Remote control with content management
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote control unit, comprising:
- a processor;
a local display;
a transmitter operable to communicate with a modem; and
a memory including;
a stored plurality of profiles, each of the plurality of profiles associated with a corresponding content set and identified with a user profile name and a display icon; and
instructions, executable by the processor, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including;
displaying an interface including a synchronization control, a local control, and a search control;
setting a current content set as one of a plurality of content sets corresponding to the plurality of profiles;
prompting the modem to display a first predetermined content set; and
requesting first content from the modem, the first content allowed by the current content set;
responsive to assertion of the synchronization control, synchronizing a set of profiles stored on the modem with the plurality of profiles stored in the memory;
responsive to assertion of the local control;
disabling the transmitter; and
displaying commands, user profile data, and content sets on the local display; and
responsive to assertion of the search control;
requesting a search for an object selected from;
a profile; and
a menu; and
displaying a result of the search;
wherein the search is performed and the result is displayed;
locally when the local control is selected; and
remotely when the local control is not selected.
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Abstract
A remote control unit includes stored user profiles to facilitate and possibly limit access to media content. In some embodiments, a biometric sensor or smart card reader provides user authentication to access stored user profiles. User profiles are associated with content sets that include content selected for potential viewing by the user. The remote control unit is enabled for bidirectional communication with a set-top box or modem that permits access to media content from a bidirectional service provider network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A remote control unit, comprising:
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a processor; a local display; a transmitter operable to communicate with a modem; and a memory including; a stored plurality of profiles, each of the plurality of profiles associated with a corresponding content set and identified with a user profile name and a display icon; and instructions, executable by the processor, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including; displaying an interface including a synchronization control, a local control, and a search control; setting a current content set as one of a plurality of content sets corresponding to the plurality of profiles; prompting the modem to display a first predetermined content set; and requesting first content from the modem, the first content allowed by the current content set; responsive to assertion of the synchronization control, synchronizing a set of profiles stored on the modem with the plurality of profiles stored in the memory; responsive to assertion of the local control; disabling the transmitter; and displaying commands, user profile data, and content sets on the local display; and responsive to assertion of the search control; requesting a search for an object selected from;
a profile; and
a menu; anddisplaying a result of the search; wherein the search is performed and the result is displayed;
locally when the local control is selected; and
remotely when the local control is not selected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer readable memory device, including:
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a stored plurality of profiles, each of the plurality of profiles associated with a corresponding content set and identified with a user profile name and a display icon; and processor executable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including; displaying, by a remote control unit, an interface including a synchronization control, a local control, and a search control; setting a current content set as one of a plurality of content sets corresponding to the plurality of profiles; prompting a modem to display a first predetermined content set; and requesting first content from the modem, the first content allowed by the current content set; responsive to assertion of the synchronization control, synchronizing a set of profiles stored on the modem with the stored plurality of profiles; responsive to assertion of the local control; disabling a transmitter; and displaying commands, user profile data, and content sets on a local display; and responsive to assertion of the search control; requesting a search for an object selected from; a profile; and a menu; and displaying a result of the search; wherein the search is performed and the result is displayed; locally when the local control is selected; and remotely when the local control is not selected. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A remote control method, comprising:
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displaying, by a remote control, an interface including a synchronization control, a local control, and a search control; setting a current content set as one of a plurality of content sets corresponding to a plurality of profiles, wherein each of the plurality of profiles is associated with a corresponding content set and identified with a user profile name and a display icon; prompting a modem to display a first predetermined content set; and requesting first content from the modem, the first content allowed by the current content set; responsive to assertion of the synchronization control, synchronizing a set of profiles stored on the modem with a plurality of profiles stored in a remote control memory; responsive to assertion of the local control; disabling a transmitter; and displaying commands, user profile data, and content sets on a local display; and responsive to assertion of the search control; requesting a search for an object selected from; a profile; and a menu; and displaying a result of the search; wherein the search is performed and the result is displayed; locally when the local control is selected; and remotely when the local control is not selected. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification