JP5860037B2 - Media registration and permission in the media player - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of media players. In particular, the present invention relates to a function for registering media in a player and requiring permission for the registered media to be played on the player.

  Ratings of contents (contents) of media such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs can be classified from “G” to “X”, but some contents are not rated at all (NR). A family with children may have a frequently seen “G” or “PG” rating DVD or Blu-ray disc, which is sometimes set and played by the child in the player without adult supervision. Can be done. However, adults may also rent or own DVDs or Blu-ray discs that are inappropriate for children, and those discs may be set or played back by children by mistake or intentionally.

  Despite the fact that media players such as DVD or Blu-ray players usually have parental control functions to prevent the viewing of content with a given rating, it is a complex setup and a single rating category. Is not typically used for a broad range of content within. For example, some movies are rated “PG” or “PG13”, but may contain some level of extreme language, nudity, or violence that is not desirable for children. In addition, some families may have DVDs, Blu-ray discs or other media in the library that contain subject matter that is not subject to discussion by certain members of the family. Absent.

  Some media may contain inappropriate targets despite their rating, so it is preferable to be able to control which media can be played based on the media itself, rather than the media rating It is.

  According to one embodiment, a method is provided that allows media playback based on media registration. This includes saving a registry of registered media. The media to be played can then be compared to the stored registry of the registered media. If the media is registered, permission is required to play the registered media.

  With this method, it is possible to prevent a medium such as a DVD or a Blu-ray disc that contains undesirable contents from being played regardless of the media rating.

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

  According to another embodiment, a method for registering media in a media player is provided. First, a selection of media to be registered is received. Then, the received selected media is registered. Once registered, permission is required to play the registered media.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a DVD system viewed from a single location in normal operation. FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a media system that can be operated from multiple locations and distribute content to multiple locations. FIG. 2 is a useful block diagram illustrating elements of a system according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of a method according to an embodiment. FIG. 5A is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of a method according to another embodiment. FIG. 5B shows an on-screen menu associated with the flow diagram of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating additional steps of a method according to an embodiment.

  The methods, systems and teachings disclosed herein can be embodied in a media player, which can have media registered with that player. Once the media is registered, permission is required to play the registered media.

  In the examples described herein, the term “media” refers to storage means used for distributing content. The term “media” is meant to include all such storage media, or is used for the storage and distribution of content along with data files provided on such storage media. Therefore, the “media” can include an optical storage device (device) such as a DVD or a Blu-ray disc, a memory device (device) such as a thumb flash drive, and a media file such as an MP4, QuickTime, or Windows Media file. The term “media player” refers to a device that is configured to play “media”. This is a device that reads physical media such as a DVD or Blu-ray player, downloads, stores, streams, play media files such as Apple TV, Roku set top box, Vudu set top box, IPad, or Zune media player, Or other devices that perform other methods may be included. The “media player” may be realized by software such as the application QuickTime and Windows (registered trademark) media player.

  FIG. 1A illustrates one environment 100 in which a media player having the functionality described herein can be employed. The media player 110 exists at the center. In this embodiment, the media player 110 is a set top box such as a DVD player. The media player 110 is connected to a user display device such as a television and / or an audio system 120. The connection between the media player 110 and the television can be a coaxial, RCA, HDMI or other type of audiovisual (AV) connection.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the media player 110 is a set-top box designed to be connected to a user display device such as a television or stereo system that outputs media content and an audio system 120. However, in other embodiments, the media player 110 need not be connected to the user's display device and / or audio system 120 and can be a stand-alone device that includes its own video and audio playback capabilities.

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

  In the example of FIG. 1B, media player 110 is connected to first display device and / or audio system 120 in a conventional manner as described in FIG. 1A. The media player 110 is connected to a second display device and / or audio system 122 and a third display device and / or audio system 124 on the home network 140. In the illustrated system, the second display device 122 is interfaced with the home network 40 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 coaxial, RCA, HDMI, or other AV connections and uses a network connection. And connected to the DVD 110. In the case of the third display device 124, the third display device 124 has a network connection so that conventional coaxial, RCA, HDMI, or other AV connections are not used. Examples of suitable networks include Ethernet or multimedia over a coaxial (MoCa) network. Other types of suitable home networks will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure. In this configuration, commands for controlling the DVD 110 for the remote display devices 122 and 124 are received by the set top box 150 or the display device 124 and transmitted to the DVD 110 via the home network 140.

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

  The reader 200 is configured to access, read and / or decrypt media. The type and configuration of the reader 200 vary depending on the media format. In this manner, the reader 200 can be set to read a physical medium such as a DVD and decrypt a media file supplied to the physical storage device. In other embodiments, the media file is obtained without using a physical storage device, such as a downloaded media file, and the reader decrypts the media file. In certain embodiments, the reader 110 can access, read, and / or decrypt different types of media. For example, the media player may be able to play not only a Blu-ray disc and a DVD but also a stream media on a network. In such cases, reader 200 can access, read, and / or decrypt media files from all of those sources.

  The processor 210 controls the operation of the media player 110. The processor 210 runs the media player 110 and executes software that provides registry and authorization functions. This includes maintaining a registry of registered media and requesting permission to play the registered media. The processor 210 is connected to the receiving unit 200, the storage device 220, the output interface 230, and in some embodiments, the input interface 240 and the network interface 250, and transmits and processes information between these elements. The processor 210 can be a general purpose processor or a processor dedicated to a specific function. In certain embodiments, there can be multiple processors.

  Storage device 220 is a device that stores software and other information used by consumer electronics devices. Storage device 220 may include volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (EEPROM), magnetic media (hard disk drive), optical media (CD / DVD-Rom), or flash-based storage. In certain embodiments, the storage device 220 generally includes not only memory but also a large capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive.

  The output interface 230 is configured to provide media in the correct format for output to a video display or audio device 120. Suitable formats include not only the codec of the content to be output, but also the external video display device or audio device, or in some embodiments, the type of connector used to connect to the onboard display or speaker. Can do. The output interface 230 can also provide graphics and menus used to access the media and provide information about the media.

  In some embodiments, the media player 110 can further include an input interface 240. The user interface 240 allows a user to interact with the media player 110. In addition, the user interface 240 enables selection of media for reproduction, and allows input of permission for displaying registered media. In addition, the user interface 240 can handle interfacing with various devices such as a remote control and a keyboard that can be used to input information.

  In certain embodiments, media player 110 also includes a network interface 250. The network interface processes communication with other devices via the network of the media player 110. This can include devices within the home network 140 or Internet devices outside the home network 140, as shown in FIG. 1B. Examples of suitable networks include Ethernet ™ or multimedia over a coaxial (MoCa) network. Other types of suitable home networks will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

  It should be understood that the elements shown in FIG. 2 are exemplary. Media player 110 may include any number of elements, and certain elements may provide some or all of the functionality of other elements. For example, many of the functions of reader 200, output interface 230, and input interface 240 can be performed by processor 210 or multiple general or dedicated processors. Similarly, the network connection can be implemented away from the output interface 230 or the input interface 240. Other possible implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

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

  In step 310, a registry of registered media is maintained. The registry contains a list of all media registered in the media player. In the example where the media player 110 is a DVD player, the registry may include all DVDs registered with the DVD player. In the example in which the media player 110 is set as a stream media, the registry can include all streaming media files registered with the media player 110. In addition to storing the media, maintaining the registry includes adding media to the registry and removing media from the registry. An example of this can be seen in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, maintaining a registry of registered media (step 310) includes accepting a selection of media to be registered (step 400) and registering the selected media (step 410). As shown. These steps are described in detail below.

  The selection of media can be accepted directly from the user via a menu on the screen, for example. Alternatively, the selection of media for registration can be performed by the user remotely, for example via the Internet. In another embodiment, the media selected for registration can be part of the list. For example, a list of DVDs that are unsuitable for children may be provided by a consumer surveillance group that can be downloaded or otherwise entered into the media player 110.

  If the media selection is accepted (at step 400), the selected program (program) is registered (step 320). Registration can be automatic upon accepting media selection. Alternatively, registration can be selected by the user via a menu on the display screen, for example. The registration of media indicates how to process the media in which the program is registered. In one embodiment, registration indicates that the program is restricted meaning that the media is not suitable for general viewing. For example, media with adult-themed content may be registered as private indicating that the media should not be played without permission.

  Conversely, registration can indicate that the media is preferred and means that little or no permission is required for the media to be played. 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 other embodiments, the registration of the media may indicate specific permission requirements. For example, a program can register a program to indicate that the media should be playable only to certain users. In another embodiment, when a plurality of display devices 120, 122, and 124 are connected to the media player 110 as in the example of FIG. 1B, the display devices 120, 122, and 124 play media. Programs can be registered to indicate that they are allowed. Therefore, a specific program can be registered so as to be played back only by the television vision in the bedroom, while another program can be registered so as to be displayed only on the television in the family room. Other possible registrations will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

  5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment of the operation between accepting a selection of registered media (step 400) and registering the selected media (step 410). FIG. 5A is a flow diagram 500 of media selection and registration method processing using the DVD parental control menu 550 on the screen of FIG. 5B. After the DVD parental control menu 550 is opened (step 510), the cursor 560 is moved up or down the menu 550 to select the DVD to be registered (step 520). In this case, the DVD “Rabbit Proof Fence” is selected using the cursor 560. The cursor can be moved to the right or left to select the type of registration desired (step 530). In this case, the registration option is “Private” 550. The “private” tag indicates that the media is for private viewing only. When the desired option is selected (step 530), the program is registered (step 540). In the example of FIG. 5B, registration of media as “private” is indicated by a check mark 570, and the check mark 570 indicates that the DVD “Pineapple Express” is registered as “private”. Show.

  In some embodiments, maintaining the registry may require permission. For example, parents may wish to restrict the authority to add or delete media from the registry. Thus, media registration by the user can require the user to provide a password before enabling registration, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. This can be implemented similar to the parental lock feature as currently found in televisions and set-top boxes. In another embodiment, a designated device, such as set-top box 160 or display device 124, when multiple display devices 120, 122, and 124 are connected to media player 110, as in the example of FIG. 1B. The media player can be configured so that the media player can only be registered via the.

  Referring back to FIG. 3, after the selected program is registered (step 320), permission is required to play the registered media based on the registration (step 330). For example, media registered as “private” can only be viewed if the user provides a password. This can be implemented similar to the parental lock feature as currently found in televisions and set-top boxes. Conversely, if the media is registered as preferred as “Kid Safe”, little or no permission may be required to play the registered media.

  In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, when multiple display devices 120, 122, and 124 are connected to the media player 110, only with designated devices such as the set-top box 160 or display device 124. The media player 110 can be configured to play a particular registered media. For example, only designated display devices that are authorized to display registered media can play programs tagged “private”.

  In yet other embodiments, authorization can 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 B of media tagged as “private”, the permission to play media registered as “private” can be changed based on the time of day. . For example, in the time between 5 am and 8 pm when the child is the main user of the media player, the media registered as “private” is not played, however, when the child is sleeping After 8 pm, media registered as “private” is allowed to be played.

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

  It should be understood that registry setup and management along with permissions including passwords, specified devices, and temporal aspects can be performed by the user as needed. For example, an on-screen menu can be provided to the user to set or change any of those aspects. In certain embodiments, an on-screen prompt can be provided to the user. An example of this can be seen in FIG.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram 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. The process starts when the DVD is loaded on the player (step 610). The DVD player checks whether the DVD is registered with the player (step 620). If the DVD is registered, the requested permission is determined, and if permitted, the DVD is played (step 630). If the DVD is not registered, a pop-up window 650 prompting registration is opened (step 640). Using the pop-up window, the user selects whether to register the DVD (step 660). If the user chooses not to register the DVD, the DVD can begin playing (step 670). If the user chooses to register the DVD with the player, a registration pop-up menu 690 is provided (step 680). Then, using the pop-up menu 690, the user can select the type of registration, in this case “private” (step 700).

  Although the above examples focus on electronic devices, it should be understood that the present invention can be incorporated into a computer program product, all of which enable the implementation of the methods described herein. And can execute the methods when loaded into a computer system. The computer program or application in this context is capable of processing information either directly or after a) conversion to another language, code or notation, and b) playback in different material forms. Means any representation in any language, code or notation of the instruction set intended to perform a particular function.

In addition, the above description is intended as an example only and is not intended to limit the invention in any way except as set forth in the following claims.
(Appendix)
(Appendix 1)
In the media player,
Maintaining a registry of registered media; and
Comparing media to the registered registry of the registered media;
Requesting permission to play the media based on the registration of the media in the holding registry.
(Appendix 2)
Accepting permissions for the registered media;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: playing the registered media in response to the permission.
(Appendix 3)
Maintaining the registry of the registered media comprises:
Accepting a selection of media to be registered;
The method of claim 1, comprising the step of registering the selected media.
(Appendix 4)
Accepting the selection of media to be registered includes
The method of claim 3, comprising accepting a selection of media to be registered from a user.
(Appendix 5)
The method of claim 4, wherein the accepted selection of media to be registered is accepted from a user via a menu on the screen.
(Appendix 6)
Accepting the selection of media to be registered includes
Providing an on-screen prompt for media selection;
The method of claim 5, further comprising accepting a media selection provided by a user via a menu on the screen.
(Appendix 7)
The method of claim 3, wherein the selection of media to be registered is accepted via a network connection of the media player.
(Appendix 8)
The method of claim 3, wherein accepting the selection of media to be registered includes accepting a list of media to be registered.
(Appendix 9)
The step of registering the accepted selected media comprises:
The method of claim 3, comprising registering the accepted selected media to be restricted.
(Appendix 10)
The step of registering the accepted selected media comprises:
The method of claim 3, comprising the step of registering the accepted selected media as desired.
(Appendix 11)
The method of claim 1, wherein the permission includes a password accepted from a user.
(Appendix 12)
The method of claim 1, wherein the permission is based on a device that displays media being played by the media player.
(Appendix 13)
The method of claim 1, wherein the permission is based on a time of day.
(Appendix 14)
The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is a network-based media player.
(Appendix 15)
A reader configured to read the media provided to the media player;
A processor configured to maintain a registry of registered media, compare the media with the registered registry of the registered media, and request permission to play the registered media based on the registration of the media When,
A storage device for storing the holding registry of the registered media;
An output interface for outputting permitted media content.
(Appendix 16)
Item 16. The media player according to item 15, further including a network interface.
(Appendix 17)
The media player of claim 15 further comprising an input interface that accepts input from a user.
(Appendix 18)
The media player of clause 17, wherein the input interface is further configured to accept permissions for playback of the registered media.
(Appendix 19)
In the media player,
Accepting a selection of media to be registered;
Registering the accepted selected media; and
Requesting permission to play the registered media based on the registration of the media.
(Appendix 20)
Accepting permissions for the registered media;
The method of claim 19, further comprising: playing the registered media in response to the permission.

Claims (19)

In the media player,
Maintaining a registry of registered media; and
Comparing media to the maintained registry of registered media;
Requesting permission to play the media based on the registration of the media in the maintained registry, where permission is required to play the media, the permission being played by the media player Said requesting step based on a device for displaying said media being played;
Including a method. Accepting permission for registered media;
Playing the registered media in response to the permission;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: The step of maintaining the registry of registered media includes:
Accepting a selection of media to be registered;
Registering the selected media; and
The method of claim 1 comprising:   4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of accepting the selection of media to be registered includes accepting the selection of media to be registered from a user.   The method of claim 4, wherein the accepted selection of media to be registered is accepted from a user via a menu on the screen. Accepting the selection of media to be registered;
Providing an on-screen prompt for media selection;
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising accepting a media selection provided by a user via a menu on the screen.   The method of claim 3, wherein the selection of media to be registered is accepted via a network connection of the media player.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of accepting the selection of media to be registered includes accepting a list of media to be registered.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of registering the accepted selected media comprises registering the accepted selected media as restricted.   4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of registering the accepted selected media comprises registering the accepted selected media as preferred.   The method of claim 1, wherein the permission includes a password accepted from a user.   The method of claim 1, wherein the permission is based on time of day.   The method of claim 1, wherein the media player is a network-based media player. A media player,
A reader configured to read media provided to the media player;
Maintain a registry of registered media, compare the media with the stored registry of registered media, and register the media if it requires permission to play the media based on the registration of the media A processor configured to request permission to play the media, wherein the permission is based on a device for displaying the media played by the media player;
A storage device for storing the maintained registry of registered media;
An output interface that outputs the content of authorized media;
The media player comprising:   The media player of claim 14, further comprising a network interface.   The media player of claim 14, further comprising an input interface that accepts input from a user.   The media player of claim 16, wherein the input interface is further configured to accept permissions for the playback of registered media. In the media player,
Accepting a selection of media to be registered;
Registering the accepted selected media; and
Requesting permission to play the registered media when permission is required to play the media based on the registration of the media, wherein the permission is the media played by the media player Said requesting step based on a device for displaying
Including a method. Accepting permissions for the registered media;
Playing the registered media in response to the permission;
The method of claim 18, further comprising:

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