access may be granted after the user (30) has installed the application (40) which may be achieved by downloading the application (40) from an application store. Each user (30) may create an account (which may include a user profile) using the application (40) and the account / profile information may be stored in the user account register (100).

[0053] Once each user (30) has accessed the application (40), the user (30) may be presented with a permissions interface (170) which enables users (30) to provide permission for the platform to link with one or more devices of the user (which may include device (50) used to download and install the application (40) as well as other devices, including gaming devices of the user (30)) and / or interactive media channels (60) used, or proposed to be used, by the user (30). As previously mentioned, the interactive media services (60) may include social media including well-known platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Linkedln, as well as interactive chat and messaging services. It will be understood by persons skilled in the relevant field of technology that linking or interfacing with the device(s) (50) of the user (30) and the various interactive media channels (60) enables the exchange of data therebetween, and the ability for users (30) to share experiences with their connections.

[0054] The linking or interfacing with the device(s) (50) and / or interactive media channels (60) associated with the user (30) may also be used to verify the user accounts and, in particular, verify that the device(s) and / or interactive media services (60) designated by the user (30) are genuinely those belonging to the user (30).

[0055] One or more artificial intelligence techniques may be utilized to facilitate the account setup and integration with devices (50) and / or one or more interactive media channels (60). For example, facial and biometric verification (using technologies such asAmazon Rekognition) may be used to ensure the correct user is performing tasks, thereby preventing unauthorized access. An Al-driven behavioural analysis may also be performed (eg. using Google DeepMind) to detect anomalies in user behaviour and ameliorate instances of misuse or circumvention of the system. Further still, Al technology such as Chat GPT may be integrated for personalized user interactions during the setup process, thereby improving clarity and ease of use.

[0056] It is to be understood that in addition to the stored preferences of the user (30) indicating an extent to which their access to particular devices (50) and / or interactive media services (60) is to be prevented or restricted, such preferences may further indicate whether the user (30) needs or prefers to have their access prevented or restricted according to other factors, (eg. to reduce screen time such that access is restricted between certain times of the day). Such preferences may be implemented irrespective of whether the one or more previously designated goals and / or objectives (70) have been completed.

[0057] Figure 4 illustrates in greater detail segment 400 of Figure 1 and, in particular, a goals / objectives interface (180) in which a user (30) may enter goals and / or objectives (70), including any stages thereof, that the user prefers to complete prior to gaining access (partial or full) to their device(s) (50) and / or designated interactive media services (60), e.g. by entering keywords relating to goals and / or objectives. The system may recognize the keywords and link the user request with a predefined goal and / or objective (70) stored by the system. Instructions for monitoring progress with respect to predefined goals and / or objectives (70) may also be stored and subsequently implemented once the goal and / or objective (70) has been selected by or on behalf of the user (30). Examples of such instructions may include “obtain reading from heart monitor daily”, “prompt user to enter their daily weight reading”, “detect user activity on camera 1 during time period X-Y”, etc. This ensures the correct monitoring of goals and / or objectives (70) in order to determine progress and completion of the particular goals and / or objectives (70).

[0058] Goal difficulty may also be defined and adjusted according to a user’s progress (eg. where a user is not making progress according to a predefined threshold) or other factors such as the user’s response to the task (eg. user emotions, etc). For example, if a user (30) consistently completes tasks easily, one or more artificial intelligencetechniques may be utilized to suggest more challenging tasks (present and / or future tasks associated with achieving the goals and / or objectives (70)) while reducing complexity for users (30) who struggle. Learning curves may be developed for each user (30) over time by analyzing data patterns and adjusting objectives to maintain engagement. In another example, user behaviour, performance and / or responsiveness recorded during an attempt by the user to complete a goal and / or objective (70) may be monitored and the goal and / or objective (70) may be adjusted substantially in real-time.

[0059] In circumstances where a particular goal and / or objective (70) entered by or on behalf of the user (30) is not recognized, the system may create a new goal and / or objective (70) and additional details may be required to be entered in relation to same to enable the platform to generate a new monitoring instruction and to perform the necessary tasks relating to monitoring, preventing or restricting access to the interactive media services, etc. Once a new goal and / or objective (70) is created by or on behalf of a user (30), the same goal and / or objective (70) may be made available for selection by other registered users (30).

[0060] In an alternative embodiment, rather than requiring users (30) to input and / or select goals and / or objectives (70), such goals and / or objectives (70) requiring completion may be generated and suggested to the user (30) based on a number of other factors. For example, goals and / or objectives (70) may be determined based on the current understanding of neuropsychological pathways of addiction. In other examples, goals and / or objectives (70) may be determined based on goals and / or objectives previously viewed and / or investigated by the user (30), and any other interests exhibited by the user (30) according to their use of interactive media services (60). Such goals and / or objectives (70) may be extracted and presented to the user (30) as suggested goals and / or objectives (70). In this regard, information may be provided through interface (180) regarding locally based social activities, workshops and / or events that are likely to be considered a worthwhile goal and / or objective of the user (30), which will enable the user (30) to allocate such goals and / or objectives (70) as requiring completion prior to the user (30) being permitted to access their device(s) (50) and / or designated interactive media services (60).

[0061] In yet another example, suggested goals and / or objectives (70) may be generated by one or more artificial intelligence (Al) techniques, including using one or more of the technologies described herein, to assist with determining the goals and / or objectives (70). The use of Al techniques to recommend goals and / or objectives (70) for the user (30) may include recommending an appropriate number and / or type of goals and / or objectives (70) for the user to achieve, and may be further based upon clinician or therapist recommendations, historical data relating to the user’s usage of their device(s) (50) and / or interactive media services (60) including the type of services accessed, duration regarding access, etc. Goals and / or objectives (70) may also be suggested based on other factors and data received from other sources. For example, an electronic diary of the user (30) may be monitored and goals and / or objectives (70) that are most suitable for the user (30) may be automatically selected on the basis that such goals and / or objectives are appropriate and achievable according to the schedule, mood, etc, of the user (30) as recorded in the diary.

[0062] The user (30) may be proactively prompted to use the platform and this may occur automatically based on various factors. For example, the platform may monitor general usage of the user’s device(s) (50), including in respect of interactive media applications (60) operating on the device(s) (50), and if a minimum threshold usage is satisfied such prompts may be automatically provided to the user (30). For example, if a user’s screentime is detected as exceeding a threshold, the user (30) may be automatically prompted to accept an invitation to reduce their screentime by restricting access to their device (50) until one or more tasks and / or objectives have been completed.

[0063] Similar artificial intelligence techniques may be utilized to process existing goals and / or objectives (70) and the instructions for detecting progress in relation to same. If a new goal and / or objective (70) uploaded by a user (30) is not recognized by the system, then one or more Al techniques may be used to assist recommending a stored goal and / or objective according to the closest match. In the event of no close matches, the Al technique(s) may assist to generate appropriate monitoring instructions based on monitoring instructions associated with existing, similarly categorized goals and / or objectives (70).

[0064] Al may also be utilized to analyse user preferences and past behaviour (eg. performance data) to suggest goals, and goal difficulty, tailored to the user’s requirements, including by adjusting the complexity of existing goals in substantially realtime (eg. using Amazon SageMaker) which will maintain the user’s engagement without overwhelming the user (30). Tasks may also be selected on the basis that such tasks will bring the greatest benefit to the user (eg. to address the user’s potential addiction(s), the user’s health, productivity, well-being, financial position, etc). Other techniques that could be used to improve personalized goal setting include the use of Google DeepMind to analyse user behaviour for personalized goal recommendations, IBM Watson to track historical progress and suggest goal adjustments, and Chat GPT for conversational goalsetting assistance allowing users to interact naturally with the platform.

[0065] The user (30) may also be prompted to subscribe to particular events and / or learning services consistent with activities suggested to achieve the goals and / or objectives (70), thereby enabling the user (30) to receive suggestions and establish necessary connections or subscriptions to the particular events and / or learning services.

[0066] The user (30) may be prevented from accessing the designated device(s) and / or interactive media services (60) in a number of different ways. For example, in one example, the user (30) may be prevented from accessing their data communications device (50) or any other designated device (such as a gaming console) such that access to the device(s) (50) is not permitted at all until the goal and / or objective (70) requiring completion is detected and / or confirmed as completed. In another example, access to particular software applications operating on the user device(s) (50) including those relating to the interactive media services (60) or which provide access to certain websites and information, which are normally accessible using the data communications device(s) (50) of the user (30), may automatically be deactivated such that access thereto is prevented or restricted until such time as the relevant goal and / or objective (70), or stage thereof, is detected and / or confirmed as completed. In a still further example, access to the interactive media services (60) may be restricted during particular times of day until such time that the goals and / or objectives (70) have been completed, or the available bandwidth may be reduced until such time that the goals and / or objectives (70) have been completed.

[0067] Further, more than one device (50) of the user (30) may be affected by the restriction. For example, access may be prevented or restricted across a user’s phone, tablet, laptop and / or gaming console(s) until they complete a goal and / or objective (eg. an exercise, a learning-based task, etc). In a particular embodiment, identical restriction states will be applied across multiple devices (eg, phone, tablet, computer, etc) ensuring that all devices of the user (30) enforce the same gated access conditions. Where not all registered devices of the user (30) are restricted, anomaly protections may be implemented which flag when the user attempts to bypass the restriction by accessing such devices. It will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to any one particular means by which the user’s access to device(s) and / or designated interactive media services (60), or the number of devices upon which such services are accessed, is prevented or restricted.

[0068] Various examples of goals and / or objectives (70) are shown in Figure 4 and the reader will appreciate that such goals and / or objectives (70) may include, but are not limited to, physical, mental, cognitive, emotional, social and learning-based goals and / or objectives. For example, the goals and / or objectives (70) may include completing a physical task or a series of physical tasks (eg. meditating, walking, cycling, gym, etc.), accessing and receiving visual and / or audio media including content relating to a learning task (eg. learning a language, learning a musical instrument or a piece of music, increasing the user’s knowledge regarding a field of study or practice, etc.) and / or completing an experience such as a substantial hike or other social activity. Figure 4 also shows examples of monitoring tools (80) including a smart watch, security camera, satellite, etc, that may be utilised to enable monitoring of the user’s progress in respect of such goals and / or objectives (70).

[0069] It is to be understood that any appropriate tool (80) may be used for monitoring purposes, including, for example, internet of things (loT) devices that may be utilized to automatically detect and monitor progress with respect to completion of certain goals and / or objectives (70). It will be understood that where particular tools (80) are unable to be used to detect progress, the system may prompt the user (30) to enter relevant progress details in connection with completion of particular goals and / or objectives (70) or stages thereof.

[0070] The selection and / or completion and / or demonstration of interest (eg. based on monitoring the user’s interactive media usage) in respect of particular goals and / or objectives (70) by or on behalf of users (30), may also be monitored for the purposes of training a machine learning model to assist with the future suggestion of goals and / or objectives (70). In one example, predictive analytics may identify patterns in user behaviour and extract data regarding content that has sparked the most interest across users (30) or been most effective in relation to addressing addiction(s) and other conditions, suggesting personalized goals according to those patterns. The text-based interactions of users (30) on social media, messaging platforms, etc, may also be monitored for the purposes of recommending goals and / or objectives (70) based on same. Usage history, goal outcomes, and behavioural results may all be used to produce personalized goal recommendations.

[0071] Interface (190) shown in Figure 4 represents a monitoring interface in which statistics and other relevant information relating to the monitoring of progress and completion of goals and / or objectives (70) may be displayed to the user (30), thereby providing the user (30) with a useful visual display regarding their own progress and how much further the user (30) needs to progress in order to complete tasks and thereby gain access to particular designated device(s) and / or interactive media channels (60).

[0072] Once again, artificial intelligence techniques may be utilized to assist the above described monitoring processes. For example, Google DeepMind may be utilized to track and analyze user behaviour I activity, whilst Chat GPT may provide instance and conversational feedback regarding progress (ie. goal completion, task progress and motivational support including personalized suggestions for future goals). Further, tools such as IBM Watson may be used to provide long-term performance trend analyses and deeper insights into user behaviour by aggregating long-term data, and may further assist with suggesting incremental adjustments to better achieve goals and / or objectives (70).

[0073] The platform may also integrate data from external sources such as fitness trackers, educational programs, clinician and therapist notes, and productivity and learning apps to not only generate goals and / or objectives (70) but to create a holistic view of the user’s performance with respect to completion of the goals and / or objectives (70). Technologies such as Google DeepMind may be used to process the external datato tailor goals, whilst technologies such as IBM Watson may be used to analyze longterm behaviour across platforms and provide insights into how external activities contribute to overall progress. Technologies such as Microsoft Azure Al may be used to co-ordinate cloud-based synchronization of such data from various platforms substantially in real-time.

[0074] Figure 5 illustrates in greater detail segment 500 of Figure 1 and, in particular, a reward I penalty interface (210) that issues a reward or penalty alert (90) to users (30). For example, a reward alert (90) may issue in circumstances where a user (30) has achieved a particular stage relating to a goal and / or objective (70) (ie. where the user has made progress in relation to a task but has not yet completed the task, or based upon full completion of the goal and / or objective (70)). A penalty alert (90) may issue when the system detects that the user (30) is attempting to access a particular device (50) and / or interactive media channel (60) that is restricted to the user (30) until such time that the user (30) has completed a particular goal and / or objective (60) or stage thereof.

[0075] Users (30) may be rewarded with custom rewards such as time credits enabling access to device(s) (60) and / or interactive media services (60) on a limited basis as a reward for completing a particular stage or portion of a goal and / or objective (70). For example, the access may only be for a limited period of time (eg. 30 minutes access over a particular 24 hour period). Similarly, a penalty may deduct time credits from the user account. Such rewards may be automatically selected based on recorded or determined interests of the user (30).

[0076] Al technologies such as Google DeepMind may be useful for dynamically adjusting rewards and reward structures based on user engagement levels and activity (eg. rewards may be provided for incremental progress towards a larger goal rather than solely the completion of goals), and tools such as Chat GPT may be used to provide realtime conversational encouragement for users (30) and for rewarding milestones. Additional tools such as IBM Watson may be used to track long-term progress and generate / issue cumulative rewards to motivate a sustained effort from users (30).

[0077] Also illustrated in Figure 5 is an interactive media access interface (220) which represents an interface that may be utilized by users (30) to access the designated interactive media channels (60), etc, once the user is provided with access to theinteractive media channels (60) either for a short period of time (eg. as a result of being rewarded) or full access based upon completion of particular goals and / or objectives (70).

[0078] Accordingly, once a user (30) has completed a goal and / or objective (70), the user (30) will be granted access to the one or more device(s) and / or designated interactive media services (60) and this process may also be enhanced using one or more Al verification techniques. For example, one or more Al techniques may be used to track task completion substantially in real-time, and to verify that the correct user completed the task(s) (eg. by facial recognition to verify user identity). Such techniques may also be used to enhance the unlocking of appropriate media based on the user’s completion of tasks, or progress with respect to same, and to explain task completion results to users and unlock media access based on detected achievements. In another example, media access duration may be adjusted based on user performance and engagement history.

[0079] Figure 6 illustrates in greater detail segment 600 of Figure 1 and, in particular, an activities interface (230) which provides a useful display that may include, for example, an interactive map of activities suggested to the user (including the location of such activities) to enable or assist the user (30) to achieve particular goals and / or objectives (70) requiring completion. Interface (230) may also provide users (30) with the ability to register for activities through the software application (40) without the need to exit out of the software application (40). Examples of activities may include providing a listing of music lesson locations where a user (30) may attend in order to increase their knowledge and playing skill with respect to a particular musical instrument and thereby achieve a goal and / or objective associated with, for example, mastering a musical instrument.

[0080] Figure 6 also illustrates a search interface (240) that enables users (30) to search for such activities as well as other information and / or resources that may assist the user (30) with respect to achieving certain goals and / or objectives (70), including events and / or learning services that enable the user (30) to establish necessary connections or subscriptions.

[0081] Figure 7 illustrates in greater detail segment 700 of Figure 1 and, in particular, interface (250) representing a further example interface in which additional functionality of the software application (40) may be provided including, for example, a chat facility which may be useful to enable users (30) to communicate with other users (30) of thesoftware application (40), and with other relevant individuals and / or entities who provide activities, events, health, medical and / or learning services that assist users (30) with respect to achieving goals and / or objectives (70). In this regard, the use of Al may enhance communications and encourage social engagement by suggesting group goals based on factors such as user preferences and social circles. In one example, Chat GPT may be used to facilitate communication among group members, and Google DeepMind may analyse social behaviour patterns to recommend collective challenges. Technologies such as IBM Watson may be used to track group progress and individual progress within the social goal structure.

[0082] The additional software application functionality may further include the issuance of alternative types of alerts and / or notifications that may be presented to users (30) in interface (250), including based on receipt of messages from other users (30) and for other reasons described herein. Users may be alerted to such notifications by any known means, including by push notification within the application (40), email, or text message. Interface (250) may also be utilized by users (30) to access relevant reports, including reports relating to past achievements of each user (ie. completion of previous goals and / or objectives (70)) and the like.

[0083] The platform may also utilize one or more Al techniques to send real-time notifications and adaptive feedback to users (30) using Al-based predictive algorithms. For example, Google DeepMind and Amazon SageMaker may be used to predict the optimal timing for notifications (including intervals between such notifications) based on user behaviour patterns, while Chat GPT may be used to deliver notifications and personalized feedback in a conversational manner (natural language) to maintain engagement.

[0084] It is to be understood that whilst specific Al technologies are described above, including the use of Chat GPT, Google DeepMind, IBM Watson and Amazon Rekognition, the above descriptions are by way of example only and the present invention is not limited to the use of such Al technologies. Various other existing and also emerging Al technologies could be used to perform similar functions (eg. Sentiment Al, Google Al, OpenAI Codex, etc). In addition, such technologies may be utilised for additional purposes including but not limited to adjusting difficulty, scheduling prompts, detectinganomalies, and improving user engagement whilst reducing network traffic and unnecessary device activity during periods of restriction.

[0085] The various technical benefits arising from implementing the present invention would now be appreciated. These include but are not limited to reduced network bandwidth usage, processing load, device resource consumption and unnecessary background traffic data, including by blocking or suspending network communication sessions.

[0086] The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or in whole with a machine that executes computer software, program codes, and / or instructions on a processor. The processor may be part of a server, cloud server, client, network infrastructure, mobile computing platform, stationary computing platform, or other computing platform. A processor may be any kind of computational or processing device capable of executing program instructions, codes, binary instructions and the like. The processor may be or include a signal processor, digital processor, embedded processor, microprocessor or any variant such as a co-processor (math co-processor, graphic coprocessor, communication co-processor and the like) and the like that may directly or indirectly facilitate execution of program code or program instructions stored thereon. In addition, the processor may enable execution of multiple programs, threads, and codes. The threads may be executed simultaneously to enhance the performance of the processor and to facilitate simultaneous operations of the application. By way of implementation, methods, program codes, program instructions and the like described herein may be implemented in one or more threads. The thread may spawn other threads that may have assigned priorities associated with them, the processor may execute these threads based on priority or any other order based on instructions provided in the program code. The processor may include memory that stores methods, codes, instructions and programs as described herein and elsewhere. The processor may access a storage medium through an interface that may store methods, codes, and instructions as described herein and elsewhere. The storage medium associated with the processor for storing methods, programs, codes, program instructions or other type of instructions capable of being executed by the computing or processing device may include but may not be limited to one or more of a CD-ROM, DVD, memory, hard disk, flash drive, RAM, ROM, cache and the like.

[0087] A processor may include one or more cores that may enhance speed and performance of a multiprocessor. In some embodiments, the process may be a dual core processor, quad core processors, other chip-level multiprocessor and the like that combine two or more independent cores (called a die).

[0088] The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or in whole through a machine that executes computer software on a server, cloud server, client, firewall, gateway, hub, router, or other such computer and / or networking hardware. The software program may be associated with a server that may include a file server, print server, domain server, internet server, intranet server and other variants such as secondary server, host server, distributed server and the like. The server may include one or more of memories, processors, computer readable media, storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessing other servers, clients, machines, and devices through a wired or a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs or codes as described herein and elsewhere may be executed by the server. In addition, other devices required for execution of methods as described in this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructure associated with the server.

[0089] The server may provide an interface to other devices including, without limitation, clients, other servers, printers, database servers, print servers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers and the like. Additionally, this coupling and / or connection may facilitate remote execution of programs across the network. The networking of some or all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a program or method at one or more locations without deviating from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, any of the devices attached to the server through an interface may include at least one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, code and / or instructions. A central repository may provide program instructions to be executed on different devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may act as a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

[0090] The software program may be associated with a client that may include a file client, print client, domain client, internet client, intranet client and other variants such as secondary client, host client, distributed client and the like. The client may include one ormore of memories, processors, computer readable media, storage media, ports (physical and virtual), communication devices, and interfaces capable of accessing other clients, servers, machines, and devices through a wired or a wireless medium, and the like. The methods, programs or codes as described herein and elsewhere may be executed by the client. In addition, other devices required for execution of methods as described in this application may be considered as a part of the infrastructure associated with the client.

[0091] The client may provide an interface to other devices including, without limitation, servers, other clients, printers, database servers, print servers, file servers, communication servers, distributed servers and the like. Additionally, this coupling and / or connection may facilitate remote execution of programs across the network. The networking of some or all of these devices may facilitate parallel processing of a program or method at one or more locations without deviating from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, any of the devices attached to the client through an interface may include at least one storage medium capable of storing methods, programs, applications, code and / or instructions. A central repository may provide program instructions to be executed on different devices. In this implementation, the remote repository may act as a storage medium for program code, instructions, and programs.

[0092] The methods and systems described herein may be deployed in part or in whole through network infrastructures. The network infrastructure may include elements such as computing devices, servers, routers, hubs, firewalls, clients, personal computers, communication devices, routing devices and other active and passive devices, modules and / or components as known in the art. The computing and / or non-computing device(s) associated with the network infrastructure may include, apart from other components, a storage medium such as flash memory, buffer, stack, RAM, ROM and the like. The processes, methods, program codes, instructions described herein and elsewhere may be executed by one or more of the network infrastructural elements.

[0093] The methods, program codes, and instructions described herein and elsewhere may be implemented in different devices which may operate in wired or wireless networks. Examples of wireless networks include 4th Generation (4G) networks (e.g., Long-Term Evolution (LTE)) or 5th Generation (5G) networks, as well as non-cellularnetworks such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). However, the principles described therein may equally apply to other types of networks.

[0094] The operations, methods, programs codes, and instructions described herein and elsewhere may be implemented on or through mobile devices. The mobile devices may include navigation devices, cell phones, mobile phones, mobile personal digital assistants, laptops, palmtops, netbooks, pagers, electronic books readers, music players and the like. These devices may include, apart from other components, a storage medium such as a flash memory, buffer, RAM, ROM and one or more computing devices. The computing devices associated with mobile devices may be enabled to execute program codes, methods, and instructions stored thereon. Alternatively, the mobile devices may be configured to execute instructions in collaboration with other devices. The mobile devices may communicate with base stations interfaced with servers and configured to execute program codes. The mobile devices may communicate on a peer-to-peer network, mesh network, or other communications network. The program code may be stored on the storage medium associated with the server and executed by a computing device embedded within the server. The base station may include a computing device and a storage medium. The storage device may store program codes and instructions executed by the computing devices associated with the base station.

[0095] The computer software, program codes, and / or instructions may be stored and / or accessed on machine readable media that may include computer components, devices, and recording media that retain digital data used for computing for some interval of time, semiconductor storage known as random access memory (RAM), mass storage typically for more permanent storage, such as optical discs, forms of magnetic storage like hard disks, tapes, drums, cards and other types; processor registers, cache memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, optical storage such as CD, DVD, removable media such as flash memory (eg. USB sticks or keys), floppy disks, magnetic tape, paper tape, punch cards, standalone RAM disks, Zip drives, removable mass storage, off-line, and the like, other computer memory such as dynamic memory, static memory, read / write storage, mutable storage, read only, random access, sequential access, location addressable, file addressable, content addressable, network attached storage, storage area network, bar codes, magnetic ink, and the like.

[0096] The methods and systems described herein may transform physical and / or intangible items from one state to another. The methods and systems described herein may also transform data representing physical and / or intangible items from one state to another, such as from usage data to a normalized usage dataset.

[0097] The elements described and depicted herein, including in flow charts and block diagrams throughout the figures, imply logical boundaries between the elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and the functions thereof may be implemented on machines through computer executable media having a processor capable of executing program instructions stored thereon as a monolithic software structure, as standalone software modules, or as modules that employ external routines, code, services, and so forth, or any combination of these, and all such implementations may be within the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of such machines may include, but may not be limited to, personal digital assistants, laptops, personal computers, mobile phones, other handheld computing devices, medical equipment, wired or wireless communication devices, transducers, chips, calculators, satellites, tablet PCs, electronic books, gadgets, electronic devices, devices having artificial intelligence, computing devices, networking equipment, servers, routers and the like. Furthermore, the elements depicted in the flow chart and block diagrams or any other logical component may be implemented on a machine capable of executing program instructions. Thus, while the foregoing drawings and descriptions set forth functional aspects of the disclosed systems, no particular arrangement of software for implementing these functional aspects should be inferred from these descriptions unless explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the various steps identified and described above may be varied, and that the order of steps may be adapted to particular applications of the techniques disclosed herein. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure. As such, the depiction and / or description of an order for various steps should not be understood to require a particular order of execution for those steps, unless required by a particular application, or explicitly stated or otherwise clear from the context.

[0098] The methods and / or processes described above, and steps thereof, may be realized in hardware, software or any combination of hardware and software suitable for a particular application. The hardware may include a general-purpose computer and / ordedicated computing device or specific computing device or particular aspect or component of a specific computing device. The processes may be realized in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or other programmable devices, along with internal and / or external memory. The processes may also, or instead, be embodied in an application specific integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, programmable array logic, or any other device or combination of devices that may be configured to process electronic signals. It will further be appreciated that one or more of the processes may be realized as a computer executable code capable of being executed on a machine-readable medium.

[0099] The computer executable code may be created using a structured programming language such as C, an object oriented programming language such as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language (including assembly languages, hardware description languages, and database programming languages and technologies) that may be stored, compiled or interpreted to run on one of the above devices, as well as heterogeneous combinations of processors, processor architectures, or combinations of different hardware and software, or any other machine capable of executing program instructions.

[0100] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the relevant field of technology that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the invention as detailed in the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0101] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated feature or step, or group of features or steps, but not the exclusion of any other feature or step or group of features or steps.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A data communications network operably connected with one or more data communications devices and one or more individual user devices, and a method of operating same to selectively prevent or restrict user access to one or more designated devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, the method including: prompting, by one or more processors, a user to establish a user account using their device and provide permission for the one or more processors to link with the one or more designated user devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services which are used or proposed to be used by the user; preventing or restricting, by one or more processors, the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user; receiving, by one or more processors, information from or on behalf of the user relating to goals and / or objectives the user needs or prefers to achieve and thereby requires completion before the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) can be disabled; monitoring, by one or more processors, progress with respect to the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion; in response to said monitoring, providing, by one or more processors, an indication to the user regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion; and based upon detecting that one or more of the goals and / or objectives have been completed by the user, disabling, by one or more processors, the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s).

2. A data communications network according to claim 1 , wherein the device(s) to which access is prevented or restricted include one or more of: a smartphone; a television; a tablet or personal computer of the user; a handheld gaming device of the user; gaming hardware; a gaming console of the user; or parts and accessories relating to one or more of the above.

3. A data communications network according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the interactive media channels, accounts and / or services include one or more of: social networks; social media channels; interactive chat services; interactive messaging services; content-sharing services; a streaming service; or gaming software.

4. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes: obtaining, by one or more processors, data from the device(s) and / or interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) to confirm that the user who has established an account is verified and that the device(s) and / or interactive mediachannel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) designated by the user are genuinely those belonging to the user.

5. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the goals and / or objectives, or attributes thereof including one or more of difficulty or duration of present and / or future tasks, are adjusted in substantially real-time according to received progress and related data including one or more of user behaviour, preference, performance or responsiveness data, and substantially real-time processing of same using one or more artificial intelligence techniques.

6. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein preventing or restricting the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or designated interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, includes one or more of: preventing access to a data communications device associated with the user such that access to the device is not permitted or restricted, or preventing or restricting access to one or more interactive media service software applications that are normally accessible using one or more data communications devices of the user.

7. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the goals and / or objectives established by or on behalf of the user include one or more of physical, mental, cognitive, emotional, social or learning-based goals and / or objectives, and relate to overcoming one or more addictions of the user, including an addiction to electronic devices, websites, and / or particular interactive media services.

8. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the received information relating to goals and / or objectives includes one or more of: a requirement to complete a task including a physical task or a series of physical tasks; a requirement to engage in a learning activity;a requirement to increase the user’s knowledge regarding a field of study or practice; a requirement to undertake exercise or meditation; a requirement to complete journal entries; a requirement to complete an experience; or instructions to access and receive visual and / or audio media including content relating to one or more of the above requirements.

9. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes: extracting, by one or more processors, from the designated interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, examples of goals and / or objectives previously viewed and / or investigated by the user and any other interests exhibited by the user according to their use of the interactive media channels, accounts and / or services.

10. A data communications network according to claim 9, wherein the method further includes: generating and providing, by one or more processors, suggestions to the user regarding goals and / or objectives requiring completion, including based on the extracted examples of goals and / or objectives previously viewed and / or investigated by the user.

11. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes: providing, by one or more processors, information to users regarding locally based social activities, workshops and / or events that are likely to be considered a worthwhile goal and / or objective of the user, enabling the user to allocate such goals and / or objectives as requiring completion before the prevention or restriction can be disabled.

12. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes: utilising, by one or more processors, one or more artificial intelligence (Al) techniques to assist with determining suggested goals and / or objectives for the user as goals and / or objectives requiring completion before the prevention or restriction can be disabled.

13. A data communications network according to claim 12, wherein the one or more Al techniques are configured to recommend goals and / or objectives for the user, including recommending an appropriate number and / or type of goals and / or objectives for the user to achieve.

14. A data communications network according to either claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the one or more Al techniques are further configured to recommend goals and / or objectives based on historical data relating to the user’s usage of the device(s) and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services, including the type of device(s) and / or services accessed and duration regarding same.

15. A data communications network according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the method further includes: prompting, by one or more processors, the user to subscribe to particular events and / or learning services consistent with activities suggested to achieve the goals and / or objectives, thereby enabling the user to receive the suggestions and establish necessary connections or subscriptions to the particular events and / or learning services.

16. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes: utilising or accessing, by one or more processors, sensors and / or other devices or sources of data to assist in the determination regarding completion by the user of any goals and / or objectives.

17. A data communications network according to claim 16, wherein the sensors and / or other sources of data include one or more of:sensors associated with wearable health monitors; camera devices;GPS location facilities associated with data communications device(s) of the user; physical parameter sensing including body temperature and / or body movement sensing; information or confirmations issued by third-parties regarding attendance at social activities; behavioural data; orAl models.

18. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method further includes: receiving, by one or more processors, preferences from the user regarding an extent to which their access to the device(s) and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services is to be prevented or restricted, wherein the preferences include limiting access between certain times of day irrespective of the completion of the one or more previously designated goals and / or objectives.

19. A data communications network according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the level of restriction of access to the device(s) and / or one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services is: automatically determined, or defined by a third party.

20. A computer-implemented system for selectively preventing or restricting access to one or more designated devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or sensors, the system including one or more computer processors configured to:prompt a user to establish a user account using their device and provide permission for the one or more processors to link with the one or more designated user devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services which are used or proposed to be used by the user; prevent or restrict the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user; receive information from or on behalf of the user relating to goals and / or objectives the user needs or prefers to achieve and thereby requires completion before the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) can be disabled; monitor progress with respect to the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion; in response to said monitoring, provide an indication to the user regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion; and based upon detecting that one or more of the goals and / or objectives have been completed by the user, disable prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services.21 . A computer-readable medium that, when executed on a computer, causes one or more processors of the computer to perform the steps of: prompting a user to establish a user account using their device and provide permission for the one or more processors to link with the one or more designated user devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services which are used or proposed to be used by the user;preventing or restricting the user’s access to the one or more devices and / or interactive media channels, accounts and / or services used or proposed to be used by the user; receiving information from or on behalf of the user relating to goals and / or objectives the user needs or prefers to achieve and thereby requires completion before the prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the interactive media channel(s), account(s) and / or service(s) can be disabled; monitoring progress with respect to the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion; in response to said monitoring, providing an indication to the user regarding the completion, or otherwise, of the one or more goals and / or objectives requiring completion; and based upon detecting that one or more of the goals and / or objectives have been completed by the user, disabling prevention or restriction of access to the user device(s) and / or the one or more interactive media channels, accounts and / or services.

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