Abstract:
A system and related apparatus for comprising a video processing system having a ratings control system which blocks or permits viewing of programs which are broadcast with ratings or spending information according to a profile set by a supervisor who has entered a password accepted by the control system, in which supervisor can temporarily modify the profile. After completion of the time period(s) or supervisor-designated television broadcast(s) or programs, the system automatically returns to the normal profile.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to systems for blocking viewing or recording of television programs which exceed a ratings, spending limit, or other viewing limitation set by a supervisor. 
     Video signal processing systems such as television tuners contained in television sets, video cassette recorders, or cable boxes which are suitable for coupling to a display device such as a picture tube and which contain circuitry and software designed to prevent viewing of programs containing ratings information below a level set by a supervisor, commonly known as “V-chip,” or exceeding spending limits in pay-per-view systems, are known. The so-called V-chip is a programmed processor which allows the supervisor with a password, usually a parent, to set a ratings level, so that supervised viewers such as young children cannot view “higher” rated broadcasts. 
     A device or system that provides ratings control permits a user to prevent certain programs and/or scenes from being viewed and heard based on certain criteria, e.g., the content of the program/scenes or the subscription cost. For example, a parent might specify that programs and/or scenes including violent subject matter should be excluded. Alternatively, a supervisor can specify a rating limit, such as PG-13, and programs and scenes exceeding that limit (e.g., R and X rated programs) could not be viewed or heard. The adult with the password can also limit the use of pay-per-view or can limit the pay-per-view spending limit. By decoding program content information included in an auxiliary information component of a television signal, e.g., Extended Data Services (XDS) data included in an NTSC television signal in the United States or PSIP data included in an ATSC television signal, a television receiver containing a data “stripper” (i.e., data decoder) can “slice” (i.e., extract) information from the television signal (e.g., from the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of an NTSC signal or from PSIP data in an ATSC signal), decode the data to determine the content and rating of television programs and scenes, and compare the content and rating to the limits set by a user. When V-Chip ratings control is activated by the a viewer who has the proper authorization (hereinafter referred to as “supervisor” or “parent”), and a ratings limit is set, the processor within the receiver utilizes a “stripper” which functions to slice, or extract, ratings information contained in the television signal for most broadcast programs and channels. When the ratings information exceeds the value elected by the authorized supervisor, the processor is designed to blank the screen and mute the audio portion of the broadcast. For television receivers which also have multi-image display capability, i.e., produce a display containing main and auxiliary images (e.g., systems that provide picture-in-picture (PIP) or picture-outside-picture (POP) features), the receiver must provide ratings control for both main and auxiliary programs if both main and auxiliary pictures are displayed and the supervisor has activated ratings control. For those programs and scenes that exceed the specified limits, the system causes the video display to be modified, e.g., blanked, and the audio is muted. In addition, the system may display a message indicating the reason for the interrupted reception and the expected duration of the interruption (e.g., SCENE EXCEEDS CONTENT LIMIT). The supervisor may also deactivate the V-chip ratings control by choosing to permit any level of broadcast to be displayed; in such case no blocking of program content by rating takes place. 
     The supervisor may also have the option to set other limits such as spending for “pay per view” events and/or accumulated time that a viewer has access to the system. The viewer or class of viewers can be identified by a profile which can be given a name such as “children,” “parents,” and the like. Each profile is a collection of permission levels. 
     Some existing systems use multiple profiles, for example a profile for a younger child, a second profile for an older child, and a third profile for the parents. Each profile may have a different ratings limit and pay-per-view spending limit 
     The ratings in the current “V-chip” system uses a ratings system as follows, from the most permissive to the most restrictive: 
     
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 TV-Y 
                 All children 
               
               
                 TV-Y7 
                 Directed to children age 7 and above 
               
               
                 TV-7-FV 
                 Contains fantasy violence or comedic 
               
               
                   
                 violence, but otherwise directed to age 7 and above 
               
               
                 TV-G 
                 Appropriate for all ages, containing little or 
               
               
                   
                 no violence, sex, or adult language 
               
               
                 TV-PG 
                 Unsuitable for younger children 
               
               
                 TV-PG-V 
                 Contains higher level of violence than 
               
               
                   
                 average TV-PG 
               
               
                 TV-PG-S 
                 Contains higher level of sexual situations 
               
               
                   
                 than average TV-PG 
               
               
                 TV-PG-L 
                 Contains higher level of coarse language 
               
               
                   
                 some suggestive dialogue than average TV-PG 
               
               
                 TV-14 
                 M 
               
               
                 TV-MA 
                 Mature audience only, unsuitable for 
               
               
                   
                 children under 17 years of age 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The V-chip can also be set to block Motion Picture of America (MPAA) rated movies above a supervisor-set level for movies on cable TV which have not been edited for television and retain their original rating, according to the following ratings system: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 G 
                 General audiences 
               
               
                   
                 PG 
                 Parental guidance suggested, may not be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 suitable for all children 
               
               
                   
                 PG-13 
                 Parents strongly cautioned. Some material 
               
               
                   
                   
                 may be inappropriate for children under 13 
               
               
                   
                 R 
                 Restricted, under 17 requires a parent or guardian 
               
               
                   
                 NC-17 
                 No one under 17 admitted 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     With currently available technology, in situations where the supervisor wishes to permit viewing of a particular television broadcast when the supervised person or group is not present, for example if the children are asleep and the parents wish to watch an NC-17-rated movie broadcast on cable TV, the supervisor must reset the ratings limit, set the profile to the parent profile (in a multiple profile system) or completely unlock the system using the password, and then the more restrictive level must be reset so that the children&#39;s restriction limit is restored. 
     Due to the inconvenience of having to reset the ratings limit or completely unlocking the system after completion of the special broadcast, many supervisors do not remember or do not bother to reset the ratings or restore the active profile to the normal profile, and thereby fail to effectively use the ratings control system to its full advantage. The present invention addresses that problem. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a video signal processing system such as a television receiver, cable box, or VCR tuner for producing an output signal suitable for coupling to a display device to produce a displayed image, the video processing system having a supervisor control system, such as a specially modified V-chip, which blocks viewing of programs which are received with embedded ratings information or spending information, authorized view time, or other condition which is outside a range selected by a supervisor, such as a parent, and comprises an improvement which permits the supervisor to enter one or more temporarily revised limits or permit specific programs to be viewed. At the end of the temporary period or completion of the specific programs permitted by the supervisor, the system of the invention automatically restores the normal ratings and/or spending limit for the selected profile(s). Children and others who do not have the supervisory password can not change the ratings control range or temporarily override blocking. Preferably the system comprises means for the supervisor who has entered the password accepted by the control system to enter (A) one or more specific broadcast programs to be unblocked, (B) one or more channels to be unblocked for one or more specific time periods, (C) a revised ratings profile for a specific time period, or (D) a revised spending limit. Another preferred feature is for the processor to be programmed to display a status listing of programs or channels unblocked and the corresponding time periods, or to display the status of the remaining spending authorization for a profile. 
     The invention also comprises a method for blocking viewing or recording of television programs which are broadcast with ratings information or spending information which is outside a range selected by a supervisor comprising (A) receiving one or more profiles comprising ratings and/or limits for each profile from a supervisor, (B) receiving override information from a supervisor corresponding to one or more modified profiles which specify one or more permitted television programs, one or more permitted channels to be unblocked for one or more specific time periods, or a revised ratings range for one or more specific time periods, (C) blocking viewing or recording of television programs outside the current normal ratings limit profile but permitting viewing of unblocked channels, unblocked television programs, or programs within the temporarily revised ratings limit. 
     In another aspect, the invention comprises a ratings control system comprising means to block programs which are broadcast with ratings information or spending information which is outside a profile having a range selected by a supervisor, means for a supervisor to enter a password and select a program, channel, or time period to which the normal ratings control range or spending limit for the profile is temporarily revised, and means to automatically restore the normal ratings control range at the expiration of the selected time period(s) or completion of the selected program(s). 
     Another aspect is a processor which normally blocks viewing of programs or recordings outside a viewer profile entered by a supervisor, which permits or denies viewing of programs according to temporary override(s) instructions entered by the supervisor, and which returns to normal blocking profile after expiration of a time period set by the supervisor, or by removal of the override(s) by the supervisor, or after completion of the programs or recordings permitted in the temporary override(s) instructions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows, in block diagram form, a preferred system of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will be illustrated with respect to a preferred embodiment of the invention, but the invention should not be construed as limited thereto. For example, a television receiver will be illustrated, but the invention is also applicable to other types of video processing systems such as those with display devices such as television sets, and those without display devices but suitable for coupling to display devices, e.g., set-top boxes (e.g., direct broadcast satellite (DBS) signal receivers and video recorders such as VCRs). In general, the invention is applicable to any system, device or apparatus that employs ratings control or spending limits or other criteria to permit or deny access to video or audio broadcasts or recordings. 
     As shown in the block diagram in  FIG. 1  wherein a child&#39;s profile is active in the system, the standard viewable test  11  is run by the processor to determine initially if the program is viewable  12 . The processor receives both current event information  13  and the current user&#39;s rating profile  14  which has previously been entered by the supervisor who has the password. The current event information can be received from the stripper, system clock, or other sources, and comprises the program ratings information, time length, pay per view cost, and the like. The current user&#39;s rating profile contains all of the ratings, spending, accumulated view time, and similar information associated with the currently authorized viewer. 
     To illustrate the invention, we first assume a case wherein the supervisor of the system who has the password wants to allow a certain program to be viewed by the child but the program&#39;s rating is above the allowed limit. The supervisor selects “override” from a list of displayed options called up when Program mode is selected using a remote controller. The supervisor is then challenged to enter the correct password to enter an override in the override list  17 . In one example, the supervisor identifies a certain program by the channel, the start and stop time, and the Child profile in cases where the system allows alternative profiles. 
     The system displays a screen which calls for: 
     Program Identifier (for instance channel); 
     Start and Stop Time; and 
     Profile 
     After the supervisor accepts the changes and exits the program mode, the override is recorded in the system&#39;s memory in the override list  17 . Later, when the television is tuned to a channel at the time the program is being broadcast and the system is set to the child&#39;s profile, the Standard viewable test  11 , based upon the program&#39;s rating in the current event information  13  and the child&#39;s profile  14  rating limit, is executed to initially determine if a program is viewable  12 ; in this example it is NOT viewable  15 . At this point according to the invention, the override is determined by the processor to be active  18  when the override test logic  20  is entered, and since the program matches the Program Identifier in the Override List  17  and the system is within the Start and Stop Time for the program event and the current profile is the child profile, the Standard Decision to NOT  15  view this program is overridden and the program is now viewable  19 . After the override expires it is removed from the list by the processor logic. 
     In a second example, the supervisor wants to temporarily disallow all programs to be viewed by any profile at a given time in the evening. The supervisor enters the program mode with the remote controller, selects ratings control, enters a correct password, and then the override list  17 . The system challenges the supervisor to enter the correct password to enter an override in the override list. The supervisor identifies all programs beginning at a certain time, say 11:00 PM, and selects all profiles. 
     The screen display would appear as follows: 
     Override List Contents: 
     All Program Identifiers (for instance channel) 
     Start Time (11:00 pm on a certain date) with No Stop Time 
     All Profiles 
     Later, at 11:00 PM, when the television is on and set to any profile, even the Parent profile, the Standard determination  11  based upon the program&#39;s rating received from the current event information  13  and the current user&#39;s profile rating limit  14  occurs to determine if a program is viewable; in this illustration it is  16 . The override test  20  is entered and override logic  21  is applied by the system to test whether to override the Yes returned by the Standard viewable test  11 . Assuming the program matches the All Program Identifier in the Override List Contents  17  and the time and date for the profile includes the Start Time for the program event and since the current profile  14  matches the All Profile Identifier in the override list  17 , then the program&#39;s Standard determination of viewable  16  is passed through the override active test  21 . Since the outcome of test  21  is affirmative  23  the program is now blocked  24 . 
     In another illustration the supervisor of the system wants to allow programs to be viewed by the current profile at a given time in the evening, for example by the babysitter after bedtime for the children. The supervisor enters the override list  17 . The supervisor identifies all programs beginning at a certain time, say 11:00 PM, and selects all profiles, and removes all limits until the stop time. The screen display is as follows: 
     Override List Contents: 
     All Program Identifiers 
     Start Time (11:00 pm on a certain date) and Stop Time 
     All Profiles 
     The Standard determination  11  based upon the profile rating limit  14  and current event information  13  occurs to determine if a program is viewable and in this illustration it is NOT  15 . The override logic  18  is then entered and since the program matches the All Program Identifier in the Override List Contents  17  and since the program is within the override window of time and date, the Standard determination of NOT viewable  15  is overridden  19  and the program is now viewable (unblocked)  23 . The positive response from the override active test reverses the outcome of the standard viewable test. If the override was not active  25  in this case, the initial no  15  would remain in force and the program would be blocked  24 . 
     In another illustration, the supervisor of the system wants to allow programs to be purchased by the child&#39;s profile at a given time in the evening for only one evening. A limit for the child&#39;s profile of purchasable limit of $0.00 can be overridden for the one evening and placed at $10.00. The supervisor, after successfully entering a password, enters an override in the override list  17  by identifying All programs beginning at a 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on the selected date or day, and selects the child&#39;s profile. The screen display would appear as follows: 
     Override List Contents: 
     All Program Identifiers 
     Start Time 6:00 PM on a certain date and Stop Time of 11:00 PM on same date 
     Child profile 
     The Standard determination  11  based upon the profile spending limit within normal profile  14  occurs to determine if a program is viewable and in this case it is NOT  15 . The override logic  18  within the processor is entered. Assuming the program matches the All Program Identifier in the Override List Contents  17  and the program is within the override window of time and date and the purchase cost is less than the override cost of $10.00 then the purchase is allowed  19  and the program is unblocked  23 . The Standard determination of NOT viewable  15  is overridden  19  and the program is now viewable  23 . 
     The temporary override feature of the invention is also applicable to apparatus, systems, methods, and processors which have a view time limit feature wherein the supervisor can set a maximum total daily view time for a profile, for example the parent can set a maximum of one hour of view time per weekday and two hours per weekend day for a child&#39;s profile. If the parent wishes to reward a child for doing his or her homework, the parent may wish to allow extended view time for one day but not wish to change the normal view time limits in the profile. This invention would permit a change to the maximum view time for a single day, or combination of days, but then automatically restore the normal view time limitation after the selected day or days are over. 
     While this invention has been illustrated and explained in sufficient detail so that those skilled in this art can readily make and use it, various alternatives, modifications, and improvements which are within the scope and spirit of the invention should become apparent.