Remote Media Access Control via Messaging Server
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current media access control systems lack effective mechanisms for remote monitoring and control of media access, particularly for parents to manage and restrict children's media usage, requiring direct access to the content processing device.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables users to send and receive messages between content processing devices and servers, allowing for remote control of media access, parental controls, and data management through a messaging server, user database, and interactive program guide, using a graphical user interface to configure and execute commands such as changing channels, blocking content, and awarding access to media sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct access to content processing device is required for monitoring and control operations, then control reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to need for direct line-of-sight access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the parental control user and the content processing device. The server receives control requests from users via network communication, stores user data sets with access permissions, and transmits these data sets to the content processing device. This intermediary enables remote monitoring and control operations without requiring direct line-of-sight access to the device, while maintaining reliable control through centralized authentication and data management.
2Reliability
If user data sets are downloaded to content processing device for access control, then access control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for remote server communication and data management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex data management and authentication functions from the content processing device and relocates them to a remote server. The server stores user data sets, handles authentication requests, and manages access permissions centrally. The content processing device only needs to download and apply these data sets, significantly reducing its complexity while maintaining reliable access control through the centralized server infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If parental controls require direct access to content processing device, then control precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to need for physical presence at device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement of physical presence at the content processing device with electronic network communication. Parents can send control requests, monitor usage, and adjust settings remotely through a web interface or mobile application. The server transmits these commands to the content processing device, maintaining precise control over media access while eliminating the time loss associated with traveling to and physically accessing the device.
Data Source
AI summary
A content processing device selectively queries at least one remote device in response to a message received from a user device. The message includes an instruction to modify information in at least one user data set stored on a remote device. Modifying information includes providing an award to one or more users associated with the one or more data sets.