Patent ID: 6216263
Filing Date: 2001-04-10
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A television receiver for receiving and displaying to a viewer a television program transmission signal which includes a data signal and a program content rating signal indicative of a program content rating of a received television transmission, comprising:circuit means for separating the data signal and the program content rating signal from the television program signal;a rating derivation circuit for deriving the program rating from the program content rating signal;a no code detection circuit for generating a no code control signal upon the detection of no program rating from the derived program content rating signal for a predetermined period of time;user selection means responsive to user inputs for storing program rating viewing authorizations for one or more viewers;means for comparing the derived program rating with the stored viewing authorization applicable to the viewer to develop a blanking control signal in the event the viewer is not authorized to view the program;a monitoring circuit for monitoring the integrity of at least a portion of said data signal, said monitoring circuit providing a blanking control signal upon the integrity of said portion of said data signal falling below a predetermined threshold level;a blanking circuit responsive to said blanking control signals and said no code control signal for blanking the program in the event the program rating level is not authorized to the viewer or said integrity of said portion of said data signal falls below said predetermined threshold level or said program rating is not detected for a predetermined period of time.