APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEDIA DEVICE SECURITY

摘要

Media device systems and methods are operable to provide security against unauthorized access to content or unauthorized control of the media device. An exemplary embodiment detects a wireless signal, with an identifier, that is emitted by at least one mobile electronic device that is currently in possession of a user, determines the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device, retrieves a plurality of stored mobile device identifiers that identify each one of a plurality of mobile electronic devices, compares the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device with the plurality of stored mobile device identifiers, and then permits access to restricted content or permits the media device to perform a restricted function only when the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device matches one of the plurality of stored mobile device identifiers.

主权项

1. A media device, comprising:
a wireless signal detector configured to a detect a wireless signal emitted by at least one mobile electronic device that is currently in possession of a user, wherein the detected wireless signal includes information corresponding to at least an identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device; a means for receiving content configured to receive content; a presentation device interface configured to communicate the content to a display for presentation to the user; a memory, wherein the memory is configured to:
store a plurality of mobile device identifiers, wherein each stored mobile device identifier is configured to identify one of a plurality of mobile electronic devices,store a listing of restricted content that identifies restricted content, andstore a listing of restricted functions that identifies restricted functions; a processor system communicatively coupled to the wireless signal detector, the presentation device interface, and the memory, wherein the processor system is configured to:
determine the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device from the information in the detected wireless signal;compare the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device with the plurality of stored mobile device identifiers;determine a signal strength of the detected wireless signal emitted by the at least one mobile electronic device;compare the determined signal strength with a predefined reference signal strength threshold stored in the memory;permit the media device to access the restricted content only when the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device matches one of the plurality of stored mobile device identifiers and when the determined signal strength is at least equal to the predefined reference signal strength threshold; andpermit the media device to perform the restricted functions only when the identifier of the at least one mobile electronic device matches one of the plurality of stored mobile device identifiers and when the determined signal strength is at least equal to the predefined reference signal strength threshold.