PLAY TIME DISPENSER FOR ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS

• US 20130047229A1
• Filed: 08/16/2011
• Published: 02/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Hoefel, Guilherme Luiz Karnas, El-Maleh, Khaled Helmi, Swart, Hugo, Mirabal, Luis
• Granted Patent: US 9,129,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/121 Restricting unauthorised execution of programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/629 to features or functions of an application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2113 Multi-level security, e.g. mandatory access control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment

Abstract

Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are described for controlling access to electronic applications by a user. A request may be received (e.g., from a user) to access an electronic application. The availability of points, credits, or time for the particular user may be determined, and access to the electronic application granted or denied based on the determination. User identity may be verified through biometric data, with such verification repeated at periodic or random intervals. Access may be restricted based on a permission level of a particular authority that has responsibility for all or a portion of the user'"'"'s activities during a particular time period. Access may also be restricted based on the location of the user at the time of the access request.

Claims

1. A method of control of electronic applications, the method comprising:

receiving data identifying a usage rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to a user;

receiving a request from the user to initiate an electronic application;

verifying a sufficient quantity of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the received data;

receiving biometric data from the user;

comparing the received biometric data with previously stored biometric data for the user to verify the identity of the user;

providing the user access to the electronic application when the user has a sufficient quantity of virtual credits and the user identity is verified; and

locking the user from access to the electronic application when the virtual credits are below a threshold level or the user identity is not verified.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying two or more levels of electronic application access authority, each level of access authority having a usage rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to a user; and

wherein the verifying a sufficient quantity of virtual credits comprises verifying a sufficient amount of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the identified authority and virtual credits available to the user.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein identifying two or more levels of electronic application access authority comprises identifying a first level of access authority and a second level of access authority, the first level of access authority having authority to define the level of access that may be granted by the second level of access authority.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first level of access authority corresponds to a parental access authority, and the second level of access authority corresponds to a caregiver access authority.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving data comprises receiving data identifying the electronic application as accretive or reductive of virtual credits and a rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

adjusting the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on (i) the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application, and (ii) the rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application and transmitting to a remote system an amount of the adjustment of virtual credits.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving biometric data comprises receiving biometric information from a mobile device associated with the user.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an electronic application access verification to a remote system in proximity to the user.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the remote system is a gaming console.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving data comprises receiving a base rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits and an adjustment to the base rate or amount to be applied based on predetermined conditions.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the adjustment to the base rate or amount is set according to parental specifications.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the adjustment to the base rate or amount varies as a function of one or more of (i) time of day and (ii) day of the week.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving biometric data comprises receiving one or more of an image of the user'"'"'s face, a user voice sample, and an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the receiving of biometric data and comparing steps at fixed periodic time intervals.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the receiving of biometric data and comparing steps at variable time intervals.

17. A system for providing user access to an electronic application, comprising:

means for receiving data identifying a usage rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to a user;

means for receiving a request from the user to initiate an electronic application;

means for verifying a sufficient quantity of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the received data;

means for receiving biometric data from the user;

means for comparing the received biometric data with previously stored biometric data for the user to verify the identity of the user;

means for providing the user access to the electronic application when the user has a sufficient quantity of virtual credits and the user identity is verified; and

means for locking the user from access to the electronic application when the virtual credits are below a threshold level or the user identity is not verified.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

means for adjusting the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for receiving data comprises:

means for receiving data identifying the electronic application as accretive or reductive of virtual credits and a rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising:

means for adjusting the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on (i) the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application, and (ii) the rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for receiving data comprises means for receiving a base rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits and an adjustment to the base rate or amount to be applied based on predetermined conditions.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the means for receiving biometric data comprises means for receiving one or more of an image of the user'"'"'s face, a user voice sample, and an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint.

23. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for repeating receiving biometric data according to fixed periodic time intervals.

24. An apparatus for providing user access to an electronic application, comprising:

a network interface module configured to;

receive a request for access to an electronic application by a user; and

receive biometric information associated with the user;

a user profile database comprising;

user biometric information; and

user virtual credit information;

an authentication module configured to receive the access request and biometric information, communicatively coupled with the network interface and user profile database, and configured to verify the received biometric information corresponds to user biometric information from the user profile database; and

an access module communicatively coupled with the network interface, the authentication module, and user profile database, and configured to (i) receive the access request, (ii) verify a sufficient quantity of virtual credits are present for the user in the user profile database to initiate the electronic application, (iii) receive a comparison of biometric data from the authentication module, and (iv) provide or deny the user access to the electronic application according to the verification and comparison.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the user profile database further comprises information for two or more levels of electronic application access authority for the user, each level of access authority having a rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to the user;

and

wherein the access module is further configured to verify a sufficient amount of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the identified authority and virtual credits available to the user.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the two or more levels of electronic application access authority comprise a first level of access authority and a second level of access authority, the first level of access authority having authority to define the level of access that may be granted by the second level of access authority.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the access module is further configured to adjust the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the user profile database further comprises information related to two or more electronic applications, data identifying each electronic application as accretive or reductive of virtual credits, and a rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application, and

wherein the access module is further configured to adjust the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on the amount of time during which the user accesses the particular electronic application and the rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the biometric data comprises one or more of an image of the user'"'"'s face, a user voice sample, and an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the access module is further configured to repeat, according to fixed periodic time intervals, authentication and verification of a sufficient quantity of virtual credits when the user is provided access to the electronic application.

31. A mobile device for providing user access to an electronic application, comprising:

a receiver module configured to receive data identifying a usage rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to a user;

an access request module configured to receive a request from the user to initiate an electronic application;

an access verification module communicatively coupled to the access request module and receiver module, and configured to (i) verify a sufficient quantity of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the received data, and (ii) receive a comparison of biometric data to verify the identify of the user; and

an access grant module communicatively coupled to the access verification module and configured to provide or deny the user access to the electronic application according to information from the access verification module.

32. The mobile device of claim 31, the access verification module is further configured to repeat the verification and receipt of comparison of biometric data while the user is provided access to the electronic application.

33. The mobile device of claim 31, further comprising:

a biometric data module communicatively coupled to the access verification module and configured to receive biometric data associated with the user and compare the received biometric data with previously stored biometric data for the user to verify the identity of the user.

34. The mobile device of claim 33, further comprising:

a biometric information collection module communicatively coupled to the biometric data module and configured to acquire one or more of an image of the user'"'"'s face, an image of the user'"'"'s fingerprint, and a sample of the user'"'"'s voice.

35. A computer program product comprising:

computer-readable medium comprising;

code for receiving data identifying a usage rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to a user;

code for receiving a request from the user to initiate an electronic application;

code for verifying a sufficient quantity of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the received data;

code for receiving biometric data from the user;

code for comparing the received biometric data with previously stored biometric data for the user to verify the identity of the user;

code for providing the user access to the electronic application when the user has a sufficient quantity of virtual credits and the user identity is verified; and

code for locking the user from access to the electronic application when the virtual credits are below a threshold level or the user identity is not verified.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, further comprising:

code for adjusting the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application.

37. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the code for receiving data comprises:

code for receiving data identifying the electronic application as accretive or reductive of virtual credits and a rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

38. The computer program product of claim 35, further comprising:

code for adjusting the quantity of virtual credits available to the user based on (i) the amount of time during which the user accesses the electronic application, and (ii) the rate or amount of accrual or reduction associated with the electronic application.

39. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the code for receiving data comprises code for receiving a base rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits and an adjustment to the base rate or amount to be applied based on predetermined conditions.

40. A method for administering user access to an electronic application, the method comprising:

identifying two or more levels of electronic application access authority, each level of access authority having a usage rate or amount for dispensing virtual credits for electronic application usage to a user;

providing two or more different authorities with a different level of access authority;

identifying one of the authorities as having current electronic application access authority for the user;

receiving a request from the user to initiate an electronic application;

verifying a sufficient quantity of virtual credits are present to initiate the electronic application according to the identified authority and virtual credits available to the user;

providing the user access to the electronic application when the user has a sufficient quantity of virtual credits for the identified authority; and

locking the user from access to the electronic application when the virtual credits are below a threshold level.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein identifying two or more levels of electronic application access authority comprises identifying a first level of access authority and a second level of access authority, the first level of access authority having authority to define the level of access that may be granted by the second level of access authority.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the first level of access authority corresponds to a parental access authority, and the second level of access authority corresponds to a caregiver access authority.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the first level of access authority has authority to set time periods during which the user is locked from access to the electronic application regardless of the quantity of virtual credits available to the user.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

determining a current location of the user; and

locking the user from access to the electronic application when the user is within preset location boundaries.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the preset location boundaries correspond to the location of a school.