Ratings control system with temporary override capability and conflict resolution feature
First Claim
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1. A method for selectably controlling viewing and recording of television programs, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing at least one viewer profile for blocking images from a corresponding viewer based on limits selected from the group comprising;
program ratings, spending, channel, view time limits, time of day limits, image content ratings;
creating at least one override list including override instructions applicable to said at least one viewer profile for modifying selected ones of said limits;
detecting the existence of a conflict between override instructions; and
automatically resolving conflicts between conflicting override instructions upon detecting the existence of a conflict when said override instruction are enabled.
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Abstract
Video processing system having a blocking system which prevents viewing or recording of programs which exceed ratings, spending, and/or view time limits set by a supervisor who has entered a password accepted by the control system, an override system for entering instructions to temporarily override ratings, spending, and/or view time limits, and/or to permit specific programs to be viewed, and a conflict resolution system for resolving conflicts between or among multiple instructions. Related apparatus and processor are also disclosed.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for selectably controlling viewing and recording of television programs, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing at least one viewer profile for blocking images from a corresponding viewer based on limits selected from the group comprising;
program ratings, spending, channel, view time limits, time of day limits, image content ratings;creating at least one override list including override instructions applicable to said at least one viewer profile for modifying selected ones of said limits; detecting the existence of a conflict between override instructions; and automatically resolving conflicts between conflicting override instructions upon detecting the existence of a conflict when said override instruction are enabled.
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2. A method for controlling viewing of video images comprising the steps of:
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coupling video processing circuitry to a display device so as to provide video images for display to at least one viewer; providing parental control circuitry for blocking at least a portion of said video images from being displayed to a viewer in accordance with a corresponding viewer profile; creating at least one override list comprising override instructions applicable to said video processing circuitry so as to unblock selected blocked video images; detecting the existence of a conflict between override instructions; and automatically resolving conflicts between said override instructions upon detecting the existence of a conflict when said set of limits are enabled. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A system for selectably controlling viewing and recording of television programs, the system comprising:
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at least one viewer profile establishing a set of limits for blocking images outside said limits from view; at least one limit selected from the group comprising;
program ratings, spending, channel, view time limits, time of day limits, image content ratings;at least one override list including at least one override instruction applicable to said at least one viewer profile for overriding at least one of said limits; and a conflict resolver for detecting the existence of a conflict between override instructions and automatically resolving conflicts between said override instructions upon detecting the existence of a conflict when said set of limits are enabled. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for selectably controlling viewing and recording of television programs, the system comprising:
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at least one viewer profile establishing a set of limits for blocking images outside said limits from view of a corresponding viewer, said limits selected from the list including;
program ratings, spending, channel, view time limits, time of day limits, image content ratings;at least one override list including override instructions applicable to said at least one viewer profile for modifying at least one of said limits; a conflict resolver for detecting the existence of a conflict between override instructions and automatically resolving conflicts between said override instructions upon detecting the existence of a conflict when said set of limits are enabled. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A system comprising:
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a video signal processing apparatus for producing an output signal suitable for coupling to a display device to produce images for viewing or recording; a blocking system coupled to said video signal processing apparatus which blocks said images in accordance with a profile set by a supervisor, said blocking system including; at least one override list applicable to said profile such that images blocked in accordance with said profile are unblocked in accordance with said override list; and a conflict resolver for detecting the existence of a conflict between override instructions and automatically resolving conflicts between two or more of said override lists upon detecting the existence of a conflict. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification