Method of controlling multi-user access to the functionality of consumer devices

• US 6,906,696 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rakuten, Inc. (Rakuten Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Research Investment Network Incorporated
• Inventors: Allport, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jimmy H.
• Application Number:
  US09/874,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20010030644A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173, 348/552, 348/734, 283 67- 70, 283 74- 78, 382/115, 382/124, 382/128
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/37 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/04 Display protection
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• 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 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• 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 21/4661 Deriving a combined profile for a plurality of end-users of the same client, e.g. for family members within a home user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children

Abstract

Methods are described whereby multiple users can swap a controller of consumer devices between themselves frequently, whilst each retains the ability to reinstate their own customized controller interface through a quick and simple yet secure log-on procedure. Stored data accessible to the controller is used to automatically upon log-on return a user to a system state associated with that user, which is typically the system state of the controller that existed the last time the user logged on thereto. The log-on procedure may include fingerprint and/or voice recognition. Additionally, time-out algorithms wherein the controller automatically shuts down and/or logs-off the current user as a security measure to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access thereto, may take into account factors other than merely the amount of time that has passed during which there has been no activity.

Claims

1. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user.

2. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user and wherein said bio-metric inputs of said first and second users are voice inputs.

3. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user and wherein said bio-metric inputs of said first and second users are fingerprint inputs.

4. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user and wherein said bio-metric inputs of said first and second users are retinal scans.

5. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user and wherein said bio-metric inputs of said first and second users are signature based inputs.

6. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user and wherein said bio-metric inputs of said first and second users are means for uniquely identifying a user.

7. A method for accessing a device comprising:

providing a controller having a bio-metric input component;

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of said controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a first user entered into said bio-metric input component; and

providing access to the functionality of one or more devices by use of the controller, said access being dependent upon bio-metric input of a second user entered into said bio-metric input component, said bio-metric input of the second user being entered after said bio-metric input of the first user,

wherein said controller is programmed to present the second user upon log-on thereto, a state substantially similar to or the same as a previous state that was in effect at the end of a previous use of the controller by the second user and wherein said bio-metric inputs of said first and second users are facial inputs.