Abstract:
A game system includes a memory device, a game console and a time allowance module. The memory device includes a nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for a game. The game console includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the memory device to the game console. The time allowance module, that preferably is in either the memory device or the game console, allows the game console to cooperate with the memory device to play the game only according to the time allowance. Another memory device includes two nonvolatile memory modules: one for storing a saved state of a game and the other for storing a time allowance for the game. This memory device also includes a processor for writing and reading the saved state in the first memory module and a time allowance module for allowing that writing and reading only according to the time allowance.

Description:
[0001]     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/691,975, filed Jun. 20, 2005 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to devices for enforcing parental control and in particular to such devices that allow parents to control access to game consoles by their children.  
         [0003]     Since their introduction in the early 1970&#39;s, home video game systems, or game consoles, have become increasingly popular among children and adults alike. In its essence, a game console is a highly specialized computer system, developed specifically for supplying entertainment to the user. This entertainment is usually in the form of an interactive computer game or video game. A video game is a computer program containing instructions for the graphics, audio and the interaction scheme between a game player and a computer system.  
         [0004]      FIG. 1A  (prior art) is a high-level block diagram of an exemplary implementation  100  of a game console. A CPU  105  is configured to process computer instructions encoded in a computer program, an example of which may be a computer game. An Operating System  115  is designed to control game console  100  and to interface between the various components of game console  100 . A Random Access Memory (RAM)  110  is used for providing temporary storage space for computer programs, as is the common practice in computer systems, in order to allow higher speed performance of game console  100 . When a game console user interacts with game console  100 , for example while playing a computer game, the action is exhibited on a viewing device (not shown), such as a television, that is fed by a video output interface  140 . The visual action is regularly accompanied by sound effects and a soundtrack that are experienced through an audio device (not shown), which may be a dedicated device or part of the viewing device (not shown), via an audio output interface  145 . The user interacts with the game console by using a controller (not shown) that is interfaced to the game console via a user control interface  150 . Game console  100  is energized through a system power supply  125 , examples of which include an electric current interface and an independent power source such as a battery. A video game is typically stored on a storage medium for games (not shown), usually a read-only type memory, removable from the console and thus interchangeable. Examples of storage media for games common in today&#39;s consoles include CD&#39;s, DVD&#39;s, and ROM-based cartridges. The game is read from the storage medium by a game media reader  135  that reads the information from the media and relays the information for processing by CPU  105 . A real time clock  136  is incorporated in console  100  for a number of possible applications, examples of which include implementing real-time in a computer game and for display purposes.  
         [0005]     Prior art systems are connectable to a removable-memory-for-saved-state  160  through a removable-media-for-saved-state interface  120 . The notion of a saved state pertains to any sort of information relating to a specific situation or setting encountered in a video game, be it personal preferences (e.g. audio/video preferences) or information that allows the user to recreate a certain scene or occurrence in the game-flow sequence of a video game. Saving the state of a game, which is allowed by most games today, allows the user to restore the state of the game at the time the state was saved. A game console user may decide to save the state of a game, or to save a game, for a number of reasons. The game may necessitate a longer playtime than the time available for a certain playing session, thus, by saving the game, a user may continue playing from the same point in the game at a later time. Saving before a challenging part of a game, or before making a decision in the game whose consequences the player is unsure of, enables the player to retroactively retrieve the state of the game prior to the challenging part or before the decision was made. Removable memory  160  typically comes in the form of a memory card and current systems comply with a plurality of types and standards common on the market. Removable memory  160  includes a storage-unit-for-saved-state  170  that is a readable, writeable and erasable solid-state memory medium. Removable memory  160  also includes a processor  165  that is configured to regulate the reading and writing and erasing of data packages to/from storage unit  170  and to communicate with an external host appliance, which in this case is game console  100 , through interface  120 . As has been mentioned, removable-memory-for-saved-state  160  is detachable from game console  100 . Therefore, a console user who saves the state of a game on removable memory  160  that is plugged into a first game console  100  can restore the saved state on a second console by removing memory  160  from first console  100  and connecting memory  160  to removable memory interface  120  of the second console  100 . Using this functionality of removable memory  160 , it has become a commonplace practice for two or more console players to port or share game states, and to demonstrate game achievements, thus enriching their gaming experience.  
         [0006]     As has been previously mentioned, video games have become a widespread form of entertainment for children. This has created two cardinal problems regarding the usage of game consoles. The first problem is children playing games containing content that is deemed unsuitable by their parents or guardians. The second problem is children spending excessive amounts of time playing computer games, to the discontent of their parents or guardians. It has thus become necessary for guardians to electronically control the content of games being played by the children in their charge and to set limits on the duration of play. For simplification reasons, and to generalize the context of the present invention, guardians in the in context of the game console environment are regarded herein as “administrators”. Children in the same environment are regarded herein as “users”. Parental control is thus herein defined as limits on content and time that an administrator sets on the usage of game console  100  by a user. There are two forms of time limitation, or time allowance, known in the art: a limitation on the duration of play (time quota) and a limitation on the periods of the day/week/month/year that playing on console  100  is allowed. The limitations may be combined, for example an administrator may want to set a limitation so that the user may only play console  100  for two hours per day in the periods between 14:00-16:00 and 19:00-21:00.  
         [0007]     Console  100  includes a parental control module  130 , which in this example includes an optional content filtering module  131  that is used by an administrator to set limits on content according to one of the known methods in the art. Console  100  further includes a time allowance module  132  that sets the time allowance on console  100 . Time allowance module  132  may be incorporated in one of the components of console  100  as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,848 to Wang, and may include a timer for controlling the allowable playing time range of game console  100 . The Wang patent, that deals with systems whose game media reader  135  is cartridge based, teaches a time allowance unit that is connected to game media reader  135 . This time allowance unit interconnects between the game media and game media reader  135 , and blocks the connection in the case that a user attempts to play for a duration that exceeds the preset allowance or in a period of the day that has been configured to be disallowed by the administrator. A clear disadvantage of this invention is the fact that it only deals with cartridge based systems, that are uncommon in today&#39;s industry.  
         [0008]     Another method of dictating a time allowance on a console  100  is shown in  FIG. 1B  (prior art). Console  100  of  FIG. 1B  operates in an identical manner to console  100  of  FIG. 1A  except that console  100  of  FIG. 1B  does not include an internal time-allowance module  132 , and clock  136  is optional. A time allowance device  156  is an external device that interfaces with console  100  or one of the peripheral devices of console  100 . A first method of implementing time allowance device  156  may be understood by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,661 to Dodge. The Dodge patent teaches a video game time allowance device that electrically connects system power supply  125  to console  100 . Electric current is cut off from console  100  once the time allowance has been exceeded. Other methods of regulating time allowance include devices that set time limits on one of the peripherals of console  100 , for example hand held game controllers and viewing devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,984 to Sweeney, Jr., et al., teaches a hand-held game controller, for game console  100 , that has time allowance functionality. The game controller (not shown) temporarily ceases to function once the time allowance has been exceeded, thus inactivating console  100 . U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,353 to Levenson, et al., teaches a device that sets limits on the use of an electronic device by controlling its power supply. The device of Levenson et al. may be applied to a television set, thus functioning as an external time allowance device  156 .  
         [0009]     All four of the patents referred to above, i.e., U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,848, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,661, U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,984 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,353, are incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein  
         [0010]     A clearly noticeable disadvantage of known time allowance devices and methods, particularly the ones that are referred to above, is that the time limitation is set on a particular game console device at a particular site. This problem becomes more significant when considering the aforementioned practice of saved-state porting between two or more consoles  100 . A user may play on a first game console  100 , for example at the user&#39;s home, which enables a form of time allowance limitation. Having come to the end of the time allowance on the first game console  100 , the user may save the state of the game on a memory-for-saved-saved-state  160  and continue playing on a second game console  100 , for example at a friends house, where the time limitation has not been implemented. Thus, the time limitation set by the administrator could be easily bypassed. Another disadvantage is that despite the demand for the incorporation of time allowance means in consoles  100 , and the feasibility of such time allowance means using current technology, most game consoles do not include a built in time allowance device  132 . Parents and guardians need to, therefore, install an external time allowance device  156  on console  100  or on one of the peripherals of console  100 . The installment and maintenance of an additional device may be cumbersome for many parents and guardians, and the cost of an additional device may exceed their budgets.  
         [0011]     With the progressive improvement of game consoles and the growing sophistication of games, gamers have come to rely on solid state memory cards, functioning as memory-for-saved-state  160 , for the enhancement of the users&#39; gaming experience. The wide distribution of game consoles combined with the possibility of overcoming the disadvantages of time allowance devices known in the art today has generated the widespread need for a solid state memory card for a game console that would function as a memory-for-saved-state  160  but would also enable an administrator to set a time allowance for a user. The time allowance functionality would be independent of a particular console  100  in a specific site, further improving the protection of children from excessive use of a game console  100 .  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     According to the present invention there is provided a game system including: (a) a memory device including a first nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for a game; (b) a game console including an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the memory device to the game console; and (c) a time allowance module for allowing the game console to cooperate with the memory device to play the game only in accordance with the time allowance.  
         [0013]     According to the present invention there is provided a memory device for playing a game, including: (a) a first nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of the game; (b) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for the game; (c) a processor for writing and reading the saved state in the first nonvolatile memory module; and (d) a time allowance module for allowing the writing and reading of the saved state only in accordance with the time allowance.  
         [0014]     According to the present invention there is provided a game system, including: (a) a memory device including: (i) a first nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of a game, (ii) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for the game, (iii) a processor for writing and reading the saved state in the first nonvolatile memory module, and (iv) a time allowance module for allowing the writing and reading of the saved state only in accordance with the time allowance; and (b) a game console, for playing the game, including an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the memory device to the game console, the game console being operative to store the saved state only in the memory device.  
         [0015]     According to the present invention there is provided a game system, including: (a) a memory device including: (i) a first nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of a game, (ii) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for the game, (iii) a processor for writing and reading the saved state in the first nonvolatile memory module, and (iv) a time allowance module for allowing the writing and reading of the saved state only in accordance with the time allowance; and (b) a computer, including an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the memory device to the computer, the computer operative to authenticate write access to the second nonvolatile memory module for defining the time allowance and to support the write access contingent on the authentication when the memory device is reversibly operationally attached to the computer.  
         [0016]     A basic embodiment of the first game system of the present invention includes a memory device, a game console and a time allowance module. The memory device includes a first nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for a game. The game console includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the memory device to the game console. The time allowance module, that preferably is part of either the memory device or the game console, allows the game console to cooperate with the memory device to play the game only in accordance with the time allowance.  
         [0017]     The time allowance may include an allowed clock time interval (e.g. 16:00 to 18:00 on Tuesdays) or a periodic time quota (e.g. two hours per day).  
         [0018]     Preferably, the first nonvolatile memory module includes a configuration file that contains the time allowance. Write access to the configuration file is password-protected.  
         [0019]     Preferably, the memory device also includes a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of the game. The game console is operative to store the saved state only in the second nonvolatile memory module. Both nonvolatile memory modules are in a common nonvolatile memory medium, for example in a common flash memory. Alternatively, the nonvolatile memory modules are in separate nonvolatile memory media, for example in separate flash memories.  
         [0020]     Preferably, write access to the first nonvolatile memory module, for defining the time allowance, is restricted, for example by password protection, so that only an authorized user of the game system is allowed to define the time allowance. Most preferably, the time allowance module is operative to authenticate the write access to the first nonvolatile memory module and to support that write access contingent on such authentication: a user whose write access is not authenticated is not allowed to write to the first nonvolatile memory module, whereas a user whose write access is authenticated is allowed to write to the first nonvolatile memory module via the time allowance module. Alternatively, the game system also includes a computer, separate from the game console, that includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the memory device to the computer. The computer is for authenticating the write access to the first nonvolatile memory module and for supporting that write access contingent on such authentication while the memory device is reversibly operationally attached to the computer: a user whose write access is not authenticated is not allowed to write to the first nonvolatile memory module, whereas a user whose write access is authenticated is allowed to write to the first nonvolatile memory module via the computer.  
         [0021]     Preferably, the time allowance module functions by granting or denying access to an operational component of the game system, in accordance with the time allowance. The operational component to which access is thus limited may be either in the memory device or in the game console.  
         [0022]     A basic second memory device of the present invention, for playing a game, includes first and second nonvolatile memory modules, a processor and a time allowance module. The first nonvolatile memory module is for storing a saved state of the game. The second nonvolatile memory module is for storing a time allowance for the game,. The processor reads and writes the saved state of the game in the first nonvolatile memory module. The time allowance module allows the writing and reading of the saved state only in accordance with the time allowance.  
         [0023]     Preferably, write access to the second nonvolatile memory module is restricted, for example by password protection, so that only an authorized user of the memory device is allowed to write to the second nonvolatile memory module.  
         [0024]     In one preferred embodiment of the second memory device, the time allowance includes an allowed time interval (e.g. 16:00 to 18:00 on Tuesdays) and the memory device also includes a clock for measuring the allowed time interval. In another preferred embodiment of the second memory device, the time allowance includes a periodic time quota (e.g. two hours per day) and the memory device also includes a clock for measuring the periodic time quota.  
         [0025]     Preferably, the second nonvolatile memory module includes a configuration file that contains the time allowance. Write access to the configuration file is password-protected.  
         [0026]     Preferably, both nonvolatile memory modules are in a common nonvolatile memory medium, for example in a common flash memory. Alternatively, the nonvolatile memory modules are in separate nonvolatile memory media, for example in separate flash memories.  
         [0027]     The scope of the present invention also includes a game system that includes the second memory device and also a game console, for playing the game, that includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the second memory device to the game console. The game console is operative to store the saved state only in the second memory device. Preferably, the time allowance module is operative to cooperate with the game console to authenticate the write access to the second nonvolatile memory module. The time allowance module also is operative to cooperate with the game console to support the write access contingent on such authentication: a user whose write access is not authenticated is not allowed to write to the second nonvolatile memory module, whereas a user whose write access is authenticated is allowed to write to the second nonvolatile memory module via the time allowance module.  
         [0028]     The scope of the present invention also includes a game system that includes the second memory device and also a computer that includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the second memory device to the computer. The computer is operative to authenticate the write access to the second nonvolatile memory module for defining the time allowance and to support the write access contingent on the authentication while the memory device is reversibly operationally attached to the computer: a user whose write access is not authenticated is not allowed to write to the second nonvolatile memory module, whereas a user whose write access is authenticated is allowed to write to the second nonvolatile memory module via the computer. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  is a high-level block diagram of a game console of the prior art;  
         [0031]      FIG. 1B  is a high-level block diagram of a system including a game console and an external time allowance device of the prior art  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a high-level block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the current invention, being a system for regulating time allowance on a game consoles;  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a high-level block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the current invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     The principles and operation of a system for time allowance for game consoles according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.  
         [0035]     One preferred embodiment of the present invention is a system for setting and enforcing access limitations to a game console operational component, or to an operational component assemblage, according to a time allowance. At least the time allowance configuration, i.e. the definitions pertaining to the time allowed for playing, are stored on a portable memory device for saved state. An operational component is herein defined as any data, computer instruction, physical component, logical component or user interface utilized or displayed by a game console during the running of a computer program, specifically a computer game. Examples of operational components include: the saved state storage component of a removable-memory-for-saved-state device, a user menu interface, and other modules and components (hardware or software) of the game console operating system. Limiting access to an operational component impedes the game play of a console user in some way. For example, if access is denied to the saved state storage component, the user can not save states and can not access previously saved states, disabling the possibility of restoring a game to a previously saved state. If an access limitation is set on a component of the operating system, the user is disallowed from accessing a computer game, thus temporarily disabling the main functionality of the game console. An operational component assemblage is a group of operational components that cooperate to implement the running of the computer game. The totality of such components is referred to herein as the “game playing working environment”.  
         [0036]     Referring again to the drawings,  FIG. 2  illustrates a system, that incorporates a game console and a memory device for saved state, and that includes time allowance functionality. A console  200  generally functions in the same manner as console  100 , previously described in the prior art, except for the differences described below. Components  205 ,  210 ,  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  235 ,  236 ,  240 ,  245  and  250  of console  200  function in the same manner as components  105 ,  110 ,  115 ,  120 ,  125 ,  135 ,  136 ,  140 ,  145  and  150  of console  100 , respectively.  
         [0037]     Most prior art game consoles include components similar to components  205 ,  210 ,  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  235 ,  236 ,  240 ,  245  and  250  that game console  200  inherits from prior art game console  100 , configured similarly to their configuration in game consoles  100  and  200  and operating similarly to their operation in game consoles  100  and  200 . It should be understood that other implementations of game consoles are possible that exclude one or more of these legacy components or that include legacy components not mentioned herein. The configurations described herein are to be understood as examples of possible implementations of game consoles rather than as categorizing definitions of game consoles.  
         [0038]     A removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance  260  includes a storage-for-time-allowance  275 . Storage-for-time-allowance  275  is a non-volatile memory medium that holds computer instructions that define the time limitations on the usage of game console  200 . These instructions are stored in the form of a time allowance configuration file. The time allowance configuration defined in the time allowance configuration file includes information pertaining to the different forms of time limitations known in the art: a quota limitation, a limitation on the periods of the day/week/month/year that playing on console  200  is allowed, or a combination of the two. The time allowance configuration file may only be accessed and updated by an administrator. The administrator is authenticated by a password according to one of the methods known in the art, when an attempt is made to access the time allowance configuration file. Storage-for-time-allowance  275  further contains computer instructions that describe the current time quota. This information is stored in the form of a current quota file. The function of the current quota file is elaborated below.  
         [0039]     Memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance  260  also includes a processor  265  and a storage-for-saved-state  270  that generally function in the same manner as has been described with regards to processor  165  and storage-for-saved-state  170  of removable-memory-for-saved-state  160 . A parental control module  230  includes an optional content filtering unit  231  that functions in a similar manner to content filtering module  131  of console  100 . Parental control module  230  also includes a time allowance module  232 . Time allowance module  232  is configured to communicate with processor  265  of removable memory  260  through memory-for-saved-state-interface  220  to read and write data from/to storage-for-time-allowance  275 . Time allowance module  232  is configured to grant access to the game playing working environment of console  200  only in the case that the time limitations appearing on storage-for-time-allowance-configuration  275  allow such access, i.e. the time of day/week/month/year is allowed for playing and the game playing quota has not been exceeded.  
         [0040]     The following is an example that demonstrates the time allowance functionality of game console  200 . In this example, the time allowance configuration file, stored on storage-for-time-allowance  275 , is set to allow playing between 16:00 and 20:00 every day and the weekly quota is set to three hours of playing. At the beginning of the week, the current time quota file is set to hold the same quota as the one appearing in the configuration file, namely three hours. Time allowance module  232  grants a user access to the game playing working environment if the user attempts to play at 17:00. If on the other hand the user attempts playing at 22:00, time allowance module  232  does not allow the user access to the game playing working environment denying the user the ability to play a computer game on game console  200 . Assuming that module  232  has granted the user access to the game playing working environment, the quota held in the current quota file is updated at each configurable time interval (the time interval may be a minute, ten minutes, an hour, etc.). For example, if a daily quota of three hours is stored on the current quota file at the beginning of a playing session which takes two hours, time allowance module  232  ensures that the current quota at the end of the playing session is one hour. The current time quota file is updated every time interval, for example every ten minutes, subtracting ten minutes from the current time quota at each interval. A user commencing a new playing session on the same day would only have another hour of game play. The current time allowance quota is replenished in the case that the period of time that the quota is defined for has passed. Thus, in the previous example, if the user were to commence the second playing session on the day following the day of the first playing session, the quota, being a daily quota, would be replenished by time allowance module  232 , updating the current time quota file to hold three hours of game play. Time allowance module  232  uses real time clock  236  to determine the time of day, to determine whether a current quota time interval has elapsed and to determine whether the quota stored in the current quota file should be replenished.  
         [0041]     The time allowance configuration file may be configured and updated by an administrator either via time allowance module  232 , or alternatively via a separate computer  280  that is operatively connectable to removable memory  260  and that has a dedicated time allowance configuration computer program. Both the update configuration file functionality of time allowance module  232  and the dedicated computer program on computer  280  operate in the same manner: an administrator accesses a user interface menu from which the time configuration file may be updated, the updating is done only after the administrator has been authenticated by a password according to one of the methods known in the art.  
         [0042]     This first preferred embodiment of the current invention overcomes some of the problems of time allowance devices described in the prior art. The time allowance is stored in removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance  260  and is independent of a particular game console  200  at a particular location. Each game console, that is operatively connected to time allowance  260 , inherits the time allowance dictated by removable memory  260 , assuming that the clocks  236  of the consoles are synchronized. A user attempting to extend time of play by saving a state on storage  260  on a first game console  200  and continuing on a second game console  200  would be denied access to the game playing working environment if the current time period is not allowed for playing or if the current quota is exhausted.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  illustrates another preferred embodiment of the current invention. In this embodiment, the time allowance module forms part of the removable memory for saved state with time allowance. Components  305 ,  310 ,  315 ,  320 ,  325 ,  335 ,  340 ,  345  and  350  of console  300  function in the same manner as components  205 ,  210 ,  215 ,  220 ,  225 ,  235 ,  240 ,  245  and  250  of console  200 , respectively. A removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance  360  includes a processor  365 , a storage-for-saved-state  370  and a storage-for-time-allowance  375  that function in the same manner as processor  265 , storage-for-saved-state  270  and storage-for-time-allowance  275  of removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance  260 . Removable memory  360  also includes a time allowance module  376 . Time allowance module  376  includes code that is executed by processor  365  for enforcing the time limitation policy dictated in a time allowance configuration file stored in storage-for-time-allowance  375 . Time allowance module  376  functions similarly to time allowance module  232  previously described in relation to  FIG. 2 , except for some modifications. Time allowance module  376  allows or disallows access to a specific operational component: storage-for-saved-state  370 . Thus a user succeeds or fails to restore or save games according to the limitations appearing in the time allowance configuration file and current time quota file stored in storage-for-time-allowance  375 . Time allowance module  376  includes a volatile internal clock, used for measuring time during a playing session. The internal clock operates only when storage-for-saved-state  370  is operatively connected to a host computer, for example a game console  300 . The internal clock cannot be used as a real time clock but can be used to measure the time of a playing session and the current quota update interval mentioned above in relation to console  200 . Memory  360  therefore supports at least one of the time allowance methods previously described, the time quota. The time quota method uses the same configuration file/current quota file logic described above in relation to console  200 . An optional real time clock  336 , forming part of game console  300  or part of removable memory  360 , further enhances the time allowance capabilities of removable memory  360 . Time allowance module  376  uses real time clock  336  to enable the time period allowance functionality described above in relation to game console  200 . If memory  360  includes such a real time clock  336  then this real time clock  336  can be used by time allowance module  376  instead of a volatile internal clock for measuring elapsed time during a playing session. It should be noted that if real time clock  336  forms part of removable memory  360  then removable memory  360  must also have an independent power source such as a battery. The time allowance configuration file of storage-for-time-allowance  375  may be updated as part of a user interface menu forming part of operating system  315  interface logic. Another option for updating the time allowance configuration file of storage-for-time-allowance  375  is through a dedicated program on separate computer system  280  that is operatively connectable to removable memory  360 . The system for time allowance described in relation to  FIG. 3  limits only the saved state capabilities of game console  300 , whereas the system described in relation to  FIG. 2  limits all game playing capabilities. The advantage of the system described in relation to  FIG. 3 , especially the variant of that system that uses computer  280  for setting and updating the time allowance, is that prior art game consoles may be incorporated in such a system, with only minor changes or no changes at all needed to be made to the console and to its operating system. Thus, removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance-capabilities  360  could grant time allowance capabilities to a prior art game console. A parent or guardian wanting to implement these capabilities may thus do so without the costly expenditures involved in purchasing a new game console.  
         [0044]     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.