Method and apparatus for blocking video-on-demand and pay-per-view channels that disappear and reappear
First Claim
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1. A method of blocking a channel that disappears and reappears, comprising the steps of:
- determining whether the channel that reappeared is designated as blocked by a parental control setting that was retained when the channel disappeared, andblocking the channel if the channel is designated as blocked by the parental control setting.
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Abstract
A method of blocking a channel that disappears and reappears includes determining whether the channel that reappeared is designated as blocked by a parental control setting that was retained when the channel disappeared, and blocking the channel if the channel is designated as blocked by the parental control setting.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of blocking a channel that disappears and reappears, comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the channel that reappeared is designated as blocked by a parental control setting that was retained when the channel disappeared, and blocking the channel if the channel is designated as blocked by the parental control setting. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of blocking a channel that disappears and reappears, comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the channel exists in a channel list; determining whether the channel is digital; determining whether the channel is a valid digital channel wherein the channel is a valid digital channel if the channel is marked as deleted; attempting to obtain a program map table, a program association table, and program and system information protocol data; determining whether the channel is designated as blocked by a parental control setting, and blocking the channel if the channel exists in the channel list, if the channel is a valid digital channel, if the program map table, the program association table, and the program and system information protocol data are obtained, and if the channel is designated as blocked by the parental control setting. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of blocking a channel that disappears and reappears, comprising the steps of:
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marking a valid digital channel as deleted when the channel disappears; saving a parental control setting of the channel that has disappeared, wherein the parental control setting includes whether the channel is designated as blocked; and blocking the channel when the channel reappears if the channel is designated as blocked by the parental control setting.
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17. An apparatus for blocking a channel that disappears and reappears, comprising:
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an input port to receive control signals from a user that identifies the channel; a memory including information regarding a channel list, parental control setting, and carrier frequency; a controller to determine whether the channel exists in the channel list, whether the channel is a valid digital channel in the channel list, and whether the channel is blocked in the parental control setting; and an output port to send control signals to a display blocking the channel according to the determinations in the controller. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for blocking a channel that disappears and reappears, comprising:
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a memory including a parental control setting of the channel that has disappeared, wherein the parental control setting includes whether the channel is designated as blocked; and a controller to block the channel when the channel reappears if the channel is designated as blocked by the parental control setting.
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Specification