Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BLOCKING SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention pertains to a blocking system.
It may be used in the field of television as well as
elsewhere. The present invention is related to blocking of
selected television programming. In one embodiment there is
described access control for television receivers using a
removable memory device.
BACKGROUND ART
The 1996 Telecommunications Bill mandated that a
violence-blocking function be provided to at least some of
all newly-manufactured televisions. The violence-blocking
function is used, for example, by parents to prevent younger
viewers from viewing unsuitable television programming. A
standard, EIA-744 and EIA-608 A/B has been provided to
assist in achieving the violence blocking (V block)
function. Although the standard sets forth some guidelines,
the actual method of implementing the V-block function is
still largely left to television manufacturers. Television
manufacturers now understand that, in addition to complying
with the standard, V block implementation must be easy to
use, or the V-block function will be ignored by the average
consumer. That is, the V-block function must be easy to
activate and, similarly, easy to deactivate. Easy
deactivation allows, for example,
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parents to view programming which they wish to prevent their children from
viewing unsupervised.
In one prior art approach, the television receiver includes a channel-
s blocking function. The channel-blocking function prevents tuning and, hence,
viewing of channels which parents deem inappropriate for their children. In
such an approach, parents must first review printed program guides, and then
meticulously enter the channel to be blocked and the time frame during which
the channel is to be blocked. In some conventional blocking approaches, the
parent, or other "blocker," enters a pin number or access code into the
blocking
system. Once authorized, the parent manually activates blocking of selected
programming or deactivates blocking of previously-blocked programming.
Such prior art processes are not intuitive for many average consumers. As a
result, blocking of selected programming can be frustrating and time-
consuming for the average consumer. As yet an additional drawback, many
homes now contain multiple televisions disposed at various locations
throughout the home. Thus, the frustrating and time-consuming conventional
blocking process often needs to be repeated at the separate locations
corresponding to each of the multiple televisions. When such a burden
becomes overwhelming, parents are less likely to utilize the V-block function,
thereby negating the usefulness of the feature.
Furthermore, conventional V-blocking systems operate in conjunction
with ratings transmitted-by the content provider. For example, a parent may
read in a program guide that a particular channel will be broadcasting a
program having a restricted or "R" rating. If the parent does not wish to have
R-rated programming viewed by younger viewers in the home, the parent must
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then block the channel for the time period during which the R-rated
programming will be broadcast. However, many programs (e.g. news
programming and documentaries) are not required to have a rating associated
therewith. As a result, even if a parent has taken the time and effort to
prevent all programming of a violent nature from being received in the
parent's
home, violent news coverage and/or violent documentary programming may
still be accessible to younger or sensitive viewers in that parent's home.
Thus, a need exists for a system and method for blocking television
programming at multiple locations without requiring a user to repeatedly-enter
the same information at each of the locations. Still another need exists for a
system and method for blocking television programming which meets the
above need and which is applicable to programming which does not include a
program rating.
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DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a system and method for blocking
television programming at multiple locations without requiring a user to
repeatedly enter the same information at each of the locations. The present
invention further provides a system and method for blocking television
programming which achieves the above-listed accomplishment and wherein
the system and method is applicable to programming which does not include a
program rating.
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a television pragram-
blocl~ing device. The television program-blocking device is adapted to prevent
viewing of selected television programming. This embodiment further includes
a selecting unit which is communicatively coupled to the television program-
blocking device. The selecting unit is adapted to receive user-based criteria.
The user-based criteria define the selected television programming which the
television program-blocking device will prevent from being viewed.
Additionally, the present invention includes a removable memory unit which is
communicatively coupled to the selecting unit. The removable memory unit is
adapted to store the user-based criteria, such that the user-based criteria
can
readily be transferred to a second television program-blocking device. In so
doing, the present invention allows a user to enter the user-based criteria
one
time and then apply the user-based criteria to multiple other television
program-blocking devices.
In another embodiment, the present invention includes the features of
the above-described embodiment and fiu-ther recites that the user-based
criteria is non-rating oriented. That is, in the present embodiment, the user
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enters non-rating oriented criteria which is then utilized to define the
selected
television programming which the television program-blocking device will
prevent from being viewed. Thus, the present embodiment can be utilized to
prevent viewing of television programming, even when that programming does
not have a rating associated therewith.
These and other advantages of the present invention will no doubt
become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after having read the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are
illustrated in the various drawing figures.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part
of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together
with
the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention:
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary computer system
used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of a television program-blocking
device having a selecting unit integral therewith and wherein the entire
system
is integral with a television in accordance with one embodiment of the present
claimed invention.
FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram of a television program-blocking
device integral with a television and a selecting unit integral with a remote
control in accordance with one embodiment of the present claimed invention.
FIGURE 4 is a schematic diagram of a television program-blocking
device integral with a television, a removable memory unit adapted to be
removably coupled to the television, and a selecting unit integral with a
remote
control in accordance with one embodiment of the present claimed invention.
FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram of a stand-alone unit having a
television program-blocking device and a selecting unit integral therewith,
and
wherein the stand-alone unit is adapted to have a removable memory unit
removably coupled thereto in accordance with one embodiment of the present
claimed invention.
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FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram of a remote control device having a
selecting unit integral therewith and an adapter coupled thereto in accordance
with one embodiment of the present claimed invention.
FIGURE 7 is flow chart illustrating steps performed in accordance with
one embodiment of the present claimed invention.
FIGURE 8 is flow chart illustrating steps performed using non-rating
information to determine blocking guidelines in accordance with another
embodiment of the present claimed invention.
The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not
being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.
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BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred
embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the
invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to
cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention,
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well known methods; procedures,
components, and circuits have not been described in detail as not to
unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention.
Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented in
terms of procedures, logic blocks, processing, and other symbolic
representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These
'20 descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in
the
data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to
others skilled in the art. In the present application, a procedure, logic
block,
process, etc., is conceived to be a self consistent sequence of steps or
instructions leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring
physical
manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these
quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being
stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated in a
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computer system. It has proved convenient at times, principally for reasons of
common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols,
characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms
are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely
convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated
otherwise as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that
throughout the present invention, discussions utilizing terms such as
"receiving," "recording," "transferring," or the like, refer to the actions
and
processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device. The
computer system or similar electronic computing device, manipulates and
transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the
computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly
represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or
registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.
The present invention is also well suited to the use of other computer systems
such as, for example, optical and mechanical computers. Although the present
application will refer to a computer system, for purposes of the present
application, a computer system is intended to refer to, for example, a
television
program-blocking device and/or a selecting unit. Hence, the following
discussion which refers to processes performed by a computer system also
pertains to processes performed by a television program-blocking device and/or
a selecting unit of the present invention.
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COMPUTER SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT OF
THE PRESENT INVENTION
With reference now to Figure 1, portions of the present method and
system are comprised of computer-readable and computer-executable
instructions which reside, for example, in computer-usable media of a
computer system. Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary computer system 100
used to perform the present invention. It is appreciated that system 100 of
Figure 1 is exemplary only and that the present invention can operate within a
number of different computer systems including general purpose networked
computer systems, embedded computer systems, and stand-alone computer
systems. Furthermore, as will be described below in detail, the components of
computer system 100 reside, for example, in a client computer and/or in the
television program-blocking device and/or selecting unit of the present system
and method. Additionally, computer system 100 of Figure 1 is well adapted to
having computer readable media such as, for example, a floppy disk, a
compact disc, and the like coupled thereto. Such computer readable media is
not shown coupled to computer system 100 in Figure 1 for purposes of clarity.
System 100 of Figure 1 includes an address/data bus 102 for
communicating information, and a central processor unit 104 coupled to bus
102 for, processing information and instructions. Central processor unit 104
may be an 80x86-family microprocessor. System 100 also incudes data
storage features such as a computer usable volatile memory 106, e.g. random
access memory (RAM), coupled to bus 102 for storing information and
instructions for central processor unit 104, computer usable non-volatile
memory 108, e.g. read only memory (ROM), coupled to bus 102 for storing
static information and instructions for the central processor unit 104, and a
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data storage unit 110 (e.g., a magnetic or optical disk and disk drive)
coupled to
bus 102 for storing information and instructions. System 100 of the present
invention also includes an optional alphanumeric input device lI2 including
alphanumeric and function keys, coupled to bus 102 for communicating
information and command selections to central processor unit 104. System
100 also optionally includes a cursor control device 114 coupled to bus 102
for
communicating user input information and command selections to central
processor unit 104. System 100 of the present embodiment also includes an
optional display device 116 coupled to bus 102 for displaying information.
Referring still to Figure 1, optional display device 116, may be a liquid
crystal device, cathode ray tube, or other display device suitable for
creating
graphic images and alphanumeric characters recognizable to a user. Optional
cursor control device 114 allows the computer user to dynamically signal the
two dimensional movement of a visible symbol (cursor) on a display screen of
display device 116. Many implementations of cursor control device 114 are
known in the art including a trackball, mouse, touch pad, joystick or special
keys on alphanumeric input device 112 capable of signaling movement of a
given direction or manner of displacement. Alternatively, it will be
appreciated
that a cursor can be directed and/or activated via input from alphanumeric
input device 112 using special keys and key sequence commands. The present
invention is also well suited to directing a cursor by other means such as,
for
example, voice commands. A more detailed discussion of the method and
system embodiments of the present invention are found below.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPONENTS
OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With reference now to Figure 2, a schematic representation of a
television programming blocking system in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention is shown. The present discussion will begin with a
detailed description of the structure and physical components relevant to the
present invention. The following discussion will then recite, in detail, the
operation of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment,
the present invention is comprised of a television programming blocking
system 200. Television programming blocking system 200 includes a
television program-blocking device 202 which is adapted to prevent viewing of
selected television programming. In one embodiment, television program-
blocking device 202 is disposed integral with a television receiver. As will
be
discussed in detail below, the present invention is also well suited to
various
other embodiments in which television program-blocking device 202 is disposed
other than integral with a television receiver.
With reference still to the embodiment of Figure 2, television
programming blocking system 200 also includes a selecting unit 203. Selecting
unit 203 is coupled to television program-blocking device 202. Selecting unit
203 is adapted to receive user-based criteria which define the selected
television programming which television program-blocking device 202 will
prevent from being viewed. As will be described in detail below, selecting
unit
203 is adapted to receive non-rating oriented user-criteria for defining the
selected television programming which television program-blocking device 202
will prevent from being viewed. In the embodiment of Figure 2, selecting unit
203 is integral with television program-blocking device 202. Again, as will be
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discussed in detail below, the present invention is also well suited to
various
other embodiments in which selecting unit 203 is disposed other than integral
with television program-blocking device 202.
Television programming blocking system 200 of the embodiment of
Figure 2 also includes a removable memory unit 204. As indicated by arrow
206, removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be communicatively coupled to
selecting unit 203. In the embodiment of Figure 2, removable memory unit
204 is adapted to be communicatively coupled to selecting unit 203 by
removably coupling removable memory unit 204 to television program- -
blocking device 202. Removable memory unit 204 of the present embodiment
is adapted to store the user-based criteria received into selecting unit 203
such
that the user-based criteria can readily be transferred to a second television
program-blocking device, not shown. Thus, in the embodiment of Figure 2,
television program-blocking device 202, selecting unit 203, and removable
memory unit 204 are all adapted to be disposed integrally with a television,
not
shown.
Refernng now to Figure 3, another television programming blocking
system 300 is shown. In this embodiment, television program-blocking device
202 is integral with a television 302. In the present embodiment, and in the
embodiments to follow, television 302 will be shown as a single integral unit.
The present invention is, however, well suited to an embodiment in which, for
example, the receiver of television 302 is located separately from other
components such as, for example, the display of television 302. Additionally,
television programming blocking system 300 of Figure 3 includes a selecting
unit 203 which is integral with a remote control unit 304. In this embodiment,
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selecting unit 203 is configured to be controlled or programmed via keypad 306
of remote control unit 304. Furthermore, in television program-blocking
system 300, removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be removably coupled
to remote control unit 304. Hence, in television programming blocking system
300, removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be removably coupled to
selecting unit 203. As indicated by arrow 308, remote control unit 304 is
adapted to communicate with television 302.
With reference now to Figure 4, still another embodiment of a television
programming blocking system 400 is shown. Television programming blocking
system 400 of the present embodiment includes a selecting unit 203 which is
integral with a remote control unit 304. In this embodiment, selecting unit
203
is configured to be controlled or programmed via keypad 306 of remote control
unit 304. Furthermore, in television program-blocking system 400, removable
memory unit 204 is adapted to be removably coupled to television 302. More
specifically, television 302 includes a slot 402 for removably receiving
removable memory unit 204. For purposes of the present application,
removably receiving, removably coupling, and the like refer to being able to
couple and then uncouple removable memory unit 204 to and from another
unit or device. Hence, in television programming blocking system 400,
removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be removably coupled to television
302 and integral television program-blocking device 202. As indicated by arrow
404, remote control unit 304 is adapted to communicate with television 302.
Referring now to Figure 5, yet another television programming blocking
system 500 is shown. In the embodiment of Figure 5, television program-
blocking device 202 and selecting unit 203 are both integral with a stand-
alone
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unit 502 which is adapted to be coupled to a television 302. Additionally,
stand-
alone unit 502 includes a slot 504 for receiving removable memory unit 204.
Thus, removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be removably coupled to
stand-alone unit 502. In this embodiment, stand-alone unit 502 is, for
example, a set-top box. In the present embodiment, stand-alone unit 502 is
adapted to be coupled, for example by cable 506, to television 302. Also, in
the
embodiment of Figure 5, selecting unit 203 is adapted to be programmed using
a keypad or other data entry device (not shown) which is coupled to stand-
alone unit 502. Although such a selecting unit is recited above, the present
invention is also well suited to an embodiment in which, for example, a remote
contiol unit is used to operate or program stand-alone unit 502.
In Figure 6, another television programming blocking system 600 is
shown. In this embodiment, television program-blocking device 202 is integral
with a television 302. Additionally, television programming blocking system
600 includes a selecting unit 203 which is integral with a remote control
device
304. In this embodiment, selecting unit 203 is configured to be controlled or
programmed using, for example, a keypad (not shown) of remote control device
304. Television programming blocking system 600 also includes an adapter
602 which is configured to be coupled to remote control device 304. Adapter
604 includes a slot 604 which is adapted to have removable memory unit 204
removably coupled thereto. Hence, in television programming blocking system
600, removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be removably coupled to
selecting unit 203. As indicated by arrow 606, remote control unit 304 is
adapted to communicate with television 302. Thus, adapter 602 of the present
embodiment allows a standard V-block compatible remote control device to be
utilized in novel television programming blocking system 600.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OPERATION
OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
With reference next to Figure 7, a flow chart 700 of exemplary steps
performed in one embodiment of the present invention is shown. More
specifically, the following steps pertain to a method for readily transferring
television programming blocking parameters between a plurality of televisions.
Flow chart 700 includes processes of the present invention which, in one
embodiment, are carried out by a processor under the control of computer-
readable and computer-executable instructions. The computer-readable and
computer-executable instructions reside, for example, in data storage features
such as computer usable volatile memory 106 and/or computer usable non-
volatile memory 108 of Figure 1 physically residing, for example, in
television
program-blocking device 202 of Figures 2-6. The computer-readable and
computer-executable instructions are used to control or operate in conjunction
with, for example, central processing unit 104 of Figure 1. As mentioned
above, the features of the computer system of Figure 1 are well suited to
being
disposed, for example, in television program-blocking device 202 and/or
selecting unit 203 of Figures 2-6. Although specific steps are disclosed in
flow
chart 700 of Figure 7, such steps are exemplary. That is, the present
invention is well suited to performing various other steps or variations of
the
steps recited in Figure 7. The steps of the present embodiment will be
described below in conjunction with the physical components of the
embodiments of Figures 2-6.
As shown in step 702, in one embodiment, the present invention
receives user-based criteria into selecting unit 203. Such user-based criteria
are, for example, data typed into keypad 306 indicating the time period (or
time
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periods) and the respective channel (or channels) which the user desires to
block. Such user-based criteria, when received by television program-blocking
device 202, cause television program-blocking device 202 to prevent viewing of
the specified channel or channels during the specified time or times. In one
embodiment, the user-based criterion is a maximum allowable rating level. For
example, selecting unit 203 would receive input from a user indicating that
only
programming having a rating of PG (parental guidance suggested) or less
mature can be viewed. In such an embodiment, when received by television
program-blocking device 202, such user-based criteria or criterion cause
television program-blocking device 202 to prevent viewing any rated program
on any channel at any time if the program has a rating above (more mature)
than PG.
Referring still to step 702, as mentioned above, many programs (e.g.
news programming and documentaries) are not required to have a rating
associated therewith. As a result, even if a parent has taken the time and
effort to prevent all programming of a violent nature from being received in
the
parent's home, violent news coverage and/or violent documentary
programming may still be accessible to younger or sensitive viewers in that
parent's home. However, unlike conventional V-blocking systems and
methods, the present embodiment is not limited solely to selectively blocking
programming based upon rating levels supplied by the content providers. That
is, the present embodiment is also well suited to receiving non-rating
oriented
user-based criteria into said selecting unit. In one embodiment, selecting
unit
203 is adapted to receive data such as key words, phrases, titles, and the
like.
The present embodiment then compares the keys words with the title and
program description supplied by the content provider and displayed in the
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vertical blanking interval at line 20 of field 2. As a result, when a parent
does
not want to have footage viewable, the parent can enter descriptor words such
as, for example, "war," "combat," "desert storm," and the like into selecting
unit 203. The present embodiment will then prevent viewing of material
having such words or phrases in the title, or in the program description
provided by the content provider. Thus, even if such war-related programming
is unrated (e.g. a war documentary, or news footage of a war), the present
embodiment will still prevent viewing of the programming.
With reference still to step 702 of Figure 7, Although the present
embo~diment specifically recites comparing the non-rating user-based criteria
to the title and description information supplied at vertical blanking
interval
line 20 of field 2, the present invention is also well suited to comparing non-
rating user-based criteria to various other programming information. As an
example, the present invention is also well suited to comparing the non-rating
user-based criteria to close captioning information, teletext data, and the
like.
As another example, the present invention is also well suited to utilizing
privately generated "blacklists" as the non-rating user-based criteria. In one
such embodiment, the user retrieves a list (e.g. the titles) of programs
which,
for example, a parental committee (or the parent) deems as inappropriate for
viewing by children. By merely entering the titles into selecting unit 203
(i.e.
without requiring laborious time and channel entry), the present embodiment
ensures that the inappropriate programming is prevented from being viewed.
Additionally, such an embodiment is especially advantageous when the
program has an "allowable" rating but still contains subject matter which the
parent (or other Mocker) would consider objectionable.
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In yet another embodiment, the present invention is well suited to
creating a "blacklist" while the user is viewing a program. In such an
embodiment, if, while viewing a program, the user finds the content
objectionable, the user activates, for example, a blacklist button, not shown,
on
selecting unit 203. The present embodiment then stores the title, program
description, and other information supplied by the content provider and deems
such programming as blacklisted. Thus, programming having such a title,
program description, and other information is prevented from being viewed.
Hence, the present embodiment allows a user to create and utilize a blacklist
without requiring the user to have previously retrieved .the blacklist on-
line, or
from some other outside source.
Referring now to step 704, the present invention records the user-based
criteria on removable memory unit 204. That is, removable memory unit 204
records the information (e.g. user-based criteria including user-based
criteria
which are not based upon a program rating) which the user enters into
selecting unit 203. Such recording of the user-based criteria occurs
regardless
of whether removable memory unit 204 is communicatively coupled to
selecting unit 203 as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3, or any of the other
configurations shown in the embodiments of Figures 2, and 4-6.
With reference still to step 704, in the present embodiment, removable
memory unit 204 is a compact flash memory card. The present invention is,
however, well suited to various other portable memory devices such as, for
example, floppy disks, portable tape-type recording media, CD ROM, and the
like. As yet another advantage of the present invention, in addition to
recording the user-based criteria, removable memory unit 204 can record title
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and content information of programs which were viewed. Thus, parents can
track or monitor the programming which has been viewed, for example, by
their children. Such an embodiment is also well suited to tracking the amount
of time which has been spent watching television.
With reference now to step 706, the present embodiment uses
removable memory unit 204 to transfer the user-based criteria received at
step ?02 and recorded at step 704 to a second television program-blocking
system. More specifically, once removable memory unit 204 records the user-
based criteria thereon, removable memory unit 204 is adapted to be removed
from a first television program-blocking system (e.g. television programming-
blocking systems 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600) and then used in a second
television program-blocking system. In one embodiment, after programming
the selecting unit of a first television program-blocking system, removable
memory unit 204 is removed from that selecting unit 203. Removable
memory unit 204 is then inserted into the selecting unit of a second
television
program-blocking system. In so doing, the present invention eliminates the
need to re-enter the user-based criteria. Additionally, removable memory unit
204 can then be transferred to another television program-blocking system,
and then to another television program-blocking system, and so on. Thus, the
present invention provides a system and method for readily transferring user-
based criteria between multiple television program-blocking systems without
requiring a user to repeatedly enter the same information at each of the
locations. In one advantageous implementation, parents can take removable
memory unit 204 from their home to, for example, a grandparent's home. In so
doing, the parents achieve the same level of television viewing control
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requiring tedious, manual, re-entry of desired user-based criteria at the
grandparent's home.
Referring still to step ?06, in one embodiment, if removable memory unit
204 is removed from the television program-blocking system, all television
viewing is prevented. That is, in such an embodiment, the television is only
activatable when removable memory unit 204 is in place. Hence, in one
implementation of such an embodiment, the child is required to have a
removable memory unit (which contains the parent's previously-recorded
criteria) in order for the child to view television. Removable memory unif 204
of the 'present invention is also well suited to limiting the amount
television
viewing time. In such an embodiment, after a predetermined amount of time
has elapsed, the television program-blocking system prevents any further
television viewing.
With reference next to Figure 8, a flow chart 800 illustrating steps
performed by one embodiment of the present invention in determining whether
or not television programming is to be blocked is shown. The steps of the
present embodiment will be described below in conjunction with the physical
components of the embodiments of Figures 2-6. At step 802, a television
program-blocking device 202 of the present embodiment, determines whether a
received television program has a rating associated therewith. If the
television
program does not have a rating, the present embodiment proceeds to step 8.12.
If the television program-does have a rating, however, the present embodiment
proceeds to step 804.
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At step 804, the present embodiment obtains the rating of the television
program. Such rating information is obtained, for example, by television
program-blocking device 202 of Figures 2-6.
Next, at step 806, the present embodiment determined whether the
rating of the television program is above the permitted rating level. That is,
television program-blocking device 202 would compare the rating level of the
television program with the rating,level specified in the user-based criteria.
Such user-based criteria will have been previously received by, for example,
selecting unit 203 of Figure 2-6. If the rating of the television program is-
above
the permitted rating level, the present embodiment proceeds to step 810. If,
however, the rating of the television program is not above the permitted
rating
level, the present embodiment proceeds to step 808.
At step 808, because the rating of the television program is not above
the permitted rating level, television program-blocking device 202 of the
present embodiment allows the television program to be viewed.
At step 810, if the rating of the television program was above the
permitted rating level, television program-blocking device 202 of the present
embodiment prevents (i.e. blocks) the television program from being viewed.
Referring now to step 812, if at step 802 the television program did not
have a rating, the present embodiment determines whether or not a program
title is available. Such title information is obtained, for example, by
television
program-blocking device 202 of Figures 2-6. If title information for the
television program is available, the present embodiment proceeds to step 818.
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If title information for the television program is not available, the present
embodiment proceeds to step 814.
At step 814, the present embodiment determines whether or not a
program description is available. Such program description information is
obtained, for example, by television program-blocking device 202 of Figures 2-
6. If program description information for the television program is available,
the present embodiment proceeds to step 818. If program description
information for the television program is not available the present embodiment
proceeds to step 816.
At step 816, if no program title information and not program description
information was available, television program-blocking device 202 of the
present embodiment prevents (i.e. blocks) the television program from being
viewed.
At step 818, the present embodiment searches the non-rating based
user criteria to locate, for example, a blacklist of program titles or
descriptions.
In step 820, the present invention determined whether either the
program's title or description information appears in the blacklist. If title
information or the program description information appears in the blacklist,
the present embodiment proceeds to step 822. If title information or the
program description information does not appear in the blacklist, the present
embodiment proceeds to step 824.
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At step 822, because title information or the program description
information appears in the blacklist, television program-blocking device 202
of
the present embodiment prevents (i.e. blocks) the television program from
being viewed.
At step 824, because the title information or the program description
information does not appear in the blacklist, television program-blocking
device
202 of the present embodiment allows the television program to be viewed.
At step 826, if the title information, the program description
information, or the rating information changes, the present embodiment
returns to step 802.
Thus, the present invention provides a system and method for blocking
television programming at multiple locations without requiring a user to
repeatedly enter the same information at each of the locations. The present
invention further provides a system and method for blocking television
programming which achieves the above-listed accomplishment and wherein
the system and method is applicable to programming which does not include a
program rating.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description.
They are not intended to ~e exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise
forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in
order best to explain the principles of the invention and its practical
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application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art best to utilize the
invention and various embodiments with various modifications suited to the
particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be
defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
