Method and apparatus for providing content control via detection of modifications to a signal

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for generating or providing any of various types of modifications purposely made to generally known signals, waveforms, conditions, functions, etc. The modifications are sensed, read, detected or interpreted to provide a content control command indicative of the difference between the original signal, waveform, condition, functions, etc., and the modified signal, waveform, condition, function, etc. The content control command may be used to provide content control for a content control system, which in turn may provide control of a selected compliant device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for providing a content control indication in a content signal output by a content modifier apparatus, the method comprising:
 receiving a content signal from an external source at a port in the content modifier apparatus;   receiving a content control signal at the content receiver apparatus, the content control signal including an indication of at least one of a plurality of content control conditions;   modifying the received content signal to include the content control signal; and   outputting the modified content signal with the indication of at least one of a plurality of content control conditions from the content modifier apparatus, the modified content signal causing a compliant device, including an electronic program guide, to inhibit viewing of content in response to detection of the at least one of a plurality of content control conditions.   
     
     
         2 . A method for detecting a content control indication in a content signal output by a content modifier apparatus, the method comprising:
 receiving a modified content signal from the content modifier apparatus, the modified content signal including a content signal modified to include a content control signal with an indication of at least one of a plurality of content control conditions;   detecting the presence of the content control signal with the indication of at least one of a plurality of content control conditions in the modified content signal; and   causing a compliant device, including an electronic program guide, to inhibit viewing of content in response to detection of the at least one of a plurality of content control conditions.