Game Console Anti-Malware Scanning and Parental Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern game consoles are vulnerable to malware, spyware, and unsuitable content, posing risks of infection, data theft, and exposure to minors due to their Internet connectivity, which existing security measures fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for securing game consoles by scanning game-related data for malware and spyware, and implementing parental controls to limit access and functionality, using a combination of anti-malware scanners, anti-spyware scanners, and parental control modules to detect and mitigate unwanted data and content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If game consoles are made Internet-capable to enable multiplayer gaming and content access, then user functionality and entertainment value are improved, but vulnerability to malware, spyware, and unsuitable content increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInternet connectivity and content access capabilityVSAvoidMalware infection risk and unsuitable content exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces parental control software and security scanning mechanisms as intermediary layers between the Internet connection and the game console system. These intermediaries filter and monitor data traffic, blocking malware and unsuitable content while allowing legitimate gaming and content access to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary scanning of downloaded content and game data for malware and spyware before allowing execution or installation. Parental controls are also configured in advance to pre-establish rules and restrictions, preventing exposure to unsuitable content before it can affect the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If parental controls are implemented to restrict content access for minors, then protection from unsuitable content is improved, but user freedom and accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveExposure to unsuitable contentVSAvoidUser freedom and content accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The parental control system is designed to be dynamic and adjustable, allowing parents to modify restrictions based on their children's age, maturity level, and evolving needs. The system can adapt from strict blocking to more permissive filtering as users demonstrate responsible behavior, balancing protection with growing freedom

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If security scanning for malware and spyware is performed on all game-related data, then infection risk is reduced, but processing time and system performance are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMalware and spyware infection riskVSAvoidData scanning and processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning system implements selective scanning based on risk assessment, scanning only high-risk files or data streams that are more likely to contain malware or spyware. This partial scanning approach maintains security for critical data while reducing overall processing time and performance impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8888585B1Game console system, method and computer program product with anti-malware/spyware and parental control capabilities

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 MCAFEE LLC

AI summary

A system, method and computer program product are provided for securing a game console capable of processing game-related data. In use, the game-related data is scanned for detecting malware. Additionally, the game-related data is scanned for detecting spyware. Further, parental controls are executed during use of the game console.