System, method, and medium for obfuscated personal identification number entry on media device

Abstract

To provide a system, a method, and a medium for obfuscated personal identification number entry on a media device.SOLUTION: A computer-implemented method comprises, in response to receiving a request to transmit personal information from an external device, generating an output interface screen that operates a media device in an obfuscated input mode based on location data. The screen includes a first section including a plurality of characters and a second section including a virtual directional pad consisting of a selection button and a plurality of directional buttons. A first subset of the plurality of directional buttons is associated with movement of the first section, and a second subset of the plurality of directional buttons is associated with an active subsection of the first section. The screen includes receiving input corresponding to the selection of the characters to update a personal information entry field, and operating the media device in the obfuscated input mode prevents the characters from being displayed in the personal information entry field.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5E

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 097,203, filed on November 13, 2020, and incorporates by reference all of the descriptions herein.

[0002] Technical Field The disclosed subject matter relates to systems, methods, and media for obfuscated personal identification number (PIN) input for media devices.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Background Many devices provide a function of authenticating user accounts by entering a PIN code into an authentication interface displayed on the device. However, due to the generally large size of television devices and the fact that the location of television devices is in the center of the room, entering a PIN code on a television device is highly likely to be seen by others in the same room. A leaked PIN code may, in some cases, lead to unauthorized content purchases, unauthorized application downloads, etc.

[0004] Current methods for PIN input to a television device using a remote control usually require dedicated keys for entering the PIN number on the remote control. Thus, these methods for PIN input cannot be used across different media devices and / or different remote controls.

[0005] Therefore, new systems, methods, and media for obfuscated personal identification number input for media devices are desired.

[0006] Summary According to various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system, a method, and a medium for personal identification number input for a media device are provided.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a method for personal identification number input for a media device, the method comprising using a hardware processor of the media device to receive a request to input a PIN (personal identification number) using a remote control device connected to the media device, and using the hardware processor to generate a PIN input interface screen including (1) a PIN pad in which a plurality of digits and one or more function options are divided into a plurality of subsections, and (2) a virtual direction pad interface corresponding to a direction pad having a plurality of direction buttons and a central selection button on the remote control device, the virtual direction pad interface assigning a first subset of the plurality of direction buttons and the central selection button on the remote control device to valid subsections among the plurality of subsections, the virtual direction pad interface assigning a second subset of the plurality of direction buttons on the remote control device to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the method further comprising using the hardware processor to receive a key press from the remote control device, and using the hardware processor to update the PIN input area on the PIN input interface screen with a digit, or execute a function option among the one or more function options that corresponds to the received key press, wherein the digit corresponding to the received key press and the received key press are not presented on the PIN input interface screen.

[0008] In some embodiments, the PIN pad is presented adjacent to the virtual direction pad interface on the PIN input interface screen, and the valid subsections among the plurality of subsections in the PIN pad are highlighted.

[0009] In some embodiments, each of a plurality of subsections corresponds to a sequence of numbers, and a first subset of a plurality of direction buttons on the remote control device includes a left button and a right button of a direction pad of the remote control device, and a left direction button, a central selection button, and a right direction button are each assigned to a number included in the sequence of numbers.

[0010] In some embodiments, a second subset of a plurality of direction buttons on the remote control device includes an up button and a down button of a direction pad of the remote control device, and the up button and the down button are each assigned to a movement to a subsection adjacent to the valid subsection.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of a plurality of subsections on the PIN pad corresponds to a row of numbers on the PIN pad.

[0012] In some embodiments, a virtual direction pad interface on the PIN input interface screen is shaped to match the direction pad on the remote control device.

[0013] In some embodiments, one of a plurality of numbers in the valid subsection is presented on a representative direction button on the virtual direction pad interface.

[0014] In some embodiments, the virtual direction pad interface is incorporated into the PIN pad, and instead of the valid subsection of the PIN pad, the virtual direction pad interface is presented.

[0015] In some embodiments, each of a plurality of subsections on the PIN pad is presented on the PIN input interface screen as one of a plurality of virtual direction pad interfaces, and among the plurality of virtual direction pad interfaces, a first virtual direction pad interface is enabled, and the first virtual direction pad interface matches the valid subsection.

[0016] In some embodiments, the back button of the remote control device is assigned to delete the last digit entered in the PIN input area.

[0017] In some embodiments, the method further includes causing an action to be performed on the media device in response to determining that the correct PIN has been entered in the PIN input area.

[0018] In some embodiments, a key press from the remote control device is a long press gesture provided to the remote control device.

[0019] In some embodiments, in response to receiving a long press gesture on a direction button on the direction pad of the remote control device, the PIN pad moves from a valid subsection to an adjacent subsection.

[0020] In some embodiments, one or more function options include an option to switch from a first user account to a second user account for entering a PIN.

[0021] In some embodiments, one or more function options include an option to hide the PIN pad so that it is not presented on the PIN input interface screen.

[0022] In some embodiments, one or more function options include an option to replace the PIN input interface screen with another PIN input interface screen that presents the digits corresponding to the received key presses.

[0023] In some embodiments, one or more function options include an option to reset the PIN associated with a user account.

[0024] In some embodiments, one or more functional options include the option to access an interface screen that includes multiple options, and the multiple options include a first option to switch between user accounts, a second option to hide the PIN pad so that it is not presented on the PIN input interface screen, and a third option to reset the PIN associated with the user account.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a media device is provided. The media device includes a hardware processor that receives a request to input a PIN (Personal Identification Number) using a remote control device connected to the media device, and generates a PIN input interface screen that includes (1) a PIN pad in which a plurality of digits and one or more functional options are divided into a plurality of subsections, and (2) a virtual direction pad interface corresponding to a direction pad having a plurality of direction buttons and a central selection button on the remote control device, the virtual direction pad interface allocates a first subset of the plurality of direction buttons and the central selection button on the remote control device to valid subsections among the plurality of subsections, the virtual direction pad interface allocates a second subset of the plurality of direction buttons on the remote control device to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the hardware processor further receives a key press from the remote control device and updates the PIN input area on the PIN input interface screen with a digit, or executes a functional option that matches the received key press among the one or more functional options, and the digit corresponding to the received key press and the received key press are not presented on the PIN input interface screen.

[0026] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions is provided. The computer-executable instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute a method for personal identification number input for a media device, the method including receiving, using the media device, a request to input a PIN (personal identification number) using a remote control device connected to the media device, and generating a PIN input interface screen including (1) a PIN pad in which a plurality of digits and one or more function options are divided into a plurality of subsections, and (2) a virtual direction pad interface corresponding to a direction pad having a plurality of direction buttons and a central selection button on the remote control device, the virtual direction pad interface assigning a first subset of the plurality of direction buttons and the central selection button on the remote control device to valid subsections among the plurality of subsections, the virtual direction pad interface assigning a second subset of the plurality of direction buttons on the remote control device to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the method further including receiving a key press from the remote control device, updating a PIN input area on the PIN input interface screen with a digit, or executing a function option among the one or more function options that matches the received key press, and the digit and the received key press corresponding to the received key press are not presented on the PIN input interface screen. - press is made not to be presented on the PIN input interface screen.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system for personal identification number input for a media device is provided. The system includes means for receiving, using the media device, a request to input a PIN (personal identification number) using a remote control device connected to the media device, and a PIN input interface screen including (1) a PIN pad in which a plurality of digits and one or more function options are divided into a plurality of subsections, and (2) a virtual direction pad interface corresponding to a direction pad having a plurality of direction buttons and a central selection button on the remote control device, wherein the virtual direction pad interface assigns a first subset of the plurality of direction buttons and the central selection button on the remote control device to valid subsections among the plurality of subsections, and the virtual direction pad interface assigns a second subset of the plurality of direction buttons on the remote control device to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the system further includes means for receiving a key press from the remote control device, and means for updating the PIN input area on the PIN input interface screen with a digit, or for executing a function option that matches the received key press among the one or more function options, wherein the digit corresponding to the received key press and the received key press are not presented on the PIN input interface screen.

[0028] Brief Description of the Drawings Various objects, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter can be fully understood with reference to the following detailed description of the disclosed subject matter considered in light of the following drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers identify the same elements.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

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[0030] Detailed Description According to various embodiments, a mechanism for obfuscated personal identification number input for a media device is provided.

[0031] Conventional techniques for entering a PIN code on a media device are likely to be seen by others in the same room due to the screen size of the media device and / or the position of the media device (e.g., a position in the center of the room).

[0032] The mechanisms described herein enable secure PIN input by providing an obfuscated PIN input mode on the media device.

[0033] In response to receiving a request to enter a personal identification number using a remote control device connected to the media device (e.g., in response to a request to authenticate a user account with a PIN number, in response to a request to access a parental control associated with the user account, in response to a request to add time to a timer associated with a child's account, in response to a request to purchase a media content item, in response to downloading an application onto the media device), these mechanisms can generate and present a PIN input interface screen for entering one or more digits using the remote control.

[0034] In some embodiments, the PIN input interface screen may include a virtual directional pad interface (which may be referred to herein as a "virtual D-pad"). For example, the virtual directional pad interface may include specific buttons from a remote control device connected to a media device, such as a directional pad with directional buttons and a selection button that may be disposed in the central portion of the directional pad. In a more specific example, the virtual directional pad interface may indicate how the buttons on the remote control are remapped or, alternatively, assigned to input numbers or execute function options. Continuing with this example, when the left directional button on the remote control's directional pad is pressed in the obfuscated PIN input mode, the virtual directional pad interface can indicate that the number "1" can be input into the PIN input area. Alternatively, when the up directional button on the remote control's directional pad is pressed in the obfuscated PIN input mode, the virtual directional pad interface may indicate that a function option can be activated that allows the user to reset the PIN associated with the user account.

[0035] In some embodiments, the PIN input interface screen may include a PIN pad or numeric pad on which a plurality of numbers and one or more function options are presented. Note that the PIN pad may be further divided in any suitable manner. For example, each row of the PIN pad may include a specific number of digits (e.g., 3 digits, 4 digits, etc.). Continuing with this example, the PIN pad related to the virtual directional pad interface may indicate which sub-section or area of the PIN pad is active and selectable using the remote control device. In a more specific example, the PIN pad may indicate that numbers in the range of 0 to 3 can be input using the remote control and, in response to pressing the down directional button on the remote control, enable numbers in the adjacent range of 4 to 7 on the PIN pad to be selected using the remote control.

[0036] Note that the PIN input interface screen may present the virtual direction pad interface and the PIN pad in any suitable manner. For example, the virtual direction pad interface may be presented adjacent to the PIN pad. In another example, a virtual direction pad interface where a valid sub-section or area of the PIN pad can be replaced by a shifting virtual direction pad interface may be incorporated into the PIN pad. In yet another example, the PIN pad may be provided on a screen different from the virtual direction pad interface (for example, the user may select a set of numbers from the PIN pad and the corresponding virtual direction pad interface may be presented to the user).

[0037] In response to receiving a key press from the remote control, the mechanism may update the PIN input area on the PIN input interface screen and a valid sub-section of the PIN pad with the number that matches the received key press. Note that the received key press and the input number may not be presented on the PIN input interface screen.

[0038] In response to receiving a PIN using the PIN input interface screen by remote control input, the mechanism may determine whether the correct PIN has been provided and whether to perform the corresponding action on the media device. For example, in response to determining that the input PIN matches the PIN associated with the user account, the mechanism may authenticate the user account and add time to a timer associated with the corresponding child account (for example, add 30 minutes of viewing time to the child account) and perform the corresponding action, such as adding time to the viewing time of the child account.

[0039] These and other features for obfuscated personal identification number input for the media device will be described in association with FIGS. 1 - 18B.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a remote control 100 according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is shown. In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include various buttons such as buttons 110, 120, and 130. Note that in some embodiments, any of the buttons 110, 120, and 130 may be omitted, and in some such embodiments, the functions described herein related to the buttons 110, 120, and 130 may be implemented using soft buttons dynamically generated on a display area (not shown) of the remote control 100.

[0041] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include a direction pad 110 that can be pressed to indicate an input of a direction. For example, when the direction pad 110 is pressed at a specific location, one or more circuits may be completed (or inhibited) (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 and described later in association with FIG. 2), and the completion of the one or more circuits may be detected by a processor of the remote control 100. Thereafter, the processor may determine which direction is indicated based on which circuit(s) is / are completed. For example, when the right side of the direction pad 110 is pressed, this may complete a circuit indicating to the processor that the right side of the direction pad has been pressed. Continuing with this example, as will be described later, when the right side of the direction pad 110 is pressed while a PIN input interface screen is presented on the display, a number or function option corresponding to the rightward input of the direction pad 110 may be input to the media device (e.g., the number '3' is input to the PIN input area). In another example, when a PIN input interface screen is presented on the display, in response to the left or right button of the direction pad 110 being long-pressed for a specific period (e.g., 3 seconds), navigation to an adjacent row of numbers or sub-section may be induced.

[0042] Note that the direction pad 110 may be configured to receive any suitable number of inputs for various directions according to some embodiments. For example, the processor of the remote controller 100 may be configured to detect inputs in four directions (e.g., up, down, left, and right) of the direction pad 110. In another example, the processor of the remote controller 100 may be configured to detect inputs in eight directions of the direction pad 110 (e.g., upward, downward, leftward, rightward, and intermediate directions such as upper right diagonal, upper left diagonal, lower right diagonal, and lower left diagonal). In yet another example, the processor of the remote controller 100 may be configured to detect inputs in any direction of the direction pad 110. In such an example, the direction pad 110 may include a touch sensor that can be used to detect any position of the input to the direction pad 110.

[0043] In some embodiments, the remote controller 100 may include an "OK" or "Select" button 120. For example, when the selection button 120 is pressed, a circuit may be completed to indicate to the processor that the selection button has been pressed. In another example, when the selection button 120 is pressed, a circuit may be completed to indicate to the processor to select the currently highlighted element on the display being moved using the remote controller 100. In yet another example, as will be described later, when the selection button 120 is pressed while a PIN input interface screen is presented on the display, a number or function option corresponding to the selection button 120 may be input to the media device (e.g., the number "5" is input to the PIN input area). In other examples, when a PIN input interface screen is presented on the display, in response to the selection button 120 being long-pressed for a specific period (e.g., 3 seconds), it may be induced to another row of numbers or sub-section. It may be good.

[0044] Note that in FIG. 1, the selection button 120 is shown to be disposed in the central portion of the direction pad 110, but this is merely illustrative, and the button 120 may be disposed at any suitable position on the remote 100.

[0045] In addition to the direction buttons and the selection button, the remote control 100 may include any suitable number of buttons, each of which performs one of a plurality of functions.

[0046] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include a back button 130. In some embodiments, selection of the back button 130 may cause the previously presented user interface to be presented on the display of the media device controlled by the remote control 100. For example, when a user 100 of the remote control moves from a first user interface to a second user interface using the remote control 100, selection of the back button 130 may cause the first user interface to be presented on the display. In another example, as will be described later, when a PIN input interface screen is presented on the display and one or more digits are entered in the PIN input area, selection of the back button 130 may cause the last digit entered in the PIN input area to be deleted. In yet another example, when a PIN input interface screen is presented on the display and one or more digits are entered in the PIN input area, all digits entered in the PIN input area may be deleted in response to the back button 130 being long pressed for a specific period (e.g., 3 seconds).

[0047] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include a power button for controlling the power state of a media device, such as a television device, a streaming media device, a sound bar, and / or other suitable media devices. For example, when the power button is pressed, the remote control 100 may cause a signal to be sent to the media device to turn on the power (e.g., from an off or sleep state). In addition to this, in some embodiments, a selector (not shown) may be included that can be used to turn on the power by selecting one device from a plurality of devices and pressing the power button. Such a selector may be, for example, a slide switch, a button, etc. each corresponding to various media devices. In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include an indicator to show the user which media device is currently selected.

[0048] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include an application button or other suitable button corresponding to an application running on the media device. In some embodiments, the application button may correspond to a specific application (e.g., an application related to a specific media streaming service, and / or other suitable applications). In some such embodiments, when the application button is selected, the corresponding application may be launched by the media device controlled by the remote control 100. In some embodiments, when the application button is selected at a time when the power of the media device controlled by the remote control 100 is turned off, the power of the media device may be turned on before the application is launched. Note that the remote control 100 may include any suitable number (e.g., two, three, four, and / or other suitable numbers) of application buttons each corresponding to different applications.

[0049] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include a microphone button for starting a microphone function on a media device controlled by the remote control 100. After pressing the microphone button, the user may be prompted to issue a voice command to cause the media device to perform some function. Any suitable technique may be utilized to prompt the user, such as a voice command like voice, an image, etc. Alternatively, the user is prompted to issue a voice command, but pressing the microphone button may generate an instruction to prepare the media device to receive voice commands (e.g., by enabling the microphone on the media device). In some embodiments, the media device and / or the remote control 100 may be configured to recognize any suitable voice command. For example, a command that reproduces an action caused by pressing a button on the remote control 100 may be recognized. As another example, the user may start a search using a voice command. As yet another example, the user may tune to a specific channel by a number and / or a name (e.g., channel 451, channel 2, "CBA", "cooking channel", etc.). As other examples, the user may launch an application on the media device using a voice command (e.g., "play <video> using <application>"). After pressing the microphone button, the user may be prompted to issue a voice command to cause the media device to perform some function. Any suitable technique may be utilized to prompt the user, such as a voice command like voice, an image, etc. Alternatively, the user is prompted to issue a voice command, but pressing the microphone button may generate an instruction to prepare the media device to receive voice commands (e.g., by enabling the microphone on the media device). In some embodiments, the media device and / or the remote control 100 may be configured to recognize any suitable voice command. For example, a command that reproduces an action caused by pressing a button on the remote control 100 may be recognized. As another example, the user may start a search using a voice command. As yet another example, the user may tune to a specific channel by a number and / or a name (e.g., channel 451, channel 2, "CBA", "cooking channel", etc.). As other examples, the user may launch an application on the media device using a voice command (e.g., "play <video> using <application>").

[0050] In some embodiments, a microphone for receiving voice commands may be provided in the remote control 100. When the microphone is provided in the remote control 100, the voice command may be interpreted by a processor of the remote control 100 and / or sent to a media device controlled by the remote control 100 for interpretation (e.g., as shown in and described below in connection with FIG. 2), and / or sent to an intermediate device or streaming device associated with the system for interpretation (e.g., as shown in and described below in connection with FIG. 2), and / or sent to a server for interpretation. In addition, in some embodiments, a microphone for detecting a trigger sound (e.g., a clap sound, a spoken word, and / or other suitable trigger sound) may be used. In some embodiments, in response to detecting the trigger sound, the remote control 100 may be programmed to present an indication of the location of the remote control 100, for example, by emitting a specific sound, a beep sound, or other audible sound.

[0051] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include a home button for returning to the media device home screen controlled by the remote control 100 and / or for exiting the current screen and returning to the main input. For example, if the media device controlled by the remote control 100 is a digital media receiver that runs an operating system having a home screen, the command transmitted in response to the pressing of the home button may move the digital media receiver to the home screen. As another example, if the media device controlled by the remote control 100 is a set-top box from a cable provider, the command transmitted in response to the pressing of the home button may move the set-top box from the currently displayed screen and return it to the last channel tuned by the set-top box. In some embodiments, if the media device is currently running an application, pressing the home button may cause the media device to display the home screen of the application. Additionally, in such embodiments, pressing and holding the home button may cause the media device to move to the home screen of the media device.

[0052] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include a mute button for muting the sound output from the media device controlled by the remote control 100.

[0053] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include volume buttons. The volume buttons may be used to control the volume of the media device controlled by the remote control 100 and / or one or more speakers associated with the media device. For example, A volume lock button may be provided on the remote control 100. Here, by pressing the upper part of the volume lock button, the volume of the media device may be increased, and by pressing the lower part of the volume lock button, the volume of the media device may be decreased. In some embodiments, the volume button may be disposed at any suitable position on the remote control 100 (e.g., on the side of the remote control 100).

[0054] In some embodiments, the remote control 100 may also include a motion sensor (not shown) for detecting the rotational and / or linear movement of the remote control 100 and / or the orientation of the remote control 100. For example, when the user moves the remote control 100 including a motion sensor (e.g., a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, etc.), the motion sensor may transmit motion and / or orientation information related to the remote control 100. As described herein, a signal indicating the movement of the remote control 100 may be detected using the motion sensor, a signal indicating the orientation of the remote control (e.g., which part of the remote control 100 is facing up) may be detected, or a signal indicating a specific gesture (e.g., waving, shaking, etc.) may be detected.

[0055] In some embodiments, remote control 100 may include other suitable selectable buttons not shown in FIG. 1. For example, in some embodiments, remote control 100 may include an input button for controlling a selected input section of a media device. For example, if the media device is a television, it may have multiple input sections such as one or more HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) input sections, one or more coaxial input sections, one or more component video input sections, one or more DisplayPort input sections, one or more optical fiber input sections, etc. When the input button is pressed, remote control 100 sends a command to the media device to change the selected input section. The selection of the input section may be performed using any suitable technique. For example, in some embodiments, after pressing the input button, a list of selectable input sections may be displayed on a display connected to the media device, and the user may select the desired input section by long-pressing and / or repeatedly pressing the input button, or by using the direction pad 110 and the select button 120 to move to and select a specific input section.

[0056] As another example, in some embodiments, remote control 100 may include a PiP (Picture-in-Picture) button. For example, when the user presses the PiP button, remote control 100 may send a command to the media device to display the content from a second source (e.g., a second channel) on top of the content from the currently displayed first source (e.g., a first channel). In such an example, for instance, the content from the second source is displayed in a corner of the display connected to the media device.

[0057] As yet another example, in some embodiments, remote control 100 may include a guide button that can initiate a program guide of available media content. For example, such a guide may be an electronic program guide that displays available programming to the user and may be compiled based on time, channel, category, and the like. As another example, such a guide may include a list of OTT (over-the-top) content that can be searched for and displayed by a media device controlled by remote control 100, such as a TV program and / or a movie.

[0058] As yet another example, in some embodiments, remote control 100 may include a menu button for calling up a menu on a media device controlled by remote control 100. For example, when the menu button is pressed, the media device may open the menu. As another example, when the media device is running an application, pressing the menu button may present the user with additional options and / or a menu related to the application. It may be opened. As another example, when the media device is running an application, pressing the menu button may present the user with additional options and / or a menu related to the application.

[0059] As yet another example, in some embodiments, the remote control 100 may include media buttons for controlling media playback by the media device that the remote control 100 controls. For example, the media buttons may include play buttons, pause buttons, fast forward buttons, rewind buttons, skip forward buttons, other suitable media buttons, and / or any suitable combination thereof. In some embodiments, buttons that are more commonly used by the user (e.g., play buttons and pause buttons) may be centered and raised higher than buttons that are less commonly used (e.g., rewind and fast forward). In addition to or instead of this, different media buttons have different shapes so that the buttons can be distinguished from each other. These features can make it easier for the user to press the correct button when the user's line of sight is not directed at the remote control 100, but instead, for example, when directed at a display connected to the media device.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a generalized schematic diagram of a system 200 including a media device, a remote control for controlling the media device, and a server, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, is shown.

[0061] As shown, the system 200 may include a remote control 202 that can be used to control one or more media devices, such as a media device 220. In a more specific example, as shown in FIG. 2, the remote control 202 may include a battery 206, a direction pad 208, a processor 210, one or more input devices 212, a memory 214, and a transmitter / receiver 216, which are connected to each other.

[0062] In some embodiments, battery 206 can be any suitable type of battery for powering remote control 202. For example, in some embodiments, battery 206 can be a secondary battery. In some such embodiments, battery 206 can be charged using power from an external source that can be connected to remote control 202 in any suitable manner (e.g., a micro USB port on remote control 202, and / or other suitable means). In addition to or instead of this, battery 206 may be wirelessly charged. Here, the wireless power transceiver of the charging device can receive power from a power source, and the wireless power transceiver of the charging device can transmit power to battery 206 of the connected remote control 202 via a suitable conversion circuit.

[0063] In some embodiments, remote control 202 can include a direction pad 208. As shown in and described in connection with FIG. 1, direction pad 208 can include a plurality of switches that indicate direction inputs when activated. For example, direction pad 208 can include buttons that a user can press to indicate direction. This button can activate one or more of the switches, and signals from one or more of the switches can be correlated by processor 210 with the direction indicated by the pressing of the button. In another example, as shown in FIG. 1, direction pad 208 may be configured around a central selection button.

[0064] Direction pad 208 and processor 210 can be configured to receive any suitable number of inputs for various directions according to some embodiments. For example, processor 210 can be configured to detect inputs in four directions (e.g., up, down, left, and right) from direction pad 208. In another example, processor 210 can be configured to detect inputs in eight directions (e.g., upward, downward, leftward, rightward, and right diagonal configured to detect intermediate directions such as upward, diagonally upward to the left, diagonally downward to the right, and diagonally downward to the left. In yet another example, the processor 210 may be configured to detect an input in any direction from the direction pad 208. In such an example, the direction pad 208 may include a touch sensor that can be used to detect any position of the input to the direction pad 208.

[0065] In some embodiments, the processor 210 may utilize a computer program to cause the remote control 202 to transmit a signal. In some embodiments, these signals may be transmitted using the transmitter / receiver 216. The transmitter / receiver 216 may include one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, one or more antennas, one or more transmitter / receivers, etc. The transmitter / receiver 216 may transmit and / or receive signals using any suitable technology and / or frequency. For example, the transmitter / receiver 216 may transmit and / or receive Bluetooth® signals (e.g., BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) signals), Wi-Fi signals, wireless signals, infrared signals, near-infrared signals, ultrasonic signals, etc. In a more specific example, the transmitter / receiver 216 of the remote control 202 can transmit an input of direction, pressing of a selection button key, or pressing of a back button key in the form of a BLE signal to a media streaming device connected to the display device via an HDMI port on the display device. Here, the media streaming device transmits an input of direction, pressing of a selection button key, or pressing of a back button key via the HDMI-CEC channel between the media streaming device and the display device. In another example, the transmitter / receiver 216 of the remote control 202 can transmit and / or receive Wi-Fi signals in a communication network 206 with the transmitter / receiver 228 of the media device 220. As yet another specific example, the transmitter / receiver 216 of the remote control 202 may transmit and / or receive BLE signals between the transmitter / receiver 228 of the media device 220 and / or other suitable intermediate devices or streaming media devices.

[0066] In some embodiments, the memory 214 may store a computer program for controlling the processor 110. For example, this computer program may be stored in a ROM (Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash memory, or the like.

[0067] Note that in some embodiments, the remote control 202 may include other suitable input devices 212. The input device 212 may include an alphanumeric keypad, a power button, an input button, a channel button, a volume button, a volume mute button, a direction button, media playback buttons (e.g., rewind button, pause button, play button, fast forward button), a media device, a microphone, or other suitable voice input, a camera, or other suitable input functions, such as a dedicated button for accessing a downloadable application used by the like. For example, in some embodiments, the remote control 202 may include a microphone that can be used for any suitable purpose. As a more specific example, in some embodiments, a voice query (e.g., for executing a search query and / or other suitable voice queries for starting the playback of a particular media content item) may be received using the microphone. The voice query may be processed by the remote control 202 or transmitted from the remote control 202 to another device (e.g., the media device 220, the server 230, and / or other suitable devices) for processing. As another more specific example, in some embodiments, any suitable audible sound (e.g., the sound of clapping hands, spoken words or phrases It may also detect (d). This sound may be used as a trigger for presenting something indicating the position of the remote control 202 (for example, by generating a sound audible to the ear or a beep sound on the remote control). In some embodiments, the input device 212 may include hardware buttons and / or software buttons (for example, programmable buttons). In some embodiments, the input device 212 may include other input parts such as a computer keyboard, a cursor controller, a dial, a switch bank, a lever, a touch screen, and / or other suitable input devices.

[0068] The system 200 may include one or more media devices 220, such as a media device for viewing a media content list and / or acquiring and presenting content items from various sources (for example, broadcast content, on-demand content, locally stored content, Internet content, streamed content, live streaming content, etc.). For example, the media device 220 may be implemented as a television, a smart TV, a set-top box, a streaming media device, a digital media receiver, a computer, a game console, an optical media player, etc. The remote control 202 and the media device 220 may be local to each other or remote from each other. For example, the advanced remote control 202 and the media device 220 may be located in the same room.

[0069] More specifically, in some embodiments, the media device 220 may include a display / input device 222, a processor 224, a memory 226, and one or more transmitters, one or more receivers, and / or a transmitter / receiver 228, and these may be connected to each other.

[0070] In some embodiments, the media device 220 may include a storage device, such as a hard drive, digital video recorder, solid state storage device, removable storage device, or other suitable device for storing guidance information and / or remote control instructions. In a more specific example, this storage device may store a computer program for controlling the processor 224 (e.g., in response to instructions received from the remote control 202) in the media device 220.

[0071] The processor 224 may use the computer program to present content on the display / input device 222 and control an interface that enables a user to interact with the content or transmit and receive data using the transmitter / receiver 228. In some embodiments, the transmitter / receiver 228 may transmit and / or receive Bluetooth signals (e.g., BLE signals), Wi-Fi signals, wireless signals, infrared signals, near-infrared signals, ultrasonic signals, etc. For example, the transmitter / receiver 228 of the media device 220 may transmit and / or receive Wi-Fi signals in a communication network 206 with the transmitter / receiver 216 of the remote control 202. In another example, the transmitter / receiver 228 of the media device 220 may transmit and / or receive BLE signals between the transmitter / receiver 216 of the remote control 202 and / or other suitable intermediate devices or streaming media devices.

[0072] The display / input device 222 may include an input device, such as a computer keyboard, cursor controller, one or more buttons, dial, switch bank, lever, touch screen, and / or other suitable input devices.

[0073] In some embodiments, the instructions issued by the remote control 202 may be formatted based on the model and / or brand of the media device 220 being controlled. For For example, the remote controller 202 may be programmed with various different codes and may operate as a universal remote controller for controlling various different types of media devices. In some embodiments, the formatting may be performed by a converter (not shown) that converts the signal transmitted by the remote controller 202 into a signal used by a particular media device 220.

[0074] In a more specific example, the remote controller 202 and the media device 220 may be any of a general-purpose device such as a computer, or a special-purpose device such as a remote controller, smartphone, tablet computer, set-top box, smart TV, game console, digital media receiver, server, or any suitable combination of such devices. Any of these general-purpose or special-purpose devices may include any suitable components such as a hardware processor (which may be a microprocessor, digital signal processor, controller, etc.), memory, communication interface, display controller, input device, and the like. For example, the media device 220 may be implemented as a set-top box, digital media receiver, smart TV, television, laptop computer, personal computer, server, smartphone, tablet computer, game console, and the like.

[0075] In some embodiments, server 230 may be any suitable server that provides media content (e.g., television programs, video content, movies, live streaming video content, audio content, video game content, and / or other suitable media content), receives and maintains user preferences, and / or performs other suitable functions (s). For example, in some embodiments, server 230 may determine whether to authenticate a user account based on an entered PIN, and based on the authenticated user account, determine whether to perform certain actions (e.g., add time to a timer, release parental controls, purchase media content items, etc.).

[0076] In some embodiments, remote control 202, media device 220, and server 230 can communicate in any suitable way. For example, in some embodiments, remote control 202 may use any suitable direct communication link 225 (e.g., an infrared communication link, a wireless communication link, and / or other suitable types of communication links) to send commands (e.g., commands to move within the user interface, volume commands, power commands, and / or other suitable commands) to media device 220.

[0077] As another example, in some embodiments, the server(s) 230 may communicate information with the remote control 202, the media device 220, and / or the streaming media device 250 (details will be described later) via the communication network 260. In some embodiments, the communication network 260 may be any suitable type of communication network, such as a Wi-Fi network, a local area network (LAN), and / or any other suitable type of network. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, signals may be transmitted between the remote control 202, the media device 220, the server(s) 230, and / or the streaming media device 250 via the communication network 260 using the communication links 215, 235, 245, and / or 255. In some embodiments, the communication links 215, 235, 245, and / or 255 may be any suitable type(s) of wired or wireless communication links.

[0078] In some embodiments, the communication between the remote control device 202 and the media device 220 may be via the streaming media device 250 that is paired with the media device 220 via the communication link 295. For example, in some embodiments, the stream -ing media device 250 may be connected to the media device 220 via an HDMI connection. In some embodiments, the streaming media device 250 may launch any suitable application used to present content on the media device 220, for example, by launching an application and navigating to a specific deep link associated with the requested content.

[0079] In some embodiments, the remote control device 202 may communicate with the streaming media device 250 in any suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the remote control device 202 may communicate with the streaming media device 250 via a communication link 275. In some such embodiments, the communication link 275 may be a Wi-Fi link, a Bluetooth link, and / or other suitable types of communication links. In a more specific example, the remote control device 202 may send commands to the streaming media device 250 via a Wi-Fi signal or via a Bluetooth signal. Here, the streaming media device 250 may send corresponding commands to the media device 220 connected to the streaming media device 250 (e.g., via an HDMI-CEC channel). Note that in some embodiments, the remote control device 202 and the streaming media device 250 may be paired in any suitable manner, such as via a discovery protocol associated with a local network (DIAL (Discovery and Launch), and / or other suitable discovery protocols). In addition to this, if the communication link 275 is a Wi-Fi link, the remote control 202 may be a Wi-Fi-enabled remote control.

[0080] As another example, in some embodiments, the remote control device 202 may communicate with the streaming media device 250 via an intermediate device 240. In some embodiments, the intermediate device 240 may be a Wi-Fi dongle, which enables the intermediate device 240 to communicate with the streaming media device 250 via a Wi-Fi communication link 285. In some embodiments, the remote control device 202 may communicate with the intermediate device 240 via a communication link 265. In some embodiments, the communication link 265 may be a BLUETOOTH link and / or other suitable types of communication links. Note that in some embodiments, the intermediate device 240 may be omitted.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment 300 of a process for obfuscated personal identification number input for a media device according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter is shown. In some embodiments, the blocks of process 300 may be performed by any suitable device, such as a media device (e.g., a television, a streaming media device paired with a television, a speaker, and / or other suitable types of media devices).

[0082] Process 300 begins at 310 by receiving a request to enter a PIN on the media device. Such a request may be received in any suitable manner. For example, a media application running on the media device may require a PIN associated with the user account to authenticate the user account, to unlock parental controls (e.g., to change one or more parental controls), to control settings related to a child's account (e.g., to add time to a timer to increase the total viewing time available for a child's account), to access and / or purchase media content items, to download an application for installation on the media device, to execute an application on the media device, to play a particular ranked game on the media device, etc. It may be determined that this is the case.

[0083] Note that in some embodiments, step 300 may receive a request to enter a PIN code or other suitable password and determine whether an obfuscated PIN input mode is suitable for entering the PIN on the media device. For example, in some embodiments, step 300 may determine, based on device data and / or location data, whether the media device is located within a home where an entered PIN code or password may be visible to others who are in or around the same location. In a more specific example, step 300 may determine from device data indicating that the media device is a television device and location data indicating that the television device is located in the living room of a home that the obfuscated PIN input mode is a suitable mode for entering the PIN in response to the request.

[0084] In some embodiments, in response to a request to enter a PIN on the media device and / or in response to determining that the obfuscated PIN input mode is suitable for entering the PIN on the media device, step 300 may initiate the obfuscated PIN input mode at 320 by determining whether the user of the user account has previously entered a PIN on the media device using the obfuscated PIN input mode. For example, in some embodiments, step 300 may determine whether this is the first time the user of the signed-in user account is using the obfuscated PIN input mode. In another example, in some embodiments, step 300 may determine whether user settings associated with the user account indicate that a tutorial on using the obfuscated PIN input mode should be presented before entering a PIN on the media device (e.g., always presenting a tutorial screen, presenting a tutorial screen only when the user first uses the obfuscated PIN input mode, etc.).

[0085] In some embodiments, in response to determining that a user of a user account has not previously entered a PIN on a media device using the obfuscated PIN entry mode (i.e., "yes" at 320), process 300 may cause a tutorial screen for obfuscated PIN entry to be presented on the media device. An exemplary embodiment of a user interface for providing a tutorial for obfuscated PIN entry for a media device, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, is shown in FIG. 4.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, a tutorial for obfuscated PIN entry may include presenting to the user a user interface that provides instructions for entering a PIN using a remote control in which buttons on the remote control are assigned to specific numbers and / or function options. In a more specific example, as shown in FIG. 4, such a user interface may include an image of a remote control 410 and an adjacent image of a virtual directional pad 420 in the form of the directional pad and selection buttons on the remote control, to show how the buttons on the remote control are remapped, or alternatively, assigned to specific numbers and / or function options. Continuing with this example, as shown in FIG. 4, the user interface may teach the user that by pressing the up and down buttons on the remote control, the user can move between rows of numbers or function options (e.g., between a set of numbers in the range of 1-3, a set of numbers in the range of 4-6, a set of numbers in the range of 7-9, and 0, and the "Forgot PIN" operation). In some embodiments, a PIN pad 430 may be presented that indicates which row or sub-section of a plurality of sub-sections in the PIN pad is active and user-selectable. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the active sub-section of the PIN pad may be indicated by highlighting the row with a highlighted area 440. In addition or alternatively, as also shown in FIG. 4, the active characters may be highlighted By doing so, it may indicate the valid subsections of the PIN pad (for example, highlighting the numbers "1", "2", and "3" on the PIN pad 430, as opposed to the remaining numbers and function options being invalid).

[0087] In some embodiments, the obfuscated PIN input tutorial may provide the user with instructions on how to select the PIN numbers and how to select the function options. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the user interface may teach the user that the corresponding numbers of the valid rows assigned to specific buttons can be input by pressing the left button, the central selection button, or the right button of the remote control. In a more specific example, as shown in FIG. 4, in a valid row containing numbers in the range of 1 to 3, the left button on the remote control can be assigned to the number "1", the central selection button of the remote control can be assigned to the number "2", and the right button on the remote control can be assigned to the number "3". In response to pressing the left button, the central selection button of the remote control, or the right button, the corresponding number can be input into the PIN input area 450 (* or represented by a symbol such as ●, and it may be indicated that a character has been input).

[0088] In some embodiments, the obfuscated PIN input tutorial may present to the user instructions on how to delete the numbers entered in the PIN input area 450. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the user interface may teach the user that the last number entered in the PIN input area 450 can be deleted by pressing the back button on the remote control. In another example, the user interface may teach the user that all the numbers entered in the PIN input area 450 can be deleted by long-pressing the back button on the remote control for a specific period of time.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 3, in response to determining that the user has indicated confirmation of the obfuscated PIN input tutorial (e.g., by pressing a central selection button on the "Accept" interface element of the tutorial screen), step 300 may determine that it is no longer necessary to present the obfuscated PIN input tutorial to the user of the user account (at block 320 of FIG. 3). In some embodiments, step 300 may increment a counter value associated with the user account that indicates the number of times the obfuscated PIN input tutorial has been presented to the user. Continuing with this example, in response to the counter value becoming greater than a particular threshold, step 300 may determine that it is not necessary to present the obfuscated PIN input tutorial to the user (e.g., "No" at block 320).

[0090] In response to determining at block 320 that it is not necessary to present the obfuscated PIN input tutorial to the user, or in response to presenting the obfuscated PIN input tutorial to the user at block 330, step 300 causes the PIN input interface to be presented at 340. As described above in connection with the obfuscated PIN input tutorial of FIG. 3, the remote control's directional pad buttons, central selection button, and back button may be assigned to particular numbers and / or one or more function options. Exemplary embodiments of a PIN input interface for obfuscated PIN input to a media device, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, are shown in FIGS. 5A-18B.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 5A, an exemplary embodiment of a PIN input interface 500, according to some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, is shown. As illustrated, in some embodiments, the PIN input interface 500 may include an action descriptor 510, a user account display 520, a virtual directional pad interface 530, a PIN pad 540, a valid highlight region 550, and a PIN input region 560.

[0092] The action descriptor 510 may be any suitable indication of an action to be performed on the media device upon receiving a correct PIN. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the action descriptor indicates that an obfuscated PIN entry mode has been activated to add bonus time to a timer. In a more specific example, the obfuscated PIN entry mode may be utilized to confirm that a parent account corresponding to the user account representation 520 wishes to add a specific amount of time (e.g., 30 minutes) to the viewing time associated with a corresponding child's account.

[0093] 5A indicates that the user wishes to add viewing time associated with a child's account, this is by way of example only, and the obfuscated PIN entry mode may be utilized for any suitable purpose. For example, a media application running on a media device may determine that a PIN associated with the user account is required to authenticate the user account represented by user account representation 520, to turn off parental controls (e.g., to change one or more parental controls), to access and / or purchase media content items, to download applications for installation on the media device, to run applications on the media device, to play a particular ranked game on the media device, etc.

[0094] The virtual direction pad interface 530 may be any suitable representation of the directional pad buttons and the central select button of a remote control used to control a media device. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, each of the virtual buttons on the virtual direction pad interface 530 may be mapped to a button on a remote control that is used to provide input to the media device (e.g., left-direction input, right-direction input, up-direction input, down-direction input, central select input, back input, etc.). In a more specific example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the virtual direction pad interface 530 may be shaped to conform to the directional pad buttons and the central select button of a remote control used to control a media device. In another more specific example, the virtual direction pad interface 530 may generally identify how the directional pad buttons and select buttons of a remote control are assigned to the numbers and / or function options of the PIN input interface 500.

[0095] The PIN pad 540 may be any suitable display of digits and / or function options that can be selected using the PIN input interface 500. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the PIN pad 540 may be arranged adjacent to the virtual direction pad interface 530. In the virtual direction pad interface 530, a set of digits from 0 to 9 and the "Forgot PIN" operation may be divided into multiple rows of the PIN pad 540. More specifically, in FIG. 5A, the PIN pad 540 may be divided into (1) digits in the range of 1 to 3, (2) digits in the range of 4 to 6, (3) digits in the range of 7 to 9 and the digit 0, and (4) rows or subsections representing the "Forgot PIN" option. Also, as shown in FIG. 5A, the PIN pad 540 may include an active highlight area 550 indicating which one or more rows of the PIN pad 540 are active and selectable using the remote control buttons. For example, in FIG. 5A, the row corresponding to the digits in the range of 1 to 3 is highlighted. Continuing with this example, as also shown in FIG. 5A, the PIN pad 540 may indicate that the remaining rows are inactive and not selectable using the remote control buttons.

[0096] In some embodiments, the digits and / or function options in the active rows of the PIN pad 540 may be shown on the virtual direction pad interface 530. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the digit "1" is arranged on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, the digit "2" is arranged on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, and the digit "3" is arranged on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530. Note that the embodiments described herein generally relate to entering PIN digits, which is merely exemplary, and the virtual direction pad interface may be configured to enter any suitable characters, such as one or more alphanumeric characters (e.g., letters A to Z), one or more symbols (e.g.,!, @, #, etc.), one or more Spanish characters with diacritical marks, etc.

[0097] ​

[0098] Referring to FIG. 5B, in response to the selection of the left - direction button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5B), the corresponding digit '1' in the active row of the PIN pad 540 can be input into the PIN input area 560. Continuing with this example, in response to the selection of the central selection button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5C), the corresponding digit '2' in the active row of the PIN pad 540 can be input into the PIN input area 560.

[0099] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C and other drawings, the corresponding digit '1' can be input as the first digit of the PIN, and the corresponding digit '2' can be input as the second digit of the PIN. However, the input digits may be represented by symbols such as * or ●, and pressing the corresponding key on the remote control indicates that a character has been input. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C and other drawings, in some embodiments, the PIN input area 560 may highlight the position of the digit to be input next in the PIN (for example, the black blank line under the digit in the input PIN of the PIN input area 560). It should also be noted that the marking 570 in FIGS. 5B and 5C and other drawings indicates that the digit '1' when the left - direction button of the remote control was pressed in FIG. 5B was input into the PIN input area 560, and the central selection button of the remote control was pressed in FIG. 5C and the digit '2' was input into the PIN input area. However, the marking 570 and other markings described herein are generally not displayed on the PIN input interface 500 so that other users in the same room as the media device cannot confirm which button on the remote control was pressed when inputting the PIN.

[0100] Continuing with the example of FIG. 5C, in response to selection of the down button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5D), the active row of the PIN pad 540 can be changed from the row corresponding to numbers in the range of 1 to 3 to the adjacent row corresponding to numbers in the range of 4 to 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 5E, the number "4" is placed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, the number "5" is placed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, the number "6" is placed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, and the highlight area 550 is placed over the newly active row of the PIN pad 540 that includes numbers in the range of 4 to 6. In response to selection of the right direction button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5E), the corresponding number "6" of the active row of the PIN pad 540 can be input into the PIN input area 560.

[0101] Continuing with the example of FIG. 5E, in response to selection of the down button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5F), the active row of the PIN pad 540 can be changed from the row corresponding to numbers in the range of 4 to 6 to the adjacent subsection corresponding to numbers in the range of 7 to 9 and the number 0. Then, as shown in FIG. 5G, the number "7" is placed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530 the number "8" is placed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, the number "9" is placed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, and the number "0" is placed on the down direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5G, the highlight area 550 is placed over the newly active subsection of the PIN pad 540 that includes numbers in the range of 7 to 9 and the number 0. In response to selection of the down button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5G), the corresponding number "0" of the active row of the PIN pad 540 can be input into the PIN input area 560.

[0102] In some embodiments, the numbers and / or function options of the PIN pad 540 may be divided into any suitable number of subsections. For example, in response to selection of the down button of the remote control (indicated by marker 570 on the virtual direction pad 530 of FIG. 5F), the active row of the PIN pad 540 may be changed from the row corresponding to numbers in the range of 4 - 6 to an adjacent subsection corresponding to numbers in the range of 7 - 9 (as opposed to the subsections corresponding to numbers in the range of 7 - 9 and the number 0 shown in FIG. 5F). And, as shown in FIG. 6, the number "7" is placed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, the number "8" is placed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 530, and the number "9" is placed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 530. Continuing with the example of selection of the down button of the remote control, the active row of the PIN pad 540 may be changed from the row corresponding to numbers in the range of 7 - 9 to an adjacent row corresponding to the number 0. In the adjacent row, the number "0" may be placed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 530.

[0103] Referring again to FIG. 3, in response to receiving a PIN in the PIN input area 560 of the PIN input interface 500, step 300 may determine whether the correct PIN has been provided and may also determine whether to perform an action on the media device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A - 5G, the user entered a PIN of "1260" using the remote control with respect to the PIN input interface 500. Continuing with this example, step 300 may determine whether the PIN of "1260" matches the correct PIN associated with the user account represented by the user account display 520, and in response to determining that the correct PIN has been entered, step 300 may authenticate the user account and add additional time to the timer associated with the corresponding child account (for example, add 30 minutes of viewing time to the child account).

[0104] As shown in FIG. 5H, at 350, in response to determining that a correct PIN has been provided to the PIN input interface 500, the PIN input interface 500 may be updated to have a notification 580 and an updated virtual direction pad interface 590. The notification 580 may be any suitable notification indicating that the correct PIN has been entered and the corresponding action that the media device performs (e.g., adding 30 minutes of bonus time). The updated virtual direction pad interface 590 may indicate, for example, that the remote control used to control the media device has exited the scrambled PIN input mode. As shown in FIG. 5H, the updated virtual direction pad interface 590 has the arrows indicating directions back, and the numbers and / or function options are not transposed on the buttons of the updated virtual direction pad interface 590.

[0105] Note that FIGS. 5A - 5H show a PIN input interface including a virtual direction pad interface 530 and an adjacent PIN pad 540, which is merely exemplary, and the selectable virtual direction pad interface as well as the numbers and / or function options may be presented in any suitable manner.

[0106] In some embodiments, instead of providing a PIN input interface including a virtual direction pad interface 530 and an adjacent PIN pad 540, a plurality of virtual direction pad interfaces may be provided in the PIN input interface. This allows, for example, each set of digits (e.g., digits 0 - 2, 3 - 5, and 6 - 9 for three virtual direction pad interfaces) to be presented on one interface.

[0107] For example, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary PIN input interface 700 that includes a first virtual direction pad interface 710, a second virtual direction pad interface 720, and a third virtual direction pad interface 730. Continuing with this example, the first virtual direction pad interface 710 may be used to input numbers in the range of 0 to 2. Here, the up button on the remote control is assigned to input the number "0", the central selection button on the remote control is assigned to input the number "1", and the down button on the remote control is assigned to input the number "2". Note that in this embodiment, the PIN pad 540 is omitted from the PIN input interface 700.

[0108] Note that FIGS. 5A - 5H show the display of valid number rows or subsets of the PIN pad 540 by use of the highlight region 550, but this is merely exemplary, and the valid area or valid subsection within the PIN input interface may be highlighted in any suitable manner. For example, FIG. 7 shows that the virtual direction pad interface may be highlighted to indicate that numbers and / or function options are valid and selectable. As shown, the first virtual direction pad interface 710 is highlighted, indicating that the user can use the remote control to select a number from the range of 0 to 2 to input the first digit of the PIN.

[0109] Note that FIGS. 5A-5H show the movement between the rows of the PIN pad 540 by pressing the up and down buttons on the remote control, which is merely exemplary, and the PIN input interface may provide the user with movement options in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the left and right buttons on the remote control may be used to move between virtual direction pad interfaces. Continuing with this example, in response to the selection of the right direction button on the remote control, the active virtual direction pad interface may be changed from the first virtual direction pad interface 710 to the second virtual direction pad interface 720. Alternatively, in response to the selection of the left direction button on the remote control, the active virtual direction pad interface may be changed from the first virtual direction pad interface 710 to an interface that includes one or more functional options, such as a "forgot PIN" option where the user can reset the PIN associated with the user account or a profile option where the user can switch between different user accounts.

[0110] In some embodiments, instead of providing a PIN input interface that includes the virtual direction pad interface 530 adjacent to the PIN pad 540 of FIGS. 5A-5G, the virtual direction pad interface may be an integrated PIN pad. Thereby, for example, when the user focuses on a particular set of numbers (e.g., numbers 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 0), the integrated virtual direction pad interface may shift.

[0111] For example, FIGS. 8A and 8B show a PIN input interface 800 that includes a PIN pad interface 810 in which an exemplary virtual direction pad interface 820 may be incorporated into the PIN pad interface 810. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, the row of numbers in the range of 1-3 that is active in the PIN pad interface 810 may be replaced with the virtual direction pad interface 810. Similar to FIGS. 5A-5G, the number "1" is disposed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 820, and indicates that the number "1" is input to the PIN by pressing the left direction button on the direction pad of the remote control. The number "2" is disposed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 820, and indicates that the number "2" is input to the PIN by pressing the central selection button on the direction pad of the remote control. The number "3" is disposed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 820, and indicates that the number "3" is input to the PIN by pressing the right direction button on the direction pad of the remote control. Continuing with this example, the PIN pad interface 810 may present the remaining invalid rows of the PIN pad below the virtual direction pad interface 820.

[0112] Continuing with the example of FIG. 8A, in response to the selection of the down direction button of the remote control (indicated by the marker 830 on the virtual direction pad 820), the valid rows of the PIN pad interface 810 may shift from the rows corresponding to the numbers in the range of 1 to 3 to the adjacent subsections corresponding to the numbers in the range of 4 to 6. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the virtual direction pad 820, which has represented the rows of the numbers in the range of 1 to 3 that have been valid in the PIN pad interface 810, may be replaced with the rows of the numbers 1 to 3, and the newly valid rows of the numbers in the range of 4 to 6 in the PIN pad interface 810 may be replaced with the virtual direction pad 820. As also shown in FIG. 8B, the number "4" is disposed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 820, and indicates that the number "4" is input to the PIN by pressing the left direction button on the direction pad of the remote control. The number "6" is disposed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 820, and indicates that the number "6" is input to the PIN by pressing the central selection button on the direction pad of the remote control. The number "7" is disposed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 820, and indicates that the number "7" is input to the PIN by pressing the right direction button on the direction pad of the remote control.

[0113] In some embodiments, instead of providing a PIN input interface that includes a PIN pad 540 adjacent to the virtual direction pad interface 530 of FIGS. 5A-5H, the virtual direction pad interface and the PIN pad may be presented on different interfaces. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, an exemplary PIN input interface 900 that includes a virtual direction pad interface 910 may be presented. More specifically, the number "7" is arranged on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 910, indicating that by pressing the left direction button on the direction pad of the remote control, the number "7" is input as the last digit of the PIN. The number "8" is arranged on the up direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 910, indicating that by pressing the up direction button on the direction pad of the remote control, the number "8" is input as the last digit of the PIN. The number "9" is arranged on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 910, indicating that by pressing the right direction button on the direction pad of the remote control, the number "9" is input as the last digit of the PIN.

[0114] Continuing with the example shown in FIG. 9A, an "OK" indicator may be arranged on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 910. In response to the central selection button on the remote control (indicated by the marker 920 on the virtual direction pad 910) being selected, the virtual direction pad interface 910 may be replaced with a PIN pad interface 930 that shows the numbers and / or function options selectable in the obfuscated PIN input mode. As also shown in FIG. 9B, a highlighted area 940 may be used to indicate which row or subsection of numbers and / or function options is currently active. By pressing the up and down direction buttons on the remote control, the user can move between subsections of the numbers and / or function options selectable on the virtual direction pad interface 910. For example, pressing the up direction button on the direction pad of the remote control Then, the PIN pad interface 930 moves from a row containing digits in the range of 7 to 9 to an adjacent row containing digits in the range of 4 to 6.

[0115] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the exemplary PIN input interface 900 may begin by presenting the PIN pad interface 930. In the PIN pad interface 930, the user may select a subsection of the PIN pad interface 930 for entering one or more digits. In response to the selection of a subsection of the PIN pad interface 930, the PIN input interface 900 may be updated to present a corresponding virtual direction pad interface 910 that allows the user to enter one or more digits into the PIN input area using the remote control.

[0116] In some embodiments, instead of providing a PIN input interface that includes a PIN pad 540 adjacent to the virtual direction pad interface 530 of FIGS. 5A-5G, the PIN input interface may include another handling instruction for moving between ranges of digits to be selected and / or between function options. For example, as shown in the PIN input interface 1000 of FIG. 10A, each of the direction buttons and the central selection button of the remote control may be assigned to input one digit of a range of digits. More specifically, as shown in the virtual direction pad interface 1010, the digit "0" is placed on the central selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 1010, indicating that the digit "0" is input into the PIN by pressing the central selection button on the direction pad of the remote control. The digit "1" is placed on the up direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1010, indicating that the digit "1" is input into the PIN by pressing the up direction button on the direction pad of the remote control. The digit "2" is placed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1010, indicating that the digit "2" is input into the PIN by pressing the right direction button on the direction pad of the remote control. The digit "3" is placed on the down direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1010, indicating that the digit "3" is input into the PIN by pressing the down direction button on the direction pad of the remote control. The digit "4" is placed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1010, indicating that the digit "4" is input into the PIN by pressing the left direction button on the direction pad of the remote control.

[0117] In some embodiments, the PIN input interface 1000 may provide a remote control gesture for moving between the current numbers in the range of 0 to 4 and the numbers in the range of 5 to 9. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the notification 1020 indicates that the virtual direction pad interface 1010 moves from the numbers in the range of 0 to 4 to the numbers in the range of 5 to 9 by a long press gesture on the right arrow on the direction pad of the remote control. This is shown, for example, in FIG. 10B, where the numbers in the range of 5 to 9 are arranged on the arrow buttons indicating the direction of the virtual direction pad interface 1010 and on the central selection button. And the notification 1040 may indicate that the virtual direction pad interface 1010 is returned to the numbers in the range of 0 to 4 by a long press gesture on the left arrow on the direction pad of the remote control.

[0118] In some embodiments, the PIN input interface 1000 may provide a remote control gesture for moving between the current numbers in the range of 0 to 4 and one or more function options. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the notification 1030 may indicate that the virtual direction pad interface 1010 moves from entering numbers to selecting one or more function options (for example, selecting the "forgot PIN" operation) by a long press gesture on the central selection button of the remote control.

[0119] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the PIN input interface has the number to be selected There may be other instructions for moving between character ranges and / or function options, and buttons on the remote control may be assigned to perform multiple functions. For example, as shown in the PIN input interface 1100 of FIG. 11A, the virtual direction pad interface 1110 may move from a numerical input range of 0 to 3 (shown as being assigned to the direction buttons of the remote control) to a numerical input range of 4 to 7 (shown as being assigned to the center selection button of the virtual direction pad interface 1110) by pressing the center selection button of the remote control. Continuing with this example, in response to the center selection button of the remote control being pressed, the virtual direction pad interface 1110 may be updated, with the number "4" placed on the up direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1110, indicating that pressing the up direction button on the direction pad of the remote control inputs the number "4" into the PIN, the number "5" placed on the right direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1110, indicating that pressing the right direction button on the direction pad of the remote control inputs the number "5" into the PIN, the number "6" placed on the down direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1110, indicating that pressing the down direction button on the direction pad of the remote control inputs the number "6" into the PIN, and the number "7" placed on the left direction button of the virtual direction pad interface 1110, indicating that pressing the left direction button on the direction pad of the remote control inputs the number "7" into the PIN. In addition to this, using the center selection button of the remote control enables access to function options in obfuscated PIN input mode. For example, the notification 1130 in FIG. 11A may indicate that by a long press gesture on the center selection button of the remote control, the virtual direction pad interface 1110 moves from numerical input to the selection of one or more function options (such as the selection of the "Forgot PIN" operation).

[0120] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the PIN input interface may include additional instructions for moving between ranges of digits to select and / or between function options, and multiple buttons on the remote control may be assigned to access different ranges of digits. For example, as shown in the PIN input interface 1100 of FIG. 11B, the virtual direction pad interface 1110 can move from a numeric input range of 8-9 (shown as being assigned to the up and right buttons of the remote control, for example) to a numeric input range of 0-3 (shown on the select button in the center of the virtual direction pad interface 1110, for example) or to a numeric input range of 4-7 (shown on the down button of the virtual direction pad interface 1110, for example) by pressing the select button in the center of the remote control.

[0121] In some embodiments, the PIN input interface may include any suitable number of notifications. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the PIN input interface 1200 may present multiple notifications, such as a notification 1220 indicating that a long press gesture applied to the select button in the center of the remote control can move the virtual direction pad interface from the current digit range to an adjacent digit range, and a notification 1230 indicating that pressing the back button on the remote control deletes the last entered PIN number. Any suitable notifications, such as a notification for switching from an obfuscated PIN input mode to a different PIN input mode, may be provided.

[0122] In some embodiments, the embodiments described herein generally indicate valid rows of the PIN pad using a highlighted area or by highlighting text, but this is merely exemplary, and valid characters selectable on the remote control may be identified in any suitable manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a slider interface 1320 may be provided in relation to the PIN pad 1310. As shown, the slider interface 1320 slides to indicate which of the multiple rows in the PIN pad 1310 are valid. It may include a cursor position indicator 1330. In particular, FIG. 13 shows that a row containing numbers in the range of 7 to 9 is currently valid and can be selected using buttons on the remote control.

[0123] As described above, one or more function options can be accessed using a PIN input interface that includes a PIN pad adjacent to the virtual direction pad interface. For example, returning to FIG. 5A, in response to the selection of the up button on the remote control (indicated by marker 1440 on virtual direction pad interface 1430 in FIG. 14A), the valid row of PIN pad 1410 highlighted in highlight region 1420 changes from the row corresponding to the numbers in the range of 1 to 3 to a function option for resetting the PIN associated with the user account (for example, the "Forgot PIN" operation as shown by highlight region 1420 of PIN pad 1410 in FIG. 14B). In response to moving to the "Forgot PIN" operation as shown in FIG. 14B, the virtual direction pad interface 1430 may be updated, and the selection button in the center of the remote control is assigned to start the "Forgot PIN" process. Continuing with this example, in response to the selection of the selection button in the center of the remote control, the media device may start a process that allows the user to reset the PIN associated with the user account. Such a process may include verifying the user's ID associated with the user account, providing other information for authenticating the user account, and the like.

[0124] Other suitable function options may be selected on the remote control in relation to the obfuscated PIN input mode.

[0125] For example, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, a function option may be provided that allows a user of a remote control to switch from a first user account to a second user account. In a more specific example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the virtual direction pad interface 1510 may map the up button of the remote control to a "profile switching" operation 1520. In response to the user selecting the up button of the remote control, the PIN input interface 1500 may be updated, and the user may be able to select different user accounts 1530 as shown in FIG. 15B. The highlight area 1540 may be used to indicate which user account can be selected using the remote control (e.g., movement using the direction pad and selection using the select button in the center of the remote control).

[0126] In another example, a function option may be provided that allows the user to indicate whether to present a PIN pad on the PIN input interface. For example, returning to FIG. 5A, in response to the up button of the remote control (indicated by the marker 1640 on the virtual direction pad interface 1630 in FIG. 16A) being selected, the active row of the PIN pad 1610 highlighted in the highlight area 1620 may be changed from the row corresponding to the numbers in the range of 1 to 3 to a function option to hide the numeric keypad shown on the PIN pad 1610 (e.g., an operation of "hiding the numeric keypad" as indicated by the highlight area 1620 of the PIN pad 1610 in FIG. 16B). In response to moving to the operation of "hiding the numeric PIN" as shown in FIG. 16B, the virtual direction pad interface 1630 may be updated, and the select button in the center of the remote control may be assigned to start the process of "hiding the numeric keypad". Continuing with this example, in response to the select button in the center of the remote control being selected, the media device may start a process to prevent the PIN pad 1610 from being presented on the PIN input interface 1600.

[0127] Alternatively, in response to the selection of the selection button in the center of the remote control, the media device begins a process of switching the obfuscated PIN input mode to another PIN input mode, such as the PIN input interface 1700 of FIG. 17 including the numeric keypad 1710. The numeric keypad 1710 may indicate each of the entered PIN numbers selected from the numeric keypad 1710, for example. Continuing with this example, in response to the selection of the "hide numeric keypad" operation 1720, the media device may cause the PIN input mode in which the PIN input interface 1700 is presented to be changed to the obfuscated PIN input mode described above.

[0128] In addition to or instead of presenting function options to the virtual direction pad interface, in some embodiments, the virtual direction pad interface may include an option to access a plurality of function options used in relation to the obfuscated PIN input mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A, in response to the selection of the up button of the remote control (indicated by "additional options" 1820 on the virtual direction pad interface 1810 of FIG. 18A), the virtual direction pad interface 1810 and other interface elements are replaced with a plurality of function options 1830 as shown in FIG. 18B. These function options 1830 may include, for example, operations to display or hide the PIN pad, switch between the obfuscated PIN input mode and another PIN input mode, enable a user associated with a user account to reset the PIN, enable a user of the remote control to switch from one user account to another user account, and the like.

[0129] When the system described in this specification collects or uses personal information about a user, the user may be given the opportunity to control whether the program or feature collects user information (e.g., information about the user's social network, social behavior or activities, occupation, user preferences, or the user's current location). In addition, certain data may be processed in one or more ways before being stored or used so that personally identifiable information is removed. For example, the user's identifying information may be processed so that the user's personal information cannot be identified, or the user's geographical location where location information (such as city, zip code, or state level) is obtained may be generalized so that the user's specific location cannot be identified. Thus, the user can have it as they like regarding how information about the user is collected and how this information is used by the content server.

[0130] Accordingly, a system, method, and medium for obfuscated personal identification number input for a media device are provided.

[0131] In some embodiments, any suitable computer-readable medium may be used to store instructions for performing the processes described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the computer-readable medium may be a temporary computer-readable medium or a non-temporary computer-readable medium. For example, the non-temporary computer-readable medium may include media such as a magnetic medium in a non-temporary form (such as a hard disk, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, etc.), an optical medium in a non-temporary form (such as a compact disk, a digital video disk, a Blu-ray disk, etc.), a semiconductor medium in a non-temporary form (such as a flash memory, an EPROM (Electrically Programmable Read-Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) in a non-temporary form, etc.), any suitable medium that is transient and has no persistence during transfer, and / or any suitable tangible medium, etc. As another example, the temporary computer-readable medium may include a signal included in a network, an electric wire, a conductive wire, an optical fiber, a circuit, any suitable medium that is transient and has no persistence during transfer, and / or any suitable intangible medium.

[0132] Note that the above-described steps of the processes described in association with FIG. 3 are not limited to the order and sequence illustrated and described, and can be executed and implemented in any order or sequence. Also, in order to reduce waiting time and processing time, some of the above steps of the processes of FIG. 3 can be executed or implemented substantially simultaneously or in parallel as appropriate.

[0133] It should also be noted that as used herein, the term mechanism may include hardware, software, firmware, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0134] The present invention has been described and illustrated in the above exemplary embodiments. However, the present disclosure is merely an example, and various changes may be made to the details of the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of this specification. It should be understood that the scope of this specification is limited only by the appended claims. The features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.

Claims

1. 1. A method for personal identification number entry into a media device, comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor of a media device, a request to enter a personal identification number (PIN) using a remote control device connected to the media device; generating, with the hardware processor, a PIN entry interface screen including: (1) a PIN pad having a plurality of digits and one or more feature options divided into a plurality of subsections; and (2) a virtual directional pad interface corresponding to a directional pad having a plurality of directional buttons and a center selection button on the remote control, the virtual directional pad interface assigning a first subset of the directional buttons and center selection button on the remote control to active ones of the plurality of subsections, and the virtual directional pad interface assigning a second subset of the directional buttons on the remote control to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the method further comprising: receiving key presses from the remote control device using the hardware processor; and using the hardware processor to update a PIN entry area on the PIN entry interface screen with a number or execute a function option of the one or more function options that matches the received key press, wherein the number corresponding to the received key press and the received key press are not presented on the PIN entry interface screen.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the PIN pad is presented adjacent to the virtual directional pad interface on the PIN entry interface screen, and the active subsection of the plurality of subsections on the PIN pad is highlighted.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each subsection of the plurality of subsections corresponds to a sequence of numbers, and the first subset of the plurality of directional buttons on the remote control includes a left button and a right button of the directional pad of the remote control, the left directional button, the center selection button, and the right directional button each being assigned to a number in the sequence of numbers.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second subset of the plurality of directional buttons on the remote control device includes an up button and a down button of the directional pad of the remote control device, the up button and the down button each being assigned to move to a subsection adjacent to the active subsection.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each subsection of the plurality of subsections of the PIN pad corresponds to a row of numbers on the PIN pad.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual directional pad interface on the PIN entry interface screen is shaped to match the directional pad on the remote control device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein one of the numbers in the active subsection is presented on a representative directional button in the virtual directional pad interface.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual directional pad interface is incorporated into the PIN pad, and the virtual directional pad interface is presented in place of the active subsection of the PIN pad.

9. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of subsections of the PIN pad is presented on the PIN entry interface screen as one of a plurality of virtual directional pad interfaces, a first virtual directional pad interface of the plurality of virtual directional pad interfaces is enabled, and the first virtual directional pad interface corresponds to the enabled subsection.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein a back button on the remote control device is assigned to delete the last digit entered into the PIN entry field.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing an action to be performed on the media device in response to determining that a correct PIN has been entered in the PIN entry area.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the key press from the remote control device is a long press gesture provided on the remote control device.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein in response to receiving a long press gesture on a directional button on the directional pad of the remote control device, the PIN pad moves from the active subsection to an adjacent subsection.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more feature options include an option to switch from a first user account to a second user account to enter the PIN.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more feature options include an option to hide the PIN pad so that it is not presented on the PIN entry interface screen.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more functionality options include an option to replace the PIN entry interface screen with another PIN entry interface screen on which the numbers corresponding to the received key presses are presented.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more feature options include an option to reset a PIN associated with the user account.

18. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more function options include an option to access an interface screen containing multiple options, the multiple options including a first option to switch between user accounts, a second option to hide the PIN pad so that it is not presented on the PIN entry interface screen, and a third option to reset the PIN associated with the user account.

19. 1. A media device comprising: a hardware processor, the hardware processor comprising: receiving a request to enter a personal identification number (PIN) using a remote control device connected to the media device; A PIN entry interface screen is generated that includes: (1) a PIN pad having a plurality of numbers and one or more function options divided into a plurality of subsections; and (2) a virtual directional pad interface corresponding to a directional pad having a plurality of directional buttons and a center selection button on the remote control device, the virtual directional pad interface assigning a first subset of the plurality of directional buttons and the center selection button on the remote control device to active subsections of the plurality of subsections, the virtual directional pad interface assigning a second subset of the plurality of directional buttons on the remote control to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the hardware processor further comprising: receiving a key press from the remote control device; The media device updates a PIN entry area on the PIN entry interface screen with a number, or executes a function option among the one or more function options that matches the received key press, and the number corresponding to the received key press and the received key press are not presented on the PIN entry interface screen.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for inputting a personal identification number to a media device, the method comprising: receiving, with a media device, a request to enter a personal identification number (PIN) using a remote control device connected to the media device; generating a PIN entry interface screen including: (1) a PIN pad having a plurality of digits and one or more function options divided into a plurality of subsections; and (2) a virtual directional pad interface corresponding to a directional pad having a plurality of directional buttons and a center selection button on the remote control, the virtual directional pad interface assigning a first subset of the plurality of directional buttons and center selection button on the remote control to active ones of the plurality of subsections, and the virtual directional pad interface assigning a second subset of the plurality of directional buttons on the remote control to move between each of the plurality of subsections, the method further comprising: receiving a key press from the remote control device; and updating a PIN entry area on the PIN entry interface screen with a number or executing a function option of the one or more function options that matches the received key press, wherein the number corresponding to the received key press and the received key press are not presented on the PIN entry interface screen.

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