Viewer discretion television program control system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A viewer discretion program censoring system comprising:
- (a) a visual display;
(b) a source of programs for viewing by a viewer on said visual display;
(c) viewer control means conditionable by a first viewing authority for;
(1) identifying content of said selectable programs,(2) allocating permissible viewing times for a viewer; and
(d) display control means interconnected with said visual display and responsive to said viewer control means for enabling and disabling said visual display according to content selected by said authority.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A viewer discretion television program control system including devices and methods for controlling access to television viewing, especially by children. It includes provision for storing suitability ratings for each program receivable by a television set, allocation of personal identification numbers to each of a plurality of potential viewers (e.g., children), and individual allocations of permissible viewing time and program content, all under the control of a local authority such as a parent or guardian.
376 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A viewer discretion program censoring system comprising:
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(a) a visual display; (b) a source of programs for viewing by a viewer on said visual display; (c) viewer control means conditionable by a first viewing authority for; (1) identifying content of said selectable programs, (2) allocating permissible viewing times for a viewer; and (d) display control means interconnected with said visual display and responsive to said viewer control means for enabling and disabling said visual display according to content selected by said authority. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A viewer discretion program censoring system comprising:
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(a) a visual display; (b) a source of programs for viewing by a plurality of viewers on said visual display; (c) viewer control means conditionable by a first viewing authority for; (1) identifying content of said selectable programs according to categories, (2) allocating permissible viewing times for each of said viewers; and (3) allocating to each of said viewers a system personal identification number for selectively identifying each of said viewers to said system; (d) display control means interconnected with said visual display and responsive to said viewer control means for; (i) enabling and disabling said visual display according to content selected by said authority; (2) enabling and disabling said visual display according to times of day selected by said authority; and (3) disabling said visual display according to total elapsed individual watching time during predetermined watching periods. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of selectively controlling household television viewing comprising steps of:
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(a) assigning a personal identification to each selected household member of television watching age; (b) selectively assigning program ratings to each of a plurality of television programs; (c) assigning to each household member authorization for viewing programs having selected program ratings; and (d) assigning to each household member authorization for times of program watching. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification