Method and apparatus for controlling display of content signals

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling display of content signals begins by receiving a content signal that includes video content and at least one associated content control indicator. The content signal may also include audio content associated with the video content. The processing continues by comparing the at least one associated content control indicator (e.g., a rating of mature subject matter of the content signal) with at least one content control setting (e.g., a parental setting based on allowable viewing of rated content signals). When the associated content indicator compares unfavorably to the content control setting, a video graphics processor scrambles the at least a portion of the video content. The scrambled video content is then provided to a video rendering device for subsequent display.

1 - 22 . (canceled)  
     
     
         23 . A method for controlling display of content signals, the method comprises: 
 a) receiving a content signal by an apparatus wherein the content signal includes at least one of video, audio, and text content and at least one associated content control indicator;    b) comparing, by the apparatus the at least one associated content control indicator with at least one content control setting;    when the at least one associated content control indicator compares unfavorably to the at least one content control setting:    c) generating, by the apparatus a scramble control signal;    d) providing, by the apparatus the scramble control signal to at least one of a video scrambler and an audio scrambler;    e) scrambling, by the apparatus at least a portion of the at least one of video, audio, and text content to produce scrambled content; and    f) providing the scrambled content for content rendering.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprises: 
 scrambling at least a portion of the audio content to produce scrambled audio content, wherein the content signal includes the audio content; and    providing the scrambled audio content to an audio rendering device.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprises attenuating the at least a portion of the audio content to produce the scrambled audio content.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  further comprises: 
 scrambling the text content to produce scrambled text content, wherein the content signal includes the text content; and    providing the scrambled text content to a display.    
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  further comprises: 
 interpreting the at least one associated content control indicator to determine copy restriction status; and    when copy restriction is enabled, preventing copying of the content signal.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  further comprises: 
 providing an audio scrambling signal to an audio processing module when the at least one associated content control indicator compares unfavorably to the at least one content control setting.    
     
     
         29 . A content controller comprises: 
 a processing module; and    memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to (a) receive a content signal, the content signal includes at least one of video, audio, and text content and at least one associated content control indicator; (b) compare the at least one associated content control indicator with at least one content control setting;    when the at least one associated content control indicator compares unfavorably to the at least one content control setting: (c) generate a scramble control signal; (d) scramble at least a portion of the at least one of video, audio, and text content to produce scrambled content; and (e) provide the scrambled content to a content rendering device.    
     
     
         30 . The content controller of  claim 29 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 scramble at least a portion of the audio content to produce scrambled audio content, wherein the content signal includes the audio content; and    provide the scrambled audio content to an audio rendering device.    
     
     
         31 . The content controller of  claim 30 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to attenuate the at least a portion of the audio content to produce the scrambled audio content.  
     
     
         32 . The content controller of  claim 29 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 scramble at least a portion of the text content to produce scrambled text content, wherein the content signal includes the text content; and    provide the scrambled text content to the display.    
     
     
         33 . The content controller of  claim 29 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 interpret the at least one associated content control indicator to determine copy restriction status; and    when copy restriction is enabled, preventing copying of the content signal.    
     
     
         34 . The content controller of  claim 29 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 provide an audio scrambling signal to an audio processing module when the at least one associated content control indicator compares unfavorably to the at least one content control setting.