Patent Publication Number: US-2013232580-A1

Title: System and method for administering remote content

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This patent application is a continuation-in-part patent application and claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/300,254, titled “System and Method for Broadcasting Media, filed Feb. 1, 2010; U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 12/702,762, titled “System and Method for Broadcasting Media,” filed Feb. 9, 2010; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/685,417, titled “System and Method for Broadcasting Media,” filed Jan. 11, 2010; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/290,835, titled “Electronic Device and System and Method for Broadcasting Media,” filed Dec. 29, 2009, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully stated herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to electronic systems, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and various other disclosures related to remote, content, and more particularly, to remote education and examination, such as online education and examination. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is common practice for schools, including colleges and universities, to administer remote education, such as online education. Online education may comprise of various components, such as online classes, online tutoring sessions, online homework assignments, and online examinations. 
     Traditionally, schools have had no way to track who was actually taking part in the online classes, nor who was taking online examinations. The lack of authentication available to schools has opened up the opportunity for people to cheat on online exams and to skip out on online classes without the school ever learning of the fact. This “loophole” in online examination has caused many people to question the credibility and effectiveness of remote education, which in turn has harmed the reputation of the schools that use remote education as a part of their curriculum. 
     SUMMARY 
     The various systems, methods, and embodiments described herein result from the realization that remote education may be made more secure and credible by providing a system and method whereby a proctor, such as a school, is able to verify and authenticate the identity of a person participating in remote education, such as an online class and/or an online examination. 
     Accordingly, the various embodiments and disclosures described herein solve the limitations of the prior art in a new and novel manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a system in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show a system in accordance with various embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram representing a method in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  shows a system in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram representing a method in accordance with one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 6  shows an article in accordance with one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     System Level Overview 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show a system  100  in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1A , system  100  comprises at least one processor  102 , at least one means for capturing an image  104 , wherein the at least one means for capturing an image  104  is electronically connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions (not shown) readable by the at least one processor and operative to analyze at least one image captured by the at least one means for capturing an image, determine the identity of at least one person that is in the at least one image, and control a content displayed on at least one display device connected to the system based on the identity of the at least one person. 
     In a further embodiment, system  100  further comprises at least one means for electronically connecting a display device (shown as  106 ) to system  100 , wherein the means for electronically connecting a display device is electronically connected to at least one processor  102 . 
     In some embodiments, the at least one processor  102  may be any kind of processor, including, but not limited to, a single core processor, a multi core processor, a video processor, and the like. 
     The means for capturing an image  104  may be any such means, such as, but not limited to, a camera, an infrared camera, a thermal imaging camera, a video sensor, a digital camera, and the like. The means for capturing an image  104  may include a flash, which may be used to illuminate the subjects in the image. In a preferred embodiments, the means for capturing an image  104  may include a field of view that encompasses the same field of view as, or larger than, the display device  106  that may be connected to system  100 . In a further embodiment, means for capturing an image  104  may include a one hundred and eighty degree field of view, such as by including an ultra wide angle lens. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one means for electronically connecting a display device to the system  106  may be any kind of means, such as a video connector, a coaxial cable, an HDMI cable, an s-video component connector, a Wi-Fi video transceiver, a Bluetooth video transceiver, an internal video cable socket, a DVI connector, and the like. The means for electronically connecting a display device to the system may include a cable, or may not include a cable. The display device  106  may be any kind of display device, such as, but not limited to, a television, a computer monitor, a projector, or any other kind of screen and/or display device. 
     The computer executable instructions may be loaded directly on the processor, or may be stored in a storage means, such as, but not limited to, computer readable media, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the like. The computer executable instructions may be any type of computer executable instructions, which may be in the form of a computer program, the program being composed in any suitable programming language or source code, such as C++, C, JAVA, JavaScript, HTML, XML, and other programming languages. 
     In one embodiment, the computer executable instructions may include image recognition software and/or firmware, which may be used to analyze the images captured and to determine the number of persons present in the image, and consequently in the image capturing means field of view. Such image recognition software may include facial recognition software, eye tracking software, or may simply include general object recognition software. 
     The terms “object recognition software,” “facial recognition software,” and “image recognition software,” as used throughout the present disclosure, may refer to the various embodiments of object recognition software known in the art, including, but not limited to, those embodiments described in the following publications:  Reliable Face Recognition Methods: System Design, Implementation, and Evaluation,  by Harry Wechsler, Copyright 2007, Published by Springer, ISBN-13: 978-0-387-22372-8;  Biometric Technologies and Verification Systems,  by John Vacca, Copyright 2007, Elsevier, Inc., Published by Butterworth-Heinemann, ISBN-13: 978-0-7506-7967-1; and  Image Analysis and Recognition,  edited by Aurelio Campilho and Mohamed Kamel, Copyright 2008, Published by Springer, ISBN-13: 978-3-540-69811-1, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to compare the identity of the at least one person to the identity of a person that is authorized to view the content displayed on the at least one display device  106 . In some embodiments, the identity of a person that is authorized to view the content may be contained in a license to view the content. In other embodiments, the identity of the person that is authorized to the view the content may be received from a remote station, such as a server, an online school, a television or movie service provider, and the like, any of which may be in communication with system  100 . In yet other embodiments, the identity of the person authorized to view the content may be contained on a piece of media hardware, such as a DVD, CD, and the like. 
     In a further embodiment, the computer executable instructions may be operative to control the content displayed on the at least one display device  106  if the identity of the person does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content displayed on the at least one display device  106 . In some embodiments, controlling the content displayed on the at least one display device  106  includes, but is not limited to, ceasing to play the content, pausing the content, playing the content, or continuing to play the content. In some embodiments, for example, if at the outset of the content&#39;s display, the identity of the at least person capable of viewing the content or viewing the content does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, the content may not even begin playing. In further embodiments, if the identity of the at least person capable of viewing the content or viewing the content corresponds to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, but at a later time does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, the computer executable instructions may pause, freeze, or cease playing the content altogether. In a further embodiment, if the identity of the at least person capable of viewing the content or viewing the content at first does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, but then later does correspond, the computer executable instructions may begin or continue playing the content. The content may be any kind of content, such as, but not limited to, a movie, a television show, a sports broadcast, such as a sports event, news, educational content, such as, but not limited to, a class, a class, an exam, such as, but not limited to, an online class, an online exam, and the like. 
     In a further embodiments, system  100  comprises at least one means for communication with a local device, wherein the means for communicating with the local device is electronically connected to the at least one processor  102 . In some embodiments, such means may include a Bluetooth module, a USB port, an infrared port, a network adapter, such as a Wi-Fi card, and the like. The local device may be any kind of device, such as a television, a computer, a remote control, a keyboard  108 , a mouse  110 , a telephone, a portable digital assistant, and the like. 
     In yet another embodiment, system  100  further comprises at least one means for communicating with a remote station, wherein the means for communicating is electronically connected to the at least one processor  102 . In some embodiments, the means for communicating with a remote station may be any kind of means, such as, but not limited to, a wireless modem, such as a GSM modem, a wired modem, an Ethernet adapter, a Wi-Fi adapter, and the like. In some embodiments, the remote station may be a media service provider, such as, but not limited to, a television service provider, a movie provider, a sports media provider, an internet provider, a television station, a server computer, and the like. In such embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to use the at least one means for communicating with a remote station to receive information from the remote station. The information may include media content, such as television shows, sports broadcasts, movies, educational content, such as, but not limited to, a class, a course, an exam, such as, but not limited to, an online course, an online exam, and the like. The information may also include how many persons are authorized to view the media content, the identity of the persons authorized to view the content, billing information, and software updates. In some embodiments, a user may use system  100  to select and/or download the media to be viewed, and may select the amount of persons and/or the identity of persons authorized to watch the media. 
     In one embodiment, system  100  may be positioned on or near a display device  106 , such as a television or computer monitor (as shown in  FIG. 1B ). In other embodiments, system  100  may be positioned within, or integrated with a display device, such as a television, tablet computer, personal computer, laptop computer, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, system  100  may further comprise a means for receiving user input, which in some embodiments, may be any type of means, including, but not limited to: a telephone modem: a key pad, a key board  108 , a remote control, a touch screen, a virtual keyboard, a mouse  110 , a stylus, a microphone, a camera, a fingerprint scanner, and a retinal scanner. In a further embodiment, system  100  may include a biometric identification and/or verification means to identify the person perceiving the content, such as a fingerprint scanner, an eye scanner, and facial recognition software. 
     In yet a further embodiment, at least one of the at least one processor and the at least one means for capturing an image may be part of a system, wherein the system is a type of system selected from the group consisting essentially of a biometric verification system, a retinal scanning system, a face recognition system, and an eye tracker. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show system  200  in accordance with some embodiments. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2A , system  200  comprises at least one processor  202 , at least one sensor  204  electronically connected to at least one processor  202 , and computer executable instructions (not shown) readable by at least one processor  202 , and operative to use at least one sensor  204  to determine an identity of at least one person capable of perceiving a content broadcasted through at least one broadcasting device  208  electronically connected to system  200 . 
     In a further embodiment, system  200  comprises at least one means for electronically connecting at least one broadcasting device (shown as  206  in  FIG. 2B ) to the system, wherein the at least one means for electronically connecting at least one broadcasting device  206  is electronically connected to at least one processor  202   
     In some embodiments, at least one processor  202  may be any kind of processor, including, but not limited to, at single core processor, a multi core processor, a video processor, and the like. 
     At least one sensor  204  may be any kind of sensor, including, but not limited to, a video sensor, such as a camera, a motion sensor, and the like, an audio sensor, such as a microphone, a tactile sensor, such as a vibration sensor, a chemical sensor, such as an odor sensor, and the like, an electrical sensor, such as a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, and the like, and a thermal sensor, such as a heat sensor and/or infrared camera, and the like. At least one sensor  204  may be positioned in the same enclosure as at least one processor  202 . Alternatively, at least one sensor  204  may be positioned remotely to at least one processor, such as near a couch, or another location. In a further embodiment, at least one sensor  104  may include a one hundred and eighty degree field of sensing, such as by including an ultra wide angle lens. 
     In some embodiments, at least one means for electronically connecting at least one broadcasting device  206  to system  200  may include any such means, such as, but not limited to, an audio connection, such as a speaker connection, and/or a video connection, such as an HDMI, S-Video, or RCA connection, and the like. The broadcasting device  206  may be any kind of broadcasting device, such as a speaker system, headphones, a television, a computer screen (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), a projector, and the like. 
     The computer executable instructions may be loaded directly on the processor, or may be stored in a storage means, such as, but not limited to, computer readable media, such as, but not limited to, a hard drive, a solid state drive, a flash memory, random access memory, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the like. The computer executable instructions may be any type of computer executable instructions, which may be in the form of a computer program, the program being composed in any suitable programming language or source code, such as C++, C, JAVA, JavaScript, HTML, XML, and other programming languages. 
     In one embodiment, the computer executable instructions may include object recognition software, such as image recognition software and/or firmware, which may be used to analyze the information captured by at least one sensor  204  and to determine the identity of the at least one person present in the information, and consequently in the at least one sensor&#39;s  204  field of sensing. Such object recognition software may include image recognition software, which may, in turn, include facial recognition software, eye tracking software, or may simply include general visual object recognition software. In another embodiment, the object recognition software may be audio based, being able to distinguish objects (e.g. persons) that are producing certain audio (such as breathing, talking, etc.). In yet a further embodiment, the object recognition software may use a plurality of at least one sensor  204  to determine the identity of and/or how many persons are capable of perceiving the content. 
     In some embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to control the content based on the identity of the at least one person determined to be capable of perceiving the content. In a further embodiment, the computer executable instructions may be operative to control the content being broadcasted if the identity of the at least one person determined to be capable of perceiving the content does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to perceive the content. In some embodiments, controlling the content being broadcasted includes, but is not limited to, ceasing to broadcast the content, pausing the content, playing the content, or continuing to play the content. In some embodiments, for example, if at the outset of the content&#39;s display, the identity of the at least person capable of viewing the content or viewing the content does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, the content may not even begin playing. In further embodiments, if the identity of the at least person capable of viewing the content or viewing the content corresponds to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, but at a later time does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, the computer executable instructions may pause, freeze, or cease playing the content altogether. In a further embodiment, if the identity of the at least person capable of viewing the content or viewing the content at first does not correspond to the identity of the person authorized to view the content, but then later does correspond, the computer executable instructions may begin or continue playing the content. The content may be any kind of content, such as, but not limited to, a movie, a television show, a sports broadcast, such as a sports event, news, a radio show, an audio book, music, a scent, a smell, educational content, such as, but not limited to, a course, a class, an exam, such as, but not limited to, an online course, an online class, an online exam, and the like. 
     It should be noted that the terms “perceive,” “perceiving,” “view,” and “viewing,” are not meant to create the limitation that the persons must be actually perceiving content, but merely that they are capable of perceiving content, such as by being in the same room as where the content is being played. 
     In a further embodiments, system  200  comprises at least one means for communication with a local device, wherein the means for communicating with the local device is electronically connected to the at least one processor  202 . In some embodiments, such means may include a Bluetooth module, a USB port, an infrared port, a network adapter, such as a Wi-Fi card, and the like. The local device may be any kind of device, such as a television, a keyboard  208  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), a mouse  210  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ) a computer, a remote control, a telephone, a portable digital assistant, and the like. 
     In yet another embodiment, system  200  further comprises at least one means for communicating with a remote station, wherein the means for communicating is electronically connected to the at least one processor  202 . In some embodiments, the means for communicating with a remote station may be any kind of means, such as, but not limited to, a wireless modem, such as a GSM modem, a wired modem, an Ethernet adapter, a Wi-Fi adapter, and the like. In some embodiments, the remote station may be a media service provider, such as, but not limited to, a television service provider, a movie provider, a sports media provider, a radio station, an internet provider, a television station, a server computer, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to use the at least one means for communicating with a remote station to transmit or receive information from the remote station. The information may include media content, such as television shows, sports broadcasts, movies, music, radio shows, smells, scents, educational content, such as, but not limited to, classes, courses, exams, material, such as, but not limited to, online courses, online exams, online classes, and the like. The information may also include how many and/or the identity of persons that are authorized to view the media content, viewer content, billing information, biometric information, and software updates. In some embodiments, a user may use system  200  to select and/or download the media to be viewed, and may select the identity and/or the amount of persons authorized to watch the media. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the computer executable instructions are further operative to allow at least one person to register for the content. In some embodiments, this may include allowing at least one person to register for an online course, class, or exam. Such registration may take place over the internet, over the phone, by mail, or in-person. 
     In one embodiment, system  200  may be positioned on or near a display device  206 , such as a television or computer monitor (as shown in  FIG. 2B ). In other embodiments, system  200  may be positioned within, or integrated with a broadcasting device, such as a television, tablet computer, a personal computer, laptop computer, radio, smell producer, and the like. 
       FIG. 3  shows a flow diagram representing an embodiment of method  300 , wherein method  300  comprises using at least one processor to perform any or all of the following: using at least one sensor to determine the identity of at least one person that is capable of perceiving sensory perceivable content (block  302 ), and controlling the content based on the identity of the person (block  304 ). 
     In some embodiments, the sensor may be any kind of sensor, including, but not limited to, a visual sensor, an audio sensor, a tactile sensor, a thermal sensor, a chemical sensor, an electrical sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a camera, a thermal imaging camera, a microphone, any other type of sensor described herein, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the sensory perceivable content may be audio content, such as music, dialogue, and the like, and/or visual content, such as images, text, movies, television shows, sports events, educational content, such as courses, classes, exams, course materials, such as, but not limited to, online courses, online classes, online exams, online materials, and the like. Alternatively, the content may be internet service. In some embodiments, the content may be tactile content, like vibrations or force feedback, while in other embodiments, the content may be perceived with the nose, such as smells, scents, and the like. 
     In a further embodiment of method  300 , controlling the content based on how the identity of the at least one person comprises any or all of the following: pausing the content when the identity of the at least one person capable of perceiving the content does not correspond to an identity of a person authorized to perceive the content, playing the content when the number identity of the at least one person capable of perceiving the content corresponds to an identity of a person authorized to perceive the content, and ceasing to play the content when the identity of the at least one person capable of perceiving the content does not correspond to an identity of a person authorized to perceive the content. 
     In a further embodiment, method  300  comprises any or all of the following steps: allowing at least one user to register for at least one broadcast of at least one program, using at least one image recording means to capture at least one image of the at least one user, and using at least one processor to analyze the image and determine how many users and/or the identity of the users that are in the image, and begin, continue, or cease broadcasting or playing the program based on how many users and/or the identity of the users that are determined to be in the image. In some embodiments, method  300  further comprises using at least one processor to begin broadcasting the program if the identity of the at least one person capable of perceiving the program corresponds to an identity of a person authorized to perceive the program. 
     In some embodiments, method  300  further comprises using at least one processor to continue broadcasting the program if the identity of the at least one person capable of perceiving the program does corresponds to an identity of a person authorized to perceive the program. 
     In some embodiments, method  300  further comprises using at least one processor to cease broadcasting the program if the identity of the at least one person capable of perceiving the content does not correspond to an identity of a person authorized to perceive the program. 
     The term program, as used throughout the present disclosure, may refer to any kind of program with any kind of content, such as, but not limited to, entertainment content, educational content, such as online courses, online exams, online classes, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, method  300  further comprises using at least one processor to carry out any of the aforementioned steps, or any other steps described in the present disclosure. 
     In some embodiments, method  300  may be implemented as a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions. The term “computer readable medium,” as used throughout this disclosure, may refer to any computer readable medium, such as CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, floppy disks, hard drives, flash drives, diskettes, solid state drives, tape drives, and any other form of computer readable medium. 
     In some embodiments method  300  may be integrated wholly, or in part, into systems  100  and  200  described above, as well as other systems and methods described throughout the present disclosure. In some embodiments, method  300  may be carried out using the various systems described throughout the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  shows a system  400 , in accordance with one embodiment, wherein system  400  comprises at least one processor  402 , at least one means  404  for communicating electronically, wherein means  404  for communicating electronically is electronically connected to at least one processor  402 , and computer executable instructions (not shown) readable by at least one processor  402  and operative use at least one means  404  for communicating electronically to receive identity related information of a person from a remote terminal, and control content being transmitted to the remote terminal based on the identity related information. 
     In some embodiments, at least one processor  402  may be any kind of processor, including, but not limited to, a single core processor, a multi core processor, a video processor, and the like. 
     In some embodiments at least one means  404  for communicating electronically may be any kind of means, such as, but not limited to, a wireless modem, such as a GSM modem, a wired modern, an Ethernet adapter, a Wi-Fi adapter, and the like. 
     In other embodiments, content may be audio content, such as music, dialogue, and the like, and/or visual content, such as images, text, movies, television shows, sports events, educational content, such as courses, classes, exams, course materials, such as, but not limited to, online courses, online classes, online exams, online tutoring sessions, online materials, and the like. 
     In other embodiments, the identity related information may be a type of information selected from the group consisting essentially of an identity, an image, biometric information, an image of a face, an image of an eye, a fingerprint, an iris scan, an audio recording, such as a voice recording, and a 3D image. In some embodiments, the identity related information may be collected from a person at the remote terminal through at least one sensor, such as a camera, a fingerprint scanner, an eye tracker, an eye scanner, an iris scanner, and the like. In embodiments where the identity related information includes an identity, the identity determination may be made at the remote terminal and then communicated to system  400 . In other embodiments, the identity determination may take place locally, such as in system  400 , after having received identity related information, and determining an identity based on the identity related information. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to determine an identity of a person based on the identity related information. Such a determination may include biometric analysis, such as facial recognition analysis, iris recognition analysis, voice recognition analysis, and the like. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the computer executable instructions may be operative to compare the identity of the person with identities contained in a database. In some embodiments, the database may be stored on a storage module in electronic communication with at least one processor  402 . The identities contained in the database may be the identities of those persons that have authorization to perceive the content, such as those persons that are authorized to take an exam or participate in a class. In other embodiments, the identities contained in the database may be the identities of those persons that do not have authorization to perceive the content, such as those persons that are not authorized to take an exam or participate in a class. In some embodiments, comparing the identity of the person with identities contained in a database includes comparing biometric information of the person collected at the remote terminal with biometric information stored on the database. Such biometric information may include any of those types of biometric information described throughout the present disclosure, such as, but not limited to, images, facial information, fingerprint information, images of faces, iris information, voice information, and the like. 
     In various embodiments, the remote terminal may be any kind of remote terminal, such as a kiosk, a computer, including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a mobile computer, a smart phone, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to control the content being transmitted to the remote terminal if the identity of the person corresponds to an identity contained in a database. In other embodiments, the computer executable instructions may be further operative to control the content being transmitted to the remote terminal if the identity of the person does not correspond to an identity contained in a database. 
     In some embodiments, controlling the content may comprise any or all of the following, pausing the content, playing the content, and/or ceasing to play the content. In a further embodiment, controlling the content comprises any or all of the following: pausing the content when the identity of the person does not correspond to an identity contained in a database; playing the content when the identity of the person corresponds to an identity contained in a database; and ceasing to play the content when the identity of the person does not correspond to an identity contained in a database. In other embodiments, controlling the content may include denying access to the content or granting access to the content. 
     In some embodiments, the identity of the person may be the identity of a person attempting to access online course material, such as, but not limited to, an online class, an online exam, or online material, while the content may be the online class, the online exam, or the online material. Accordingly, in some embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials does not correspond to an identity contained in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons authorized to access the online course materials, the computer executable instructions may be operative to deny that person access to the online course materials, such as by denying access to an online exam or class. In other embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials corresponds to an identity in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons authorized to access the online course materials, the computer executable instructions may be operative to grant that person access to the online course materials, such as by granting access to an online exam or class. 
     In alternate embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials does not correspond to an identity contained in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons not authorized to access the online course materials, the computer executable instructions may be operative to grant that person access to the online course materials, such as by granting access to an online exam or class. In other embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials corresponds to an identity in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons not authorized to access the online course materials, the computer executable instructions may be operative to deny that person access to the online course materials, such as by denying access to an online exam or class. 
     In yet further embodiments, the computer executable instructions maybe operative to store the identity related information in a database stored in a storage module in electronic communication with the at least one processor. The database may include a database of identity related information of persons authorized to access the content, or the database may include a database of identity related information of persons not authorized to access the content. In some embodiments, the identity related information may be collected during a registration process, as described below. In some embodiments, the identity related information may be stored in a database to be used at a later time to confirm that a person&#39;s identity, and consequently, a person, is authorized to access content. 
     In yet a further embodiment, the computer executable instructions may be operative to use at least one means  404  for communicating electronically to receive registration information from the remote terminal. The registration information may include identity related information, such as, but not limited to, a person&#39;s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, student I.D., date of birth, social security number, and biometric information, such as, but not limited to, face information, such as a facial image, fingerprint information, iris information, voice information, such as a voice recording, and the like. In some embodiments, the registration may be a registration for content, such as online course content, such as, but not limited to, online classes, online exams, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, system  400  may be embodied be entirely or partially integrated into or with a computer, such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, a server computer, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a blog diagram representing a method  500  is shown in accordance with one embodiment, wherein method  500  comprises using at least one processor to perform any or all of the following: using at least one means for communicating electronically to receive identity related information of a person from a remote terminal, and controlling content being transmitted to the remote terminal based on the identity related information. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one processor may be any kind of processor, including, but not limited to, a single core processor, a multi core processor, a video processor, and the like. 
     In some embodiments the at least one means for communicating electronically may be any kind of means, such as, but not limited to, a wireless modem, such as a GSM modem, a wired modem, an Ethernet adapter, a Wi-Fi adapter, and the like. 
     In other embodiments, content may be audio content, such as music, dialogue, and the like, and/or visual content, such as images, text, movies, television shows, sports events, educational content, such as courses, classes, exams, course materials, such as, but not limited to, online courses, online classes, online exams, online tutoring sessions, reading material, online material, and the like. 
     In other embodiments, the identity related information may be a type of information selected from the group consisting essentially of an identity, an image, biometric information, an image of a face, an image of an eye, a fingerprint, an iris scan, an audio recording, such as a voice recording, and a 3D image. In some embodiments, the identity related information may be collected from a person at the remote terminal through at least one sensor, such as a camera, a fingerprint scanner, an eye tracker, an eye scanner, an iris scanner, and the like. In embodiments where the identity related information includes an identity, the identity determination may be made at the remote terminal and then received using the at least one means for communicating electronically. In other embodiments, the identity determination may take place locally, such as in the at least one processor, after having received identity related information, and determining an identity based on the identity related information. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to determine an identity of a person based on the identity related information. Such a determination may include biometric analysis, such as facial recognition analysis, iris recognition analysis, voice recognition analysis, mid the like. 
     In yet a further embodiment, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to compare the identity of the person with identities contained in a database. In some embodiments, the database may be stored on a storage module in electronic communication with the at least one processor. The identities contained in the database may be the identities of those persons that have authorization to perceive the content, such as those persons that are authorized to take an exam or participate in a class. In other embodiments, the identities contained in the database may be the identities of those persons that do not have authorization to perceive the content, such as those persons that are not authorized to take an exam or participate in a class. In some embodiments, comparing the identity of the person with identities contained in a database includes comparing biometric information of the person collected at the remote terminal with biometric information stored on the database. Such biometric information may include any of those types of biometric information described throughout the present disclosure, such as, but not limited to, images, facial information, fingerprint information, images of faces, iris information, voice information, and the like. 
     In various embodiments, the remote terminal may be any kind of remote terminal, such as a kiosk, a computer, including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a mobile computer, a smart phone, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to control the content being transmitted to the remote terminal if the identity of the person corresponds to an identity contained in a database. In other embodiments, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to control the content being transmitted to the remote terminal if the identity of the person does not correspond to an identity contained in a database. 
     In some embodiments, controlling the content may comprise any or all of the following, pausing the content, playing the content, and/or ceasing to play the content. In a further embodiment, controlling the content comprises any or all of the following: pausing the content when the identity of the person does not correspond to an identity contained in a database; playing the content when the identity of the person corresponds to an identity contained in a database; and ceasing to play the content when the identity of the person does not correspond to an identity contained in a database. In other embodiments, controlling the content may include denying access to the content or granting access to the content. 
     In some embodiments, the identity of the person may be the identity of a person attempting to access online course material, such as, but not limited to, an online class, an online exam, or online material, while the content may be the online class, the online exam, or the online material. Accordingly, in some embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials does not correspond to an identity contained in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons authorized to access the online course materials, the computer executable instructions may be operative to deny that person access to the online course materials, such as by denying access to an online exam or class. In other embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials corresponds to an identity in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons authorized to access the online course materials, the computer executable instructions may be operative to grant that person access to the online course materials, such as by granting access to an online exam or class. 
     In alternate embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials does not correspond to an identity contained in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons not authorized to access the online course materials, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to grant that person access to the online course materials, such as by granting access to an online exam or class. In other embodiments, if the identity of the person attempting to access the online course materials corresponds to an identity in a database, such as an identity contained in a database of identities of persons not authorized to access the online course materials, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to deny that person access to the online course materials, such as by denying access to an online exam or class. 
     In yet further embodiments, method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to store the identity related information in a database stored in a storage module in electronic communication with the at least one processor. The database may include a database of identity related information of persons authorized to access the content, or the database may include a database of identity related information of persons not authorized to access the content. In some embodiments, the identity related information may be collected during a registration process, as described below. In some embodiments, the identity related information may be stored in a database to be used at a later time to confirm that a person&#39;s identity, and consequently, a person, is authorized to access content. 
     In yet a further embodiment method  500  may further include using the at least one processor to use at least one means for communicating electronically to receive registration information from the remote terminal. The registration information may include identity related information, such as, but not limited to, a person&#39;s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, student I.D., date of birth, social security number, and biometric information, such as, but not limited to, face information, such as a facial image, fingerprint information, iris information, voice information, such as a voice recording, and the like. In some embodiments, the registration may be a registration for content, such as online course content, such as, but not limited to, online classes, online exams, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, method  500  may be implemented as a computer readable medium having computer executable instructions. The term “computer readable medium,” as used throughout this disclosure, may refer to any computer readable medium, such as CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, floppy disks, hard drives, flash drives, diskettes, solid state drives, tape drives, and any other form of computer readable medium. 
     In some embodiments method  500  may be integrated wholly, or in part, into systems  100 ,  200 , and  400 , and method  300  described above, as well as other systems and methods described throughout the present disclosure. In some embodiments, method  500  may be carried out using the various systems described throughout the present disclosure. 
     Hardware and Operating Environment 
     This section provides an overview of example hardware and the operating environments in conjunction with which embodiments of the inventive subject matter can be implemented. 
     A software program may be launched from a computer readable medium in a computer-based system to execute function defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively the programs may be structured in a procedure-oriented format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms, such as application program interfaces, or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment. Thus, other embodiments may be realized, as discussed regarding  FIG. 6  below. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram representing an article according to various embodiments. Such embodiments may comprise a computer, a memory system, a magnetic or optical disk, some other storage device, or any type of electronic device or system. The article  600  may include one or more processor(s)  602  coupled to a machine-accessible medium such as a memory  604  (e.g., a memory including electrical, optical, or electromagnetic elements). The medium may contain associated information  606  (e.g., computer program instructions, data, or both) which, when accessed, results in a machine (e.g., the processor(s)  602 ) performing the activities previously described herein. 
     The principles of the present disclosure may be applied to all types of computers, systems, and the like, include desktop computers, servers, notebook computers, personal digital assistants, and the like. However, the present disclosure may not be limited to the personal computer. 
     While the principles of the disclosure have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.