Patent Abstract:
According to a general aspect, a method includes maintaining rating groups, each rating group providing a rating for content compiled based on information received from a user evaluating the content. The method also includes receiving, from a first user, a selection of a first rating group, from among the rating groups, to be applied to a set of users associated with the first user. The method also includes receiving, from a user, a request for a piece of content from the content. The method also includes determining that the user from which the request was received belongs to the set of users associated with the first user. The method also includes, based upon the determination that the user belonged to the set of users associated with the first user, accessing information associated with the first rating group and determining whether the first rating group includes a rating for the requested piece of content. The method also includes determining whether or not to provide information to the requesting user conditioned on the indication or absence of a rating for the requested piece of content within the first rating group.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/759,033, filed Jan. 17, 2006 and titled “Community-Based Parental Controls,” which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This disclosure relates in part to controlling access to content.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Users may access available content over the Internet through a network service provider. Some available content may be inappropriate for certain users. Accordingly, content is often rated to enable a determination of whether it is appropriate for given users.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     A user wanting to control network access to content from their home computer has a limited ability to determine whether a large amount of content is appropriate or inappropriate. Although other individual&#39;s judgments of appropriateness for some content may be available, the other individual&#39;s judgments may be to few in number or incompatible with the user&#39;s own view of appropriateness.  
         [0005]     One described system enables a user to control network access to content by providing an ability to create, to join, and to apply content rating groups. The content rating groups include data useful in enabling a determination of the appropriateness or inappropriateness of individual pieces of content. Thus different content rating groups may judge or enable judgment of the appropriateness or inappropriateness of content differently. A user may select which rating group, among multiple rating groups, most accurately conforms to the user&#39;s own judgment concerning content, and the user may apply the selected rating group to future content delivered in response to content requests.  
         [0006]     The claims listed at the end of this disclosure are to be considered part of the specification for all purposes, including providing support for any future claims.  
         [0007]     The various aspects, implementations, and features may be implemented in a variety of manners, even if only described herein in, for example, a single manner. The various aspects, implementations, and features may be implemented using, for example, one or more of: a method; an apparatus; an apparatus for performing a method; a program or other set of instructions for performing one or more aspects, implementations, or features; an apparatus that includes a program or other set of instructions; a computer readable medium; or a propagated signal. The computer readable medium or propagated signal may include, for example, instructions, software, and other data. The various aspects, implementations, and features may also include additional components, such as, for example, a computer, a router, a server, or a peripheral device.  
         [0008]     The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system for providing network access control.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary system for providing network access control.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary process for selecting and using a rating group.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary process for selecting and using multiple rating groups.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary network service provider for maintaining multiple rating groups.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary process for creating a rating group and compiling ratings.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface of a hierarchal ratings group selection screen.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7B  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface of a ratings group options screen.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7C  illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface of a vote submission screen. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     An Internet service provider enables a home personal computer to display Internet content. The Internet content may include content that one or more users of the home personal computer do not want to be made available to one or more other users of the home personal computer. Using technology described by this application, the user is made able to join or create a rating group in order to block access to such content by others.  
         [0019]     In one implementation, the rating groups allow members to vote on whether or not pieces of content should be blocked. Because multiple members may vote on content, a large amount of content may be rated. A rating group may be specific to a group of individuals with certain interests or beliefs. A user may create their own rating group and their own preferences as to who may join and who may vote. Multiple rating groups may be joined concurrently by a user.  
         [0020]     After joining one or more rating groups, requested content deemed inappropriate by the rating groups may be blocked. If a piece of content is requested by the home personal computer, the network access provider searches joined rating groups to determine if a rating has been assigned by any of the joined rating groups to that piece of content. If no rating has been assigned, the network service provider may or may not enable access to the requested content. If ratings exist in multiple joined rating groups, the network service provider may consult one or more of these ratings in determining whether to block or grant access to the content. In one example, for instance, the network service provider may be configured to utilize a hierarchal system to determine which rating to utilize, and thereafter, the network service provider may consult the rating to block or grant access to the content.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a system  100  is configured to provide network communication and content access according to one or more of the methods described below. System  100  includes a client  102  coupled to a network service provider  104  that is coupled to a network  106 . The network  106  also is coupled to various resources  108 - 112 .  
         [0022]     The client  102  may include devices with which the user interacts in order to send a request for content. For example, the client  102  may be a personal computer, a laptop, a cell phone, or a personal data assistant. The client  102  also, or alternatively, may include an application, software, or instructions, with which a user interacts in order to send a request for content. The client  102  may communicate with the network service provider  104  through one or more of various methods, such as wireless networking or Ethernet cable. The network service provider  104  may include, for example, a router or a server, and may be utilized to link multiple clients  102  to the network  106 . The network service provider  104  may include parental controls by filtering requests for content with content ratings groups as described in  FIGS. 2-7C  to restrict content access by the user. The network  106  may include, for example, the Internet, and is coupled to various resources  108 - 112 . The resources are providers of content. Content can include various types of information, such as, for example, a webpage, a downloadable file, an email, or a message-board.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a system  200  is configured to provide network communication.  
         [0024]     System  200  includes voting clients  212  and using clients  214  coupled to a network service provider  204  that is coupled to a network  106 .  
         [0025]     The voting clients  212  are users that are enabled to submit votes towards the rating of content within a rating group. The voting clients  212  include client  102  as well as clients  202  and  204 . The using clients  214  are users that are enabled to use the rating of content within a rating group. The using clients  214  include clients  206 - 210 . The voting and using clients  212 - 214  may communicate with the network service provider  204  through various methods, such as wireless networking or Ethernet cable. A given client may be both a voting client  212  and a using client  214 .  
         [0026]     The network service provider  204  may include parental controls to restrict content access by the user. The network service provider  204  includes a parental control unit  220  that maintains a plurality of rating groups  230 - 240  utilized to determine whether to provide access to resources  108 - 112  to the using clients  214 . The rating groups  230 - 240  include ratings information indicating the rating of content. When a using client  214  which is a member of one or more rating groups  230 - 240  requests access to resources  108 - 112 , the parental control unit  220  utilizes ratings within the rating groups  230 - 240  to determine whether to provide access to the requested resources  108 - 112 .  
         [0027]     For example, rating group # 1   230  is an open community group, in which any client  102  meeting certain characteristics may provide ratings. Rating group # 2   240  is a closed community group, in which only specifically identified clients may provide ratings. The words “open” and “closed” are merely exemplary, and indicate some of the variation group membership may have. For example, group members may be specifically identified by the group creator and unchanging, group members may be limited to those clients that satisfy one or more specified characteristics/qualifications, or anyone may be allowed to join a group. Information directed toward the rating of content may be collected in various ways. For example, information directed toward the rating of content may be collected from a single user, may be collected from only voting clients  212 , may be open to collection from all clients, or may be extracted from a database of ratings.  
         [0028]     The previous description is an example implementation of the system  200  for providing network communication and other or different elements may be included. For example, the rating groups  230 - 240  may be stored on one of the resources  108 - 112  and may be updated independently of the network service provider  104 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a process  300  is illustrated for selecting and applying a rating. The process  300  may be used in conjunction with the system  200  of  FIG. 2  and the discussion below describes the process  300  in the context of the system  200 . However, other systems may be used.  
         [0030]     The process  300  includes a sub-process for processing a selection of a rating group. The sub-process begins when a using client  214 , such as client  102 , selects a rating group to be applied ( 305 ). The selection may include specification of an open  230  or a closed  240  rating group, although  FIG. 3  is illustrated for an open group  230 . The parental control unit  220  receives the selection and associates one or more users with the selected rating group ( 310 ). Associating one or more users may include storing information identifying the client  214  that directs the parental control unit  220  to refer to at least that rating group when a using client  214  sends a request for content. The information identifying the client  214  may be stored in a table, and be linked to the appropriate rating group. Alternatively, the information identifying the client  214  may be stored in the rating group, and the rating groups may be accessed and searched to determine which rating group a particular client is associated with.  
         [0031]     Process  300  includes another sub-process for processing a request for content. The sub-process includes the client  102  sending a request for content ( 315 ). The request for content may be for any, for example, Internet based content, such as, for example, a webpage, a downloadable file, an email, or a message-board. The parental control unit  220  receives the request for content which prompts the parental control unit  220  to determine if the client  102  is associated with a rating group ( 320 ).  
         [0032]     If the client  102  is determined, in operation  320 , to not be associated with a rating group  230 - 240 , the parental control unit  220  redirects the request for content to the resource  108  over the network  106  ( 325 ). The resource  108  receives the request for content and sends the requested content to the client  102  over the network  106  ( 330 ). The client  102  then receives the requested content ( 335 ).  
         [0033]     If the client  102  is determined to be associated with a rating group in operation  320 , the parental control unit  220  sends a query for the rating of the content to the open rating group  230  ( 340 ). The open rating group  230  accesses the rating for the requested content ( 345 ), and the open rating group  230  sends the rating for the requested content to the parental control unit  220  ( 350 ). The parental control unit  220  receives the rating for the requested content. Utilizing information stored about the client  102  and the received rating for the requested content, the parental control unit  220  determines and sends information based on the accessed rating to the client  102  ( 355 ). The information based on the accessed rating indicates whether the requested access to some or all of the content is, or is not, to be granted. For example, the information may include: the rating itself, the requested content (in which case the parental control unit  220  simply serves the content requested, e.g., if it satisfies the parental controls), a “blocked” display, or non-displayed information indicating that the content will not be provided. The client  102  receives the information based on the accessed rating ( 360 ).  
         [0034]     The previous description is an example implementation of the process  300  of selecting and applying a rating, and other or different operations may be included. In some implementations, when the resource  108  receives the request for content and sends the requested content to the client  102  over the network  106  ( 330 ), the resource  108  may send the requested content to the client  102  through the parental control unit  220  where additional information is used in order to determine the information to the client ( 355 ). For example, the ratings groups  230 - 240  may utilize other rules to determine whether to block a request. Other rules may include automatically denying requests in which certain words or phrases are present in the requested content. The words or phrases may be kept in a content ratings group list which may be open or closed to editing by group member.  
         [0035]     Also, if no rating is found for the requested content, the network access provider may or may not provide access to that content.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , process  400  is shown to illustrate selecting multiple rating groups and applying content ratings that are established by one or more of the multiple rating groups for requested content. The process  400  may be used in conjunction with the system  200  of  FIG. 2  and the discussion below describes the process  400  in the context of the system  200 . However, other systems may be used.  
         [0037]     The process  400  includes a client  102  that enables a selection of multiple rating groups to be applied to content requests ( 405 ). The selection may include specification of an open  230  or a closed  240  rating group and includes one primary rating group (shown in  FIG. 4  as rating group  230 ) and one or more secondary rating groups ( FIG. 4  shows one secondary rating group of rating group  240 ). The user may be allowed to designate the primary and secondary rating groups, or such designation may be made by, e.g., the parental control unit  220 . As explained below, the primary rating group is the rating group that is first accessed by the parental control unit  220  in order to select a rating for particular requested content. If the primary rating group does not include a rating for the particular requested content, the parental control unit  220  applies a rating established by the secondary rating group. The parental control unit  220  receives the selection and associates one or more users with the selected rating groups ( 410 ). Associating one or more users may include storing information in the rating groups that directs the parental control unit  220  to refer to those rating groups when the user sends a requests for content.  
         [0038]     The process  400  includes the client  102  sending a request for content ( 415 ). The request for content may be for any, for example, Internet based content, such as, for example, a webpage, a downloadable file, an email, or a message-board. The parental control unit  220  receives the request for content which prompts the parental control unit  220  to determine if the client  102  is associated with a rating group ( 420 ).  
         [0039]     If it is determined in operation  420  that the client  102  is not associated with a rating group  230 - 240 , the parental control unit  220  redirects the request for content to the resource through the network  106  ( 425 ). The resource  108  receives the request for content and sends the requested content to the client  102  ( 430 ) through the network  106 . The client  102  then receives the requested content ( 435 ).  
         [0040]     If it is determined in operation  420  that the client  102  is associated with a rating group, the parental control unit  220  sends a query for a rating of the requested content to the primary open rating group  230  ( 440 ). The primary open rating group  230  determines whether a rating for the requested content is established by the primary open rating group  230  ( 445 ).  
         [0041]     If it is determined in operation  445  that a rating for the requested content is established by the primary open rating group  230 , the rating established by the primary open rating group  230  is sent to the parental control unit  220  ( 450 ). The parental control unit  220  receives the rating for the requested content. Using information stored about the client and the received rating for the requested content, the parental control unit  220  determines and sends information for example, as discussed with respect to operation  355 , based on the accessed rating to the client  102  ( 455 ). The information based on the accessed rating indicates whether some or all of the requested content is or is not to be blocked, and may include information detailing a lack of stored rating for the requested content. The client  102  receives the information based on the accessed rating ( 460 ).  
         [0042]     If it is determined in operation  445  that a rating for the requested content is not established by the primary rating open group  230 , process  400  determines whether a rating for the requested content is established by the secondary closed rating group  240  ( 465 ). If it is determined in operation  465  that a rating for the requested content is established by the secondary closed rating group  240 , then the rating is sent to the parental control unit  220  ( 468 ).  
         [0043]     A user may set up multiple rating groups to be applied in a specified, or hierarchical, order. For example, as indicated in  FIG. 4 , a first rating group  230  is searched for a rating for particular content. If a rating is not found, then a second closed rating group  240  is searched. Tertiary, and further, rating groups may also be designated by, for example, a user. Additionally, the decision at any point in the hierarchy may require input from multiple rating groups. Moreover, if multiple secondary rating groups are associated with the user (not shown), each of the multiple secondary rating groups may be accessed to determine a rating for the requested content, and the ratings may be combined to form a final rating. The combination may include, for example, taking an average or a median or using some other mathematical or logical operation.  
         [0044]     Process  400  includes the parental control unit  220  receiving the rating for the requested content, using information stored about the client and the received rating to determine information based on the accessed rating, and sending the information to the client  102  ( 470 ). The information based on the accessed rating indicates whether the requested access to some or all of the content is or is not to be granted. The client  102  receives the information based on the accessed rating ( 475 ).  
         [0045]     If it is determined in operation  465  that a rating for the requested content is not established by the secondary closed rating group  240 , the requested content is sent to the client  102  ( 430 ). Other implementations, however, may block the requested content.  
         [0046]     The previous description is an example implementation of the process  400  of selecting and applying a rating, and other or different operations may be included. For example, multiple hierarchies of ratings groups beyond a primary and secondary may be employed. Further, selected ratings may be based on all available ratings, such as, for example, by selections the most common rating for the requested content from among the available ratings.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , system  500  includes the network service provider  204 , which includes a parental control unit  220 , and compiled ratings for a first open rating group  230  and a second closed rating group  240 .  
         [0048]     The first open rating group  230  includes various categories such as a content category  232  describing a piece of content, several user rating categories  234   a - c , and an overall rating category for the rating group  238 . The first rating open group  230  includes three entries  233 , organized as three rows  233   a - c . An entry for the content category  232  in the first row  233   a  is listed as “Content #1” and includes descriptive information, including, for example, the piece of content&#39;s location. The user rating entries  234   a - c  for the first row  233   a  are listed as  4 ,  5 , and  6 , respectively, and the overall rating  238  is listed as  5  which is an average value.  
         [0049]     The first open rating group  230  also may include weights (e.g. between zero and one, inclusive) for each of the user rating categories  234   a - c , which weighting may be the same or different. In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the user rating categories  234   a - c  are weighted equally. In another example, user rating category  234   a  may be weighted twice as much as user rating categories  234   b - c , which would produce an overall rating  238  of 4.75.  
         [0050]     Weights may vary based on, for example, the authority, the judgment, the position, or the trustworthiness of the user contributing the ratings. An individual that created the first rating open group  230 , or individuals satisfying all of the desirable characteristics of rating contributors, or particularly designated individuals (e.g. the nuclear members of a family), may be given higher weights. For example, rules may direct users that have been members for a given amount of time or are more active, may be given more weight than less active or newer members. Also, a member which consistently votes against the majority or members who consistently vote to allow all content may be given less or no weight.  
         [0051]     The previous description is an example implementation of the system  500  including a network service provider and compiled rankings. Other implementations may be organized differently and may include different or fewer elements. The value of the overall rating  239  may be computed by a method other than averaging each individual value for the entry ratings  236 . For example, weights as described above may be associated with each vote and included in the computation. Also, non-linear computations or regression of weights or votes, such as where larger deviations are minimized (e.g. “least squares” or quadratic), may be included to minimize the effect of votes that are significantly different than the majority.  
         [0052]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , process  600  enables creation of a rating group and compilation of ratings. The process  600  may be used in conjunction with the system  200  of  FIG. 2  and the discussion below describes the process  600  in the context of the system  200 . However, other systems may be used.  
         [0053]     The process  600  includes a client  102  sending a request to create a rating group ( 605 ). The request includes characteristics associated with the rating group. The parental control unit  220  receives the request to create the rating group and also receives the characteristics associated with the request for the rating group. The associated characteristics are used by parental control unit  220  to determine properties of the rating group such as, for example, whether the rating group is open or closed, the method of vote computation to determine overall ratings for content, and the requirements needed for a user to join the rating group. A closed group may, for example, only enable users of certain names or characteristics to join. The parental control unit  220  forms the rating group ( 610 ), and the rating group is added to a set of previously established rating groups ( 615 ).  
         [0054]     Process  600  includes a separate sub-process for processing a request to join the new group. The sub-process includes a client  202  sending a request to the parental control unit  220  to join the rating group on behalf of user # 2  ( 620 ). The parental control unit  220  receives the request and verifies that user # 2  satisfies the required characteristics of the rating group ( 625 ).  
         [0055]     If user # 2  satisfies the required characteristics of the rating group, user # 2  is added to the rating group ( 630 ). If user # 2  does not satisfy the required characteristics of the rating group in operation  625 , then user # 2 &#39;s request to join the rating group is denied by the parental control unit  220  ( 632 ), and the denial is received by the client  202  ( 634 ).  
         [0056]     Process  600  includes another separate sub-process for receiving and processing a rating. The sub-process includes the client  202  sending a rating for a particular piece of content on behalf of user # 2  to the parental control unit  220  ( 635 ). The parental control unit  220  receives the rating ( 637 ), and determines whether user # 2  belongs to the rating group ( 638 ). If user # 2  belongs to the rating group, then the parental control unit  220  associates user # 2 &#39;s rating with the rating group ( 640 ). Associating a rating with a rating group may include weighting the user # 2  rating to an appropriate value. Further, the overall rating for the particular piece of content is updated and compiled ( 650 ). If user # 2  does not belong to the rating group, then the parental control unit  220  denies the rating submission from user # 2  ( 660 ).  
         [0057]     The previous description is an example implementation of the process  600  of creating a rating group and compiling ratings, and other or different operations may be included. For example, an open rating group  230  could be created that has no required characteristics, or in which there are desired characteristics that are not enforced.  
         [0058]     Implementations may also allow a rating group to be provided by a third party, such as, for example, a recognized group with a known ideology. Users may prefer to select such a known rating group as, for example, one of several hierarchically organized rating groups. Depending on various factors, such as the availability of ratings from such known rating groups, users may be charged a fee for access to ratings from the known rating group. Implementations may also allow users to contribute ratings to the known rating group, perhaps requiring that these users meet various qualifications or pay a fee.  
         [0059]     Implementations may also provide an administrative user in a rating group, with privileges beyond the privileges extended to other users that are members of the rating group. For example, the administrative user may be required to approve or reject (1) all (or some, e.g., based on designated criteria) users before those users are allowed to become members of the rating group, (2) all ratings of content (or some, e.g., ratings of particular content) from members, (3) all compiled ratings of content, wherein the compiled ratings are compiled from the member&#39;s ratings, or (4) only specific compiled ratings, such as, for example, ratings that indicate that content is suitable for all audiences.  
         [0060]     Other implementations do not explicitly require a user to join a rating group in order to rate content. One implementation allows a user to identify itself and to submit content ratings. These rating are made available as a rating group. Thus, for example, a user # 1  may notice that a user # 2  has submitted various ratings. If user # 1  trusts the ratings of user # 2 , then user # 1  may designate user # 2  as a rating group to be applied as access control to content requests from user # 1  (or from other users, for example, under the supervision of user # 1 ). Further, user # 1  may notice that multiple users have submitted ratings, and if user # 1  trusts all of the multiple users, then user # 1  may designate that an average (for example) be taken over the ratings of all of the multiple users, and this average may then be applied as an access control rule for content requests from user # 1  (or from other users, for example, under the supervision of user # 1 ).  
         [0061]     As is evident from the breadth of the disclosure, implementations, features, and techniques described herein, as well as variations or combinations of them, may be implemented at least in part, for example, in an operating system or in a stand-alone application or utility, running on one or more of a variety of devices. Such devices may include, for example, a personal computer, a server, a router, a gateway, or a special-purpose computer or machine. Moreover a device may also include, for example, discrete or integrated hardware, firmware, and software. A device may include, for example, a processor, which refers to processing devices in general, including, for example, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, a programmable logic device, and a device containing a software application.  
         [0062]     Such a device may be configured to perform one or more processes. For example, implementations may be embodied in a device that includes one or more computer readable media having instructions for carrying out one or more processes. The computer readable medium may include, for example, a storage device such as, for example, a hard disk, a compact diskette, a random access memory (“RAM”), and a read-only memory (“ROM”). A computer readable medium also may include, for example, formatted electromagnetic waves encoding or transmitting instructions. Instructions may be, for example, in hardware, firmware, software, and in an electromagnetic wave. Instructions may be found in, for example, an operating system, a separate application, or a combination of the two. A processor may be, for example, both a device configured to carry out a process and a device including computer readable media having instructions for carrying out a process.  
         [0063]     Referring to  FIG. 7A , an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) of a hierarchal ratings group selection screen  700  includes main entries  705  that may contain one or more levels of sub-category entries  715  and  720  and group selection options  735  and  740 .  
         [0064]     The GUI  700  enables a user to browse and select ratings groups through a hierarchal selection process. The top level  705  displays general categories of ratings groups. The main entries  705  include a title, such as the religions entry  710 , that describes the nature of the material that is rated. Each of the main entries  705  may include the number of ratings groups that are sub-categories to the entry. The religions entry  710  and the included sub-categories  715  and  725  include ratings that are adapted to user preferences based on a religious motivation, and may or may not include ratings based on other motivations. For example, a ratings group within the religions entry  710 , may deny a request for blasphemous subject matter, but may not deny a request for violent subject matter.  
         [0065]     Located within the religions entry  710  are multiple religions sub-categories  715 , such as Christian  720 . The Christian sub-category entry  720  includes three further sub-category entries  725 . The Baptist entry  730  is a sub-category of the Christian entry  720  and includes ratings that are adapted to user preferences based on a christian religious motivation, and in particular, based on a Baptist motivation. The Baptist entry  730  includes the number of group members (shown as  1300 ) and may include the number of voting member (not-shown).  
         [0066]     The selection option  735  and  740  enable a user to select a ratings group and include a “join primary option”  735 , and a “join secondary option”  740 . The “join primary option”  735  enables a user to specify a chosen rating group as the primary rating group. The “join secondary option” enables a user to specify a chosen rating group as a secondary rating group.  
         [0067]     In one implementation, entries that are higher in hierarchy than a sub-category entry are separate ratings groups that function independently of the sub-category entries. In another implementation, entries that are higher in hierarchy than a sub-category entry may include a ratings group that include rating votes of the sub-categories. The ratings votes of the sub-categories may by included in various ways. For example, the religions entry  710  may deny any request that would be denied by any of the sub-category entries  715 . Also, the religions entry  710  may deny any request that would be denied by all or a combination of the sub-category entries  715 . Further, the religions entry  710  may calculate an average or weighted average of the sub-category entries  715  ratings to determine whether to deny a request.  
         [0068]     The previous description illustrates one of various implementations of a ratings group selection screen. Other implementations may be organized differently and may include different or fewer elements. For example, the entries may be organized in a non-hierarchal order, such as alphabetically.  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIG. 7B , a GUI of a ratings group information screen  750  includes a detailed group information section  760 , a group summary section  770 , a group voting requirements section  775 , and a group options section  780 .  
         [0070]     The detailed group information section  760  includes information detailing information about the ratings group and includes a group hierarchal order  762 , a descriptive icon  764 , and a group statistics section  766 . The group hierarchal order  762  details the location, within a group hierarchy, of the selected ratings group. The descriptive icon  764  includes a picture that illustrates the subject matter the ratings groups is directed to. The group statistics section  766  includes information such as the number of current members and the number of voting members.  
         [0071]     The group summary section  770  includes a written summary of the subject matter allowed or denied by the group. For example, the written summary may specify that one subject matter is allowable while another subject matter is blocked.  
         [0072]     The voting requirements section  775  includes a written description of the requirements of members to vote on content ratings. For example, a voting requirements section  775  may detail a length of time required by members and/or whose approval is necessary to be able to vote.  
         [0073]     The group options section  780  includes options directed to the group that may be selected. For example, the options may include joining the group as a primary or secondary group, or requesting voting privileges for the group.  
         [0074]     The previous description illustrates one of various implementations of a ratings group information screen. Other implementations may be organized differently and may include different or fewer elements. For example, contact information for group administrators may be included in the detailed group information section  760 .  
         [0075]     Referring to  FIG. 7C , a GUI of a vote submission screen  790  includes a content snapshot  792 , a main voting option  794 , and a secondary voting option  796 . The content snapshot  792  includes an illustration or screenshot of the content the vote is directed to. The screenshot may be, for example, a screenshot of a website or a still shot of a multimedia file. The main voting option  794  enables the user to submit a vote directed to a piece of content. The vote may be, for example, whether the content includes a graphic violence. The secondary voting option  794  enables users to submit votes concerning characteristics that may be related to other ratings groups. The secondary vote may be, for example, whether the content includes nudity or adult language.  
         [0076]     The previous description illustrates one of various implementations of a vote submission screen. Other implementations may be organized differently and may include different or fewer elements. For example, the main voting option  794  may include a vote of a number between 1-10 instead of a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Also, the main voting option  794  may have multiple voting option per submission that may adapt to received response. For example, if a user submits a ‘yes’ response designating the content includes graphic violence, a more detailed question may be presented, such as, “how graphic on a scale of 1-10 is the violence in the subject matter?” 
         [0077]     A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, elements of different implementations may be combined, supplemented, modified, or removed to produce other implementations. Further, various technologies may be used, combined, and modified to produce an implementation. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7