System and method for regulating device use among multiple users
First Claim
1. A method for regulating selection of programming of a device, the method comprising:
- assigning at least one programming time period block to at least one user, each of the programming time period blocks defining a unique period of time that the user is uniquely authorized to select programming on the device;
receiving an identity signal from the user;
determining if the identity signal corresponds to an identity of an authorized user who is currently authorized to select programming of the device;
enabling selection of programming by the user when the identity signal corresponds to the identity of the authorized user; and
disabling selection of programming by the user when the identity signal does not correspond to the identity of the authorized user.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a system and method for regulating the viewing of a device among multiple users. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises assigning at least one programming time period block to at least one user, each of the programming time period blocks defining a unique period of time that the user is uniquely authorized to select programming on the device, receiving an identity signal from the user, determining if the identity signal corresponds to an identity of an authorized user who is currently authorized to select programming on the device, enabling selection of programming by the user when the identity signal corresponds to the identity of the authorized user, and disabling selection of programming by the user when the identity signal does not correspond to the identity of the authorized user.
-
Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A method for regulating selection of programming of a device, the method comprising:
-
assigning at least one programming time period block to at least one user, each of the programming time period blocks defining a unique period of time that the user is uniquely authorized to select programming on the device;
receiving an identity signal from the user;
determining if the identity signal corresponds to an identity of an authorized user who is currently authorized to select programming of the device;
enabling selection of programming by the user when the identity signal corresponds to the identity of the authorized user; and
disabling selection of programming by the user when the identity signal does not correspond to the identity of the authorized user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
21. A system for regulating selection of programming of a device, comprising:
-
a programming schedule that specifies at least one programming time period block for each of a plurality of users, each of the programming time period blocks defining a unique period of time that one user is authorized to select programming of the device;
a user interface configured to receive an identity signal from the one user; and
a processor configured to determine if the identity signal corresponds to an identity of an authorized user who is currently authorized to select programming of the device and further configured to enable selection of programming by the one user only when the identity signal corresponds to the identity of the authorized user. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 35)
-
-
36. A system for regulating the selection of programming of a device, comprising:
-
means for receiving a programming schedule, the programming schedule specifying at least one programming time period block to each of a plurality of users, each of the programming time period blocks defining a unique period of time that the corresponding user is authorized to select programming on the device;
means for receiving an identity signal from one user;
means for determining if the identity signal corresponds to an identity of an authorized user who is currently authorized to select programming of the device; and
means for enabling selection of programming by the one user only when the identity signal corresponds to the identity of the authorized user. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. A computer-readable medium having a program for regulating selection of programming of a device, the program comprising logic configured to:
-
receive a programming schedule, the programming schedule specifying at least one programming time period block to each of a plurality of users, each of the programming time period blocks defining a unique period of time that a one user is authorized to select programming of the device;
receive an identity signal from the one user;
compare the identity signal with an identity of an authorized user who is currently authorized to select programming of the device;
enable selection of programming by the one user when the identity signal corresponds to the identity of the authorized, user; and
disable selection of programming by the one user when the identity signal does not correspond to the identity of the authorized user.
-
Specification