Apparatus and method for blocking audio/visual programming and for muting audio

Abstract

A program blocking application that blocks programming for one or more possible users, based on various criteria associated with the program. A program word muting application that selectively mutes context specific words as a function of program specific criteria.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A method for blocking one or more programs amongst a plurality of programming options, the method comprising:
 receiving an audio/video programming signal comprising a plurality of programs;   receiving an indication to block display of at least one particular program; and   blocking display of the at least one particular program.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the operation of:
 blocking display of the at least one particular program on a specified channel. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the operation of:
 blocking display of the at least one particular program at a specified time. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the operation of;
 blocking display of the at least one particular program at a specified time on a daily basis. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the operation of:
 blocking display of the at least one particular program at a specified time on a weekly basis. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the operation of:
 blocking display of the at least one particular program after a specified word is used in the program. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the operation of:
 analyzing a close captioning stream associated with the program to determine whether the specified word is used in the program. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the audio/video programming signal is received from a signal distribution medium selected from the group comprising a cable distribution medium, a satellite distribution medium, a network distribution medium, a broadcast distribution medium, and a streaming video distribution medium. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the operation of blocking display of the at least one particular program occurs irrespective of a time associated with the at least one particular program. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the operation of blocking display of the at least one particular program occurs irrespective of a channel associated with the at least one particular program. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the operation of blocking display of the at least one particular program is performed as a function of a user identification. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the operation of receiving an indication to block display of at least one particular program is performed as a function of receiving a master user identification. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the operation of:
 recording the at least one particular program and later blocking it from play. 
 
     
     
         14 . A processor apparatus for blocking one or more programs amongst a plurality of programming options, the processor apparatus arranged to perform the operations of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . The processor of  claim 14  selected from the group comprising: a cable-set top box processor, a satellite set-top box processor, a television processor, an audio receiver processor, and a personal video recorder processor. 
     
     
         16 . A method for blocking one or more programs amongst a plurality of programming options, the method comprising:
 receiving an audio/video programming signal comprising a plurality of programs, wherein each program is associated with an informational description of the program that is adapted for display in association with the program, the information description comprising at least one word describing the program;   receiving an indication of at least one blocking word;   receiving an indication to block viewing of a program containing the at least one particular blocking word in the information description associated with any of the plurality of programs; and   blocking display of any of the plurality of programs associated with an information description including the at least one blocking word.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the operation of:
 displaying a blocking word selection menu including the at least one blocking word. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the operation of:
 providing means for selecting the at least one blocking word. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the operations of:
 receiving an indication of at least one blocking word and indication of a number of occurrences of the blocking word; 
 blocking display of any of the plurality of programs associated with an information description including the at least one blocking word and after meeting the number of occurrences of the blocking word. 
 
     
     
         20 . An processor apparatus for blocking one or more programs amongst a plurality of programming options, the processor apparatus arranged to perform the operations of  claim 16 .