RATING OF MESSAGE CONTENT FOR CONTENT CONTROL IN WIRELESS DEVICES

• US 20100015956A1
• Filed: 07/18/2008
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Dowlat, Homayoun, Scott, Clifton Eugene, Qu, Hai
• Granted Patent: US 8,948,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

Systems, methodologies, and devices are described that facilitate filtering content sent to a mobile device(s) by a content provider via a core network. A content provider can determine a content rating for content, and/or the core network and/or mobile device can determine or infer a content rating for unrated content from a content provider, based in part on predefined content rating criteria. A mobile device user can specify a desired content rating preference for the mobile device. A filter(s) respectively associated with the core network and/or mobile device can filter the content based in part on the content rating of the content and the content rating preference of the mobile device to which the content is being sent. Content that does not meet a content rating threshold can be filtered out and stored in a secure content folder accessible using a security code or discarded.

Claims

1. A method that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

setting a control rating preference associated with the mobile device; and

receiving at least one message comprising at least one piece of content from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one piece of content being filtered based at least in part on the control rating preference and the at least one content rating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one content rating is determined based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a security code related to the control rating preference at a control rating preference menu;

accessing a control rating preference parameter; and

setting the control rating preference based at least in part on predefined control rating criteria.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a security code related to a secure content folder;

accessing the secure content folder if the received security code is valid; and

receiving at least one other piece of content from the secure content folder, the at least one other piece of content is filtered out based at least in part on the content rating preference and at least one other content rating associated with the at least one other piece of content, and stored in the secure content folder, the at least one other piece of content and the at least one other content rating contained in at least one other message.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the at least one message comprising the at least one piece of content and the at least one content rating from the at least one content provider via a core network; and

filtering the at least one piece of content based at least in part on the content rating preference and the at least one content rating.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein filtering the at least one piece of content further comprises:

evaluating the at least one piece of content; and

at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of content if the at least one content rating has a value that is higher than a value of the content rating preference, or

presenting the at least one piece of content if the at least one content rating has a value that is at or below the value of the content rating preference.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a message, comprising the control rating preference and a command related to setting the control rating preference associated with the mobile device, to a core network, the message is a modified short message service (SMS) message and the control rating preference is contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) rating preference parameter or an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) rating preference header, wherein the control rating preference is a value ranging from highest-level content filtering to no content filtering.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a message, comprising a query and a command that are related to the control rating preference, to a core network, the message is a modified short message service (SMS) message and the query is contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) query parameter or an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) query header;

querying the core network regarding a current value of the control rating preference based at least in part on the query; and

receiving the current value of the control rating preference in response to the query.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one message is received from the at least one content provider via a core network, the at least one message being a modified short message service (SMS) message comprising the at least one content rating that is contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) rating parameter, an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) rating header, or a rating field in the body of the at least one message, wherein the rating field is identified by one or more keywords.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving at least one other message comprising at least one piece of unrated content from at least one other content provider;

evaluating the at least on piece of unrated content;

determining a content rating of the at least one piece of unrated content; and

at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of unrated content if the determined content rating has a value that is higher than a value of the content rating preference, or

presenting the at least one piece of unrated content if the determined content rating has a value that is at or below the value of the content rating preference.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving at least one other message comprising at least one piece of unrated content from at least one other content provider;

reviewing at least one contact list associated with the mobile device; and

at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of unrated content if the at least one other content provider is not contained in the at least one contact list, or

presenting the at least one piece of unrated content if the at least one other content provider is contained in the at least one contact list.

13. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to establishment of a control rating preference associated with a mobile device, and reception of at least one message comprising at least one piece of content from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one piece of content is filtered based at least in part on the control rating preference and the at least one content rating; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

14. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one content rating is determined based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, and wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

15. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the memory retains instructions related to:

reception of a security code related to the control rating preference at a control rating preference menu;

access of a control rating preference parameter; and

establishment of the control rating preference based at least in part on predefined control rating criteria.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to:

reception of a security code related to a secure content folder;

access of the secure content folder if the received security code is valid; and

reception of at least one other piece of content from the secure content folder, the at least one other piece of content is filtered out based at least in part on the content rating preference and at least one other content rating associated with the at least one other piece of content, and stored in the secure content folder, the at least one other piece of content and the at least one other content rating contained in at least one other message.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to:

reception of the at least one message comprising the at least one piece of content and the at least one content rating from the at least one content provider; and

filter of the at least one piece of content based at least in part on the content rating preference and the at least one content rating.

18. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

means for setting a control rating preference associated with the mobile device; and

means for receiving at least one message comprising at least one piece of content from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one piece of content is filtered based at least in part on the control rating preference and the at least one content rating.

19. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one content rating is determined based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, and wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

means for receiving a security code related to the control rating preference at a control rating preference menu;

means for accessing a control rating preference parameter; and

means for setting the control rating preference based at least in part on predefined control rating criteria.

21. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to set a control rating preference associated with a mobile device; and

code for causing at least one computer to receive at least one message comprising at least one piece of content from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one piece of content is filtered based at least in part on the control rating preference and the at least one content rating.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a security code related to the control rating preference at a control rating preference menu;

code for causing at least one computer to access a control rating preference parameter; and

code for causing at least one computer to set the control rating preference based at least in part on predefined control rating criteria.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive a security code related to a secure content folder;

code for causing at least one computer to access the secure content folder if the received security code is valid; and

code for causing at least one computer to receive at least one other piece of content from the secure content folder, the at least one other piece of content is filtered out based at least in part on the content rating preference and at least one other content rating associated with the at least one other piece of content, and stored in the secure content folder, the at least one other piece of content and the at least one other content rating contained in at least one other message.

24. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive the at least one message comprising the at least one piece of content and the at least one content rating from the at least one content provider;

code for causing at least one computer to evaluate the at least one piece of content; and

code for causing at least one computer to perform at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of content if the at least one content rating has a value that is higher than a value of the content rating preference, or

presenting the at least one piece of content if the at least one content rating has a value that is at or below the value of the content rating preference.

25. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the at least one content rating is determined based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria, wherein the predefined content rating criteria further relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, and wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

26. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

establish a control rating preference associated with a mobile device; and

receive at least one message comprising at least one piece of content from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one piece of content is filtered based at least in part on the control rating preference and the at least one content rating.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a security code related to the control rating preference at a control rating preference menu;

access a control rating preference parameter; and

set the control rating preference based at least in part on predefined control rating criteria.

28. A method that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

evaluating at least one piece of content received in at least one message being sent to at least one mobile device from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content; and

filtering the at least one piece content based at least in part on the at least one content rating and at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving at least one security code in relation to the at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device;

evaluating the at least one security code to facilitate determining if the at least one security code is valid;

receiving a message comprising the at least one content rating preference and a command related to setting the control rating preference from the at least one mobile device, the message is a modified short message service (SMS) message and the control rating preference is contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) rating preference parameter or an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) rating preference header;

setting at least one content rating preference parameter associated with the at least one mobile device to the at least one content rating preference, if the at least one security code is determined valid; and

storing the at least one content rating preference if the at least one security code is determined valid.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein receiving at least one security code further comprises:

receiving the at least one security code via at least one of the at least one mobile device in communication with a core network, a web site associated with the core network, or a voice call to a representative associated with the core network.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving at least one security code in relation to the at least one secure content folder associated with the at least one mobile device;

evaluating the at least one security code to facilitate determining if the at least one security code is valid;

accessing the at least one secure content folder if the at least one security code is valid;

retrieving at least one piece of filtered out content; and

providing the at least one piece of filtered out content to at least one of the at least one mobile device or at least one other communication device associated with at least one user associated with the at least one mobile device.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein filtering the at least one piece content further comprises:

at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of content if the at least one content rating has a value that is higher than a value of the content rating preference, or

presenting the at least one piece of content to the at least one mobile device if the at least one content rating has a value that is at or below the value of the content rating preference.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving the at least one message from the at least one content provider, the at least one message being a modified short message service (SMS) message comprising the at least one content rating that is contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) rating parameter, an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) rating header, or a rating field in the body of the at least one message, wherein the rating field is identified by one or more keywords.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving a message, comprising a query and a command that are related to the control rating preference, from the at least one mobile device, the message being a modified short message service (SMS) message and the query being contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) query parameter or an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) query header;

retrieving a current value of the control rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device based at least in part on the query; and

transmitting another message, which contains the current value of the control rating preference, to the at least one mobile device in response to the query.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving at least one other message comprising at least one piece of unrated content from at least one other content provider;

evaluating the at least on piece of unrated content;

determining a content rating of the at least one piece of unrated content based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of unrated content if the determined content rating has a value that is higher than a value of the content rating preference, or

presenting the at least one piece of unrated content to the at least one mobile device if the determined content rating has a value that is at or below the value of the content rating preference.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

37. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

receiving at least one other message comprising at least one piece of unrated content from at least one other content provider;

reviewing at least one contact list associated with the at least one mobile device; and

at least one of;

filtering out the at least one piece of unrated content if the at least one other content provider is not contained in the at least one contact list, or

presenting the at least one piece of unrated content to the at least one mobile device if the at least one other content provider is contained in the at least one contact list.

38. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to;

evaluation of at least one piece of content received in at least one message being sent to at least one mobile device from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one content rating based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria, and

filter of the at least one piece content based at least in part on the at least one content rating and at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

39. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 38, wherein the memory further retains instructions related to:

reception of at least one security code in relation to the at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device;

evaluation of the at least one security code to facilitate determining if the at least one security code is valid;

reception of the at least one content rating preference from the at least one mobile device;

configuration of at least one content rating preference parameter associated with the at least one mobile device to the at least one content rating preference, if the at least one security code is determined valid; and

storage of the at least one content rating preference if the at least one security code is determined valid.

40. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

means for evaluating at least one piece of content received in at least one message being sent to at least one mobile device from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one content rating based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

means for filtering the at least one piece content based at least in part on the at least one content rating and at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device.

41. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 40, further comprising:

means for receiving at least one security code in relation to the at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device;

means for evaluating the at least one security code to facilitate determining if the at least one security code is valid;

means for receiving the at least one content rating preference from the at least one mobile device;

means for configuring at least one content rating preference parameter associated with the at least one mobile device to the at least one content rating preference, if the at least one security code is determined valid; and

means for storing the at least one content rating preference if the at least one security code is determined valid.

42. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to evaluate at least one piece of content received in at least one message being sent to at least one mobile device from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one content rating based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

code for causing at least one computer to filter the at least one piece content based at least in part on the at least one content rating and at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device.

43. The computer program product of claim 42, further comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive at least one security code in relation to the at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device;

code for causing at least one computer to evaluate the at least one security code to facilitate determining if the at least one security code is valid;

code for causing at least one computer to receive the at least one content rating preference from the at least one mobile device;

code for causing at least one computer to set at least one content rating preference parameter associated with the at least one mobile device to the at least one content rating preference, if the at least one security code is determined valid; and

code for causing at least one computer to store the at least one content rating preference if the at least one security code is determined valid.

44. The computer program product of claim 42, further comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to receive at least one security code in relation to the at least one secure content folder associated with the at least one mobile device;

code for causing at least one computer to evaluate the at least one security code to facilitate determining if the at least one security code is valid;

code for causing at least one computer to access the at least one secure content folder if the at least one security code is valid;

code for causing at least one computer to retrieve at least one piece of filtered out content; and

code for causing at least one computer to provide the at least one piece of filtered out content to at least one of the at least one mobile device or at least one other communication device associated with at least one user associated with the at least one mobile device.

45. The computer program product of claim 42, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

46. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

evaluate at least one piece of content received in at least one message being sent to at least one mobile device from at least one content provider, the at least one message comprising at least one content rating associated with the at least one piece of content, the at least one content rating based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

filter the at least one piece content based at least in part on the at least one content rating and at least one content rating preference associated with the at least one mobile device.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

48. A method that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

determining a content rating for content based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

inserting the content and the content rating into a message that is sent to at least one mobile device to facilitate filtering content sent to the at least one mobile device by a content provider that provides the content.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the message is a modified short message service (SMS) message comprising the content rating that is contained in at least one of an additional short message service (SMS) rating parameter, an additional enhanced messaging service (EMS) rating header, or a rating field in the body of the at least one message, wherein the rating field is identified by one or more keywords.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

51. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to;

generation of a content rating for content based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria, and

insertion of the content and the content rating into a message that is sent to at least one mobile device to facilitate filtering content sent to the at least one mobile device by a content provider that provides the content; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

52. A wireless communications apparatus that facilitates communication associated with a mobile device, comprising:

means for determining a content rating for content based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

means for inserting the content and the content rating into a message that is sent to at least one mobile device to facilitate filtering content sent to the at least one mobile device by a content provider that provides the content.

53. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to generate a content rating for content based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

code for causing at least one computer to insert the content and the content rating into a message that is sent to at least one mobile device to facilitate filtering content sent to the at least one mobile device by a content provider that provides the content.

54. The computer program product of claim 53, wherein the predefined content rating criteria relates to at least one of nature of language in content, nature of audio content, or nature of visual content, wherein content that is more adult-oriented is given a higher content rating than content that is less adult-oriented based at least in part on the predefined content rating criteria.

55. In a wireless communications system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine a content rating for content based at least in part on predefined content rating criteria; and

insert the content and the content rating into a message that is sent to at least one mobile device to facilitate filtering content sent to the at least one mobile device by a content provider that provides the content.