Parental Device Controls Using Check-Ins and Usage Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Parents face challenges in monitoring and controlling their children's use of portable electronic devices, as these devices can be distracting and lead to irresponsible behavior, with existing solutions failing to effectively limit screen time or ensure safety and location checks.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a monitoring manager system that enables parents to set schedules, track device usage, and disable specific features or applications if check-ins are missed, battery levels are low, or usage exceeds limits, ensuring children are present at designated locations and engaging in allowed activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If parents allow children un-tethered access to Internet and communication protocols, then children can access digital entertainment and communicate freely, but children may become distracted and behave irresponsibly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring device usage, location, and communication activities, then providing real-time or periodic feedback to parents through notifications and reports. This allows parents to adjust controls based on actual usage patterns, creating a closed-loop system that promotes responsible behavior while maintaining access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a monitoring system as an intermediary between children and their devices/internet access. This intermediary layer provides parental controls, filters content, tracks usage, and enforces time limits without completely blocking access, thus maintaining versatility while ensuring responsible behavior through mediated supervision.
2Reliability
If parents monitor and control children's device usage, then responsible behavior is promoted, but device functionality and user autonomy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments device functionality by applying different levels of control to different applications, time periods, and usage contexts. Rather than uniformly restricting all device functions, parents can selectively control specific apps, set time-based permissions, and adjust controls based on location or activity type, maintaining ease of operation for approved uses while ensuring responsible behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system implements dynamic controls that adapt to changing conditions such as time of day, location, day of week, and usage patterns. Device functionality is not statically restricted but dynamically adjusted based on parental settings and actual usage context, allowing full functionality when appropriate while enforcing responsible behavior when needed.
3Loss of time
If parents set strict usage limits and disable features, then screen time is reduced, but children lose access to educational and communicative opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by setting scheduled time limits and usage windows rather than continuous restrictions. Children can access devices during approved time periods for educational and communicative purposes, while screen time is automatically limited outside these periods or after reaching daily thresholds, thus reducing overall screen time while preserving access to valuable content during appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating control strategies for different types of content and applications. Educational apps, communication tools, and information resources receive different treatment compared to entertainment content - with more permissive controls for productive uses and stricter limits for recreational uses, thereby reducing overall screen time while maintaining access to educational and communicative opportunities.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method is provided including establishing a value corresponding to a particular user of a device, receiving an indication of a triggering condition of the particular user of the device, the triggering condition being enabled by the device or measurable by the device, and determining the triggering condition has been met by the user via the device. The method further includes modifying the value responsive to determining the triggering condition has been met, determining when the value crosses a particular threshold, and disabling an application or a functional component of the device responsive to the value crossing the particular threshold. A system for implementing the method is also provided.