KR20130072212A - Media registration and authorization on a media player - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed methods and systems provide registry and authorization of media at a media placer. The method includes maintaining a registry of registered media. The media to be played by the media play is compared with the retained registry of registered media. Once the media is registered, permission is requested to play the registered media.

Description

MEDIA REGISTRATION AND AUTHORIZATION ON A MEDIA PLAYER}

The present invention relates to the field of media players. More specifically, the present invention relates to the ability to register media with a player, where the registered media requests permission to be played by the player.

Ratings for the content of the media, such as DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, may be between "G" and "X", while some content may not be rated at all (NR). Families with children may have a number of "G" or "PG" grade DVDs or Blu-ray discs that are often watched, loaded into the player, and sometimes played by the children, without the management of an adult. However, adults can also rent or own DVDs or Blu-ray discs that are inappropriate for children that can be loaded and played back accidentally or intentionally by children.

Although media players, such as DVD or Blu-ray players, generally have parental control features that prevent content with a certain rating from being viewed, the complexity of the setup and the wide range of content in one rating category It is not commonly used because of its scope. For example, some movies are rated "PG" or "PG13" but may still contain some level of non-property, nudity or violence that may be offensive to children. In addition, some families may have DVDs, Blu-ray Discs or other media in their library, with controversial themes that they do not want certain members of the family to see.

Since some media may contain inappropriate topics despite their ratings, it is advantageous to be able to control which media can be played based on the media itself, not on the rating of the media.

According to one embodiment, a method is provided for authorizing playback of media based on a registry of media. This includes maintaining a registry of registered media. The media to be played can be compared to a retained registry of registered media. If the media is registered, permission is requested to play the registered media.

With this methodology, media such as DVDs or Blu-ray Discs that contain offensive content can be prevented from being played regardless of the grade of the media.

According to another embodiment, a media system is provided for authorizing playback of media based on a registry of media. The system includes a reader, a processor, a storage and an output interface. The reader is configured to read the media for playback by the media player. The processor is configured to maintain a registry of registered media, compare the media with a retained registry of registered media, and request permission to play the registered media. The storage is for storing a retained registry of registered media. The output interface is configured to output content of authorized media.

According to another embodiment, a method for registering media with a media player is provided. First, a selection of media to be registered is received. The received selected media is then registered. Once registered, permission is requested to play the registered media.

1A illustrates one embodiment of a DVD system that is generally operated and viewed in a single location.
FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a media system that can be operated in more than one location and that can distribute content to more than one location.
2 is a useful block diagram illustrating elements of a system according to one embodiment.
3 is a flow chart illustrating a methodology in accordance with one embodiment.
4 is a flowchart illustrating additional steps of the methodology according to one embodiment.
5A is a flowchart illustrating additional steps of the methodology in accordance with another embodiment.
FIG. 5B illustrates an on-screen menu for the flow chart of FIG. 5A.
6 is a flowchart illustrating additional steps of the methodology in accordance with one embodiment.

The methods, systems, and disclosures disclosed herein may be practiced in a media player that may have media registered with the player. Once the media is registered, permission is requested to play the registered media.

In the examples described herein, the term “media” is used to refer to storage means used for the distribution of content. The term "media" is meant to include all such storage media or is used for storage and distribution of content as well as data files provided on such storage media. Thus, "media" can include optical storage devices such as DVDs or Blu-ray discs; Memory devices such as thumb flash drives; And media files such as MP4, QuickTime, Windows Media files, and the like. The term "media player" refers to devices configured to play "media". This includes devices that read physical media, such as DVD or Blu-ray players; Download, save, stream or otherwise play media files, such as Apple TV, Roku Set Top Box, Vudu Set Top Box, iPod, or Zune Media Player May include other devices. The "media player" can also be implemented in software such as applications QuickTime and Windows Media Player.

1A illustrates one environment 100 in which a media player with the functionality described herein may be used. At its core is the media player 110. In this embodiment, the media player 110 is a set top box such as a DVD player. Media player 110 is connected to a user's display device, such as a television, and / or audio system 120. The connection between the media player 110 and the television may be a coaxial cable, RCA, HDMI or some other audio visual (AV) connection.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the media player 110 is a set top box designed to be connected to a user's display device and audio system 120, such as a television and stereo system, for outputting media content. However, in another embodiment, media player 110 may be a stand-alone device that includes its own video and audio playback capabilities, which may be present in the user's display device and / or audio system 120. There is no need to connect.

1B illustrates another environment 130 in which a media player with the functionality described herein may be used. In this example, media player 110 is part of home network 140. For example, media player 110 may be implemented as a networked DVD jukebox. In this example, networked DVD jukebox 110 is connected to multiple display devices and / or audio systems 120, 122, 124.

In the example of FIG. 1B, the media player 110 is connected to the first display device and / or the audio system 120 in a conventional manner as described in FIG. 1A. The media player 110 is connected to the second display device and / or audio system 122 and the third display device and / or audio system 124 via the home network 140. In the system shown, the second display device 122 is connected to the home network 140 using the set top box 150, while the third display device 124 is directly connected to the home network 140. . In the case of the second display device 122, the set top box 160 is connected to the second display device 122 in a conventional manner using a coaxial cable, RCA, HDMI, or other AV connection, and using a network connection. Connected to the DVD 110. In the case of the third display device 124, since the third display device 124 has a network connection, conventional coaxial cable, RCA, HDMI, or other AV connection is not used. Examples of suitable networks include Ethernet or multimedia over coaxial (MoCa) networks. Other kinds of suitable home networks are apparent to those skilled in the art that would benefit from this disclosure. In this configuration, for remotely located display devices 122 and 124, instructions for controlling DVD 110 are received by set-top box 150 or display device 124 and via home network 140. Delivered to DVD 110.

2 is a block diagram illustrating elements of media player 110 according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the media player 110 includes a reader 200, a processor 210, a storage 220, and an output interface 230. In some embodiments, the consumer electronic device can further include an input interface 240 and a network interface 250. Each of these elements will be described in more detail below.

Reader 200 is configured to access, read, and / or decode media. The type and configuration of the reader 200 depends on the format of the media. As such, reader 200 may be configured to read physical media, such as a DVD, and decode media files provided on the physical storage. In another embodiment, when the media files are acquired without the use of a physical storage device, such as downloaded media files, the reader decodes the media files. In certain embodiments, reader 110 may access, read, and / or decode other types of media. For example, the media player can play Blu-ray Discs and DVDs as well as stream media over the network. In such a case, the reader 200 can access, read and / or decode media files from all of its sources.

The processor 210 controls the operation of the media player 110. The processor 210 may not only run software for operating the media player 110 but also provide functions of a registry and a permission. This includes maintaining a registry of registered media and requesting permission to play the registered media. Processor 210 is coupled to receiver 200, storage 220, output interface 230, and in some embodiments, input interface 240 and network interface 250, and transfers information between these elements. And adjust processing. The processor 210 may be a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor for a specific function. In some embodiments, there may be multiple processors.

The storage 220 is where software and other information used by a consumer electronic device are stored. The storage 220 may include volatile memory (RAM), nonvolatile memory (EEPROM), magnetic memory (hard drive), optical media (CD / DVD-Rom), or flash based storage. In certain embodiments, storage 220 will typically include not only memory but also mass storage such as hard drives.

Output interface 230 is configured to provide media in the correct format for output to video display or audio device 120. Suitable formats may include the codec for the content to be output, as well as an external video display device or audio device, or in some embodiments, a connector type used to connect to the onboard display or speaker. Output interface 230 may also provide graphics and menus that are used to access media and provide information about the media.

In some embodiments, media player 110 may further include an input interface 240. User interface 240 allows a user to interact with media player 110. User interface 240 also allows selection of media for playback and entry of permissions for display of registered media. The user interface 240 can also coordinate interfacing with various devices that can be used to enter information, such as remotes, keyboards, and the like.

In some embodiments, media player 110 also includes a network interface 250. The network interface coordinates the media player 110 communicating with other devices over the network. This may include devices in the home network 140 or Internet devices outside the home network 140, such as seen in FIG. 1B. Examples of suitable networks include Ethernet or multimedia over coaxial (MoCa) networks. Other types of suitable home networks will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

It is to be understood that the elements disclosed in FIG. 2 are for illustration. Consumer electronic device 110 may include any number of elements, and certain elements may provide some or all of the functionality of other elements. For example, most of the functionality of the reader 200, output interface 230, and input interface 240 may be performed by processor 210, or a plurality of general purpose or dedicated processors. Similarly, the network connection may be implemented spaced apart from either output interface 230 or input interface 240. Other possible implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art that would benefit from the present disclosure.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 300 for registry and authorization of media. At its most basic, the method comprises three steps. The first step is to receive holding a registry of registered media (step 310). The media can then be compared to the retained registry of registered media (step 320). If the media has been registered, permission to play the registered media based on the registration of the media is requested (step 330). In certain embodiments, the method further includes receiving a permission (step 340) and playing the registered media upon receipt of the permission (step 350). Each of these steps will be described in more detail below.

In step 310, a registry of registered media is maintained. The registry contains a list of all the media registered with the media player. In the example where the media player 110 is a DVD player, the registry may include all of the DVDs registered with the DVD player. In an example where the media player 110 is configured to stream media, the registry may include all of the streaming media files registered with the media player 110. Retention of the registry includes not only storing the media in the registry, but also adding the media to the registry and deleting the media from the registry. This example is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, the step of maintaining a registry of registered media (step 310) is shown to include receiving a selection of media to be registered (step 400) and registering a selected media (step 410). These steps are discussed in more detail below.

The selection of media can be received directly from the user, for example via an on-screen menu. Alternatively, the selection of media for registration may be performed remotely by the user, for example via the Internet. In another embodiment, the media selected for registration may be part of the list. For example, listings of DVDs that are not suitable for children can be supplied by a consumer watchdog group that can be downloaded or otherwise entered into the media player 110.

Once the selection of the media is received (step 400), the selected program is registered (step 320). Registration may occur automatically upon receipt of a selection of media. Alternatively, registration may be selected by the user, for example via a menu of on-screen displays. Registration of the media indicates how the program should be handled when trying to play the registered media. In one embodiment, registration indicates that the program is limited, which means that the media is not suitable for general viewing. For example, media with adult themed content can be registered as private indicating that the media should not be played without permission.

In contrast, registration may indicate that the media is desirable, which means that the media requires little or no permission to play. For example, media with content suitable for children can be registered as "Kid Safe", indicating that the media can be played without requiring permission.

In another embodiment, registration of the media may indicate a requirement of a particular permission. For example, a program can be registered to indicate that the media is playable only to a particular user. In other embodiments, such as the example of FIG. 1B, multiple display devices 120, 122, and 124 are connected to a media player 110, and a program is used to determine which display device 120, 122, 124 plays media. It can be registered to indicate whether it is authorized to. Thus, certain programs may be registered to play only in the bedroom television, while other programs may be registered to appear only in the living room television. Other possible registrations will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

5A and 5B show an example of inter-working of receiving a selection of media to be registered (step 400) and registering a selected media (step 410). FIG. 5A shows a flowchart 500 of a process of how media is selected and registered using the on-screen DVD parental control menu 550 of FIG. 5B. After the DVD parental control menu 550 is opened (step 510), the cursor 560 is moved up and down within the menu 550 to select a DVD to be registered (step 520). In this case, a DVD "Rabbit Proof Fence" was selected using the cursor 560. The cursor is then moved to the right or left to select the type of registration desired (step 530). In this case, the option of registration is "Private" (step 550). The "private" tag indicates that the media is for private viewing only. Once the desired option is selected (step 530), the program is registered (step 540). In the example of FIG. 5B, the registration of the media as "Private" is indicated by a check mark, whereby the check mark 570 indicates that the DVD "Pineapple Express" is registered as "Private".

In some embodiments, retention of the registry may require permission. For example, the guardian may want to limit the ability to add or remove media from the registry. As such, registration of the media by the user as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B may require that the user provide a password before registration is performed. This may be implemented similar to parental lock functions currently used in televisions or set top boxes. In another embodiment, such as the example of FIG. 1B, when multiple display devices 120, 122, 124 are connected to the media player 110, the media player may register the media with the set-top box 160 or display device ( It can be configured to be performed only through a designated device such as 124.

Referring again to FIG. 3, after the selected program is registered (step 320), permission is requested to play the registered media based on the registration (step 330). For example, media registered as "Private" can only be watched if the user provides a password. This can be implemented similar to the parental lock feature currently used in televisions or set top boxes. Conversely, if the media is registered as desirable, such as "Kid Safe," little or no permission may be required to play the registered media.

In another embodiment, such as in FIG. 1B, when multiple display devices 120, 122, 124 are connected to the multimedia player 110, the media player 110 may display the set-top box 160 or the predetermined registered media. It may be configured to display only on designated devices, such as display device 124. For example, programs tagged as being "private" can be played only on designated display devices that are authorized to display registered media.

In yet another embodiment, the authorization may have a temporal aspect. That is, the permission to play the registered media may depend on the time of day. Thus, in the case of FIGS. 5A and 5B in which the media is tagged as "Private", the permission to play the media registered as "Private" may be changed based on time. For example, at a time between 5 am and 8 pm when children become the main users of the media player, media registered as "Private" will not be played, but after 8 pm when children fall asleep, as "Private" The registered media will be allowed to play.

In certain embodiments, the method 300 of FIG. 3 further includes receiving a permission (step 340) and playing the media upon receipt of the permission (step 350). As mentioned above, the authorization may be provided as a password or as a request to play the registered media from an authorized device or at an authorized time. Playing the registered media is performed by outputting the contents of the registered media from the media player 110 to the display devices 120, 122, 124. FIG. In embodiments where the media player 110 includes its on display device, the content of the registered media on the included display device may be displayed.

In addition to setting up and managing the registry, it should be understood that permissions, including passwords, designated devices, and time aspects, may be performed as needed by the user. For example, an on-screen menu can be provided to the user to configure or change any of these aspects. In certain embodiments, on-screen prompts may be provided to the user. This example is shown in FIG.

6 is a flow chart 600 of one embodiment of a process for registering media with a media player. In this example, the media player is a DVD player and the registered media is a DVD. This process begins with the DVD being loaded into the player (step 610). The DVD player then checks to see if the DVD has been registered with the player (step 620). If the DVD player is registered, the necessary permission is determined, and if granted, the DVD is played (step 630). If the DVD is not registered, a popup window 650 is opened that prompts for registration (step 640). Using the popup window, the user selects whether or not to register the DVD (step 660). If the user chooses not to register the DVD, the DVD starts playing (step 670). If the user chooses to register the DVD with the player, a registration popup menu 690 is provided (step 680). Using pop-up menu 690, the user selects the type of registration, in this case "private" (step 700).

Although the foregoing examples are focused on electronic devices, the invention includes all the features that enable the implementation of the methods described herein, and also includes a computer program product capable of performing these methods when loaded into a computer system. It should be understood that it can be embedded. A computer program or application herein is any representation in any language, code or comment, in which a system having an information processing capability includes: a) conversion to another language, code or comment, and b) in another material form. Means any representation of a set of instructions intended to perform a particular function upon or after the occurrence of either or both of the reproductions.

Furthermore, while the foregoing has been described by way of example, it is not intended to limit the invention to any method, except as follows.

Claims (20)

As a method in the media player,
Maintaining a registry of registered media;
Comparing media with a retained registry of the registered media; And
Requesting authorization to play the media based on the registration of the media in the retained registry
≪ / RTI > The method of claim 1,
Receiving permission for registered media; And
Playing the registered media in response to the permission
≪ / RTI > The method of claim 1,
Maintaining a registry of registered media,
Receiving a selection of media to be registered; And
Registering the selected media
≪ / RTI > The method of claim 3,
Receiving the selection of media to be registered comprises receiving a selection of media to be registered from a user. 5. The method of claim 4,
The received selection of media to be registered is received from an user via an on-screen menu. The method of claim 5,
Receiving the selection of the media to be registered,
Providing an on-screen prompt for the selection of media; And
Receiving a selection of media provided by the user via an on-screen menu
≪ / RTI > The method of claim 3,
The selection of media to be registered is received via a network connection of the media player. The method of claim 3,
Receiving the selection of media to be registered comprises receiving a list of media to be registered. The method of claim 3,
Registering the received selected media includes registering the received selected media as restrictive. The method of claim 3,
Registering the received selected media comprises registering the received selected media as a preference. The method of claim 1,
Wherein the authorization comprises a password received from a user. The method of claim 1,
The permission is based on the device displaying the media being played by the media player. The method of claim 1,
The permission is based on a time of day. The method of claim 1,
And the media player is a network based media player. As a media player,
A reader configured to read media provided to the media player;
A processor configured to hold a registry of registered media, to compare media with a registered registry of the registered media, and to request permission to play the registered media based on the registration of the media;
Storage for storing a retained registry of the registered media; And
Output interface for outputting the contents of authorized media
Media player including. 16. The method of claim 15,
The media system further comprising a network interface. 16. The method of claim 15,
The media system further comprising an input interface for receiving input from a user. 18. The method of claim 17,
And the input interface is further configured to receive permission for playback of registered media. As a method in the media player,
Receiving a selection of media to be registered;
Registering the received selection media; And
Requesting permission to play the registered media based on the registration of the media
≪ / RTI > 20. The method of claim 19,
Receiving permission for the registered media; And
Playing the registered media in response to the permission
≪ / RTI >

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