Method and apparatus for controlling an apparatus having a parental control function
View Patent ↗A method for controlling an apparatus such as a television signal receiver having a parental control function allows users to change a setting associated with the parental control function without first entering a password, while also preventing children from circumventing and defeating the parental control function. The method is also useful for informing parents if a child attempts to change a setting in an effort to circumvent and defeat the parental control function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of enabling a user to change a predetermined setting associated with the parental control function without entering a password, and disabling at least one of an audio output and a video output of the apparatus responsive to the change.
1. A method for controlling an apparatus having a parental control function, comprising:
enabling a user to change a predetermined setting associated with said parental control function without entering a password; and
responsive to said change of a predetermined setting associated with said parental control function without entering a password: disabling at least one of an audio output and a video output of said apparatus and prompting a user for entry of a password.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said predetermined setting includes a time-related setting.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said parental control function enables a first user to limit an amount of time a second user can use said apparatus.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said time-related setting includes at least one of:
a time of day setting;
a day of the week setting; and
a month and date setting.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprised of enabling said audio and video outputs of said apparatus if said password is correctly entered.
6. An apparatus having a parental control function, comprising:
memory means for storing data representing a predetermined setting associated with said parental control function; and
processing means for enabling a user to change said predetermined setting without entering a password, and for, responsive to said change of a predetermined setting associated with said parental control function without entering a password: disabling at least one of an audio output and a video output of said apparatus and prompting a user for entry of a password.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said predetermined setting includes a time-related setting.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said parental control function enables a first user to limit an amount of time a second user can use said apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said time-related setting includes at least one of:
a time of day setting;
a day of the week setting; and
a month and date setting.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said processing means further enables said audio and video outputs of said apparatus if said password is correctly entered.
11. A television signal receiver having a parental control function, comprising:
a memory operative to store data representing a predetermined setting associated with said parental control function; and
a processor operative to enable a user to change said predetermined setting without entering a password, and, responsive to said change of a predetermined setting associated with said parental control function without entering a password: to disable at least one of an audio output and a video output of said apparatus and prompt a user for entry of a password.
12. The television signal receiver of claim 11 , wherein said predetermined setting includes a time-related setting.
13. The television signal receiver of claim 12 , wherein said parental control function enables a first user to limit an amount of time a second user can use said television signal receiver.
14. The television signal receiver of claim 12 , wherein said time-related setting includes at least one of:
a time of day setting;
a day of the week setting; and
a month and date setting.
15. The television signal receiver of claim 11 , wherein said processor is further operative to enable said audio and video outputs of said television signal receiver if said password is correctly entered.