A media rendering device and method for generation of a simplified user interface are provided. The media rendering device determines a user profile of a user of the media rendering device. The media rendering device includes a plurality of user interface modes including a specific user interface mode associated with a plurality of user interface elements. The media rendering device determines a first user interface mode based on the user profile. The first user interface mode may be associated with a first subset of user interface elements of the plurality of user interface elements. The media rendering device generates a graphical user interface (GUI) based on the first subset of user interface elements. The media rendering device controls a display device to display the generated GUI.

Systems and methods for authorizing operations associated with blocked media assets using two-factor authentication. In some aspects, a media guidance application (e.g., executed by a set-top box or other user equipment used to store and display media assets) prompts a user for a password (e.g., a personal information number) in order to unlock the content for viewing. In response to receiving a second request from the user to perform an operation related to the media asset (e.g., delete), the media guidance application prompts the user for an additional factor confirming his or her identity, consistent with two-factor authentication protocol. If the user's identity is authenticated as a user that has authority to perform the operation related to the media asset (e.g., delete the stored media asset), the media guidance application performs the operation related to the media asset (e.g., deletes the media asset).

The system and techniques disclose as a software platform, including computer software applications (apps) and a backend system that can be used to provide hosting and streaming of a silent party. The system allows a host to set up a silent party, specifically selecting the music that is played during the silent party and designating virtual “rooms” where different genres of music can be played simultaneously. Further, the system streams real-time content, including music, for the silent party simultaneously to different silent party attendees at various remote locations. The silent party attendees access the real-time stream, using their respective computer devices and headphones, so that the music can still be enjoyed “silently”. Accordingly, the system allows for a unique and exciting “virtual” silent party experience that can be enjoyed by users anywhere in real-time, as if they were all physically together in the same room of a conventional silent party.

An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes: a display; and a processor configured to: control the display to display a content based on one mode of a plurality of display modes, receive a user voice in real time while the content is being displayed, identify user's age information corresponding to the received user voice, identify whether or not the one mode is a kids mode when the identified user's age information is less than a threshold value, and change the one mode to the kids mode when it is identified that the one mode is not the kids mode.

Methods and systems that provide an interactive media guidance application having a locked mode for viewing media assets. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may provide media assets suited to a certain audience. The interactive media guidance application may determine suitable media assets for the locked mode based on media assets viewed by other users having characteristics similar to the user of the interactive media guidance application. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may allow access to only certain media assets and/or limit the time period for which the media assets are presented.

Systems and methods for determining whether a first electronic device detects a media item that is to be output by a second electronic device is described herein. In some embodiments, an individual may request, using a first electronic device, that a media item be played on a second electronic device. The backend system may send first audio data representing a first response to the first electronic device, along with instructions to delay outputting the first response, as well as to continue sending audio data of additional audio captured thereby. The backend system may also send second audio data representing a second response to the second electronic device along with the media item. Text data may be generated representing the captured audio, which may then be compared with text data representing the second response to determine whether or not they match.

Methods and systems are provided herein for generating notifications based on the interests of guests. Guests may request notifications on their host’s television, and the system will generate notifications based on the guest’s interests and preferences as stored in the guest’s user profile. In doing so, the guest will be notified of events of interest, such as when a favorite sports team scores a point or when an important scene in a favorite movie is playing. The system monitors the network of the apartment or house and detects when a guest device is accessing the network. The system then accesses the guest’s interests and identifies a set of programs based on these interests. The system then monitors these programs and generates notifications on the display device when an event of interest has occurred in one of the identified programs.

This application is directed to changing a TV operating mode based on a potential relationship among viewers of a connected TV. In some implementations, a method includes: determining viewer identities and identifying the potential relationship among the viewers or a subset of the viewers; in accordance with a determination that the potential relationship allows the viewers to share private information, placing or maintaining the connected TV in or into a first operating mode that is unrelated to media content being displayed and allows personal information to be displayed on the connected TV; and in accordance with a determination that the potential relationship does not allow the viewers to share private information, placing or maintaining the connected TV in or into a second operating mode that is unrelated to the media content and does not allow personal information to be displayed on the connected TV.

Methods and systems that provide an interactive media guidance application having a locked mode for viewing media assets. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may provide media assets suited to a certain audience. The interactive media guidance application may determine suitable media assets for the locked mode based on media assets viewed by other users having characteristics similar to the user of the interactive media guidance application. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may allow access to only certain media assets and/or limit the time period for which the media assets are presented.

A system and method for controlling access to content stream includes a user device and a service provider in communication with the user device. The service provider receives a request for a requested content stream associated with the user device and determines an access number corresponding to a number of content streams active by a user device. When the access number associated with the user device exceeds a predetermined number, the service provider denies access to a requested stream for the user device.