On-Demand Streaming Payment System with Session Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current subscription models for media services are inflexible, deterring consumers from committing to monthly or annual payments due to uncertainty about content quality and lack of interest in prolonged relationships with content providers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for electronically facilitating on-demand streaming payments, allowing users to access protected media content by determining a minimum currency increment and session expense ratio, enabling flexible payment options and real-time payment processing through a content provider server with session logic and settlement engines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional monthly or annual subscription models are used, then content providers receive guaranteed periodic payments, but consumers are deterred due to uncertainty about content quality and lack of interest in prolonged relationships

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment guarantee for content providerVSAvoidconsumer flexibility in payment commitment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static subscription model into a dynamic pay-per-session model where payment terms adapt to each user interaction. Users pay only for the actual content they consume during a session, with flexible entry and exit points, eliminating the need for long-term commitments while ensuring content providers are compensated for actual usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the payment parameter from fixed periodic amounts to variable per-session charges based on actual content consumption. This allows consumers to adjust their spending based on their interest level and content quality assessment, while content providers receive payments proportional to actual usage rather than predetermined subscriptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If consumers commit to prolonged subscription relationships, then content providers gain stable revenue, but consumers face uncertainty about content quality and lack of interest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubscription durationVSAvoidconsumer decision simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the traditional monolithic subscription into discrete pay-per-session transactions. Each session is an independent unit with its own entry and exit points, allowing consumers to evaluate content quality on-demand without being locked into long-term commitments. This segmentation simplifies consumer decisions by making each interaction standalone and low-risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables consumers to self-manage their engagement with content providers by initiating and terminating sessions at will. Users can assess content quality during each session and decide whether to continue or stop payment, eliminating the need for complex subscription management and giving consumers full control over their engagement duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If on-demand streaming payments are implemented, then consumer flexibility and engagement increase, but payment processing complexity and session management requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment flexibility for consumersVSAvoidsession logic and settlement engine complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal session management framework that handles multiple functions within a single standardized process. The session logic engine and settlement engine work together to manage authentication, content delivery, usage tracking, and payment processing through a unified pay-per-session model, reducing overall system complexity despite the increased flexibility offered to consumers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11416837B2Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically facilitating streaming payments

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for electronically facilitating streaming payments are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a request to access protected media content hosted by a content provider, determining a minimum currency increment based on a user designated payment type, and establishing a predefined content increment that corresponds to the protected media content. The method further includes determining a minimum session expense ratio based on the minimum currency increment and the predefined content increment, initiating a user session that permits access to the protected media content, and determining a quantification of protected media content that is consumed at a termination of the user session. The method also includes using the minimum session expense ratio and the quantification to determine an on-demand streaming payment amount and utilizing the user designated payment type to determine a manner of routing the on-demand streaming payment amount to a payment processing entity that is configured to facilitate a payment transaction.