Remote Control Synchronization for Media Content Timing Enforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in controlling when video content is watched, particularly in adhering to set times or limits, as existing remote controls lack synchronization with media content presentation and parental control settings can be difficult to enforce.

Innovation Solution

A remote control system that synchronizes with media content presentation by receiving user preference settings, initiating media content playback, and disabling the remote control when predetermined timing parameters are met, ensuring the media content is stopped and the remote control is disabled from further controlling the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If parental controls are set on a media application to limit screen time, then the amount of video content watched can be controlled, but a child may interact with the display device to continue watching video content outside the media application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenforcement of parental controlsVSAvoidability to watch content outside application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device is enhanced with multiple functions: it not only controls the media application but also monitors timing parameters and can disable itself to prevent access to the display device through other means. This multi-functionality ensures comprehensive enforcement of parental controls across different access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control device acts as an intermediary between the user and the display device. It receives timing parameter settings, monitors media content presentation, and executes disabling actions. The remote control also communicates with the display device to prevent interaction during restricted periods, serving as a mediating control layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the remote control continuously monitors timing parameters and disables itself when limits are reached, then viewing time can be enforced, but the remote control requires synchronization capability with media content presentation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenforcement of timing parametersVSAvoidsynchronization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device implements a feedback mechanism where it continuously monitors timing parameters associated with media content presentation. When the timing parameter indicates that a restricted period has been reached, the remote control receives feedback through synchronization signals and automatically executes disabling actions, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The remote control device performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring timing parameters and synchronization protocols before media content playback begins. This allows the device to automatically enforce restrictions without requiring real-time complex decision-making during content playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the remote control is disabled when timing parameters are met, then media content presentation can be inhibited, but the user may forget to manually turn off the television device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic enforcement of viewing limitsVSAvoidmanual device shutdown

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control device performs self-service by automatically monitoring timing parameters and disabling itself when viewing limits are reached. This eliminates the need for manual intervention by users to enforce parental controls, making the system autonomous in its enforcement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring automatic shutdown protocols in the remote control device. When timing parameters are met, the device automatically executes the shutdown sequence for both the media application and the display device, preventing the need for manual user action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11343558B1Systems, methods, and media for providing an enhanced remote control that synchronizes with media content presentation

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and media for providing an enhanced remote control that synchronizes with media content presentation are provided. In some embodiments, the method for presenting and inhibiting media content includes: receiving, using a hardware processor, a request to execute a media application for presenting media content on a media device, wherein the media application is associated with user preference settings that indicate a threshold amount of time for viewing media content and wherein the media device is controlled by a remote control device; causing, using the hardware processor, presentation of a media content item to begin; determining, using the hardware processor, whether the timing parameter for viewing media content from the user preference settings has been met; and, in response to determining that the timing parameter for viewing media content has been met, causing, using the hardware processor, the media application executing on the media device to end the presentation of the media content item and transmitting, using the hardware processor, a message to the remote control that disables the remote control from controlling the media device.