Patent · US Expired

Method and parental control and monitoring of usage of devices connected to home network

US7046139B2 · kind B2 · utility

160Cited by
4References
35Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 26, 2004
Grant dateMay 16, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N21/4751
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A device usage monitoring and control system for accomplishing parental monitoring and control of devices connected to a home network includes a permissions module receiving and storing control commands from a parent defining permissions with respect to one or more children. The permissions specify levels of access to devices connected to a home network and/or classifications of media content consumable via the devices. A control module grants a child access to the devices and/or media content via the devices based on the levels of access. A monitoring module monitors the child's usage of the devices and/or the child's consumption of media content via the devices, stores a related usage history, and communicates the usage history to the parent.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.