US6732367B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive television program guide system with title and description blocking
Assignee: TV Guide Networks Inc
•
Filing: 1998-11-30
•
Granted: 2004-05-04
•
Expires: 2018-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A system is provided in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment. Potentially objectionable material such as the titles and descriptions of adult programs may be blocked. When adult program listing blocking is invoked, the program guide replaces adult program listings with unobjectionable material such as a blank region, a generic unobjectionable program listing, or an unobjectionable title based on the channel being blocked. The user may invoke blocking of titles, descriptions, or both titles or descriptions. Blocking may be based on the rating of the program listings. Access may be provided to blocked program listings by entering a parental control code. The user may temporarily disable adult program listing blocking. The user may also set parental control locks for any type of potentially objectionable programming and may temporarily disable such locks.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael D. Ellis
- 👤 Donald W. Allison
- 👤 Connie T. Marshall
- 👤 Thomas R. Lemmons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/45; H04N21/454; H04N21/4542; H04N21/4508; H04N21/4532; H04N21/47; H04N21/475; H04N21/4753; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/84; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/162; H04N7/163
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: means for providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; means for blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; means for providing an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and means for blocking access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable meterial is blocked.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: means for providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; means for blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; means for providing an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and means for blocking access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable meterial is blocked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the system further comprising means for providing access to the blocked adult programming screen with the program guide by providing the user with an opportunity to enter a parental control code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 1 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and descriptions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
An interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide if implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: means for providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; means for blocking the potentially objectionable meterial in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; means for providing the user with an opportunity to invoke blocking of the adult program listings with the interactive television program guide; and means for blocking user access to the favorite profile feature for adult programs and channels when the user invokes blocking of the adult program listing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
An interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide if implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: means for providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; means for blocking the potentially objectionable meterial in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; means for providing the user with an opportunity to invoke blocking of the adult program listings with the interactive television program guide; and means for blocking user access to the favorite profile feature for adult programs and channels when the user invokes blocking of the adult program listing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 7 wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 7 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 7 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 7 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein the means for blocking further comprises means for replacing the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the objectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and descriptions.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and blocking access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable material is blocked.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and blocking access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable material is blocked.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein the method further comprising providing access to the blocked adult programming screen with the program guide by providing the user with an opportunity to enter a parental control code.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein blocking further comprises replacing the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and wherein blocking further comprises replacing the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein blocking further comprises replacing the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method defined in claim 12 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein blocking further comprises replacing the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and descriptions.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program wherein the interactive television program guide has a favorite program profile feature and wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing the user with an opportunity to invoke blocking of the adult program listings with the interactive television program guide; and blocking user access to the favorites profile feature for adult programs and channels when the user invokes blocking of the adult program listings.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program wherein the interactive television program guide has a favorite program profile feature and wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing the user with an opportunity to invoke blocking of the adult program listings with the interactive television program guide; and blocking user access to the favorites profile feature for adult programs and channels when the user invokes blocking of the adult program listings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method defined in claim 18 wherein blocking further comprises replacing the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method defined in claim 18 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and wherein blocking further comprises replacing the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method defined in claim 18 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein blocking further comprises replacing the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method defined in claim 18 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein the blocking further comprises replacing the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and descriptions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
126 words
Machine-readable media for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, the user television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein the media is encoded with machine-readable instruction for performing the method comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and blocking access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable material is blocked.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
126 words
Machine-readable media for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, the user television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein the media is encoded with machine-readable instruction for performing the method comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and blocking access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable material is blocked.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 23 wherein the method further comprising providing access to the blocked adult programming screen with the program guide by providing the user with an opportunity to enter a parental control code.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 23 wherein the method further comprises replacing the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 23 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and the method further comprises replacing the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
64 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 23 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein the method further comprises replacing the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
70 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 23 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein the method further comprises replacing the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and descriptions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
153 words
Machine-readable media for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, the user television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein the media is encoded with machine-readable instruction for performing the method comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the interactive television program guide has a favorite program profile feature and wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing the user with an opportunity to invoke blocking on the adult program listings with the interactive television program guide; and blocking user access to the favorites profile feature for adult programs and channels when the user invokes blocking of the adult program listings.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
153 words
Machine-readable media for using an interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, the user television equipment comprising an audio output and a video output, wherein the media is encoded with machine-readable instruction for performing the method comprising: providing program listings to the interactive television program guide, wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; blocking the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the interactive television program guide has a favorite program profile feature and wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; providing the user with an opportunity to invoke blocking on the adult program listings with the interactive television program guide; and blocking user access to the favorites profile feature for adult programs and channels when the user invokes blocking of the adult program listings.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 29 wherein the method further comprises replacing the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 29 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and wherein the method further comprises replacing the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
64 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 29 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein the method further comprises replacing the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
70 words
The machine-readable media defined in claim 29 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein the method further comprises replacing the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so the when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and descriptions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
117 words
An interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: a user input device; a user output device comprising a display device and speakers; and processing circuitry configured to: provide program listings to the interactive television program guide wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; block the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; provide an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and block access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable material is blocked.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
117 words
An interactive television program guide system in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment of a user, comprising: a user input device; a user output device comprising a display device and speakers; and processing circuitry configured to: provide program listings to the interactive television program guide wherein at least some of the program listings contain potentially objectionable material; block the potentially objectionable material in the program listings using the interactive television program guide wherein the potentially objectionable material comprises adult program listings; provide an adult programming screen containing adult programming listings; and block access to the adult programming screen with the interactive television program guide when the potentially objectionable material is blocked.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 34 wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to provide access to the blocked adult programming screen with the program guide by providing the user with an opportunity to enter a parental control code.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
60 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 34 wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to replace the potentially objectionable material in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the potentially objectionable material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
69 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 34 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and the processing circuitry is further configured to replace the adult program titles in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
70 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 34 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program descriptions and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to replace the adult program descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the unobjectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program descriptions.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
76 words
The interactive television program guide system defined in claim 34 wherein the potentially objectionable material includes adult program titles and descriptions and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to replace the adult program titles and descriptions in the program listings with unobjectionable material using the interactive television program guide so that when the interactive television program guide displays the program listings the objectionable material is displayed in place of the adult program titles and description.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-05-04 | 2007-11-03 | 2008-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-05-04 | 2011-11-03 | 2012-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-05-04 | 2015-11-03 | 2016-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |