V-chip plus+in-guide user interface apparatus and method for programmable blocking of television and other viewable programming, such as for parental control of a television receiver

Abstract

A system for restricting access to television programs comprising an input for accepting cursor movement and selection commands. The system includes a display that depicts a two dimensional matrix composed of rows and columns of tiles, wherein either the rows of tiles or the columns of tiles correspond to overall program ratings and either the rows of tiles or the columns of tiles correspond to specific program content indications and depicts highlighting of individual tiles or groups of tiles based on the cursor movement commands. The system further includes means for blocking or allowing viewing of television programs based on the overall program ratings and specific content ratings of the rows and columns corresponding the highlighted tiles when a selection command is entered into the input.