Encoder apparatus and decoder apparatus for a television signal having embedded viewer access control data

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention comprises an apparatus for embedding viewer access control data within a television signal.
The television signal includes a sequence of television programs.
Means are provided for generating a program category code identifying at least one attribute of program content of an associated television program.
Means are also provided for inserting the program category code into the television signal.
An individual viewer may preclude receipt of television programming identified by a corresponding program category code as containing a program content attribute for which the individual viewer has chosen to preclude viewing.
In the preferred embodiment, at least one of the attributes comprises an attribute of a potentially offensive nature.
The attribute of a potentially offensive nature is preferably selected from the group consisting of violence, nudity and profanity.
Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, each program category code identifies a plurality of attributes of program content of an associated television program.
Also, in the preferred embodiment, means are provided for generating at least one extended program category code identifying a level of an attribute of program content within an associated television program.
The level is variable over a predetermined range of potential values.
Means are further provided for inserting the extended program category code into the television signal.
An individual viewer may preclude receipt of television programming identified by a corresponding extended program category code as containing a level of a program content attribute which is greater in magnitude than a threshold level for the attribute previously established by the individual viewer.
Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, means are provided for generating a user identification code identifying a corresponding single viewer.
Means are further provided for generating a user class code associating an individual viewer identified by the user identification code with at least one of a plurality of predetermined classes of viewers