Control of Access to Data Using a Wireless Home Entertainment Hub

Abstract

A method for presenting data through a wireless home entertainment hub in a home entertainment system includes obtaining a registration for one or more source devices and for one or more sink devices. An indication is received at the wireless home entertainment hub that one of the source devices has become active. Data is received from the active source device. One or more sink devices are selected to receive the data from the active source device, and the data is transmitted to one or more of the sink devices.

1 . A method of controlling access to program data presented to a user in a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining from an identification device an identification of the user at the wireless home entertainment hub;   (b) retrieving a profile for the user, wherein the profile includes a list of restrictions on program data accessible by the user;   (c) receiving a request to access the program data from the user;   (d) comparing the program data requested by the user with the list of restrictions on program data accessible by the user; and   (e) denying access to the program data requested by the user if the program data requested by the user is matched with an item on the list of restrictions.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (f) presenting an indication to the user that the requested program data is restricted.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (f) storing an indication of the request to access the program data; and   (g) presenting the indication of the request to access the program data to an authorized user.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the profile of the user is stored in the wireless home entertainment hub. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the program data includes content corresponding to channels from a set-top box. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the program data includes content from a DVD player. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the program data includes content from a gaming console. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification device is a wireless identification device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification device includes a radio frequency identification device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification device includes a fingerprint scanner included in a remote control device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein fingerprint data corresponding to the user is stored in the wireless home entertainment hub. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the identification device includes a video camera for capturing a representation of one or more physical attributes of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user is identified using an image capture of physical attributes of the user. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the physical attributes include facial features. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the image capture data corresponding to the physical attributes of the user is stored in the wireless home entertainment hub. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user profile is created by an authorized user. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user profile includes one or more channels from a set-top box from which the program data is not accessible by the user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user profile includes one or more content ratings for which the program data is not accessible by the user. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user profile includes a range of one or more time intervals that the program data is not accessible by the user. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user profile includes one or more devices not accessible by the user. 
     
     
         21 . A method of controlling access to a device by user in a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining from an identification device an identification of the user at the wireless home entertainment hub;   (b) retrieving a profile for the user, wherein the profile includes a list of restrictions on devices accessible by the user;   (c) receiving a request to access the device from the user;   (d) comparing the device requested by the user with the list of restrictions on devices accessible by the user; and   (e) denying access to the device requested by the user if the device requested by the user is matched with an item on the list of restrictions.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 (f) presenting an indication to the user that the requested device is restricted.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 (f) storing an indication of the request to access the device; and   (g) presenting the indication of the request to access the device to an authorized user.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the profile of the user is stored in the wireless home entertainment hub. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device includes a set-top box. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device includes a DVD player. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device includes a gaming console. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user profile includes a range of one or more time intervals that the device is not accessible by the user.