Subscription Management Service for Media Provider Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current media distribution systems limit content providers' ability to control user experience and steer viewers to their programs, especially when users access media through traditional service providers, and there is a need for a subscription management service that allows users to access multiple content providers with a single interface without requiring a traditional television service subscription.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enables users to subscribe to and access media programs directly from content providers through a content provider playback application on their devices, managing subscriptions and credentials centrally, allowing content providers to control the user interface and experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users access media programs through traditional service providers, then service providers can manage content delivery and billing, but content providers lose control over user experience and interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience controlVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a service provider application as an intermediary that manages subscriptions and credentials, while allowing content provider applications to control the actual media playback and user interface. This mediator approach enables content providers to maintain user experience control without requiring complete system restructuring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users subscribe to multiple content providers separately, then each provider can manage their own content, but users face complexity in managing multiple credentials and subscriptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-provider accessVSAvoidcredential management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple content provider subscriptions and credentials into a single service provider application interface. Users manage all their content provider access through one unified interface, while the system maintains separate credential management for each provider, thus simplifying user operations without sacrificing multi-provider versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The service provider application is designed to be universal, supporting multiple content providers and subscription types through a single interface. This multi-functional approach allows users to access diverse content sources without needing separate applications or credential management for each provider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If service providers control the playback interface, then they can manage the user environment, but content providers cannot shape or influence the viewing experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface controlVSAvoidcontent provider influence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the application functionality into distinct modules: the service provider application handles subscription management and credential verification, while separate content provider applications handle media playback and user interface control. This segmentation allows each entity to control their respective functions without compromising the other's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If users require traditional television service subscriptions, then service providers can ensure authorized access, but users cannot access content without maintaining traditional subscriptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorized accessVSAvoidsubscription model flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to directly manage their own subscriptions and credentials through the service provider application, reducing dependence on traditional television service intermediaries. Users can autonomously control their access rights and subscription status, maintaining reliable authorized access while increasing flexibility in how subscriptions are managed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10893314B2Method and apparatus for managing provision of media programs directly from content providers

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 FOX MEDIA LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for managing a subscription to a plurality of content providers and the irretrievably referring users to an interface of the content provider to directly consume media programs provided by the content providers is disclosed. The method irretrievably passes users to content providers so that the user can view media programs from those content providers using the content provider's application, while providing a central source for users to locate media programs available from a plurality of content providers and to subscribe for access to such media programs. This construct permits content providers to retain control over the user viewing experience and to encourage the user to view further media programs from the same content provider.