U.S. patent application number 13/831052 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-24 for remote control with user profile capability.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Instrument Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is General Instrument Corporation. Invention is credited to Nicolas Lhuillier, Samir N. Mehta, Joon Young Park.
Application Number | 20140115628 13/831052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39585978 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140115628 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Joon Young ; et
al. |
April 24, 2014 |
Remote Control with User Profile Capability
Abstract
A control unit (101), such as a remote control device, includes
a profile selector (104). The profile selector (104), which may be
a single profile selector button integrated into the side or top of
a remote control, allows quick and simple selection of an operating
mode or user profile. The control unit (101) includes an indicator
(107) that provides indicia of the currently selected mode or
profile. Examples of indicators include multicolored lights and
display devices. Where multicolored lights are used as the
indicator (107), actuation of the profile selector (104) causes the
indicator (107) to change from a first color to a second color.
Inventors: |
Park; Joon Young;
(Libertyville, IL) ; Lhuillier; Nicolas;
(Versailles, FR) ; Mehta; Samir N.; (Hawthorn
Woods, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Instrument Corporation; |
|
|
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Instrument
Corporation
Horsham
PA
|
Family ID: |
39585978 |
Appl. No.: |
13/831052 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11616811 |
Dec 27, 2006 |
8421931 |
|
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13831052 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4221 20130101;
H04N 21/41265 20200801; H04N 21/42222 20130101; H04N 21/42204
20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; G08C 2201/61 20130101; H04N
21/4755 20130101; H04N 21/485 20130101; H04N 21/42206 20130101;
G08C 2201/31 20130101; H04N 21/4751 20130101; H04N 21/42208
20130101; G08C 17/00 20130101; G08C 2201/33 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/37 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/485 20060101
H04N021/485 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. The system of claim 33, wherein the first electronic device
comprises a mode selection module configured to indicate, in the
user interface, a mode selection status to a user.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first electronic device
further comprises a second receiver for video signals, the system
further comprising a video display communicatively coupled to a
processor of the first electronic device, wherein the mode
selection status comprises visual indicia presented on the video
display.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the visual indicia comprises at
least a mode name and one or more mode characteristic information
indicia.
23. The system of claim 33, further comprising the second
electronic device, wherein: the second electronic device comprises
the transceiver, the transceiver configured to communicate
wirelessly with the receiver of the first electronic device,
wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit a mode
change signal to the receiver responsively to the profile change
message, thereby causing the visual indicator of the first
electronic device to change appearance.
24. The system of claim 33, wherein the first electronic device
comprises a mode creation module, wherein upon receipt of a mode
creation signal from the transmitter, the mode creation module is
actuated.
25. (canceled)
26. The system of claim 33, wherein the first electronic device
further comprises a security module configured to prompt for a
security input upon selection of the mode from the plurality of
modes.
27. An electronic control device configured for wirelessly
controlling a software application executed in a second electronic
device, wherein the software application executed in the second
electronic device has at least one user profile associated
therewith, the electronic control device comprising: a processor; a
user interface configured to display a profile selector, the
processor configured to detect actuation of the profile selector,
wherein detecting actuation comprises detecting at least a
predetermined number of actuations of a single profile selection
actuator of the user interface; a transmitter, the processor
further configured to cause the transmitter to transmit, to the
second device, a user change signal upon detecting actuation of the
profile selector; and an indicator configured to change an
appearance of the electronic control device by presenting profile
indication indicia on the electronic control device, wherein the
indicator further comprises a light source capable of emitting a
light in one of a plurality of colors; the processor further
configured, upon detecting actuation of the profile selector, to
cause the indicator to change an indicia state of the indicator
from a first indicia state to a second indicia state by changing
the light source from emitting a first color to emitting a second
color; wherein the first indicia state is a present indicia state
and the second indicia state is a default indicia state.
28. The electronic control device of claim 27, the indicator
further comprising a light pipe disposed along the electronic
control device through which the light passes.
29. The electronic control device of claim 27, wherein the single
profile selection actuator comprises a single profile selector
button.
30. A first electronic device for wirelessly controlling a software
application executed in a second electronic device, wherein the
software application executed in the second electronic device has
at least one user profile associated therewith, the first
electronic device comprising: a processor; a user interface
configured to display a selector for selecting one of a plurality
of profiles; a transceiver comprising a transmitter configured to
at least transmit a profile change signal; and an indicator having
a plurality of indicia states; the processor configured to detect
actuation of the selector, wherein detecting actuation of the
selector comprises detecting actuation of a profile selection
actuator, wherein detecting actuation of the profile selection
button comprises detecting actuation of the actuator for at least a
predetermined duration; the processor further configured to cause
the transceiver in the first electronic device to transmit a
profile change signal; the processor further configured to receive
a profile change acknowledgement; the processor further configured,
responsively to receiving the profile change acknowledgement, to
change an indicia state of the indicator from a first indicia state
to a second indicia state, wherein changing the indicia state of
the indicator occurs after the step of receiving the profile change
acknowledgement.
31. A method of selecting a user profile in a first electronic
device that comprises a user interface configured to display a
selector for selecting one of a plurality of profiles, a
transmitter configured to at least transmit a profile change
signal, and an indicator having a plurality of indicia states, the
method comprising: detecting actuation of the selector, wherein the
step of detecting actuation of the selector comprises detecting
actuation of a profile selection actuator, and wherein the step of
detecting actuation of the profile selection actuator comprises
detecting at least a predetermined number of actuations;
transmitting, by a transmitter in the first electronic device, a
profile change signal; and changing an indicia state of the
indicator from a first indicia state to a second indicia state,
wherein the step of changing the indicia state comprises the step
of changing a light source from a first color to a second color,
and further wherein the step of changing the indicia state of the
indicator comprises changing the indicia state from a present
indicia state to a default indicia state.
32. A method of selecting a user profile in a first electronic
device comprising a user interface configured to display a selector
for selecting one of a plurality of profiles, a transmitter
configured to at least transmit a profile change signal, and an
indicator having a plurality of indicia states; detecting actuation
of the selector, wherein the step of detecting actuation of the
selector comprises detecting actuation of a profile selection
actuator, wherein the step of detecting actuation of the profile
selection actuator comprises detecting actuation of the actuator
for at least a predetermined duration; transmitting, by the
transmitter in the first electronic device, a profile change
signal; receiving a profile change acknowledgement; and changing an
indicia state of the indicator from a first indicia state to a
second indicia state, wherein the step of changing the indicia
state of the indicator occurs after the step of receiving the
profile change acknowledgement.
33. A user profile selection system comprising: a first electronic
device configured to communicate with a second electronic device
having a plurality of modes of operation, wherein at least some of
the plurality of modes of operation correspond to a plurality of
user profiles, the first electronic device comprising: a user
interface configured to display a user profile selector for
receiving, from a user, a selection of at least one mode from the
plurality of modes of operation; a transmitter configured to
transmit wirelessly to a transceiver of the second electronic
device, responsively to the selection, a profile change message
associated with the selection of the at least one mode from the
plurality of modes of operation; a receiver configured to
communicate wirelessly with the transceiver of the second
electronic device; the user interface further configured to display
a visual indicator, wherein the visual indicator changes appearance
based at least on the selection of the at least one mode from the
plurality of modes of operation.
34. The system of claim 33 wherein the visual indicator changes
appearance responsively to the user interface receiving, from the
user, the selection of at least one mode.
35. The system of claim 33 wherein the visual indicator changes
appearance responsively to a mode change signal for confirming a
changed mode of operation in the second electronic device, the mode
change signal received in the receiver from the transceiver of the
second electronic device.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates generally to control devices having
user profiles associated therewith, and more specifically to a
control device, such as a remote control device, having a profile
selector for selecting a customizable user profile and a profile
indicator for indicating which profile is selected.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Home entertainment and home entertainment systems are
becoming increasingly more feature packed, sophisticated, and
complex. While once a television set could only receive two or
three channels, cable and satellite systems now deliver hundreds of
channels at the click of a button. What's more, video and audio
content is now delivered in surround sound stereo with high
definition pictures.
[0005] With the multitude of channel options now available, it is
sometimes cumbersome for a family member to decide what to watch.
Rather than having to browse through hundreds of channel listings
to pick a desired program, people generally tend to gravitate
towards a select few channels. In other words, one family member
may to prefer to generally watch a few sports and local channels,
while another family member prefers to watch movie and music
channels.
[0006] To accommodate these differing tastes, receiver boxes with
channel guide preferences have been developed. With one of these
receiver boxes, a user may program a channel guide to include only
those channels that match his particular tastes. When selecting the
channel guide option from a general menu, the user may then select
a preference list to show only the desired channels.
[0007] The problem with this particular system is threefold: First,
it is time consuming to pull up the programmed channel guide.
Generally, the user must first activate a general menu, then select
a preference option, then select his particular preference list.
The process requires the user to hit multiple buttons and view
multiple screens on the television or monitor.
[0008] Second, to determine which particular user guide is active
at any one time, the prior art system requires the user to activate
the general menu, thereby requiring information to be displayed on
the screen. Displaying this information often interferes with the
video and audio that is currently being displayed, as the video
generally gets reduced in size to accommodate the additional
information. There is no quick way to determine which profile is
active without interrupting the broadcast.
[0009] Third, this prior art solution is only tailored to channel
guide. While the prior art systems are effective for customizing
channel guides, other features, like show suggestions, viewing
preferences, and recorded programs are generally not
customizable.
[0010] There is thus a need for an improved device for quickly and
easily selecting and displaying programmed preferences.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system employing a
remote control device in accordance with the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a control device having
a user profile selector button and a first indicator in accordance
with the invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a control device
having a user profile selector button and an alternate indicator in
accordance with the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a control device
having a user profile selector button and an alternate indicator in
accordance with the invention.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a control device employing a biometric
sensor in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a control device employing a voice
actuation control in accordance with embodiments of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a method associated with a control device
in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
[0018] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of
some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to
other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in
accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that
the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps
and apparatus components related to a control device, such as a
remote control device, having a single user profile selector and a
corresponding user profile indicator. Accordingly, the apparatus
components and method steps have been represented where appropriate
by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those
specific details that are pertinent to understanding the
embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description
herein.
[0020] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention
described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional
processors and unique stored program instructions that control the
one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain
non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the
control device and user profile selector as described herein. The
non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio
receiver, a radio transmitter, an infra-red transmitter and
receiver, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits,
and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted
as steps of a method to perform user profile selection with a
control device having a user profile selector and corresponding
indicator. Alternatively, some or all functions could be
implemented by a state machine that has no stored program
instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated
circuits, in which each function or some combinations of certain of
the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a
combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and
means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it
is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly
significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for
example, available time, current technology, and economic
considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles
disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such
software instructions and programs with minimal
experimentation.
[0021] Embodiments of the invention are now described in detail.
Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts
throughout the views. As used in the description herein and
throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings
explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise: the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural
reference, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." In this
document, relational terms such as first and second, top and
bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity
or action from another entity or action without necessarily
requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between
such entities or actions. Also, reference designators shown herein
in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the
one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10) while
discussing figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure
other than figure A.
[0022] As illustrated and described below, embodiments of the
invention provide a method, apparatus, and system configured to
enable the selection and indication of one of several user profiles
associated with an electronic device, such as a television or
set-top box. As used herein, a "set-top box" refers to any control
device configured to receive audio or video content and deliver it
to a user. By way of example, a receiver or digital video recorder
configured to work with cable television signals or satellite
television signals would be one type of set-top box.
[0023] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, multiple
user profiles may be established and stored either within the
electronic device or within a control unit, one example of which is
a remote control. In one embodiment, the control unit has a single
user profile selector button. When the user actuates the single
user profile selector button, which may be any of a push-button,
keypad switch, shuttle, jog dial, biometric sensor switch, or voice
activated control, the current user profile changes
accordingly.
[0024] In one embodiment, the control unit further includes an
indicator that displays indicia of the presently selected profile
to the user. Thus, the user may simply look at the control unit to
determine which profile has been selected without interrupting a
currently broadcasting show. In one embodiment, the indicator
displays the current user profile upon a user actuating an
indicator button. Examples of indicators include a liquid crystal
display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED). Where the light
emitting diode is used, the light emitting diode may cause an
indicator light pipe or selected keys on the control unit to change
color.
[0025] When the various user profiles are stored on the electronic
device and are selected with the control unit, other features may
be added to each profile. For example, the electronic device or
set-top box may include a prediction algorithm that corresponds to
the selected user preference. The prediction algorithm compares
previously selected content to upcoming schedules to predict
potentially interesting new content for the user of that particular
profile. Thus, when a user selects his particular profile with the
control unit, the electronic device loads the corresponding set of
preferences from a locally stored user profile database, so that
future predictions may be computed in accordance with this user's
preferences. Further, upon selecting a particular profile, any
subsequent preference input detected, such as a preferred program,
program rating, or usage information, will be added to this
selected profile.
[0026] In one embodiment, when a particular user profile is
activated, that user's personal channel list may also be
automatically activated so that channel browsing order follows the
current user's previous settings. For instance, predicted
information may be displayed along with the programmed channel list
that includes information such as title, genre, program
description, predicted rating, etc.
[0027] Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is one embodiment
of a system having a plurality of selectable user profiles, with
each user profile 103 being selectable by a control unit 101. In
one embodiment, the control unit 101 is a control device, such as a
wireless remote control, that includes a profile selector 104, a
transmitter 105 that is responsive to the profile selector 104, and
an indicator 107. The control unit is configured to communicate
with an electronic device 102. As noted above, the electronic
device 102 may be a set-top box, but may likewise be a television
set, a computer configured for multimedia delivery, a home
entertainment system, or other audio-visual device configured to
receive multimedia content and deliver it to a user.
[0028] The electronic device 102 has associated therewith a
plurality of modes of operation. As noted above, these modes may
include a plurality of user profiles. For example, in a family of
four, each of the mother, father, son, and daughter may program in
a profile that includes preferred channels, recorded programs,
predicted programs, display characteristics and so forth. While the
modes may include operating characteristics that are different from
or are in addition to the user profiles, when used with a control
unit 101 having a profile selector 104, at least some of the modes
of operation correspond to user profiles.
[0029] The control unit 101 is configured to communicate with the
electronic device 102. In one embodiment, the profile selector 104
comprises a single profile selector or selection button. The single
user profile selection button is capable of selecting at least one
mode or user profile from the plurality of user profiles or modes.
In one embodiment, the single user profile selection button is
disposed on the side of the control unit 101 so as to be easy to
access with a thumb.
[0030] When the profile selector 104 is actuated, a transmitter 105
responsive to the profile selector 104 is configured to transmit a
user change signal 106 to the electronic device 102. This user
change signal 106 causes the electronic device 102 to change from a
first user profile to a second user profile. For instance, when the
mother is watching a program associated with her profile, and
leaves to run an errand, the daughter may change to her profile by
actuating the profile selector. When this occurs, the transmitter
105 in the control unit 101 sends the user change signal 106 to the
electronic device 102. The electronic device 102 then changes from
the mother's profile to the daughter's profile.
[0031] The control unit 101 also includes an indicator 107 that is
configured to change a profile indication indicia 108 upon
actuation of the profile selector 104. The indicator 107 is
configured to change appearance upon selection of one of the modes
of operation or upon selection of one of the user profiles. This
appearance change may be done by color, text, sound, direction of
emitted light, or light intensity. Other suitable appearance
changes will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having
the benefit of this disclosure.
[0032] In one embodiment, the indicator 107 is a light source, such
as a light emitting diode, which is capable of emitting light in
one of a plurality of colors. When the profile selector is
actuated, the light 108 changes color, thereby indicating a
different user profile. By way of example, the indicator 107 may be
a dual red and green light emitting diode that emits green light by
actuating one light emitting diode, emits red light by actuating
the other light emitting diode, and emits yellow light by actuating
both light emitting diodes. Other equivalent multi-color light
sources will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art having
the benefit of this disclosure.
[0033] Where the indicator 107 is a multicolor light source, a
light pipe 109 may be used in conjunction with the indicator 107 to
facilitate better projection of light 108 to the user. The light
pipe 109 may be an ornamentally designed piece of plastic or glass
that directs light 108 to the user, thereby indicating which
profile is selected. With the use of an indicator 107, as well as
the optional use of the light pipe 109, the user is able to
determine which profile is selected without having to look at the
electronic device 102 or a video display 110 coupled thereto.
[0034] In one embodiment, the various keys 131 of the control unit
101 themselves may serve as light pipes. Where the keys 131 are
manufactured from a translucent material, the indicator 107 may be
placed beneath the keys 131 such that the indicator light projects
through the keys 131 to the user. In such an embodiment, one,
multiple, or all keys 131 may change color so as to easily and
quickly identify the profile currently selected to the user. Thus,
as the indicator 107 changes its color, the various keys on the
keypad, such as play, stop, fast-forward, change in a corresponding
fashion.
[0035] Where light is used as the indicator 107, sequential
actuations of the profile selector 104 cause the list of profiles,
and corresponding list of colors, to cycle. In one embodiment, the
color cycling scheme includes a default, uncolored mode to
represent anonymous users. The profile selector 104 may also be
used with sequential actuations as a control device. For instance,
if a profile is currently selected, pressing the profile selection
button once may show the currently selected profile, and reactivate
the indicator 107 where it had been deactivated for energy saving
purposes. Similarly, pressing the profile selector 104 twice may
select the default mode, which may be the first mode in the cycling
scheme. By allowing a user to jump to the default mode, the user is
able to easily log-off when finished viewing content by quickly
returning to the default mode.
[0036] In another embodiment, the indicator 107 comprises a
display, such as a liquid crystal display, disposed atop the
control unit 101. Where the indicator 107 is a display, the display
may be configured to display one of a plurality of profile
indicator messages. For example, the display may present, "Current
Profile: Mom". Other information may be presented, including
suggestions, current channel, current show, and so forth.
[0037] As noted above, the user profiles may be stored either
within the control unit 101 or the electronic device 102. Thus, the
control unit 101 may be configured to operate in either synchronous
mode or asynchronous mode in causing the electronic device to
switch from one mode to the next. In asynchronous mode, when the
profile selector 104 is actuated, the transmitter 105 of the
control unit sends the user change signal 106 to the electronic
device 102, and then causes the indicator 107 to change appearance,
thereby indicating that the electronic device has changed modes.
This indicator change in the control unit 101 is done independent
of the electronic device 102.
[0038] In synchronous mode, when the profile selector 104 is
actuated, the transmitter 105 sends the user change signal 106 to
the electronic device 102. In this embodiment, the control unit
transmitter 105 is configured as a transceiver, having both
transmitter and receiver. The electronic device 102 also includes a
transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with the receiver
in the control unit 101. Upon sending the user change signal 106,
thereby indicating selection of a mode, the control unit 101 waits
to receive an acknowledgement signal from the electronic device
102, as the transceiver in the electronic device is configured to
transmit a mode change signal 112 to the control unit. In addition
to the acknowledgement, the electronic device 102 may send
additional information, such as the indication color to be used
with the next profile, or the icon to be displayed by the control
unit 101 for the next profile. Where this additional information is
included, the circuitry of the control unit 101 may be simplified
in that most of the intelligence is embedded in the electronic
device 102. This mode change signal 112 thereby confirms that the
user profile or mode of operation within the electronic device 102
is changed. Upon receiving the acknowledgement, the indicator 107
of the control unit 101 changes appearance. Suitable communication
technologies to accommodate two-way communication include Bluetooth
or WiFi communication protocols.
[0039] While the indicator 107 provides one means of alerting a
user as to which user profile or mode of operation has been
selected, in one embodiment the electronic device 102 includes a
mode selection module 151 configured to indicate a mode selection
status to the user. This mode selection status, which may be
presented to the user on a video display 110, provides an alternate
mode selection indicia. Note also that when the control unit 101 is
operating in synchronous mode, and where the indicator 107 is a
display, the electronic device 102 may deliver the mode selection
status to the control unit 101 along with the acknowledgement such
that the mode selection status may be presented on the display.
[0040] The mode selection status may include not only which mode or
user profile is selected, but may include other information as
well. For instance, the mode selection status may include
personalized text, such as "John's profile". The mode selection
status may also include a picture of the user associated with the
selected profile. In one embodiment, the mode selection status
includes at least a mode name and one or more mode characteristic
information indicia, as set forth herein.
[0041] Where the electronic device 102 comprises a receiver for
television signals, along with a corresponding video display 110,
the mode selection status may temporarily appear as visual indicia
111 on the video display 110. The mode selection status may then
disappear after a small amount of elapsed time, or as soon as the
user pushes another button on the control unit 101. Optionally, the
electronic device 102 or the mode selection module 151 may compute
and display the rating of the current content being displayed as a
part of the mode selection status. The electronic device 102 may
also compute a predicted rating for all other channels in the
selected profile, and further display the program with the highest
score with an option for the user to directly jump to this program.
For parental control, the user could be asked to enter his password
to select a profile if the owner of the profile has enabled such a
password.
[0042] To create or establish the various modes or user profiles,
in one embodiment the electronic device 102 includes a mode
creation module 152. The mode creation module 152 is configured to
receive a mode creation signal from the control unit 101, which
indicates that a user desires to create a new mode or profile. Upon
receipt of the mode creation signal, the mode creation module 152
is actuated.
[0043] In one embodiment, the manufacturer may provision several
default modes in either the control unit 101 or electronic device
102. For instance, the manufacturer may establish a default
father's, mother's, and children's modes. In such an embodiment,
the user can use the mode selection feature right "out of the box"
without the need for additional set-up.
[0044] Where user profiles are pre-provisioned, a user may employ
the mode creation module 152 to customize each provisioned user
profile at start-up using a procedure that allows the user to enter
some preferences and also choose a color to represent the profile.
The electronic device 102 then informs the control unit that a new
profile has been created. The control unit may then add a new color
and corresponding profile to its cycle list. A similar operation
takes place if a given profile is deleted. The user may also
provide preference information at later times. One exemplary method
with which this may be accomplished is by rating a program.
[0045] As referenced above, one suitable application for
embodiments of the invention relates to television content
delivery, be it through air, broadband network, cable, or
satellite. As such, in one embodiment, the electronic device 102
comprises a receiver for television signals with a video display
110 coupled thereto. Signals are received, and optionally decoded,
with the electronic device 102, and are then delivered to the video
display 110.
[0046] Since some of the television signals and corresponding
programs may be not suitable for children, in one embodiment the
electronic device 102 includes a security module 155 configured to
block selected content with a security code. Since some users will
have the blocked content included with their profile, and others
will not, in one embodiment the security module 155, when active,
prompts a user for a security input upon the selection of a user
profile including the blocked content. The security input may be a
password or PIN. For example, continuing the family example from
above, if the mother and father have access to late night comedy
shows, but the children do not due to their early bedtimes, when
either the mother's profile or father's profile is selected, the
security module 155 prompts for a security input.
[0047] In some situations, one user will select a mode or profile
and begin using the electronic device 102. There are circumstances
in which the user may just leave the room while the electronic
device continues operating. For instance, the user may need to run
an errand and may forget to turn off the video display 110 or the
electronic device 102. As an optional feature, in one embodiment,
the electronic device 102 includes a mode request module 153 and a
timer 154. When a mode is selected, the timer 154 actuates. Upon
expiration of the timer 154, the mode request module 153 delivers a
mode selection request on the screen. For instance, where the timer
154 is set for four hours, and the four hours lapse, the mode
request module 153 may present the following message on the video
display 110: "Continue with this profile? Or select another?"
Similarly, if the control unit 101 has not been used for some time,
such as one hour, the mode request module may optionally ask the
user for a confirmation of the selected profile to prevent a user
from adding channels or entering a rating accidentally in another
user's profile.
[0048] The keys 131 of the control unit may include temporal
control capabilities as well. For example, in another embodiment,
the user may press profile selector 104 continually for a certain
period of time, such as 2 seconds for instance. Upon doing this,
the transmitter 105 of the control unit 101 then sends a signal to
the electronic device to actuate one of the modules. Holding the
profile selector 104 for 2 seconds, for instance, may cause the
mode creation module 152 to actuate, thereby allowing creation of a
new profile. Where color-changing lights are used as the indicator
107, and a new profile is added, a new color may be added to the
set of displayable colors in the control unit 101.
[0049] Similarly, where some user profiles require the entry of a
security input, the control unit 101 may additionally have temporal
aspects. By way of example, where the control unit 101 is idle for
a predetermined time with Father's profile, when one family member
tries to use the remote control, the electronic device 102 may ask
the user to enter the security code. If the user does not know the
security code, he may actuate the profile selector 104 until he
finds his profile. Similarly, where the control unit 101 is idle
for a predetermined time with the Mother's profile, the next user
may again be asked to enter a security code.
[0050] Turning now to FIGS. 2-4, illustrated therein are some
exemplary indication schemes for presenting indicia of the selected
mode or user profile with the control unit 101. Beginning with FIG.
2, a multi-color light source is being used as the indicator 107.
The multi-color light source is directed through an ornamental
light pipe that has been integrated into the control unit 101.
After the profile selector 104 is actuated, a first color 221 is
displayed through the light pipe as the indicator 107. Upon
actuating the profile selector 104 again, a second color 222 is
projected through the light pipe as the indicator 107. Upon
pressing the profile selector 104 a third time, a third color 223
is projected through the light pipe as the indicator 107.
[0051] At FIG. 3, a display 320 on the control unit 301 is used to
identify the currently selected profile. Upon actuation of the
profile selector 304 is actuated, a first message 321 is presented
on the display 320. Upon actuating the profile selector 304 again,
a second message 322 is presented on the display 320. Upon pressing
the profile selector 304 a third time, a third message 323 is
presented on the display 320.
[0052] At FIG. 4, the translucent keys 431 are used on the control
unit 401 as indicators. Upon actuation of the profile selector 404,
a first color 421 is displayed through the translucent keys 431.
Upon actuating the profile selector 404 again, a second color 422
is projected through the translucent keys 431. Upon pressing the
profile selector 404 a third time, a third color 423 is projected
through the translucent keys 431. The exemplary embodiments of
FIGS. 2-4 are not intended to be limiting. It will be clear to
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure that other indicator schemes may be used to present mode
status to the user.
[0053] Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is an alternate
form of profile selector 504 in accordance with one embodiment of
the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the control unit 501
includes a biometric sensor as the profile selector 504. Suitable
biometric sensors include finger print readers and other touch
sensitive identification devices. When the biometric profile
selector 504 is actuated and the mode or user profile associated
therewith changes, the indicator 502 correspondingly changes to
indicate the current mode or user profile.
[0054] Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is another
alternate form of profile selector 604 in accordance with one
embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the
control unit 601 includes a voice-activated switch as the profile
selector 604. When the voice-activated profile selector 604 is
actuated and the mode or user profile associated therewith changes,
the indicator 602 correspondingly changes to indicate the current
mode or user profile.
[0055] Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein is one embodiment
of a method 700 for use with the invention. The method 700 may be
implemented as software or embedded firmware within a control unit
(101) to allow simple mode selection and presentation of the
selected mode to a user.
[0056] At step 701, a control unit including a selector for
selecting one of a plurality of profiles is provided. The control
unit includes a transmitter configured to at least transmit a
profile change signal to a remote device upon actuation of the
selector. Additionally, the control unit includes an indicator
having one or more indicia states. The indicia states correspond to
each of the modes.
[0057] At step 702, the control unit detects actuation of the
selector. By way of example, the selector may be a single profile
selector button disposed on the top or side of the control unit.
When the single profile selector button is actuated, the control
unit detects this actuation at step 702. The detection of selector
actuation may take many forms. Examples include detecting actuation
of a button, receiving biometric information, and detecting voice
or audible signals. Additionally, the detection of selector
actuation may include a temporal component, such as detecting
actuation of a button for at least a predetermined duration.
Similarly, the detection of selector actuation may include
detecting at least a predetermined number of button actuations.
Either the predetermined duration or a particular predetermined
number of button actuations may correspond to a default state, as
is indicated above.
[0058] Once selector actuation is detected, the control unit
transmits a profile change signal at step 703. This profile change
signal may be transmitted to a remote electronic device, such as a
set-top box or television signal receiver.
[0059] As noted above, the control unit may operate in either a
synchronous or asynchronous mode. Where the control unit is
operating in an asynchronous mode, an indicia state of the
indicator is changed from a first indicia state to a second indicia
state. Where color is used as the indicia, perhaps projected from a
multicolor light source through a light pipe, the indicator may
change from the first indicia state to the second indicia state by
changing from a first color to a second color. Where a display is
used to present indicia, such as a liquid crystal display, the
indicator may change from a first indicia state to a second indicia
state by removing a first message, pictures, or characters from the
display and presenting a second message, pictures, or characters on
the display.
[0060] Where the control unit is operating in synchronous mode, the
method 700 includes the step of receiving a profile change
acknowledgement from an electronic device as indicated at decision
705. Upon receiving the profile change acknowledgement, the indicia
of currently selected mode or profile is changed at step 704.
[0061] In one embodiment mentioned briefly above, the control unit
is configured to enter a power saving mode after a predetermined
duration of non-use. In such an embodiment, the control unit may
check to see whether the predetermined duration of non-use has
elapsed at decision 706. Where this is the case, the control unit
may enter the power saving mode at step 707. When in the power
saving mode, the control unit exits the power saving mode upon the
step of detecting the actuation of the selector at step 702.
[0062] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the
present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes
can be made without departing from the scope of the present
invention as set forth in the claims below. Thus, while preferred
embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described,
it is clear that the invention is not so limited. Numerous
modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents
will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the
following claims. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of present invention.
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