FR2828975A1 - Video content viewing control system, e.g. for parental control, has user set control level codes based on EPG data and password facility - Google Patents

Abstract

A video content viewing control system allows the entry of preprogrammed control level codes (0-8) so that corresponding sequences cannot be viewed except by entering an access code. The sequences may be skipped when the video system is watched by an individual who has not previously entered the access code, to avoid the appearance of a blank screen.

Description

part with a new flag.

  The present invention relates to a method for controlling the

  viewing of audiovisual broadcasts stored in a device.

  The invention also relates to a program viewing device

  audiovisuals implementing the process.

  Nowadays, many audiovisual channels are accessible using a television receiver. These channels broadcast audiovisual broadcasts that can be recorded on a medium such as a magnetic cassette or a hard disk integrated into the receiver. Then, the user can o see the recorded audiovisual broadcasts at will. During viewing, young viewers may be shocked by certain sequences, for example because of their degree of violence. This is why recent receivers have a so-called "parental control" function.

  which allows you to prohibit or authorize the use of the receiver.

  s The use of the receiver is subject to the correct prior presentation of a password. On power up, a menu appears on the display screen associated with the receiver proposing to the user to enter a password. Once it has been entered and checked, all the functions of the device are accessible. We can easily see that this type

  of access control lacks finesse.

  EP 969 664 A1, published on January 5, 2000, discloses a system broadcasting audiovisual broadcasts intended for a set of receivers. Audiovisual broadcasts can be selected using an Electronic Program Guide (abbreviated: EPG). The broadcasts are divided by the broadcaster into a number of tracks of equal duration. Each link can be individually locked by an authority, for example a parent. Using an EPG, the parent sets an indicator specific to each range, specifying whether its display is prohibited or authorized. Then, if another user uses this EPG to o select this audiovisual program and view it, the tracks marked prohibited will not be viewed. If the user has previously presented a code corresponding to their ban level,

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  these ranges will be displayed. If the code is not entered, or if

  corresponds to a lower ban level, the program is not displayed.

  However, in such cases, the ranges and the prohibition levels are defined by the program provider. This solution is not flexible, it requires the user to use parameters defined by the broadcaster, without being able to modify them. The object of the present invention is a method of controlling the viewing of audiovisual broadcasts recorded in a device; the method being characterized in that it comprises: o - a step of programming at least one prohibition range corresponding to a part of the recorded program, - a step of viewing the recorded program during which the parties corresponding to the prohibition ranges previously

  programmed are not displayed.

  In this way, the parent (or in general, an authorized user) initially positions display prohibition ranges, which in order to be seen subsequently by a user, require the prior introduction of a word. password. If the password is not

  entered, the receiver does not view them.

  According to a first improvement, the prohibition periods are purely and simply skipped. In this way, there is no appearance

  black screen, viewing is continuous.

  According to another improvement, the programming of the tracks is subject to the correct prior presentation of a password. In this way, access to track programming is only authorized at

authorized persons.

  According to another improvement, the visualization of the complete audiovisual program, that is to say including the prohibition periods is possible if the user has previously entered a code. In this way, the second step of viewing the entire program is only authorized

  if the person has the right to do so.

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  According to another improvement, the authorized person programs the value of the access code by associating it with the program being programmed. In this way, a code controlling access to only one program, the authorized person determines the access rights so

s very close.

  According to another improvement, the authorized person programs a prohibition level value for each prohibition range. Access codes are associated with each level so that the range is only displayed if an access code of a level equal to or higher than that assigned to the range is previously entered. In this way, the authorized person can program the display of the prohibition ranges according to their degree of violence and selectively grant each subsequent user the display of the ranges according to a prohibition level. s According to another improvement, the program which has just been recorded is automatically configured as being prohibited from viewing. In this way, access is first only authorized

  only to the person authorized to program the tracks.

  o The subject of the invention is also a device for viewing audiovisual broadcasts comprising a means for storing and viewing an audiovisual broadcast, characterized in that it comprises a means for introducing time marks defining the start and the end of at least one prohibition range corresponding to a part of the memorized program; and a means for blocking the display, the blocking means preventing the display of the parts of the memorized program.

  corresponding to the prohibition ranges thus defined.

  In this way, the receiver has means of acquiring commands from a user allowing programming of prohibition ranges. Then, when a user wants to view the memorized program, the receiver blocks the display during the prohibition periods. This user cannot therefore see the parts of the program that a user

previously prohibited.

  According to an improvement, the display means skips the prohibition range. Thus, the visualization is not interrupted and continues

  normally at the end of the prohibition range.

  According to an improvement, the device comprises a means

  introduction of a code authorizing the display of prohibition periods.

  In this way, only authorized persons can see fully

  o the program for which blackout periods are programmed.

  According to another improvement, the device comprises a means for introducing a prohibition level assigned to each programmed prohibition range. In this way, the authorized person can program the prohibition periods according to their degree of violence and selectively grant each subsequent user the visualization of the ranges in

  based on this level of prohibition.

  According to another improvement, the device comprises a means of displaying the programmed time slots and a graphic indicator

  identifying the prohibition ranges.

  The invention, with its characteristics and advantages, will emerge more

  clearly on reading the description of an exemplary embodiment

  particular non-limiting reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a block diagram of a display device with the display control according 1'invention, - Figure 2 shows a presentation page of the library guide recorded audiovisual programs, - Figure 3 is a screen appearance appearing after the selection of an audiovisual program, - Figure 4 is a screen appearance allowing the user to enter his password for programming parental controls,

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  - Figure 5 is a screen appearance showing the user the possible functions after entering the password, - Figure 6 shows a screen appearance allowing a user to enter a password to view the in full, FIG. 7 is a screen appearance allowing the user

  to introduce parental control ranges.

  We will first describe an example of an apparatus for implementing the invention. FIG. 1 shows a multimedia receiver 1 provided with a display device 2 such as a display screen. The receiver 1 can be a television receiver or an audiovisual terminal provided with means of communication to a broadband network, or an autonomous terminal for viewing audiovisual broadcasts. The receiver 1 comprises a central unit 3 connected inter alia to a memory 4 containing executable programs, a clock 8, an interface for receiving infrared signals 9 for receiving the signals from a remote control 10, an audio / video decoding logic 12 for the creation of audiovisual signals sent to the television screen 2, and an interface 5 for communication with a high speed digital network 6 making it possible to receive audio / video data. The network 6 is for example an IEEE 1394 network. The receiver also comprises reception means 7 such as a tuner (TUNER according to English terminology) and a demultiplexer for receiving audiovisual broadcasts from a network of diffusion. The receiver further includes a storage unit 11 for storing audiovisual broadcasts. The storage medium used can be a magnetic cassette, a hard disk or even an optical disk, it can be removable or not. The storage unit 11 is either integrated into the receiver 1 or connected to the receiver 1. If it is not integrated into the receiver, the storage unit must remain under its control. The remote control 10 is

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  with navigation keys l, l, and -, keys marked << OK >>, << RECORD> ', <MARK >> and << LIBRAIRIE>, of which we will see more

  late roles, and a numeric keypad.

  The receiver also includes a circuit 13 for displaying data on the screen, often called an OSD circuit, from the English "On Screen Display" (literally meaning "display on the screen"). The OSD circuit 13 is a generator of text and graphics which makes it possible to display on the screen menus, pictograms (for example, a number corresponding to the displayed channel) or requests intended for the user. . The OSD circuit is controlled by the Central Unit 3 in

  association with an executable program saved in memory 4.

  The receiver also has a reading unit 14 of a removable audiovisual program recording medium. The reading unit is typically an optical disc drive, it can be external to the

  is receiver 1 (as shown in Figure 1) or integrated into it.

  The receiver 1 can be integrated into the display screen, such a display device can be a television set. A variant consists

  in that the receiver 1 and the screen 2 are two separate elements.

  After describing the different elements of the system, we

  let's now explain how these cooperate.

  Firstly, the user launches an EPG which presents him, according to techniques well known per se, the various accessible programs. These broadcasts can be received either on the broadcast network, or through digital network 6, or read from

2s reader 14.

  Then, the user selects at least one audiovisual program, and orders its storage in the hard disk 11 by pressing the "RECORD" key. When the program is broadcast on the network, the receiver 1 waits for its broadcast and stores it at this time. After a certain time, the receiver has in its memory 11 a certain

number of audiovisual programs.

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  Then, the user decides to consult the contents of his hard disk. It then launches the executable program called "Libraries Guide for Recorded Shows" (or GLE for short) by pressing the "LIBRARY" key. As a variant, the GLE program can be accessed via a menu, all you have to do is select the icon marked "LIBRARY" from a list and launch the program by pressing "OK". This program written in memory 4 allows the user to know the content of his hard disk, to act on the programs recorded in the hard disk and to carry out a

  parental control on broadcasts.

  o The GLE program controls the OSD circuit 13 which displays the menu of FIG. 2. This menu presents to the user the programs recorded in the hard disk 11. Using the keys "1" and "1", I ' user highlights a program which then appears highlighted. By pressing "OK", the GLE program displays certain characteristics of the selected program, its duration for example. In FIG. 2, certain audiovisual programs are already marked with parental control according to the invention, this is the case for the films "Navarro" and "Terminator". These shows are displayed with a special sign, in the example in Figure 2 a pair of scissors "g" appears to the left of the title of the recorded show. This o icon means that at least one prohibition range is programmed for

this show.

  Now suppose that an authorized user (typically a parent) wants to edit a recorded program. He selects it and presses the OK key. The menu in Figure 3 then appears. This menu offers four functions: the first allows you to change the title of the program, the second allows you to erase the program from the hard disk, the third allows you to erase certain sequences, advertising sequences for example, and the fourth called "Parental Control" allows the introduction of time stamps defining prohibition periods. The user moves from one function to another using the "1" and "J" keys, the selected function

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  is highlighted by a color change. The function is

  selected by pressing the OK key.

  The user selects parental control, the menu in Figure 4 then appears. This menu offers the user to enter a password,

  s consisting for example of four digits typed on the remote control 10.

  The password prevents unauthorized persons (typically children) from being able to modify or even delete the tracks programmed by an authorized user. The so-called "programming" password is entered digit by digit. As soon as a number is entered, the character "-" at this point is replaced by a "*". The last digit once entered, the receiver compares the password with that in memory. If the values are not equal, the receiver indicates this to the user and does not grant access to parental control. If the values are equal, then the menu of the

figure 5 appears.

  Menu 5 offers the different parental control functions applied to the program previously selected. The first proposed function is the return to the previous menu. The second function is to lock the transmission. The program thus locked cannot be seen even in part by anyone who is not authorized. The third function is changing the password. If the user selects this function, the cursor is placed on the first digit and the user can enter his new programming password. The fourth function is the editing of tracks. Suppose now that the user selects this

  function and launches it with the "OK" key.

  The selected program is then displayed in the background with a function banner which appears at the bottom of the screen. In addition, a small icon appears at the top left, it indicates the time elapsed since the start of the broadcast and the display parameters: normal advance, accelerated advance, accelerated return, slowed down, ... The elapsed time is extracted from 'a time counter integrated into the clock 8. This counter is set to zero at the start of viewing. The lower banner consists of two parts: the upper part presents information on the brands already

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  programmed and the ranges thus defined, and the lower part presents the possible commands for programming markings. At a certain moment of the broadcast, the user realizes that it would be desirable to prohibit the viewing of the scene. He then goes back with the key and positions a time mark to mark the start of a prohibition range. He then presses the "MARK" key. The time counter value when the key is pressed is stored in a list. The GLE program also memorizes the fact that this mark corresponds to the start of a prohibition range. Then the user continues viewing o and decides at another time to authorize viewing, he presses the "MARK" key again. The time of the corresponding broadcast is memorized by specifying that it is an end of range mark. Each brand is referenced by a number which appears in the informative part of the banner. A locked range is presented in the form of a graphic segment () whose ends coincide with marks. If after having defined an end of range, the user actually decides to extend it further in the program, he programs a third mark, then he goes back and presses once on "OK", which has the effect to change the state of the current track. The range delimited by the second and third marks then changes from the "AUTHORIZED" state to the "PROHIBITED" state. The two consecutive ranges appear as two graphic segments linked together (). The range that contains the instant being viewed, whether or not it is prohibited, appears

highlighted in a frame.

  When the entire program has been entirely viewed by the authorized user, or when the latter has finished viewing, the GLE program considers that all the blackout periods are programmed and that the program has passed to parental control. The GLE program validates the list of brands programmed by the user and saves it in a zone o system of the hard disk 11. Each list is associated with a recorded program. If no brand is programmed, the list is empty. A

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  mark consists of two fields: a time value and an indicator. The time value is that of the time counter when the user programmed this mark when viewing this program. The indicator has two values: "PROHIBITED" or s "AUTHORIZED", depending on whether the user has programmed this mark as the

  start or end of a blackout period.

  Table 1 below illustrates an example of a list of brands associated with a program and saved on the hard drive: Number of brands: 9

0 00:12:23 "PROHIBITED"

1 00:15:03 "AUTHORIZED"

2 00:33:10 "PROHIBITED"

3 00:34:20 "PROHIBITED"

4 00:35:30 "AUTHORIZED"

01:01:02 "AUTHORIZED"

6 01:23:42 "PROHIBITED"

7 01:25:56 "AUTHORIZED"

8 01:35:51 "AUTHORIZED"

o TABLE 1

  The first element of the list contains the number of marks, if this

  this is null, no prohibition is programmed, the emission is authorized

for everyone.

  Suppose now that a new user turns on the receiver and consults the library of programs saved on the hard disk. By pressing the "LIBRARY" key, the GLE program is launched and the menu in figure 2 appears. This user selects the film "Navarro", o and wishes to view it. He then presses the "PLAY" key. The "g" icon which appears to the left of the title indicates that prohibition ranges have been

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  programmed. At the start of viewing, the receiver displays the menu in FIG. 6, which offers the user to enter his access code. If he does not know the code, he immediately presses the OK key, the GLE program then considers that the current user is not authorized to watch the prohibited ranges. The result is the same if the user enters

an incorrect code.

  When launching the display, the time counter is set to 0, the GLE program reads the list of marks written in the hard disk and temporarily stores the time value associated with the first mark o whose indicator has the value " NOT ALLOWED ". As soon as this time value agrees with the emission time counter, the display is interrupted and the GLE program searches for the next mark. If the next mark also has the indicator value "PROHIBITED", the GLE program searches for the next mark, and so on until it finds the next mark in the list with the value "AUTHORIZED", indicating the end of a prohibition period. The program time counter is then updated with the time value of this last brand. In this way the prohibition range is skipped and the display restarts immediately after the interruption at the end of the range. The GLE program then searches for the next mark whose indicator has the value "PROHIBITED" and temporarily stores the associated time value. If the GLE program reaches the end of the list of brands, and if the last indicator specifies "AUTHORIZED", it continues viewing until the end of

  transmission. Otherwise, it stops viewing and displays the menu in Figure 2.

  s If, on the other hand, the user has entered the correct access code when presenting the menu in Figure 6, parental control is disabled and the

  GLE program does not test brands.

  An improvement of the present invention consists in that, following recording, the viewing of this program is generally

  prohibited to any unauthorized person. In this way, an audience not

  authorized would not be able to view it until an authorized person had seen it and had

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  possibly programmed prohibition periods. A particularly simple way of carrying out this improvement consists in that the GLE program automatically implements a mark at the start of the recorded program and assigns it the value "PROHIBITED". In this way, the broadcast is prohibited from start to finish. The values of the password used to program the ranges and of the code authorizing the viewing of the program with the prohibited ranges are preferably and particularly simple identical. A variant consists in that each has a different value, the second code being called "view authorization code". An improvement of this variant consists in that the person who programs the prohibition periods, himself fixes the value of the access code to view this program. This code is no longer general but is associated with a particular program, in this way, parents can control the viewing of each program separately. According to this improvement, the view authorization code is introduced at the end of the track editing and is recorded as the second element in the list of marks for this program. We can therefore find in memory as many codes as

o recorded programs.

  Another improvement consists in that the authorized user programs prohibition levels in addition to the ranges. For example, four levels of prohibition noted 1, 2, 3 and 4 are possible, level 1 allows to prohibit viewing only to very young children, level 4 which corresponds to very violent scenes prohibits viewing to children and adolescents. If the authorized user presses the "MARK" key to program the start of a prohibition range, he then presses one of the keys 1 to 4 on the numeric keypad, thus assigning a prohibition level to the prohibition range. Each level (1, 2, 3, 4) is associated with an access code (CODE1, CODE2, CODE3, CODE4). When viewing, the user enters his view authorization code and can thus

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  view prohibition ranges corresponding to this level and those of lower level. For example, a young child who has level 1, cannot see the prohibition ranges of level 2, 3 and 4 The adolescent who has level 3, can see the prohibition ranges of level 1, 2 and 3 but cannot see the level 4 prohibition ranges. When the ranges are displayed by the menu illustrated in FIG. 7, the level appears at

left of the "g" icon.

  This last improvement requires modifying the list of brands associated with a program and saved in the hard disk in the following way: Number of brands: 9 / number of levels: 4 CODE1 CODE2 CODE3 CODE4 Time value: 0 to AUTHORIZED "

0 00:12:23 "PROHIBITED >>

1 00:15:03 "AUTHORIZED"

2 00:33:10 "PROHIBITED"

3 oo: 34: 20 "PROHIBITED" 1

4 00:35:30 "AUTHORIZED"

01:01:02 "AUTHORIZED"

6 01:23:42 "1 NTERDIT" 2

7 01:25:56 "AUTHORIZED"

8 01:35:51 "AUTHORIZED"

TABLE 2

  The number indicated in the third column and associated with a brand

  sets the level of beach prohibition that begins at that mark.

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  The present embodiments should be considered as illustration but can be modified in the fields defined by the scope.

  of the appended claims. In particular, the invention is not limited to

  s television decoders but can be applied to any reception device

  or restitution of audiovisual broadcasts.

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Claims (13)

claims   1. Method for controlling the viewing of audiovisual broadcasts recorded in a device; the method being characterized in that it comprises: - a step of programming at least one prohibition range corresponding to part of a program recorded in the device, - a step of viewing the program recorded during of which the parts corresponding to the prohibition ranges previously   o programmed are not displayed.   2. Control method according to claim 1, characterized in that the display of the parts corresponding to the prohibition ranges is   skipped, the program being viewed continuously.   3. Control method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of programming the prohibition periods comprises a   step for entering a specific password.   4. Control method according to any one of claims 1 to   3, characterized in that the parts corresponding to the prohibition periods are displayed if a step for entering a code has been previously performed.   5. Control method according to claim 4, characterized in that the value of the code is defined during the programming step and depends on the program viewed.   6. Control method according to any one of claims 1 to   3 characterized in that it includes a step of introducing a prohibition level value when programming the prohibition ranges; during the display step, the part corresponding to the prohibition range is only displayed if the code corresponding to the prohibition level of   said range or at a higher level has been previously introduced.   o 7. Control method according to any one of claims 1 to   6, characterized in that it further comprises, consecutively to 6 2828975   The recording of the emission in the device 'of a step of automatic positioning of a time mark indicating the beginning of a range of prohibition of viewing which begins at the beginning of the recorded program.   8. Display device (1) for audiovisual broadcasts comprising a means (11) for storing and displaying (12) an audiovisual broadcast, characterized in that it comprises a means for introducing (10) time marks defining the start and end of at least one prohibition range corresponding to a part of the memorized program; and a display blocking means (12,4), the blocking means preventing the display of the parts of the memorized program.   corresponding to the prohibition ranges thus defined.   9. Display device according to claim 8 characterized in that the display means (12,4) skips the prohibition range without   interruption of viewing of the program.   10. Display device according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that it further comprises means for entering an access code (10), the display means (12,4) being released during of the display o of the parts corresponding to the prohibition rolls when the access code has been previously introduced.   11. Display device according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that it further comprises means for introducing a prohibition level (10) activated when a time mark indicating a start of: 5 range prohibition is programmed, the display means (12,4) being unlocked during the display of each prohibition range when the access code corresponds to the level of the beach has been considerably introduced. 12. Display device according to any one of   o claims 8 to 11; characterized in that the device comprises a   display data transmission means (4,12) presenting the list of memorized programs, a prohibition mark (, g) is displayed next to it 1 7 2828975   the identifier of the Emissions for which a range in the hands is programmed.   13. Solon display device any one of the   claims 8 to 1 2; characterized in that the device has a   display data transmission means (4,12) presenting the time slots assigned to an Omission, a prohibition mark (fig) identifying