Unified Storefront Spending Control in Multimedia Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern multimedia content distribution networks (MCDN) face challenges in controlling user spending and parental access to multimedia content, as users may inadvertently overspend or access unsuitable content due to lack of spending limits and access controls.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method within the MCDN that stores spending limit information for authorized users, applying these limits to constrain access to multimedia content across various access points, including web, IPTV, and mobile portals, and using customer premises equipment (CPE) with processor instructions to manage and enforce these limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spending limits and access controls are implemented in the MCDN, then user spending control and parental restrictions are improved, but system complexity and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing spending limit information and parental control settings in advance before content access requests occur. The MCDN server maintains pre-configured spending limits, parental restriction rules, and user authorization data, enabling automatic enforcement without real-time complex decision-making during content delivery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism where the MCDN server acts as a mediator between users and content access. The server intermediates all spending and access control decisions by comparing user requests against pre-stored spending limits and parental restrictions, thereby centralizing control logic and reducing complexity at user devices.
2Reliability
If spending limit information is stored and applied across multiple access points, then spending control effectiveness is improved, but data management and enforcement complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universality by creating a unified storefront that operates across multiple access points (web, mobile, IPTV, set-top box). A single set of spending limit information and parental control settings is stored centrally and applied universally across all these different platforms and devices, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms for each access point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple access points and their control mechanisms into a single unified control system. By consolidating spending limit enforcement and parental restrictions into one centralized MCDN server database, the system combines what would otherwise be separate control implementations across web, mobile, and TV platforms into a single data management structure.
3Reliability
If parental controls and spending limits are enforced across web, IPTV, and mobile portals, then access control reliability is improved, but system operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically enforcing spending limits and parental controls without requiring manual intervention at each access point. The MCDN server autonomously compares user requests against stored spending limit information and parental restriction rules, automatically denying or permitting access based on pre-configured criteria, thereby simplifying operational procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors user spending against stored limits and provides real-time enforcement decisions. The MCDN server feedbacks control decisions to users across all access points based on their spending status relative to pre-stored limits, enabling automatic adjustment of access permissions without manual system reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for limiting spending in a multimedia content distribution network involves receiving spending limits from an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, or a mobile portal. The spending limits may be provided by a network user and may be usable to limit access to multimedia programs. The spending limits may be applied using a unified storefront application, which provides access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal.