Cryptography – Video cryptography – Video electric signal modification
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-04-24
Buczinski, Stephen C. (Department: 3662)
Cryptography
Video cryptography
Video electric signal modification
C345S215000, C348S086000, C348S014160, C348S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222925
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to interactive entertainment systems and, in particular, to such systems in which a user is able to control, directly or indirectly, the path of a narrative or plot line.
An example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,131 to Robert M. Best, and comprises a motion picture system in which the viewer is treated as a character in the narrative. At branch points in the narrative, a character on screen will ask a question of the viewer: the viewer is provided with a hand held menu screen on which two or more command words appear, which words are amongst the limited vocabulary of a speech recognition unit of the system. The branch taken by the narrative will depend on how the viewer responds to the on-screen characters question, that is to say which of the command words is spoken by the viewer. The multiple story lines are held on optical disc as independently addressable video frames, blocks of compressed audio and/or cartoon graphics. A record retrieval circuit reads blocks of binary coded control information comprising a branching structure of digital points specifying the frame sequence for each story line. A dispatcher circuit assembles a schedule of cueing commands specifying precisely which video frames, cartoon frames and sections of audio are to be presented at which instant of time. A cueing circuit executes these commands by generating precisely timed video and audio signals.
A problem with systems such as that as described by Best is that the video discs carrying the information make available, through successive playings with differing user choices, all of that information whenever and whoever is playing the disc. This can lead not only to the purchaser of a disc rapidly becoming bored, it can also lead to restrictions on availability, with discs being classified for content as in the cinema.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an entertainment apparatus and method for controlling the same where certain in-built limitations actually serve to enhance the viewer's enjoyment.
It is a further object of the present invention to allow for parental control over the content of an interactive entertainment.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an interactive entertainment apparatus operable to output sequences of image frames comprising a user-influenced path through a branch structured narrative, the apparatus comprising: a source of image frames for all branch structure paths of the narrative; branch storage means for data defining the narrative branch structure; user operable input means; branch selection means coupled to the branch store and operable to determine when the narrative reaches a branch point and to call one of two or more image frame sequences from the image frame source in dependence on the user input; and an output for the selected image frame sequences; characterised in that the branch storage means contains further data identifying one or more image frame sequences as locked, and the branch selection means is operable to determine when a branch point having one or more locked paths therefrom is approaching, to call for predetermined access data, and to restrict selection to other than the lock path or paths in the absence of said predetermined access data.
User storage means may be provided containing at least one user specific code (such as a PIN number), with that code satisfying the call for predetermined access data. With such an arrangement the branch selection means is preferably configured to access the user storage means when calling for the access data. The user storage means where provided is preferably non-volatile and removable from the apparatus, such as a data card or smart card holding the user specific code or codes, with the apparatus including means for reading the code or codes from the card.
Rather than using a removable user memory, the apparatus may require the or each user specific code to be stored in the user memory by input thereof via the user operable input means: for example, at the start of a narrative containing locked paths, the user may be requested to key in a path unlock code or key number.
In an alternative arrangement, the apparatus may include a current time of day source accessible by the branch selection means, with the call for predetermined access data being satisfied when the current time lies within a specified period: In other words, the system supports narrative titles which have some paths locked off at various times of he day. For example, paths containing “adult” material may only be unlocked after 9.00 pm. Unlocking on specific dates may also be provided.
Where the source of image frames includes a remote server connected to the apparatus through a data transmission network, the predetermined access data may be transmitted from the remote server to the apparatus, with the apparatus being operable to identify and store the access data. In this way, the remote server can unlock closed paths, perhaps at different times of day, rather than having to send different video segments.
Two or more image frame sequences may be locked in such a way as to require respective different arrangements of predetermined access data by the branch selection means for unlocking (for example providing different levels of locking), and the branch selection means may be operable to call for the appropriate one of the at least two different respective access data arrangements.
An image generating means may be provided to generate display messages to the user on initialisation of the apparatus and in the event of non-receipt of the predetermined access data, for example to request user input of a PIN number or to give system messages such as “Path Closed!”.
Also in accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for control of an interactive entertainment apparatus, where the apparatus presents to a user a branch structured narrative, and user input determines which path is followed at at least one narrative branch point, characterised in that one or more narrative paths is identified as locked and requires predetermined access data to be presented to allow access thereto, otherwise an unlocked path will be followed.
As described above, at least two locking levels may be supported for respective paths, with different predetermined access data being required for each locking level. The locking may comprise encryption of locked path image sequences with the predetermined access data comprising one or more decryption key codes.
During the narrative, the user may suitably be provided with a visual indication of each approaching branch point, except for those cases where a branch has only one unlocked path therefrom and the predetermined access data has not been received.
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Cole Richard S.
Freitag Rosa
Rankin Paul J.
Shiels Martin A.
Buczinski Stephen C.
Thorne Gregory L.
U.S. Philips Corporation
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