Methods and system for controlling access to individual titles
First Claim
1. A method for controlling access to individual titles that may be viewed via a set-top box, comprising:
- generating a user interface via which a user may select a title for which access control is to be applied;
generating a user interface via which the user may assign a password to the title to be entered to access the title for viewing; and
implementing a control access scheme that requires a user to enter the password assigned to the title prior to enabling the user to view content corresponding to the title.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and system for controlling access to viewable content on an individual title basis. In one embodiment, the method enables a user, such as a parent, to assign passwords to individual titles, thereby preventing unauthorized users, such as children, from viewing content corresponding to a selected title while enabling authorized users to view the content via correct entry of the password. In another embodiment, the method enables an administrative user (e.g., parent) to define allowed access levels and assign the same to various users of the system. The administrative user is also enabled to assign access levels to individual titles. In response to a user selection to view a title, the system identifies the user and determines whether the user is authorized to view the content based on the access level assigned to the title and any allowed access levels assigned to the user. The system includes set-top boxes and the like that may be used to implement the methods.
188 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling access to individual titles that may be viewed via a set-top box, comprising:
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generating a user interface via which a user may select a title for which access control is to be applied;
generating a user interface via which the user may assign a password to the title to be entered to access the title for viewing; and
implementing a control access scheme that requires a user to enter the password assigned to the title prior to enabling the user to view content corresponding to the title. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling access to individual titles that may be viewed via a set-top box, comprising:
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generating a user interface via which an administrative user may assign zero or more allowed access levels to the administrative user and/or other users that may use the set-top box;
generating a user interface via which the administrative user may select a title for which access control is to be applied;
generating a user interface via which the administrative user may assign an access level to the title; and
implementing a control access scheme that enables a user to view content corresponding to the title if the user has been has been assigned an allowed access level corresponding to the access level assigned to the title. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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14. A machine-readable media having instructions stored thereon, which when executed perform the operations of:
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generating a user interface via which a user may select a title for which access control is to be applied;
generating a user interface via which the user may assign a password to the title to be entered to access the title for viewing; and
implementing a control access scheme that requires a user to enter the password assigned to the title prior to enabling the user to view content corresponding to the title.
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17. A machine-readable media having instructions stored thereon, which when executed perform the operations of:
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generating a user interface via which an administrative user may assign zero or more allowed access levels to the administrative user and/or other users that may use a set-top box;
generating a user interface via which the administrative user may select a title for which access control is to be applied;
generating a user interface via which the administrative user may assign an access level to the title; and
implementing a control access scheme that enables a user to view content corresponding to the title if the user has been has been assigned an allowed access level corresponding to the access level assigned to the title.
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Specification