Peter Vogel owns a number of patents relating to television program viewing and recording control. Applications include onscreen TV guides with parental control features (related to "v-chip"), automatic VCR recording control (similar purpose to "G-code" but additional functionality), parental control of playback of adult video tapes etc.

Note: The United States and Australian governments announced in 1996 that "v-chip" technology would become mandatory in all new television receivers pending resolution of regulatory issues.

Some features covered by these patents:

• Lock out programs of undesirable rating (after entering PIN number)
  - Prevents children viewing or recording unsuitable material
• Display TV guide on screen
• Point-and-click VCR programming provided with guide
• VCR starts/stops at actual program start/finish, rather than scheduled time
• Prevents replay of rented adult videos (if suitably coded)
• Pause VCR automatically during commercial breaks while recording
• Record programs off-air and play back without commercials
• TV can be made to turn off sound and/or picture during commercial breaks
• Highly reliable - virtually no false operation
• Market includes new sales and existing TV/VCR owners

Peter Vogel owns patents in UK, USA, Australia and several European countries. Some of these are being offered for licensing or sale.

Title: Long distance remote control
DE68924161.5
IT29563BE/95
GB412989
FR412989
US6,188,325
US6,476,727

Title: Television program distribution system
EPEP0569350
US5,446,488

Title: Automatic Censorship of Video Programs
US5,371,795

Title: Selective Video Playing System
US4,930,158
GB2209427

Title: Automatic Censorship of Video Programs
AU611710
US4,930,160
GB2209417