Client Device Program Accounting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current broadcast systems lack advanced accounting and control mechanisms for viewing and recording programs, primarily relying on single household accounts with limited user control and billing options.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that generates accounts with balances for client devices, allowing users to request and manage viewing and recording of programs based on available balances, with features like parental controls and flexible billing arrangements, using a processor to monitor and deduct from the balance for each program accessed or recorded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single household account is used for billing, then billing simplicity is maintained, but user control and billing variety are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional single household account into multiple individual user accounts. Each user has their own account with a balance that can be independently managed, allowing for varied billing arrangements (e.g., per-program, per-time) while maintaining overall system simplicity through automated processing.
2Ease of operation
If automated balance monitoring is implemented, then user control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors program viewing and recording activities, tracks balance deductions without user intervention, and manages account states autonomously. This self-service approach gives users full control over their viewing rights while the system handles the complex monitoring and accounting operations behind the scenes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method/system for accounting for viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: generating an account associated with a client device, the account including a balance; monitoring viewing/recording of programs via the client device; and deducting from the balance based on the viewing/recording of programs via the client device. A method/system for providing viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: receiving a request to view/record a program via a client device; evaluating the request in view of an account associated with the client device; and allowing the program to be viewed/recorded via the client device based on the evaluation. A method of generating such an account may include: receiving a user request for an account associated with a client device; and setting an initial balance of the account based on the user request, the initial balance including an amount of viewing/recording of programs via the client device.