Remote Context Restrictions for Child Device Usage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern mobile devices often distract users during productive activities, and existing solutions lack effective remote management capabilities to restrict device usage in specific contexts without requiring physical access.
Innovation Solution
A computing device can remotely restrict another device's use by configuring context-based restrictions, including location, time, and functionality limitations, with a mode exit process that alerts the parent to circumvention attempts and allows essential functions like emergency communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a parent configures restricted mode on a child's device locally, then the restriction can be applied, but the parent must physically access each device individually which is time-consuming and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a parent device as an intermediary that remotely configures restricted mode on satellite devices. The parent device communicates with satellite devices through a network, allowing the parent to configure restrictions on multiple child devices without physically accessing each one. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling easy operation through a single interface while eliminating the time loss of individual device configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The parent device is designed with universal functionality to manage multiple satellite devices simultaneously. A single configuration action on the parent device can apply restricted mode settings across multiple child devices, making the system versatile and efficient. This multi-functionality allows one device to perform the work of many, resolving the time-consuming issue of individual configuration.
2Ease of operation
If restricted mode is easily exited, then the child can access the device when needed, but the restriction becomes ineffective and the parent is not alerted of circumvention attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the parent device is notified when a child attempts to exit restricted mode. The satellite device monitors exit attempts and communicates this information back to the parent device through the network. This feedback loop maintains restriction effectiveness by alerting the parent to circumvention attempts while still providing a defined exit path, resolving the contradiction between ease of exit and restriction reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the satellite device remains in restricted mode for longer periods, then battery power and processor cycles are conserved, but the child loses access to necessary functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic restricted mode configuration where the satellite device can transition between restricted and unrestricted states based on validated exit conditions. The system dynamically adjusts functionality availability rather than maintaining a static restricted state. This allows the device to conserve energy during restricted periods while providing necessary functions when exit conditions are met, resolving the contradiction between energy conservation and functionality availability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In some implementations, a computing device can restrict the use of another computing device in certain contexts. For example, a parent may wish to use the parent's computing device to restrict her children's use of the children's computing devices while the children are in school while the children should be participating in some other activity. For example, the parent's controller device may be enabled to remotely configure and control the usage of the satellite device(s) without needing to physically access the satellite device. The parent may implement limitations, permissions, or different policies that may govern, for example, the ability of the satellite device to communicate with other devices, execute various application functionalities, run any particular software, and manage its own settings.