IP Library Granted Patent US 8,359,642
Granted Patent B1
US 8,359,642 · App. 12/823,435 · Granted Jan 22, 2013

Restricting mature content

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,359,642
App. No.
12/823,435
Granted
Jan 22, 2013
Kind
B1
Abstract

Methods, devices, and products provide for restricting access to mature content by individuals for whom access to the mature content is designated as inappropriate. A content filter receives a communication, determines that the communication includes an image, and extracts the image. The image is scanned for mature content. A content restrictor component restricts access by various classes of users to the mature content.

Claims (22)

1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, facilitate a method of controlling access to mature content, said mature content comprising content that has been designated as inappropriate for viewing by a designated class of people, the method comprising:

receiving a communication at a user's device;

determining that the communication includes an image;

determining whether the image has been previously flagged as containing mature content;

when the image has been previously flagged as containing mature content, then restricting access to the mature content;

when the image has not been previously flagged as containing mature content, then

A) scanning the communication at the user's device,

B) determining that the image includes mature content,

C) based on the determination that the image includes mature content, flagging the image with an indication that the image has been scanned and with an indication that the image includes mature content,

D) storing the flagged image at the user's device, and

E) restricting access to the mature content;

said scanning comprising:

A) referencing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template comprising a representation of a known feature,

B) determining that a first portion of the image is consistent with a first feature template, wherein the first feature template corresponds to a first type of mature content, the viewing of which is designated as inappropriate for a first class of people, and

C) determining that a second portion of the image is consistent with a second feature template, wherein the second feature template corresponds to a second type of mature content, the viewing of which is designated as inappropriate for a second class of people; and

said restricting access to the mature content comprising:

A) receiving an access request initiated by a user, wherein the access request includes a request to display the image,

B) determining that the user belongs to the first class of people and that the user does not belong to the second class of people, and

C) displaying the image, wherein the displayed image includes the first portion but not the second portion.

2. The media of claim 1 , wherein the communication is an email, a short-messaging service (SMS) message, a multi-media messaging service (MMS) message, or an instant message.

3. The media of claim 1 , wherein restricting access to the mature content includes requiring a user to input a login credential before allowing the user access to the mature content.

4. The media of claim 1 , wherein restricting access to the mature content includes replacing the mature content with alternate content, wherein a user is allowed access to the alternate content.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2022
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; IBSV LLC; LAYER3 TV, LLC; PUSHSPRING, LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; SPRINTCOM LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC
Reel/Frame 062595/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 4, 2021
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: T-MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 055604/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 052969/0475 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 2, 2020
From: T-MOBILE USA, INC.; ISBV LLC; T-MOBILE CENTRAL LLC; LAYER3 TV, INC.; PUSHSPRING, INC.; BOOST WORLDWIDE, LLC; CLEARWIRE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; CLEARWIRE IP HOLDINGS LLC; CLEARWIRE LEGACY LLC; SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.; SPRINT INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED; SPRINT SPECTRUM L.P.; ASSURANCE WIRELESS USA, L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 053182/0001 →
GRANT OF FIRST PRIORITY AND JUNIOR PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT RIGHTS Recorded Mar 6, 2017
From: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 041895/0210 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2010
From: WURTENBERGER, ANDREW MARK; HYDE, CALEB SISSON; HALFERTY, CLARK DOUGLAS
To: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY L.P.
Reel/Frame 024595/0541 →