Geolocation Verification for Content Access Devices
Solution Overview
Problem
Content delivery network providers face revenue loss and agreement violations due to users accessing content access devices at unauthorized locations, as existing technologies lack effective geolocation verification methods to enforce intended usage restrictions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device determines its location and identifies proximate content access devices associated with a content delivery network provider, transmitting this information to a content delivery network provider device, which analyzes the data to take actions such as changing content availability, degrading service, or disabling the device if the location mismatch is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content access devices are provided to users, then users can access content delivery network assets, but users may use the devices at unauthorized locations causing revenue loss and agreement violations
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the location of content access devices and compares it against authorized locations. When a location mismatch is detected, the system provides feedback by degrading service or disabling the device, thereby resolving the contradiction between usage flexibility and authorization compliance through real-time verification and corrective action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary location verification before allowing content access. By determining the location of the content access device and verifying it against authorized locations in advance, the system prevents unauthorized usage while maintaining legitimate access, thus resolving the contradiction proactively rather than reactively.
2Reliability
If geolocation verification is implemented to prevent unauthorized usage, then revenue loss and compliance issues are reduced, but device complexity and operational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The content delivery network server acts as an intermediary that performs location verification between the user's content access device and the content delivery network. This intermediary approach centralizes the verification function in the network infrastructure rather than requiring complex verification capabilities in each device, thereby maintaining compliance while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing content delivery network infrastructure to perform verification functions. By using the network's existing resources and protocols for location determination and verification, the system avoids adding significant complexity to the overall system while still achieving reliable authorization compliance.
3Reliability
If location monitoring and verification are performed continuously, then unauthorized usage is detected and prevented, but energy consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs location verification periodically rather than continuously. The content delivery network determines the location of the content access device at key moments such as when content access is initiated or at scheduled intervals, rather than maintaining constant monitoring. This periodic approach maintains verification reliability while significantly reducing energy consumption and processing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a method of content access device geolocation verification includes determining local geolocation information, identifying proximate content access devices that are associated with a content delivery network provider, and transmitting the information to a content delivery network provider device that takes an action if a location of a content access device mismatches a recorded location. In some embodiments, a content delivery network provider device receives local geolocation information and data regarding identified proximate content access devices from an electronic device, analyzes the information to determine whether a location of a content access device mismatches a recorded location, and, if the location of the content access device mismatches the recorded location, takes an action.