Systems and methods for controlling permissions to change parental control settings based on vocal characteristics of a user

• US 10,038,938 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2017
• Issued: 07/31/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Roe, Glen E., McCarty, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Chae, Kyu
• Application Number:
  US15/612,465
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/1822 Parsing for meaning understanding
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/51 for comparison or discrimination
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4394 involving operations for analysing the audio stream, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in audio streams arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; 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 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4542 Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling permissions to change parental control settings based on vocal characteristics of a user. In some aspects, the media guidance application may receive a voice command from a user to update a parental control setting. The media guidance application may determine both what the requested change is and an age (or age range) of the user is who is attempting to change the parental control setting based on vocal characteristics of the voice command. If the media guidance application determines that an age range associated with the user exceeds an age associated with the requested change to the parental control setting, the media guidance application may update the parental control setting at a media device based on the requested change. Accordingly, the media guidance application may allow only users of appropriate ages to change parental control settings at the media device.

Claims

1. A method for determining whether to update parental control restrictions based on a voice of a user, the method comprising:

receiving, from a voice-based input device, an audio input of an utterance of a user;

based on receiving the audio input;

parsing the audio input into a first plurality of words;

comparing a first subset of the first plurality of words to a command database to determine that the first subset of the first plurality of words corresponds to a command entry in the command database;

based on determining that the first subset corresponds to the command entry in the command database;

accessing the command entry corresponding to the first subset;

extracting, from the entry, a first parental control instruction, wherein the first parental control instruction comprises a first parental control level;

processing the audio input, using an audio input analysis process, to determine a plurality of vocal characteristics of the user;

comparing the plurality of vocal characteristics to a voice database associating vocal characteristics of the user with a plurality of age ranges;

based on the comparison, determining an age range of the plurality of age ranges corresponding to the user;

querying memory for a second parental control level, wherein the second parental control level is a parental control setting at a media device;

comparing the age range corresponding to the user to an age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction to determine whether the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction; and

updating the parental control setting at the media device from the second parental control level based to the first parental control level if the age range exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the age range corresponding to the user comprises:

comparing each of the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user to a plurality of vocal characteristics in the voice database to determine a plurality of age ranges associated with the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user and a plurality of weights associated with the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user;

determining a plurality of sums, wherein each sum of the plurality of sums is associated with a respective age range of the plurality of age ranges, and wherein each sum is calculated by summing weights associated with vocal characteristics of the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user associated with the respective age range;

determining a greatest sum of the plurality of sums; and

determining that the age range is an age range associated with the greatest sum.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the age range corresponding to the user further comprises:

determining that at least two of the plurality of sums exceed a threshold sum; and

based on determining the at least two of the plurality of sums exceed the threshold sum, determining that the age range is a null age range;

and wherein determining whether the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction comprises;

determining that the age range corresponding to the user does not exceed the age associated with the first parental control instruction based on determining that the age range is a null age range; and

maintaining the second parental control level at the media device based on determining that the age range does not exceed the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, to a parental control database, a request for a table associating a plurality of parental control instructions with a plurality of ages;

receiving, from the parental control database, a data packet containing the table;

comparing the first parental control level with the table to determine the age of the plurality of ages associated with the first parental control level.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

comparing a second subset of the first plurality of words to the command database to determine a first parental control update command, wherein the first parental control instruction further comprises the first parental control update command; and

wherein comparing the first parental control level with the table to determine the age associated with the parental control level comprises;

comparing the first parental control update command with the table to determine an age range associated with both the first parental control level and the first parental control update command to determine the age associated with the first parental control instruction.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction comprises:

comparing the second parental control level with the first parental control level;

determining whether the age associated with the second parental control level exceeds the age associated with the first parental control level; and

wherein the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction if the age associated with the second parental control level exceeds the age associated with the first parental control level.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein creating the voice database comprises:

receiving, from a plurality of media devices, a plurality of data structures, wherein the plurality of data structures comprise a plurality of audio inputs and a plurality of indications of ages of a plurality of users, wherein each data structure contains a respective audio input of the plurality of audio inputs associated with an age of a respective user in the audio input;

processing the plurality of audio inputs to determine a plurality of sets of vocal characteristics;

determining, for each vocal characteristic, an average signature associated with each age based on the plurality of sets of vocal characteristics to create a plurality of average signatures; and

associating each of the plurality of average signatures with a respective age in a data structure.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first parental control instruction is associated with a first parental control type, the method further comprising:

determining that the age range exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction;

subsequent to updating the parental control setting at the media device from the second parental control level to the first parental control level, receiving an audio input of a second plurality of words;

determining a second parental control instruction associated with the second plurality of words, wherein the second parental control instruction is of the first parental control type, and wherein the second parental control instruction comprises a third parental control level;

comparing the second parental control instruction to the first parental control instruction to determine that the second parental control instruction and the first parental control instruction are both of the first parental control type;

comparing an age range associated with the audio input of the second plurality of words with the age range of the user to determine that the age range associated with the audio input of the second plurality of words is the same or exceeds the age range of the age range of the user; and

based on determine that the second parental control instruction and the first parental control instruction are both of the first parental control type, and that the age range associated with the audio input of the second plurality of words is the same or exceeds the age range of the age range of the user, updating the parental control setting at the media device from the first parental control level to the third parental control level.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the age range does not exceed the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction;

maintaining the second parental control level at the media device based on determining that the age range does not exceed the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction

notifying the user that the second parental control level will be maintained;

receiving an audio input of a second user authorized to change the second parental control level to the first parental control level on the media device;

processing the audio input of the second user to determine that the audio input of the second user includes an instruction affirming the first parental control instruction; and

updating the parental control setting at the media device from the second parental control level to the first parental control level based on determining that the audio input of the second user includes the instruction affirming the first parental control instruction.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the age range exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction;

notifying the user that the parental control setting at the media device will be updated to the first parental control level;

receiving an audio input of a second user authorized to change the second parental control level to the first parental control level on the media device;

processing the audio input of the second user to determine that the audio input of the second user includes an instruction negating the first parental control instruction; and

reverting the parental control setting at the media device from the first parental control level back to the second parental control level based on determining that the audio input of the second user includes the instruction negating the first parental control instruction.

11. A system for determining whether to update parental control restrictions based on a voice of a user, the system comprising:

control circuitry configured to;

receive, from a voice-based input device, an audio input of an utterance of a user;

based on receiving the audio input;

parse the audio input into a first plurality of words;

compare a first subset of the first plurality of words to a command database to determine that the first subset of the first plurality of words corresponds to a command entry in the command database;

based on determining that the first subset corresponds to the command entry in the command database;

access the command entry corresponding to the first subset;

extract, from the entry, a first parental control instruction, wherein the first parental control instruction comprises a first parental control level;

process the audio input, using an audio input analysis process, to determine a plurality of vocal characteristics of the user;

compare the plurality of vocal characteristics to a voice database associating vocal characteristics of the user with a plurality of age ranges;

based on the comparison, determine an age range of the plurality of age ranges corresponding to the user;

query memory for a second parental control level, wherein the second parental control level is a parental control setting at a media device;

compare the age range corresponding to the user to an age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction to determine whether the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction; and

update the parental control setting at the media device from the second parental control level based to the first parental control level if the age range exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the age range corresponding to the user by:

comparing each of the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user to a plurality of vocal characteristics in the voice database to determine a plurality of age ranges associated with the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user and a plurality of weights associated with the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user;

determining a plurality of sums, wherein each sum of the plurality of sums is associated with a respective age range of the plurality of age ranges, and wherein each sum is calculated by summing weights associated with vocal characteristics of the plurality of vocal characteristics of the user associated with the respective age range;

determining a greatest sum of the plurality of sums; and

determining that the age range is an age range associated with the greatest sum.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine the age range corresponding to the user by:

determining that at least two of the plurality of sums exceed a threshold sum; and

based on determining the at least two of the plurality of sums exceed the threshold sum, determining that the age range is a null age range;

and wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction by;

determining that the age range corresponding to the user does not exceed the age associated with the first parental control instruction based on determining that the age range is a null age range; and

maintaining the second parental control level at the media device based on determining that the age range does not exceed the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

transmit, to a parental control database, a request for a table associating a plurality of parental control instructions with a plurality of ages;

receive, from the parental control database, a data packet containing the table;

compare the first parental control level with the table to determine the age of the plurality of ages associated with the first parental control level.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

compare a second subset of the first plurality of words to the command database to determine a first parental control update command, wherein the first parental control instruction further comprises the first parental control update command; and

wherein the control circuitry is configured to compare the first parental control level with the table to determine the age associated with the parental control level by;

comparing the first parental control update command with the table to determine an age range associated with both the first parental control level and the first parental control update command to determine the age associated with the first parental control instruction.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction by:

comparing the second parental control level with the first parental control level;

determining whether the age associated with the second parental control level exceeds the age associated with the first parental control level; and

wherein the age range corresponding to the user exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction if the age associated with the second parental control level exceeds the age associated with the first parental control level.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is configured to create the voice database by:

receiving, from a plurality of media devices, a plurality of data structures, wherein the plurality of data structures comprise a plurality of audio inputs and a plurality of indications of ages of a plurality of users, wherein each data structure contains a respective audio input of the plurality of audio inputs associated with an age of a respective user in the audio input;

processing the plurality of audio inputs to determine a plurality of sets of vocal characteristics;

determining, for each vocal characteristic, an average signature associated with each age based on the plurality of sets of vocal characteristics to create a plurality of average signatures; and

associating each of the plurality of average signatures with a respective age in a data structure.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the first parental control instruction is associated with a first parental control type, and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine that the age range exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction;

subsequent to updating the parental control setting at the media device from the second parental control level to the first parental control level, receive an audio input of a second plurality of words;

determine a second parental control instruction associated with the second plurality of words, wherein the second parental control instruction is of the first parental control type, and wherein the second parental control instruction comprises a third parental control level;

compare the second parental control instruction to the first parental control instruction to determine that the second parental control instruction and the first parental control instruction are both of the first parental control type;

compare an age range associated with the audio input of the second plurality of words with the age range of the user to determine that the age range associated with the audio input of the second plurality of words is the same or exceeds the age range of the age range of the user; and

based on determine that the second parental control instruction and the first parental control instruction are both of the first parental control type, and that the age range associated with the audio input of the second plurality of words is the same or exceeds the age range of the age range of the user, update the parental control setting at the media device from the first parental control level to the third parental control level.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine that the age range does not exceed the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction;

maintain the second parental control level at the media device based on determining that the age range does not exceed the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction

notify the user that the second parental control level will be maintained;

receive an audio input of a second user authorized to change the second parental control level to the first parental control level on the media device;

process the audio input of the second user to determine that the audio input of the second user includes an instruction affirming the first parental control instruction; and

update the parental control setting at the media device from the second parental control level to the first parental control level based on determining that the audio input of the second user includes the instruction affirming the first parental control instruction.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:

determine that the age range exceeds the age associated with updating the parental control setting from the second parental control level based on the first parental control instruction;

notify the user that the parental control setting at the media device will be updated to the first parental control level;

receive an audio input of a second user authorized to change the second parental control level to the first parental control level on the media device;

process the audio input of the second user to determine that the audio input of the second user includes an instruction negating the first parental control instruction; and

revert the parental control setting at the media device from the first parental control level back to the second parental control level based on determining that the audio input of the second user includes the instruction negating the first parental control instruction.