 Digital coupons for pay televisions |
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| Method and apparatus for information labeling and control |
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| System and method for establishing TV channel |
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| Method and apparatus for controlling time-scale modification during multi-media broadcasts |
| FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of embodiment 1000 of the present invention which provides ... |
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| Unified presentation of programming from different physical sources |
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| Good quality video for the internet at very low bandwidth |
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| Delayed decision recording device |
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Multiple user profile remote control
| Details |
Inventors: Nickum, Larry A.;
Assignee: Gateway, Inc. (N. Sioux City, SD)
Primary Examiner: Harvey; David E.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Cool; Kenneth J., Lacy; Rodney L. Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner & Kluth
A method and apparatus for controlling access to television programming uses a remote control device. The remote control device contains program control data which limits the viewer's access to television programming. The program control data is created and modified by a user with the master control user id assigned to the remote control device. The remote control device is optionally assigned one or more user ids for creating, maintaining, and in one embodiment activating a user-customizable profile which controls programming access according to the users preferences. The program control data, user profile data, and related circuitry is stored in the remote control device, or alternatively in the television receiver or a control device attached to the television receiver. Where the circuitry is not in the remote control devices the remote control device has a unique identifying signal which causes the programning control circuitry to employ the program control data and user profile data associated with that particular remote control device. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION Access to television programming is controlled using a remote control device.
Programming control circuitry, in one embodiment, is incorporated in the remote control device.
This allows programming access to be user-specific, each viewer restricted according only to the programming controls embodied in the memory of the remote control device they are using.
The method and apparatus of the invention thereby avoids the conventional limitation of establishing programming access which affects all viewers alike, allowing each user access to all programming to which they are allowed unaffected by other viewers' restrictions.
According to one embodiment the present invention provides a method for controlling television programming a remote control device, wherein the remote control device comprises a user input interface, a processor, and a memory.
The method comprises the steps of storing a unique user id in the memory of the remote control device, independently storing program control data in the memory of the remote control device for controlling television programming by remote control device, and independently controlling access to television programming through the remote control device according to the unique user id and program control data stored in the remote control device.
In another embodiment the method controls television programming using two or more independent remote control devices, wherein each remote control device comprises a user input interface, a processor, and a memory.
A further embodiment of the present invention further comprises the step of verifying a master control user id, and upon successful verification allowing unlimited access, for a predetermined amount of time, to programming using the remote control device.
According to another aspect of the method of controlling television programming, user input data requesting programming is compared to program control data stored in the remote control device, and if the input data matches then the user is denied access to the requested programming
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Television 
