Interactive video distribution systems – Access control or blocking – Of specific program
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-10
2001-05-01
Kostak, Victor R. (Department: 2611)
Interactive video distribution systems
Access control or blocking
Of specific program
C725S032000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226793
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to television and particularly to apparatus for providing parental control of television viewing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Parental control is presently available in some television receivers, video cassette recorders, and cable boxes on a limited basis. In these devices, certain channels may be locked out. However, the locking out of channels does not prevent children from spending excessive time watching television instead of studying or doing other things. Other devices limit the amount of time, but do not provide for selective viewing to prevent viewing of undesirable programs. One example of parental control at the television receiver is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,623 to Bonneau et al. A local oscillator for electronically tuning the television is controlled by a phase lock loop which is responsive to the output signal from a microprocessor. The microprocessor provides the output signal only if the selected channel has not been inhibited. To inhibit a channel for a period of time, the user enters a lockout code which is stored in a non-volatile memory. The memory provides one input to the microprocessor which is compared to the input by a user selecting a channel to be viewed. The microprocessor determines whether the selected channel is one of the inhibited channels and, if it is, does not generate the necessary signal for tuning to that channel.
Another prior art patent that discloses the blocking out of selected channels is U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,107 to John J. Hayes. The parental control disclosed in the Hayes patent is provided in a converter box. In this system, if the access code is forgotten, the converter box has to be taken to the business office of the CATV system to have the memory purged of the blocked-out channel information and the access code, and a new access code must be entered. In the Hayes device, only selected channels can be blocked which does not allow the selected blocking of particular programs in a channel.
In general, the present state of the art concerning parental control suffers from a number of drawbacks. In particular, the control is very limited and does not provide a parent the broad control desirable for controlling the viewing or use of a television by a child.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a television receiver that allows a parent to control the viewing of programs.
It is another object of this invention to allow a parent to select a rating level that will be displayed on a television to youngsters. For example, the parent can specify a PG (parental guidance) rating as a desired rating level. Then any program video segments with a rating of PG-13, R, or X will be blocked from viewing; however, PG and G program video segments will be displayed.
It is another object to substitute the display of text describing what is happening in the plot for the blocked program video segment.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided for allowing rating level control of the viewing of a program. The apparatus includes a device for entering a desired rating level for controlling the viewing of a program, a device for extracting rating data from a program video segment, the rating data indicating a rating level of the program video segment, and a device for extracting text data representative of the content of the program video segment from the program video segment. The apparatus includes a device for determining whether the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an acceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level and a device for blocking playing of the program video segment if it is determined that the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an unacceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level. The apparatus further includes a device for substituting the display of the extracted text data representative of the content of the program video segment for the blocked program video segment.
Other objects and many of the attendant features of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts throughout the figures.
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Christie Parker & Hale LLP
Kostak Victor R.
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