Abstract: Television converter devices in accordance with present invention determine whether the programming is to be blocked or not, then inserts an appropriate V-code into the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the programming before delivering the programming to one or more V-chip enabled TV where the V-chip blocks the programming as appropriate. Various methods of determining whether the programming is to be blocked are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is presented for notifying a user of a broadcast communication channel problem. At a broadcast distribution facility, a problem involving a first broadcast communication channel from the broadcast distribution facility to a broadcast communication receiver associated with the user is detected. A cause of the problem is ascertained at the facility. The broadcast distribution facility then relays an indication of the cause of the problem to the receiver over a second broadcast communication channel from the facility to the receiver. The receiver informs the user of the cause of the problem.

Abstract: Systems and methods direct a customer using an appliance coupled to a display toward received information. An input is received from the customer at the appliance, and a period of relative non-use is identified. In response to the period of relative non-use, the appliance is tuned to an informational channel to thereby present the received information to the customer on the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods determine an aggregate value of a portfolio of patents or other intellectual assets based upon a number of ratings. Each rating is determined with respect to one of a group of categories for each of the intellectual assets in the portfolio, including a category representing the claim strength of the asset being evaluated. For each of the intellectual assets in the portfolio, inputs corresponding to one of the plurality of ratings assigned to the asset are received. A value for each of the intellectual assets is computed as a function of the input representing the claim strength of the intellectual asset, adjusted by the other inputs for that intellectual asset. The aggregate value of the portfolio of intellectual assets is output as a function of the values of each of the intellectual assets in the portfolio.

Abstract: A method is presented for providing information associated with a geographical area to users of broadcast communication receivers. The information, as well as an indication of the geographical area associated with the information, are transmitted to, and received by, each of the broadcast communication receivers. In each of the receivers, the indication of the geographical area is compared with a geographic code associated with, and stored within, the receiver. Each of the receivers also relays the information to the user of the receiver if the geographic code indicates that the receiver is located within the geographical area.

Abstract: A media control system receives first product information that describes a first media product and receives second product information that describes a second media product. The media control system processes the first product information with a filter to determine if the first media product should be blocked. The media control system selects data from the first product information and modifies the filter based on the data. The media control system processes the second product information with the modified filter to determine if the second media product should be blocked and blocks the second media product based on the modified filter.

Abstract: A method for providing a communication device access to a secure broadcast communication is presented. In the method, an encrypted message originating outside the communication device is received into an electronic component of the communication device. The encrypted message is then decrypted within the electronic component, resulting in a decrypted message. The decrypted message is then verified. In response to verifying the decrypted message, a disabled circuit of the electronic component is enabled to allow the communication device to access the secure broadcast communication.