Converged Network Parental Control via Centralized Policy Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parental control systems are limited to specific networks and require manual configuration, failing to protect children from unsuitable digital content when they access the internet through different networks, such as mobile broadband or public access points.
Innovation Solution
A centralized parental control method that uses a converged network core to identify and filter content access across various networks, including Home WiFi, cellular networks, and hotspots, by matching user equipment identifiers with registered user information and applying content restriction policies dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If parental control is implemented at home gateway or service application level, then manual configuration and maintenance can be performed, but the control is limited to specific networks and can be easily neutralized when children connect through other access networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parental control functionality across multiple access networks (home gateway, mobile broadband, public access networks) through a unified system. The parental control server communicates with different network access points using standardized protocols, enabling universal control regardless of which network the child device connects to, thus resolving the limitation of network-specific control
2Extent of automation
If content filtering is performed at home gateway, then local network control is achieved, but manual configuration is required for each device and service
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic parental control configuration where the parental control server automatically manages filtering policies across all access networks. Parents configure controls once through a user interface, and the system automatically distributes and enforces these policies at different network access points without requiring manual configuration at each device, reducing operational effort while maintaining automation
Solution Approach 2:
The parental control server acts as an intermediary between parents and multiple access networks. It receives parental control preferences from users and automatically translates them into appropriate filtering rules that are applied across different networks (home gateway, mobile network, public access), eliminating the need for parents to manually configure each network separately
3Reliability
If parental control is implemented through multiple access networks, then comprehensive protection is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the parental control system into distinct functional modules: a parental control server for policy management, multiple access network components for content filtering, and a database for storing control policies. Each module operates independently but communicates through standardized interfaces, allowing comprehensive multi-network protection while managing complexity through modular architecture
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system of controlling an access to a content is provided, comprising: receiving, at parental controlling means, a request for an access to a content from a user equipment through an access network, wherein the parental controlling means is configured in a network element of a mobile communication network; determining, at the parental controlling means, whether an identifier of the user equipment matches with an identifier of a user equipment registered in the parental controlling means for controlling an access; if the identifier of the user equipment matches with the identifier registered in the parental controlling means, determining, at the parental controlling means, whether the access to the content is allowable; and blocking, at the parental controlling means, the access to the content, if the access is not allowable.