Media usage monitoring and control

Abstract

Systems and methods of monitoring access to media content across disparate media devices are disclosed. Aspects relate to systems and methods that may be implemented to control access to media content. In one embodiment, rules may define usage parameters of a user for several types of media content and/or disparate media devices.

1 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:
 receiving usage control rules regarding usage parameters for a first user across a plurality of disparate media devices, wherein the rules comprise at least one media content rule and at least one media usage rule;   receiving a request from the first user to access media content on one of said plurality of disparate media devices, and in response, applying the usage control rules against stored usage data for the first user to determine if the first user may access the requested media content;   if the first user is permitted to access the requested media content, allowing access to such content while storing additional usage data regarding the accessed media; and   
     
     
         2 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the usage control rules or the usage data is stored on a device separable from at least one of the disparate media devices having a memory and an interface, and the processor further performs:
 requiring that the interface of the device be operatively connected to a corresponding interface of the disparate media device from which the user requests to access media content on before the user may access media content from that disparate media device.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein execution of the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to perform:
 requiring that a memory comprising a security key be operatively connected to the disparate media device from which the user requests media content on before the user may access media content from that disparate media device, wherein the security key has an interface that is configured to operatively connect with a corresponding interface of at least two of the disparate media devices.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the usage control rules or the usage data is stored on a device remotely located from the disparate media device from which the user is requesting media content. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the usage control rules further comprise a media type rule. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the media usage rule comprises a time restraint that the first user may access media content on at least one of the disparate media devices. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the usage control rules further comprise a device specific rule. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein execution of the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to perform:
 monitoring the usage data to determine if the first user's usage of the disparate devices violates the usage control rules;   determining that at least one media usage rules has been violated; and   in response, transmitting a notification to a third party.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein execution of the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to perform:
 detecting a new disparate media device communicating with a gateway device; and   blocking at least a portion of requested media content directed towards the new disparate device.   
     
     
         10 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 storing usage control rules regarding a usage parameter for a first user across a plurality of disparate media devices on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the rules comprise at least one media content rule and at least one media type rule;   receiving a request from the first user to access media content, and in response, applying the usage control rules to determine if the user may access the requested media content;   if the first user is permitted to access the requested media content, storing additional usage data regarding the accessed media; and   
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the usage control rules that are applied further comprise rules selected from the group consisting of: media usage rules, device rules, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 storing at least one of the applied usage control rules or the usage data on a device separable from at least one of the disparate media devices, the device having a memory and an interface, and   determining whether the interface of the device is operatively connected to a corresponding interface of the disparate media device from which the user requests to access media content on before the user may access media content from that disparate media device.   
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 requiring that a memory comprising a security key be operatively connected to the disparate media device from which the user requests media content on before the user may access media content from that disparate media device.   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the media usage rule of the applied usage control rules comprises a time restraint that the first user may access media content on at least one of the disparate media devices. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the request to access media content is received at one of the disparate media devices, and the method further comprising:
 monitoring the usage data to determine if the first user's usage of the disparate devices violates the usage control rules; and   determining that at least one media usage rules has been violated, and in response, transmitting a notification.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 15 , wherein the notification is transmitted to a third party without the knowledge of the first user. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 detecting a new disparate media device communicating with a gateway device; and   blocking at least a portion of requested media content directed towards the new disparate device.   
     
     
         18 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 applying the usage control rules regarding usage parameters for a first user across a plurality of disparate media devices to determine if the first user may access media content requested on one of the plurality of disparate media devices;   determining whether a memory comprising a security key is accessible by the disparate media device from which the user requested the media content before the user may access media content from that disparate media device, wherein the security key has an interface that is configured to operatively interact with a corresponding interface of at least two of the disparate media devices; and   if the first user is permitted to access the requested media content, storing additional usage data regarding the accessed media content.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein execution of the computer-executable instructions further cause the processor to perform:
 after providing access to the requested media content, monitoring the usage data to determine if the first user's usage of the disparate devices violates the usage control rules.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the usage control rules are selected from the group consisting of: device rules, media usage rules, media type rules, content rules, and combinations thereof.