SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PARENTAL CONTROL INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES
Parental control settings may be managed between multiple entertainment devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs). A system includes a first entertainment device and a second entertainment device. The first entertainment device is configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings, and the second entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a second set of parental control settings. The first entertainment device is configured to receive a parental control modification command from the second entertainment device; invoke a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification command is authenticated or unauthenticated; and modify the first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated.
1 . A method for managing parental control information in a first entertainment device, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a parental control modification command from a second entertainment device;
invoking a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification command is authenticated or unauthenticated;
modifying a first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the parental control modification command comprises receiving one of a “temporary unblock” command and a “set state command.”
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of invoking a security mechanism includes advertising the security mechanism to the second entertainment device.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the security mechanism includes providing a predetermined password.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step includes receiving the parental control modification command from a system selected from the group consisting of a digital television (DTV), a set-top box (STB), a personal computer, and an audio device.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving step includes receiving the parental control modification command wirelessly.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of modifying the first set of parental controls includes modifying a parental control setting associated with the display of electronic program guide (EPG) data.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further including displaying a user interface including the EPG data, wherein the user interface is selected to correspond to the parental control settings.
9 . A system for managing parental controls comprising:
a first entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings; and
a second entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a second set of parental control settings;
wherein the first entertainment device is configured to: receive a parental control modification command from the second entertainment device; invoke a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification command is authenticated or unauthenticated; and modify the first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the parental control modification command is one of a “temporary unblock” command and a “set state command.”
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first entertainment device is further configured to advertise the security mechanism to the second entertainment device.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the security mechanism includes providing a predetermined password.
13 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the second entertainment device is a system selected from the group consisting of a digital television (DTV), a set-top box (STB), a personal computer, and an audio device.
14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first entertainment device is configured to receive the parental control modification command wirelessly.
15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first entertainment device is further configured to display electronic program guide (EPG) data consistent with the modified first set of parental control settings.
16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first entertainment device is further configured to display a user interface including the EPG data, wherein the user interface is selected to correspond to the parental control settings.
17 . A digital television (DTV) of the type configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings stored therein, the DTV configured to:
receive a parental control modification command from an entertainment device;
invoke a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification command is authenticated or unauthenticated; and
modify the first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated.
18 . The DTV of claim 17 , further including a V-chip configured to selectively block the content.
19 . The DTV of claim 17 , wherein the DTV is further configured to display electronic program guide (EPG) data consistent with the modified first set of parental control settings.
20 . The DTV of claim 19 , wherein the DTV is further configured to display a user interface including the EPG data, wherein the user interface is selected to correspond to the parental control settings.