U.S. patent application number 10/732098 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for method of setting parental lock levels based on example content.
Invention is credited to Goddard, Mark D..
Application Number | 20040123135 10/732098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23843240 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040123135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goddard, Mark D. |
June 24, 2004 |
Method of setting parental lock levels based on example content
Abstract
A method of setting acceptable content rating parameters for
filtering content in a ratings-enabled media wherein the acceptable
content rating parameters delimit the threshold content ratings
levels of content that may be accessed by an information appliance
is provided. Employing the present method, a user may set the
acceptable content rating parameters of a content control system by
blocking or unblocking example content provided by the information
appliance, in order to control future access to content similar to
the example content. In this manner, specific knowledge of the
content ratings scheme employed, or the meaning of specific content
ratings used by such a scheme is not required.
Inventors: |
Goddard, Mark D.; (Dallas,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEVIN E. WEST
SUITER.WEST PC LLO
SUITE 220
14301 FNB PARKWAY
OMAHA
NE
68154-5299
US
|
Family ID: |
23843240 |
Appl. No.: |
10/732098 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10732098 |
Dec 10, 2003 |
|
|
|
09464275 |
Dec 15, 1999 |
|
|
|
6684240 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
726/27 ;
348/E7.061; 713/193 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/2353 20130101;
H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 7/163 20130101; Y10S 707/99935
20130101; H04N 21/454 20130101; H04N 21/4751 20130101; H04N 21/4542
20130101; Y10S 707/99939 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
713/200 |
International
Class: |
H04L 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of setting a threshold content rating of a content
control system based on example content for filtering content of
media provided by an information appliance, comprising: receiving
user input to block or unblock future access to content similar to
example content presented to a user; and adjusting the threshold
content rating of the content control system based on the content
rating of the example content; wherein the information appliance
compares the content rating of the example content to the threshold
rating and adjusts the threshold rating based on the comparison to
control future access to content similar to the example
content.
2. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, further comprising allowing user input to unblock future
access to content similar to the example content if the user has
authority to unblock further access to such similar content.
3. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 2, wherein determining if the user has authority to unblock
further access to content similar to the example content comprises
receiving a user identification.
4. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, further comprising determining if the user has authority
to block further access to content similar to the example
content.
5. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 4, wherein determining if the user has authority to block
further access to content similar to the example content comprises
receiving a user identification.
6. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the threshold content rating comprises at least
one user threshold content rating defining the content rating level
acceptable for a particular user, further comprising adjusting the
user threshold content rating for a particular user.
7. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the content rating is comprised of at least one
content theme rating.
8. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the media comprises television and the content
comprises television programs.
9. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the media comprises computer gaming and the
content comprises computer games.
10. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the media comprises a network and the content
comprises sites within the network.
11. The method of setting a threshold content rating as claimed in
claim 1, wherein the media comprises music and the content
comprises at least one of a song and a compilation of songs.
12. A program of instructions storable on a medium readable by an
information appliance for causing the information appliance to
execute steps for setting acceptable content rating parameters for
filtering content in a ratings enabled media based on example
content provided by the information appliance, the steps
comprising: receiving user input to block or unblock future access
to content similar to the example content presented to a user; and
adjusting the threshold content rating of the content control
system based on the content rating of the example content; wherein
the information appliance compares the content rating of the
example content to the threshold rating and adjusts the threshold
rating based on the comparison to control future access to content
similar to the example content.
13. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, further comprising determining if
the user has authority to unblock access to content similar to the
example content.
14. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 13, wherein determining if the user has
authority to unblock further access to content similar to the
example content comprises receiving a user identification.
15. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, further comprising determining if
the user has authority to block access to content similar to the
example content.
16. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 15, wherein determining if the user has
authority to block further access to content similar to the example
content comprises receiving a user identification.
17. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, wherein the threshold content rating
comprises at least one user acceptable content rating parameter
defining a threshold content rating level acceptable for a
particular user, further comprising adjusting the user acceptable
content rating parameter for a particular user.
18. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, wherein the content rating is
comprised of at least one content theme rating.
19. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, wherein the media comprises
television and the content comprises television programs.
20. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, wherein the media comprises computer
gaming and the content comprises computer games.
21. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, wherein the media comprises a
network and the content comprises sites within the network.
22. The program of instructions for setting a threshold content
rating as claimed in claim 12, wherein the media comprises music
and the content comprises sound recording.
23. An information appliance capable of setting acceptable content
rating parameters for filtering content in a ratings-enabled media
based on example content of the media, comprising: a processor for
executing a program of instructions; a memory coupled to the
processor for storing the program of instructions executable by the
processor; and a user input device suitable for receiving user
input to block or unblock communication of content similar to
example content by the information appliance; wherein the program
of instructions is capable of receiving user input to block or
unblock future access to content similar to the example content
presented to the user; and adjusting the threshold content rating
of the content control system based on the content rating of the
example content by comparing the content rating of the example
content to the threshold rating and adjusts the threshold rating
based on the comparison to control future access to content similar
to the example content.
24. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
program of instructions further determines if the user has
authority to unblock further access to content similar to the
example content.
25. The information appliance according to claim 24, wherein the
program of instructions requests entry of a user identification by
the user.
26. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
threshold content rating comprises at least one user threshold
content rating defining a threshold content rating level acceptable
for a particular user, and wherein the program of instructions
adjusts the user threshold content rating for a particular
user.
27. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
content rating is comprised of at least one content theme
rating.
28. The information appliance according to claim 23, further
comprising a display for displaying the content.
29. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
media comprises television and the content comprises television
programs.
30. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
media comprises computer gaming and the content comprises computer
games
31. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
media comprises a network and the content comprises sites within
the network.
32. The information appliance according to claim 23, wherein the
media comprises music and the content comprises a sound recording.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/464,275 filed Dec. 15, 1999, which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to content control
systems for limiting access by children to certain types of
content. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
method of setting the content rating parameters of such a system
based on content rating of example content.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The exposure of children to inappropriate material, such as
sexual content, violence, coarse language, and so forth, in media
such as television, radio, and the Internet has become a great
concern. Recent technological developments allow greater parental
control of material to which children are exposed. For example,
many televisions now include devices that decode program rating
data encoded into a program at the time it is broadcast to
selectively pass or block television programming based on the
rating level set. Similarly, software programs have been developed
that block access to Internet material containing content that may
be deemed inappropriate for young children.
[0004] Such content control technologies potentially eliminate the
need for content censorship, thus providing greater freedom of
expression for broadcasters, Web page authors, and the like, while
providing an opportunity for parents to control, even in their
absence, children's access to media content according to their own
values and child-rearing philosophy. However, because existing
content control systems place the responsibility of protecting
children from viewing inappropriate material with parents, even the
most fail-safe of parental control technologies will be of little
value if parents are unable or unwilling to exercise this
responsibility.
[0005] A major reason parents fail to effectively use existing
content control systems to block objectionable content is the
confusing nature and variety of ratings utilized by existing
ratings schemes. For example, television broadcasts may use MPAA
(Motion Picture Association of America) rating schemes having
ratings such as G, PG, PG-13, R, and/or broadcast television rating
(TV rating) schemes having ratings such as TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-Y7-FV,
TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, TV-MA. In some TV rating schemes, a "fantasy
violence" (FV) indicator may be added to the TV-Y rating, and
indicators for violence (V), sexual situations (S), language (L),
and dialog (D), may be added to each of the TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA
ratings. Similarly, DVD rating systems may employ a numbered rating
system, for example, a scale from 1-10, with associated MPAA
ratings. Internet blocking software, while not yet utilizing an
established rating system, nevertheless classify Internet material
by content themes such as course language, inappropriate sexual
content, violence, or the like. Parents may be confused by this
myriad of rating systems and may not fully understand what ratings
of such systems represent or how they are applied to the content.
Further, the type of content encompassed by the ratings of such
ratings schemes is subject to change over time as societal values
change. Thus, a rating given to existing content may in the future
become inappropriate for that content. For instance, a television
program employing a TV ratings scheme may be assigned a TV-G rating
even though it contains a limited amount of mild violence. However,
future events may dictate that exposure of children to violent
content of any kind is undesirable, and should result in such
content warranting a TV-PG rating. A parent wishing to block
content containing any violence may thus block content having
ratings equal to or exceeding TV-PG. If the television program is
thereafter rebroadcast without adjustment of its rating, the parent
may be surprised to find that the program is not blocked as
expected because of its violent content, due to its original TV-G
rating.
[0006] Because various media employ different rating schemes and
different user interfaces, and because the meaning of ratings
utilized in such schemes may change over time, user of parental
locking systems may be confusing. In some instances, a user may
believe that certain rating levels may prevent access to
objectionable subject matter when in fact such objectionable
subject matter is passed. As additional rating schemes become more
commonplace, such as electronic program guide (EPG) or DSS ratings,
digital television (DTV) ratings, Web page ratings, and the like,
it is probable that use of content control systems to filter
content will become more and more difficult because of the
confusing nature of the various ratings schemes and the lack of
knowledge of what ratings of such schemes represent.
[0007] Therefore, there exists a need for a content control system
capable of allowing a user to set acceptable content rating
parameters for filtering media content, wherein the user in not
required to have specific knowledge of the content ratings schemes
used by the media, or the meaning of content ratings within the
ratings scheme.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of
setting content rating parameters of a content control system.
Employing the present method, a user may set acceptable content
rating parameters based on the rating of example content by
blocking or unblocking the example content. The content ratings
system compares the content rating of the example content with
existing acceptable content rating parameters and adjusts the
content rating parameters accordingly. In this manner, specific
knowledge of the content ratings scheme employed, or the meaning of
specific content ratings used by the content ratings scheme, is not
required.
[0009] In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of
presenting example content having an associated content rating to a
user and receiving user input to block or unblock future access to
programs having a content rating similar to the example content.
The content control system then compares the content rating of the
example content to previously set acceptable content rating
parameters and adjusts the content rating parameters of the system
based on the comparison to block or unblock future access to the
example content and content similar to the example content.
[0010] In embodiments of the invention, the method may be
implemented as a program of instructions executable by one or more
information appliances including but not limited to digital
information appliances, information handling systems, televisions,
DVD devices, VCR devices, and the like. The program of instructions
when executed causes the information appliance to perform the steps
of the method.
[0011] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of
the invention and together with the general description, serve to
explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A detailed description of the invention may be best
understood when read in reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows the display screen of an exemplary information
appliance, wherein the display screen provides an exemplary user
interface suitable for implementing the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an information appliance
wherein the present invention is implemented as a button or switch
of a control panel disposed on the housing of an information
appliance;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of setting
acceptable content rating parameters based on example content in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate lock confirmation windows
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a lock confirmation window according to
an embodiment of the present invention accommodating multiple user
profiles; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware
architecture of an exemplary information handling system capable of
implementing the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention provides a method of setting
acceptable content rating parameters of a content control system
capable of filtering content of ratings enabled media. Employing
the present method, a user may adjust the acceptable content rating
parameters of the content control system by blocking or unblocking
example content. When such example content is blocked or unblocked,
the content control system compares the rating of the example
content with existing content rating parameters and adjusts the
content rating parameters based on the rating of the example
content. In this manner, the user may set the desired level of
filtering of content without having specific knowledge of the
content ratings scheme employed by the media, or the meaning of
specific content ratings used by the content ratings scheme.
Instead, the user need only decide whether the example content is
acceptable or unacceptable for the protected audience. When one of
two different programs having the same content rating is blocked in
one instance and the second program having the same content rating
is unblocked in another instance, the content control system can be
designed to err on the conservative side by accepting the more
stringent level of content blocking. Or, in an alternative
embodiment, the content control system can be designed to look for
patterns in the blocked and unblocked programs having similar
content ratings. Thus, a distinction may be drawn between similar
content ratings such as TV-Y, wherein TV-Y-V is deemed acceptable
for viewing by children, and TV-Y-S is deemed unacceptable.
[0020] Content rating parameters delimit the content ratings
threshold of content accessible by protected audiences. Protected
audiences include users of information appliances providing access
to the ratings enabled media who are prevented from accessing
inappropriate content by the content control system. Exemplary
ratings enabled media may include, but are not limited to,
broadcast television, cable television services, pay-per-view
services, video on demand services, digital satellite television
services, DVD, video cassette, laserdisc, radio, cable music
services, compact discs (CD), audio cassette tape, the Internet,
intranets, and the like.
[0021] In specific embodiments, acceptable content rating
parameters are often more commonly referred to by those skilled in
the art, especially when applied to television media, as "parental
lock levels" or "parental locks." However, although exemplary
embodiments of the invention will be described herein in terms of
"parental control system," "parental lock levels" or "parental
locks," it should be recognized that use of the word "parental" in
such terms is intended to encompass any other person, in addition
to parents who desire to prevent access of persons, and in
particular children to inappropriate content. Such persons may
include, but should not be limited to, administrators of computers
or networks available to the public, such as in libraries, in
church environments, on display in a retail environment, and so
forth, or persons who display content where children may be
present, such as in-flight movies displayed on an aircraft, and so
forth.
[0022] Further, although the present invention will be described
primarily in reference to television broadcast ratings (TV ratings)
and MPAA motion picture ratings, it will be recognized that the
present invention is not limited to the particular ratings systems
described below. Other ratings include, for example, DVD ratings,
electronic program guide (EPG) ratings such as Telstar, EchoStar,
or other EPG systems, digital television (DTV) ratings, or any
other ratings standards, as are now available or as may become
available in the future. Reference will now be made in detail to
presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which
are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, exemplary user interfaces of
information appliances implementing content control systems
employing the present invention are described. As shown in FIG. 1,
an exemplary user interface 100 is displayed to the user by a
display device of the information appliance. In one embodiment,
such a user interface 100 may include an on-screen control panel
102 for controlling access to media by the information appliance
(see FIG. 6). A region or window 104 of the control panel 102
contains therein display fields such as "Channel" 106 and various
control buttons or switches such as channel selection 108 &
110, volume 112 & 114, "Settings" 116 and so forth, which
function as on-screen visual representations of controls of the
information appliance or, alternately, peripheral devices attached
thereto that provide access to one or more media.
[0024] Wherein multiple media may be accessed by the information
appliance, the control panel may further provide controls for
selecting a particular media to access. In the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, these controls comprise a series of buttons 118,
120, 122, 124, 126 & 128, which, when selected, change the
contents of region or window 104 so that the controls provided
therein are suitable for controlling functions of the information
appliance and/or peripheral devices used to access the media.
Highlighting, color differentiation, or other visual indicia may be
provided to show the media selected. It will be recognized that
other means for selecting between and controlling provision of
media accessed by the information appliance may be provided,
including, but not limited to, menu hierarchies, pull down menus,
pop-up lists, radio button or check box lists, and so forth.
[0025] In accordance with the present invention, the user interface
100 further provides a control for providing an option to block or
unblock the example content provided by the information appliance.
For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, such a control is implemented in
the region or window 104 as a button 130 labeled "Block/Unblock". A
user, wishing to block or unblock example content, selects the
"Block/Unblock" button 130 to initiate adjustment of the acceptable
content rating parameters by the content control system as
described more fully herein below.
[0026] As used herein, any on-screen graphical object which is
described as a button or otherwise said to be selectable or
otherwise accessed is intended to refer to on-screen objects which
may advantageously be controlled with a pointing device such as a
mouse or other device for controlling an on-screen pointer or
cursor and generating mouse button events, although it will be
recognized that many of such objects may also be made accessible
through input via a keyboard, keypad, remote control device, or
like input device as well.
[0027] The present invention may alternately be implemented
physically as a control disposed on the housing of the information
appliance providing the content control system. For instance, as
shown in FIG. 2, an exemplary information appliance 200, in this
case peripheral device or "set-top box", includes a control panel
202 providing a user interface for controlling access of media
provided to users of the appliance 200. The control panel 202
includes various control buttons or switches such as channel
selection buttons 204 & 206, volume buttons 208 & 210,
"Settings" button 212, and so forth, which control functions of the
information appliance 200 and features of the media accessed
thereby. In accordance with the present invention, the control
panel 202 further includes a control button 214 ("Block/Unblock")
providing an option to block or unblock example content provided by
the information appliance 200. A user, wishing to block or unblock
example content, depresses the "Block/Unblock" button 214 to
initiate adjustment of the acceptable content rating parameters by
the content control system as described more fully below.
[0028] It will be recognized that user interfaces implementing the
present invention are not limited to any particular design or
layout, and that the control panels 104 & 202 of FIGS. 1 and 2
are provided merely to illustrate exemplary methods of providing
convenient user access to content control systems implementing the
present invention. Thus, any other method of accessing the content
control system to adjust the system's acceptable rating parameters
may be provided, including methods wherein access is provided via
other software applications or the information appliance's
operating system environment. For example, other control panel or
media player software interfaces may be adapted to provide access
to the generally applicable parental lock control in accordance
with the present invention. Also, the present invention may also be
implemented as a stand alone parental lock software application,
utility, or control panel.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 3, a method for adjusting the
acceptable content rating parameters of a content control system in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is
shown. The method 300 is initiated when a user requests content
[hereinafter "example content"] from a ratings enabled media at
step 302. The example content may have associated therewith a
content rating describing the nature of the content and its
appropriateness for a particular audience such as young children.
For instance, employing the user interface shown in FIG. 1, a user
may choose to view a television program by accessing the control
panel 102 and selecting the button 118 corresponding to a
television viewing application thereby displaying controls for the
application in region 104. The user may then select a channel
displaying the desired television program using channel selection
buttons 108 & 110. The selected television program may have an
associated content rating such as a TV parental guidelines rating
or an MPAA rating.
[0030] The content control system, upon receiving the user request,
determines if the example content is blocked at step 304, for
instance, because its content rating exceeds the rating threshold
delineated by previously set acceptable content rating parameters
of the content control system. For example, wherein the user has
chosen to view a television program, that program's MPAA or TV
rating may exceed a previously set parental lock level. Thus,
wherein the television program has an associated TV rating of TV-PG
and the parental lock level is set so that all television programs
having TV ratings equaling or exceeding TV-PG (i.e., TV-PG, TV-14,
and TV-MA ratings) are blocked, an example television program
having a TV-PG, TV-14, or TV-MA rating would be blocked while a
television program having a TV-Y, TV-Y7 or TV-G rating would
not.
[0031] If the example content is blocked, the content control
system may allow access to the example content at step 306 by
authorized users. In exemplary embodiments, such an authorized user
may enter an access code, password or the like to access the
blocked content. Thus, in the forgoing example, where the example
television program is blocked, an authorized user, such as a
parent, may view the program by entering his or her password.
However, unauthorized viewers, such as children, who do not possess
the necessary password could not.
[0032] Features designed to prevent tampering with the content
control system to gain unauthorized access to content may also be
included. For example, if incorrect passwords are entered a
predetermined number of times, the system may be instructed to
disable access to the media, preferably via a user selectable
parameter. As an alternative, or addition, to barring all access to
the media, attempts to breach the system may be reported to
authorized users such as parents in the form of a data file, pop up
message, and so forth.
[0033] Initially, the acceptable content rating parameters may be
set either manually or through previous use of the present
invention. For example, during initial use of the information
appliance the acceptable content rating parameters may be set so
that all content is passed, that is, no content provided by the
appliance is blocked. The first time the user blocks example
content, the acceptable content rating parameters of the content
control system would be set to the content rating of the example
content. As the user thereafter accesses additional example
content, he or she may selectively block and unblock the content
based on its subject matter adjusting the acceptable content rating
parameters of the system. In this manner the acceptable content
rating parameters could be adjusted or "fine tuned" to provide the
desired level of filtering in a relatively short period.
Alternately, the acceptable content rating parameters may be set by
entering the acceptable content rating parameters of the content
control system manually. A parental control system allowing such
manual entry is described in commonly owned U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/375,692 filed Aug. 17, 1999 by Gary E. Sullivan et al.,
which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0034] Again referring to FIG. 3, if the example content is not
blocked at step 304, or, alternately, the user accesses the example
content, for instance, by entering an access code or password at
step 306, the content control system allows the information
appliance to provide the example content to the user at step 308.
The user, upon examining the example content provided at step 308,
may then decide to block content similar to the example content if
it were unblocked or unblock the content similar to the example
content if it was inappropriately blocked. Consequently, the user
may command the content control system to block or unblock content
similar to the example media at step 310.
[0035] For example, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the user may select (or
depress) the "Block/Unblock" buttons 130 & 214 provided by user
interfaces 100 & 200. To prevent tampering with the content
control system by members of the protected audience, exemplary
embodiments may allow only authorized persons, for instance
parents, library administrators, teachers, or the like to block
and/or unblock content. For example, an authorized user may be
required to enter an access code, password or the like to unblock
blocked content.
[0036] Preferably, the user commands the content control system to
block or unblock the example content at any time during or after
accessing (e.g., viewing or listening to) the content, provided
additional example content has not been requested. However, in a
more flexible embodiment, the content control system may store the
identification and content rating of example content provided to
the user. In this manner, the user may thereafter choose to block
or unblock that content, for instance, after viewing additional
content, or before turning off the information appliance providing
the content by recalling the identification of the example content
from the memory whereupon the content control system may be
commanded to block or unblock content similar to the example
content. Similarly, in one embodiment, the present invention may
allow the user to block or unblock example content without first
viewing the content. For example, the user may have prior knowledge
of the example content and may wish to adjust the acceptable
content rating parameters so content similar to the example content
is blocked or unblocked without again viewing the content.
[0037] If the user chooses to block or unblock content similar to
the example content at step 310, the acceptable content rating
parameters are adjusted, at step 312, based on the content rating
of the example content. The content control system compares the
content rating of the example content to the existing acceptable
content rating parameters and modifies the acceptable content
rating parameters based on the comparison. The acceptable content
rating parameters may then be used to provide a content rating
threshold for blocking future access to the example content and any
content having ratings similar to the example content.
[0038] In further examples of the present invention, the content
control system may utilize multiple acceptable content rating
parameters providing content rating thresholds for media using
different rating schemes. When a user views example content in a
first media using a first rating scheme and blocks or unblocks the
example content causing the system to adjust the acceptable content
rating parameter for that media, the acceptable content ratings
parameters for media using other ratings schemes may also be
adjusted accordingly. This adjustment may be accomplished, in one
embodiment, by equating ratings of the various rating schemes
utilized by the media. For instance, wherein the media is
television employing both the TV parental guideline and MPAA
ratings schemes, a TV rating of TV-G may be equated to an MPAA
rating of G, a TV rating of TV-PG may be equated to an MPAA rating
of PG, and so forth. However, it will be appreciated that the
ratings used by one ratings scheme may not necessarily correspond
one for one with the ratings used by a second ratings scheme. In
such cases, a given rating in one scheme may usually be equated to
a more restrictive rating in a second scheme. Thus, in the
proceeding example, a TV-rating of TV-14 may be equated to the
slightly more restrictive MPAA rating of PG-13, while a TV-rating
of TV-MA may be equated to the more restrictive MPAA rating of R.
Thus, wherein an information appliance is capable of accessing
multiple media, for example, television, DVD movies, VCR movies,
the Internet, and the like, a user may adjust the acceptable
content rating parameters for each media based on example content
of any one media even though each of the media may employ different
ratings schemes.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4A, 4B and 5, an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein the media is
television. In such an embodiment, the information appliance may
include a television tuner employing a content control system more
commonly referred to in the art as a "parental control system" for
filtering content provided by the information appliance. When a
user such as a parent has requested a television program, and that
program is not blocked by the parental control system, the
information appliance is capable of displaying the television
program within a television viewer region or window of the user
interface. The parent, upon viewing the program, may decide that
the program contains subject matter that is inappropriate for a
protected audience, such as young children. For instance, the
television program may contain graphic violence or sexual themes to
which the parent does not want his or her children exposed.
[0040] Consequently, the parent may wish to block access to the
television program and other television programs having similar
content. As shown in FIG. 1, the parent selects the "Block/Unblock"
button 130 provided in region 104 thereby commanding the parental
control system to block the example television program.
Alternately, if the parent has requested a television program, and
that program is blocked by the parental control system, the parent
may enter a password to override the block and view the program.
The information appliance may then display the television program
within the television viewer region or window 132 of the user
interface 100. If the parent thereafter determines that the
television program was inappropriately blocked, depressing the
"Block/Unblock" button 130 will unblock the television program and
all similar programs. Again, as discussed more fully above, in
exemplary embodiments, the parent may select the "Block[Unblock"
button 130 at any time after selecting the television program;
i.e., prior to or instead of viewing the program, while viewing of
the program, or after viewing the program.
[0041] When the parent selects the "Block/Unblock" button 130, the
information appliance compares the existing acceptable content
rating parameters to the rating of the television program and
adjusts them accordingly. For example, wherein the television
parental control system utilizes the standard TV parental guideline
rating scheme, the acceptable content rating level, more commonly
referred to as the "parental lock level" may be set at TV-14. The
parent viewing a television program having a TV-PG rating may
decide that the content of the television program is not acceptable
for viewing by audiences including younger children. The
information appliance, upon receiving user input to block or
unblock the television program via selection of the "Block/Unblock
button 130, compares the existing parental lock level (TV-14) with
the rating of the example program (TV-PG). Since the existing
parental lock level is less restrictive than the rating of the
example program (TV-PG), the information appliance adjusts the
parental lock level to equal the content rating of the television
program. In this case, the parental lock level is adjusted from
TV-14 to TV-Pg. Thereafter, all television programs having content
ratings equal to or exceeding TV-PG would be blocked by the
parental control system.
[0042] Similarly, a parent viewing a blocked television program,
for example, a television program having a TV-G rating wherein the
parental lock level is set at TV-Y, may find that the program is
not objectionable and is therefore inappropriately blocked. The
parent may unblock the television program by selecting the
"Block/Unblock" button 130 whereupon the information appliance
compares the existing parental lock level (TV-Y) with the rating of
the example program (TV-G). Since the existing parental lock level
is more restrictive than the rating of the television program
(TV-G), the information appliance adjusts the parental lock level
to equal the rating of the television program, that is the parental
lock level is adjusted from TV-Y to TV-PG. Thus, only television
programs having content ratings equal to or exceeding TV-PG would
be blocked by the parental control system, whereas programs with
TV-G, now deemed acceptable, would no longer be blocked.
[0043] In exemplary embodiments of the invention, when the user
selects the "Block/Unblock" button 130, a request for confirmation
of the selection may be provided to the user before adjusting the
acceptable parental lock levels of the parental control system.
Thus, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the information appliance may
display a parental lock confirmation region or window over the
television viewing window for requesting confirmation that the user
wishes to block or unblock television programs similar to the
program being viewed. The confirmation window 400 may include a
button ("OK") 402, which when depressed, confirms the original
selection of the "Block/Unblock" button 130 (FIG. 1). Likewise, a
second button ("Cancel") 404 may be provided allowing the user to
cancel his or her selection of the "Block/Unblock" button 130 and
return to the television viewing window 132 without adjusting the
parental lock levels. Additionally, a button ("Settings") 406 may
be provided for allowing the user to access the content control
system settings, to, for example, view the existing acceptable
content rating parameters.
[0044] If the television program was unblocked, selection of the
"Block/Unblock" button 130 (FIG. 1) will adjust the parental
control system's parental lock levels so as to block the television
program and television programs having similar content. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 4A, the confirmation window 400 displays a request
("Block this program and all programs having similar content?") 408
that the user confirm that he or she wishes the example program and
all programs having similar content to be blocked in the future.
Alternately, if the user determines that the example program was
inappropriately blocked, depressing the "Block/Unblock" button 130
(FIG. 1) will unblock the example program and all similar programs.
Thus, as shown in FIG. 4B, the confirmation window 400 would
provide a request ("Unblock this program and all programs having
similar content?") 410 asking the user to confirm that the example
program and allow programs having similar content are to be
unblocked. The confirmation window 400 may further include a field
412 requiring the user to enter a password to prevent tampering
with the parental control system by members of the protected
audience.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, multiple user
profiles may be created and stored for individual users or groups
of users. Each user profile may have individual acceptable content
rating parameters set specifically for that user or group of users.
Thus, a young child may have more restrictive acceptable content
rating parameters than would a teen-aged child, who may, in turn,
have more restrictive acceptable content rating parameters than
would an adult. Likewise, a user group consisting of children may
have more restrictive acceptable content rating parameters than a
user group consisting of parents.
[0046] An authorized user, such as a parent, may generate user
profiles by entering a user identification for each user via the
user interface and thereafter adjusting the acceptable content
rating parameters for that user base on example content. Each user
would thereafter enter his or her user identification via the user
interface to access content via the information appliance.
Alternately, in one embodiment, personal remote control devices for
specific users may be provided and associated with a specific user
profile stored in the system. In this manner, the system can
identify the remote control device used, determine the user
associated with the identified remote control device, and apply the
parental locks to each device according to the user profile
associated with the remote control device.
[0047] An exemplary confirmation region or window for a multiple
user profile embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. When an authorized
user, such as a parent ("Mom") selects the "Block/Unblock" button
130 (see FIG. 1), the confirmation window 500 is displayed by the
information appliance, for example, over the television viewing
window 132. The confirmation window 500 allows the authorized user
to adjust the parental lock levels of the parental control system
for each user or group of users. For instance, in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, a field 502 may be provided allowing the
authorized user ("Mom") to select users (e.g., "Dad", "Mom",
"Mark", "Sarah", "Stephen") and/or groups of users (e.g., "All",
"Children") for which for which television programs similar to the
television program currently being viewed are to be blocked in the
future. The parental lock levels for that user or group of users
are then adjusted in accordance with the present invention by
comparing the rating of the television program with the existing
parental lock levels for that user or group of users and adjusting
the parental lock levels accordingly. The confirmation screen 500
may also provide a way of indicating which users or user groups
have been selected for adjustment. For instance, in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, indicia 504, in this case a representation of a
lock, are displayed adjacent to the user's or group's name to
indicate that that user has been selected for blocking of programs
similar to the example television program. The confirmation window
500 may further include fields 506 & 508 requiring the user to
enter a user identification, for example, a user name and password
to verify that the user making the changes is authorized to do
so.
[0048] In a further exemplary embodiment, the acceptable content
rating parameters may also be set according to content theme,
wherein the ratings scheme allows content of the media to be
distinguished according to content theme. Thus, a user viewing
content such as a television program may determine that specific
content themes presented by the program, such as for example,
nudity and sexual content, are objectionable. As a result, the user
may wish to block the example program and other programs having
content themes similar to the objectionable themes in the example
program. For example, wherein the media is television, each
television program may utilize TV Parental Guideline rating scheme
ratings (TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, TV-PG, TV-14, TV-MA) that further
include content theme indicators such as a "fantasy violence" (FV)
indicator that may be added to the TV-Y rating, and indicators for
violence (V), sexual situations (S), language (L), and dialog (D),
may be added to each of the TV-PG, TV-14, and TV-MA ratings. The
content control system, in this case a parental control system, may
store these indicators as part of its parental lock levels to block
specific television programs containing unacceptable themes. Thus,
in one embodiment, the parental lock levels may be set to TV-PG-V,
TV-14-L, and TV-G-S so that television programs having ratings
equal to or exceeding TV-PG for violence, TV-14 for language,
and/or TV-G for sexual situations are blocked.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, to adjust parental lock levels for a
specific user or group of users, an authorized user such as a
parent ("Mom") may first select a user profile, in this case a
child identified as "Sarah" 510, and then select content of the
example program that is objectionable for that user, i.e.,
"Language", "Nudity", "Adult Theme" from field 512. The parent may
select content themes of the example program to be blocked or
passed for each user profile to be adjusted. The parent may then
select the "OK" button 514 whereupon the parental lock levels for
the altered user profiles are adjusted accordingly. In this manner,
television programs having content theme ratings similar to the
content theme ratings of the example television program for the
content themes found to be objectionable are blocked. As an
additional means of parental control, the parent may be given the
option of completely blocking certain themes, such as violence,
regardless of the content theme rating of a given program. This
feature would override the block/unblock access determined via the
selection of example content of the present invention. Alternately,
the parent may select the "Cancel" button 516 to cancel his or her
changes and return to the television window 132 without adjusting
the parental lock levels. Additionally, a button ("Settings") 518
may be provided for allowing the user to access the content control
system settings for each user profile, to, for example, view the
existing parental lock levels.
[0050] The present invention may be adapted for further
enhancements in what is sure to be an ever-increasing technology.
As advancements in media technologies are made and as mass storage
capabilities are increased, it is likely that a further
proliferation of content control standards will occur. For example,
rather than rating entire movies or programs, ratings of some
materials, and thus the application of content rating parameters,
may involve blocking of individual scenes rather than entire
programs or movies. Likewise, as sufficiently large random access
mass storage devices become available (or where transmission
bandwidth would permit), content control devices may involve scene
replacement technology. For example, a movie, which with the
exception of certain scenes may otherwise may be acceptable for
most viewers, may be stored (or broadcast) with alternative scenes
containing different levels of violence, language, sex, acceptable
for different age levels. As such, a content control system may
provide the option of allowing playback with acceptably rated
scenes substituted for the original scenes. The present invention
may be adapted to such standards as they may occur by providing a
means of easily adjusting the content ratings parameters for such
content control systems.
[0051] Although the invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it should be recognized that elements
thereof may be altered by persons skilled in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is
understood that the specific orders or hierarchies of steps in the
method as disclosed in FIG. 3 are examples of an exemplary
approach. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the
specific order or hierarchy of the method can be rearranged while
remaining within the scope of the present invention. The
accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in
a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific
order or hierarchy presented.
[0052] The present invention may be implemented as sets of
instructions resident in memory of one or more information
appliances configured generally as described in FIG. 6. For
example, in an exemplary embodiment, the present invention may be
implemented as an ancillary program of instructions or "plug in"
for a parental control system application employed by the
information appliance. Until required by the information appliance,
the set of instructions may be stored in another readable memory
device, for example in a hard disk drive or in a removable memory
such as an optical disk for utilization in a CD-ROM drive, a floppy
disk for utilization in a floppy disk drive, a floptical disk for
utilization in a floptical drive, a personal computer memory card
for utilization in a personal computer card slot, or the like.
Further, the set of instructions can be stored in the memory of
another information appliance and transmitted over a local area
network or a wide area network, such as the Internet, an intranet,
or the like, when desired by the user. Additionally, the
instructions may be transmitted over a network in the form of an
applet that is interpreted or compiled after transmission to the
computer system rather than prior to transmission. One skilled in
the art would appreciate that the physical storage of the sets of
instructions or applets physically changes the medium upon which it
is stored electrically, magnetically, chemically, physically,
optically or holographically so that the medium carries computer
readable information.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 6, a hardware system in accordance
with the present invention is shown. The hardware system 600 shown
in FIG. 6 is generally representative of the hardware architecture
of an information appliance suitable for implementing the present
invention. In one embodiment, the hardware system 600 may comprise
a convergence system, PC/TV system or the like, so named because
such systems represent the convergence of computer and consumer
electronics into a single system. Alternately, the hardware system,
or portions thereof, may be part of an information appliance
providing a specific media. Examples of such appliances include
televisions, VCR devices, DVD devices, Web TV devices, satellite
receivers, cable boxes and the like.
[0054] The hardware system 600 is controlled by a central
processing system 602. The central processing system 602 includes a
central processing unit such as a microprocessor or microcontroller
for executing programs, performing data manipulations and
controlling the tasks of the hardware system 600. Communication
with the central processor 602 is implemented through a system bus
610 for transferring information among the components of the
hardware system 600. The bus 610 may include a data channel for
facilitating information transfer between storage and other
peripheral components of the hardware system. The bus 610 further
provides the set of signals required for communication with the
central processing system 602 including a data bus, address bus,
and control bus. The bus 610 may comprise any state of the art bus
architecture according to promulgated standards, for example
industry standard architecture (ISA), extended industry standard
architecture (EISA), Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), peripheral
component interconnect (PCD) local bus, standards promulgated by
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (GPIB), IEEE
696/S-100, and so on. Other components of the hardware system 600
include main memory 604, and auxiliary memory 605. The hardware
system 600 may further include an auxiliary processing system 608
as required. The main memory 604 provides storage of instructions
and data for programs executing on the central processing system
602. The main memory 604 is typically semiconductor-based memory
such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or static random
access memory (SRAM). Other semi-conductor-based memory types
include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory
(SDRAM), Rambus dynamic random access memory (RDRAM), ferroelectric
random access memory (FRAM), and so on. The auxiliary memory 605
provides storage of instructions and data that are loaded into the
main memory 604 before execution. The auxiliary memory 605 may
include semiconductor based memory such as read-only memory (ROM),
programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable
read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable read-only memory
(EEPROM), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to
EEPROM). The auxiliary memory 605 may also include a variety of
non-semiconductor-based memories, including but not limited to
magnetic tape, drum, floppy disk, hard disk, optical, laser disk,
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), write once compact disc
(CD-R), rewritable compact disc (CD-RW), digital versatile disc
read-only memory (DVD-ROM), write once DVD (DVD-R), rewritable
digital versatile disc (DVD-RAM), etc. Other varieties of memory
devices are contemplated as well. The hardware system 600 may
optionally include an auxiliary processing system 608 which may be
an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary
processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a
digital signal processor (a special-purpose microprocessor having
an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing
algorithms), a back-end processor (a slave processor subordinate to
the main processing system), an additional microprocessor or
controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a
coprocessor. It will be recognized that such auxiliary processors
may be discrete processors or may be built in to the main
processor.
[0055] The hardware system 600 further includes a display system
612 for connecting to a display device 614, and an input/output
(I/O) system 616 for connecting to one or more I/O devices 618,
620, and up to N number of I/O devices 622. The display system 612
may comprise a video display adapter having all of the components
for driving the display device, including video memory, buffer, and
graphics engine as desired. Video memory may be, for example, video
random access memory (VRAM), synchronous graphics random access
memory (SGRAM), windows random access memory (WRAM), and the like.
The display device 614 may comprise a cathode ray-tube (CRT) type
display such as a monitor or television, or may comprise an
alternative type of display technology such as a projection-type
display, liquid-crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode (LED)
display, gas or plasma display, electroluminescent display, vacuum
fluorescent display, cathodoluminescent (field emission) display,
plasma-addressed liquid crystal (PALC) display, high gain emissive
display (HGED), and so forth. The input/output system 616 may
comprise one or more controllers or adapters for providing
interface functions between the one or more I/O devices 618-622.
For example, the input/output system 616 may comprise a serial
port, parallel port, universal serial bus (USB) port, IEEE 1394
serial bus port, infrared port, network adapter, printer adapter,
radio-frequency (RF) communications adapter, universal asynchronous
receiver-transmitter (UART) port, etc., for interfacing between
corresponding I/O devices such as a keyboard, mouse, trackball,
touchpad, joystick, trackstick, infrared transducers, printer,
modem, RF modem, bar code reader, charge-coupled device (CCD)
reader, scanner, compact disc (CD), compact disc read-only memory
(CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), video capture device, TV
tuner card, touch screen, stylus, electroacoustic transducer,
microphone, speaker, audio amplifier, etc. The input/output system
616 and I/O devices 618-622 may provide or receive analog or
digital signals for communication between the hardware system 600
of the present invention and external devices, networks, or
information sources. The input/output system 616 and I/O devices
618-622 preferably implement industry promulgated architecture
standards, including Ethernet IEEE 802 standards (e.g., IEEE 802.3
for broadband and baseband networks, IEEE 802.3z for Gigabit
Ethernet, IEEE 802.4 for token passing bus networks, IEEE 802.5 for
token ring networks, IEEE 802.6 for metropolitan area networks, and
so on), Fibre Channel, digital subscriber line (DSL), asymmetric
digital subscriber line (ASDL), frame relay, asynchronous transfer
mode (ATM), integrated digital services network (ISDN), personal
communications services (PCS), transmission control
protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), serial line Internet
protocol/point to point protocol (SLIP/PPP), and so on. It should
be appreciated that modification or reconfiguration of the hardware
system 600 of FIG. 6 by one having ordinary skill in the art would
not depart from the scope or the spirit of the present
invention.
[0056] The description above should not be construed as limiting
the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations
to some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.
In light of the above description and examples, various other
modifications and variations will now become apparent to those
skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined solely
by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *