Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
UN1VERSAL TELEVISION BROADCAST RATINGS DECODER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to television decoders, and more
particularly to a television decoder that decodes television ratings embedded
in a
television broadcast.
Many parents worry as children and youngsters increasingly imitate misbehavior
and violence seen on television programs or films. Some of these children in
fact
commit crimes. Ratings systems for films have prevented at least some (and
perhaps
many) young viewers from watching films that are not suitable for them. Until
recently,
however, there has been no equivalent system for television programs.
Currently, in the United States, federal regulations require every television
set to
include a discretionary viewing control feature, more commonly called a "V
chip"
function, which blocks television programs whose ratings exceed parents'
specified
levels. The "V Chip" function provides parents the capability to prevent their
children
from viewing coded programs containing violence, sex and age-inappropriate
language.
The so-called "V chip" monitors a code transmitted with the television signal
and
disables the television receiver when the code indicates forbidden program
material,
including scenes of violence, sex or other matter, which might be considered
objectionable by some audiences or unsuitable for children.
Various techniques relating to the discretionary control feature or the "V
chip"
function are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,485,518; 5,550,575; 5,583,576;
5,569,366;
5,737,479; 5,828,402; 6,037,969; and 6,020,882.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,930,160 to Vogel discloses methods and
apparatuses for automatically censoring video programs. If a classification
code
encoded in the video or audio portion of a video signal matches a stored
classification
code then an alternative video signal is displayed.
U.S. Patent No. 4,554,584 to Elam discloses a circuit for blanking the audio
and
video portions of a video signal in response to digital code words transmitted
in the
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
..
video signal. The code words are transmitted as ASCII codes in line 21 of the
video
signal. The picture and sound are blanked whenever the received ASCII code
matches
or exceeds a value selected by the user.
U.S. Patent No. 5,387,942 to Lemelson discloses a system that would allow
parents to block the reception of television programming which they consider
to be
inappropriate for their children. Lemelson discloses a video reception control
unit. The
control unit responds to 3-digit binary codes embedded in a received video
signal. The
codes indicate respectively whether or not the program content of the received
video
signals includes violence, coarse language and nudity. A viewer can set the
control unit
to block transmission of the received video signal to a television whenever
all, or
selected ones, of the codes indicate the presence of adult subject matter. The
control
unit is lockable to prevent determined children from tampering with its
settings.
Other video blocking systems and related systems and methods are disclosed in
the following U.S. Patents:
4,605,964 to Chard;
4,888,796 and 5,172,111 to Olivo, Jr.;
5,382,983 to Kwoh et al.;
5,485,418 to Hunter et al.;
5,477,262 to Banker et al.;
4,930,158; 5,253,066; 5,446,488 and 5,371,795 to Vogel;
5,343,251 to Nafeh;
5,270,822 to Choi;
5,450,122.to Keene;
5,319,453 to Copriviza et al.;
5,410,344 to Graves et al.;
5,195,135 to Palmer;
5,053,884 to Kamijyo;
4,520,404 to Von Kohorn;
5,341,216 to Hoffart;
5,425,100 to Thomas et al.;
5,321,750 to Nadan;
-2-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
5,386,240 to Hori;
5,333,091 to Iggulden et al.;
5,361,301 to Robertson et al.;
5,307,165 to Kawashima et al.;
5,373,557 Diehl et al.;
5,301,233 Coutrot et al.;
5,369,440 to Sussman; and
5,455,892 to Minot et al.
In general, television program suppressing systems operate as follows. A
broadcasting station transmits a television signal, which includes an encoded
rating
signal on line 21 of the 525 horizontal lines. A receiving circuit (or
decoder) of a
television (or set top box) extracts and decodes the encoded rating signal on
horizontal
line 21 to determine whether a rating of the decoded program lies within or
outside a
scope of a preset rating preference entered by users or parents. When the
program
rating lies outside the scope of the preset rating preference, the system
suppresses the
video, audio and text outputs so that the program cannot be viewed. On the
contrary,
when the program rating lies within the scope of the preset rating
preferences, the
program can be viewed.
In the U.S. version of the "iV chip" system, the broadcaster rates each
program
according to four categories. The values for each category are then
transmitted
simultaneously as part of the extended data services (EDS) of the Closed
Captioning
(CC) system. The values are transmitted for as long as the program is on the
air.
Using an access control mechanism, a user (typically a parent) sets a
threshold
for each category. If a rating exceeds the pre-authorized value, the iV chip
suppresses
the video and audio signals. As the reaction of the IV chip decoder is near
instantaneous,
the system can easily handle channel hopping. Moreover, the parent does not
have to
worry about missing content warnings in TV guides or at the start of programs.
The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) defines the four censorship
categories and the number of data bits required to transmit the code:
MPAA rating (equivalent to film classifications, e.g., 18, PG, etc.)--3 bits.
Although no longer applicable, at one time there were provided additional bits
for:
-3-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
violence content advisory level--2 bits (which allows for a scale of 0 to 3)
sexual content advisory level--2 bits
mature content advisory level--2 bits.
The same principles apply to a system being field-tested in Canada but, at
present, the two are not identical. In fact, in Canada there are at least four
different
ratings systems being employed.
All American TV sets built after July 1993 had to include a closed-captioning
decoder to provide subtitling. Currerit CC decoders (such as, the SAA5252
decoder sold
by Philips Semiconductors) are capable of suppressing the TV picture when
switched
into full-text mode. They also have adequate display features to generate an
OSD menu
so that parents can program the censorship thresholds.
Unlike teletext, closed captioning data can be recorded and reproduced by a
VHS VCR during playback of a program. Thus, recorded and prerecorded tapes
could
also contain censorship data.
In Europe, the question of implementing a IV chip type system is altogether
more complex than North America. The broadcasters are not regulated by a
single
government, and cultural and language differences mean variance in acceptable
moral
standards. Then, there are the technical issues of coping with a 625-line TV
system that
has little spare capacity for extra data signals.
One solution is to use the American system but this has some disadvantages.
First, for broadcasters, the CC signal would occupy valuable teletext
transmission
capacity (one line would be permanently lost) and different encoding systems
would be
required.
Secondly, it would be very expensive for broadcasters in terms of the
duplicate
transmission equipment and data bridges (in cable amplifiers) required for
both teletext
and CC signals.
Thirdly, consumer electronics manufacturers would have additional overheads
in providing teletext and CC decoding in every TV set and PC TV card.
The concept of enabling a parent to control viewing of a television using
information transmitted by the broadcaster is not new and was proposed in
International
Patent Application W083/02208 published on Jun. 23, 1983, corresponding to
U.S. Pat.
-4-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
No. 4,605,964. In that document, it is proposed that a code be sent via the
teletext
signal transmitted with the television signal, the code being formed as a
selected row
number of a given teletext page. Thus, the page number and row number is
transmitted
in the field blanking period on the occurrence of a possibly offensive event.
At the
receiver, a teletext decoder is permanently set to look for the relevant page
and identify
the row number as and when transmitted. The particular row numbers indicated
particular gradings of sound and vision events.
Various other means to convey the code have been proposed which involve the
use of PDC signals and wide-screen signaling signals as disclosed in U.K.
Patent
Application No. 9703192.6, corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/021,335, filed Feb. 10, 1998 (PHB34135).
All these arrangements require a parent, or other responsible person, to enter
the
appropriate codes into the television receiver and/or video recorder. In a
case in which a
television is being used only by a child whose access to particular types of
program is to
be restricted, these codes can be entered and then no further action on the
part of the
parent becomes necessary. Where, however, different members of the family may
be
viewing the television set at different times of the day, the program
classification
appropriate for one member of the family may not be appropriate for other
members of
the family. This means that frequent entry of different classification codes
may be
required, and this imposes a considerable burden on the responsible person.
For
example, it may be necessary to reset the classification code to the lowest
level every
time the television set is switched off to ensure that material unsuitable for
a child does
not become inadvertently available. A consequence of this is that such a
system may not
be properly used unless the parent is extremely conscientious.
Television viewers are faced with an increasingly diverse selection of
programs
to choose from. At the same time, our society is becoming more diverse. Some
programs contain content that some viewers may consider to be offensive or
inappropriate for viewing by their children. There is a need for an effective
way to
block offensive or inappropriate material from being viewed.
As the number of available television channels increases it is becoming
increasingly difficult for television viewers to locate and select programming
that
-5-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
interests them from the many programs that may be completely uninteresting.
There is a
need for a system, which would allow a television viewer to limit the
selection of
programs available for viewing to those programs that match the viewer's
preferences.
While it may seem relatively simple for one to enter viewing preferences for
different
systems, when combined with programming one's VCR, setting up one's satellite
dish
system, selecting programs for viewing from hundreds potentially available,
the task
becomes daunting. Therefore,
The present invention is therefore directed to the problem of developing a
user
interface to a system for suppressing objectionable programming that enables a
user to
easily input viewing preferences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves this problem by providing a universal ratings
decoder that interfaces with a user and any ratings system, thereby enabling
the user to
set and activate a screening preference without necessarily understanding all
of the
intricacies of the underlying ratings system. Thus, the present invention
enables a user
to quickly and easily input a viewing preference.
According to one embodiment of the universal ratings system, a bar graph is
presented that represents the relative ratings of the ratings system and the
user can select
a position on the bar at which the user wishes to screen incoming programs.
For
example, if a user is completely comfortable with what is being broadcast, the
user may
select one extreme of the bar. If the user wants everything blocked except for
general
audience related programming, the user can select the other extreme of the
bar. If the
user wants to block some programming, but only the worst, the user can select
a
position on the bar that is about 10% of the relative screening.
Alternatively, the user interface can include a rotatable knob, either a real
knob
or a computer visual simulation of a knob that allows a user to select a
relative setting
from one extreme to the other. Essentially, the user interface can consist of
any visual
representation that allows a user to establish a relative setting from one
extreme to the
other. Visual basic allows a programmer to easily implement slidable bars,
rotatable
knobs, colored thermographs, dials, fields into which numerical values can be
entered,
-6-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
etc. For example, the placement of the bar or dial by the user can provide the
output of
the numerical value used to determine the actual ratings preference. Any of
these can
enable a user to enter his or her viewing preferences.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a user may select an
affinity group whose judgment the user is willing to trust to determine the
appropriate
settings for the television decoder. Multiple affinity groups are provided,
each of which
establish user preferences based on the judgment of the affinity group as to
that which is
appropriate. The user then simply selects one of the several affinity groups
and the
decoder downloads the appropriate settings from the Internet or via broadcast
in one of
the data packets.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the relative ratings
system described above can be used as a universal ratings system that
transcends
political, social and language boundaries. For example, the broadcasters can
simply
rate a program on a relative scale and transmit the relative ratings. Relative
ratings are
more easily understood by viewers, as compared to the current complex system
of
violence, sex, nudity, language, etc.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG 1 depicts a conversion of several ratings systems to a numerical value
according to one aspect of the present invention.
FIG 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for implementing the
methods of the present invention.
FIG 3 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a graphical user interface via which
a user enters his or her viewing preferences according to one aspect of the
present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Any reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The
appearances
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
of the phrase "in ~ embodiment" in various places in the~ecification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
A ratings system often includes many subcategories of ratings enabling a
viewer
to precisely control the level of television programming being viewed by the
family.
Many viewers do not care about the various levels of the programming because
they
either wish to view all programming or wish to block all programming not
suitable for
all audiences. Alternatively, some viewers wish to quickly set a viewing
preference
rather than investing the time needed to understand the particulars of a given
ratings
system. For example, some viewers may be in a new country only briefly and
want a
quick approximation of their viewing preferences. An example of such a person
might
be a family on vacation in Disney World with teenagers, in which case the
parents may
wish to block certain programming, but not all. Only by reading the complete
description of the program ratings system in effect in that locality (or
country) could the
family understand how to select the appropriate ratings. Nevertheless, the
parents may
be happy to select some blocking even if not completely tailored to their
needs.
As most ratings system provide a progression of ratings, such that the ratings
progress from general audience to adult programming through various levels of
ratings,
the present invention converts the ratings levels in a given ratings system to
a number
on a numerical scale. This enables a graphical presentation of the ratings
system and a
selection of a user viewing preference by selecting a relative position on the
numerical
scale from one extreme to the other, which is representative of the user's
viewing
preference. FIG 1 depicts a conversion from four possible ratings systems to a
universal ratings system having a progression from one end of the scale to the
other.
To select a particular numerical value, a graphical user interface may be
employed. For example, if the broadcast ratings system is represented as a
vertical bar,
one extreme of which represents blocking all programs suitable for all
audiences and
another extreme of which represents no blocking, the user can specify his or
her
viewing preferences by moving a selector on the bar, such as a slideable bar,
which
indicates the level of programming beyond which the user does not wish to be
viewed.
The decoder then employs this level when making blocking determinations. Such
an
example is depicted in FIG 3.
_g_
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
A graphical user interface 30 provides a numerical scale 31 on which an
adjustable bar 32 can be moved from one extreme 35 to the other extreme 46. A
generic description 33, 34 for each extreme is provided to indicate the
meaning of the
extremes. Currently, the bar 32 is in a position that might be appropriate for
pre-
teenagers, for example.
Exemplary Embodiment
A method for interacting wit$ a user when establishing viewing preferences for
a television decoder enables a user to quickly set his or her viewing
preferences by
interacting with a graphical display. The broadcast ratings system is
converted to a
numerical or ordered range so that the ratings are placed in a progressive
order from
least objectionable to most objectionable. One possible implementation is to
associate a
numerical value with each rating and then order the ratings in accordance with
the
numerical sequence. Once the ratings are ordered, the ratings are displayed to
the user
in a graphical fashion so that the user can select a position on the graph
that represents
the user's viewing preferences without necessarily requiring the user to
understand the
underlying implications of the ratings system.
Another possible implementation is to convert the ratings system to an age-
appropriate viewing standard. For example, 6-8-11-14-16-18 represents a
progression
of ages to which any ratings system can be converted. For example, "6"
represents
programming that would probably be suitable for a six year old, e.g., only
general
audience programming. The level "8" might allow programming with some
violence,
for example. The. level "11" might allow programming with some more violence
and
bad language. The level "14" might allow programming with adult situations.
Level
"16" might permit programming with some nudity. Finally, level "18" might add
all
programming. Thus, ratings systems that employ the three categories of
language,
nudity or sex and violence would be progressively convened to age appropriate
viewing.
One possible conversion could be to simply add the value for each of the three
ratings categories, and convert to a scale from one to ten. For example, if
violence was
rated from one to five, sex from one to five and language from one to five.
Adding the
-9-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
ratings for each category and converting to a scale from one to ten would
provide a
quick approximation for establishing a viewing preference. For example,
programming
that has ratings of "S" for at least one category will place in about 1 /2 of
the scale, even
if the ratings are only "1" in the other two categories. While not perfect,
this conversion
provides a quick and ready approximation that can be later adjusted, if
necessary.
A sensitivity setting can be added that allows a user more control over the
fine
adjustments, if desired. The sensitivity setting would amplify the scale so it
included
additional granularity to enable a user to more precisely control the setting
if the given
granularity was insufficient. So, if a user had trouble accurately setting his
preferences,
the user could amplify the differences between settings using the sensitivity
setting,
thereby enabling the user to precisely select one setting in case the
translation did not
have enough granularity to permit selecting between two ratings settings.
One possible implementation of the graph is a bar chart. For example, the bar
can be either a vertical or horizontal bar. In addition, the graph may be a
dial that can
be rotated either graphically or manually. In addition, the graph may be a
thermometer
where color changes relate to changes in the underlying ratings system as it
moves from
one extreme to the other.
Alternatively, the user could simply input a numerical value on a range from,
for
example, one to ten. Thus, entering a "4" would specify a viewing preference
about
middle of the range.
The user could simply slide a bar on a bar graph thereby setting the user's
viewing preference.
Yet another alternative is enabling the user to click a point on the graph,
which
sets the viewing preferences using a single mouse click.
Alternative Embodiment
To account for changes in ratings systems, the present invention provides the
capability of downloading a ratings system conversion into the decoder.
One possible implementation is to provide a dedicated web site and an Internet
connection on the decoder, so that upon a push of a button on the decoder, the
decoder
-10-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
could update itself by accessing the dedicated web site on the Internet and
download
any ratings system conversions provided on the web site.
Although any ratings system can be approximated by applying a numerical
range across the system, this capability ensure more accurate conversion to a
numerical
score.
Alternative Embodiment
Another graphical implementation of the ratings system is to depict the
ratings
system as a two dimensional map, in which one dimension is associated with
ratings
moving from one extreme (such as general audience) to the other extreme (adult
audiences only), and another dimension is associated with specific categories
(such as
violence, sex, language, nudity, etc.).
In this embodiment, a user could select a point on each of the categories by
clicking a mouse, and thereby input his viewing preferences.
Alternative Embodiment
Yet another possible implementation of a rapid user interface relies on the
use of
affinity group ratings settings. According to this possible implementation, a
given user
who desires to adjust the settings on the decoder does so by selecting a group
whose
ratings preferences the given user desires to follow. The decoder then looks
up the
ratings settings recommended by such a group and then adjusts the settings
accordingly.
For example, multiple affinity groups could provide recommendations as to the
appropriate ratings settings for selectively blocking television programming.
Examples
of such groups include: The Christian Coalition, FCC, Motion Pictures
Association,
ACLU, ABA, AMA, NEA, etc. Each of the ratings settings recommendations would
be
stored on a web site, for example. Authorized officers from each of these
groups would
be provided an access identification and password via which they could edit
the listed
recommendations.
When a given user selects a particular affinity group as the user's ratings
settings, the decoder would access the web site and download the latest
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
recommendations from the web. This allows the user to simply select an icon
representing the affinity group whose recommendations he wishes to implement.
Alternatively, the ratings recommendations for each group could be broadcast
as
part of the ratings systems in the line 21 data packet or equivalent data
channel.
Apparatus
An apparatus for interacting with a user to set viewing preferences for a
television decoder includes a processor and a graphical user interface. The
processor in
the decoder converts a broadcast television ratings system into a progressive
numerical
ratings system. The graphical user interface is coupled to the processor and
displays the
broadcast television ratings system as a graph. Moreover, the graphical user
interface
enables the user to select a position on the graph and thereby indicate the
user's viewing
preference for selectively blocking television programming.
The apparatus may include an Internet connection via which new ratings
translations can be downloaded. In this embodiment, for example, a user may be
new to
a region or system that has different ratings systems. But, the user can
simply connect a
telephone line to an input provided on the set top box and press a button.
This places a
telephone call and accesses a predetermined site on the Internet. By detecting
the local
telephone number, the Internet site can identify the ratings system or systems
in place at
that locality and download the desired ratings translation or translations.
Exemplary Embodiment of Apparatus
Referring to FIG 2, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment 10 of an
apparatus for implementing the above-mentioned methods of the present
invention. An
antenna receives a broadcast television signal and provides it to tuner 7. The
tuner
outputs a television signal to line-21 decoder 5. Output from the decoder 5 is
the data
included in the line 21 of the 525 lines. A microprocessor 4 compares the
program
ratings with that stored in memory 4 and outputs a blocking signal, if
necessary, to CRT
driver 8, which outputs a television image to the CRT or not, depending upon
the
blocking signal. A graphical user interface 1 enables the user to input
preferences used
in the blocking decision.
- 12-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
The GUI 1 enables the user to specify his preferences in a relative manner,
rather than in levels as specified by the ratings system in use. The
microprocessor 3
converts the relative ratings preferences to specific ratings used in the
comparison
process based on the ratings system currently in use. However, if the ratings
system
changes, the user's preferences can be converted to the new ratings system
without
further input from the user. By simply recalculating the conversion using a
new
translation determined according to a stored translation algorithm in the
microprocessor
for a known ratings system, the micrbprocessor can simply adjust the ratings
without
even informing the user.
If a new ratings system is being broadcast for the first time, a dedicated
channel
can include the translation algorithm, which can be downloaded into the
receiver using
the process described in U.S. Patent Application No. 5,828,402, which is
hereby
incorporated by reference, including the drawings, as if repeated herein in
its entirety.
The downloaded translation algorithm can then be used to convert user relative
ratings
preference information to actual ratings system preferences.
Thus, the present invention allows a universal ratings system that can be
implemented in any language and country. By allowing the user to select a
ratings
settings on a relative scale, the underlying ratings need not be specifically
analyzed
unless desired by the user.
Thus, a given ratings system can even be converted to a scale from one extreme
to the other. In fact, the relative ratings system can be used as the actual
ratings system
by the broadcasters, thereby simplifying the rating of television programs. In
short,
this provides a universal ratings system that could be implemented across all
political,
social and language boundaries.
Although various embodiments are specifically illustrated and described
herein,
it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the invention are
covered by
the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without
departing
from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. For example, while
several of the
embodiments discuss the use of specific implementations of the user interface
to
establish relative viewing preferences, other user interfaces will suffice to
enable the
user to select the relative viewing preference. Moreover, while the above
embodiments
-13-
CA 02342046 2001-03-27
. ,
have been described with reference to broadcast television, the same
techniques and
inventions apply to direct television (DTV). In addition, while specific
program and
protocols are included, other protocols (including subsequently developed
protocols)
may be sufficient to implement the embodiments described herein, including but
not
limited to transmission of the format as data packets rather than bits. These
examples
should not be interpreted to limit the modifications and variations of the
invention
covered by the claims but are merely illustrative of possible variations.
-14-
