On-Demand Content Control via Segmented Rating Settings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content distribution systems face challenges in providing consumers with a wide selection of entertainment content while maintaining parental control options, which can limit the market reach and revenue potential for content creators due to rigid rating-based access restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A content control server system that receives requests for on-demand content with rating control settings, identifies and selects appropriate content files based on these settings, and initiates transmission to remote players, allowing for flexible rating-based content delivery using various technologies such as set-top boxes, pay-per-view systems, and internet protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional parental controls block all content identified by a particular rating, then content accessibility control is improved, but distribution breadth and potential income are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments content control into multiple rating categories (e.g., action violence, sexual content, language, substance use) rather than using a single blanket rating block. This allows parents to selectively permit or block specific content types while still allowing access to other appropriate content, thereby maintaining control while expanding distribution breadth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts content accessibility based on individual parental preferences and settings rather than applying static rating-based blocks. Parents can customize which rating categories are blocked and which are permitted, creating a flexible, adaptive control mechanism that serves both parental concerns and content distribution goals.
2Manufacturing precision
If parental controls use rigid rating-based access restrictions, then content control precision is improved, but market reach and revenue potential are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different control settings to different content categories rather than uniform rating-based restrictions. Each content type (action violence, sexual content, language, etc.) can have its own permission status, allowing precise control over specific content qualities while maintaining access to other content, thereby preserving both control precision and market reach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from a single overall rating block to multiple independent content category permissions. This parameter transformation allows parents to fine-tune accessibility by adjusting individual category settings rather than applying a blanket restriction, achieving precise control without unnecessarily limiting market access.
3Stability of the object's composition
If content creators block distribution to maintain creative control, then creative integrity is improved, but distribution breadth and income are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parental control system as an intermediary between content creators and consumers. Instead of content creators directly blocking distribution, the intermediary system allows content to be distributed broadly while enabling parents to filter content according to their preferences, thus preserving creative integrity without sacrificing distribution breadth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the distribution control function from the content creation function. Content creators maintain control over their work's integrity, while a separate parental control mechanism handles accessibility decisions, allowing both creative control and broad distribution to coexist through functional segmentation.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a request receiver, a content selector, and a transmission initiator. The request receiver receives a request from a remote player for a transmission of on-demand content. The request includes a rating control setting. The rating control setting indicates an allowable rating for the on-demand content. The content selector identifies a content file relating to the on-demand content with a rating matching the rating control setting. The content selector also selects, based on the rating control setting, the identified content file for the transmission to the remote player. The transmission initiator initiates the transmission of the selected content file to the remote player.