Biometric Identification for Broadcast Receiver User Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Broadcast communication receivers often face challenges in identifying and managing multiple user preferences and security settings across a network, particularly in households with shared set-top boxes, leading to inefficiencies in accessing personalized content and security controls.
Innovation Solution
A method that analyzes physical characteristics of users to generate biometric information, which is then used to associate and synchronize user-specific data across multiple broadcast communication receivers, eliminating the need for passwords or labels by verifying identity through biometric matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share a single set-top box with separate favorites lists and recording parameters, then user personalization is improved, but device complexity and user management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces biometric authentication (fingerprint scanner) as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the set-top box. This mediator automatically identifies users and associates them with their respective profiles, eliminating the need for manual user management and complex authentication systems while maintaining personalized settings for multiple users
2Reliability
If parental control passwords are required to block channels and programs, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to password entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/password-based authentication system with a biometric authentication system using fingerprint scanning. This substitution eliminates the need for users to remember and enter passwords while maintaining secure access control, as the fingerprint sensor provides automatic verification without manual input
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple set-top boxes are deployed in a household to serve different users, then user-specific customization is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single set-top box universal by enabling it to serve multiple users through biometric authentication. The device can identify different users via fingerprint scanning and automatically apply their respective favorites lists, recording parameters, and parental control settings, thereby eliminating the need for multiple dedicated set-top boxes while maintaining full customization for each user
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for identifying a user in a network of broadcast communication receivers, a physical characteristic of a user is analyzed in association with the user accessing a first of the receivers. First biometric information based on the characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the first receiver is generated. Data associated with use of the first receiver by the user is also generated and associated with the first biometric information. The physical characteristic of the user is then analyzed in association with the user accessing a second receiver. Second biometric information based on the physical characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the second receiver is generated. The first and second biometric information are then compared. If the first and second biometric information indicate the physical characteristic of the same user, the data is employed in conjunction with the user accessing the second receiver.