Abstract:
A screen time control device includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. The processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application 61/746,668 filed Dec. 28, 2012, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to the use of a wireless device and behavior modification protocol that can be used to promote pro-social behaviors through regulating the viewing of a display device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    During the last decade, there has been a great deal of research on the negative effects of excessive video game playing and overall “screen time” (TV, computer, video games, etc.) on children. Historically, behavioral problems in individuals exposed to excessive television viewing has been fairly well-documented. And, the previous models applied to excessive television viewing are being increasingly applied to video games. 
         [0004]    The American Medical Association along with the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap.org), has recently found that excessive gaming can lead to “Video Game Addiction.” Although controversial, the definition of Video Game Addiction is an excessive or compulsive use of video games that interferes with a person&#39;s everyday life. Individuals typically have a classically conditioned response to video game stimulation that produces a compulsive of addictive pattern of use. In traditional addiction models (which are ever more frequently being applied to video gaming), dopamine levels are elevated via an operant reward, creating a neural pattern that is more securely embedded in the nervous system. 
         [0005]    Although not a formal diagnosis in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, the DSM-IV has listed Video Game Addiction as a ‘condition for further study.’ Video Game Addiction has been linked to poor school performance, aggressive behaviors, sleep and eating problems, obesity, social withdrawal/exclusion of other life events, mood swings, diminished imagination, and attention problems as well as in increase in epileptic seizures (Emotional and Behavioral Effects of Video Games and Internet Overuse, Report of the Council of Science and Public Health, CSAPH Report 12-A-07). 
         [0006]    More recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that children under 2 year of age not be exposed to “screen time.” Furthermore, they recommend that parents limit children&#39;s screen time to one to two hours a day, keeping children&#39;s bedrooms, free from media, and keeping violent video games out of homes where they may be observed or played by young children. 
         [0007]    Currently, there is no systematic way for parents to control and monitor the amount of screen time to which their children are exposed. The primary problem facing parents involves gaining control over screened devices (e.g., television, computer, gaming console) without a power struggle. Transitioning from screen time to a less preferred activity (e.g., study time) can be particular problematic. In many cases, parents will try to physically intervene, or they will attempt to shut the screen off prematurely. This can lead to a physical and/or verbal confrontation that can and often does become repetitive, time consuming, and exhausting for both parents and children. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    Disclosed is a screen time control device, which includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. In this regard, the processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, a screen time control region of memory includes a first account profile with a daily allowed screen time value that can be increased or decreased in response to a behavior of a person associated with the first account profile. When the daily allowed screen time value is zero, the processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with the parental signal. The parental signal masks the image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen without turning off the display device in order to avoid damage to the display device. 
         [0010]    A monitoring device can be connected to the processor through a network to allow a person in authority to monitor the daily allowed screen time value of the first account profile and increasing or decreasing the daily allowed screen time value in response to the behavior of the person associated with the first account profile. 
         [0011]    These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon review of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The invention, though, is pointed out with particularity by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a screen time control system in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a depiction of a webpage on the control panel on the monitoring device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is another webpage on the control panel on the monitoring device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is yet another webpage on the control panel on the monitoring device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an image on the display device of  FIG. 1  masking the underlining original video signal. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an image on the display device of  FIG. 1  with the screen displaying a penalty message. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an image on the display device of  FIG. 1  showing an overlaid video signal. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Systems and methods are disclosed that provide parents (or any other authority figure) with an effective way to modify a child&#39;s (or any other subservient) behavior without confrontation by controlling available screen time. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  a block diagram that illustrates one embodiment of a screen time control system  10  in accordance with the present disclosure. A controller  100  comprises at least one processor  102 , a source interface  104 , a device interface  106 , a parental interface  108 , and a memory  110 . Controller  100  can be used by the authority figure, to regulate viewing of a screen  111  on display device  112  between any number of viewers or users. 
         [0021]    Controller  100  is positioned between a program source  114  and display device  112 . Program source  114  can be any suitable source of video, and/or audio information, including signals from antennae, cable system, satellite system, VCR, digital video device (DVD), compact disc (CD) device, Internet access system, PC, electronic game player, or the like. Display device  112  can be any device capable of presenting an image, such as a TV screen, computer screen, or the like, whether mobile or not, and whether it is configured for watching TV programming, video games, computer programs, or the like. 
         [0022]    The video and/or audio information is received from program source  114  by source interface  104  through connection  116 . Signals from program source  114  are provided via source interface  104  to processor  102 . Processor  102  receives the signals and overlays the video portion of the signal with a translucent signal, which can be a semi-opaque signal or a semi-transparent signal, that when presented on screen  111  and viewed on display device  112  is virtually imperceptible. The signal with the video portion overlaid with the translucent signal is an overlaid video signal. 
         [0023]    Processor  102  then monitors the vertical/horizontal sync of the input signal to know where the input signal is within each frame of video on screen  111 . When the input signal to display device  112  is within the translucent region of the overlay, it just passes through the original input video from program source  114  to screen  111  of display device  112 ; otherwise, screen  111  displays the translucent signal. This allows program source  102  to dynamically synchronize every frame of video, without jitter, and choose the pixel stream to output (and possibly to encrypt). This enables regulation of the viewing of display device  112  without turning on and off any electronics. 
         [0024]    Processor  102  may be implemented with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. 
         [0025]    Connections  116  and  120  for convenience are illustrated as a hardwire connection, but can be implemented with any other suitable media, such as infrared, optical, wireless or the like without departing from the present invention. In other embodiments, connection  120  may be replaced with other suitable media, such as a bus or the like, and/or may be coupled via one or more other intermediary components without departing from the present invention. 
         [0026]    The signal, including the overlaid signal, is provided by processor  102  to device interface  106  and distributed to display device  116  through connection  120  for viewing on screen  111  of display device  112 . In embodiments where the original video from program source  114  is encrypted, the translucent signal can be encrypted using similar encryption algorithms and overlaid on the original signal, so when display device  112  decrypts the original video it also decrypts the translucent signal to prevent it from scrambling. Processor  102  does not require decryption keys (or device keys); rather, processor  102  derives the keys being used to encrypt the translucent signal to match the encrypted video signal to match. This allows display device  112  to treat the overlaid video signal no different than the original video from program source  114 . Processor  102  does not need to decrypt video from program source  114 . 
         [0027]    The translucent signal in the overlaid video signal can be modified to mask the underlining original video signal or have a portion overridden with a textual message. Processor  102  modifies the translucent signal by changing the color of the translucent signal to an opaque overlay signal that masks the original video signal. To completely mask the original input signal, the translucent signal is rendered opaque, such as black or some other dark color. When display device  112  decodes the overlaid video signal, all that is shown are the opaque pixels. A textual message can also be provided in a portion of the screen by changing the color of the translucent signal in a portion of the screen. For example, a message in a contrasting font, such as a white font can be displayed at the bottom of the screen. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 5-7  show screen  111  operating in accordance with this disclosure.  FIG. 5  shows screen  111  with the translucent signal rendered opaque to mask the original input signal. A black screen  111  is all the is visible to the viewer, except in this example, a textual message is also provided in a portion of the screen in a contrasting white font to tell the viewer that he is unable to watch screen  111  of display device  112  for the next 58.5 minutes.  FIG. 6 , similarly shows screen  111  of display device  112  masked and showing a textual message that display device is off. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  shows an example of what screen  111  of display device  112  looks like when the semi-transparent signal of the overlaid video signal is not masked and the screen is available for viewing.  FIG. 7  is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to show a real-world example. The semi-transparent signal is virtually imperceptible. The textual message shown on screen  111  is intended to represent an image on screen  111  that would be visible to the viewer. In practice, the view could see if he or she were close enough to the screen a semi-transparent pink font instead of the white font that is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0030]    Controller  100  is configured to receive instructions in the form of a parental signal from the authoritative person via the parental interface  108 . The instructions can include whether to mask an image on display device  112  or send a textual message for viewing on display device  112 . Processor  102  is also configured to store information corresponding to the instructions in a screen time control region  122  of memory  110 . 
         [0031]    One embodiment of controller  100  comprises logic to monitor total available viewing time of screen  111  of display device  112  by several children. In reference to memory  110 , screen time control region  122  can include multiple account profiles  124  corresponding with multiple children, and can be configured for various exemplary program regulation options. Controller  100  blocks further viewing of screen  111  once total available viewing time of a child equals zero by masking the screen in the manner described above. The specified available viewing time is stored in the available viewing time region  126  of profile  124  of memory  122 . This has the added benefit of curbing or preventing addiction to video games or television by limiting access to display device  112 . 
         [0032]    Screen time control device  10  relies on an evidenced based approach to behavior management using the principles of operant conditioning or what is commonly referred to as Behavior Modification (Skinner, 1953). These principle include the use of Positive Reinforcement, Punishment; and Negative Reinforcement. The applications of these evidenced based practices include Differential Attention, Schedules of Reinforcement. Time-Out, Response Costs and Behavior Contracting, which are widely accepted as effective approaches to improving behavior in home, community, and clinical settings (Forehand &amp; McMahon, 1981). 
         [0033]    The value associated with the available viewing time can be increased (e.g., Positive Reinforcement) or decreased (e.g., Punishment) at any time by the authority figure (e.g., parent) in response to the behavior of the subject (e.g., child). For example, cooperative behaviors can be rewarded or “reinforced” by adding time to the number of minutes a child can have screen time during the day. If the child earns more time (e.g., does a chore without a fight, completes homework, etc.), minutes can be added to available viewing time region  126  of memory  10 . 
         [0034]    Parents can also send an individualized message to the child (e.g., Differential Attention), which will appear on screen  111  of display device  112 , such as “Good job, you earned 30 minutes.” Similarly, uncooperative behaviors can be discouraged by taking away minutes of viewing time (e.g., Response Cost). This can be done without directly confronting (i.e., avoiding physical or verbal conflict) the child because the parent has control over controller  100  from anywhere through program interface  108 . If the child loses viewing time, the parent can simply subtract available time from viewing time region  126  of memory  110 . The parent could also transmit a message to display device  112  that might say, “You need to earn more screen time,” or “You need to talk to your parents.” In an embodiment, individuals can wear a wireless device that will “signal” when they have earned or lost screen time. 
         [0035]    The authority figure can also temporarily mask the image on screen  111  of display device  112  in immediate response to uncooperative behavior (e.g., the child refuses to clean their room, etc.), as shown in  FIG. 5 . This is a form of “time-out” from screen time. The authority figure simply uses a monitoring device  130  (described below) to log into controller  100  though parental interface  108  and mask the image on screen  111  in the manner described above. Again, this can be done without conflict. The authority figure simply prevents screen  111  from being viewed until the child becomes cooperative. 
         [0036]    The foregoing operates on the principle that short-term and immediate consequences for a child are more effective than longer-term or delayed consequences. In addition to the use of “Time-Out” the parent can use negative reinforcement to encourage cooperative behaviors. As soon as a child increases a particular behavior (e.g., cleaning his room), he can stop an aversive state (e.g., Time-out from screen time). For instance, an immediate message can be sent to the child that reads, “You need to clean your room before playing any games.” The child could also be alerted to the conduct necessary to receive viewing time, such as the parent specifying a time or the number of minutes the child must cooperate before gaining access to display device  112 . For instance, the parent could specify that the child has to demonstrate 2 hours of cooperation with others (e.g., siblings) before being able to have additional time. In an embodiment this can be done by the parent by sending a message to the child using screen time control system  10  that says the device will be turned off in X-number of minutes, where X can be configured each time the parent send the message or can be a default value such as 5-minutes. This warning gives the child enough time to save any work or save their location on a game. 
         [0037]    In another embodiment of controller  100 , use of display device  112  can be regulated in accordance with predefined scheduling times. If, for example, the time of day from 5-8 pm is reserved for family meal time and homework, controller  100  blocks viewing of display device  112  by masking the image on screen  111  of display device  112  during this time period. Alternatively, if the time of day reserved for watching display device  112  is limited to 7-8 pm, controller  100  blocks all viewing of display device  112 , except for this time period. Further, the scheduling times can be limited to a number of hours on a given day; for example, controller  100  can be programmed to permit two hours of viewing on Saturday. Once the total time on Saturday reaches two hours, the image on display device  112  is masked to prevent further viewing. The scheduling time period is stored in the scheduling time region  127  of profile  124  in memory  110 . 
         [0038]    These contingencies can be specified in a “Behavior Contract” that establishes an agreement between the parent/teacher and child/student. This Behavior Contract will specify the following: 1.) Positive behaviors that result in increased screen time; 2.) Negative behaviors that will result in decreased screen time; 3.) Conditions of Time-out from screen time; 4.) Conditions of removal of Time-out or conditions for reinstating screen time privileges; and 5.) The daily schedule for screen time use. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Screen Time Behavior Contract 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 This contract specifies the use of Screen Time (e.g., video games; 
               
               
                 TV; Computer) in your home. 
               
               
                 This agreement is 
               
               
                 between         and              
               
               
                 on this day of        . 
               
               
                 SCREEN TIME SCHEDULE 
               
               
                 I,         , agree that I can have screen time during the 
               
               
                 following hours on the following days: 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Monday: 
                       to       
               
               
                 Tuesday: 
                       to       
               
               
                 Wednesday: 
                       to       
               
               
                 Thursday: 
                       to       
               
               
                 Friday: 
                       to       
               
               
                 Saturday: 
                       to       
               
               
                 Sunday: 
                       to       
               
             
          
           
               
                 INCREASING POSITIVE BEHAVIORS 
               
               
                 I,        , understand that I can increase the amount of 
               
               
                 screen time up to      minutes for displaying the following 
               
               
                 behaviors: 
               
             
          
           
               
                 1.              
                 2.               
               
               
                 3.              
                 4.               
               
             
          
           
               
                 DECREASING NEGATIVE BEHAVIORS 
               
               
                 I,        , also understand that the amount of Screen Time 
               
               
                 will be reduced for displaying the following behaviors: 
               
             
          
           
               
                 1.              
                 2.               
               
               
                 3.              
                 4.               
               
             
          
           
               
                 TIME-OUT FROM SCREEN 
               
               
                 Furthermore, I       , understand that my access to screen 
               
               
                 time will be placed in Time Out (I will not be able to use) for a 
               
               
                 specified period of time if I display the following behaviors: 
               
             
          
           
               
                 1.              
                 2.               
               
               
                 3.              
                 4.               
               
             
          
           
               
                 I,      , understand that I can earn back Screen time when I 
               
               
                 demonstrate appropriate behaviors for       minutes/hours. 
               
               
                 SIGNATURES 
               
             
          
           
               
                 
                               
                 
                 
                         
                 
               
               
                 Parent/Guardian 
                 Date 
               
               
                 
                               
                 
                 
                         
                 
               
               
                 Child 
                 Date 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0039]    The present invention contemplates a number of ways for identifying the user of display device  112 . An authorization device could be configured in display device  112 , positioned inline between display device  112  and controller  100 , or in any other position communicatively coupled with controller  100 . The authorization device could require a password to log on or some other mechanism of authorization, such as a physical key or card, biometric security or the like. The authorization device can also communicate with controller  100  to confirm the identity of the login information and associate the person who logged in with a particular profile in memory  110 . This allows, for example, the parents&#39; viewing of display device  112  to not subtract from the child&#39;s viewing time, or allows controller  100  to work with multiple children each having a profile  124 . 
         [0040]    Controller  100  can communicate with the authority figure over a network  128  through parental interface  108 . Parental interface  108  can be any network interface device, such as an Ethernet card, an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, or any other type of device that can send and receive information. Network  128  can be any type of network for conveying information, such as Ethernet, mobile, cellular, etc. Authority figure can use a monitoring device  130  to communicate with controller  100  over network  128 . Monitoring device  130  can be any type of communication device, such as mobile phone, tablet, personal computer, etc. 
         [0041]    The authority figure can use a control panel  132  on monitoring device  130  to interact with controller  100 .  FIGS. 2-4  show control panel  132 . Control panel  132  can be software embedded on monitoring device  130  or can be a cloud-based system residing on an external server to allow the authority figure to interact with controller  100  from any location over the Internet, as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 . Control panel  132  has a scheduling field to display a visual summary of an individual family members information, such as, total viewing time, history, restrictions, settings, and the like. The authority figure could also receive alerts on monitoring device  130  whenever the child turns on display device  112 . Furthermore, control panel  132  allows the authority figure to set restrictions, grant accesses, and transmit information to the children. Control panel  132  can also keep track and record the frequency of problematic behaviors. This can be accomplished through the use of a utility that has “real time” recording of events in document that parents or authority figures can access when they log into the website. 
         [0042]    If a parental rating value exists for a viewing signal, control panel  132  may also censor for age appropriate content based upon the age the child. Embodiments of the age-appropriate content feature can provide the restrictions and settings based on the defined PRG ratings and/or based on optional configuration settings. 
         [0043]    The foregoing screen time control system  10  has applications in clinical settings as well as private homes. For instance, the device can be used in “class-wide” interventions that will provide increased or decrease screen time or individual students in alternative educational settings for children with behavioral problems. Staff working with behaviorally disordered children or adults with Developmental Disabilities can use the device to encourage cooperative behaviors within group home settings. Counselors can work hand in hand with parents with not only the implementation of a Behavior Modification program, but also track their progress using the behavior tracking sheet. This is consistent with the Scientist Practitioner model of practice and allows for on-going Functional Behavioral Assessment of behavioral problems. 
         [0044]    In this regard, screen time control device  10  is an innovative way for persons in authority (e.g., parents, teachers, etc.) to use wireless technology to monitor and gain control of screen time without the aforementioned power struggles. The authority figure simply uses their cell phone, tablet, or computer to log on to the website (i.e. control panel  132  on monitoring device  130 ) associated with controller  100  to monitor and alter screen time. The screen time control device  10  can also allow authority figures to add or subtract the amount of screen time that is allowed or available. This provides a way to encourage or “reward” cooperative behaviors and discourage problem behaviors and conflict. This system represents an easy, efficient, and effective way to monitor and control total screen time. The screen time control device  10  does not actually shut off the electronic appliance (e.g. television, computer, or gaming console). As a result, it does not harm any of the electronic appliances. It simply overlays a blank screen on the screen  111  of display device  112 . The gaming system (or television, computer, etc.) (i.e. display device  112 ) continues to work, but the screen content cannot be viewed without adding more time. Individuals can also send on-screen notifications or other messages via the website and wireless device. 
         [0045]    The systems and methods herein disclosed are not limited to regulating viewing of a display device among children in the home. The teachings of this disclosure are applicable in other environments, as well. TV viewing may be regulated in an institution, such as a prison, where behavior non-confrontational modification is desired. 
         [0046]    While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.