US20080178210A1 - Television schedule system with access control - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a television schedule system with a user interface which allows a user to control access to television programs by time, rating, content, and/or channel. Furthermore, the user may set a limit on pay-per-view (PPV) spending to limit the purchase of PPV programs.

Description

• Continuation of application Ser. No. 10/898,025 filed on Jul. 23, 2004, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/635,079 filed on Aug. 8, 2000, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/343,311, filed on Jun. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,144,401, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/654,997, filed on May 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,748.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a system for providing television schedule information, and more particularly to a television schedule information guide with capability for controlling access to television programs.
• Systems are available for providing television schedule information to a user. For example, U.S. Pat. No. B1 4,706,121 (Young), provides a television schedule system and process. In one embodiment of Young, the television schedule information is provided on the user's television screen. The user may supply selection criteria which are utilized by the Young system to make program selections, and the like. In addition, Young discloses a system which controls a television receiver to allow for automatic selection of programs and the automatic, unattended recording of programs that are listed in the television schedule information guide. The automatic, unattended recording of programs is achieved by controlling a videotape recorder (VCR) or other recording device
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to a television schedule system with a user interface that allows a user to control access to television programs by time, rating, content, and/or channel. Furthermore, the user may set a limit on pay-perview (PPV) spending to limit the purchase of PPV programs.
• In a preferred embodiment, the television schedule system has a main menu. A user may select the “Parental Control” (parental control) menu from the main menu to enter the parental password. The parental password may be established from the main menu. After establishing and entering the parental password, the user may lock-out programs by channel, by rating, content, and/or by time from the parental control menu. The content description of the show may further have a corresponding “V-chip” classification based on V-chip rating data supplied by the FCC. Hence, the user may further lock out programs by V-chip classification. In order to tune to a locked program, the parental password is preferably supplied.
• In one embodiment, the user may select a “control viewing” menu from the main menu to enter a purchase password. The purchase password may also be established from the main menu. After establishing and entering the purchase password, the user may specify a PPV spending limit thereby limiting the purchase of PPV programs. The user may further specify the type of PPV programs allowed based on rating and content. In order to purchase beyond the spending limit, the purchase password is preferably supplied. In order to purchase restricted programs, both the parental and purchase passwords are preferably supplied.
• If the user does not remember a password, the user may, for example, call the cable operator. The cable operator may set the password to null so the user may establish a new password.
• Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the remaining portions of the specification and drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a television system according to the present invention;
• FIG. 2A shows a preferred embodiment of a pop-up menu shown to a user if a password has not been established, and the user selects parental control from the main menu of a television schedule guide;
• FIG. 2B shows a preferred embodiment of a parental control menu shown to a user after a parental password has been established and entered;
• FIG. 2C shows a preferred embodiment of a pop-up shown when the user selects a “lock by channel” feature;
• FIG. 2D shows a preferred embodiment of a pop-up shown when the user selects a “lock by rating and content” feature;
• FIG. 2E shows a preferred embodiment of a pop-up shown when the user selects a “lock by time” feature;
• FIG. 2F shows a preferred embodiment of a pop-up shown to a user if a purchase password has not been established, and the user selects a “Set IPPV Spending limits” feature from the control viewing menu;
• FIG. 2G shows a preferred embodiment of a pop-up shown to a user if a purchase password has been established, and the user selects the “Set IPPV Spending limits” feature from the control viewing menu;
• FIG. 2H shows a preferred embodiment of a IPPV spending limit pop-up shown to a user after a proper purchase password has been established and entered;
• FIG. 3 is a process flow chart for determining whether a user could tune to a program;
• FIG. 4 ia a process flow chart for the operation of the parental control feature;
• FIG. 5 is a process flow chart for the operation of the purchase control feature;
• FIG. 6 is a process flow chart for verifying a password and limiting a user's number of tries in entering the parental control or purchase password;
• FIG. 7 is a process flow chart for determining whether a program has a restricted V-chip classification, and whether access should be allowed;
• FIG. 8 is a process flow chart for changing the parental control or purchase password;
• FIG. 9 is a process flow chart for establishing the parental control or purchase password; and
• FIG. 10 is a process flow chart for removing the parental control or purchase password.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The present invention provides a television (TV) schedule system with capability for controlling access to TV programs.FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of TV system1 in which the invention may be utilized. As shown, system1 includes adistribution center10 and multiple receiving locations.Distribution center10 compiles data for a data-stream. In a preferred embodiment, this data-stream is broadcast to receivinglocations16,18,20, and22. Several methods are available for broadcasting the data-stream fromdistribution center10 to receiving locations16-22. For example,satellite15 may broadcast this data-stream within the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a television channel (e.g., PBS) or a dedicated channel to receivinglocations16,18,20, and22. Alternatively, the data may be broadcast out of band, i.e., using non channel specific mechanisms. In another embodiment, the data-stream is provided to receivinglocations16,18,20, and22 viatransmission line13.Transmission line13 may be, for example, optical fiber, coax cable, telephone line, or the like. In yet another embodiment, peripheral devices, which are located within the receiving locations, receive the data-stream from, for example, alocal service provider40.Service provider40 receives the data-stream fromdistribution center10 vialine17, and broadcasts the data-stream to the receiving peripheral devices via satellite15 (or another satellite), or vialines19 and13. The receiving peripheral devices may betelevisions30,televisions34,VCRs32,VCRs36, and/or set-top boxes38. In still further embodiments, PCTVs may be utilized, or the data-stream may be provided to a personal computer for use with the computer and/or more of the above devices.
• In the preferred embodiment, information in the data-stream includes TV schedule information. Software located within the peripheral devices utilize the schedule information provided in the data-stream to generate a TV schedule guide. The software is stored on a computer-readable storage medium42 such as a ROM, RAM, disk, or other storage device. If the TV schedule guide is in a grid format, for example, the available channels may be listed on the “y” axis and various times may be listed on the “x” axis. The user may tune to a program within the TV schedule guide by highlighting the program within the guide, and selecting the program. The user may also select one or more desired programs which are listed in the TV schedule guide for automatic, unattended recording. For more information on how the TV schedule system displays information, and its tuning and automatic recording capabilities, see U.S. Pat. No. B1 4,706,121 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,789. Both these patents, like the present patent application, are assigned to StarSight Telecast, Inc., and are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
• The system further has the capability of preventing viewers from tuning to or viewing one or more TV programs. TV programs may be blocked by channel, rating, content, and/or time. If the user turns on the TV during a locked time, or tunes to a channel with a show that contains the locked rating or content/V-chip classification (for example), the television schedule system mutes the audio and displays a solid blue screen over the TV screen. A pop-up will appear asking for the parental password. The solid blue screen will disappear, and mute will be disabled when the correct password is entered.
• FIG. 2A shows a preferred embodiment of pop-up52 shown to a user if a password has not been established, and the user selects parental control frommain menu50. The various menus and pop-ups of the system may be shown as partial screens overlaying underlying full screens, or they may be shown as full screens. As shown, the user is asked to create a parental password by pressing a SELECT key. The SELECT key may also be the ENTER key, and may be on a user input device, or it may be located on the TV schedule guide and entered by directing a cursor to a screen button. If the SELECT key is on the TV schedule guide, a user may highlight it on the guide and input it by pressing an enter key, or any key that functions as an enter key on the user input device. Other keys that may be located on the user input device or the TV schedule guide include the CANCEL key, the REC key, and the EXIT key. Up, down, left and right arrow keys are preferably included to allow a user to navigate and make selections within the pop-up menus. However, any key combinations which allow a user to navigate within the pop-up menus may be used. The parental password may be established frommain menu50 by striking the SELECT key.
• FIG. 2B shows a preferred embodiment ofparental control menu54 shown to a user when a parental password has been established, frommain menu50, and the user has entered the correct password. The user may lock TV programs by channel, by rating and/or content, or by time. If the user desires, for example, to lock by time, the user may move the cursor to the “Lock by Time” location and inputs the SELECT key. Alternatively, if programs have been locked, the user may unlock all programs that have been locked.
• FIG. 2C is a preferred embodiment of pop-up56 shown when die user selects the “lock by channel feature.” In the preferred embodiment, pop-up56 includes a list of all channels available to the user. If the user has more channels than will fit in pop-up56, indicators or scroll bars will be shown at corners of the pop-up instructing the user to move further right or further down to display more channels. The user may use the previously mentioned arrow keys to navigate within pop-up56. A channel is locked after a user highlights and selects the channel. A lock symbol will be placed next to the channel icon to indicate that the channel is locked. To unlock a channel, the user may highlight and select the locked channel. The lock symbol next to the channel icon will then disappear to indicate the lock is removed. The user may use the EXIT key to return to pop-up54 of the parental control menu.
• Since the system stores program information, it is able to determine whether a current or future program is shown on a restricted channel. The system may also determine whether a program falls within a restricted rating and/or content, V-chip classification, or time period. Hence, if a lock is placed on a channel on which there are programs scheduled for recording, a pop-up will appear warning the user of the conflict. If the user ignores the pop-up, it will time out in three seconds, the channel will be locked, and the recording will occur without the need for a password as it was set before the lock was enabled. Once a channel is locked, a user may not tune to, record, or purchase any program on that channel unless the user enters the correct password. However, upon entering the correct password, the user may schedule recording of future programs. At the time of the scheduled recording, the system unlocks the locked channel, tunes to the channel, and records the program. When the program is over, the system relocks the channel.
• FIG. 2D is a preferred embodiment of pop-up60 shown when the user elects to lock programs by rating and/or content. As can be seen, two lists are shown to the user, one by rating, and one by content. The user may lock by content and/or rating by highlighting the relevant content and/or rating on the pop-up and inputting the SELECT key. Programs may be locked using more than one category of rating and/or content. Furthermore, the content description on pop-up60 may include information corresponding to data supplied by the V-chip. The V-chip data may be enclosed within parenthesis and will indicate the V-chip attribute classification of the program. For example, the content category “Violence” may have corresponding V-chip attribute mildly violent (V2), moderately violent (V3), and the like. When the user locks shows according to rating, all higher ratings are automatically locked. Since the show contents are not listed in order of severity, locking one content does not automatically lock any others.
• The user may also lock specified time periods to prevent TV viewing during those times. The user may further specify the frequency of the lock, e.g., for a single day, for Monday through Friday only, weekends only, or for every day of the week.FIG. 2E shows pop-up62, which requests user input for the time period during which TV viewing should be prevented. As shown, the user may specify the time to begin locking (the default time is 2:30pm), the time to end locking (the default time is 5pm), and the frequency of the lock (the default frequency is for a single day). In the situation where the user has set these values before, the system remembers the values and displays them when pop-up62 is shown.
• If TV viewing is attempted during a locked period, the system will mute the audio, and display a blue screen over video. A pop-up will appear asking for the parental password. When the correct password is entered, the solid blue screen will disappear, and audio will be re-enabled. If a lock is placed on a time period during which there are programs scheduled for recording, a pop-up will appear warning the user of the conflict. If the user ignores the pop-up, it will time out in three seconds. the channel will be locked, and the recording will occur without the requirement of a password as it was set before the lock was enabled. However, all future recordings scheduled during the locked period will require a password.
• FIG. 2F shows a preferred embodiment of pop-up64 shown to a user if a purchase password has not been established, and the user selects the “Set IPPV Spending limits” feature fromcontrol viewing menu66. IPPV stands for impulse pay-per-view, and refers to PPV programs which are purchased via a user input device, for example, a remote control. It is different from traditional PPV programs which require the user to call the program provider on a phone to purchase the program. The user may establish the purchase password, frommain menu50, by inputting the SELECT key either by pressing the key on the user input device, or selecting it on the TV schedule guide.FIG. 2G shows a preferred embodiment of pop-up68 shown to a user if a purchase password has been established, and the user selects the “Set IPPV Spending limits” feature fromcontrol viewing menu66. In this case, the user would simply enter the purchase password and input the SELECT key. As shown inFIG. 2G, if the user made a mistake, the user may input the CANCEL key and re-enter the password.
• Once the purchase password has been established and entered, the user will see IPPV spending limit pop-up70 (as shown inFIG. 2H), and the user may enter the total dollar amount to which IPPV spending should be limited before the system requires a password to enable purchasing. The default spending amount is zero, in which case, the user needs to enter the purchase password for all purchases. Where a dollar amount greater than zero is set, this is the amount the user may spend before the purchase password is required to make additional purchases. To set the amount, the user may input the right arrow key, and with each input of the right arrow key, a dollar would be added to the limit. To decrease the amount, the user may use the left arrow key. The user may use the arrow keys to reset the dollar amount whenever desired.
• To access a locked program, the user may select the “Unlock All Locks” feature fromparental control menu54, and all locked programs will be unlocked. Alternatively, the user may unlock all locks from the television schedule information guide by inputting the SELECT key for about 1 second while within the guide. A pop-up will appear, and the user may choose the “Unlock All” option. The system will ask the user for the parental password, and upon entering the correct password, the user may tune to all programs on all the available channels. While the programs are unlocked, the “Unlock All Locks” feature toggles and becomes the “Relock All Locks” feature and the gray lock symbols in the guides become red unlocked lock symbols. The user may relock all the previously locked programs by selecting “Relock All Locks” fromparental control menu54. Turning off the TV will also automatically restore all parental locks.
• Alternatively, the user may unlock individual programs by tuning directly to the programs from either the TV or the TV schedule guide, and entering the correct password. If the user tunes to a locked channel, the system displays a blue screen over the TV screen, and mutes the audio. A pop-up will appear requesting the parental password. If the correct password is supplied, the system removes the blue screen and restores the audio. However, in this case, when the user tunes off a previously locked channel, the parental lock will be automatically restored. Hence, if the user tunes off the locked channel, and then tunes back, the user must re-enter the password to view the locked channel.
• To access individual locked programs from the guide, the user may select whichever locked program die user wishes to view by highlighting it on the guide, and inputting the SELECT key. A password pop-up will appear. If the user enters the correct password, the system tunes to the channel with the desired program. The user may also input the SELECT key for more than 1 second, and a pop-up wilt appear asking the user whether to tune to or record the locked program. When the user has made a selection, the password pop-up will appear and the user may enter the password. After the correct password has been entered, the system will either tune to or record the locked program. Instead of inputting the SELECT key and selecting the record option on the pop-up, the user may also highlight a locked program and input the REC key to request recording of the program. Recording will proceed when the user has supplied the correct password.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a process flow chart for determining whether a user could tune to a program. In preferred embodiments, the various processes described herein operate under software control, such software being stored on a computer readable storage medium. In a preferred embodiment, the system has checked whether a parental password is necessary atstep100. Atstep102 the system determines whether the user has supplied the correct parental password. If the correct parental password has been entered, the process will check whether the program is a free event atstep104. A free event is a non pay-per-view event. If the event is free, the system will tune to the program atstep110. If the event is not free, the system will request that the user enter the purchase password atstep106. Atstep108, the password entered is verified. If the password is correct, the system will tune to the program atstep110. For both verifyingsteps102 and108, if incorrect passwords are supplied, the system will not tune to the program requested.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a process flow chart for the operation of the parental control feature. When a user turns on the TV, or tunes to a program or channel, the system checks atstep150 whether a parental password is needed before the program(s) will be shown. If a parental password exists, astep152 of the system checks whether a BOX lock has been set. A BOX lock is essentially a special TIME lock as it keeps the TV locked for 24 hours a day, everyday. If a BOX lock exists, astep154 displays a pop-up informing the viewer that a password is necessary before the viewer may watch TV, and astep172 requests that the user enters the parental password. When the user supplies the correct password, the user may tune to the program, schedule an auto-tune, or schedule a recording of the program atstep168.
• If a BOX lock has not been set, the system checks for channel locks atstep156. If none exists, astep158 checks for a TIME lock. If a TIME lock exists, astep170 checks whether the current time is within the range of the restricted times. The user is asked to supply the parental password atstep172 if the user is trying to watch TV at a restricted time. Similarly, if a channel lock exists, and the user is trying to tune to a locked channel, the user would be asked to supply the password atstep172. If the user is watching TV at an unrestricted time, the user may proceed to step168 and may tune to the program, record the program and the like.
• If no TIME lock has been set, astep160 checks for a rating/MPAA lock, as the ratings correspond to those set by Motion Pictures of America Association. If a rating lock has been set, astep164 determines whether the program has a restricted rating. If so, the user is asked to supply the parental password atstep172. On the other hand, if there is no rating lock, astep162 checks for a content/ATTRIBUTE lock. The system checks atstep166 whether the program contains restricted content, and if so, the user is asked to supply the parental password atstep172. Astep176 further checks whether the program has a V-chip classification if the program does not contain restricted content. If so, a step178 (details shown inFIG. 7) determines whether the user is trying to gain access to a program with restricted V-chip classifications.
• FIG. 5, which describesstep106 in greater detail, illustrates a process flow chart for the operation of the purchase control feature. When a user tunes to a program, astep200 checks whether a purchase password has been established. If so, astep204 checks whether the limit has been exceeded. Step172 requests for the purchase password if the limit has been exceeded; if not, the system proceeds with the buying process atstep208. Ifstep200 determines that a purchase password has not been established, the system will also proceed with the buying process atstep208.
• FIG. 6, which describesstep172 in greater detail, illustrates a process flow chart for verifying a password and limiting a user's number of tries in entering the purchase or parental password. Atstep250, the user is asked to supply the applicable password. Astep252 receives the user's input, and astep254 checks whether the password is in a proper format. If the password is improper, for e.g., it has too many characters, astep256 displays a message informing the user the password is illegal. Step252 is repeated, and the user may re-enter a proper password. As shown, the user may re-enter the password an infinite number of times if the password is rejected as being improper.
• Once the user has entered a proper password, astep258 verifies that the password entered is correct. If so, astep260 allows the user access to the locked program. However, when the password entered is incorrect, astep262 tracks the number of times the user attempts to enter an incorrect password. Astep264 compares the count at262 with thenumber 3. If the count at262 is less than 3, astep256 displays the illegal password pop-up and the user may re-enter the password atstep252. If the user has attempted to enter a correct password more than three times, astep266 shows a pop-up informing the user there has been too many attempts to enter the password, and the user has to wait fifteen minutes before attempting to enter the password again.Steps268 and270 set the Flag, and start the fifteen minute restriction before allowing the user to re-enter a password.
• In a preferred embodiment, disconnecting the system from the power supply will not circumvent the fifteen minute restriction; instead, the user will have to wait longer to re-enter the password as the system resets the fifteen minute period when it is re-connected to the power supply. The system restricts the user to three attempts at entering the correct password to ensure the security of the password. Since an unauthorized user will preferably have to wait at least 15 minutes after every three tries, the unauthorized user is not as likely to crack the password.
• FIG. 7, which describesstep178 in greater detail, illustrates a process flow chart for determining whether a program has restricted V-chip classification, and whether the user should be allowed access. Since V-chip data comes from the video stream of a channel, one way to determine whether a program has restricted V-chip classification is to first tune to the channel to access the data. For example, the user may be watchingchannel 9, and desires to tune tochannel 3. Referring toFIG. 7, if the system determines that the program onchannel 3 has V-chip classification, astep300 saves the video and audio volume information ofchannel 9. The system determines atstep302 whether the user is changing channels from the TV screen or from within guide. If the user is changing channels from the TV screen, astep304 puts a blue screen over the TV screen.
• Alternatively, where the user is changing channels from within the guide, astep306 applies a blue border around the guide to block out parts of the screen that are not covered by the guide. Atstep308, the system mutes the audio so the user may not hear the program. Astep310 tunes to the requested channel, which ischannel 3 in this example, and astep312 reads the V-chip data from the video stream of the channel. Astep314 determines whether the V-chip classification is a restricted classification. If not, the user may tune to the program onchannel 3. However if the program has a restricted V-chip classification, the user is asked to supply the parental password atstep172. Astep316 checks that the user has supplied the correct parental password, if so, astep318 restores the audio volume of the channel (in this case, channel 3). Depending on whether the user was changing channels while within the TV screen or the guide, either step324 will remove the blue screen put on bystep304, or astep322 will clear the guide and the blue border applied bystep306. If access was not verified atstep316, audio remains muted, and the blue screen or the blue border and the guide remains on the screen. The user may, however, attempt to access other channels/programs, which will be shown if they are unrestricted.
• In another embodiment, the system need not first tune to the channel to access V-chip data. Since V-chip rating data may be included in the data stream, and received in a similar manner as data regarding program title, description, and the like, the system may receive the V-chip rating data in advance, and store the data in a database. In this embodiment, the system may apply parental control without having to first tune to the channel to access V-chip data, as the system may simply retrieve the data from the database. Referring to theFIG. 7 example, the system may determine, while the user is still withinchannel 9, whether the program onchannel 3 has V-chip classification by retrieving V-chip data information regarding thechannel 3 program from the database. After retrieving this information, if the program has V-chip classification, the system may determine whether the V-chip classification is a restricted classification. If so, the parental password is requested, if not, the system tunes to thechannel 3 program. Hence, this embodiment eliminates the need for the system to mute the audio and put up a blue screen or a blue border around the guide, as the system need not first tune to the channel.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a process flow chart for changing the parental control or purchase password. Astep350 requests for the password, and astep352 receives the user password input. Astep354 checks whether the password is in proper form, if not, astep356 displays an illegal password pop-up, and the user has an unlimited number of times to re-enter a proper password atstep352. When the password entered is in proper form, astep358 verifies that the password is in fact the correct password. Astep360 keeps count of the number of times an incorrect password is entered. As shown bysteps360 and362, the user is given three attempts to enter a correct password. If after three attempts, the password entered is still incorrect, astep364 displays a “Too Many Attempts” pop-up. The user has to wait fifteen minutes before the system will allow any further password input attempts, assteps366 and368 set the flag and start the fifteen minute restriction. As mentioned, the user preferably may not circumvent the fifteen minute wait by disconnecting the system from the power supply.
• The user is allowed to change the old password and enter a new password atstep370 if the user supplied the correct password atstep352. Astep372 ensures that the new password is in proper form, if not, astep374 displays an illegal password pop-up, and the user has an unlimited number of times to re-enter a proper new password atstep370. If the new password entered is in proper form, the user is requested to re-enter the new password atstep376 to confirm the new password entered is indeed the password desired. Atstep378, the system compares the password entered atstep370 with the password entered atstep376. If the two passwords are different, the user is asked to re-enter the new password again atstep376 to confirm the new password entered is the password desired, and step378 again compares the passwords entered.
• Steps376 and378 are repeated until the password entered atstep376 matches the password entered atstep370. Or, the user may exit the process, in which case, the password is unchanged. Alternatively, afterstep378 made its comparison, ifpassword370 is different frompassword376, steps370-378 are repeated. This means that the user may re-enter the new password atstep370 to ensure that the entry atstep370 is correct, and reconfirm the password atstep376. Step378 will compare the two passwords, if they are the same, astep380 changes the old password to the new password.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a process flow chart for establishing the parental control or purchase password. Astep400 requests for the password, and astep402 receives the user password input. Atstep404, the system checks whether the password is in proper form, if not, astep406 displays an illegal password pop-up, and the user has an unlimited number of times to re-enter a proper password atstep402. If the password entered is in proper form, the user is requested to re-enter the password atstep408 to confirm the password entered is indeed the password desired. Astep410 compares the password entered atstep402 with the password entered atstep408. If the two passwords are different, the user is asked to re-enter the password again atstep408 to confirm the password entered is the password desired, and step410 again compares the passwords entered.
• Steps408 and410 are repeated until the password entered atstep408 matches the password entered astep402. Or, the user may exit the process, in which case, a password is not created. Alternatively, afterstep410 made its comparison, ifpassword402 is different frompassword408, steps402-410 are repeated. This means that the user may re-enter the password atstep402 to ensure that the entry atstep402 is correct, and re-confirm the password atstep408. Astep410 will compare the two passwords. If they are the same, astep412 establishes the password as the current password.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a process flow chart for removing the parental control or purchase password. Atstep450, the system displays a pop-up explaining to the user that all programs may be viewed free of restrictions if the user removes the password and asks whether the user wishes to proceed. If the user decides to proceed atstep452, astep454 requests that the user enters the password. If not, the user exits the process. Astep456 receives the user input if the user decides to proceed, and astep458 checks whether the password is in proper form. If not, astep460 displays an illegal password pop-up, and the user has an unlimited number of times to re-enter a proper password atstep456. If the password entered is in proper form, astep462 verifies that the password is in fact the correct password. Astep464 keeps count of the number of times an incorrect password is entered.
• As shown bysteps466,460 and456, the user is given three attempts to enter a correct password. After three attempts, if the password entered is still incorrect, step468 displays a “Too Many Attempts” pop-up. The user has to wait fifteen minutes before the system will allow any further password input attempts, assteps470 and472 set the flag and start the fifteen minute restriction. As mentioned, the user preferably may not circumvent the fifteen minute wait by disconnecting the system from the power supply. The user is allowed to remove the password atstep474 if the user supplied the correct password atstep462.
• The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. Variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims (12)

1. (canceled)

2. A method of exercising television access control, the method comprising:

receiving a viewer request to schedule a television program for recording, wherein the television program is scheduled for transmission on a channel;

receiving a viewer request to block the channel;

displaying a warning, in response to receiving the viewer request to block the channel, to warn the viewer that the television program is scheduled for recording on the channel to be blocked; and

blocking the channel in response to receiving the viewer request to block the channel, wherein the blocking does not block the scheduled recording of the television program.

3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the blocking occurs after the warning has been displayed for a predetermined period of time.

4. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising:

unblocking the channel when the television program is scheduled for transmission;

tuning to the unblocked channel; and

recording the program.

5. The method ofclaim 4, further comprising reblocking the channel when the recording has finished.

6. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising:

defining a password;

receiving a viewer request to schedule a second television program for recording, wherein the second television program is scheduled for transmission on the blocked channel;

prompting a viewer to enter a password in response to receiving the viewer request to schedule the second television program for recording;

receiving a viewer input in response to the prompting; and

scheduling the second television program for recording if the viewer input matches the defined password.

7. A system for exercising television access control, the system comprising:

a display screen;

an input device configured to receive a viewer request to schedule a television program for recording, wherein the television program is scheduled for transmission on a channel, and to receive a viewer request to block the channel;

a display processor configured to display a warning, in response to receiving the viewer request to block the channel, to warn the viewer that the television program is scheduled for recording on the channel to be blocked; and

a processor configured to block the channel in response to receiving the viewer request to block the channel, wherein the blocking does not block the scheduled recording of the television program.

8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to block the channel after the warning has been displayed for a predetermined period of time.

9. The, system ofclaim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to unblock the channel when the television program is scheduled for transmission.

10. The system ofclaim 9, further comprising:

a tuner configured to tune to the unblocked channel; and

a recording device configured to record the program.

11. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to reblock the channel when the recording has finished.

12. The system ofclaim 7, wherein:

the processor is further configured to define a password;

the input device is further configured to receive a viewer request to schedule a second television program for recording, wherein the second television program is scheduled for transmission on the blocked channel;

the display processor is further configured to display a prompt to the viewer to enter a password in response to receiving the viewer request to schedule the second television program for recording; and

the processor is further configured to receive a viewer input in response to the prompting and to schedule the second television program for recording if the viewer input matches the defined password.

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