Geolocation-Based Billing Address Entry for Set-Top Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Entering billing information on devices like gaming consoles or set-top boxes is inconvenient due to the need to manually input billing addresses using buttons or virtual keyboards, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A device connects to the Internet, geolocates its physical address based on an IP address, and displays a street-level map allowing users to select and record the billing address using remote control or game controller arrow keys, enabling quick and accurate entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user manually enters a billing address using buttons or virtual keyboard on a remote control, then the billing information can be stored on the device, but the process is time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the device's physical location using geolocation services and IP address-based location tracking, then presents this information to the user for confirmation. This eliminates the need for manual typing of the billing address, as the system serves itself by automatically gathering location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The billing address information is pre-determined through automatic geolocation before the user needs to input it. The system performs the location determination in advance, so when the user needs to enter billing information, the address is already prepared and ready for confirmation, significantly reducing the time required.
2Reliability
If a user manually enters billing address using remote control buttons, then the address can be stored, but the process is complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically gathers location data through geolocation services and IP address tracking, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate virtual keyboards or button interfaces. This self-service approach dramatically simplifies the operation while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical input process using remote control buttons and virtual keyboards is replaced with an automated electronic geolocation system. The system substitutes the mechanical interaction (pressing buttons) with electronic automatic location determination, reducing both complexity and potential for user error.
3Productivity
If geolocation is used to determine billing address, then the entry process is quick and accurate, but the device must connect to the Internet
Solution Approach 1:
The device leverages its existing Internet connectivity, which is already required for digital rights management and content purchase functionality, to also perform geolocation for billing address determination. This multi-functional use of the Internet connection avoids adding separate hardware or connectivity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The geolocation capability is integrated into the existing content purchase and DRM management workflow, allowing the same Internet infrastructure to serve multiple purposes: content delivery, rights management, and automatic billing address determination, thereby avoiding additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
To establish a target (e.g., billing) address, a device receives a first physical address determined by geolocating the device (e.g., based on an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the device). A street-level map that includes an indicator that is rendered at a first location in the map corresponding to the first physical address is displayed. The indicator can be moved from the first location to one or more other locations in the map. The device receives a selection of a physical address corresponding to the location in the map of the indicator when the selection is made. The device records the selected physical address as the target address.