METHOD AND DEVICE FOR AGE DEPENDENT PREVENTION OF CONSUMATION OF CENSORED AUDIO AND/OR AUDIOVISUAL PROGRAMS
A method and a device ( 1 ) for deterring children and adolescents from using an audio and/or audiovisual device ( 1 ), especially a TV set or a radio, while censored programs (X-Prog) are played by said device ( 1 ), said method comprising outputting an annoyance audio signal (AN) from the audio and/or audiovisual device ( 1 ) simultaneously with the censored program (X-Prog), wherein the annoyance audio signal (AN) has a frequency that can be heard by children and adolescents but is above the hearing threshold of adults.
1 . A method for deterring members of a first group of individuals from using at least one of an audio and an audiovisual device, while censored programs are played by said device, comprising outputting an annoyance audio signal from the device simultaneously with the censored program, wherein the annoyance audio signal has a frequency and a sound pressure that can be perceived by members of the first group of individuals but which is above a hearing threshold of a second group of individuals.
2 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the annoyance audio signal is above 16 kHz, and the sound pressure is below 15 dB.
3 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the frequency of the annoyance audio signal and its sound pressure are settable via a setting device.
4 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the annoyance audio signal is broadcast by a broadcasting station together with the censored program.
5 . A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a code is broadcast by a broadcasting station together with said censored program, and wherein the device when receiving the code generates and outputs said annoyance audio signal.
6 . An audio and/or audiovisual device configured to output an annoyance audio signal, wherein the annoyance audio signal has a frequency and a sound pressure that can be perceived by members of a first group of individuals but which is above the hearing threshold of members of a second group of individuals.
7 . A device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the frequency of the annoyance audio signal is above 16 kHz and the sound pressure is below 15 dB.
8 . A device as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising a setting device for setting at least one of the frequency of the annoyance audio signal and its sound pressure.
9 . A device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said device comprises a receiver for receiving an annoyance audio signal sent by a broadcasting station during broadcasting of a censored program, an amplifier for amplifying the received annoyance audio signal and an electroacoustic transducer for outputting said annoyance audio signal during playback of said censored program.
10 . A device as claimed in claim 6 , comprising a receiver for receiving a code sent by a broadcasting station, a code detector and an annoyance audio signal an annoyance signal generator that is triggered by the code detector when detecting the code.
11 . A device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said annoyance audio signal generator is a synthesizer.
12 . A device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said electroacoustic transducer is a speaker.
13 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the first group of individuals consists of children and adolescents and the second group consists of adults.
14 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the device is at least one of a television set and a radio,
15 . A method as in claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the annoyance audio signal is above 18 kHz and the sound pressure is below 12 dB.
16 . A method as in claim 3 , wherein the setting device comprises at least one of a hardware locking device and locking software.
17 . A device as in claim 6 , wherein the first group of individuals consists of children and adolescents and the second group consists of adults.
18 . A device as in claim 6 , wherein the frequency of the annoyance audio signal is above 18 kHz and the sound pressure is below 12 dB.
19 . A device as in claim 8 , wherein the setting device comprises at least one of a hardware locking device and locking software.