Multiple user profile remote control
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling access to and display of television programming, comprising:
- a television receiver, comprising a display;
a first remote control device for requesting programming to be transmitted to the display by the television receiver, wherein the first remote control device includes a unique identifier in the signal sent to the television receiver when programming is selected using the first remote control device, wherein the first remote control device further comprises user profile data for controlling television programming by the first remote control device, wherein the user profile data is customizable by a user;
a memory for storing program control data, wherein the program control data comprises programming restrictions associated with the unique identifying signal of the first remote control device;
a processor electrically connected to the television receiver and the memory, the processor for processing programming requests sent by the first remote control device; and
a second remote control device for requesting programming to be transmitted to the display by the television receiver, wherein the second remote control device includes a unique identifier in the signal sent to the television receiver When programming is selected using the second remote control device, and wherein the program control data stored in the memory further comprises programming restrictions associated with the unique identifying signal of each of the first and second remote control devices, and wherein the processor processes programming requests sent by each of the first and second remote control devices.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling access to television programming uses a remote control device. The remote control device contains program control data which limits the viewer'"'"'s access to television programming. The program control data is created and modified by a user with the master control user id assigned to the remote control device. The remote control device is optionally assigned one or more user ids for creating, maintaining, and in one embodiment activating a user-customizable profile which controls programming access according to the users preferences. The program control data, user profile data, and related circuitry is stored in the remote control device, or alternatively in the television receiver or a control device attached to the television receiver. Where the circuitry is not in the remote control devices the remote control device has a unique identifying signal which causes the programning control circuitry to employ the program control data and user profile data associated with that particular remote control device.
460 Citations
2 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling access to and display of television programming, comprising:
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a television receiver, comprising a display;
a first remote control device for requesting programming to be transmitted to the display by the television receiver, wherein the first remote control device includes a unique identifier in the signal sent to the television receiver when programming is selected using the first remote control device, wherein the first remote control device further comprises user profile data for controlling television programming by the first remote control device, wherein the user profile data is customizable by a user;
a memory for storing program control data, wherein the program control data comprises programming restrictions associated with the unique identifying signal of the first remote control device;
a processor electrically connected to the television receiver and the memory, the processor for processing programming requests sent by the first remote control device; and
a second remote control device for requesting programming to be transmitted to the display by the television receiver, wherein the second remote control device includes a unique identifier in the signal sent to the television receiver When programming is selected using the second remote control device, and wherein the program control data stored in the memory further comprises programming restrictions associated with the unique identifying signal of each of the first and second remote control devices, and wherein the processor processes programming requests sent by each of the first and second remote control devices.
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2. A method for controlling access to and display of television programming, comprising:
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requesting programming to be transmitted to a display by a television receiver, wherein the requesting is performed by a first remote control device, wherein the first remote control device includes a unique identifier in a signal sent to the television receiver when programming is selected using the first remote control device, wherein the first remote control device further comprises user profile data for controlling television programming by the first remote control device, wherein the user profile data is customizable by a user;
storing program control data in a memory, wherein the program control data comprises programming restrictions associated with the unique identifying signal of the first remote control device;
processing programming requests sent by the first remote control device, wherein the processing is performed by a processor electrically connected to the television receiver and the memory; and
requesting programming to be transmitted to the display by the television receiver, wherein the requesting is performed by a second remote control device, wherein the second remote control device includes a unique identifier in the signal sent to the television receiver when programming is selected using the second remote control device, and wherein the program control data stored in the memory further comprises programming restrictions associated with the unique identifying signal of each of the first and second remote control devices, and wherein the processor processes programming requests sent by each of the first and second remote control devices.
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Specification