Controlling Access to Content

Abstract

A computer implemented method of controlling access to content to be viewed on a viewing device, the method comprising: selecting desired content to be viewed on the viewing device; displaying auxiliary content which is required to be viewed while preventing display of the desired content on the viewing device; after displaying the auxiliary content, displaying at least one user engagement element defining an expected user activity; detecting if a user has engaged with the user engagement element in accordance with the expected user activity and if so, displaying the desired content on the viewing device.

1 . A computer implemented method of controlling access to content to be viewed on a viewing device, the method comprising:
 a) selecting desired content to be viewed on the viewing device;   b) displaying auxiliary content which is required to be viewed while preventing display of the desired content on the viewing device;   c) after displaying the auxiliary content, displaying at least one user engagement element defining an expected user activity;   d) detecting if a user has engaged with the user engagement element in accordance with the expected user activity and if so, displaying the desired content on the viewing device.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the steps of selecting the desired content and displaying the auxiliary content and user engagement element are carried out on a companion device. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein, the user engagement element comprises a displayed question to which a user may respond. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the user engagement element comprises a survey which includes at least one question with associated expected responses, wherein the questions and responses concern the auxiliary content. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a user response by voice is detected by a voice recognition application and compared with an expected response. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the user engagement element comprises a user interface component selectable by a user. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , where the desired content is an asset with an associated value, selectable by a user without transmitting payment for the asset provided that the user properly engages with the user engagement element. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired content is an asset with an associated value exchangeable for payment of that value, the method comprising permitting a user to select the content for viewing at a discounted value provided that the user properly engages with the user engagement element. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting can include detecting if the user is engaged within a specified period. 
     
     
         10 . A method according  claim 1 , wherein the user engagement element is displayed after a viewer has begun to watch content, but before he is permitted to watch the entire content, the method comprising detecting an instant the content stream being displayed with the viewing device; preventing display of a further portion of the content stream while displaying the user engagement element and only permitting display of the further content if it is detected that the user has engaged with the user engagement element in accordance with the expected user activity. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein detecting the instant can be carried out by audio content recognition. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary content is a video. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the desired content is exchangeable for user viewing of multiple advertisements, and wherein the method comprises reducing the number of advertisements to be viewed provided that the user properly engages with the user engagement element. 
     
     
         14 . A computer program product for controlling access to content, the computer program product comprising computer executable instructions which when executed by a computer carry out the steps of:
 a) detecting that a user has selected desired content to be viewed;   b) controlling a display to present auxiliary content which is required to be viewed while preventing display of the desired content;   c) after displaying the auxiliary content, controlling the display to display at least one user display engagement defining an expected user activity; and   d) detecting if the user has engaged with the user engagement element in accordance with the expected user activity, and if so, generating a signal to cause the desired content to be displayed.   
     
     
         15 . A computer program product according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of controlling the display to present auxiliary content controls a first display and the desired content is caused to be displayed on a second display. 
     
     
         16 . A computer program product according to  claim 14 , which causes the computer at a companion device to transmit the generated signal to a viewing device. 
     
     
         17 . A computer device configured to control access to content to be viewed by a user, the computer device comprising:
 a) a user input component configured to receive selection by a user of desired content to be viewed;   b) a display;   c) a processor executing an access control program which is configured to cause auxiliary content to be displayed on the display, the auxiliary content being required to be viewed, wherein the access control program is configured to: prevent display of the desired content while the auxiliary content is displayed; after displaying the auxiliary content, to display at least one user engagement element defining an expected user activity to be displayed and to detect if a user has engaged with the user engagement element in accordance with the expected activity and if so, cause the desired content to be displayed.   
     
     
         18 . A computer device according to  claim 17 , which is configured to cause the desired content to be displayed by transmitting a signal to a separate viewing device. 
     
     
         19 . A computer device for controlling access to content, the device comprising:
 a) a network interface configured to exchange messages and content between a remote user device and the computer device; and   b) a processor configured to execute a content control program which when executed performs the steps of:   c) receiving a message selecting content to be viewed on a display device;   d) responsive to the message transmitting auxiliary content to the remote user device;   e) transmitting at least one user engagement element to the user device;   f) monitoring responses entered by a user responsive to the user engagement element; and   g) if the responses indicate that a user has engaged with the user engagement element in accordance with an expected user activity, causing the desired content to be displayed on the display device.   
     
     
         20 . A computer device according to  claim 19 , comprising an auxiliary content generation component which is responsive to user responses to generate the auxiliary content. 
     
     
         21 . computer device according to  claim 19 , wherein the network interface is configured to transmit user responses to an ad server for selecting further auxiliary content. 
     
     
         22 . A computer implemented method of controlling access to content to be viewed on a viewing device:
 a) wherein a user selects desired content to be viewed on the viewing device, the method comprising, prior to displaying the desired content,   b) displaying at least one user engagement element defining an expected user activity, the user engagement element including at least one question and a response entry component for receiving a response from the user concerning user profile information,   c) detecting if a user has engaged with the user engagement element to supply user profile information, and releasing the desired content for viewing in that case, and   d) causing the user profile information to be utilised in the selection of auxiliary content to be displayed at the viewing device.