KR101682267B1 - Media registration and authorization on a media player - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosed methods and systems provide the registry and authorization of media in a media player. The method includes holding a registry of registered media. The media to be played by the media play is compared with the registered registry of the registered media. When the media is registered, permission is requested to play the registered media.

Description

MEDIA REGISTRATION AND AUTHORIZATION ON A MEDIA PLAYER [0002]

The present invention relates to the field of media players. More particularly, the present invention relates to the ability to register media with a player, wherein the registered media request permission to be played by the player.

The ratings for the content of the media, such as DVDs and Blu-ray discs, may be between "G" and "X ", while some content may not be rated (NR) at all. Families with children can have multiple "G" or " PG "rated DVDs or Blu-ray discs that can be played by children, often viewed, loaded onto players and sometimes without adult supervision. However, adults may also borrow or own DVDs or Blu-ray discs that are unsuitable for children that may be accidentally or intentionally loaded and reproduced by children.

Although media players such as DVD or Blu-ray players generally have parental control functions that prevent content with a particular rating from being viewed, the complexity of the settings and the broadness of content within a rating category It is not commonly used due to its range. For example, some movies may be rated "PG" or "PG13", but still contain some level of non-attribution, exposure or violence that may be offensive to children. Also, some families may have DVDs, Blu-ray discs, or other media in their library, with controversial themes that they do not want certain members of the family to see.

It is advantageous to be able to control which media is playable based on the media itself rather than the rating of the media, since some media may contain inappropriate subjects despite its rating.

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

With this method, it is possible to prevent a medium such as a DVD or a Blu-ray Disc including unpleasant contents from being reproduced regardless of the rating of the medium.

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

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

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

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

In the examples described herein, the term "media" is used to refer to storage means used for distribution of content. The term "media" is used to refer to all such storage media or to store and distribute content as well as data files provided on such storage media. Thus, "media" includes optical storage devices such as DVDs or Blu-ray discs; Memory devices such as thumb flash drives; And media files such as MP4, QuickTime, Windows Media files, and the like. The term "media player" refers to devices configured to play "media ". Devices for reading physical media such as DVD or Blu-ray players; Download, store, stream, or otherwise play media files, such as Apple TV, Roku set top box, Vudu set top box, iPod, or Zune media player Lt; / RTI > devices. The "media player" may also be implemented in software such as QuickTime and Windows Media Player, applications.

FIG. 1A shows a work environment 100 in which a media player with the functions described herein can be used. Its core is the media player 110. In this embodiment, the media player 110 is a set-top box such as a DVD player. The media player 110 is coupled to a user's display device, such as a television, and / or to the audio system 120. The connection between the media player 110 and the television may be a coaxial cable, RCA, HDMI or other type of audio visual (AV) connection.

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

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

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

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

The reader 200 is configured to access, read and / or decode the media. The type and configuration of the reader 200 depends on the format of the media. As such, reader 200 may be configured to read physical media such as DVD and to decode media files provided on physical storage. In another embodiment, if the media files are acquired without the use of a physical storage device, such as downloaded media files, the reader decodes the media files. In some embodiments, the reader 110 may access, read and / or decode other types of media. For example, a media player can not only play Blu-ray discs and DVDs, but also can stream media through a network. In such a case, the reader 200 may access, read and / or decode media files from all of its sources.

The processor 210 controls the operation of the media player 110. The processor 210 may not only run software that operates the media player 110, but may also provide functions of the registry and permissions. This involves holding a registry of the registered media and requesting permission to play the registered media. The processor 210 is coupled to the receiver 200, the storage 220, the output interface 230, and, in some embodiments, the input interface 240 and the network interface 250, And processing. The processor 210 may be a general purpose processor or a dedicated processor for a particular function. In some embodiments, there may be multiple processors.

The storage 220 is where software and other information used by the consumer electronic device is stored. The storage 220 may include volatile memory (RAM), non-volatile memory (EEPROM), magnetic memory (hard drive), optical media (CD / DVD-Rom) or flash based storage. In some embodiments, the storage 220 will typically also include mass storage as well as hard drives such as hard drives.

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

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

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

It should be understood that the elements disclosed in FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only. Consumer electronic device 110 may include any number of elements, and certain elements may provide some or all of the functionality of other elements. For example, most of the functionality of the reader 200, the output interface 230, and the input interface 240 may be performed by the processor 210, or by a plurality of general purpose or special purpose processors. Similarly, the network connection may be implemented spaced apart from either 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.

3 is a flow chart illustrating a method 300 for registry and authorization of media. Most fundamentally, the method comprises three steps. The first step is to receive the registry of the registered media (step 310). The media may then be compared to the registered registry of the registered media (step 320). If the media is registered, permission to play the registered media is requested based on the registration of the media (step 330). In certain embodiments, the method further comprises receiving permission (step 340) and playing the registered media upon receiving permission (step 350). Each of these steps will be described in more detail below.

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

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

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

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

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

In another embodiment, the registration of the media may indicate a requirement of a particular permission. For example, the program may be registered to indicate that the media is playable only to a particular user. In other embodiments, such as the example of FIG. 1B, a plurality of display devices 120, 122, and 124 are connected to the media player 110, Or to indicate whether the user is authorized to do so. Thus, certain programs may be registered to reproduce only in bedroom televisions, while other programs may be registered to appear only in living room televisions. Other possible registrations will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

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

In some embodiments, retention of the registry may require authorization. For example, the caregiver may want to limit the ability to add or remove media from the registry. As such, the registration of the media by the user as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B may require the user to provide a password before registration is performed. This can be implemented similarly to the parental lock functions currently used in television or set-top boxes. In another embodiment, such as the example of FIG. 1B, when a plurality of display devices 120, 122, 124 are connected to the media player 110, the media player may register the media in the set- 124, < / RTI >

Referring again to FIG. 3, after the selected program is registered (step 320), permission is requested to play the registered media based on the registration (step 330). For example, media registered as "private" may only be viewed if the user provides a password. This can be implemented similarly to the parental lock function currently used on television or set-top boxes. Conversely, if the media is registered as preferred, such as "Kid Safe ", then little or no permission may be required to play the registered media.

1B, when a plurality of display devices 120, 122, and 124 are connected to the multimedia player 110, the media player 110 determines whether the predetermined registered media is a set top box 160 And to be displayed only on designated devices such as display device 124. [ For example, programs tagged as "private" may be reproduced only on designated display devices authorized to display the registered media.

In another embodiment, the grant may have a temporal aspect. That is, the permission to play the registered media may depend on the time of day. Thus, in the case of Figures 5A and 5B where the media is tagged as " private ", the permission to play the media registered as "private" For example, in the time between 5 am and 8 pm when the children become the main users of the media player, the media registered as "private" is not played, but after 8 pm, when the children sleep, they are "private" The registered media will be allowed to play.

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

It should be appreciated that permissions, including passwords, designated devices, and temporal aspects, as well as setup and management of the registry, can be performed by the user as needed. For example, an on-screen menu may be provided to the user to configure or change any of these aspects. In some embodiments, on-screen prompts may be provided to the user. This example is shown in Fig.

6 is a flow diagram 600 of one embodiment of a process for registering media to a media player. In this example, the media player is a DVD player and the registered media is a DVD. This process begins with the DVD being loaded into the player (step 610). The DVD player then checks to see if the DVD has been registered with the player (step 620). If the DVD player is registered, the necessary permission is determined, and if authorized, the DVD is reproduced (step 630). If the DVD is not registered, a pop-up window 650 is prompted to register (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 starts to play (step 670). If the user has selected to register the DVD with the player, a registration pop-up menu 690 is provided (step 680). Using the pop-up menu 690, the user selects (step 700) the type of registration, in this case "private ".

While the foregoing examples are focused on electronic devices, the present invention also encompasses all of the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and also includes a computer program product that, when loaded within a computer system, It should be understood that it can be embedded. A computer program or an application in this context is any representation of any language, code or annotation, in which a system having information processing capabilities is capable of: a) conversion to another language, code or annotation; and b) Quot; means any representation of a set of instructions intended to perform a particular function upon or after the occurrence of either or both of the reproduction of the instructions.

In addition, while the foregoing is described by way of example, the invention is not intended to be limited in any way, except as by the appended claims.

Claims (20)

A method in a media player,
Holding a registry of the registered media;
Comparing the media to a registry of the registered media; And
Requesting authorization to play the media if permission to play the media is required based on registration of the media in the held registry,
Wherein the permission is based on a device displaying the media being played by the media player, the permission determining whether the device is authorized to display the registered media. The method according to claim 1,
Receiving an authorization for the registered media; And
Reproducing the registered media in response to the permission
≪ / RTI > The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of retaining a registry of the registered media comprises:
Receiving a selection of media to be registered; And
Registering the selected media
≪ / RTI > The method of claim 3,
Wherein receiving the selection of media to be registered comprises receiving a selection of media to be registered from a user. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the received selection of media to be registered is received via an on-screen menu from a user. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the receiving of the selection of media to be registered comprises:
Providing an on-screen prompt for selection of media; And
Receiving a selection of media provided by a user via an on-screen menu
≪ / RTI > The method of claim 3,
Wherein the selection of media to be registered is received via a network connection of the media player. The method of claim 3,
Wherein receiving the selection of media to be registered comprises receiving a list of media to be registered. The method of claim 3,
Wherein registering the received selected media comprises registering the received selected media as restricted. The method of claim 3,
Wherein registering the received selected media comprises registering the received selected media as being preferred. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the permission includes a password received from a user. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the permission is based on a time of day. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the media player is a network-based media player. As a media player,
A reader configured to read media provided to the media player;
The method comprising: holding a registry of the registered media, comparing the media with the registered registry of the registered media, and requesting permission to reproduce the registered media when authorization of reproduction of the media is required based on registration of the media ≪ / RTI >
A storage for storing a registered registry of the registered media; And
An output interface for outputting the contents of the authorized media
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the permission is based on a device displaying the media being played by the media player, the permission determining whether the device is authorized to display the registered media. 16. The method of claim 15,
A media player further comprising a network interface. 16. The method of claim 15,
Further comprising an input interface for receiving input from a user. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the input interface is further configured to receive permission to play the registered media. A method in a media player,
Receiving a selection of media to be registered;
Registering the received selected media; And
Requesting a permission to reproduce the registered media when permission is required to reproduce the media based on the registration of the media
Lt; / RTI >
Wherein the permission is based on a device displaying the media being played by the media player, the permission determining whether the device is authorized to display the registered media. 20. The method of claim 19,
Receiving an authorization for the registered media; And
Reproducing the registered media in response to the permission
≪ / RTI >

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