On (k,n)-blocking sets which can be obtained as a union of conics (Q1113082)

A family of t conics in PG(2,q) is called saturated if any line \(L\subset PG(2,q)\) is incident with at least one conic of the family. Then, if \(t<(q+1)/2\), the set consisting of the union of the given t conics is a (k,n)-blocking set. It is shown that in this way one can get blocking sets whose character n is ``small'' compared to q; it is also shown that t cannot be taken independent of q, but must necessarily increase as q does.