SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20130305384A1
• Filed: 05/13/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith Micro Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Wavemarket Incorporated (Gen Digital Inc.)
• Inventors: Weiss, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,489,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/27
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device

Abstract

A computer implemented method for controlling access to an electronic media source is disclosed. An access control system receives achievement goals and degree of access information. Assessment information is also received by the access control system from one or more input data sources. The access control system determines whether the achievement goals are met based on the received assessment information and forwards an access signal to the electronic media source based on the access determination. The access signal, including a grant signal, is forwarded when the achievement goals are met.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling access to an electronic media source comprising:

receiving one or more achievement goals and degree of access information;

receiving assessment information from one or more input data sources, the assessment information related to the achievement goals;

determining whether the achievement goals are met using the received assessment information; and

forwarding an access signal to the electronic media source based on the determination;

wherein the access signal includes a grant signal when the achievement goals are met.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the access signal includes a deny signal when the achievement goals are not met.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the grant signal allows access to the electronic media source, and the deny signal prevents access to the electronic media source.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising storing usage information when access to the electronic media source has been allowed.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

linking the input data sources; and

aggregating the received assessment information;

wherein the degree of access information includes limitations of access to the electronic media source.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5, wherein the limitations of access include at least one of a time limit, a day of week limit, a media category limit, a content title limit, and a rating limit.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the electronic media source includes at least one of a gaming system, a television show, a video game, a movie, a computer, and a movie player.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the achievement goals include at least one of academic goals, chores, and activity goals.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving an access inquiry from the electronic media source inquiring whether the electronic media source is able to be accessed.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information related to use of the electronic media source;

determining an identity of a user of the electronic media source based on the received information related to use of the electronic media source; and

forwarding the access signal as corresponds to the determined user.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving information related to use of the electronic media source;

transmitting a query to a particular party regarding an identity of a user of the electronic media source based on the information related to use;

receiving an indication of the identity of the user of the electronic media source from the particular party; and

forwarding the access signal as corresponds to the identified user.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of usage of the electronic media source from the electronic media source; and

providing an indication to a particular party regarding the indication, of usage based on the determination of whether the achievement goals are met.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising periodically requesting a state of the electronic media source.

13. A computer-implemented method for controlling access to an electronic media source comprising:

receiving one or more achievement goals and degree of access information;

receiving assessment information from one or more input data sources, the assessment information related to the achievement goals;

determining whether the achievement goals are met using the received assessment information;

receiving an indication of usage of the electronic media source from the electronic media source; and

providing an indication to a particular party regarding the indication of usage based on the determination of whether the achievement goals are met.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising providing an indication to the particular party of specific content of the electronic media source accessed.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein providing the indication to the particular party comprises alerting the particular party that the usage of the electronic media exceeds an allowed amount based on the determination of whether the achievement goals are met.

17. An access control system for controlling access to an electronic media source comprising:

a goal database for storing achievement goals and degree of access information;

an aggregation database for storing assessment information from one or more input data sources, the assessment information related to the achievement goals; and

an access inquiry processor for determining whether the achievement goals are met using the received assessment information;

wherein the access inquiry processor forwards an access signal to the electronic media source based on the determination.

18. The access control system of claim 17, wherein the access signal includes a grant signal when the achievement goals are met, wherein the grant signal allows access to the electronic media source.

19. The access control system of claim 17, wherein the access signal includes a deny signal when the achievement goals are not met, wherein the deny signal prevents access to the electronic media source.

20. The access control system of claim 17, wherein the degree of access information includes limitations of access to the electronic media source.

21. The access control system of claim 20, wherein the limitations of access include at least one of a time of day limitation, a day of week limitation, a time duration limit, and a type of electronic media source limitation.

22. The access control system of claim 17, wherein the achievement goals include at least one of academic goals, chores, and activity goals.

23. The access control system of claim 17, further comprising a system interface for communicating with the one or more input data sources and the electronic media source.

24. The access control system of claim 17, further comprising a usage database for storing electronic media source usage information when access to the electronic media source is allowed.

25. The access control system of claim 17, wherein the access inquiry processor determines whether the achievement goals are net using the received assessment information in response to an access inquiry from the electronic media source.