HMD Parental Controls Using Nearby Authorized User Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing parental control systems for head-mounted displays (HMDs) are inflexible and burdensome, relying on predefined content ratings or PIN entry, failing to account for nuanced content appropriateness and disrupting user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A system that detects authorized users in the vicinity of the HMD, providing real-time visual representations of content on an external display, allowing authorized users to modify or control content access through voice commands, gestures, or device inputs, and records content consumption for later review.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parental controls block content based on predefined ratings, then inappropriate content is filtered, but flexibility is lost and overly restrictive blocking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments parental control into multiple layers: predefined content ratings provide baseline filtering, while granular controls allow parents to selectively override or adjust specific content types. This segmentation enables both reliable automatic filtering and flexible manual adjustment, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive blocking and selective permission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static predefined ratings to dynamic, adaptive parental controls. Parents can adjust control parameters in real-time based on contextual factors such as time of day, location, or specific application being used. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing situations while maintaining reliable content filtering.
2Reliability
If PIN entry is required for content access, then security is improved, but user experience is disrupted and interaction becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by detecting authorized users through biometric sensors or device recognition before content access is needed. This preliminary action establishes security credentials in advance, eliminating the need for repeated PIN entries during content access and significantly improving user convenience while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical PIN entry system with biometric authentication methods such as facial recognition, fingerprint scanning, or voice recognition. This substitution eliminates the manual typing or code entry process, providing both secure authentication and seamless user experience without disrupting the child's interaction with the device.
3Loss of information
If parents monitor child's HMD content by asking or taking the device, then content awareness is achieved, but the child's XR session is interrupted and burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms that provide parents with real-time or periodic information about their child's content consumption without requiring direct intervention. Sensors detect what content is being viewed, and this information is automatically reported to parents through a companion app or notification system, maintaining both parental awareness and session continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The HMD device performs self-monitoring of content consumption using integrated sensors and processors. The device automatically tracks, logs, and reports content access patterns, applications used, and time spent without requiring external monitoring. This self-service capability eliminates the need for parents to physically intervene while maintaining comprehensive content awareness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If virtual world interactions are unrestricted, then social engagement is enhanced, but exposure to inappropriate content or behavior increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different control qualities to different aspects of virtual world interaction. Rather than uniformly restricting all interactions, the system allows free social engagement while applying specific filters and monitoring to chat communications, friend requests, and shared content. This localized quality control enables social freedom in safe areas while protecting against inappropriate content in vulnerable interaction points.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for implementing parental controls for extended reality (XR) content provided to a first user wearing a head-mounted device (HMD) or an XR device of any form. A second user is detected in a vicinity of the HMD in an external environment of the HMD. Based on determining that the second user in the vicinity of the HMD is an authorized user with respect to the first user, a visual representation associated with the XR content is generated for display on an external display of the HMD that is visible from the external environment of the HMD. An option is provided to enable the XR content to be modified based on input from the second user.