Abstract:
A method and apparatus for manipulating an RF or NTSC video source to control access for video products such as television, cable, satellite, VCR, DVD, and video game devices. An apparatus and method provided by the present invention takes a signal from any one of a number of signal sources and interfaces with the monitor/television/device subject to control. The apparatus and method provides a master control for the amount of time the entertainment source can be accessed and during which times of the day it can be accessed. Within the master control, subsidiary controls can be implemented within master code guidelines. The apparatus also provides its own video signal for on-screen display of functions and timing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to video signals, and in particular to a method and apparatus for controlling video signals in and for televisions, VCRs, and video entertainment systems.  
           [0002]    Television viewing, and other related forms of program watching and video game playing through the use of external devices connected to a television or other type of CRT-based apparatus, has long been a source of entertainment for children and adults alike. However, over the course of a long period of advancement in television viewing and video game playing, a problem has arisen regarding the amount of time spent watching or using the television and/or video game apparatus.  
           [0003]    It has been reported on television news channels, such as the Fox News Network, that the average child who owns a video game system spends an average of ten hours per week playing the video game. The report also determined that the more hours a child spends in front of a video game, the lower their grades are on average. One of the biggest problems with home video game systems is controlling the amount of time a child spends playing it.  
           [0004]    Prior art devices have attempted to address this problem. Some devices simply block out certain television channels altogether. Other devices try to control television and video game apparatus by disrupting power to the television and/or video game apparatus. The first type devices do not address the problem of regulating the amount of time available, rather they take an all or nothing approach. The second type device addresses regulation of time available, but creates electronic problems. Turning power on and off to an electronic device severely stresses components within the device. Clocks and timers within the device itself must also be reset.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention addresses the limitations of the prior art by providing a method and apparatus for manipulating an RF or NTSC video source to control access for video products such as television, cable, satellite, VCR, DVD, and video game devices. An apparatus and method provided by the present invention takes a signal from any one of a number of signal sources and interfaces with the monitor/television/device subject to control. The apparatus and method provides a master control for the amount of time the entertainment source can be accessed and during which times of the day it can be accessed. Within the master control, subsidiary controls can be implemented within master code guidelines. The apparatus also provides its own video signal for on-screen display of functions and timing.  
           [0006]    The present invention not only provides a control for the amount of time a child may use a video game system, but also provides a motivational mechanism as well. The present invention is simple but effective. The present invention interfaces the video game system with a home television. The present invention has a master control with its own password that allows limited access to a main menu. From the menu, the master controller, e.g., parents, set up accounts for one of several children and assign each child their own individual play time. Individual playtime may be expanded or contracted as part of an overall motivation scheme to reward achievement or desired behavior.  
           [0007]    As a result, the present invention permits customizing usage patterns for multiple children. The present invention provides direct control of an incoming video signal where other devices enable/disable the power to either or both the video game system and television. The present invention provides a video overlay, so that a game player can clearly see how much time is available without affecting game play. The present invention allows a player to “bank” and “borrow” time to enable longer play. The present invention also permits parental control of time of day usage.  
           [0008]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a top view of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is flowchart of the method of the invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a sample introductory monitor screen according to the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a sample master control monitor screen according to the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a sample player control monitor screen according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , a video signal timer switch  1  embodying the principles of the present invention. For purposes of exposition, the invention will be described in terms of a video game system  2  using a television  3  for display and sound purposes. Most video game systems sold on the market today are adapted to using a home television for display and sound purposes. This substantially lowers the cost of the video game system since nearly all homes will have at least one television.  
         [0018]    The switch  1  is comprised of a generally rectangular housing  10  with a top  11  and four sides  12 . The housing  10  has a control pad  13  with various keys  14  adapted for entering codes and commands into the invention  1  contained within and protruding through said housing top  11 . One of the housing sides  12  has a plurality of video input jacks  15  adapted to receive video outputs from devices such as VCR and DVD players, televisions, video game devices, and the like. In the embodiment shown, four input jacks  15  are provided so that four devices may be simultaneously connected to the housing  10 . For exposition purposes, a video game device  2  has its video output connected to one of the video input jacks  15  of the switch  1 . In other embodiments of the invention, the housing  10  can be configured to accept as few as one or as many more as may be desired. Power may be supplied to the invention by means of external DC or AC, or internal battery power, or a combination of both, all such power supplies and techniques being well known in the prior art. In this embodiment, the housing has a power jack  16  on a housing side  12  adapted to receive DC power from an external source. One of the housing sides  12  also has a video output jack  17  adapted to bring the invention output to the “Video In” of the device being controlled, e.g., a television  3 . Within the housing  10 , an electronic control input module  20  is provided which is adapted to receiving signals from the control pad  13  and translating the signals into control signals for a microprocessor  21  within the housing  12 . The microprocessor  21  controls an input switch  22  which selects a desired input source by activating an appropriate input jack  15 . The video signal from the video game device  2  is brought into the housing  12  through the selected input jack  15  and passed through to a video controller/combiner  23 . The output from the video controller/combiner  23  is made available to the housing output jack  17 . The output from the output jack  17  is passed to the “Video In” jack of a television  3 . The microprocessor  21  also controls the video controller/combiner  23 . The microprocessor  21  essentially determines when the video controller/combiner  23  passes the signal from the input switch  22  through to the housing output jack  17 , and for how long a period of time. The microprocessor  21  is also adapted to providing a video signal of its own to the video controller/combiner  23  either to be combined with the signal from the input switch  22  or to replace the signal from the input switch  22  in its entirety.  
         [0019]    In another embodiment of the invention, the control pad  13  is remoted from the switch housing  10 , thereby providing a remote control. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4. The original housing  10  replaces the control pad  13  with an infrared (IR) receiver  24  and means  27  along one of its sides  12  for receiving an IR signal. Functionally, everything else remains the same. The control pad  13  is incorporated into its own housing  50 , said housing having a top  51 , a bottom (not shown) and four sides  53 . The control pad  13  protrudes from said housing top  51 . An IR transmitter  25  is incorporated into the housing  50 , is electronically connected to the control pad  13 , and has means  26  along one of the housing sides  19  for transmitting an infrared signal to the IR receiver  24 .  
         [0020]    Referring generally to the figures, and more particularly to FIGS.  5 - 8  which illustrate the method of the present invention, an invention user enters a code by means of the control pad  13 . The microprocessor  21  is activated by the code and makes available through the video controller/combiner  23  various screen displays on the television  3  presenting available features. The user then selects an appropriate or desired option and the microprocessor  21  enables the optional signal to be displayed on the television  3 .  
         [0021]    An example of an initial opening screen  30  is shown in FIG. 5. The initial screen  30  will request a user identifier and/or a password  31 . This information is entered via the control pad  13 .  
         [0022]    If the information  31  entered signals that it is a master control identifier, a master control screen  32 , an example of which is shown in FIG. 6, is presented on the television. The master control screen  32  permits the master controller, e.g., parent, to control usage patterns for up to five children. other embodiments of the invention may have more or less children. Each child is issued a unique password. “Daily Minutes”  33  is the amount of time added each day for each selected child. “Max Bank”  34  is the amount of time that can be stored up. “Max Borrow”  35  is the maximum time that can be borrowed per twenty-four hour period. The total allowed daily play time would be Daily Minutes  33  plus Max. Borrow  35 . The daily time period during which a child may be allowed to play may be set by means of the “Start Time”  36  and “End Hour”  37  controls. Control may also be extended and varied according to day of the week. Other relevant control features may also be added.  
         [0023]    If the information  31  entered signals that it is an individual player, i.e., child, a player control screen  40 , an example of which is shown in FIG. 7, is presented on the television monitor  2 . The player control screen  40  permits the player to select the desired video source, i.e., input jack  15  The player control screen  40  will indicate the playing minutes available, the amount in the bank, and the amount available to be borrowed. The player can play with what has been allocated or can add to the allocated amount by borrowing. The player would then start the game and play it for some period of time. The player may check the amount of time available for playing by entering an appropriate code. Alternatively, the amount of time available may be continuously or intermittently displayed on a corner of the television screen. Various options may be implemented to signal the [player that the amount of time allocated may be about to end. For example, the screen color could be made to change to yellow when less than five minutes remain in the player&#39;s allocated playing time. The screen color could then be made to change to red when less than a minute remained in the player&#39;s allocated playing time. When the allocated time is used, the game would be interrupted. The player&#39;s control screen would then re-appear indicating that the player&#39;s allocated time had been used up. The player could then borrow more time if available or desired. Alternatively, after a designated period of time, the initial screen would re-appear.  
         [0024]    Since it is highly desirable that the master control information remain in the switch  1 , power must remain available to the housing  10  and components therein. If an “ON/OFF” switch were incorporated into the housing  10 , a battery would be required within the housing  10  to maintain clocks, timers and tables within the microprocessor  21 .  
         [0025]    It is understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.