Patents by Inventor Graham Malachy Byrne

Graham Malachy Byrne has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method and apparatus for controlling an apparatus having a parental control function
    Patent number: 8225345
    Abstract: A method for controlling an apparatus such as a television signal receiver having a parental control function allows users to change a setting associated with the parental control function without first entering a password, while also preventing children from circumventing and defeating the parental control function. The method is also useful for informing parents if a child attempts to change a setting in an effort to circumvent and defeat the parental control function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of enabling a user to change a predetermined setting associated with the parental control function without entering a password, and disabling at least one of an audio output and a video output of the apparatus responsive to the change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Rajeev Madhukar Sahasrabudhe, Graham Malachy Byrne