{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853975","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853975","title":"Restricting access to content based on measurements of user terminal operational performance","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-08-26T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","G06F","G06F"],"num_claims":18,"abstract":"A processor of a user terminal performs operations that include obtaining a user identifier for a user operating the user terminal, measuring an initial operational performance metric of the user terminal, generating an initial terminal metric identifier from the initial operational performance metric, and communicating with a content server to register a combination of the initial terminal metric identifier and the user identifier for authorized access to content identified by a content identifier through the content server. Responsive to a request to access the content, a present operational performance metric of the user terminal is measured. A present terminal metric identifier is generated based on the present operational performance metric, and a combination of the user identifier and the present terminal metric identifier are communicated to the content server to request that the user using the user terminal be granted access through the content server to the content."},"analysis":{"summary":"Restricting Access to Content Based on Measurements of User Terminal Operational Performance is a patented technology that dynamically adjusts content access based on real-time performance metrics of the user's device. The core innovation lies in its ability to measure a user terminal's operational performance, including CPU usage, memory availability, network speed, and battery life, to determine the appropriate level of access to content. This technology solves the problem of inconsistent user experiences across diverse devices and network conditions.\n\nThe key technical approach involves a software component installed on the user's device that measures its performance and communicates this data to a content server. The content server then uses this data to generate a terminal metric identifier, which is combined with the user's identifier to authorize access to specific content. This dynamic assessment ensures that content delivery is always optimized for the user's current device capabilities and network conditions.\n\nThe business value of this technology is significant. It improves user engagement by tailoring content delivery to individual device capabilities, reducing buffering and lag. This can lead to increased user retention and higher levels of satisfaction. Additionally, it enables bandwidth savings by delivering lower-resolution content to users with limited bandwidth, reducing operating costs. The market opportunity for this technology is vast, as it can be applied to various industries, including streaming services, online gaming, and e-commerce.\n\nBy dynamically adjusting content access based on real-time performance metrics, content providers can ensure that all users have a positive and engaging experience, regardless of their device capabilities or network conditions. This technology represents a significant step forward in the evolution of content delivery and promises to shape the future of digital media consumption. The ability to personalize content delivery also opens up new avenues for advertising and marketing, allowing advertisers to target users with ads optimized for their specific context. This innovation is poised to transform how digital content is delivered and consumed, making it a valuable tool for content providers, network operators, and users alike.","layman_explanation":"Restricting Access to Content Based on Measurements of User Terminal Operational Performance addresses the common problem of inconsistent user experiences when accessing digital content on different devices and networks. Imagine watching a video on your phone – sometimes it plays smoothly, and other times it buffers or looks blurry. This happens because your phone's processing power, memory, and internet connection might not always be sufficient to handle the highest quality video. Existing solutions often fall short because they don't dynamically adapt to these real-time variations in device performance.\n\nThis technology works by having your device measure its own performance capabilities, such as how much processing power it has available, how much memory is free, and how fast your internet connection is. It then sends this information to the content provider, like Netflix or YouTube. The content provider uses this data to determine the best version of the video to send to your device. If your device is struggling, it sends a lower-resolution version that will play smoothly. If your device is powerful and has a fast connection, it sends a high-resolution version. It's like having a smart switch that automatically adjusts the water flow in your shower to maintain a consistent temperature, regardless of changes in water pressure.\n\nThis matters because it significantly improves the user experience. By tailoring the content to your device's capabilities, you're less likely to experience buffering, lag, or other performance issues. This leads to higher user satisfaction and engagement. For content providers, it means reduced bandwidth costs, as they're not sending high-quality content to devices that can't handle it. This can also open up new market opportunities by allowing them to reach users with older or less powerful devices.\n\nLooking ahead, this technology could be used to personalize content delivery even further. For example, it could be combined with user preferences to deliver content that is not only optimized for their device but also tailored to their interests. As more and more people access digital content on a wide range of devices, this type of adaptive technology will become increasingly important. From an investment perspective, companies that develop and implement these solutions are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for seamless and personalized content experiences. This is a key area for strategic investment in the evolving digital media landscape.","technical_analysis":"Restricting Access to Content Based on Measurements of User Terminal Operational Performance is a system designed to optimize content delivery by dynamically adjusting access based on a user terminal's operational performance. The technical architecture involves a client-side component and a server-side component. The client-side component, typically integrated into an application or operating system, is responsible for measuring the terminal's performance metrics. These metrics include CPU usage, memory availability, network latency, bandwidth, and battery level.\n\nThe implementation details involve using system APIs to gather real-time performance data. For instance, on Android, methods like `ActivityManager.getMemoryInfo()` and `NetworkInfo.getDetailedState()` can be used. On iOS, `NSProcessInfo` and `SCNetworkReachability` provide similar functionality. The collected data is then processed to generate a terminal metric identifier. This identifier can be a hash or a quantized representation of the performance metrics.\n\nThe algorithm for generating the terminal metric identifier is crucial. It should be designed to be robust against minor fluctuations in performance while still accurately reflecting significant changes. One approach is to use a weighted average of the performance metrics, where the weights are determined based on the relative importance of each metric. Machine learning techniques, such as clustering, can also be employed to group similar performance profiles into distinct categories.\n\nThe server-side component is responsible for managing content access based on the terminal metric identifier. When a user requests content, the client sends the terminal metric identifier along with the user's credentials. The server then uses this identifier to determine the appropriate content version or quality level to deliver. This can involve selecting a different video resolution, image compression level, or feature set.\n\nIntegration patterns involve using standard HTTP or HTTPS protocols for communication between the client and the server. APIs can be designed using RESTful principles, allowing for easy integration with existing content delivery networks (CDNs). Performance characteristics are critical. The system should introduce minimal overhead on the client-side to avoid impacting the user experience. The server-side should be able to handle a large number of concurrent requests with low latency.\n\nCode-level implications include the need for efficient data structures and algorithms to process performance metrics and manage content access. Caching mechanisms can be used to reduce the load on the server and improve response times. Security considerations are also important. The terminal metric identifier should be protected against tampering to prevent unauthorized access to higher-quality content. Overall, this technology provides a robust and flexible solution for optimizing content delivery based on real-time terminal performance.","business_analysis":"Restricting Access to Content Based on Measurements of User Terminal Operational Performance presents a significant market opportunity within the content delivery and streaming industries. The core value proposition lies in optimizing user experience by dynamically adjusting content quality based on device performance, which directly translates to increased user engagement and reduced churn.\n\nThe market opportunity size is substantial, given the increasing demand for high-quality streaming content across various devices and network conditions. As more users access content on mobile devices with varying capabilities, the need for adaptive content delivery solutions becomes critical. The competitive advantages stem from the patent's ability to accurately measure terminal performance and efficiently adjust content access in real-time. This provides a superior user experience compared to static or less sophisticated adaptive streaming techniques.\n\nThe revenue potential is multifaceted. Content providers can reduce bandwidth costs by delivering lower-quality content to devices with limited capabilities. This cost savings can be reinvested in content creation or passed on to consumers in the form of lower subscription fees. Furthermore, improved user engagement can lead to increased subscription revenue and higher advertising rates.\n\nPotential business models include licensing the technology to content providers, offering a managed service for content optimization, and integrating the technology into existing CDN solutions. Strategic positioning involves targeting content providers who prioritize user experience and are looking to differentiate themselves from competitors. This technology can also be positioned as a key enabler for emerging technologies such as 5G and edge computing.\n\nROI projections are highly favorable. By reducing bandwidth costs and increasing user engagement, content providers can expect to see a significant return on investment. The exact ROI will depend on factors such as the size of the user base, the cost of bandwidth, and the effectiveness of the content optimization algorithm. However, in general, this technology offers a compelling value proposition for content providers looking to improve their bottom line and enhance their user experience. The technology's adaptability makes it a crucial asset in the competitive streaming landscape.","faqs":null,"topics":[],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Restricting access to content based on measurements of user terminal operational performance","description":"A processor of a user terminal performs operations that include obtaining a user identifier for a user operating the user terminal, measuring an initial operational performance metric of the user term","keywords":[]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853975","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853975","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Restricting access to content based on measurements of user terminal operational performance\" (US-9853975). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853975","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853975","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853975","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T05:08:09.676Z"}