Software Method for Regulating Electronic Device Data Access Duration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Parents face difficulties in controlling and managing their children's internet usage, as existing methods require constant supervision and lack effective mechanisms to limit access duration and monitor content, especially for minors who frequently engage in excessive online activities.
Innovation Solution
A software method implemented on electronic devices, such as smartphones and PCs, regulates internet access by setting time limitations and monitoring activities, allowing only administrator users to modify settings, with reward and punishment mechanisms to encourage responsible usage and prevent excessive internet use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parents keep children under constant control to monitor internet usage, then monitoring effectiveness is improved, but implementation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service monitoring by installing software on the child's device that automatically tracks and reports internet usage activities. The software autonomously collects data on visited websites, application usage duration, and communication activities, then transmits this information to parents without requiring their constant presence or manual intervention. This resolves the contradiction by making monitoring reliable through automation while eliminating the implementation burden of constant parental supervision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software intermediary that acts as a bridge between the child's device and the parent's monitoring system. This intermediary software installed on the controlled device collects usage data and communicates it to parents, enabling remote monitoring without requiring parents to be physically present or constantly intervene. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by providing reliable monitoring through automated data collection while simplifying implementation for parents.
2Reliability
If authentication credentials are required to modify programme settings, then security against unauthorized modification is improved, but ease of modifying settings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments user access into different levels: administrator users who possess authentication credentials and can modify settings, and standard users who can only view monitoring data. This segmentation ensures security by restricting modification capabilities to authorized individuals while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate administrators who need to adjust settings periodically. The credential-based access control resolves the contradiction by providing strong security without burdening daily operations.
3Reliability
If the software operates in background with forced manner, then control effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring software merges its operational mode with the device's existing operating system, running as a background process that integrates seamlessly with standard device operations. By combining the monitoring functions with the existing OS infrastructure rather than requiring a separate complex control system, the patent achieves effective forced operation while minimizing additional device complexity. The software operates automatically without requiring special hardware or complex system modifications.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method implemented by means of electronic processor for monitoring and limiting the access to data connection by an electronic which comprises means for enabling/disenabling selectively the data connection, comprising the steps of: a) detecting the initial and final time instant of each access to data connection during a predetermined time interval; b) counting progressively the overall duration of the accesses to the data connection during the predetermined time interval; and c) if the overall duration of the accesses to data connection reaches a value equalling to a maximum duration value pre-set before the end of said predetermined time interval, actuating the above-mentioned means for disenabling the data connection until the end of the predetermined time interval. Moreover, the method of the invention can allow to obtain a detailed report and a check in real time, by accessing remotely, of the accesses and durations of the same to each single web site, of the time use of the single applications installed on the device, of the list of the performed, received or lost calls, of the texts of the sent and received sms as well as the static image (so-called 'Screenshot') of the devices placed under control.