The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 19, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 05, 1996
Larry A. Nickum, Sioux City, IA (US);
Gateway, Inc., N. Sioux City, SD (US);
Abstract
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.