Method of and apparatus for scanning for and replacing words on video cassettes

A scanning apparatus for scanning a video recording for objectionable content is disclosed that includes an audio processor for analyzing the recording and recognizing the objectionable audio, and audio control gate for manipulating the objectionable audio. The scanning apparatus also includes an amplifier that amplifies the signal and converters to convert the signal from analog to digital format prior to analysis and digital to analog format after analysis. The method of scanning the video recording for objectionable content includes the steps of analyzing the recording and manipulating the recording. The method first includes the steps of amplifying the recording signal, separating the audio portion of the recording from the composite recording, digitizing the portions of the recording, and storing the composite portion of the recording in a loop while analysis is performed on the audio portion of the recording.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of Invention 
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for scanning 
video cassettes for objectionable material, and more specifically to 
methods and apparatuses for recognizing and removing objectionable speech 
from a video cassette during operation of a video cassette player. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
In the past, video cassette players have simply played backed movies and 
other videos in the manner in which they were recorded. Many videos 
feature language that parents may feel is not acceptable for children. 
Until now, there has been no method of screening these videos for 
objectionable language. 
Applicant has recognized the need for an apparatus that screens 
objectionable language from videos that can be installed in a video 
cassette player. 
The present invention contemplates a new and improved scanning method and 
apparatus which is simple in design, effective in use, and overcomes the 
foregoing difficulties and others while providing better and more 
advantageous overall results. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention, a new and improved method and 
apparatus for scanning for and replacing or muting objectionable language 
in videos are provided. 
More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, the scanning 
apparatus for scanning associated media recording signals for 
objectionable audio signals includes an analyzation apparatus for 
analyzing the associated media recording signals and recognizing the 
objectionable audio signals. The scanning apparatus also includes a 
manipulation apparatus for manipulating the objectionable audio signals, 
the manipulation apparatus being operatively connected to the analyzation 
apparatus. The apparatus further includes a looping apparatus for storing 
the media recording signals while the analyzation apparatus analyzes the 
media recording signals and the manipulation apparatus manipulates the 
objectionable audio signals. 
According to one aspect of the present invention, the scanning apparatus 
for scanning associated media recording signals for objectionable audio 
content, the associated media recording signals being comprised of an 
audio signal and a composite signal, the objectionable audio content being 
located within the audio signal, includes an amplifier for increasing the 
power of the associated media recording signals. The scanning apparatus 
also includes an audio decoder for separating the associated media 
recording signals into the audio signal and the composite signal that is 
connected to the amplifier, a looping apparatus for storing the composite 
signal for a fixed amount of time, an analyzation apparatus for analyzing 
the audio signal for the objectionable audio content, and a manipulation 
apparatus for manipulating the audio signal to remove the objectionable 
audio content. 
According to another aspect of the present invention, the method of 
scanning a recording for objectionable content using a scanning apparatus 
includes the steps of analyzing the recording for objectionable content, 
and manipulating the objectionable content. 
One advantage of the present invention is that the scanning apparatus mutes 
objectionable audio content such as profane language. 
Another advantage of the present invention is that is may be installed in a 
video cassette player or recorder. 
Another advantage of the present invention is that the visual portion of 
the recording is unaffected by the scanning analysis and audio 
manipulation. 
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent 
to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and 
understanding of the following detailed specification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of 
illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for 
purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a scanning 
apparatus 10 to be added to a video cassette player 12 between the video 
cassette player and a television 14. A video cassette player 12, or a 
video cassette recorder (not shown), reads recording signals from a 
magnetized cassette tape and transmits those recording signals to the 
television 14 to be broadcast. The typical recording signals consist of 
composite video, audio, and control signals. The video signal provides the 
picture. The audio signal provides the soundtrack. The control signal 
covers timing and control information such as information that directs the 
picture tube where and when to write picture information on the screen of 
the television 14. 
The scanning apparatus 10 is designed to remove objectionable material from 
the soundtrack by altering the audio signal. 
The preferred embodiment of the scanning apparatus 10 features a 
preamplifier 16. The preamplifier 16 preferably has sufficient bandwidth 
to amplify the composite signals. The preamplifier 16 is preferred because 
it conditions the composite signals to working frequencies and increases 
the power of the composite signal to minimize injection of noise into the 
system. Noise injection is easier to minimize when the power of the 
composite signal is boosted. Preferably, a standard amplifier of the type 
typically used in television circuitry and well known by those skilled in 
the art may be employed as the preamplifier 16. The preferred amplifier is 
available from Phillips ECG and is sold under the trade name ECG 1265. A 
VHF amplifier such as the amplifier available from MCM Electronics and 
sold under the part number 35-1585 may also be employed as the 
preamplifier 16. 
The composite signal from the preamplifier 16 is transmitted over wire 20 
to an audio decoder 22. The audio decoder 22 separates the audio signal 
out of the composite signal. The audio decoder 22 beats the composite 
signal with a decoding frequency to trap the audio signal from the carrier 
centered frequency of the composite signal to the standard audio frequency 
in the range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Beating the composite signal combines 
it with a fixed frequency signal and results in a third "beat signal." The 
audio signal is then decoded out by shifting the frequencies in the 
transmitted signal to the 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz working range. The audio 
decoder 22 is standard television circuitry well known to those skilled in 
the art. The preferred audio decoder 22 is available as part of a master 
chip from Phillips ECG and is sold under the trade name ECG 1863. 
The audio signal is then preferably transmitted over wire 26 to an audio 
digital converter 28 that converts the audio signal from an analog signal 
to a digital signal. The audio signal must be digitized so that the 
scanning apparatus 10 may be analyzed. Standard analog to digital 
conversion techniques are preferably used to digitize the signal. The 
preferred digital converter 28 is available from Phillips ECG and is sold 
under the trade name ECG 2057. 
The composite signal is preferably transmitted from audio decoder 22 to 
composite digital converter 34 over wire 36. The composite digital 
converter 34 converts the composite signal from an analog signal to a 
digital signal. Standard analog to digital conversion techniques are 
preferably used to digitize the signal. The preferred composite digital 
converter 34 is available from Phillips ECG and is sold under the trade 
name ECG 2057. Another digital converter 34 is available from Reveal 
Computer Products and is sold under model number VE500 
After analog to digital conversion, the composite signal is transferred 
over wire 40 to digital looping apparatus such as digital ring memory 42. 
The digital composite signal is put into the digital ring memory 42 so 
that there will be time to analyze the audio signal and time to mute or 
modify objectionable speech. The composite signal preferably remains in 
the digital ring memory 42 for approximately ten seconds. The digital ring 
memory 42 is an electronic loop that is well known in the electronics 
industry. The preferred digital ring memory 42 is available from Phillips 
ECG and is sold under the trade name ECG 2128. 
As the composite signal is stored in the digital ring memory 42, the audio 
signal beat out by the audio decoder 22 is transmitted over wire 48 from 
the audio digital converter 28 to an apparatus for analyzing the audio 
signal such as audio processor 50. The audio processor 50 is of the type 
commonly used in speech recognition packages such as those sold by 
Articulate Systems, Inc. under the trade name "PowerSecretary" and by 
Dragon Systems under the trade name "DragonDictate." The audio processor 
50 performs analysis on the digital audio signal to determine which word 
or words should be muted or modified in the audio portion of the 
recording. The audio processor 50 scans for words by breaking up the 
speech into sections or bursts and analyzing the specific sections and the 
adjacent sections. The frequency and amplitude of the sections are matched 
against a set of templates stored in the memory of the audio processor 50. 
When the frequency and amplitude of one of the sections matches the 
template of the frequency and amplitude of a known objectionable word, the 
section is marked with a voltage as a word to be muted. 
After the audio signal is analyzed by the audio processor 50, the audio 
processor sends a muting signal over wire 56 to a manipulation apparatus 
such as the audio control gate 58. The muting signal is a zero voltage 
signal except when the audio processor 50 determines a word is to be 
muted, when the muting signal is a negative five volts (-5 volts) signal. 
The composite signal is transferred from the digital ring memory 42 over 
wire 60 to the audio control gate 58 simultaneously with the corresponding 
muting signal from the audio processor 50. The preferred audio control 
gate 58 uses a transistor available from Phillips and is sold under the 
trade name ECG 123, and an audio amplifier integrated circuit such as the 
one available from Phillips and sold under the trade name ECG 1875 or the 
one available from Toshiba sold under the trade name Toshiba TOA2611A. 
A tuner 52 splits the audio signal from the composite signal. The composite 
signal passes over wire 59 to a digital to analog converter 78 and a 
remixer 80. FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the audio control gate 58 
which is recognizable to one skilled in the art. The audio signal passes 
over wire 60, and the muting signal from the audio processor 50 passes 
over wire 56. The preferred analog converter 78 is available from Phillips 
ECG and is sold under the trade name ECG 2057. The tuner 52 is one 
commonly used in the art of televisions and video cassette recorders. 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the two wires 56,60 are operatively 
connected to a small signal PNP transistor 64 (see FIG. 2), such as an 
ECG123. When the muting signal is zero volts, the audio signal is allowed 
to pass the transistor 64 and is transmitted to the television 14. When 
the muting signal applies a voltage of negative five volts (-5 volts) to 
mute an objectionable word in the audio signal, the transistor 64 pulls 
the composite signal, thereby preventing the objectionable word from 
passing through the system. When the objectionable audio has passed, the 
muting signal is returned to zero volts (0 volts), and the transistor 64 
will allow the audio signal to pass along to the speaker 70. 
Between the transistor 64 and speaker 70 is an audio amplifier 76 that 
converts the composite signal back into analog form. The preferred audio 
amplifier 76 is available from Toshiba and is sold under the trade name 
Toshiba TOA2611A. 
With continuing reference to FIG. 1, a remixer 78 mixes the audio signal 
back into the composite signal. Afterwards, a the composite signal is 
amplified by an amplifier 80, and then is processed through an RF 
converter 82 to channels 3 or 4. The amplifier 80 and RF converter 82 are 
well known to those skilled in the art. The preferred remixer 78 is made 
of two diodes and is a common component in any television set. The 
preferred amplifier 80 is available from Phillips and is sold under the 
trade name ECG 1265. The preferred RF converter 82 is available from 
Toshiba and is sold under the trade name Toshiba 70123095. 
In an additional embodiment of the invention, the pulled down audio signal 
may be replaced by a non-objectionable word. The non-objectionable word is 
supplied from a memory of exchange audio. The original is scanned and a 
replacement audio is pulled from exchange audio memory as needed. The 
exchange audio memory is paired with possible objectionable material and 
replaces the objectionable material when the objectionable material is 
found. Duration and other sound characteristics may also be manipulated as 
necessary to match the timing of the objectionable material. 
In another embodiment of the invention, the scanning apparatus may be 
fitted with an on/off switch so that the apparatus may be bypassed. Such a 
switch preferably would be coded so that anyone without the correct code 
could not turn the scanning apparatus 10 off. 
The embodiments of the present invention need not be limited to video 
cassette recorders. The scanning apparatus may also be applied to other 
types of video players, such as a laser disk player, and audio equipment 
such as a compact disc player, audio cassette player, or other stereo 
equipment. The scanning apparatus may further be applied to video games, 
television, satellite or cable television, computers, and the Internet. In 
the situation when the video or audio is stored originally in a digital 
format, such as the case with laser disks of compact discs, the analog to 
digital converters 28,34 and the digital to analog converter 78 may be 
omitted from the scanning apparatus 10. The scanning apparatus 10 may be 
retrofitted to an existing video cassette player or recorder, or the 
scanning apparatus 10 may be installed in a new video cassette player or 
recorder. 
The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may 
incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general 
scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications 
and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended 
claims or the equivalents thereof.