CN101171837A - System and method for limiting access to multimedia programming - Google Patents

System and method for limiting access to multimedia programming Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101171837A
CN101171837A CNA200680014958XA CN200680014958A CN101171837A CN 101171837 A CN101171837 A CN 101171837A CN A200680014958X A CNA200680014958X A CN A200680014958XA CN 200680014958 A CN200680014958 A CN 200680014958A CN 101171837 A CN101171837 A CN 101171837A
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China
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content
beholder
time
user
appointment
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Chinese (zh)
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K·L·戈德兹万
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Koninklijke Philips NV
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Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/442—Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk
    • H04N21/44213—Monitoring of end-user related data
    • H04N21/44222—Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity
    • H04N21/44224—Monitoring of user activity on external systems, e.g. Internet browsing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/162—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
    • H04N7/163—Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing by receiver means only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
    • H04N21/4147—PVR [Personal Video Recorder]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/4227—Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/443—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
    • H04N21/4433—Implementing client middleware, e.g. Multimedia Home Platform [MHP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/4508—Management of client data or end-user data
    • H04N21/4532—Management of client data or end-user data involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
    • H04N21/4542—Blocking scenes or portions of the received content, e.g. censoring scenes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/454—Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
    • H04N21/4545—Input to filtering algorithms, e.g. filtering a region of the image
    • H04N21/45457—Input to filtering algorithms, e.g. filtering a region of the image applied to a time segment
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4751—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4753—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/475—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
    • H04N21/4755—End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/80—Generation or processing of content or additional data by content creator independently of the distribution process; Content per se
    • H04N21/81—Monomedia components thereof
    • H04N21/812—Monomedia components thereof involving advertisement data

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Social Psychology (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Software Systems (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)
  • Storage Device Security (AREA)

Abstract

A system and method for limiting a user's access to watch content transmitted or broadcast to a multimedia display device. Specifically, the system enables an administrator to specify limitations on the multimedia display device, e.g., a television, which will limit a user's access. The limits may apply to the television or, to a specific user who has a user key that only allows the user to use the television depending on programmed controls. The limits may specify when the television may be shown, or how much time the television may shown within a period of time; and the limits may specify what services (channels) may be shown during specified times or how much time specified services may be shown within a period of time. The limits additionally specify what themes (event types) may be shown during specified times or how much time specified themes may be viewed by the user. The system enables recording of content according to the restrictions (content or time) to personal recording devices and is further able to restrict viewing access according to the user's age, the ratings of the event or program, or a combination thereof.

Description

The system and method that is used for limiting access to multimedia programming
The application for example relates generally to and plans the visit of managing multimedia programming by TV set-top box is carried out program, more particularly, relate to a kind of new system and method that limited subscriber conducts interviews to certain programming according to the time and/or the content constraints of appointment that is used for, described restriction comprises the collaborative auxiliary device of the similar HDD/DVD/VCR of limiting access.Such system not only can control independent device, as DVD, TV or set-top box, and provide can be simultaneously to the walk abreast total solution of controlled access of above all devices.
Along with Java TV and the appearance that has the ability of programmed logic in set-top box, the use of television set can will be used any equipment and will how to use this equipment to be better controlled by planning.Patent documentation has disclosed in large quantities with control visit television receiver and control and has watched the relevant content of program.Representative patent comprises:
The U.S. the 5th, 969, No. 748 patents, this patent have been described a kind of user of permission generally and have been controlled television schedule system to television programming access;
The U.S. the 6th, 025, No. 869 patents, this patent has been described a kind of TV/video/generally and has been watched surveillance, this system has realized a programmable channel/time matrix, so that selectively time, program and/or the channel that TV, video tape recorder (VCR), cable TV, satellite television and/or recreation are watched planned;
US publication is 2003/0145321 patent application, and this patent has been described a kind of be used for for for example watching by set-top box and method and system that the selection of channel and items on the program is controlled generally;
US publication is 2003/0014750 patent application, but this patent has been described a kind of method and system that an other title is controlled the visit of view content for the basis that is used for generally.
Particularly a kind of television receiver has been described in the patent application of WO-9510916 all sidedly, this receiver can make the user control watching of program, the program that stops or allow to have selected, allow the user to specify the program that to control so that watch, and allow to stop watching the special scenes in the program by the code that uses compression.
These background technology patent documentation great majority mainly concentrate on a kind of very simple method, and the method allows some subscriber identity informations of input, as Personal Identity Number, and stipulate some restrictions, can watch the time period of TV as children.
But, all the instruction use is not a kind of by stoping children uncontrolled accessing multimedia terminals (as TV) for above-mentioned reference document, thereby the method and system that the restriction children watch, the method and system additionally limit crew-served equipment, as the controlled access of DVD/VCR/HDD/PVR or any other storage medium/playback device.
Therefore, user or keeper can specify and be used for retraining the restriction that the user watches the access right of TV, and described restriction comprises: time restriction, duration restriction, program restriction and channel restriction.The keeper can have managing keys and specify (configuration) restriction to different user.The user can have user key and operate TV.User/keeper can stipulate to store the information relevant to the visit of TV with the user (journal file) and can generate about the accessed report of which content.
Therefore, be desirable to provide very much a kind of timing system that is used for multimedia display equipment (for example TV), it is being that the content (for example, the service list of selection) that is allowed stops the user to watch TV or similar multimedia display equipment afterwards time lapse selected or appointment.
Be desirable to provide very much a kind of timing system that is used for multimedia display equipment (for example TV) further, stop the user to watch TV or similar multimedia display equipment after the selected or fixed time passage in it is selected in one day (or appointment) time period.
Be desirable to provide very much a kind of timing system that is used for multimedia display equipment (for example TV) further, it stops channel (perhaps " service ") to stop the user to watch TV or similar multimedia display equipment by the theme based on current event (perhaps " program ").
Be desirable to provide very much a kind of system that is used for multimedia display equipment further, it according to the grade of described incident (for example, according to from supplier's level data independently) allow or stop the specific incident (program) of visit, perhaps limit according to age of beholder or grade and the combination at beholder's age in addition or stop the specific incident (program) of visit.
Be desirable to provide very much a kind of system that is used for multimedia display equipment further, it allows according to the time/content constraints of appointment specific incident (program) to be recorded on HDD or the DVD/VCR/PVR equipment, and is included in the feature that writes down or be suitable for the filtering ad content when watching current program/event.
One aspect of the present invention is to watch shortcoming in the access control system by providing following additional performance to discuss in prior art: specify in restriction on one or more multimedia terminals (for example multimedia home platform (MHP), set-top box (STB), personal video recorder (PVR), TV or DVD player) with limited subscriber to watching the access right of TV.
User or keeper can have managing keys (for example Personal Identity Number) so that parent/administrator can specified limit.Described restriction can be applied to described TV or have the specific user of user key, and this key only allows the user to use TV according to described restriction.When described restriction can designated television be played, or how long TV is play in a period of time; And described restriction can specify which type of the service (channel) can in the time of appointment, be shown or in a period of time specified services how long can be shown; And described time restriction specifies what theme (promptly for example the event type of cartoon, children's programs, motion, film, education and so on) can be shown in the time of appointment or how long the theme of appointment can be shown in a period of time.Can multiple restriction be set for same user.The keeper can regulation will also produce about the report of (title that promptly presents, service, theme, time and time period) of accessed content, so that the visit of monitoring user the information stores that TV conducts interviews about the user.
Therefore, according to preferred aspect of the present invention, it provides a kind of and has been used to allow to watching broadcasted content on the multimedia terminal to monitor the system and method for control, this method may further comprise the steps: by the constraint of interface display fixed time, this constraint is used to control the beholder is allowed to watch TV in a period of time time; Specify in the described time period and can be limited by interface display by the view content that described beholder watches; Monitor the beholder by described TV to the visit of current broadcast content and to the visit of the content that before write down by recording equipment by described beholder, the broadcasted content of described recording equipment stored record; Stop described beholder that the broadcasted content current or storage of having violated the restriction of described time and view content is conducted interviews.
Advantageously, the planning to " control system " of the present invention can realize by any other interface (or even network interface).Described television equipment can have the network control interface that network connects and moves, and makes comprehensively to control by remote browser.Even can set up wireless connections, and also can realize Long-distance Control by for example " Wi-Fi " connection.If having permanent internet, described TV connects, described TV can also be carried out Long-distance Control by the father and mother of any position, that is, the program that father and mother can the On-line Control child watching, perhaps add up such as my child watching what program, seen what hour or the like.
In addition, advantageously, this system provides such feature, this feature indication user can with the time that is allowed to how long also have.That is to say, allow each user to watch the available time that is allowed to and how long also have, and on this basis, the user for example can be the event/program doing planning future and only select " wanting most ", rather than all.
According to following detailed description and accompanying drawing, target of the present invention, feature and advantage will be obvious to those skilled in the art, wherein:
Accompanying drawing 1 shows the high-level block diagram that realizes time-controlled television system according to the present invention;
Accompanying drawing 2 (a)-2 (c) shows user or the administrator interface that is used to the user to control the television-viewing function, described control example is as finishing by the typical main menu display interface 75 that comprises TV timing menu option 80, when TV regularly menu option 80 it provides menu option after selected, to provide according to function of the present invention (accompanying drawing 2 (c));
Accompanying drawing 3 (a)-3 (f) shows in response to choice menus option one 00 presents to authorized user/keeper's exemplary menu display interface, and to provide according to function of the present invention, described menu option 100 provides by the example interface shown in the accompanying drawing 2 (c);
Accompanying drawing 4 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows the handling process 200 by realizing that according to the present invention time-controlled set-top box control appliance was controlled the television-viewing time;
Accompanying drawing 5 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows the user's login process flow process 203 in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
Accompanying drawing 6 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows the viewing time restriction prevention process in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
Accompanying drawing 7 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows how system verifies whether current content (content service) stops in exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
Accompanying drawing 8 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows in exemplary embodiments of the present invention employed system handles when current beholder plays the content of he oneself record;
Accompanying drawing 9 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows and is used in exemplary embodiments of the present invention determining that the content that will play is whether from the system handles of HDD;
Accompanying drawing 10 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows and be used for the system handles whether monitoring user and definite prevention should take place in exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention aims to provide a kind of TV timing control system and method, and it can make the user control other users' multimedia viewing visit, and for example, father and mother can control child's the visit of watching.At first with reference to accompanying drawing 1, it shows a kind of television system 10 that for example is used for domestic installation, and this system combines the program viewing control consistent with the present invention.System 10 comprises the TV of one or more for example couplings or the multimedia display terminal of similar video display monitor 13a, b.By being wirelessly connected to set-top box control appliance 15 (Philps Stramium for example TMProduct), it has been added for the function of conventional set-top box and will offer the television equipment 13a of wireless connections, the additional function of b from the internet content that computer equipment receives.For example, by utilizing system remote control device, the user can switch to broadband the Internet content from (TV) broadcasted content with the television reception content.For example, use Wi-Fi technology (for example, deferring to the wireless technology of IEEE802.11/a/b/g/n standard), this device can also be used for presenting photo or the video that is stored in home computer 30.
Described Wi-Fi network comprises the wireless hub equipment 22 related with home computer 30, is used for by the signal of communication carrier wave wireless ground according to wireless standard one or more set-top box 15 and one or more television set 13a, b and internet being coupled together.Therefore, this system is suitable for sending the stream video content to television set 13a, b by wireless connections.All data about the use of TV all are stored locally in the set-top box device 15, and the function that is provided makes television equipment can exchange information about user mode.
In the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing 1, for example the external equipment of DVD player 28 or compact disc (HDD) recording equipment 29 is connected to this this locality set-top box (Stramium for example TMEquipment).
Described set-top box 15 is a kind ofly can for example pass through television antenna 20 in the illustrated embodiment, or via the transmission of cable 25, or the receiver of direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) teledish and satellite signal receiver (not shown) received tv broadcast signal.In system 10, additionally show other high density storage/record equipment (for example high HDD equipment 29) that couple with set-top box 15 and/or the technology that is used for recording television programs, (for example comprise for example recordable optical medium (for example CD, DVD), magnetic or magnet-optical medium, hard disk or floppy disk), solid-state memory etc., be used for provisionally or content of multimedia file that storage is for a long time received, and can comprise (the TiVo for example of a digital media recording system TM(trade marks of Philips's consumer electronics) are used for the recording/playback multimedia broadcast contents.Such equipment can be connected with STB15 and/or PC30 by the standard cable of handling communication according to prior protocols (as P50).For example other equipment of video tape recorder (VCR) 23 and digital video disk (DVD) player 28 (it can be integrated or independent unit) can come selectively output audio and vision signal to TV/monitor 13 via set-top box 15 (for example being used for wired or wireless television equipment 13a, the b of transferring to) by making the content of multimedia signal.
Should be understood that, in another embodiment of the present invention, each independent television set can dispose according to controlled function of the present invention, and described controlled function is used for exchanging the relevant information of using by network, broadcasting, so each television set 13a, b have the use information of renewal.In other words, in a broad sense, when user or beholder suffered time restriction on a television set, the user also can not use another to continue to watch TV programme.
Two kinds of solutions are possible: 1) if content from a center " box ", therefore then this is the central point of this system, can be as every other TV or the multimedia terminal in the main equipment control system; With 2) all TVs all be equality and the information of exchange about using.
The control system of control of watching according to program viewing of the present invention and TV programme and content provides, and this system is realized by the software that moves in set-top box 15 and/or television equipment 13a, b.Yet, in television system, such function can by any amount can the surveillance television program viewing equipment realize that described television system comprises for example TV, PVR ' s (TiVo receiver), computer or computing equipment 30, VCR ' s etc.In addition, described television-viewing monitoring arrangement and direct received television program and/or present TV programme to the beholder, what program is just accessed for the ability of watching by independent display as long as such device has detection.Additionally, the TV programme that watch can be received from the source of any amount, includes, but are not limited to: the computer network source of RF broadcast source, cable television source, satellite television source and for example local area network (LAN) or wide area network or public the Internet 99.Therefore, in one embodiment of the invention, the user can pass through the network interface access TV menu.
15 control operations down of set-top box in processor or CPU50, processor or CPU50 are connected with random-access memory (ram) equipment or similar memory storage 51, it comprises the main storage of having stored the set-top box (not shown) that is suitable for software that processor carries out and/or firmware application programs, parts, program, object, module, data structure and program code, and processor needed additional data structure in the control set top box operations.Processor 50 (for example can be represented as one or more processors, microprocessor or microcontroller), and can additionally comprise the memory of any compole, for example, buffer memory, non-volatile or backup of memory (for example, programmable or flash memory), read-only memory etc.In addition, this memory can also be considered to comprise the mnemonic (for example any buffer memory in the processor 50) that is physically located at other positions in the set-top box 15, and any memory capacity that is used as virtual memory, for example, as on the mass-memory unit that is couple to set-top box 15 by the external network (not shown) or another data handling system, being stored.
Because described " control system " for example provides multimedia service (channel) according to emerging MHP (MHP) standard for family, so set-top box 15 is attached to all compressed digital videos, MP-3, DVD and many other multimedia services in this system.Therefore, described CPU50 controls all software and hardware modules on the STB allow to use MHP MHP by special operating system.Except above-mentioned, also comprise video engine, jaya virtual machine (JVMs) and man-machine interface parts.
In operation, as is known, RF input from satellite dish antenna, cable or antenna is sent to the tuner/demodulators (not shown), and it is demodulated into digital A/V stream with signal, for example MPEG-2 stream, MPEG-4 stream (deriving from the internet) or similar digital content stream.Demultiplexer is used for isolating from MPEG-2 its video, audio frequency, captions and data flow.Before being presented to the user, video and audio frequency are decompressed by hardware or software module.The caption data that normally has the image file of transparent background is passed to the reproduction engine (not shown) of screen display (OSD) special-purpose, that can directly visit STB.At for example content of system information, Digital Television text broadcast or MHP data object described data flow is resolved, send to the hardware/software module then and be used for explaining and/or carrying out.
According to the present invention, described set-top box is carried out program planning with the exemplary menu display structure, and described structure is used for providing according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention the access control of watching of enhancing.Shown in the accompanying drawing 2 (a) according to the present invention realized, user or keeper are provided to comprise the regularly main menu of menu option 80 of TV by typical main menu display interface 75 (for example network interface), and described TV regularly menu option 80 is carried out television-viewing/access control restriction according to the present invention.Shown in accompanying drawing 2 (b), in case visit regularly menu option 80 of described TV, granting the user and watching/access control before, the user is expected by input domain 85 input passwords so that suitable mandate to be provided.In one embodiment, the user is provided or distributes one to allow user/keeper to visit television-viewing/access control function and specify the managing keys (for example Personal Identity Number) of watching restriction according to the present invention.In a typical context, as described herein, user/keeper can comprise father and mother, and these father and mother watch control for its child or other children beholders provide.Be proved to be the user and have the right from the keeper's Control-Menu 100 shown in accompanying drawing 2 (c), restriction to be set by authorized user carrying out according to the present invention after time-controlled set-top box control appliance carries out program planning.Shown in accompanying drawing 2 (c), keeper's Control-Menu 100 provides the television-viewing limitation function by following menu option: 1) the content choice menu option 103; 2) time-constrain menu option 106 is set; 3) the recording menu option one 10; With 4) statistics menu option 114.
Accompanying drawing 3 (a)-3 (f) shows in response to the example interface choice menus option one 00 that illustrates by accompanying drawing 2 (c) and presents to authorized user/keeper's exemplary menu display interface, to provide according to function of the present invention.In a typical context, user/keeper can comprise father and mother, and these father and mother watch control for its child or other children beholders provide.
Accompanying drawing 3 (a)-3 (b) shows the exemplary menu display interface 120,120 ' of presenting to the user/keeper who has authorized in response to the content choice menu option 100 of selecting accompanying drawing 2 (c) respectively, to limit according to the invention provides content choice.In first aspect, the content choice limited option that interface 120 by Fig. 3 (a) is provided comprises " select allow channel " menu option 125, this menu option 125 provides the program planning tabulation 135 of can rolling of a TV receiver, and shows that relevant choice box 136 is used for selects/not selecting to allow which broadcasting channel to supply the user to watch.The content choice restriction menu that interface 120 by accompanying drawing 3 (a) provides additionally comprises the option of enabling/forbid " the hiding service that is prevented from " by menu option 127, to provide from watching part to remove the function of all indications that are prevented from about specific service (channel), perhaps selectively provide and (for example only enumerate those services/channels that are allowed to, from 1, ..., N etc.) function.The content choice restriction that interface 120 by accompanying drawing 3 (a) provides additionally comprises the option of enabling/forbid " filtering advertisements " option by menu option 129, thereby for example to provide function prevention based on volume identification and filtering advertisement to watching or writing down any advertisement and plan.Aspect this, when watching or writing down, run into the advertisement of having filtered, when the advertisement of having filtered was prevented from, the visual dialog frame of a user waiting prompt can be interrupted temporarily and present to beholder's multimedia display equipment or terminal.
Accompanying drawing 3 (b) shows another exemplary menu display interface 120 ' of presenting to the user/keeper who has authorized in response to the content choice menu option 100 of selecting accompanying drawing 2 (c), to limit according to the invention provides content choice.Aspect this another, the content choice limited option that interface 120 ' by accompanying drawing 3 (b) provides comprises " select allow theme " menu option 133, this menu option 133 provides the program planning tabulation 143 of can rolling of a TV receiver, and shows that relevant choice box 146 is used for selects/not selecting to allow which (a bit) broadcast event and plans that theme supplies the user to watch.The content choice restriction that interface 120 ' by accompanying drawing 3 (b) provides additionally comprises the option of " selecting to stop the age " via menu option 134, only is suitable for function as the content that stops the indicated given age of age input domain 142 or the beholder at bigger age so that selection to be provided.The content choice restriction that interface 120 ' by accompanying drawing 3 (b) provides additionally comprises the option of " selecting the grade server " via menu option 137, with the function that provides " grade " discerned according to the grade server to come blocked program planning, described grade server provides at 145 places, position at user option or input.The content choice limited option that interface 120 ' by accompanying drawing 3 (b) provides additionally comprises the option that " allows to have the incident of certain grade " via menu option 139, to provide permission according to the function of carrying out program planning as specific " grade " of input in the input domain 147.Described territory: " select grade server " and " allowing to have the incident of certain grade " is actually coupling.Option only is used for stipulating (a kind of grade server) to read event class from which position " to select the grade server ".Second option then provides a kind of basic setup, and wherein the user can set the specific rank of incident, for example, the program of the non-constant of 1 " star " meaning person, 5 stars mean extraordinary program etc.
Accompanying drawing 3 (c)-3 (d) shows the exemplary menu display interface 121,121 ' of presenting to the user/keeper who has authorized in response to selecting accompanying drawing 2 (c) time restriction choice menus option one 06 being set respectively, with according to the invention provides the time content constraints.
Aspect this another, the content choice limited option that interface 121 by accompanying drawing 3 (c) provides comprises " hourage " menu option 151, this menu option 151 can make user/keeper import set time restriction, promptly offers total hourage of beholder's viewing time.For example, shown in input domain 171, it shows the restriction that 10 of offering specific beholder watch hour.By input domain, user/keeper further can according to every day, weekly or periods 172 of every month divide the hourage that is provided with.One further " equally cut apart hour " menu option 152 be provided to make appointment " hourage " that user/keeper can specified limit watches whether according to the every day of appointment, weekly or every month period 172 (by selecting input domain 173) equally cut apart.Therefore, when described " equally cut apart hour " menu option 152 (accompanying drawing 3 (c)) does not have when selected, child can be as the hourage of appointment as described in the use of its hope.Whether further " but time expand " menu option 154 is provided to make user/keeper can limit setting the fixed time can to prolong so that for example watch the beholder of current " in real time " incident, exceeds in described incident under the situation of time restriction of appointment to continue to watch described incident by selecting input domain 174.Aspect this, the fixed time is limited in the incident viewing time, and to have passed that particular percentile (N%) (for example 50% or 60%) can prolong afterwards also be possible.No matter described time restriction be how to distribute or whether can prolong, user/keeper can both specify wherein that the user is limited to watch the time slot of TV programme according to the restriction of planning.For example, further " assigned timeslot " menu option 156 is provided to and can imports the specific duration (time slot) by input domain 176, for example, A.M., P.M., in this duration, user's the restriction of watching is defined.
Accompanying drawing 3 (d) shows another exemplary menu display interface 121 ' of presenting to the user/keeper who has authorized in response to selecting accompanying drawing 2 (c) time restriction choice menus option one 06 being set, with according to the invention provides the time content constraints.Aspect this another, the time restriction option that is provided with that provides via the interface 121 ' of accompanying drawing 3 (d) comprises " specifying the fate that allows " menu option 160, its be provided for via select/viewing time of which day is unrestricted during choice box 180 is specified weekly.No matter when and how time restriction distributes or whether they can prolong, user/keeper can both according to defined in the scrollable list 143 of display interface 120 ' be allowed to theme specify watch TV or broadcasting multimedia content the time percentage that can spend.Therefore, in the shown example of accompanying drawing 3 (d), by " detail time use " menu option 162, how user/keeper can share equally according to theme by the total allocation viewing time of input domain 182 designated users; For example, shown in accompanying drawing 3 (d), the user can be allowed to watch 30% of service time watch then educational programs 70% of animation and service time.
Accompanying drawing 3 (e) shows the exemplary menu display interface 122 of presenting to the user/keeper who has authorized in response to " record " choice menus option one 10 of selecting accompanying drawing 2 (c), with according to the invention provides the record option.
Aspect this another, the record option that provides via the interface 122 of accompanying drawing 3 (e) comprises " allowing record " menu option 163, it comprises the choice box 183 of selection/not, make when it is selected, by specific beholder provide allow beholder's record exceed the additional period of current program (the live broadcast incident that for example, exceeds the specified limit of viewing time) of distribution time restriction.Further another that is presented " record " menu option 165 has input domain 185, and it stipulates which recording equipment described additional program will be recorded to.By the interface 122 of accompanying drawing 3 (e), it can be caused further and to show " allowing the HDD record " menu option 166, and it comprises the choice box 186 of selections/not, makes when it is selected permission beholder recorded program on their HDD storage medium.Further another that is presented " HDD " menu option 168 has input domain 188, and which HDD recording equipment is its regulation arrive with described program plan record.
Accompanying drawing 3 (f) shows the exemplary menu display interface 122 ' of presenting to the user/keeper who has authorized in response to " statistics " choice menus option one 14 of selecting accompanying drawing 2 (c) according to the present invention, the report that generates relevant what accessed (for example, projection title, service (channel), theme, time and time period) after the information that is used to stipulate relevant user's television access should be stored for is with the visit of monitoring user.Therefore, " the start statistics " menu option 167 that is presented has the choice box 187 of relevant selection/not, makes when it is selected, indicates the statistics of this system log (SYSLOG) about limited personnel's television-viewing use, is used for report subsequently.Further another that presents " keeping history to reach ... " menu option 169 has input domain 189, and how long the statistics that its television-viewing about limited personnel that is given for report subsequently uses and other information will be recorded (for example 30 days).Should be appreciated that authorized user has the right to read any journal file that it watches the details of statistics/use that comprises.For example, the user can use the similar devices of web browser or realization HTTP or similar communication protocol.Selectively, for example by simple dialog box or by cell phone or by wireless connections (for example bluetooth) calling party daily record on TV.
Accompanying drawing 4 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows and is used for controlling the handling process 200 of television-viewing time according to the present invention by finishing time-controlled set-top box control appliance.
As shown in Figure 4, the first step of checking procedure is whether to have the authority of the TV programme of watching planning and need not to consider whether to have other TV control/limiters the current TV viewer of step 203 check.Details about beholder's authentication process is here described with reference to accompanying drawing 5.If the beholder is not authorized to watch TV, then this processing will make television equipment close, shown in step 204.Otherwise, when the beholder be accredited as current can watch TV programme after, this processing proceeds to step 206, wherein determines for that user and current time, whether restriction any time stops controlling features to be performed.Stop the details of handling to be described with reference to accompanying drawing 6 here about beholder's time restriction.If exist for the time restriction prevention feature that user carried out in that time, then this processing will make television equipment close, shown in step 204.If there is no the time restriction of carrying out for that user stops feature, then this processing proceeds to step 207, wherein determined before the demonstration multimedia practically shown in step 209/television broadcasting plan whether to be allowed to for the current content that beholder watches.About determining whether current beholder is allowed to watch the details of current content to describe with reference to accompanying drawing 7 here.Be allowed to watch current content if determined current beholder, then described processing proceeds to step 209, and wherein multimedia programming is presented for demonstration.Otherwise, not allowing to watch current content if determined current beholder, then described processing proceeds to step 208, and this step 208 is to be used to stop the treatment step that presents current multimedia programming.No matter whether current beholder is authorized to watch current multimedia programming planning, this processing all proceeds to step 211, determines wherein whether the active user attempts playing the content from external source that he writes down by oneself.About determining whether current beholder wishes to play his details of the own content that writes down and describe with reference to accompanying drawing 8 here.Attempt the content of watching him to write down if determine current beholder in step 211, then described processing proceeds to step 212 by oneself, and this step 212 is steps of playing from the selected content of selected external source (for example DVD).Then, described processing proceeds to step 216, wherein carries out function other uses with equipment described in the surveillance television copic viewing system, so that guarantee to obey described control.Otherwise if determine the content that current beholder does not have trial to watch him to write down by oneself in step 211, then described processing proceeds to step 213, and whether the content of wherein further determining to play is from the HDD that is provided.Whether here describe about the content that is used for determining to play with reference to accompanying drawing 9 from the details of the handling process of HDD.If in step 213, the current content of having determined to play is from HDD, and then described processing proceeds to step 212, and wherein selected content is by playback.Otherwise if in step 213, the current content of having determined to play is not from HDD, and then described processing proceeds to monitoring step 216.Here describe about monitoring the details of handling with reference to accompanying drawing 10.
Accompanying drawing 5 provides a typical high level flow chart, and it shows user's login process flow process 203 of being carried out by system of the present invention according to the present invention when the user turns on TV.As shown in Figure 5, at next step 222, described user/keeper is required to import his/her Personal Identity Number.In step 224, described Personal Identity Number is verified by traditional device (for example look-up table).If the user is authorized in step 224, described processing proceeds to step 226 to show user welcome screen, as shown in Figure 2.If this user is confirmed as not being authorized users in step 224, this processing proceeds to step 232, wherein presents the error box screen.Proceed to next procedure 230, if more Personal Identity Number input is attempted being allowed to, then step 222 is got back in this processing, so that the user can import his/her Personal Identity Number once more and repeat described processing.Otherwise in step 230, if there is not more Personal Identity Number input to be allowed to, then described processing proceeds to step 228, shows that wherein goodbye dialog and user/beholder are considered to not be authorized to.
Accompanying drawing 6 provides one high level flow chart, and its beholder's time restriction that shows in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention stops processing 206.In the processing shown in the accompanying drawing 6, whether the restriction of system verification user time is not stoping.Therefore, shown in first step 235, determine whether the current date be allowed to, promptly should the date as being the date (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (d)) that is allowed to for what this beholder planned.If the current date is allowed to, this processing proceeds to step 236, and wherein (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (c)) determines that further whether as being prevented from of first preplanning time slot setting.If the current time slots setting also is not prevented from, then described processing carry out step 238, determines wherein whether time budget is still available.If for current beholder, still there is budget the time, and then described processing carry out step 241, and this step 241 indication does not have the TV prevention to be performed.
If determining the current date is not allowed to, then get back to step 235, if determine that perhaps the time slot setting is prevented from, then get back to step 236, if perhaps determining not free budget can use, then get back to step 238, described then processing proceeds to step 239, wherein determines whether to have planned that for this beholder can prolong " time " is provided with (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (c)).Planned that for this beholder can prolong " time " is provided with if determine, then described processing proceeds to step 240 so that add up (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (f)) for this beholder checks current use, proceed to step 245, wherein further determine in this current current event of watching user in the session whether to watch surpassing N% (for example 50%) thereafter.Watched the current event that surpasses N% if determine the user, then described processing proceeds to step 249, but system will allow the user to watch incident up to end, has shown that in step 249 indication is above the dialog box of current time restriction.Therefore, described processing proceeds to step 241, and this step indication does not have the TV prevention to be performed.Otherwise,, this beholder is not provided with if determine for planning described prolongation the " time ", then get back to step 239, if determine that perhaps the user does not watch the current event above N%, then get back to step 245, described then processing proceeds to step 247, a restrictions dialog of this step 247 startup demonstration.Thereafter, described processing proceeds to step 250, and whether wherein definite recording setting beholder hereto is allowed to (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (e)).If recording setting is not allowed to, then described processing proceeds to step 258, and this step 258 stops program to prevent from further to watch or write down current program.Otherwise, in step 250, being allowed to if determine recording setting, then described processing proceeds to step 252, shows that wherein a prompting beholder can be for example comes dialog box that incident is write down by the external record equipment of authorizing.In step 254, determine whether record is activated.If record is not activated, then described processing proceeds to step 258, and this step 258 stops program to prevent from further to watch or write down current program.Otherwise if determine that in step 254 user has selected the record option, then described processing proceeds to step 256, and wherein current recording of programs is activated.Thereafter, described processing proceeds to the step 258 that allows the beholder to stop.
Accompanying drawing 7 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows the system handles 207 that being used in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention verify whether current content (content service) is stoping.In the processing procedure shown in the accompanying drawing 7, first step 260 for example comprises selects service by switch (for example, using Long-distance Control) on the basis of the tabulation that the keeper provided to the channel/service that allows.For example, the user will forward the program that is provided with in " selecting the channel of permission " importation of accompanying drawing 3 (a).After having obtained first service, determine in step 262 whether current content is allowed to.If current content is not allowed to, then described processing proceeds to step 273, and it shows current content and is prevented from.Otherwise in step 262, if current content is allowed to, then described processing proceeds to step 264, its determine age of user whether as the front by parent/administrator stoping at " select stop age " part defined of accompanying drawing 3 (b).Require to allow to stop if user's the current age makes, then described processing proceeds to the step 273 that current content is prevented from is shown.Otherwise in step 264, if the current age is not stoping, then described processing proceeds to step 265, and wherein the incident from source (server) is acquired.Whether described then processing proceeds to step 266, require described content such as front by parent/administrator will be prevented from " allowing to have the incident of certain grade " the part defined of accompanying drawing 3 (b) to determine event class.If the grade that this incident has makes it require prevention to be allowed to, then described processing proceeds to the step 273 that current content is prevented from is shown.Otherwise, in step 266, if described grade makes that it does not require to stop and is allowed to that then described processing proceeds to step 267, with determine the advertisement filter function whether as the front by parent/administrator being allowed at " filtering advertisements " the part defined of accompanying drawing 3 (a).If described advertisement filter is allowed to, then described processing proceeds to step 268 so that open the purposes of commercial detection filter.Otherwise in step 267, if advertisement filter is not allowed to, then described processing proceeds to step 275, and this step 275 illustrates the step that allows to show current content.Get back to step 268, after purposes of commercial detection was allowed to, described processing proceeds to determined the whether current step of broadcasting 270 of advertisement.Then described processing proceeds to step 275 not in broadcasting if advertisement is current, and this step 275 illustrates the step that allows to show current content.Otherwise in step 270, if determining that advertisement is current broadcasts, then described processing proceeds to the step 273 that current content (for example, advertisement) just is being prevented from is shown.
Accompanying drawing 8 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention employed system handles 211 when current beholder is playing the content of he oneself record.In accompanying drawing 8 shown processing, whether whether the content of systems inspection outside exist (precedence record) and can be played.Therefore, in step 280, determine whether external source is available, whether exist in described source shown in the step 282 with recorded content.If determine that in step 282 described source with recorded content does not exist, then described processing proceeds to step 297, and it shows walks around the step of playing/present any external source.Otherwise, in step 282, exist if determine described source with recorded content, then described processing proceeds to step 283, and it shows the step that reads local recordings database and is present in the tabulation with the current content of checking current all records that the user was done and checking external source (medium).Should be appreciated that described system disposition and produced the function of a record tabulation that does not conflict with current time restriction for the user; Therefore, for example, if the user also has the time of the permission of (1) hour, then described system will only present the duration no longer than one hour record.
Proceed to step 285, if determine exterior content not by current user record, then described processing proceeds to step 297, and it shows walks around the step of playing/present any external source.Otherwise, if determine that in step 285 exterior content is by active user's record, processing then of living in proceeds to step 288, whether it shows inspection has any existing time restriction to use and checks further whether the duration of institute's recording events do not limit afoul step with the current time of being realized.Proceed to step 290, determined whether that restriction stops (current effective) any time.If time restriction stops, then described processing proceeds to step 297, and it shows walks around the step of playing/present any external source.Otherwise,, advise that then the dialog box that the beholder can play/present program (content that is write down) is presented if determine that in step 290 described time restriction is not stoping.
Accompanying drawing 9 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows and is used in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention determining that the content that will play is whether from the system handles of HDD.Shown in first step 300, show the step of the availability of checking external source.Then, in step 303, determine whether described source exists and whether enable in " allowing record " part of accompanying drawing 3 (e) by parent/administrator.If described source does not exist, then described processing proceeds to step 323, wherein determines will be shown without any content.Otherwise, in step 303, if determine that described source exists and enable in " allowing record " part of accompanying drawing 3 (e) by parent/administrator, then described processing proceeds to step 306, its show for the active user read HDD also (for example according to title) generate the step that all are recorded the tabulation of incident.Next step proceeds to step 309, determines whether that further any record exists.If record exists, then described processing proceeds to step 323, wherein owing to there is not content to be recorded, thereby determines not have content to be shown.Otherwise, in step 309, existing if define record, then described processing proceeds to step 312, and it causes to present the user and shows described tabulation in the dialog box and wait for function by user in selecting content.In case receive in step 312 by what the user selected and be recorded content, then described processing proceeds to step 314, has determined whether that wherein restriction is stoping selected incident any time.If determine that in step 314 not free restriction is stoping the selected incident that is recorded, then described processing proceeds to step 327, and it causes the selecteed incident of indication presenting the user session frame that is played.Otherwise, in step 314, stoping the selected incident that is recorded if determine time restriction, then described processing proceeds to step 317, and it causes presenting of user session frame that instruction time, restriction will be performed.Proceed to step 320, further dialog box is presented to determine whether the user requires to select the new incident that is recorded.If the user wants to select the new incident that is recorded really, then described processing proceeds to the tabulation of the incident that is recorded that step 312 may therefrom select with explicit user and repeats described processing.Otherwise, if determine that in step 320 user does not want to select new incident, then will be played without any content, indicated as step 323.
Thereby another control system feature is at the user who connects the HDD register.Be understandable that,, be used for can being performed in the background process of any (all) time real time record by the system 10 shown in the accompanying drawing 1, but only according to the regulation of user/keeper at the content that allows.Allow if be used for the filtration of advertisement, then child can not watch (for example from HDD's) incident continuously discontinuously.In addition, however when the user turns on TV, control system will receive the notice that has addition record (for example header list) on the HDD.Therefore, even carry out time limit, still may watch all interesting incidents in whole day/week and not miss one of them for the user who has authorized.Because HDD can not write down all incidents, described system can select " incident that most probable is wished ", thereby described system additionally is " can be adaptive ".Therefore, suppose that HDD register in the current system can write down all incidents from all channels.In other words, give an example, if user 7:00 every day watches news, then described system can learn and always write down those news programs in that regular time.If the user has missed program, described system will for user record it.Therefore, if having presented in the menu in system, the user selected " allowing the HDD record " (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (e)), in fact this enabled HDD " cache ", that is, described system attempts writing down all incidents of the content conditions (referring to accompanying drawing 3 (a) and 3 (b)) of obeying defined automatically on the backstage.According to self-adaptive features of the present invention, therefore for the HDD register is provided for the function that allows the user to indicate which content to be recorded, indicated same procedure defined in the content choice menu that described content is provided by accompanying drawing 3 (a) and 3 (b).Described HDD will automatically perform those records on the backstage.Current technology does not allow to write down all, and this is because for example these equipment have a tuner, and (most of time) does not have enough memory spaces.Therefore two kinds of possible results are arranged here: 1) described HDD will perhaps write down the program planning of a plurality of those kinds adaptively based on the automatic recording events (at random) of user's hobby (that is, having watched); Perhaps 2) be allowed to when two themes, cartoon and educational for example, child can watch more cartoon, and therefore described system (HDD) will write down the more program of that kind, rather than then educational programs.
Accompanying drawing 10 provides a high level flow chart, and it shows the system monitoring that the prevention that is used to determine whether any kind should take place and handles 216.This systems inspection action must be performed after following situation: 1. for example serve with selection by each " switching " of Long-distance Control; 2. periodically, for example per minute is once; 3. each content changing (when purposes of commercial detection is opened); And/or 4. any incident when changing.As shown in Figure 10, first step 400 determines whether have the time-constrain prevention and whether carry out the flow processing shown in the accompanying drawing 6 for that user.If free constraint stops, then for example stop content of multimedia, shown in step 408 by closing television.Otherwise if not free constraint stops, then described processing proceeds to step 406, determines whether that wherein any content constraints for that user stops and whether carries out the flow processing shown in the accompanying drawing 7.If have content constraints, then described content of multimedia is prevented from shown in step 412.Otherwise if determine there is not content constraints, then described processing proceeds to step 410, and it is the processing that content of multimedia can be presented.
Therefore, according to a plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present invention:
1. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are programmed to provide " control system ", and it allows giving the specific channel of visit in the time of determined number.For example, father and mother can pay no attention to child and watch the time of specific education channel how long to have, but may wish to visit specific entertainment channel is restricted to one hour every day.Therefore, control system of the present invention has additionally possessed the possibility that increases or define a plurality of exclusion rules, for example, allows to watch the specific channel that does not have " timing and/or content rule "; Or allow to watch specific " theme " that does not have " clocking discipline ".Therefore, can provide a repulsion " tabulation " like this, so that define any unconfined theme or service.
2. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are planned as and allow to conduct interviews in the given time period on program level.For example, father and mother may wish to limit the collection that child watches a specific program every day.
3. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are planned as the end that detects locking condition, so that the pre-definite time (for example 5 minutes) for example before time slot finishes begins to show (for example, poster).
4. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are additionally programmed the auxiliary device that control is similar to HDD/DVD/VCR/PVR.Therefore, in the end of time slot, if incident has exceeded institute's distributed time slot, the remainder that the user can (for example by writing down on DVD) recording events.The described content that is recorded is incited somebody to action only can be viewed when next time, possible time slot was activated.
5. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are additionally programmed the program planning instruction that receives " control system " by any other interface (comprising network interface).Described TV (or relevant set-top box) is kept the network connection and is moved a network control interface, so that can carry out comprehensive control by browser.By for example Wi-fi, even wireless connections can be established and Long-distance Control also can be worked.Connect if described TV has permanent internet, so described TV can also carry out Long-distance Control from any position by father and mother.In other words, the father and mother of networking can control the program that child is watching by browser interface, or statistics, are similar to the program that my child is watching, what hour etc.Therefore,, the user connects if having high-speed Internet, and then can be for example: make the superintendent can be to the record tabulation of any incident; Make the superintendent can change the setting of system; Make the superintendent check that child is current and watching what (simple video transmission) by browser; Make the superintendent can send message to the active user, for example, the user can receive SMS ' s that has statistical information etc. on cell phone.
6. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are additionally programmed the viewing time of the program planning instruction of reception " control system " with the restriction child, for example, and 7 hours or 1 hour every day weekly.Therefore, for example, father and mother can be defined as the restriction of child's television access: only limit to 7 point-10 point and only 16 hours weekly the evening of going to school; And only limit to television channel 3,5,7,27,54, and for example at night 9 stop later on channels 7.In another example, can formulate and watch restriction, for example allow child only to watch cartoon two hours every day, only one hour on every Mondays, only 6 hours and 6 hours weekends between the work period.Child can be switched the service that is allowed in the time that allows.
7. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are additionally programmed the program planning instruction of reception " control system " and watch performance/incident with the subject matter restricted child based on current event, for example, the incident that father and mother can be by allowing only " education " that child only watches a hour every day and " cartoon " class theme is with the visit of watching of managing children.In other words, provide a kind of strobe utility only to watch its incident to have the channel of the theme that is allowed to allow child.In one embodiment, these incidents can be sorted, and visit according to the 1-N that presets.Further, described system provides the specified in more detail possibility how many (promptly with what ratio) particular event themes are allowed to for the user.
8. the program planning instruction that described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are additionally programmed reception " control system " is provided with flexibly with planning, therefore if the current event holding time surpasses and is allowed to the time, child still can watch or write down this incident up to end.Therefore, for example, father and mother can provide " flexibly " to be provided with, and its permission may watch current event up to end.For example, surpassed one hour and described incident when surpassing one hour of current residual restriction when current event takies, child still be allowed to watch it up to finish (but only under certain conditions, for example, child seen this incident at least 50%).In such context, if overtime generation (that is, child watches TV to surpass the time of permission) still may be write down this incident to any media bank that has connected (HDD register).
Therefore, for example, inquire that this incident of record can eject and present to child to the dialog box of media storage device for one.When daystart was watched TV under the child, system presented the described part that is recorded and gives child.In the home network environment example in the family that comprises a plurality of TVs and/or multimedia display equipment, described system provides the information exchange between all TVs, therefore, child can not continue to see TV in time or the content constraints back that enters into force on another TV.
9. described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment for example are additionally programmed and discern advertisement based on volume, and TV can be equipped with the hard disc apparatus (HDD) that for example is used to write down without any advertisement content.In other words, father and mother can be provided with the option that does not allow to watch any advertisement.
10. the age that described set-top box and/or one or more multimedia display equipment are additionally programmed based on the beholder stops watching of content, or stops watching of content based on (for example passing through the internet) by the level data that outside or the service of third party's grade provide.
11. aspect the reciprocation of MHP or any other form, the operation application is possible on television equipment.It is possible that some interaction content (for example using) will be violated (permission) content rule.Therefore, be understandable that control system of the present invention is provided at the function of filtering described reciprocation (be similar to " Xlets ", perhaps use the website of TV network browser) on the basis of " content choice ", perhaps provide fully it is closed may.Described system can further filter " interaction content " (for example represent advertisement Xlet, have the Xlet of recreation etc.) or it is filtered based on " content choice ".Described system therefore comprise filter all interaction contents (for example " teletext " page or leaf, be used for the MHEG page or leaf of Digital Television etc..) additional function.
Although shown and described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, should be understood that, under the situation that does not break away from the present invention's design, make correction and change on various ways or the details easily.Therefore, should be pointed out that the present invention is not limited to the particular form that institute describes and illustrates, and should be regarded as having contained all modifications that falls in the claims scope.

Claims (37)

1. one kind is used for providing the method (200) that monitors control by multimedia terminal equipment (13a, 13b) to watching content of multimedia, comprising:
By interface display (121,121 ') fixed time constraint (151,156), described time-constrain (151,156) is used to control the beholder is allowed to watch described multimedia terminal in the certain hour section time;
Specify the view content restriction (125,135) of the content that can in the described time period, watch by described beholder by interface display (120,120 ');
Monitor the content that recording equipment write down that (216) beholder had before been limited by stores broadcast contents by described beholder by described multimedia terminal visit current broadcast content and visit; And
Stop (208,258,273,323,412) described beholder to visit and violate the current or stored broadcasted content of described time and view content restriction.
2. the method for claim 1 further comprises the step that the definition repulsion is tabulated, any view content theme or the service that is not subjected to content constraints of this repulsion tabulation indication.
3. the method for claim 1, the appointment of wherein said time-constrain comprise and specify in the permission user viewing time (171,172) that preset time section inner multimedia terminal can viewed person be utilized.
4. method as claimed in claim 3, the appointment of wherein said time-constrain comprise that appointment (152,173) watches hourage equally to cut apart in the preset time section.
5. the method for claim 1, the appointment of wherein said time-constrain comprise appointment (154,174) if the program of watching that is allowed surpass allowed watch period or time slot, for watching the time that is allowed to content whether can be extended.
6. the method for claim 1, the appointment of wherein said time-constrain comprise the fate that appointment (160,180) multimedia terminal can viewed person utilizes and in those days, be allowed to watch time slot.
7. the method for claim 1, the appointment of wherein said view content restriction comprises content topic (133,143,162,182) that designated user is allowed to watch and the content topic that can watch appointment according to what percentage.
8. the method for claim 1 further comprises the step of specifying minimal ages (134,142) by interface display (120,120 '), and the beholder who is lower than this minimal ages (134,142) is limited by described time-constrain and content constraints.
9. the method for claim 1, the appointment of wherein said view content restriction comprises specifies a minimum program grade (137,139,145,147), and the beholder under this minimum program grade (137,139,145,147) is limited by described content constraints.
10. method as claimed in claim 7 further comprises by interface display (122) and specifies the step of authorizing, and this is authorized and allows the user by recording equipment (23,28,29) record view content (163,165,183,185).
11. method as claimed in claim 10 further comprises the step that allows the beholder to define the view content that will be recorded, the described view content that will be recorded is consistent with the content topic of described appointment.
12. the method for claim 1 further comprises by interface display (122 ') and specifies the step of authorizing, so that for producing the history of watching visit that beholder in a period of time was kept and was stored in report (167,169,187,189) subsequently.
13. the method for claim 1, the step that wherein said supervision (216) beholder visits current or the broadcasted content that write down comprise that the periodic test beholder visits described current broadcast or the step of the content that write down.
14. the method for claim 1, the step that wherein said supervision (216) beholder visits current or the broadcasted content that write down comprise switching in response to the beholder visit of another current broadcast or the content that write down is checked that the beholder visits the step of described broadcasted content.
15. method as claimed in claim 10, the step of wherein said permission user record view content whether comprise when specifying in record (120,129) can filtering advertisement from broadcasted content additional step.
16. a supervisor control (100) that is used for by multimedia terminal equipment (13a, 13b) control user view content comprising:
Be used to receive the device (15,30) of user input instruction, described instruction fixed time constraint (151,156) is so that the control beholder is allowed to watch the time of described multimedia terminal in the certain hour section, and the view content restriction (125,135) that specifies in the described time period content that can be watched by described beholder;
Control device (15,50,51), be used for monitoring that (216) beholder is previous by the content that recording equipment write down of described beholder by the broadcasted content (163,183) of stored record by described multimedia terminal visit current broadcast content and visit, described control device comprises that being used for stoping (208,258,273,323,412) described beholder to visit has violated the device of described time and view content restriction.
17. system as claimed in claim 16, the time-constrain of wherein said appointment be included in preset time section inner multimedia terminal can be viewed the permission user viewing time (171,172) that utilizes of person.
18. system as claimed in claim 16, the time-constrain of wherein said appointment comprise work as the program of watching that is allowed surpass allowed watch period or time slot the time, be used to prolong the distribution of watching the additional period (154,174) that is allowed to content.
19. system as claimed in claim 16, the time-constrain of wherein said appointment comprise the multimedia terminal can be viewed the appointment that utilizes of person fate (160,180) and in those days, be allowed to watch time slot.
20. system as claimed in claim 16, the restriction of the view content of wherein said appointment comprise the appointment that the beholder is allowed to watch content topic (133,143,162,182) and can be viewed according to the content topic of what percentage appointment.
21. system as claimed in claim 16, the wherein said device that is used to receive user input instruction further receives the user input instruction of specifying minimal ages (134,142), and the beholder who is lower than this minimal ages (134,142) is limited by described time-constrain and content constraints.
22. system as claimed in claim 20, the wherein said device that is used to receive user input instruction further receives specifies the user input instruction of authorizing, and this is authorized and allows user by recording equipment (23,28,29) record view content (163,165,183,185).
23. the system as claimed in claim 22 further comprises the device that allows the beholder to define the view content that will be recorded, the described view content that will be recorded is consistent with the content topic of described appointment.
24. system as claimed in claim 16 further comprises being used to subsequently producing report and keeping and be stored in the device of watching access history of beholder in a period of time.
25. system as claimed in claim 16, the wherein said control device that is used to monitor that the beholder visits current or the broadcasted content that write down comprises and is used for periodically checking that the beholder visits described current broadcast or the device of the content that write down.
26. system as claimed in claim 16, the wherein said control device that is used to monitor that the beholder visits current or the broadcasted content that write down comprises and is used for changing another current broadcast of visit or the content that write down and check that the beholder visits the device of described broadcasted content in response to the beholder.
27. comprising, the system as claimed in claim 22, the device of wherein said permission user record view content be used at record filter from broadcasted content filtering advertisement when (120,129).
28. system as claimed in claim 16 comprises further with the network of described device (15) communicative couplings being connected (30,99) that described device (15) is used for the described user input instruction that described time-constrain and content constraints are specified in long-range input.
29. system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said network connects and comprises wired connection (25) or wireless connections (22).
30. system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said network connects and comprises public or privately owned network (99).
31. system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said multimedia terminal equipment comprises television set (13a, 13b).
32. system as claimed in claim 16, the recording equipment of the broadcasted content that wherein said storage is write down comprises compact disc storage medium (29).
33. system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said recording equipment (29) comprises private video recorder.
34. one kind is used for providing the method (200) that the supervision of view content is controlled by multimedia terminal equipment, comprises:
Differentiate that (203) attempt is visited current content of multimedia by described multimedia terminal equipment or the user of the content of multimedia that write down;
In response to attempting to visit current broadcasting program through the beholder who differentiates, whether inspection (400) current time formerly was appointed as within the confined time period (151,156), made this beholder not be allowed to watch the multimedia terminal;
Further, in current slot, check for this beholder whether (406) described broadcasted content or the content that is recorded meet previous specified view content restriction (125,135) in response to attempting to visit current broadcasting program through the beholder who differentiates; With,
Stop (412) described beholder to visit and violated the current or stored broadcasted content of described time and view content restriction, perhaps opposite, allow described beholder to watch accessed content.
35. method as claimed in claim 34, wherein, when when being scheduled to distribute the broadcast event of watching being allowed in beholder's time slot for one, further detect the end of described predetermined distribution beholder time slot, and produce and to be used for the message that on described multimedia terminal, shows, the described predetermined distribution beholder time slot of the described beholder of this message informing will finish.
36. method as claimed in claim 35, wherein, after the described message that the described predetermined distribution beholder time slot of the described beholder of reception notification will finish,, further allow the remainder of described beholder's recording events if incident exceeds institute's distributed time slot.
37. method as claimed in claim 36 further comprises allowing described beholder to watch the remaining content that is recorded of described incident in the beholder's time slot that distributes subsequently.
CNA200680014958XA 2005-03-02 2006-03-02 System and method for limiting access to multimedia programming Pending CN101171837A (en)

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JP2009503917A (en) 2009-01-29
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KR20080026531A (en) 2008-03-25

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