Hierarchical Platform Filtering for Scalable Internet Access Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internet filtering methods struggle to scale effectively, as they require comprehensive lists of domains and IP addresses for platforms like YouTube, and cannot adapt to new platforms or non-website services such as online gaming, leading to inefficiencies and inability to manage complex internet usage scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that aggregates filter rulesets hierarchically, combining multiple rulesets to create an active aggregated filter ruleset with priority-ordered lists of allowed and blocked platforms, enabling dynamic management of internet access requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple allow list or block list of domains and IP addresses is used, then the filtering implementation is simple, but the system cannot scale for practical purposes due to the need to manage multiple domains per platform and constant addition of new platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering system into multiple hierarchical levels: a block list for high-level platform blocking, a allow list for specific platform permitting, and a domain list for granular domain-level control. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex filtering requirements by dividing the task into manageable components, each serving a specific purpose in the filtering hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the filtering approach by organizing rulesets in priority-ordered levels. The system transitions from flat, single-level filtering to multi-level hierarchical filtering where higher-priority rulesets override lower-priority ones. This dimensional change enables the system to accommodate multiple platforms and services without requiring exhaustive lists of all possible domains and IP addresses.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive lists of domains and IP addresses are created for each platform, then the filtering accuracy for specific platforms is improved, but the system complexity and maintenance burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal filtering rulesets that can apply to multiple platforms and services simultaneously. By using hierarchical rulesets with priority ordering, a single rule can serve multiple purposes - for example, a block list entry can block access to multiple different platforms, or an allow list entry can permit access to multiple domains within a platform. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate comprehensive lists for each platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic filtering through priority-ordered rulesets that can be updated and re-evaluated. The system dynamically determines which ruleset applies to a given request based on the priority ordering and current configuration. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to new platforms and services without requiring static, exhaustive lists, thereby reducing maintenance burden while maintaining accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new platforms and services are constantly added to the internet, then the system's adaptability to modern internet usage is improved, but the difficulty of predicting and managing all possible platforms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-establishing a hierarchical framework of filtering rulesets with defined priority levels. This framework is prepared in advance to handle future platforms and services without requiring immediate updates to the entire filtering system. When new platforms emerge, they can be accommodated by adding new rulesets to the appropriate priority level rather than modifying existing comprehensive lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary filtering layers between the user requests and the final filtering decisions. The hierarchical rulesets act as intermediaries that translate high-level platform identifiers into specific domain and IP address filtering actions. This intermediary layer allows the system to handle new platforms by operating at the higher-level ruleset rather than requiring direct management of every possible domain and IP address.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of filtering comprise aggregating a plurality of filter rulesets to produce an active aggregated filter ruleset (FA) having FA lists of allowed and blocked platforms, and processing a platform access request through the FA. The processing includes blocking the request if the requested platform is in the FA list of blocked platforms and allowing the request if the requested platform is in the FA list of allowed platforms. Methods of aggregating filter rulesets include combining a lowest priority filter ruleset (F1) with a second lowest priority filter ruleset (F2), which includes removing any platforms of an F1 list of blocked platforms from an F1 list of allowed platforms, adding an F2 list of allowed platforms to the F1 list of allowed platforms, removing any platforms of the F2 list of allowed platforms from the F1 list of blocked platforms, and adding the F1 and F2 lists of blocked platforms.