Systems and methods for accessing media content using multiple user input devices

• US 20080120635A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Services Organization Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Trimper, John, Weintraub, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,336,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44213 Monitoring of end-user related data arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4516 involving client characteristics, e.g. Set-Top-Box type, software version or amount of memory available
• 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 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children

Abstract

A system includes a media content processing subsystem and a plurality of user input devices each configured to transmit at least one command to the media content processing subsystem. Each of the user input devices also corresponds to a distinct user profile. When the media content processing subsystem receives a command from one of the user input devices, the media content processing subsystem is configured to identify the particular user input device that transmitted the command and execute the command in accordance with a user profile that corresponds to that particular user input device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a media content processing subsystem; and

a plurality of user input devices each configured to transmit at least one command to said media content processing subsystem;

wherein each of said user input devices corresponds to a distinct user profile; and

wherein, when said processing subsystem receives a command from one of said user input devices, said processing subsystem is configured to

identify said one of said user input devices; and

execute said command in accordance with a user profile corresponding to said identified one of said user input devices.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein when said processing subsystem receives another command from another of said user input devices, said processing subsystem is further configured to:

identify said another of said user input devices; and

execute said another command in accordance with a user profile corresponding to said another of said user input devices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said command comprises at least one control code selected from a set of control codes that are unique to said one of said user input devices.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said command comprises at least one control code and an identifier that is unique to said one of said user input devices.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said user profile that corresponds to said one of said user input device comprises at least one setting configured to customize an interaction between at least one user of said one of said user input devices and said processing subsystem.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said at least one setting comprises at least one of a whitelist specifying at least one accessible media content instance, a blacklist specifying at least one restriction corresponding to at least one media content instance, and at least one display setting.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said at least one display setting comprises at least one setting specifying one or more contents of a program guide graphical user interface.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing subsystem is further configured to assign said distinct user profiles to each of said user input devices.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of said user input devices comprises at least an input device configured to be used by an adult and an input device configured to be used by a minor.

10. An apparatus comprising:

a receiver configured to receive at least one command from a plurality of user input devices each corresponding to a distinct user profile; and

a processor communicatively coupled to said receiver;

wherein, when said receiver receives a command from one of said user input devices, said processor is configured to identify said one of said user input devices and execute said command in accordance with a user profile corresponding to said identified one of said user input devices.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein when said receiver receives another command from another of said user input devices, said processor is further configured to:

identify said another of said user input devices; and

execute said another command in accordance with a user profile corresponding to said another of said user input devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said command comprises at least one control code selected from a set of control codes that are unique to said one of said user input devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said command comprises at least one control code and an identifier that is unique to said one of said user input devices.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said user profile that corresponds to said one of said user input device comprises at least one setting configured to customize an interaction between at least one user of said one of said user input devices and said apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one setting comprises at least one of a whitelist specifying at least one accessible media content instance, a blacklist specifying at least one restriction corresponding to at least one media content instance, and at least one display setting.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said processor is further configured to assign said distinct user profiles to each of said user input devices.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said plurality of said user input devices comprises at least an input device configured to be used by an adult and an input device configured to be used by a minor.

18. A method comprising:

assigning a distinct user profile to each of a plurality of user input devices, said each of said user input devices being configured to transmit at least one command to a processor configured to provide access to at least one media content instance;

processing a command that is transmitted by one of said user input devices;

identifying said one of said user input devices; and

executing said command in accordance with a user profile corresponding to said identified one of said user input devices.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

processing another command that is transmitted by another of said user input devices;

identifying said another of said user input devices; and

executing said command in accordance with a user profile corresponding to said another of said user input devices.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said command comprises at least one control code selected from a set of control codes that are unique to said one of said user input devices.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said command comprises at least one control code and an identifier that is unique to said one of said user input devices.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said user profile that corresponds to said one of said user input device comprises at least one setting configured to customize an interaction between at least one user of said one of said user input devices and said processor configured to provide access to said at least one media content instance.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said at least one setting comprises at least one of a whitelist specifying at least one accessible media content instance, a blacklist specifying at least one restriction corresponding to at least one media content instance, and at least one display setting.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one display setting comprises at least one setting specifying one or more contents of a program guide graphical user interface.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality of said user input devices comprises at least an input device configured to be used by a guardian and an input device configured to be used by a ward of said guardian.