Patent ID: 6226793
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: H04H,H04N

Abstract:
An apparatus for allowing rating level control of the viewing of a program, the apparatus comprising:means for entering a desired rating level for controlling the viewing of a program;means for extracting rating data from a program video segment, the rating data indicating a rating level of the program video segment;means for extracting text data representative of the plot of program dependent narratives of the program video segment from the program video segment;means for determining whether the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an acceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level;means for blocking playing of the program video segment if it is determined that the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an unacceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level; andmeans for substituting display of the extracted text data representative of program dependent narratives of the plot of the program video segment for the blocked program video segment, if it is determined that the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an unacceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level.