Centralized Network Content Filtering via Gateway Interception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content filtering methods lack flexibility and struggle to keep up with the proliferation of mobile and wireless devices, as they require installation on each client device and often fail to effectively block undesirable content across various networks.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to request filtering of network access for specific client devices via a service provider, using a content filter module to direct traffic flows associated with filtered devices through a separate path, enabling flexible and comprehensive content filtering without the need for software installation on each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content filtering is implemented by installing applications on each client device, then filtering can be applied to that device, but the complexity of deployment and maintenance increases significantly with the proliferation of mobile and wireless devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network gateway as an intermediary device that performs content filtering centrally. Instead of installing filtering applications on each client device, the gateway intercepts and filters traffic from multiple devices, simplifying deployment while maintaining filtering effectiveness across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple filtering functions into a single centralized gateway device. This merging of filtering capabilities across multiple devices into one location reduces overall system complexity and eliminates the need to manage individual filtering applications on each client device.
2Ease of manufacture
If content filtering is carried out at the customer side gateway, then deployment is simplified, but the filtering may lack flexibility in adapting to specific device requirements and user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements device-specific filtering profiles at the gateway that allow different filtering rules and settings for different client devices. This enables the centralized gateway to provide customized filtering for each device while maintaining the simplicity of centralized deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic filtering capabilities where the gateway can adapt filtering rules based on device type, user credentials, and real-time network conditions. This allows the system to maintain both centralized deployment simplicity and flexible adaptation to specific device requirements.
3Reliability
If filtering is applied to all devices uniformly, then comprehensive content control is achieved, but the ability to provide different filtering levels for different users and devices is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements device-specific filtering profiles that allow different filtering rules for different devices and users. The gateway maintains comprehensive network-wide filtering coverage while applying customized filtering levels based on device type, user credentials, and parental controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the filtering policy into multiple device-specific profiles and user-based rules. This segmentation allows the system to apply different filtering strictness levels to different devices and users while maintaining overall comprehensive coverage across the entire network.
Data Source
AI summary
A system receives a request to filter access by a client device to content over a network and causes access to network content by said client device to be filtered.