DE29620150U1 - Circuit arrangement for a television set to enable and / or block the playback of predeterminable programs - Google Patents

Description

·■·

G96

Description

Michael Kau 53783 Eitorf

Claus Wolff

53783 Eitorf

Circuit arrangement for a television set for enabling and/or blocking the playback of

predeterminable programs

The innovation concerns a circuit arrangement for a television set for enabling and/or blocking the playback of programs that can be predefined using program information.

The term “programs” refers to broadcasts such as films, series, etc.

5 With the large number of different television programs now offered on a wide variety of television channels, there is a growing need to exclude television programs that are not or not suitable for a specific target group from being played on the television or to limit playback to a selection of suitable programs or channels. For example, in the private sector, children should be denied the opportunity to watch certain programs as long as their parents are not present. This should prevent accidental or intentional viewing of programs. For television sets that are more or less publicly accessible, for example in hotels, schools and hospitals, it should be possible to individually determine

which programs can be broadcast on publicly accessible television.

The aim of the innovation is therefore to propose a circuit arrangement for a television set of the type mentioned above, through which it is possible to block specific programs from the television programs offered or to determine which programs can be displayed on the television set. The term "program" is understood here to mean a broadcast (film, report, etc.) from a television station.

This task will be carried out with a

Circuit arrangement according to the features of the protection claim.
15

Advantageous embodiments of the innovation can be found in the subclaims.

The innovation proposes a circuit arrangement for a television set for enabling and/or blocking the playback of predeterminable programs, which comprises the following components:

a) two programmable memory modules (1, 2) for storing program information, whereby a first memory module (1) is provided for storing the program information of the programs intended for blocking and a second memory module (2) is provided for storing the program information of the programs intended for release,

b) a comparison logic circuit (12, 22) connected downstream of the memory modules (1, 2) and connected to them via a first comparison input (11, 21),

c) a VPS module (3) which extracts program information from a program selected for playback according to the

Video program system VPS is determined, is provided and with an output (30) with a second comparison input of the comparison logic circuits (12,

22) so that by means of the

Comparison logic circuits (12, 22) the program information of the VPS module (3) and the program information stored in the memory modules (1, 2) are comparable,

d) a selection logic circuit (4) connected to outputs (13,

23) of the comparison logic circuits (12, 22) and enables or blocks the selected program for playback according to the comparison results output by the comparison logic circuits (12, 22) and the selection logic circuit (4) has an input (40) for the selected program and controls the television set via an output line (45).

0 To operate and program the new circuit arrangement, the procedure for programming video recorders that is already known and used today is basically adopted. By creating two programmable memory modules, two different programming functions are provided. The first programming function, known as additive selection of the programs to be blocked, enables the program information of the programs to be blocked to be stored in a first memory module and the second programming function, known as selective selection of the programs to be blocked, enables the program information of the programs to be released to be stored in the second memory module.

The purpose of additive selection is to select from the programs scheduled for broadcast those that cannot be played back, i.e. viewed.

The idea behind selective program selection is to only allow the selected programs to be broadcast, while all other channels or programs are blocked.

In a similar way to the permanent storage of the individual channels in the television, the programs selected for blocking or the programs selected for releasing are stored in the respective programmable memory modules of the new circuit arrangement. The content of the memory modules consists, for example, of ten program information items that can be stored for blocking or releasing, whereby each of these program information items has the following content, similar to the video program system technology (VPS) known in video recorders:

No. Contents Program information

1 Address range 2 Day 3 Month 4 Hour 5 minute 6 nationality 7 Program source name

The program information stored in the programmable memory modules in this way becomes dynamic, i.e.

continuously compared with the data output of the VPS module using the 0 comparison logic circuits connected downstream of the memory modules. The dynamic comparison ensures that a station is deselected even if a program change occurs from an unlocked program to a locked program.

The VPS module, for example SAF 1135, provides a data output with the content as described in the table above. The data output from the VPS module is used as a source for the dynamic comparison with the

The program information stored in memory modules for the programs to be blocked or released is used, i.e. if a station is selected by operation, a check is made to see whether the station is broadcasting a program that was entered as blocked. The result of the dynamic comparison between the currently selected program of the station and the program information is then fed to a downstream selection logic and evaluated there in such a way that either the normally selected program is displayed or an empty program slot is displayed.

In this way, the video program system (VPS) function known from the programming of video recorders is used for the new circuit arrangement for enabling or blocking the playback of predefined programs in a television set, but in reverse form.

The selection logic circuit for outputting the normally selected program or an empty program slot is preferably designed so that it has two switches connected in series, by means of which the selected program is forwarded to the output line for playback or interrupted, the first switch being connected to the output of the comparison logic circuit connected downstream of the memory module for storing the enabled programs and being actuated in accordance with the comparison result output at the output, and the second switch connected downstream of the first switch being connected to the output of the comparison logic circuit connected downstream of the memory module for storing the blocked programs and being actuated in accordance with the comparison result output at the output.

In the first stage, a 5 normally selected program is blocked using the first switch if at least one program has been selected for release and at the same time the dynamic comparison between the program information from the

VPS module and the maximum of ten selected programs, for example, show no match.

In the second stage, the result of the first stage is then forwarded for output to the output line of the new circuit arrangement if the dynamic comparison between the program information from the VPS module and, for example, the maximum of ten additionally selected programs does not show a match. Otherwise, the second switch 42 is opened and interrupts the playback of the selected program and an empty program slot is output. In this way, the programs additionally selected for blocking have a higher priority than the programs selectively released for output.

Selecting a locked program can either show a blank screen (“snow”) or a fixed image, for example the text “locked program” or something similar. For this purpose, the innovation proposes that at least one image generator is assigned to the switches, which outputs a corresponding message to the output line of the comparison logic circuit when playback of the selected program is interrupted. Of course, unlocked programs can still be called up as usual.

The new feature also makes it possible to display a program that is enabled for playback when the selected program is interrupted. This means that an automatic program change occurs when a previously unlocked program is recognized as a locked program as a result of the comparison between the program information of the VPS module and the program information in the memory modules. The automatic deselection of a locked program ensures that a program is locked even if the station on which the program was broadcast is not available.

locked program is running, was already selected before the program started.

To ensure secure and permanent availability of the programs selected for blocking or unlocking stored in the programmable memory modules, it is necessary to store the information permanently. If the power supply to the television fails (power failure or pulling the power plug), the selection of the programs to be blocked will be lost if the program information is stored volatilely, so that this selection can easily be overridden. The innovation therefore proposes that the memory modules of the circuit arrangement according to the innovation be designed as a permanently stored EEPROM.

To facilitate the operation and programming of the circuit arrangement according to the innovation, the innovation proposes in a further advantageous embodiment that a menu generator is provided which outputs a menu on the television set, by means of which the programming and storage of the program information in the memory modules takes place. In a similar way to what is already common with the programming of video recorders, the program selection can be made via an on-screen menu, which is explained in more detail below.

To further increase the security of the selection of locked programs stored in the memory modules, the innovation also proposes that a 0 password device be provided in the circuit arrangement according to the innovation, which only enables programming and storage of the program information in the memory modules after entering a corresponding password. The password should be able to be selected when entering for the first time, whereby 5 as long as a program is selected additively or selectively, the password must be entered to enter programming or to change the programming of the memory modules. If there is no program in the memory modules

no longer selected, a new password can be entered the next time you log in - if desired.

Similar to what is already known from the programming of video recorders, the innovation also makes it easy to delete a selected but already finished program from the memory modules, which can be easily achieved by recognizing the corresponding VPS signals.

For convenient and simple control of the new circuit arrangement, a remote control is preferably provided. This remote control can, for example, be the usual television control of the television set, expanded with special control buttons for the new circuit arrangement.

The innovation is explained in more detail below using an example in the drawing. Show

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a circuit arrangement for a television set.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a possibility

a menu control of the circuit arrangement according to Fig. 1.

According to Fig. 1, the circuit arrangement shown there for a television set for enabling and/or blocking the playback of predeterminable programs has two programmable memory modules 1, 2, each of which is followed by a comparison logic circuit 12, 22, each comparison logic circuit 12, 22 being connected to the memory module 1, 2 via a first comparison input 11, 21. The first memory module 1 is used to store the program information of the programs to be blocked.

and the second memory module 2 is used to store the program information of the programs intended for release.

Furthermore, the circuit arrangement according to Fig. 1 contains a VPS module 3, which determines and outputs program information according to the video program system from a program selected for playback and is connected with its output 3 to a second comparison input of the comparison logic circuits 12, 22. In this way, it is possible for the program information of the VPS module 3, which is output via the output line 30, to be compared dynamically, i.e. continuously, with the memory contents 10, 20 of the programmable memory modules 1, 2.

The programming and storage of the program information in the memory modules is carried out via a remote control 7, which controls a menu generator 5, so that after selecting the corresponding information via the program lines, the program information can be stored in the memory locations 10, 20 of the memory modules 1, 2.

The circuit arrangement according to Fig. 1 further comprises a selection logic circuit 4, which has an input 40 for a selected television program and controls the television set with its output device 9, i.e. picture tube and loudspeaker, via an output line 45.

0 The selection logic circuit 4 further comprises two switches 41, 44 connected in series, whereby the first switch 41 in the direction of the output line 45 is connected to the output 23 of the comparison logic circuit 22 connected downstream of the memory module for storing the enabled programs and is actuated according to the comparison result output at the output 23, and the switch 44 connected downstream of the first switch 41 is connected to the output of the comparison logic circuit 22 connected downstream of the memory module 1 for storing the blocked

programs is connected to the comparison logic circuit 12 and is actuated according to the comparison result output at the output 13.

The function of this circuit arrangement shown as an example in Fig. 1 is shown below with simultaneous reference to Fig. 2.

By pressing a button provided on a remote control 7 of the television for operating and controlling the circuit arrangement, a device 6 for requesting a password is activated in order to prevent unauthorized persons from entering or changing the program lock. Access to the program lock can only be achieved using a password or a code number, whereby the password can be selected by the user when entering for the first time. As long as a program is additively selected, the password must be entered to enter the programming menu. After entering the correct password, the menu shown as an example in Fig. 2 is then called up via a menu generator 5 and, in a first step, it is queried whether an additive selection of program information for blocking programs and/or a selective selection of the program information for releasing programs is desired. Depending on this selection, the respective menu "1. additive selection for blocking" or "2. selective selection for releasing" is switched to according to the arrows Pl or P2. In both menus, the respective program is called by entering:

0 - 1. Station ID

- 2nd day of broadcast of the program

- 3rd month of broadcasting the program

- 4. Starting time

- 5. End times

5 -6. VPS yes/no

identified and listed in a table. In the case of the additive selection menu called up according to arrow Pl, these

Program information is written via the programming line 50 into the ten available memory locations 10 of the memory module 1, for example. If "yes" is entered for VPS yes/no, the selected program is blocked as long as the program is being broadcast by the selected station. If, on the other hand, "no" is entered for VPS, the selected program is blocked between the start time and the end time. If, on the other hand, only the station ID and the start and end time are entered, the output of programs from the selected station is blocked for the specified period.

In an analogous manner, when the menu "2nd selective selection for release" is called up according to arrow P2, the programming of the memory module 2 with the program information in memory locations 20 is effected according to the second programming line 50.

If "yes" is entered for the VPS yes/no query in this programming, the selected program will be released as long as the program is being broadcast by the selected station. If "no" is entered for VPS yes/no, the selected program will be released between the start time and the end time. If, however, only the station ID and the start and end time are entered, the output of programs from the selected station will be released for the specified period.

If a program is now selected for playback in the usual way, it is present at the input 4 0 of the selection logic circuit 4. At the same time, the VPS module 3 decodes the VPS program information from this selected program and makes it available via the output 3 0 to the comparison logic circuits 12, 22, which are connected downstream of the memory modules 1, 2, each via a comparison input.

The comparison logic circuit 12 now checks dynamically, i.e. continuously, whether the VPS values determined by the VPS module 3

Program information matches the program information of the programs to be blocked stored in the memory locations 10 of the memory module 1. To do this, the comparison logic circuit 12 accesses the memory locations 10 via a further comparison input 11. The result of this dynamic comparison between VPS information of the VPS module 3 and program information in the memory locations 10 is given as a logic signal on the output line 13 of the comparison logic, which is connected to the switch 44 of the selection logic circuit 4.

If the comparison logic circuit 12 determines a match between the VPS program information of the VPS module 3 and the program information stored in the memory locations 10, the selected program is a locked program and the corresponding logic signal on the output line 13 causes the switch 44 to interrupt the selected program, which is present at the input 40 of the selection logic circuit 4, from being passed on to the output line 45 and the output unit 9 of the television set, and the switch 44 switches the image generator 43 to the output line 45. The image generator 43 then generates a corresponding message on the output unit 9 of the television set, for example "locked program".

However, if the comparison logic circuit 12 does not find a match during the dynamic comparison between the VPS program information of the VPS module 3 and the program information in the memory locations 10, the switch 44 0 remains in the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the playback of the selected program present at the input 40 on the output unit 9 of the television set is possible.

At the same time as this check for the correspondence of the VPS program information of the VPS module 3 with the program information stored in the memory module 1 of the programs to be blocked, a check is carried out in the comparison logic circuit 22 to determine whether the

provided VPS program information of the selected program matches the program information stored in memory locations 2 0 of memory module 2, meaning that the selected program is intended for release. 5

To do this, the comparison logic circuit 22 accesses the contents of the memory locations 20 via a comparison input 21 and compares them with the VPS program information of the VPS module 3, which is provided via the output 30 of the VPS module 3, as has already been described analogously for the comparison logic circuit 12. However, in order to ensure that the selected program is played even if there are no entries in the memory locations 20 of the memory module 2, a register 24 is also provided, which assumes a positive value if at least one memory location 20 of the memory module 2 is occupied with program information from programs intended for release. Furthermore, the selection logic circuit 4 has an AND gate 42, which is connected on the input side to the output line 23 of the comparison logic circuit 22 and the output 25 of the register 24 and, when the AND condition is present on the outputs 23 and 25, outputs a corresponding control signal via the output line 42a to the switch 41 of the selection logic circuit 4. Thus, the switch 41 is also controlled in such a way that if a locked program is present, as a result of which the comparison logic circuit 22 does not determine that there is a match between the VPS information of the VPS module 3 and the program information in the memory locations 20 of the memory module 2, i.e. the selected program is not an enabled program, it is opened and the output line 45 of the selection logic circuit 4 is assigned to the output of another image generator 43, which in turn generates a corresponding message on the output unit 5 9 of the television set.

However, if the selected program is not a blocked program based on the comparison in the

Comparison logic circuits 12, 22 or if the circuit arrangement is not activated, the changeover switches 41, 44 remain in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the selected program present at the input of the selection logic circuit 40 is switched through unaffected to the output 45 to the output units 9 of the television set.

As can be seen from the above description and from Fig. 1, the two changeover switches 41, 44, each controlled by one of the comparison logic circuits 12, 22, are switched to the idle state, with the changeover switch 44, which is controlled by the comparison logic circuit 12, being connected downstream of the other changeover switch 41. In this way, the actuation of the changeover switch 44 has a higher priority than that of the changeover switch 41, so that despite an enabled program stored in the memory module 2, a certain program can always be blocked due to storage in the memory module 1 and the corresponding logic signal of the comparison logic circuit 12, regardless of the position of the changeover switch 41.

If a program entered with its program information in one of the memory locations 10, 20 of the memory modules 1, 2 has ended, the entry can be deleted automatically, which can be easily achieved by appropriately recognizing the VPS signals.

The circuit arrangement described above can be easily installed in new television sets, but it is also possible to provide it in an additional device for retrofitting older television sets.

Claims (9)

9 ·· G 96 Protection claims 1. Circuit arrangement for a television set for enabling and/or blocking the playback of programs that can be predetermined using program information, comprising a) two programmable memory modules (1, 2) for storing program information, whereby a first memory module (1) is provided for storing the program information of the programs intended for blocking and a second memory module (2) is provided for storing the program information of the programs intended for release, b) a comparison logic circuit (12, 22) connected downstream of the memory modules (1, 2) and connected to them via a first comparison input (11, 21), c) a VPS module (3) which determines program information according to the video program system VPS from a program selected for playback, and with an output (3 0) with a second comparison input of the comparison logic circuits (12, 22) so that the program information of the VPS module (3) and the program information stored in the memory modules (1, 2) can be compared by means of the comparison logic circuits (12, 22), d) a selection logic circuit (4) connected to outputs (13, 23) of the comparison logic circuits (12, 22) and according to the output from the comparison logic circuits (12, 22) comparison results, the selected program is enabled or disabled for playback and the selection logic circuit (4) has an input (40) for the selected program and controls the television set via an output line (45). 2. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the selection logic circuit (4) has two series-connected switches (41, 44) by means of which the selected program is forwarded to the output line (45) for playback or interrupted, the first switch (41) being connected to the output (23) of the comparison logic circuit (22) connected downstream of the memory module for storing the enabled programs and being actuated in accordance with the comparison result output at the output (23), and the second switch (44) connected downstream of the first switch (41) being connected to the output (13) of the comparison logic circuit (12) connected downstream of the memory module (1) for storing the blocked programs and being actuated in accordance with the comparison result output at the output (13). 3. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one image generator (43) is assigned to the changeover switches (41, 44), which outputs a message to the output line (45) of the selection logic circuit (4) when playback of the selected program is interrupted. 4. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that when playback of the selected program is interrupted, a program released for playback can be output. 5. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the memory modules (1, 2) are designed as EEPROM. 6. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a menu generator (5) is provided which outputs a menu on the television set, by means of which the programming and storage of the program information in the memory modules (1, 2) takes place. 7. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a password device (6) is provided which enables programming and storage of the program information in the memory modules (1, 2) only after input of a corresponding password. 8. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a remote control (7) is provided for controlling and programming the circuit arrangement. 9. Circuit arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that an AND gate (42) is provided between the comparison logic circuit (22) and the changeover switch (41), which is connected on the input side on the one hand to the output (23) of the comparison logic circuit (22) and on the other hand to an output (25) of a register (24) and on the output side is connected to the changeover switch (41) by means of an output line (42a).