Mobile Device Location Determination for Content Blackout Enforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video content delivery systems face challenges in enforcing contractual blackout obligations for sporting events on mobile devices, particularly in determining the geographic location of mobile devices to prevent unauthorized access, and in providing location-based advertising.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine the location of a mobile device by requesting geographic coordinate data, using IP address data when coordinates are unavailable, and employing subscriber data when confidence levels are low, to control content delivery and advertising based on geographic regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If geographic coordinate data is requested from mobile device, then location accuracy is improved, but device compatibility and ease of operation deteriorate when GPS is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces IP address as an intermediary method to determine geographic location when GPS coordinates are unavailable. The system extracts IP address from device requests and uses it as a fallback mechanism, ensuring location determination works across all devices regardless of GPS availability, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter used for location determination based on availability: it first attempts to use GPS coordinates (high precision), then falls back to IP address-based location (lower precision but wider compatibility). This parameter switching strategy resolves the contradiction by adapting to different device capabilities
2Reliability
If multiple location determination methods are implemented, then reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic location determination system that adapts its complexity based on needs. It starts with the simplest available method (IP address extraction) and only employs more complex methods (GPS coordinate requests, confidence level calculations, subscriber data cross-referencing) when necessary. This dynamic approach maintains reliability while minimizing unnecessary system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checks to determine which location determination method to use before proceeding with content delivery. By pre-assessing device capabilities and attempting simpler methods first, the system avoids the complexity of implementing all possible location determination methods simultaneously, while still ensuring reliable location identification
3Ease of operation
If IP address is used for location determination, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lower confidence level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a confidence level feedback mechanism that evaluates the reliability of IP address-based location determination. When the confidence level is high, the system accepts the IP-derived location; when confidence is low, it triggers alternative methods or requests additional verification. This feedback loop allows the system to use the simple IP address method while compensating for its lower precision through intelligent validation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling a mobile device at a headend includes the mobile device communicating a request for content to the headend. The headend requests geographic coordinate location data from the mobile device and, when geographic coordinate data is available, determines a first geographic region associated with the mobile device in response to the geographic coordinate location data. When geographic coordinate data is not available from the mobile device, the headend extracts an IP address from the request and determines a second geographic region based on the IP address and a confidence level. When the confidence level is below a threshold, the headend determines a third geographic region based on subscriber data for the mobile device. The headend controls the mobile device in response to one of the first geographic region, the second geographic region and the third geographic region.