SE517484C2 - Parental control of devices that deliver media content - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling the use of a media content delivering apparatus (40), e.g. a receiver apparatus, such as a television receiver, integrated receiver decoder, or computer connected to the Internet, or a storage apparatus, such as a computer or a loaded optical disc player, provided with a parental control system is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of sending a request (73, 83) to unlock a particular media content, e.g. channels, individual programs, movies, website content, computer files, and the like, of interest to a user of the apparatus, said media content being locked by said parental control system, to a remotely located communication device (50); and unlocking (67) said particular media content in dependence on receiving an affirmative answer to said request from said communication device.

Description

W U 20 25 30 51 7 4 8 4 šïï * å - ê control is very limited and does not provide a parent with the broad control that is desirable to control the viewing or use of a television set for a child. The parental control in a television receiver of today is rather static, whereby a locked channel or a locked program must be unlocked by entering a password, usually from a remote control.

If parental control is to be overridden in the current system when the parent is not at home, the password can of course be given out, but in that case the channels cannot be locked again until the parent is at home and then a new password must be chosen. Furthermore, such an approach does not allow unlocking of only a certain channel, a certain program or during certain times.

Furthermore, some channels are encrypted and must be decoded, by a CAS system (CAS, conditional access system) in e.g. an integrated receiver decoder, before being transmitted to a television set.

In this case, control of the setting of the TV set is without effect and the integrated receiver decoder must be provided with its own parental control.

Consequently, there is a need, in the art for devices and procedures for improved parental control of, inter alia, television use, to provide a broad parental control to lock in unacceptable programs and select acceptable programs that are accessible to viewers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling the use of a device which delivers media content, which is provided with a parental control system, so that access to locked programs can be granted on a media content individual basis. This refers to devices that deliver media content, to recipients of media content such as e.g. television receivers, decoders, integrated receiver decoders, e.g. for cable, satellite and terrestrial reception, Internet-connected computers and media storage devices such as e.g. hard drives in computers and various turntables, and media content refers to channels, individual programs, movies, web page content, computer files and the like.

It is in this respect a particular object of the present invention to provide such a method which allows the granting or refusal of an access request from a remote location. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a method which is flexible, fast, efficient, inexpensive and easy to carry out.

A further object of the invention is to provide a computer program for implementing the method. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which delivers media content, which is provided with a parental control system so that access to locked programs can be granted on a media content individual basis from a remote location.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parental control unit for controlling the use of a device which delivers media content on a media content individual basis, from a remote location. 10 15 20 25 30 35 v o ca ua n u: u: y o o v u u oo oo n. O o o, u o nu os: .o o. N o o 5 n va n o u n: nu ß n; These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by methods, devices that deliver media content, parental control units and a computer program, respectively, according to the appended claims.

An advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a very flexible use of parental control, whereby access to media content, such as programs, channels, movies, files and websites, can be granted from a remote location and regardless of where the administrator of parental control is currently located.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it allows one to set a rough, rather restrictive approach to parental control in advance and then grant access on a media content individual basis.

Furthermore, the present invention enables remote setting of the parental control.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description below of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description below of embodiments of the invention and by means of Drawing Figures 1-3, which are illustrative only and not limiting of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows, schematically, a block diagram of a communication system, in which the present invention can be implemented. Fig. 2 is a flow chart of the operation of an integrated receiver decoder incorporating the parental control of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the operation of a remotely operated parental control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments For explanatory and non-limiting purposes, the specification below sets forth particular details, such as certain techniques and applications, to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention may be embodied in other embodiments which differ with respect to these particular details. In other examples, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as not to burden the description of the present invention with unnecessary details.

Referring to Fig. 1, which schematically shows a block diagram of a communication system for multimedia applications, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The backbone of the system includes a number of communication paths 30, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. The transmission medium supports high speed transmission of digital information, e.g. audio (audio, A), video (V) and data (D). which a media content provider 10 is a transmitter of A number of users are connected to the backbone, in information, e.g. an information or multimedia service provider of digital video broadcasting (DVB), and a second user 40 is a recipient of multimedia information, e.g. a network-connected Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) or a so-called set-top box. A standardized method, such as MPE (Multiprotocol Encapsulation), can be used to send the information to the receiver 40 through receiver equipment on the end user side.

The integrated receiver decoder 40 is typically an interactive television system provided with a processor, memory and a modem or the like which enables two-way communication between provider 10 and decoder 40.

Furthermore, decoder 40 is provided with a parental control system (not shown) by means of which decoder 40 can be set in three different working modes: a family viewing mode, in which conversion of selected channels and / or programs is locked, a setting mode for selecting the channels and / or programs that must be locked in the family viewing mode and a parent access mode, in which you can watch all channels.

The family viewing mode is activated by turning on the converter or by commanding the user or the provider of the information content. The setting mode is started with a user command, typically from remote control 44, followed by a valid authorization code for the setting mode.

The parental access mode is typically activated by the user entering a valid authorization code.

Individual programs can be locked in the setting mode provided that each program broadcast has a unique program identifier.

As an additional option, channels can be set in the setting mode, to be locked in the family viewing mode only on specific days and times. In this way, channels that broadcast children's programs in the mornings and adult-oriented material in the evenings / nights can be selected so that they are locked in the mode for family watching during the evenings / nights.

In digital video broadcasting, each program that is broadcast can be provided with a rating that tells how offensive and inappropriate the program is for children to see. In this case, programs can be locked in the family viewing mode simply by selecting program rating in the setting mode and the programs having such rating are automatically locked from being converted in family viewing mode.

It should be understood that the parental control system may be designed to select the permitted channels, programs, times and / or ratings instead of selecting the prohibited channels, programs, times and / or ratings.

It should also be understood that the parental control system can be provided with additional viewing modes such as. a viewing mode for young people, which is accessed by the user entering a valid access code. In that case, there may be two modes with limited accessibility: a family viewing mode where only children (movies) are allowed to watch, and a viewing mode for teens where all programs except the most offensive and inappropriate movies are allowed. The setting mode must then be designed for setting two levels with limited access and the youth and parent must have different authorization codes.

Furthermore, various interface devices are provided for the end user, such as a television screen 42 for displaying the multimedia content received by decoder 40 and a remote control 44 for controlling and setting 45 of decoder 40. Furthermore, there may be other user interface devices, such as a microphone, speakers, a video camera, etc. (not shown) to enable interactivity between the end user 46 and the provider 10.

According to the present invention, there is provided a remote-controlled parental control unit, RPC, 48 for controlling the use of decoder 40 (i.e., the parental control system therein). The control unit 48 may be located in the same location as the decoder. in separate location from both decoder 40 and provider 10, but is preferably located at the multimedia provider.Control unit 48 is connected to decoder 40 by means of a bidirectional communication line 49. Line 49 is preferably a modem connection available in existing integrated receiver decoders, which is typically used as a reverse channel. Furthermore, the parental control unit 48 is typically provided with a processor, a memory and a GSM trace receiver (not shown) so that it can dial a communication device, such as a mobile telephone 50 located in a remote location. n and the mobile phone communicate with each other by exchanging text messages is used by a parental control administrator (PCA) 54, ie. the parental user off to remotely control the parental control system in decoder 40. Alternatively, or as a complement, the parental control unit 48 may be provided with an Internet connection so that the PCA can be contacted via e.g. e-mail and the answer is given via the Internet.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the RPC is not provided with a GSM transceiver but is connected to a server or a network, which in turn contacts one of the communication devices of the PCA.

Referring now to Fig. 2, which is a flow chart of the operation of the receiver decoder 40 in Fig. 1, this particular part of the present invention will be described.

The algorithm begins when a person, e.g. a child watches TV in family viewing mode and switches to a program or channel that is locked for viewing in family viewing mode. A menu is displayed on the TV screen in a step 61 and the child is informed about the parental locking of the current event or program and is asked if he / she wants to enter a PIN code to unlock the event in order to watch it. If the answer is yes, he / she is asked to enter the PIN code and in step 63 the PIN code is entered. Then, in a step 65, the PIN code is checked, and if it is correct, the event is unlocked in a step 67. If the PIN code is incorrect, the person is informed and asked again to enter the PIN code.

This can be repeated a number of times before the algorithm is stopped.

If the answer to whether you want to enter the PIN code or not is negative (eg due to the fact that the child does not know the PIN code), he / she is asked in step 69 if he / she wants to ask the administrator of the parental control (ie. the parent) for permission to watch the current event. If the answer is no, in step 71 he / she is informed that the event remains locked. If, on the other hand, the answer is in the affirmative, a request is sent, in step 73, to the remote parental control unit. The request contains, among other things, the name of the event that the child wishes to see.

Instead of steps 61 and 69, a larger menu can be displayed which informs about the entry of PIN code and request for permission, whereby e.g. press "l" to enter the PIN code and "2" to send a request to the parent.

The function of the parental control unit will be described in more detail below. At present, it is sufficient to know that the parental control unit contacts the parent who is in a remote location and asks for permission to see the event, on behalf of the child. Three different alternatives are 10 15 20 25 30 517 484 "._ 10 possible: a positive answer, a negative answer and no answer at all (eg the parent may not be reachable).

Thus, in a step 75, it is checked whether a response is received. If no response is received, the algorithm is moved to step 71, i.e. the child is informed that the event remains locked. If an answer is received, then check, in a step 77, whether the answer is in the affirmative or not. If the answer is yes, the algorithm is moved to step 67, i.e. the event is unlocked. It should be noted that only this program is unlocked, ie. removed from the list of banned programs and channels.

Finally, if the response received from the RPC is negative, the algorithm moves to step 71 and the event remains locked.

It will be appreciated that communication with receiver decoders 40 may be performed in any known manner, but preferably a standard remote control is used.

It will further be appreciated that the parental control system remains in the family viewing mode during all parts of the algorithm, as described above. However, it is possible to see the unlocking of events as a temporary change to the system setting mode to delete the event in question.

Referring now to Fig. 3, which is a flow chart of the operation of the RPC 48 in Fig. 1, this particular part of the present invention will be described.

The algorithm is initiated after step 73 in Fig. 2, i.e. a request is sent from the receiver decoder 40 to the RPC 48. This request is received in a step 81. In a step 83 the request is sent to the administrator of the parental control (the parent) as an SMS message or in a mobile phone call. The request is accompanied by a prompt to enter a PIN code, which may be the same PIN code to be entered in step 63 in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the request may be sent to the administrator of the parental control via the Internet.

Then, in a step 85, it is checked whether a response from the PCA has been received. If a reply is received, check if the PIN code is correct. If it is, the answer, yes or no, in a step 87, is sent back to the receiver decoder 40.

The PIN authorization code is necessary to prevent the child from giving the answer himself when the administrator of the parental control has accidentally forgotten the mobile phone at home, ie. in the same place as the decoder.

If no response is received, then, in a step 89, a signal is sent back indicating that no response has been received from the PCA. Alternatively, no response is sent back to the receiver decoder at all.

The remotely operated parental control unit provides opportunities to increase the flexibility of parental control used in existing receiver decoders. By sending a request to the parental control administrator (ie the parent setting up the decoder's parental control system), the child can ask if he or she can watch a particular program (or unlock an entire channel). About tex. a mobile phone is used to contact the parent, an automatic service for the parental control unit could prompt the parent to enter the same PIN code that would have been entered with the remote control in the home and then press e.g. "L" or "O" to grant or deny access to the requested material. 10 15 20 25 30 517 4 84 12 It should be understood that the RPC can contact the PCA via a GSM service or via WAP, SMS or WWW. All necessary information regarding the content is sent to the PCA to enable the decision to grant or deny access.

It is not only possible to grant or deny access to content from a remote location, but also to set up parental control. In this case, the RPC works so that a transparent connection is set up between the PCA and the receiver decoder. Thus, the remote PCA can control the parental control system of the receiver decoder 40 by means of its mobile telephone just as if he / she were sitting in front of the receiver decoder with the remote control in his hand (possibly with the exception of short delays due to transmission time). This feature is especially useful if the PCA and RPC can communicate over the Internet so that the PCA can have a good overview of the settings.

If the RPC system of the present invention is used, it is not necessary for the parent to be at home to lock or unlock e.g. TV channels or programs.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not only applicable to receiver decoders and television receivers but also to media / multimedia content devices in general terms, which include both media content receivers, e.g. television receivers, decoders, integrated receiver decoders and Internet-connected computers, and storage devices for media such as. hard drives for computers and various turntables, and thus programs or events can be matched by movies, web page content, computer files, discs and the like. 517,484 šïï = 233; Of course, the invention can be varied in many different ways. Such variations should not be construed as falling outside the scope of the invention.

All such modifications, which would be obvious to a person skilled in the art, are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims (16)

10 15 20 25 30 517 484 - 14 PATENT REQUIREMENTS A method for controlling the use of a device (40) which delivers media content and is provided with a parental control system, the method being characterized by the steps of: - a request (73, 83) for unlocking a particular media content of interest; for a user of the device is sent to a remote communication device (50), said media content being locked by said parental control system and - said particular media content (67) being unlocked depending on whether an affirmative response to said request is received from said communication device. The method of claim 1, wherein said media content delivery device (40) is an integrated receiver decoder and said particular media content is a channel or program. The method of claim 2, wherein said integrated receiver decoder is provided with a modem, typically used as a reverse channel, and wherein the step of transmitting a request is performed via said modem. The method of claim 3, wherein each affirmative response to said request from said communication device is received via said modem. A method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein said request is accompanied by an identification of the particular media content. W U 20 25 30 51 7 4 3 4 Éï * 'z 15 A method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the step of sending a request to the remote communication device comprises a further request to enter a valid authorization code, and wherein said particular media content is unlocked depending on whether a valid authorization code is received. A method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein said request is transmitted and the response is received via a cellular telephone network. A method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein a unlocked particular media content is locked depending on whether such a request is received from said communication device. A device which delivers media content and is provided with a parental control system for controlling its use, the device delivering media content being the core: a transceiver for transmitting a request (73, 83) for unlocking a particular media content of interest of a user of the device to a remote communication device (50), said media content being locked by said parental control system, and to receive a response to said request from said communication device, wherein - said parental control system is adapted to unlock said particular media content (67) depending on whether the answer is yes. 10 15 20 25 30 517 484 n a c o u. | u 9 u æ- 16 10. l0. The device of claim 9, wherein said device is (40) is a channel or program. an integrated receiver decoder and said special media content 11. ll. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said transceiver for transmitting a request and receiving a response is a modem. The apparatus of any of claims 9-11, wherein said transceiver for sending a request and receiving a response is a cellular network transceiver. A parental control unit for controlling the use of a device (40) which delivers media content and is provided with a parental control system, characterized in that: - said control unit is connectable to said device which delivers media content by means of a bidirectional communication line (49), in particular a modem line, - an input connectable to said communication line for receiving a request (81) to unlock a particular media content of interest to a user of the device delivering media content from the device delivering media content, said media content being locked by said parental control system, a transmitter for transmitting the request to unlock a particular media content (83) to a remote communication device (50), - a receiver for receiving a response (85) to said request from said communication device and peace » o conc- un: S, 7 484 17 - an output connectable to the said com communication line for sending a signal (87) to said device delivering media content to unlock said particular media content depending on whether the response is affirmative. The control unit of claim 13, wherein said device delivering media content is an integrated receiver decoder (40) and said particular media content is a channel or program. A control unit according to any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein said transmitter for transmitting requests to the remote communication device and said receiver for receiving a response (85) from said communication device are adapted to use a cellular network. Computer software that can be loaded into the internal memory of a device (40) that delivers media content, comprising software code for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-8, when said program is run in said device.