Method and apparatus for preventing access to inappropriate content over a network based on audio or visual content

Abstract

A method and apparatus are disclosed for restricting access to electronic media objects having objectionable content. The disclosed access control system prevents a user from accessing objectionable content based on an analysis of the audio or visual information associated with the content. For example, image processing techniques are employed to dynamically detect nudity, violence, or other identified inappropriate content in an image associated with an electronic media object. In addition, speech recognition techniques can be employed to dynamically detect one or more predefined stop words in audio information associated with an electronic media object. When a user first attempts to access an electronic media object, the audio or visual content (or both) of the electronic media object is analyzed to determine if the electronic media object contains any predefined inappropriate content. The inappropriate content may be defined, for example, in accordance with user-specific access privileges. The user is prevented from accessing the electronic media object if the content analysis determines that the electronic media object contains one or more predefined inappropriate content items, such as nudity, sexually explicit material, violent content or bad language.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.