Patent attributes
The present invention relates to a system for controlling the viewing of a video program by an end user. In one embodiment, the system comprises a program distribution system adapted to provide programs to one or more end user viewing devices, and a viewing control system in communication with the program distribution system and the end user viewing devices. In one embodiment, the viewing control system comprises a parental control programming system adapted to receive parental control rules from an end user. The parental control rules may define program viewing limits for one or more time periods. The viewing control systems may further comprise a program viewing limit control system that is adapted to count a number of viewings of a program during the one or more time periods, determine whether the number of viewings exceeds the defined program viewing limits for the one or more time periods, and prevent further viewings of the program if the number of viewings exceeds the defined program viewing limits for the one or more time periods.
