Abstract: A system for restricting access to television programs comprising an input for accepting cursor movement and selection commands. The system includes a display that depicts a two dimensional matrix composed of rows and columns of tiles, wherein either the rows of tiles or the columns of tiles correspond to overall program ratings and either the rows of tiles or the columns of tiles correspond to specific program content indications and depicts highlighting of individual tiles or groups of tiles based on the cursor movement commands. The system further includes means for blocking or allowing viewing of television programs based on the overall program ratings and specific content ratings of the rows and columns corresponding the highlighted tiles when a selection command is entered into the input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling viewing of video programs. The apparatus includes a signal unit for receiving and processing a video signal, a decoding unit for decoding a grade code of a video program contained in the video signal, a key input unit for receiving control data from a user wherein the control data includes a secret number, a storage unit for prestoring a grade code and a secret number, and a control unit for comparing the decoded grade code with the prestored grade code, comparing the secret number inputted to the key input unit with the prestored secret number if the decoded grade code matches the prestored grade code, and outputting the video signal to the user if the secret numbers match.

Abstract: An information receiver comprising a unit receiving information having a package number identifying the information, a first storage section where said package number is stored, a second storage section where reception information indicating whether or not said information associated with said package number was received, and a third storage section where display information indicating whether or not said information associated with said package number was displayed.

Abstract: Detecting tampering of an incoming cable to which a network interface unit (NIU) is connected by testing for the reflected signal that is present when the signal being transmitted to the head end is not connected to a properly terminated coaxial cable. In particular, by comparing the phase of the transmitted signal from the NIU with that of the reflected signal, a distinction can be made between a signal that travels many feet before being reflected back and a signal that reflects back right or near the connector of the NIU. Only the latter is used as a stimulus to indicate tampering since the first is likely caused by cable personnel disconnecting the cable further into the network. The key difference between the two types of reflected signals is the time delay of the reflect signal with respect to the transmitted signal from the NIU.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a plurality of parental control subsystems within an entertainment system is provided. The system includes a computer interfaced to a plurality of audio and/or audiovisual devices, wherein at least two of the audio and/or audiovisual devices within the system each comprise a native parental control subsystem or locking mechanism having adjustable parameters. A software locking mechanism operates the computer to allow a user to input one or more general parental control parameters and then sets the adjustable parameters of each native parental control subsystem within the system by mapping the parental control parameters onto each separate, native mechanisms for each device.

Abstract: Conventional decoding systems for scrambled audio-visual signals are improved by providing a dual-side local oscillator that functions as a high-side oscillator if the incoming RF signal is unscrambled and as a low-side oscillator if the incoming RF signal is scrambled. The result is that the unscrambled signal is reversed from an audio-over-video transmission configuration to an IF signal with a video-over-audio configuration, and a scrambled signal is maintained in a video-over-audio configuration, the video-over-audio configuration being the configuration required for proper reception and use of the signal by a television set. To function as both a high- and low-side oscillator, the dual-side oscillator has independent voltage control and does not follow the tracking filter associated with the tuner.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically building, updating and using television channel selection lists for enhanced television (TV) control. A TV controller is placed in communication with a TV-programming display such that at least some of the multi-channel programming input is routed to the TV through the TV controller. Initially all channels in the multichannel input stream are accorded equal weight values. A television viewer selects the programming material for display in the normal fashion. A display-time timer located in the TV controller measures the amount of time a viewer spends watching each channel and this information is recorded in a viewer-history log in a database of the TV controller. A processor of the TV controller, under the direction of a control program, periodically reviews the viewer-history log, and uses the viewing time information stored there to assign weighted values to each viewed station. These weighted values are then applied to a channel selection control list.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an audiovisual (AV) monitoring application for children are described. The AV monitoring system for children includes one or more child devices and a parent device coupled to a network. The parent device has an AV receiver configured to access AV content directed to the child device. The parent device monitors the AV content to determine if the AV content includes a specified content. If the AV content includes a specified content, the parent device generates a warning. The parent device has a display that may display both the warning and the AV content directed to the child device.

Abstract: An interactive program guide system is provided. The system facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide. The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs, parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different television channels, and programs with and without copy protection. Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for group billing purchasers of transmitted programming events is provided. In one embodiment, a subscriber group includes two or more individual subscribers who receive programming from a programming provider. The individual subscribers periodically elect to view a program provided via the program provider. The program is provided on a pay-per-view basis, meaning that the program provider requires a sum of money to be paid in order to view the program. The sum of money is determined according to the number of viewers in a single subscriber group. In one embodiment, the subscribers interact during a program via a network connection.

Abstract: A pay television system including a pay television network and a subscriber unit which receives pay television transmissions via the pay television network and displays the pay television transmissions on televisions coupled thereto. The subscriber unit includes at least two pay television decoders, wherein a first decoder includes a first card reader and a second decoder includes a second card reader. The system also includes a first smart card which is operative, upon insertion in a first slot in the first card reader, to activate decoding of the pay television transmissions in the first decoder and a second smart card which is operative, upon insertion in a second slot in the second card reader, to activate decoding of the pay television transmissions in the second decoder. The second smart card deactivates in accordance with predetermined criteria and reactivates upon insertion in the first slot in the first card reader after removal of the first smart card from the first card reader.

Abstract: A program-viewing inhibition device comprises a memory for storing inhibition level data indicative of a predetermined level of unsuitability rating of a broadcasting program, a control section for determining whether or not an input channel received is acceptable by comparing inhibition level data extracted from a broadcast signal of an received input channel with the inhibition level data read out of the memory, and for changing the input channel to another channel when it is judged that the input channel is unacceptable or to be rejected for its viewing. Accordingly, a manual operation to change the input channel to the substitute channel when the input channel is unacceptable for viewing can be eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for parental control of television programs. Program schedule information including program titles are stored in a memory and displayed on a monitor. Compressed code is entered for the programs to be blocked. Alternatively, one or more program titles are selected from the displayed program schedule information for blocking by a parental control circuitry connected to a controller.