CN1217849A - Television - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of controlling the viewing of television programmes according to their content involves sending codes using an auxiliary data channel which indicate the level of sexual, violent, distressing, etc. content. These codes are assembled into a wide screen signalling (WSS) signal and detected at a receiver. The receiver is programmed by entering corresponding codes which indicate allowable or forbidden content and cause the display to be blanked and the sound to be muted in dependance on the transmitted codes. A system, programme source and receiver are also described.

Description

TV

The present invention relates to forbid the method and apparatus that TV programme shows according to programme content.

By a law, the television receiver with the display that surpasses certain size that requirement was started selling from 1998 must have makes father and mother can stop children to watch the device of the coded program of inclusive, violence and filthy language in the U.S..A kind of so-called " V chip " used in suggestion, monitor a code that sends with TV signal, and when having the programme content of forbidding, the code indication forbids that television reception machine operation, the said programme content of forbidding comprise that possibility is by the scene camera lens some observation on the relevant violence of thinking carrion or unsuitable for children, property or other content.

In the V of U.S. chip system, Broadcasting Authority divides four inspection classifications to evaluate each program.Then, as the part of the expanding data service (EDS) of closed caption (CC) system, transmit the value of each class simultaneously.As long as program is arranged, will send said value aloft.

Father and mother determine a threshold value by using an access control mechanism to each class.If the grade of evaluation has surpassed the value of authorizing in advance, then the V chip will suppress video and sound signal.Because the response of V chip decoder almost is instantaneous generation, so this system can handle the channel problem of beating at an easy rate.But the heads of a family also needn't worry to have missed in the TV guide or the content advance notice of program when beginning.

Electronic Industries Association (EIA) has determined that four are checked classification and the number that sends the needed data bit of this code:

-MPAA grade (be equivalent to separated film, for example 18 grades, the PG level, etc.)--3

-violent content advice level--2 (allowed band 0-3)

-property content advice level--2

-adult language advice level--2.

Same principle is applicable to Canadian test macro, but the two is inequality now.

Must comprise all that with the latter made all U.S.'s television sets CC decoder is to provide captions in July, 1993.Current CC decoder (for example, SAA 5252 decoders of being sold by Philips Semicondnctors) can the blanking television image when switching to full text mode.They show the abundant indicating characteristic of OSD menu in addition, thereby father and mother can be to checking the threshold value programming.

Different with teletext is can write down the CC data, and can duplicate the CC data by the vhs video machine during program playback.Record and that write down in advance like this tape also may comprise grade and check data.

In Europe, the problem of implementing the system of V chip type is more complicated more than North America.The broadcasting station is by a governability, and cultural difference with the language aspect means the different of acceptable moral standards.Also have the technical problem of handling 625 row television systems, few of residual capacity can be used for extra data-signal.

A kind of conspicuous solution is to use the system in America, but there are some shortcomings in this system.

The first, for the broadcasting station, the CC signal will occupy valuable teletext transmission capacity

(delegation has for good and all lost) and coded system that need be different.

The second, concerning the broadcasting station, the copy transmissions of using teletext and CC signal all to need

Equipment and data bridge (in cable amplifier) are extremely expensive.

The 3rd, consumer electronics's circuit manufacturer provides figure in each television set and PC TV card

Teletext and CC decoding have extra expense possibly.

It is not new allowing father and mother to utilize the notion of watching of the information Control television receiver of broadcasting station transmission, just once proposes this design among the WO 83/02208 that publishes June 23 nineteen eighty-three.Propose in the document, send a code by the figure message TV signal that sends with TV signal, this code forms as a selected line number of the teletext of an appointment.Therefore, when the tedious incident of possibility takes place, just send number of pages and line number in field blackout period.At the receiver place, teletext decoder permanently is set to inquires about relevant page or leaf, and can discern the line number when transmitting.The specific grade of specific line number indication acoustic image incident.

We wait that jointly looking into UK Patent Application No.9619878.3 (PHB 34110) discloses a kind of method of using figure message TV signal, wherein increase to expand in the packets of information at one and send grouped data, said packets of information is transmitted with the interval that is about 1 second by Britain TV programme supply station.This just can transmit data regularly and can at a good pace upgrade classification.Yet, based on the shortcoming that truly has of the application of the transmission of teletext, promptly can not reliable recording on tape, perhaps use the vhs video machine of standard to reset from tape.Therefore, record " breaking " can destroy the code that sends, and the tape that writes down in advance of resetting can not make television receiver obtain such code, can not get even code has been recorded on the tape yet.

An object of the present invention is, allow other donor of father and mother or receiver that a kind of editting function is applied in the output of television receiver.

The invention provides a kind of method, allow the licensee to forbid TV programme or its a part of sound and/or Visual Display according to programme content, this method comprises the steps:

ⅰ) whole contents and/or the instantaneous content of classification TV programme;

ⅱ) produce the code word of representing the class that is classified; And

ⅲ) in a wide screen signalling signal (WSS) of the multiplexed transmission of TV signal of representing program, inserting this code word.

An advantage of each of use WSS is that the supplier of program can more and more transmit this code, and when decoder was assembled on wide screen (16: 9 the image aspects) television receiver, these decoders became and are easy to utilize.Therefore can increase an editing equipment at an easy rate in the program source place, and the WSS signal of can decoding quite at an easy rate at the receiver place.Another advantage is that WSS has been designed to be recorded on the standard VHS video cassette recorder and can have reset by it.Therefore, by the Sort Code in the WSS signal of the program that writes down in advance is provided on tape, just can guarantee being recorded in the control of the programme content on the tape.

Another advantage of utilizing WSS to transmit to transmit code is that in many countries, existing ready-made facility is used for inserting the WSS signal in the signal that transmits, and quite television receiver big figure and increasing all comprises the WSS decoder now.Because it is more and more to buy the number of big-screen TV receiver, and it is quite easy to locate to increase editing equipment on receiver and in the program source, so require the beholder of WSS equipment also more and more.

Therefore, in order to forbid the sound and/or Visual Display, the program supplying unit is wanted the content of monitoring program, and provides the suitable indication of programme content by means of being inserted in a code in the WSS signal.The people of control television set can use this code decision whether should show (maybe can listen ground visibly) these programs.By using the WSS signal to transmit code, graph-text decoding device or unwanted does not perhaps spend the normal work to do of finishing it, particularly, the figure of mixing, literary composition and " observation " function still can be utilized.

Send WSS once in each television frame, code word is to pack into from the position of inserting in a plurality of frames.

Therefore, code word become less than 1 second interval utilizable, therefore, if expectation can frequently change classification at an easy rate by suitable precise time.This can make occurrent possible tedious incident be excluded, the integral body that can also watch program simultaneously.For example, news and topical program may comprise catastrophic or tedious camera lens, and for example from the incident of area of war, these account for the quite short part of whole program.

This method can comprise other step: produce the error correction position, be used for inserting the WSS with code word.In one embodiment, protect code word by a Hamming code, code word is 4/8 hamming code.

This allows the secret reception of Sort Code, and therefore since the transmission of classification code word or detect in forbidding mistakenly of causing of mistake show or the possibility that allows mistakenly to show reduces to minimum.

Another possibility of protecting at mistake is, think program classification be effectively before, require to carry out two or more identical codes transmission in succession.

Can use the code word that comprises two positions that each of one or more criteria for classifications is encoded, and single standard can be added on the whole program, perhaps is added on the individual event of a program.Criteria for classification can comprise one or more in violent content, property content, disaster content, the adult's language.

Use two code word to allow for each standard to 4 possible ranks of this standard setting.For example, about the standard of violent content, code 00 can be represented no violent content, the rudimentary violent content of code 01 representative, the intermediate violent content of code 10 representatives, the senior violent content of code 11 representatives.

One of code word can be represented the program area of source, can represent the program area of source by one 4 code.

In view of the sensitiveness difference of Different Culture, indication program area of source may be useful.Think for a nationality or religion group tediously, and another nationality or religion group thought be not that therefore the implication of revising particular code according to the sensitiveness of the administrative authority of program source and television receiver is useful.Therefore, some group is admissibility or violent content more or less, and by a code being provided for the program area of source, just can correspondingly improve or reduce the rank of receiver position.

For a selected category level, can provide the code word of replacement to replace being considered to unfavorable code word.

The channel of can be at an auxiliary channel, for example being used for the Audetel service of suggestion transmits these code words, and said Audetel service provides an audio frequency to help signal, is used for being described in the action of a camera lens.

The present invention further provides the sound of forbidding TV programme and/or the method for Visual Display, this method comprises the steps:

ⅳ) set up user's mandate, with program or its several sections of determining to forbid;

ⅴ) in a memory of television receiver inside, import the code word of the programme content of forbidding corresponding to expectation;

ⅵ) reception is by the TV signal of the method generation of former several paragraphs propositions;

ⅶ) code word that relatively receives and the code word of input; And

ⅷ) forbid the sound and/or Visual Display according to result relatively.

Make and to control the reception of potential spectators (as children) in this way for TV signal with content of not expecting.Can use the television set that is equipped with the WSS decoder or video tape recorder to monitor program classification according to the content of program, and if the user imported a classification that expectation is forbidden, so just can provide measure to forbid the output of television set or the writing function of video tape recorder.

Can finish the step ⅳ of this method by input Personal Identification Number (PIN)).Replacedly or replenish ground, can finish step ⅳ of the present invention by a physiological characteristic that monitors the licensee).

Setting up a quite simple method of authorizing is to take place one only to be authorized to the PIN that the user knows.Then, allow the PIN of input and the PIN (only being authorized to the user knows) of storage compare, meet, then can upgrade Sort Code if find the two.

Using the shortcoming of PIN is that PIN may be forgotten by the user, perhaps may be found by unauthorized user.A replacement method that needs complex apparatus more to realize is a physiological characteristic of monitoring user, for example fingerprint, sound, facial characteristics, etc.

Can use the remote control unit enter code word.

Generally all provide a remote control unit together now, and remote control unit all there is a numeric keypad usually with television set.Therefore can use them to import PIN.Most of remote control unit all are provided with other key, can use the Sort Code of their function input expectation.

Can produce display message on the screen to help the input of code word.

By this measure, instruction and selection by means of showing in succession can guide the process of progressively carrying out of input with respect to the code of different criteria for classifications.

Can produce display message on the screen, notify the beholder to forbid the reason of the sound or Visual Display.

This information will prevent that the beholder from thinking to be out of order in the television set just to make and show or the sound stops.This information for example can be following form: " because the sound forbidden in adult's language ", " because disaster event is forbidden showing ".

The sound of available a kind of replacement replaces the forbidden sound.

Therefore, can with " too " sound or other sound-substitution do not expect language and the language heard.This will guarantee to allow the beholder recognize, just because of controlled function, language will be under an embargo, and be out of order if substitute language then can think with solemn silence.

Can determine the sound of replacement by the signal that receives.

Therefore, sound scope can replace original language.For example, the sound of replacement depends on the length of wanting superseded language.In another example, can transmit what replace in an auxiliary channel is not the language of tedious language to replace not allowed by selected classification.For example can use any residual capacity in the Audetel service of being advised to transmit the language that these substitute.

The present invention further provides a kind of TV signal program source, it comprises: the device of the TV signal of the programme content sort pass that WSS signal inserts device, transmit according to TV signal, produce representative distribute to program or its part classification code word device and in WSS, insert the device of code word.

Many current TV signal source all comprise a WSS inserter, and it inserts vertical blanking interval to WSS signal, the ratio of width to height of the image that is transmitted with expression.The WSS signal comprises 3 in each frame, present WSS signal is defined as PAL and adds help program (PAL plus helper) signal.In one embodiment of the invention, suggestion is used these 3 and is transmitted Sort Code, and does not use PAL to add the help program code.This adds transmission with any PAL certainly is incompatible.

Change the device of classification in can being included between single program duration.

This allows to press dual mode and uses Sort Code.First kind of mode is to stop to receive to be considered to unacceptable whole program; The second way is that allowing to watch a program but will delete may be tedious incident.Eliminable incident length depends on the transmitted frequency of code.The every frame of WSS signal (being per 40 milliseconds) transmits once, be 40 milliseconds therefore minimum update time, but for described embodiment, this time also will increase, this is because remaining off-capacity is transmitting the Sort Code advised in a frame, and the cause that will propagate on a plurality of WSS signals in succession of Sort Code.

The device that code word is carried out error recovery can be provided.Can protect code word by means of Hamming code.This code word can be 4/8 hamming code.

By code word is carried out error protection, reduced the incident in program or the program to be produced the possibility of forbidding showing or allowing demonstration mistakenly by what transmission error caused.

The alternative that Sort Code is carried out hamming code required before Sort Code works to receive twice of Sort Code or repeatedly with identical form.

Code word can comprise one or more other word of level of determining following classification: property exposure, violence, adult's language, disaster image or the sound.

These classifications can be applied to sound or visually, can use on the individual case of using a whole program or a program.For example, news program may be described in a special report such as the senior violence from area of war.They also may comprise the disaster content, for example the crowd's of the hunger that causes of famine picture.The example that may injure other content of some beholder comprises the displaying of the operation in the medical science program.

Code word also can comprise the code word of expression program area of source.

There is different customs in different areas with country, just may not accept in different areas a regional acceptable content.Therefore, be considered to rudimentary violence, just may be considered to middle rank or senior violence in another area in an area.

The present invention further also provides a kind of record carrier, comprise: represent the TV Festival destination data, represent the classification code word and a wide screen signalling (WSS) signal of the classification that is assigned with of the whole and/or instantaneous content of program, wherein: code word is included in the WSS signal.

This allows duplicating of the medium (as video tape or CD) of record in advance classified and controlled, and these media that write down in advance are not wish that the personnel that see them buy by the licensee.That is, father and mother can think that their child is unsuitable to the selection of video product.If according to the mode book of final entry carrier identical, so just can apply the control of same way as to watching of they with broadcasted content.

Using the WSS signal to send Sort Code is than the superior part of using teletext, can design the WSS signal, make its can be on a VHS video cassette recorder record, this with can not be different by the figure message TV signal of the vhs video machine record of standard.

The present invention further also provides a kind of television receiver that is suitable for receiving and showing the TV signal that comes from a kind of like this TV signal source or record carrier, and this television receiver comprises: a WSS decoder of the WSS signal of can decoding, extract the device, relatively input with the device classification that receives, allow or the disable programs device shown according to result relatively of information of any program category of device, program that input representative expression expectation is forbidden showing of code word of the classification of the program that representative distributes to current reception.

So, in television receiver, imported the program forbidden corresponding to expectation or the code of its several sections.Corresponding code receives by the WSS signal, and can compare with the code of importing in receiver, thus the demonstration of may command receiver and audio frequency output.By in the WSS signal, comprising code, just there is no need to allow teletext decoder permanently always seek a specific page or leaf there.On the contrary, teletext decoder can remove to finish its normal function: obtain the page or leaf that the user selects, and irrelevant with the output facet and the teletext decoder of control television set in response to the Sort Code that transmits.

The authorization device that only allows the licensee to import program classification can be provided.

Authorization device can comprise: if the device of the identical permission input of the PIN with input of the device of the PIN of the PIN of the device of a PIN of input, relatively input and storage and storage program code.

This provides a device that is easy to maintain secrecy, and is used for guaranteeing, has only licensee (for example father and mother) can change Sort Code.But this truly have shortcoming, code may pass out of mind or reveal.Under first kind of situation, be difficult to change classification; Under second kind of situation, unauthorized people might change classification.

In addition, authorization device can comprise: in case monitor the device of licensee's a physiological characteristic, feature that storage monitors device, device that request changes acceptable programme content, respond this request monitor the device of said feature, relatively monitor with the device of the feature of storing and the device that comparative result correctly allows to replace to acceptable programme content.

Can utilize various physiological characteristics, for example fingerprint, facial characteristics.

Fingerprint detector is known, for example at examine the fingerprint detector that suggestion use of point of sales terminal with credit card.

The advantage of utilizing physiological characteristic is to be difficult to forge, and need not remember PIN or other external data.

The device that produces display message on the screen can be provided, forbid the reason of the sound and/or demonstration to notify the beholder.

This just can prevent the beholder since classification cause can not receive program or interrupt program the time can think that receiver breaks down.

The device that replaces unfavorable language with the sound signal that substitutes can be provided.What the sound signal that substitutes can be represented to substitute is not tedious language.The part that the language that substitutes can be used as TV signal is received.

Therefore, under the situation that tedious language takes place, for example can replace them with a kind of too signal.In addition, also can with one section alternative be not that tedious language replaces them.An approach that realizes this replacement is to use an auxiliary channel, and program generator wherein transmits the language that substitutes.An operable auxiliary channel is to transmit the Audetel channel of the suggestion of audio frequency help information for blind person or part amblyope.

Can be provided in and do not receive the device of under the condition of the Sort Code of TV signal, forbidding the sound and Visual Display.

This allows the duplicating of program that does not also have classification controlled.Do like this or may be because their age, perhaps because they obtain for example video tape from an illegal source.Especially, may not adopt the respective classified code system to produce these extremely tedious video tapes.

From following by example with reference to the description of accompanying drawing to one embodiment of the present of invention, above-mentioned and further feature and advantage of the present invention are described, make these feature and advantage become clear, wherein:

Fig. 1 represents to be used to implement a television system by method of the present invention;

Fig. 2 represents by a tv programme source of the present invention with the form of block schematic diagram;

Fig. 3 represents to be used for a schematic diagram of the code word of classify programs, code word is inserted in the extend information bag of a teletext;

Fig. 4 represents one by television receiver of the present invention with the block schematic diagram form;

Fig. 5 represents to programme television receiver so that according to a process of method operation of the present invention; And

Display message on possible screen when Fig. 6 represents to carry out this method.

Fig. 1 is the block schematic diagram that can implement by a system of method of the present invention.System shown in Fig. 1 comprises: TV signal source 1, television transmission medium 2 and a plurality of television receiver 3-1 to 3-n.TV signal program source 2 can be conventional television broadcast device, or terrestrial broadcasting or satellite broadcasting, perhaps may be the program source that is used for cable television network.Tv programme source comprises a wide screen signalling (WSS) signal inserter and the program classification code is imported a device of selecting part of WSS signal.Transmission medium 2 can be got the form of any routine, can perhaps can be the cable network that is used for cable television system by the radio wave of ground transmitter broadcasting or satellite transmitter broadcasting for example.Television receiver 3-1 to 3-n is connected to program source through transmission medium 2.Another kind of possible program source 1 is video tape or optic disk, records program on it and resets for video tape recorder or video disc player, and transmission link 2 can be video tape recorder or video disc player and be connected video tape recorder or the video disc player cable to television receiver simply in this case.

In Fig. 2, express a embodiment according to TV signal program source of the present invention with the form of block schematic diagram.Tv programme source comprises a video harmony frequency source signal 10, and this signal source for example can be a video camera, and their video output is added to transmission network 12 through a WSS signal inserter 11.The audio frequency output warp 13 of TV signal source 10 is added to another input of transmission network 12.Editing system 14 is linked WSS signal inserter 11, and another input that provides from TV ACF 15 is provided.

TV ACF 15 is arranged, so that can insert classification by the code word of the content of TV program of signal source 10 generations a selected part of WSS signal.TV ACF 15 has the first input end 16 of reception from the data of a TV program scheduling system.These data for example are provided for forbidding a total indication of the programme content that this program shows on receiver.This information for example can define, the grade of the violence that may occur in program, property content, adult's language or prominent difficult content.

TV ACF 15 has second input 17 of reception from the data of prerecorded content.Pre-recorded content may comprise the coding of the type of the content that indication exists in the program, and may be included in the transient data of classification particular event during the program.Keyboard or other input equipment 18 are connected to the 3rd input of TV ACF 15.This is in order to allow operating personnel to insert suitable Sort Code to a live programme televised live.Certainly, also must postpone the cycle of a weak point to the program of actual transmissions so that the suitable number of times of the free suitable code of input of operating personnel.For live programme televised live, this transmission delay is well-known, can allow to broadcast the responsible institution and cut off any incident of occurring do not expected.For example, in the direct-dial telephone program, cut off the comment of the people's who throws phone into any contumelious or obscene property.

The code that is produced or received and be sent to editing system by TV ACF 15 is inserted a selected part of WSS signal.Specifically, they being inserted previous existing PAL adds in used those positions of help program signal.

Fig. 3 represents the corrected content of implementing WSS signal of the present invention.Therefore this signal comprises a clock synchronization cycle opening code, comprises some positions of the information of image aspect, captions and the sound of determining definition gamma camera mode.There are three can utilize, send the Sort Code of program with them by the present invention.These three have been defined as in the WSS regulation and have determined that PAL adds the help program signal, but this embodiment of the present invention advises using these positions to determine Sort Code, the foundation of Que Dinging is like this, in Britain large-scale PAL can not take place at least and add broadcasting.

Transmit a complete Sort Code, have only three yes not enough.In our U.S. Patent application No.9619878.3 (PHB 34110) of common unexamined, use 16 to these classifications codings, send other 16 error protection positions simultaneously and reduce detected and likelihood error code that work.Present embodiment has used a plurality of WSS signals (in Europe, each television frame or per 40 milliseconds transmit the WSS signals once) in succession, and from succession these positions of WSS signal collection.Therefore, for example, this code that can on 8 frames, distribute, wherein first is flag bit, the beginning of one 8 frame sequence of expression, other two provide 16 altogether on the sequence of one 8 frame.

For reliable reception, the WSS signal is designed, therefore further error protection may be unnecessary.If but the reliability of the Sort Code that the expectation reinforcement is received also can be added the error protection position, for example this 8 frame sequence is added on the frame of greater number.Another kind of possibility is, keeps the sequence of one 8 frame, but requires to discern between two or more 8 frame sequences in succession, could confirm that then the classification that receives is effective.In these error protection arrangements any one all will reduce the pace of change of Sort Code certainly, and this response time to incident in the control program may be contained certain effect.This impact effect can be reduced by repeating the WSS signal more continually,, also a new code can be in less than 1 second time, transmitted even wherein have the protection of 4/8 Hamming code.

Distribute a suggestion of these information bits as follows:

2, be used for the property content of whole program;

2, be used for the property content of a program individual event;

2, be used for the violent content of a program;

2, be used for the violent content of the incident of a program;

2, be used for the disaster event of a program;

2, be used for adult's language of a program; And

4, be used to indicate the area of source of program.

If each programme content classification is distributed two, then allows this certain content is determined 4 possible ranks.For example, code 00 may mean without any such content.Code 01 is rudimentary content, and code 10 is intermediate content, and code 11 is senior content.Individual case in the coding that makes pertinence and violent content and whole program and the program is relevant, is considered to useful.Therefore, for example, father and mother may determine: children can watch has program rudimentary or the semi-polarity content, as long as forbid the individual case of inclusive content.So they can be set at 01 to acceptable program level, they may also wish all to eliminate the individual case of having property content simultaneously, are the event setup in the program code 00 therefore.Same consideration is applied to a violent content in the program.Calamitous classifying content may be the content of unique limited perdurabgility in a program.The type of the content of considering here for example is the details of the operation showed in a medical science program.In this case, the beholder may medical skill very interested, but can find to operation to describe be very miserable.Other example is the disaster content may occur in news and current topical program.For example, meeting with on TV with the people that just lost recently may be miserable concerning some people, perhaps can show the result's of famine or other disaster picture.In general adult's language of program also is interrupted fully, therefore thinks, forbids that on this basis whole program perhaps is unsuitable; And think to forbid to take place this situation of adult's language.

Consider that program area of source sign indicating number is useful, because there are the different codes of ethic in different regions or country, therefore may be classified as rudimentary violence, and may be classified as middle rank or senior even violence in another area in an area.Same consideration fully being applicable to property content, also have disaster or adult's language content.Can also be in receiver according to the code of program area of source code revision pertinence, violence, disaster and adult's language content.Semi-polarity content in the area 1 may be corresponding to the senior property content in the area 2.

For example and since politics or religion, also may forbid deriving from the program of a designated area.

As shown in Figure 3, the WSS signal by the regulation ETS300294 of ETSI definition comprises: based on an initial code of a sync section of 29 code elements of 5MHz clock, 24 code elements, the group 1 that provides 24 code elements of 4 data bit determining image aspect, the group 2 (keep wherein 3 be used for PAL add data) that provides 24 code elements of 4 data bit distributing to " strengthening service ", the group 3 of 18 code elements of 3 data bit that provides the existence of determining captions and position and the group 4 that provides 18 code elements of 3 data bit determining sound signal.In the present embodiment, suggestion uses 3 data bit that come from group 2 to transmit Sort Code, and these 3 positions are in order to use PAL to add those positions of data suggest in this standard.Therefore, position b5, b6 and b7 in the use group 2 transmit Sort Code.

Obviously, the classification code of being advised need use 16, only can only determine an extremely common classification code with 3 data bit (selections of 8 kinds of possible codes).In order to address this problem, Sort Code is propagated in suggestion (being 8 under said situation) in a plurality of WSS circulations in succession.In this case, use position b5 position as a token of, begin with the sequence that allows to discern, and position b6 and b7 allow to transmit 2 data bit for each WSS signal cycle.So, in 8 circulations, just can transmit 16 data bit altogether.If expectation is for example carried out error protection by means of Hamming code to data, then need extra data bit.If increase to 16, then can use 4/8 Hamming code to produce 32 altogether.A kind of replaceable scheme is not additional error checking and correction position, but repeats to send and the correlation verification.

Fig. 4 represents embodiment by a television receiver of the present invention with the block schematic diagram form.As shown in Figure 4, this television receiver comprises an antenna 20, and antenna 20 provides signal to the tuner 21 of a routine and IF and demodulator module 22.Can obtain the video and the blanking signal of a combination at the output of module 22, this signal is added to a teletext and WSS decoder 23 and a colour decoder 24.The output of colour decoder 24 is added to video selector 25.Video selector 25 also receives the shows signal of teletext decoder 23 outputs, and from blanking signal teletext decoder 23 and process or door 26.

Processor controls 27 is controlled the operation of the television receiver that utilizes the WSS signal in the usual way, to determine image aspect, captions and the sound.This receiver receives the control command from a remote control unit 28, and the beholder uses remote control unit 28 can select the specific channel that will show, and can select some other function, and for example teletext shows or on-screen menu shows.Processor 27 also receives the code from teletext and WSS decoder 23, and this code is present in the WSS signal, the content of the representative incident of this code, incident of violence, disaster event or adult's language.In nonvolatile memory 29, also store the code that the user uses remote control unit input, these code settings for the rank of the content that shows acceptable, violence, disaster or adult's language.The code that processor 27 relatively receives and the code of storage, and according to producing a signal in the output online 30 relatively, this signal warp or door 26 are added to video selector 25, and this signal will make video show blanking in appropriate circumstances.Also will this signal be added to phono-selectoscope 32 through a line 31, it suitably will make audio frequency output disappear under the situation.

Phono-selectoscope produces one and is added to the standard audio circuit of representing with square frame 33 and is added to loud speaker 34, and video selector 25 produces an output that is added to normal video circuit 35 and is added to display device 36 simultaneously.Phono-selectoscope 32 also has another from the input that terminal 37 adds, and can link this terminal 37 to an alternative audio source.This audio source for example can be a tone generator, removes to replace this ear-piercing sound with too sound, perhaps can be connected to an auxiliary channel, and for example the Audetel channel is used to provide the alternative sound of replacing the ear-piercing sound.The Audetel channel is that a suggestion is used to provide the channel that audio frequency helps signal, said audio frequency helps signal that the description of scene camera lens can be provided, and the people (for example blind person or part amblyope) that display screen could not be clearly seen or be cannot see fully in help follows the tracks of program.In general also have some residual capacities on this channel, allow the announcer to send the alternative sound to replace the ear-piercing sound, perhaps allow in any program source its coding, this is because the Audetel channel is idle cause when having dialogue.

What Fig. 4 represented is a television receiver, but the present invention is applicable to video tape recorder equally fully.In this case, can be added to the output of audio frequency and video selector circuit 32 and 25 on the write head of video tape recorder.Therefore, having the program with authorization code only just can be recorded on the video tape recorder.Another kind arrangement for video tape recorder is, the TV programme that allows record to receive, the Sort Code that TV programme is relevant is irrelevant therewith, but these codes of record on video tape, make can the output of video tape recorder to be responded that the mode of response is identical with response mode to broadcast program at the playback time television receiver.But recorded program is watched for a plurality of different personnel in this way, and wherein everyone is for having different admissible category level in specific.Therefore, can pass through a television receiver playback whole program, but have only a limited version to reset by another receiver.

Fig. 5 A-E represents the demonstration series on the screen, and it allows a people that code is imported in the television receiver.When start switch, display sends information on the screen: invite the user to import Personal Identification Number.This is supposition, checks authorization conditions by means of PIN (person identfication number).PIN can be by producer's blow in a memory, and producer is then this PIN notice buyer, thereby makes the owner could start categorizing selection.Another kind of scheme is, in factory PIN is set at entirely zero, and determines a program, so that import when connecting receiver first, thereby PIN changed over any one number of user expectation.Subsequently, divide time-like, on remote control unit, push a key of this classification of request when expectation changes.So just provide display message on the screen, invite the user to import PIN.In Fig. 5 A, this information slip is shown screen 1.

The user imports PIN then, and, if this is checked as correctly, then occur showing on the next screen.This is designated as 2 in Fig. 5 A.During beginning television receiver is set at and can receives all programs, but by using the TV access control system to select, so that get rid of certain type program.Show the indication user on the screen: should push which key in order to continue this process, in this case should be by red color keys.The next screen (screen 3) that occurs is invited the user or is pushed green color key so that select can received program category, if perhaps wish to make state constant then push a red color keys.Suppose, pushed green color key, the 4th screen then occurs.This invites the user to remove to determine whether to get rid of the program of having property content, and if get rid of this content, then invites the user to push a button, if get rid of then push a different button.Suppose that the user wants to get rid of some property content at least, then present screen 5.This will invite the user to go to get rid of senior, intermediate or senior or any other property content of level.In this specific example, user's selection is only to get rid of senior property content; Then, the request user indicates whether only just to get rid of this content when incident takes place, perhaps should get rid of all programs that comprise high-level property content fully.It is red to invite the user to push in one case once more, pushes green in another case.This has just finished the programming of aiming at content.

For violent content, follow similar process, and be illustrated on screen 7,8 and 9.The process of disaster content is got rid of in screen 10,11 and 12 expressions.At this in particular cases, only get rid of the incident that the disaster content occurs, rather than get rid of whole program.Think that now the disaster content can not be relevant with whole program, only relevant with incident in the program.Such disaster content for example can be that the operation in the medical science program is broadcast, and the scene of accident or other disaster broadcasts in news program.Some incidents only are the sub-fractions in such program like this, have deleted more such incidents, just can enjoy some programs so very like a cork.

Similar process of expression in screen 13-15, it allows including acceptable adult's language content programming.This only gets rid of concrete incident again, and does not get rid of the integral body of program.This be because may harsh words language be a very little ratio in the whole program, especially perhaps all the more so under the condition of the program of violent content in having got rid of undue property.Screen 16 and 17 explanations are to the programming of program area of source.If expectation, it allows the program of user's eliminating from certain areas.This may expect, for example the publicity materials that transmit of specific country may not comprise in the undue property perhaps violent content or not comprise the language of perhaps being grown up in the disaster even, and the authorized person may just wish to prevent to receive the program of such character.The another kind of purposes of program area of source code is to revise the valid code of being used for property, violence, disaster content or adult's language according to the source of program.For example,, might expect that the acceptable content-level is a middle rank, may be considered to senior content in the area at receiver place for no other reason than that be considered to intermediate content at regional A at regional A.This code changes can permanently be programmed into receiver, perhaps can be set by the user.Shielding 18 is the screens that finally represent, and has confirmed the selection that the user did.This screen classes is similar to the content of the shielding 2 that presents when acquiring the input of access control system.Therefore, in case make a setting, this situation just will be presented on the screen 2 in access subsequently.

Obviously, these display message on the screen only are some examples, and actual information should be suitable for concrete market demands, and will use the language of receiver the country one belongs to certainly.Certainly, processor controls can be stored demonstration on the various screens with multiple different language, when at the enterprising line access of panel type display the time, making speech selection, thereby make a shared controller can serve the receiver of selling at each country variant by the user.

Some examples of information on the screen that Fig. 6 represents to show when access control system is in the operation.So first screen representation: can not get this program, and show: this is owing to senior property content causes.Certainly, this information becomes according to the reason of unavailable specific program, and is determined by relative coding.Second screen representation: because intermediate violent content temporarily makes the TV blanking.Therefore, during most of programs, can obtain showing, but have temporary transient visible demonstration blanking, see violent content to prevent the beholder.Represent like the 3rd screen classes: show temporary transient blanking because the disaster content makes.The 4th screen representation: information of stack on the image that shows, say: owing to exist adult's language that sound is disappeared.Therefore, be interim the disappearance owing to notified this sound of beholder, so he or she can not think that the sound channel of television receiver is out of order.

In described particular instance, the mandate that the user can change coding realizes by means of PIN.Yet, also have various other approach of authorized user.A kind of possibility is a finger mark detector, and therefore, the user may must be placed on his or her hand or finger on the detector station, more his or her fingerprint and the fingerprint that is stored in the receiver.This may be avoided having forgotten the problem of PIN or PIN leakage, and for example children have found PIN and reset Sort Code.Another kind of possibility is to add a video camera on receiver, is monitoring that attempt changes the people of code.The output of video camera and the memory image in the receiver are compared, and, meet if find the two, then allow to upgrade Sort Code.For example, when a personal computer and a television program receiver equipment are assembled together, can use the back a kind of method in two kinds of methods.

By Sort Code being included in the WSS signal, specific page that just can watch circle teletext transmission when monitoring Sort Code.For example, when watching TV programme, on the image page or leaf of the figure message TV signal of exhibition information on the screen, the live Scoring of for example football match or cricket match appears sometimes, if categorizing system requires to monitor the Sort Code of a specific page, just can not monitor these live Scorings.In this case, in teletext decoder, must have at least two to obtain channel, one of them permanently distributes to the Sort Code page or leaf.Do not use the packets of information in the figure message TV signal by using the WSS signal, just needn't permanently distribute to a specific channel that obtains Sort Code and transmit.

Read disclosure of the present invention, other improvement all will be conspicuous to those skilled in the art.Some improvement may relate to the known further feature in the design and use of television system and parts thereof like this, can use these further features to replace feature described herein, perhaps append on the feature described herein.Though stipulated claims at the particular combinations of these features in this application; but should understand; the application's open scope also comprises any new feature, or obviously or the combination or any summary of conspicuous one or more features for those of ordinary skills that imply any novelty of disclosed feature here, and no matter whether this feature relevant with claimed invention in any one claim and any one or all technical problems that whether have solved that the present invention will solve regardless of this feature.The applicant notifies here: between the implementation period of the application or any one other application of deriving by the application, at some features like this and/or like this some combination of features new claims may be proposed.

Claims (39)

1. allow the licensee to forbid the method for TV programme or its a part of sound and/or Visual Display according to programme content, this method comprises the steps:

ⅰ) whole contents and/or the instantaneous content of classification TV programme;

ⅱ) produce the code word of representing the class that is assigned with; And

ⅲ) with the wide screen signalling signal (WSS) of the multiplexed transmission of TV signal of representing program in insert this code word.

2. method as claimed in claim 1 comprises other step: produce the error recovery position, be used for inserting the WSS that has said code word.

3. as the method for claim 1 or 2, wherein: in each television frame, send WSS once, and said code word is packed from the position of inserting in a plurality of frames into.

4. as claim 1,2 or 3 method, wherein: said code word is protected by a Hamming code.

5. as claim 1,2 or 3 method, wherein: said code word is to pack into from the position of inserting in 8 frames in succession.

6. as claim 1,2 or 3 method, wherein: said code word is to pack into from the position of inserting in 16 frames in succession, and by 4/8 hamming code.

7. as the described method of any one aforementioned claim, wherein: use the code word that comprises two to give each coding of one or more criteria for classifications.

8. as the described method of any one aforesaid claim, wherein: one or more criteria for classifications are added to whole program.

9. as the described method of any one aforesaid claim, wherein: one or more criteria for classifications are added on the interior individual case of a program.

10. as the described method of any one aforesaid claim, wherein: criteria for classification comprises: one or more in violent content, property content, disaster content, the adult's language.

11. as the described method of any one aforesaid claim, wherein: a code word is represented the program area of source.

12. as the method for claim 11, wherein: the program area of source is represented by one 4 bit code.

13., comprise the steps: to provide the other word to go to replace to be considered to inappropriate word (one or more) for a selected category level as the described method of any one aforesaid claim.

14. allow the licensee to forbid the method for TV programme or its a part of sound and/or Visual Display according to programme content, this method is basically as describing with reference to the accompanying drawings here.

15. forbid the sound of TV programme and/or the method for Visual Display for one kind, this method comprises the steps:

ⅳ) set up user's mandate, with program or its several sections of determining to forbid;

ⅴ) in a memory of television receiver inside, import the code word of the programme content of forbidding corresponding to expectation;

ⅵ) receive the TV signal that produces by by the described method of any aforesaid claim;

ⅶ) code word that relatively receives and the code word of input; And

ⅷ) forbid the sound and/or Visual Display according to result relatively.

16. as the method for claim 15, wherein: people's identification number (PIN) comes completing steps ⅳ by importing one by one).

17. as the method for claim 15, wherein: come completing steps ⅳ) by a physiological characteristic that monitors the licensee.

18. as any one described method among the claim 15-17, wherein: use a remote control unit enter code word.

19., comprise the steps: to produce a display message on the screen to help enter code word as any one described method among the claim 15-18.

20. as any one described method among the claim 15-19, comprise the steps: to produce display message on the screen, notify the beholder to forbid the reason of the sound or Visual Display.

21., comprise the steps: to replace the forbidden sound with an alternative sound as any one described method among the claim 15-20.

22. as the method for claim 20, wherein: the sound that substitutes is determined by the signal of receiving.

23. a TV signal program source comprises: the device of the TV signal of the programme content sort pass that WSS signal inserts device, transmit according to TV signal, produce representative distribute to program or its part classification code word device and in a wide screen signalling signal, insert the device of code word.

24. the TV signal program source as claim 23 comprises: the device that changes classification between the duration of single program.

25. the TV signal program source as claim 23 or 24 comprises: the device that code word is carried out error recovery.

26. as the TV signal program source of claim 25, wherein: by means of Hamming code protection code word.

27. as any one described TV signal program source among the claim 23-26, wherein: code word comprises other code word of level of one or more kinds of determining in the following kind: property exposure, violence, adult's language, disaster image or the sound.

28. as the TV signal program source of claim 27, wherein: code word further comprises the code word of an indication program area of source.

29. a record carrier comprises: represent the TV Festival destination data, represent the classification code word and the wide screen signalling signal (WSS) of the classification that is assigned with of the whole and/or instantaneous content of program; Wherein: code word is included among the WSS.

30. as the record carrier of claim 29, wherein: record carrier is the vhs video band.

31. one kind is suitable for receiving and shows to come any one described TV signal source among the claim 23-28 freely or as the television receiver of the TV signal of claim 29 or 30 described record carriers, this television receiver comprises: a WSS decoder of the WSS signal of can decoding, extract the device of the character code of the classification of representing the program of distributing to current reception, the device of information of any program category of the program that shows is forbidden in input representative expression expectation, the device of relatively input and classification that receive, allow or the disable programs device shown according to result relatively.

32. the television receiver as claim 31 comprises: authorization device is used for only allowing a licensee to import program classification.

33. as the television receiver of claim 32, wherein: authorization device comprises: if the device of the identical permission input of the PIN with input of the device of the PIN of the PIN of the device of a PIN of input, relatively input and storage and storage program code.

34. as the television receiver of claim 32, wherein: authorization device comprises: in case monitor the device of licensee's a physiological characteristic, feature that storage monitors device, device that request changes acceptable programme content, respond this request and be used to monitor the device of said feature, that relatively monitor and the device of feature storage and the device that comparative result correctly allows to replace to acceptable programme content.

35., comprising: be used to produce a display message on the screen and forbid the device of the reason of the sound and/or demonstration to notify the beholder as any one described television receiver among the claim 31-34.

36., comprising: substitute the device that sound signal replaces unfavorable language with one as any one described television receiver among the claim 31-34.

37. as the television receiver of claim 36, wherein: substitute, the not tedious language of sound signal representative that substitutes.

38. as the television receiver of claim 37, wherein: the language that substitutes is that the part of the TV signal of conduct reception receives.

39., comprising: the device of under the condition of not receiving the TV signal Sort Code, forbidding the sound and Visual Display as any one described television receiver among the claim 31-38.

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