USRE41993E1

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Info

Publication number: USRE41993E1
Application number: US10/720,006
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry C. Yuen; Roy J. Mankovitz; Daniel S. Kwoh
Original assignee: Gemstar Development LLC
Current assignee: Gemstar Development LLC
Priority date: 1993-07-29
Filing date: 2003-11-20
Publication date: 2010-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-29

Abstract

An apparatus and method for parental control of television programs. Program schedule information including program titles are stored in a memory and displayed on a monitor. Compressed code is entered for the programs to be blocked. Alternatively, one or more program titles are selected from the displayed program schedule information for blocking by a parental control circuitry connected to a controller.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 09/344,634, filed Jun. 25, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,072,520, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. 08/684,678 filed Jul. 19, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,471, issued Sep. 7, 1999. which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 08/138,632 filed Oct. 15, 1993, abandoned, which is a continuation in part of patent application Ser. No. 08/118,001 (now U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,983 issued Jan. 17, 1995) filed Sep. 8, 1993, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. No. 08/100,616 (now abandoned) filed Jul. 29, 1993, incorporated herein by this reference, as though set forth in full.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the controlled use of television receivers and particularly to parental control of the use of television receivers and associated equipment such as cable boxes.

2. 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 clocked 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.

Some cable channels are scrambled and must be decoded by a cable box before being sent to a television tuned tochannel3 orchannel4. In this case, controlling the tuning of the television is ineffective, because the television is always tuned to

channel

3 or4. Even if a particular channel is blocked in the cable box or converter box, this does not provide the parent selective control over programs within a channel.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for apparatus and methods for improved parental control of television use to provide a parent broad control for both blocking unacceptable programs and/or selecting acceptable programs that are available for viewing. There is also a need in the art for improved parental control of multiple televisions attached to a common signal source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, apparatus and methods for improved parental control of television viewing are provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus includes means for blocking the viewing of programs, each having a program identifier, coupled to a television signal source and having a first output, cable box means for converting television signals coupled to the first output of the means for blocking, and means for selecting programs to be blocked coupled to the means for blocking.

In a specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises means for decoding and expanding a compressed code, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length for a program.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a clock for providing an output as a function of time coupled to the means for decoding and expanding, and the means for decoding and expanding a compressed code into channel, date, time-of-day and length performs the decoding and expanding as a function of the clock output.

In another specific embodiment the means for decoding and expanding the compressed code into channel, date, time-of-day and length further comprises means for converting the compressed code into a binary number, means for reordering the bits in the binary number to obtain a reordered binary compressed code, means for grouping the reordered binary compressed code into channel, date, time and length priority numbers, and means for using the channel, date, time and length priority numbers to derive the channel, date, time-of-day and length.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises processor means for controlling the blocking of programs, a memory for authorized identification numbers coupled to the processor means, means coupled to the processor means for comparing the authorized identification numbers to an entered identification code, a memory for storing the program identifiers of selected programs to be blocked coupled to the processor means, and means for determining that a stored selected program identifier has a pre-determined relationship with a second output.

In a specific embodiment the means for determining further comprises a clock having date and time-of-day coupled to the second output.

In another specific embodiment the means for determining further comprises a program identifier coupled to the second output and retrieved from a signal from the television signal source.

In another specific embodiment the means for selecting programs to be blocked further comprises a remote controller, and means for receiving compressed codes via a telephone coupled to the remote controller.

In another specific embodiment the means for blocking comprises means for filtering from the output a channel for the length of time for the selected program to be blocked upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In another specific embodiment the means for filtering comprises a plurality of filter means, each for blocking a channel in the television signal from the television signal source upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In another specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises means for jamming a channel for the length of rime for the selected program to be blocked upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for jamming further comprises means for time multiplexing the means for jamming among a plurality of channels for selected programs to be simultaneously blocked upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In another specific embodiment the means for jamming comprises a noise signal added to a channel to be blocked.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for jamming comprises a low frequency signal added to a channel to be blocked.

In a specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises a key lock coupled to the processor means for choosing between blocking the selected programs or not blocking the selected programs.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus includes a first tamper proof connector for coupling the television signal source to the means for blocking.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a television receiver wherein the means for blocking is integral to the television receiver.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for blocking comprises means for filtering from the output a channel upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In another specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises means for jamming a channel upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In another specific embodiment the means for jamming comprises a low frequency signal added to a channel to be blocked.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus of further includes means for retrieving from a television signal an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing, and means for blocking the program scene from a television monitor whenever an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing is retrieved from a television signal.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for retrieving from a television signal an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing comprises a vertical blanking interval decoder.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes means for blocking a plurality of program scenes from a television monitor whenever the indication of a program scene to be blocked from reviewing is retrieved from a television signal.

In another specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises a key lock coupled to the processor means for choosing between blocking the selected programs or not blocking the selected programs.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a fourth tamper proof connector for coupling the television signal source to the television receiver.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a power splitter means for driving a plurality of cable box means and/or television receivers coupled between the output of the means for blocking and the plurality of cable box means and/or television receivers.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for blocking comprises means for filtering from the output a channel to be blocked upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for blocking further comprises means for jamming a channel upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In another specific embodiment the means for jamming further comprises means for time multiplexing the means for jamming among a plurality of channels for selected programs to be simultaneously blocked upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship.

In a specific embodiment the means for jamming comprises a noise signal added to a channel to be blocked.

In another embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for parental control of television viewing includes means for enabling the viewing of programs, each having a program identifier, coupled to a television signal source and having a first output, cable box means for converting television signals coupled to the first output of the means for enabling, and means for selecting programs to be enabled coupled to the means for enabling.

In a specific embodiment the means for enabling further comprises means for decoding and expanding a compressed code, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length for a program.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for enabling further comprises processor means for controlling the enabling of programs, a memory for authorized identification numbers coupled to the processor means, means coupled to the processor means for comparing the authorized identification numbers to an entered identification code, a memory for storing the program identifier of selected programs to be enabled coupled to the processor means, and means for determining a stored selected program identifier having a pre-determined relationship with a second output.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for determining further comprises a clock having date and time-of-day coupled to the second output.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for selecting programs to be enabled further comprises a remote controller, and means for receiving compressed codes via a telephone coupled to the remote controller.

In another specific embodiment the means for enabling further comprises means for frequency down-converting the television signal from the television signal source by a first frequency, means for filtering all but the channel for a selected program from the downconverted television signal coupled to the means for frequency down-converting, and means for frequency up-converting the downconverted and filtered television signal by the first frequency coupled to the means for filtering.

In another specific embodiment the means for frequency down-converting comprises a first mixer coupled to the television signal source, and a local oscillator coupled to the first mixer.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for filtering comprises a band-pass filter coupled to the first mixer.

In another specific embodiment the means for up-converting comprises a second mixer coupled to the band-pass filter and to the local oscillator.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for enabling programs further comprises a key lock coupled to the processor means for choosing between enabling only the selected programs for viewing and enabling all programs for viewing.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a first tamper proof connector for coupling the television signal source to the means for enabling programs.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a television receiver wherein the means for enabling is integral to the television receiver.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes means for retrieving from a television signal an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing, and means for blocking the program scene from a television monitor whenever an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing is retrieved from a television signal.

In another specific embodiment the means for retrieving from a television signal an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing comprises a vertical blanking interval decoder.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes means for blocking a plurality of program scenes from a television monitor whenever the indication of a program scene to be blocked from viewing is retrieved from a television signal.

In yet another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a power splitter means for driving a plurality of cable box means and/or television receivers coupled between the output of the means for enabling and the plurality of cable box means and/or television receivers.

In another embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for controlling the viewing of programs, each program having a program identifier, on a television monitor from signals received by the television monitor from a cable box means for converting television signals from a television signal source, the method including the steps of entering a user identification code, verifying that the entered code is an authorized code, selecting one or more of the programs for which viewing on the television is to be controlled, entering program identifiers for the selected programs in storage, determining that one of the program identifiers has a predetermined relationship with an output, and upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship, filtering the selected program from the television signals received by the cable box means for converting television signals.

In another embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for controlling the viewing of programs, each program having a program identifier, on a television monitor from signals received by the television monitor from a cable box means for converting television signals from a television signal source, the method including the steps of entering a user identification code, verifying that the entered code is an authorized code selecting one or more of the programs for which viewing on the television is to be controlled, entering program identifiers for the selected programs in storage, determining that one of the program identifiers has a predetermined relationship with an output, and upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship, jamming the selected program from the television signals received by the cable box means for converting television signals.

In another embodiment of the present invention a method is provided for controlling the viewing of programs, each program having a program identifier, on a television monitor from signals received by the television monitor from a cable box means for converting television signals from a television signal source, the method including the steps of entering a user identification code, verifying that the entered code is an authorized code, selecting one or more of the programs for which viewing on the television is to be controlled, entering program identifiers for the selected programs in storage, determining that one of the program identifiers has a predetermined relationship with an output, and upon the occurrence of the pre-determined relationship, for the channel for the stored selected program, frequency down-converting by a first frequency the television signals to be sent to the cable box means, filtering the downconverted television signal retaining the channel corresponding to the selected program, and frequency up-converting the down-converted and filtered television signal by the first frequency, and sending the upconverted signal to the cable box means for converting television signals.

In a specific embodiment the step of selecting one or more of the programs for which viewing on the television is to be controlled is performed by use of compressed codes, each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length for a program, and decoding each compressed code to obtain a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length for a program.

In another specific embodiment the method further includes the steps of retrieving from a television signal an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing, and blocking the program scene from a television monitor whenever an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing is retrieved from a television signal.

In another specific embodiment the step of retrieving from a television signal an indication of a program scene to be concealed from viewing further comprises the step of decoding a vertical blanking interval.

In another specific embodiment the step of selecting one or more of the programs for which viewing on the television is to be controlled further comprises the step of entering compressed codes, each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length for a program on a remote controller.

In another specific embodiment the step of selecting one or more of the programs for which viewing on the television is to be controlled further comprises the step of receiving compressed codes, each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length for a program via a telephone.

In a specific embodiment the means for controlling the enabling of programs further comprises remote controller means for entering the compressed codes.

In another specific embodiment the means for controlling the enabling of programs further comprises means for receiving compressed codes via a telephone coupled to the remote controller.

In another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a clock for providing an output as a function of time coupled to the means for decoding and expanding integral to the television receiver, and the means for decoding and expanding a compressed code into channel, date, time-of-day and length performs the decoding and expanding as a function of the clock output.

In yet another specific embodiment the means for controlling the enabling of programs further comprises processor means for controlling the enabling of programs, a memory for authorized identification numbers coupled to the processor means, means coupled to the processor means for comparing the authorized identification numbers to an entered identification code, a memory for storing the channels, dates, times and lengths of selected programs to be enabled coupled to the processor means, means for ordering the selected programs, having a channel, date, and time and length into temporal order coupled to the processor means, a clock with an output as a function of time coupled to the processor means, and means for comparing a stored selected program with a date and time that is earliest in time to the output of the clock for a pre-determined relationship.

In yet another specific embodiment the apparatus further includes a first tamper proof connector for coupling the television signal source to the television receiver, the first tamper proof connector coupled to the television receiver.

In another embodiment of the present invention a method of recording television programs on a video cassette recorder tape is provided including the step of recording within the television signal recorded on the tape an indication of an offensive scene to be subject to parental control, the indication of the offensive scene being recorded adjacent to the offensive scene on the video cassette recorder tape.

In a specific embodiment the method further includes the step of recording within the television signal recorded on the tape an indication of an offensive program to be subject to parental control, the indications of the offensive program being recorded continuously adjacent to the program on the video cassette recorder tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of specific embodiments of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic showing apparatus including a parental control device that receives the signal source input and blocks or enables programs and attaches to a cable box according to the present invention. A remote controller is included for controlling the parental control device.

FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the details of a parental control device having a programmable multichannel filter according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a programmable multiple channel filter according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a frequency spectrum showing channels being blocked according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a processor for implementing the command controller and compressed code decoder according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow graph of the compressed code decoding technique according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow-chart of the operation of the apparatus incorporating the parental control device in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrate the different displays on the screen of the TV or the display of the VCR or remote controller employing the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic showing the details of a parental control device having a tunable channel jammer according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a jammer according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a frequency spectrum showing channels being jammed according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic showing the details of a parental control device having a tunable channel selector according to the present invention.

FIG. 17a is a schematic of a tunable channel selector according to the present invention.

FIG. 17b is an illustration of the frequency spectrum at various locations in FIG.17a.

FIG. 18 is a schematic showing apparatus including a parental control device incorporated into a parental control television that receives the signal source input and blocks or enables programs according to the present invention. Compressed codes can be received via telephone and violent program scenes can be blocked according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic showing apparatus including a parental control device incorporated into a parental control television that receives the signal source input and selects channels for programs to be enabled according to the present invention. Compressed codes can be received via telephone and violent program scenes can be blocked according to the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the timing of the vertical blanking interval lines of an interlaced television scanning raster.

FIG. 21 is a schematic showing a parental control device with a power splitter that is able to provide parental control for multiple cable boxes and television receivers according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 is a specific embodiment ofparental control circuitry40. In this embodiment, signal source input online39 is passed through programmablemultiple channel filter60 to form the parental control output online41. Programmablemultiple channel filter60 is controlled bycommand controller36. Thecommand controller36 receives commands frominfrared detector32 and outputs commands tocable box43 viainfrared emitter46.Command controller36 is coupled to/from theclock42 and thecompressed code decoder38, which also has an input from theclock42. Theclock42 inparental control circuitry40 can be synchronized with a clock inVCR44 and any other clocks in theparental control system11 by downloading time encoded as audio tones fromtelephone35 tomicrophone34 andremote controller12, which can then send the time to the various clocks in the system to synchronize them. The command controller also receives an input fromkey switch33, which has a parental control (PC) position and a normal position. The key forkey switch33 should be kept by the parent in a secure place. If the key switch is in the normal position then any program can be watched. If the key is in the PC position, then only programs that are enabled can be watched. Outputs fromcommand controller36 includeinput selection switch57 and verticalblanking interval decoder437, as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19.

Thecommand controller36 andcompressed code decoder38 can be implemented as shown in FIG.5 and are described in further detail below. However, before the details ofFIG. 5 are described, the programmablemultiple channel filter60 of FIG.2 and its operation are described.

The programmablemultiple channel filter60 can be implemented as shown in FIG.3. Suppose a user has specified a number of programs to be blocked from viewing on thetelevision45. The user can specify which programs to block by either specifying particular programs to be blocked, or by specifying that all programs on a particular channel be blocked.FIG. 3 shows a programmablemultiple channel filter60 which can filter multiple channels from the broad bandtelevision signal input39. For example, inFIG. 3, switch66 is shown as open which indicates that thechannel3

filter

63 will filterchannel3 from theparental control output41. On the other hand, switch65 and switch67 are closed allowing the broad bandtelevision signal input39 to bypasschannel2

2 and4 are not filtered from theparental control output41. Switches65-71 are controlled byswitch interface61 which is in turn controlled bycommand controller36. If a particular program is to be blocked from viewing, then thecommand controller36 would open the appropriate switch, for example, switch66 forchannel3, at the start of the program and close theswitch66 at the end of the program. This would block the viewing of that particular program onchannel3. To perform this function, the command controller needs to know the channel, date, time-of-day and length (CDTL) of the program to be blocked from viewing. This CDTL information can be either input as channel, date, time-of-day and length to theparental control circuitry40 or can be entered via compressed codes, which are described below, viaremote controller12.

Another method of determining when to block a program is to look for a program identifier in the signal received from the television signal source. If the received program identifier matches the program identifier of a program to be blocked, then the program is blocked. An example of this method is called VPS, which is a program identification transmitted with the television signal in European broadcasting systems. This technique can also be used to enable programs.

FIG. 4 shows an example frequency spectrum for a broad band television signal that has been filtered by programmablemultiple channel filter60. InFIG. 4

channels

3,6, and7 have been filtered so that programs in those channels cannot be viewed. Because it is possible with the programmablemultiple channel filter60 to either block the viewing of an entire channel or a particular program, the frequency spectrum of theparental control output41 will change over time as thecommand controller36 sends commands for turning on and off the switches65-71 to theswitch interface61.

Theremote controller12, shown inFIG. 1 has a number of keys, which includenumerical keys20,compressed code switch22,function keys24,program key26, andpower key27. Theremote controller12 also includes a totalparental control key29 and anenter key31. The remote controller may further advantageously include a cursor control having up/down

keys

17 and21, respectively, right/left

keys

19 and23, respectively, and an activate key25. There are means in theremote controller12 that interpret each key as it is pressed, and send theproper command signal16 to theparental control circuity40 via theinfrared diode28. Except for thecompressed code switch22, the totalparental control key29,menu key37,enter key31 and the up/down17/21, right/left19/23 and activate25 keys, the remote controller is essentially the same as any other remote controller in function. It is to be noted that the typical keys of remote controllers, such as volume control and channel selection, are not shown on the controller ofFIG. 1, but would ordinarily be present.

The totalparental control key29 and enter key31 are used when selecting programs that are to be blocked or enabled for viewing on the television. Theenter key31 is used when entering the user's identification code that permits programming of the parental control circuitry to set up the programs to be blocked or enabled for viewing on the television receiver.

Thecompressed code switch22 is provided to allow the user to lock theremote controller12 in the compressed code mode while using a compressed code, which is encoded CDTL information. The compressed codes allow easy selection of a program to be enabled or blocked under parental control.

Theremote controller12 also can have amicrophone34, which can be used together withtelephone35, to download encoded CDTL information or compressed codes. The compressed codes for programs that are to be enabled for viewing or blocked from viewing are entered via audio tones fromtelephone35. In one embodiment, the compressed codes or program identifiers from a preselected list of violent programs are downloaded via telephone from a central data base. The parent calls the data base and then holds thetelevision receiver35, near theremote controller microphone34. The received compressed codes are then communicated from theremote controller12 to commandcontroller36.

A possible realization of thecommand controller36 and thecompressed code decoder38 is shown in FIG.5. Thecommand controller36 includes amicroprocessor80 for overall control and for performing the parental control functions, a read onlymemory82 for program storage, a random access memory (RAM)84, and input/output circuitry86. This input/output circuitry86 is adapted to receive commands from theinfrared detector32 and thekey switch33. The input/output has output interfaces toinfrared emitter46,input selection switch57 and verticalblanking interval decoder437, the latter two of which are shown inFIGS. 18 and 19. The input/output circuitry86 has a bidirectional interface toclock42. Commands are sent fromcommand controller36 via input/output86 to the programmablemultiple channel filter60, shown inFIG. 2, thetunable channel jammer400, shown inFIG. 13, and thetunable channel selector420, shown in FIG.16. Therandom access memory84 includes a section for the parental control identification code and a section of stack memory for storing the channels, dates, times-of-day, and lengths for programs selected to be enabled for viewing or, alternatively in the case of exclusion, the channels, dates, times-of-day, and lengths for programs selected to be blocked from viewing. Either the ID number section, or the stack memory may be separate fromRAM84. As noted above, the compressed code, which are encoded CDTL information, may be advantageously used to simplify the parental control operation of the television.

One implementation of thecompressed code decoder38 is shown inFIG. 5. A

microcontroller

90 with arandom access memory92 and a read onlymemory94 has interfaces tomicroprocessor80. The encoded CDTL is sent tomicrocontroller90, which decodes the compressed code and returns CDTL information tomicroprocessor80.

In order for the compressed code to be useful, it must be decoded, and apparatus for that purpose must be provided. Acompressed code decoder38 is included in theparental control circuitry40 of FIG.1 and is further shown inFIGS. 2,13,16 and19. If thecommand controller36 determines that a compressed code has been received, then the compressed code will be sent to thecompressed code decoder38 for decoding. Thecompressed code decoder38 converts the compressed code into channel, date, time and length (CDTL) information which is stored inRAM84 and used by thecommand controller36 to control the enabling and clocking of particular programs. The decoding of the compressed code into CDTL is set forth in the flow chart of FIG.6. As shown inFIG. 6, the compressed code decoding can be a function of the output ofclock42. The compressed code encoding and decoding are described in continuation in part application Ser. No. 07/829,412, filed Feb. 3, 1992, which is incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in full.

Theclock42 is also used for the timing of the operation of thecommand controller36. When the proper date and time-of-day is read fromclock42, then thecommand controller36 controls theparental control circuitry40 to block or enable programs going to thecable box43.

The operation of theparental control device40 ofFIG. 1 may be better understood by reference to the flow chart set forth in FIG.7. The TV is turned on atstep300, and any other ancillary apparatus, such asparental control circuitry40 inFIG. 1, is also turned on. If thekey lock33 is in the position for normal TV viewing, then the normal viewing ofstep301 will be available. After completion of viewing, the TV is shut off (step302). If thekey lock33 is in the parental control position, then upon turning on the TV, the selections that are enabled or blocked for viewing will be displayed on the screen as shown instep303. A representative display of programs to be enabled instep303 is shown inFIG. 8. A similar display is used to display blocked programs. The user of the apparatus may then select one of the programs that is enabled for viewing instep304 and, upon completion of viewing, the TV is then shut off instep305. If the programs to be blocked or enabled are to be modified, then the total parental control key, such as key29 inFIG. 1, is pushed in step307.

The pushing of the totalparental control key29 will cause a message to appear on the screen of the TV such as the one shown inFIG. 9 wherein the user is requested to enter his or her identification (ID) code or number. Following the display of the message instep308, the user enters his or her ID instep309 by using the numbers of thekey pad20, for example, as shown in the remote controller of FIG.1. The authorized user ID codes will have been previously stored in the parental control ID section of theRAM84, as illustrated inFIG. 3. A typical user ID might be 6823 which, when entered, is compared in the verifystep310 under the control of themicroprocessor80 with the authorized parental control IDs stored in theRAM84. The ID code number is entered by pressing keys numbered6,8,2 and3 and then theenter key31. If the ID number that is entered is not an authorized number stored inRAM84, then the user will be advised instep311 by a message, such as the message ofFIG. 10, displayed on the TV screen that the ID number is incorrect and the entry of another ID number will be requested.

Steps

309 and310 will, again, take place upon the entry of the new ID number and, if this ID number is again incorrect, the user will again be advised instep311. Upon the entry of a number of incorrect ID numbers, such as 3, which are monitored instep312, then the user will be advised instep313 by a message such as the one shown inFIG. 11 that the ID numbers that have been entered are not authorized ID numbers and that the TV will be disabled for a period of time. The period of time may, for example, be 30 minutes or one hour or whatever may be selected during set up by the authorized user of the equipment.

If in theverification step310 the user ID code that has been entered is an authorized ID, then in step315 a menu will be displayed on the TV screen, such as shown in FIG.12. The menu displayed instep315 as shown inFIG. 12 has choices for enabling programs, blocking programs, and enabling V-block, which is a choice that allows the blocking of scenes in programs or entire programs that have objectionable violence, nudity, or language. One or more of the possible selections set forth in the menu ofFIG. 12 may be selected instep316. The user may also selectentry6 on the menu to override the parental control operation by pushingnumber6 on, for example, theremote controller12 ofFIG. 1, for normal TV viewing. This will cause the override ofstep317 to permit normal TV viewing (step318) after which the TV will be shut off instep319 or the menu ofFIG. 12 may again be displayed instep320 by pushing the MENU key37 shown in FIG.1.

With the menu displayed on the screen of the television in

step

315 or320, the user need only push one of the numbered keys onkey pad20 to set up the mode for selecting one of the possible selections as shown in the menu of FIG.12. The pushing ofbutton1 will permit the selection of programs to be enabled, as illustrated in FIG.8. Upon pushingbutton key1, for example, (step321), the previous selections that have been made will be displayed along with instructions for making deletions or additional selections.

If programs are to be deleted instep322, the user activates the cursor by pressing button25 (FIG.1), and then moves the cursor on the TV screen displaying the available programs, e.g., as shown inFIG. 8, by use of the up/down

keys

17 and21 and the right/

left keys

19 and23 to the program that is to be deleted. With the cursor highlighting the program to be deleted, theenter key31 is depressed to complete the deletion of the program from programs that may be viewed. Instep322, programs may, alternatively, be deleted by entering a compressed code for a program, as shown in FIG.8. For example, if it is desired to delete the program FAMILY TIES, it is only necessary to enter on thekeypad20 the numbers “1-5-6-5-7” and thereafter press theENTER key31. This will complete the deletion of FAMILY TIES from the programs available for viewing.

The user may also select programs to be blocked from viewing on the TV by pushingbutton2 when the menu is being displayed on the TV screen instep315.Steps321′,322′, and323′ operate in an analogous manner to

steps

321,322, and323.

The V-block mode may be selected by pushingbutton3 when the menu is being displayed on the TV screen instep316. The V-block mode enables the automatic blocking of programs or scenes in programs that have objectionable violence, nudity, or language. The V-block operation is described further below.

During the selection process, each selection to be added is stored inRAM84 and at the completion of the selection process transferred to the stack memory portions ofRAM84 for storage in temporal order. Upon the completion of each selection from the menu, themenu key37 is depressed to return to step315 for display of the menu shown in FIG.12. At any time in the selection process, thekey7 may be depressed while the menu is being displayed to compare the selections that have been made for possible inconsistencies, which is done instep354. For example, if programs have been both enabled and blocked this will be noted as an inconsistency. If there are no inconsistencies, then themicroprocessor80 causes the selections to be stored instep356 in the stack memory portion of theRAM84. If inconsistencies do exist instep354, then the program, channel, date, or time that is to be deleted to avoid the inconsistency is selected instep355 by depressing the

appropriate key

1,2 or4 and going through the

delete step

322 or322′. Once there are no inconsistencies in the selections and the selections are stored in the stack memory portion ofRAM84, then the TV is shut off instep357.

Another specific embodiment of theparental control circuitry40 is shown in FIG.13. Most of the elements ofFIG. 13 are the same as those shown inFIG. 2 so an explanation of those will not be repeated. However, a key difference istunable channel jammer400 which is imposed between signalsource input line39 and parentalcontrol output line41. The purpose oftunable channel jammer400 is to block the viewing of particular channels, or programs. Implementing the programmable multiple channel filter ofFIG. 3 might be fairly expensive, because each channel filter would have to be fairly precise in order to not interfere with adjacent channels and the number of components involved would result in a high cost. Rather than filtering a channel as inFIG. 3,tunable channel jammer400 instead has the purpose of jamming a channel or multiple channels. If a channel is selected to be blocked from viewing, then the jamming on that channel can be continuous. If particular programs have been Selected to be blocked from viewing, then the respective channels for those programs will be jammed on mat date starting with the time of day for that program and end after the program has ended. The start and end time for the programs can be attained from the CDTL information in the G codes.

FIG. 14 shows an apparatus for implementingtunable channel jammer400. One implementation, a narrowband noise source402 is mixed with atunable frequency generator404 inmixer406 and then combined with signalsource input line39 incombiner408 to produce the parental control output online41. Thetunable frequency generator404 would be tuned to place the narrow band noise inside the channel to be jammed. Multiple channels can be jammed by time sharing the circuity, of FIG.14. For example, if channels,2,3,5, and10 are to be jammed at the same time then thetunable frequency generator404 would be tuned to each of those channels for a set period of time and then would skip to the next channel to be jammed and so on. If the duty cycle of the jamming on any particular channel is high enough, then the channel will be unwatchable. By time sharing the apparatus in this manner considerable costs can be saved.

In another implementation, instead of having a narrowband noise source402, alow frequency generator402 is supplied. Again,tunable frequency generator404 is used to place the low frequency within the channel to be jammed. Tests have shown that a noise generator with a 1 kilohertz bandwidth centered at 55 megahertz was sufficient to block the viewing ofchannel2. It should be possible to time share the circuity ofFIG. 14 between as many as 10 channels at a time which would result in a 10 percent jamming duty cycle on any particular channel.FIG. 15 is an illustration of a frequency spectrum showing jamming occurring in

channels

2,4, and7.

The programmablemultiple channel filter60 of FIG.2 and thetunable channel jammer400 ofFIG. 13 both have the purpose of blocking a channel or a program from viewing by a user of a television.FIG. 16 is a specific implementation ofparental control circuitry40 which allows particular channels or programs to be enabled for viewing on a television. Again, most of the elements ofFIG. 16 are similar to those inFIG. 2, however,tunable channel selector420 is different and has the purpose of enabling certain channels or programs for viewing.

FIG. 17a shows an implementation oftunable channel selector420. InFIG. 17a, the signal on signalsource input line39 is frequency down converted by mixing this signal with the output of tunablelocal oscillator422 in frequency down-converter424. The output of frequency down-converter424 is then filtered byintermediate frequency filter426 to pass only the channel to be enabled for viewing. This channel is then frequency up converted by frequency up-converter428, which mixes the output ofintermediate frequency filter426 with the output of tunablelocal oscillator422. The amount of frequency down conversion in frequency down-converter424 is equal to the amount of frequency up conversion in frequency up-converter428. The tunablelocal oscillator422 is the same for frequency down-converter424 and frequency up-converter428.

FIG. 17b illustrates the frequency spectrum at signalsource input line39, the frequency down-converter424 output, theintermediate frequency filter426 output, and the output on parentalcontrol output line41 of FIG.17a. As shown inFIG. 17b, the result is that on parentalcontrol output line41 only the selected channel is remaining which ischannel10 in FIG.17b. Since at any one time only one channel is enabled for viewing, thecommand controller36 must command thecable box43 to tune itself to the proper channel. This is done by communicating throughinfrared emitter46 toinfrared detector48 oncable box43.

Aparental control television430 is shown in FIG.18. Theparental control television430 hasparental control circuitry40 incorporated into it. Theparental control circuitry40 inside theparental control television430 can be implemented as previously discussed to either block certain programs and channels from viewing or enable certain programs and channels for viewing. By incorporating theparental control circuitry40 inside theparental control television430, the extra cost and inconvenience of a separate unit is avoided. The signalsource input line39 is connected to theparental control television430 by atamper proof connector432 to prevent tampering. Thecable box43 andVCR44 can be located outside of theparental control television430. The parental control output online41 can be sent directly to thecable box43, or can bypass thecable box43 vialine444. Theinput selection switch57 within theparental control television430 selects either an input fromVCR44 orcable box43 for viewing ontelevision monitor442. In this implementation, anormal tuner438 andvideo circuits440 are provided.

Another capability that can be provided within theparental control television430 is the feature previously referred to as “V-Block,” which allows the blocking of programs or scenes in programs that have objectional violence, nudity or language. V-block is implemented by decoding the vertical blanking interval of a television raster scan.FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating thetiming447 of the vertical blanking lines1-20 offield1 and vertical blanking lines263-283 offield2 of a video frame. As shown, each verticalblanking interval line448 occupies a portion of the time span. A scene V-Block indication449 can be put into one of the vertical blanking intervals lines. The vertical blanking lines would then be decoded by verticalblanking interval decoder437. If verticalblanking interval decoder437 detects a scene V-block indication449 in the vertical blanking interval lines, and if the V-block mode has been enabled byparental control circuitry40 vialine441, then the verticalblanking interval decoder437 will open the V-block switch439. This will block the offending scene from thetelevision monitor442. After the offending scene is finished, the vertical blankinginternal decoder437 would detect the absence of scene V-block indication449 in the vertical blanking lines and close the V-Block switch439, which reconnects thetelevision monitor442 to thevideo circuits440. If all the scenes in a program have scene V-block indications, then the entire program is blocked.

The V-Block feature will also operate to block offending scenes from any programs played on the VCR which have a scene V-Block indication in the vertical blanking interval. This provides parental control for programs that are recorded with a scene V-block indication.

The V-block feature described forFIG. 18 can also be incorporated into theparental control circuitry40 ofFIG. 1, as indicated in the discussion ofFIG. 12 above, and as shown in FIG.7.

A specific embodiment of aparental control TV430 is shown in FIG.19. Again, the signalsource input line39 is attached toparental control television430 through atamper proof connector432. The broad band signal online39 is shifted in frequency by frequency down-converter424 and then band-pass filtered byintermediate frequency filter426 and then up-converted in frequency byfrequency upconverter428. The frequency down-conversion in frequency down-converter424 and the frequency up-conversion infrequency upconverter428 are the same and determined by the setting of tunablelocal oscillator422. The frequency shifting and filtering operation is the same as described forFIGS. 17a and 17b. Thelocal oscillator422 is controlled bycommand controller36 and is tuned to select only enabled programs for viewing. As shownFIG. 19,command controller36 is coupled to G-code decoder38 andclock42 as well asinfrared detector32 andinfrared emitter46.Command controller36 and G-code decoder38 can be implemented as shown in FIG.5. The output offrequency upconverter428 is sent tocable box43 which is attachedparental control television430 viatamper proof connectors446. Thecable box43 must be tuned to the same channel that is selected bycommand controller36. This is accomplished bycommand controller36 sending viainfrared emitter46 and infrared detector48 a command to thecable box43 to switch to the channel that has been selected. Thecable box43 converts the cable channel and performs an unscrambling of any scrambled channels and then outputs ontochannel3 the selected program. AVCR44 can also be connected to aparental control television430 viaconnectors447. The selection betweenVCR44 orcable box43 is performed byinput selection switch57 which is controlled bycommand controller36. The output ofinput selection switch57 is sent to frequency down-converter445 which downshifts the television signal for input to thevideo circuits440. InFIG. 19,line444 indicates that it is possible to send the output offrequency upconverter428 directly to theVCR44. This would be useful if cable channels did not need to be descrambled bycable box43.

Also shown inFIG. 19 isline436 fromintermediate frequency filter426 tovideo circuits440. In a normal television, theintermediate frequency filter426 output is sent to thevideo circuits440 directly. In the case ofparental control television430, the output ofintermediate frequency filter426 is frequency upshifted byfrequency upconverter428 and the television signal from thecable box43 or theVCR44 must be downshifted byfrequency downconverter445 in order to be at the correct frequency for thevideo circuits440. The amount of frequency shift infrequency downconverter445 is not the same as the amount of frequency shift related to tunablelocal oscillator422. However, anotherlocal oscillator443 is provided which can be coupled if desired, to tunablelocal oscillator422.

The V-block feature described forFIG. 18 is also incorporated into theparental control television430 of FIG.19.

The programs to be enabled for viewing can be selected viaremote controller12 and are communicated fromremote controller12 viainfrared emitter28 toinfrared detector32. Theremote controller12 can also have amicrophone34, which can be used together withtelephone35, to download encoded CDTL information (compressed codes) or program identifiers. The compressed codes for programs that are to be enabled for viewing or blocked for viewing are entered via audio tones fromtelephone35.

Thus, there has been described apparatus and methods for improved parental control of television use and improved parental control of multiple televisions attached to a common signal source.

The described embodiments of the invention are only considered to be preferred and illustrative of the inventive concept, the scope of the invention is not to be restricted to such embodiments. Various and numerous other arrangements may be devised by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for exercising access control over a television program comprising:

a memory for storing television program schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs;

a monitor for displaying some of the schedule information including program titles;

an input device for selecting one of the displayed program titles for viewing a television program represented by the selected program title; and

a parental control circuit for blocking the selected television program from being viewed as a function of the television program schedule information.

2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the television program schedule information comprises a telecast channel, a telecast time and a length of telecast for each of the television programs, and wherein the control circuit acquires control of a channel of a television signal corresponding to a telecast channel of one of the television programs when a telecast time of the television program equals current time, and blocks the channel for a duration equal to the length of the telecast of the television program.

3. The system ofclaim 2 wherein the control circuit further comprises a second memory for storing the television program schedule information for the selected program title.

4. The system ofclaim 3 wherein the television program schedule information for the selected program title are stored in a second memory in temporal order.

5. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a blocking circuit for blocking a plurality of program scenes from being viewed wherein, an indication of a program scene to be blocked is retrieved from a television signal.

6. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising blocking circuit for blocking the display of schedule information on the display monitor for a blocked channel.

7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the input device comprises a remote controller having at least a first key for selectively positioning a cursor on a television program displayed on the monitor, and a second key for selecting the displayed program title.

8. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a vertical blanking interval decoder for extracting the television program schedule information from a vertical blanking interval portion of a television signal and storing the television program schedule information to the memory.

9. A method for controlling access to television programs comprising the steps of:

displaying television program schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs on a monitor;

marking a program title from the displayed schedule information; and

blocking a television program represented by the marked program title from being displayed on the monitor as a function of the television program schedule information for a selected title.

10. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising the step of blocking a plurality of program scenes from being viewed wherein, an indication of a program scene to be blocked is retrieved from a television signal.

11. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the marking step further comprises the step of selectively positioning a cursor on a displayed television title, and activating an input device for entering the marked program title into a memory.

12. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising the step of extracting the television program schedule information from a vertical blanking interval portion of a television signal and storing the extracted television program schedule information in a memory.

13. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising the step of selectively tuning to a channel of a television signal, and wherein the blocking step further comprises the step of controlling a tuner to block the selectively tuned channel from the monitor.

14. A system for exercising access control over a television program comprising:

a memory for storing television schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs;

a parental control circuit for blocking a plurality of program scenes from the selected television program from being viewed as a function of information retrieved from a television signal.

15. The system ofclaim 14 further comprising a vertical blanking interval decoder for retrieving information from a vertical blanking interval portion of the television signal and storing the retrieved information in the memory.

16. A method for controlling access to television programs comprising the steps of:

storing television program schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs;

displaying the television program schedule information including program titles on a monitor;

selecting a program title from the displayed schedule information; and

blocking a program scene from a television program represented by the selected program title from being displayed on the monitor as a function of the information retrieved from a television signal.

17. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising the step of extracting the information for blocking program scenes from a vertical blanking interval portion of the television signal and storing the extracted television program schedule information in a memory.

18. A system comprising:

a television tuner that supplies video signals to a video display; and

a processor configured to block the television tuner from supplying video signals of television programs that meet one or more user selected program content rating criteria to the video display;

said processor being further configured to allow a user to override the blocking of the video signals of television programs that meet the user selected program content rating criteria until the system is shut off.

19. The system ofclaim 18 wherein the one or more user selected program content rating criteria comprise a plurality of program content rating criteria.

20. The system ofclaim 19 wherein the processor is configured to override the blocking of one or more of the plurality of program content rating criteria.

21. The system ofclaim 18 wherein the processor is configured to override the blocking of the display of television programs that meet the user selected program content rating criteria if the user enters a predetermined code.

22. The system ofclaim 18 further comprising:

a memory in which is stored television program schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs;

wherein the processor is configured to block the television tuner based on the television schedule information stored in the memory.

23. The system ofclaim 18 further comprises a filter wherein the processor is configured to block the television tuner by controlling the operation of the filter.

24. A system comprising:

a television tuner that supplies video signals to a video display; and

a processor configured to block the television tuner from supplying video signals of television programs that meet one or more of a plurality of user selected program blocking criteria to the video display;

said processor being further configured to allow a user to override the plurality of user selected blocking criteria from being used to block the display of television programs until the system is shut off.

25. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises ratings criteria.

26. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises channels.

27. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises combinations of time and channel.

28. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises combinations of time, channel and length.

29. The system ofclaim 24 further comprising:

wherein processor is configured to block the television tuner based on comparisons between the user selected blocking criteria and the television schedule information stored in the memory.

30. The system ofclaim 24 wherein the processor is configured to override the blocking of the display of television programs that meet the plurality of user selected blocking criteria if the user enters a predetermined code.

31. The system ofclaim 24 further comprises a filter wherein the processor is configured to block the television tuner by controlling the operation of the filter.

32. A system comprising:

one or more memories that store television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs and one or more viewing restrictions;

a display generator that supplies signals for a display of information for at least one of the television programs from the program schedule information to a video display; and

a processor configured to accept selections of displayed television program information, determine if one or more of the viewing restrictions is met for the selected television program and block the display of the selected television program based on the determination;

said processor being further configured to allow a user to override the blocking of the display of television programs based on one or more of the viewing restrictions and subsequently allowing the user to restore the blocking of the display of television programs based on the overridden viewing restrictions.

33. The system ofclaim 32 wherein processor is configured to subsequently allow the user to restore the blocking of the display of television programs by the system being shut off.

34. The system ofclaim 32 wherein processor is configured to subsequently allow the user to restore the blocking of the display of television programs by pressing one or more predetermined button on control.

35. The system ofclaim 32 wherein at least one of the viewing restrictions comprise one or more television programs selected by a user.

36. The system ofclaim 32 wherein at least one of the viewing restrictions comprise program content rating criteria.

37. The system ofclaim 32 wherein the processor is configured to override the blocking of the display of television programs if the user enters a predetermined code.

38. A system comprising:

means for supplying selective video signals to a video display; and

means for blocking the means for supplying from supplying video signals of television programs that meet one or more user selected program content rating criteria to the video display; and

means for overriding the blocking by the means for blocking of the video signals of television programs that meet the user selected program content rating criteria until the system is shut off.

39. The system ofclaim 38 wherein the one or more user selected program content rating criteria comprise a plurality of program content rating criteria.

40. The system ofclaim 39 wherein the means for overriding further comprise means for the blocking of one or more of the plurality of program content rating criteria.

41. The system ofclaim 38 wherein the means for overriding further comprises means for overriding the blocking of the display of television programs that meet the user selected program content rating criteria if a user enters a predetermined code.

42. The system ofclaim 38 further comprising:

means for storing television program schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs;

wherein the means for blocking blocks the means for supplying based on the television schedule information stored in the memory.

43. A system comprising:

means for supplying selective video signals to a video display;

means for blocking the means for supplying from supplying video signals to the video display of television programs that meet one or more of a plurality of user selected program blocking criteria; and

means for overriding the blocking by the means for blocking of the video signal of television programs that meet the plurality of user selected blocking criteria from being used to block the display of television programs until the system is shut off.

44. The system ofclaim 43 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises ratings criteria.

45. The system ofclaim 43 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises channels.

46. The system ofclaim 43 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises combinations of time and channel.

47. The system ofclaim 43 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises combinations of time, channel and length.

48. The system ofclaim 43 further comprising:

49. The system ofclaim 43 wherein the means for overriding the display of television programs that meet the plurality of user selected program content rating criteria overrides if a user enters a predetermined code.

50. A system comprising:

means for storing television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs and one or more viewing restrictions;

means for generating a display of information for at least one of the television programs from the program schedule information for display on a video display;

means for accepting selections of displayed television program information, determining if one or more of the viewing restrictions is met for the selected television program and blocking the display of the selected television program based on the determination; and

means for overriding the blocking of the display of television programs based on one or more of the viewing restrictions and subsequently allowing the user to restore the blocking of the display of television programs based on the overridden viewing restrictions.

51. The system ofclaim 50 wherein the means for overriding further subsequently allows the restoration of the blocking of the display of television programs by the system being shut off.

52. The system ofclaim 50 wherein the means for overriding further subsequently allows the restoration of the blocking of the display of television programs by pressing one or more predetermined button on control.

53. The system ofclaim 50 wherein at least one of the viewing restrictions comprise one or more television programs selected by a user.

54. The system ofclaim 50 wherein at least one of the viewing restrictions comprise program content rating criteria.

55. The system ofclaim 50 wherein the means for overriding further comprises means for overriding the blocking of the display of television programs that meet the user selected program content rating criteria if a user enters a predetermined code.

56. A method comprising:

supplying selective video signals to a video displays;

blocking the supplying of video signals to the video display of television programs that meet one or more user selected program content rating criteria;

overriding the blocking of television programs that meet the user selected program content rating criteria until the shutting off of a system that displays the television programs.

57. The method ofclaim 56 wherein the one or more user selected program content rating criteria comprise a plurality of program content rating criteria.

58. The method ofclaim 57 wherein the overriding further comprise blocking of one or more of the plurality of program content rating criteria.

59. The method ofclaim 56 wherein the overriding is performed after a user enters a predetermined code.

60. The method ofclaim 56 further comprising:

storing television program schedule information including program titles for a plurality of television programs;

wherein the blocking blocks the supplying based on the television schedule information stored in the memory.

61. A method comprising:

supplying selective video signals to a video displays;

blocking the supplying video signals to the video display of television programs that meet one or more of a plurality of user selected program blocking criteria to the video display; and

overriding the blocking of television programs that meet the plurality of user selected blocking criteria from being used to block the display of television programs until the shutting off of a system that displays the television programs.

62. The method ofclaim 61 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises ratings criteria.

63. The method ofclaim 61 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises channels.

64. The method ofclaim 61 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises combinations of time and channel.

65. The method ofclaim 61 wherein the program blocking criteria comprises combinations of time, channel and length.

66. The method ofclaim 61 further comprising:

67. The method ofclaim 61 wherein the overriding is performed after a user enters a predetermined code.

68. A method comprising:

storing television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs and one or more viewing restrictions;

generating a display of information for at least one of the television programs from the program schedule information for display on a video display;

accepting selections of displayed television program information, determining if one or more of the viewing restrictions is met for the selected television program and blocking the display of the selected television program based on the determination;

overriding the blocking of the display of television programs based on one or more of the viewing restrictions and subsequently allowing the user to restore the blocking of the display of television programs based on the overridden viewing restrictions.

69. The method ofclaim 68 wherein the overriding further subsequently allows the restoration of the blocking of the display of television programs by the shutting off of a system that performs the displaying television programs.

70. The method ofclaim 68 wherein the overriding further subsequently allows the restoration of the blocking of the display of television programs by pressing one or more predetermined button on a control.

71. The method ofclaim 68 wherein at least one of the viewing restrictions comprise one or more television programs selected by a user.

72. The method ofclaim 68 wherein at least one of the viewing restrictions comprise program content rating criteria.

73. The method ofclaim 68 wherein the overriding is performed after a user enters a predetermined code.