U.S. patent application number 11/453072 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for system for game console parental control.
This patent application is currently assigned to M-SYSTEMS FLASH DISK PIONEERS, LTD.. Invention is credited to Eyal Bychkov.
Application Number | 20060287080 11/453072 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37574096 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060287080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bychkov; Eyal |
December 21, 2006 |
System for game console parental control
Abstract
A game system includes a memory device, a game console and a
time allowance module. The memory device includes a nonvolatile
memory module for storing a time allowance for a game. The game
console includes an interface for reversibly operationally
attaching the memory device to the game console. The time allowance
module, that preferably is in either the memory device or the game
console, allows the game console to cooperate with the memory
device to play the game only according to the time allowance.
Another memory device includes two nonvolatile memory modules: one
for storing a saved state of a game and the other for storing a
time allowance for the game. This memory device also includes a
processor for writing and reading the saved state in the first
memory module and a time allowance module for allowing that writing
and reading only according to the time allowance.
Inventors: |
Bychkov; Eyal; (Hod
Hasharon, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DR. MARK FRIEDMAN LTD.;C/o Bill Polkinghorn
9003 Florin Way
Upper Marlboro
MD
20772
US
|
Assignee: |
M-SYSTEMS FLASH DISK PIONEERS,
LTD.
|
Family ID: |
37574096 |
Appl. No.: |
11/453072 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60691975 |
Jun 20, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/00 20130101;
A63F 13/95 20140902; A63F 2300/201 20130101; A63F 2300/638
20130101; A63F 2300/208 20130101; A63F 2300/63 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/029 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A game system comprising: (a) a memory device including: (i) a
first nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for a
game; (b) a game console including an interface for reversibly
operationally attaching said memory device to said game console;
and (c) a time allowance module for allowing said game console to
cooperate with said memory device to play said game only in
accordance with said time allowance.
2. The game system of claim 1, wherein said time allowance module
is included in said memory device.
3. The game system of claim 1, wherein said time allowance module
is included in said game console.
4. The game system of claim 1, wherein said time allowance includes
an allowed clock time interval.
5. The game system of claim 1, wherein said time allowance includes
a periodic time quota.
6. The game system of claim 1, wherein said first nonvolatile
memory module includes a configuration file containing said time
allowance, write access to said configuration file being
password-protected.
7. The game system of claim 1, wherein said memory device further
includes: (ii) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a
saved state of said game, said game console being operative to
store said saved state only in said second nonvolatile memory
module.
8. The game system of claim 7, wherein both said nonvolatile memory
modules are in a common nonvolatile memory medium.
9. The game system of claim 7, wherein said nonvolatile memory
modules are in separate nonvolatile memory media.
10. The game system of claim 1, wherein write access to said first
nonvolatile memory module is restricted.
11. The game system of claim 10, wherein said write access is for
defining said time allowance.
12. The game system of claim 10, wherein said time allowance module
also is operative to authenticate said write access to said first
nonvolatile memory module and to support said write access
contingent on said authentication.
13. The game system of claim 10, further comprising: (d) a
computer, separate from said game console, including an interface
for reversibly operationally attaching said memory device to said
computer, said computer for authenticating said write access to
said first nonvolatile memory module and for supporting said write
access contingent on said authentication when said memory device is
reversibly operationally attached to said computer.
14. The game system of claim 1, wherein said time allowance module
is operative to limit access to an operational component of the
game system in accordance with said time allowance.
15. The game system of claim 1, wherein said operational component
is in said memory device.
16. The game system of claim 1, wherein said operational component
is in said game console.
17. A memory device for playing a game, comprising: (a) a first
nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of the game;
(b) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance
for the game; (c) a processor for writing and reading said saved
state in said first nonvolatile memory module; and (d) a time
allowance module for allowing said writing and reading of said
saved state only in accordance with said time allowance.
18. The memory device of claim 17, wherein write access to said
second nonvolatile memory module is restricted.
19. The memory device of claim 17, wherein said time allowance
includes an allowed time interval; and wherein the memory device
further comprises: (e) a clock for measuring said allowed time
interval.
20. The memory device of claim 17, wherein said time allowance
includes a periodic time quota; and wherein the memory device
further comprises: (e) a clock for measuring said periodic time
quota.
21. The memory device of claim 17, wherein said second nonvolatile
memory module includes a configuration file containing said time
allowance, write access to said configuration file being
password-protected.
22. The memory device of claim 17, wherein both said nonvolatile
memory modules are in a common nonvolatile memory medium.
23. The memory device of claim 17, wherein said nonvolatile memory
modules are in separate nonvolatile memory media.
24. A game system, comprising: (a) a memory device including: (i) a
first nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of a
game, (ii) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time
allowance for said game, (iii) a processor for writing and reading
said saved state in said first nonvolatile memory module, and (iv)
a time allowance module for allowing said writing and reading of
said saved state only in accordance with said time allowance; and
(b) a game console, for playing said game, including an interface
for reversibly operationally attaching said memory device to said
game console, said game console being operative to store said saved
state only in said memory device.
25. The game system of claim 24, wherein said time allowance module
also is operative, cooperatively with said game console, to
authenticate said write access to said second nonvolatile memory
module and to support said write access contingent on said
authentication.
26. A game system, comprising: (a) a memory device including (i) a
first nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of a
game, (ii) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time
allowance for said game, (iii) a processor for writing and reading
said saved state in said first nonvolatile memory module, and (iv)
a time allowance module for allowing said writing and reading of
said saved state only in accordance with said time allowance; and
(b) a computer, including an interface for reversibly operationally
attaching said memory device to said computer, said computer
operative to authenticate write access to said second nonvolatile
memory module for defining said time allowance and to support said
write access contingent on said authentication when said memory
device is reversibly operationally attached to said computer.
Description
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/691,975, filed Jun. 20,
2005
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for enforcing
parental control and in particular to such devices that allow
parents to control access to game consoles by their children.
[0003] Since their introduction in the early 1970's, home video
game systems, or game consoles, have become increasingly popular
among children and adults alike. In its essence, a game console is
a highly specialized computer system, developed specifically for
supplying entertainment to the user. This entertainment is usually
in the form of an interactive computer game or video game. A video
game is a computer program containing instructions for the
graphics, audio and the interaction scheme between a game player
and a computer system.
[0004] FIG. 1A (prior art) is a high-level block diagram of an
exemplary implementation 100 of a game console. A CPU 105 is
configured to process computer instructions encoded in a computer
program, an example of which may be a computer game. An Operating
System 115 is designed to control game console 100 and to interface
between the various components of game console 100. A Random Access
Memory (RAM) 110 is used for providing temporary storage space for
computer programs, as is the common practice in computer systems,
in order to allow higher speed performance of game console 100.
When a game console user interacts with game console 100, for
example while playing a computer game, the action is exhibited on a
viewing device (not shown), such as a television, that is fed by a
video output interface 140. The visual action is regularly
accompanied by sound effects and a soundtrack that are experienced
through an audio device (not shown), which may be a dedicated
device or part of the viewing device (not shown), via an audio
output interface 145. The user interacts with the game console by
using a controller (not shown) that is interfaced to the game
console via a user control interface 150. Game console 100 is
energized through a system power supply 125, examples of which
include an electric current interface and an independent power
source such as a battery. A video game is typically stored on a
storage medium for games (not shown), usually a read-only type
memory, removable from the console and thus interchangeable.
Examples of storage media for games common in today's consoles
include CD's, DVD's, and ROM-based cartridges. The game is read
from the storage medium by a game media reader 135 that reads the
information from the media and relays the information for
processing by CPU 105. A real time clock 136 is incorporated in
console 100 for a number of possible applications, examples of
which include implementing real-time in a computer game and for
display purposes.
[0005] Prior art systems are connectable to a
removable-memory-for-saved-state 160 through a
removable-media-for-saved-state interface 120. The notion of a
saved state pertains to any sort of information relating to a
specific situation or setting encountered in a video game, be it
personal preferences (e.g. audio/video preferences) or information
that allows the user to recreate a certain scene or occurrence in
the game-flow sequence of a video game. Saving the state of a game,
which is allowed by most games today, allows the user to restore
the state of the game at the time the state was saved. A game
console user may decide to save the state of a game, or to save a
game, for a number of reasons. The game may necessitate a longer
playtime than the time available for a certain playing session,
thus, by saving the game, a user may continue playing from the same
point in the game at a later time. Saving before a challenging part
of a game, or before making a decision in the game whose
consequences the player is unsure of, enables the player to
retroactively retrieve the state of the game prior to the
challenging part or before the decision was made. Removable memory
160 typically comes in the form of a memory card and current
systems comply with a plurality of types and standards common on
the market. Removable memory 160 includes a
storage-unit-for-saved-state 170 that is a readable, writeable and
erasable solid-state memory medium. Removable memory 160 also
includes a processor 165 that is configured to regulate the reading
and writing and erasing of data packages to/from storage unit 170
and to communicate with an external host appliance, which in this
case is game console 100, through interface 120. As has been
mentioned, removable-memory-for-saved-state 160 is detachable from
game console 100. Therefore, a console user who saves the state of
a game on removable memory 160 that is plugged into a first game
console 100 can restore the saved state on a second console by
removing memory 160 from first console 100 and connecting memory
160 to removable memory interface 120 of the second console 100.
Using this functionality of removable memory 160, it has become a
commonplace practice for two or more console players to port or
share game states, and to demonstrate game achievements, thus
enriching their gaming experience.
[0006] As has been previously mentioned, video games have become a
widespread form of entertainment for children. This has created two
cardinal problems regarding the usage of game consoles. The first
problem is children playing games containing content that is deemed
unsuitable by their parents or guardians. The second problem is
children spending excessive amounts of time playing computer games,
to the discontent of their parents or guardians. It has thus become
necessary for guardians to electronically control the content of
games being played by the children in their charge and to set
limits on the duration of play. For simplification reasons, and to
generalize the context of the present invention, guardians in the
in context of the game console environment are regarded herein as
"administrators". Children in the same environment are regarded
herein as "users". Parental control is thus herein defined as
limits on content and time that an administrator sets on the usage
of game console 100 by a user. There are two forms of time
limitation, or time allowance, known in the art: a limitation on
the duration of play (time quota) and a limitation on the periods
of the day/week/month/year that playing on console 100 is allowed.
The limitations may be combined, for example an administrator may
want to set a limitation so that the user may only play console 100
for two hours per day in the periods between 14:00-16:00 and
19:00-21:00.
[0007] Console 100 includes a parental control module 130, which in
this example includes an optional content filtering module 131 that
is used by an administrator to set limits on content according to
one of the known methods in the art. Console 100 further includes a
time allowance module 132 that sets the time allowance on console
100. Time allowance module 132 may be incorporated in one of the
components of console 100 as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,848 to
Wang, and may include a timer for controlling the allowable playing
time range of game console 100. The Wang patent, that deals with
systems whose game media reader 135 is cartridge based, teaches a
time allowance unit that is connected to game media reader 135.
This time allowance unit interconnects between the game media and
game media reader 135, and blocks the connection in the case that a
user attempts to play for a duration that exceeds the preset
allowance or in a period of the day that has been configured to be
disallowed by the administrator. A clear disadvantage of this
invention is the fact that it only deals with cartridge based
systems, that are uncommon in today's industry.
[0008] Another method of dictating a time allowance on a console
100 is shown in FIG. 1B (prior art). Console 100 of FIG. 1B
operates in an identical manner to console 100 of FIG. 1A except
that console 100 of FIG. 1B does not include an internal
time-allowance module 132, and clock 136 is optional. A time
allowance device 156 is an external device that interfaces with
console 100 or one of the peripheral devices of console 100. A
first method of implementing time allowance device 156 may be
understood by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,661 to Dodge. The
Dodge patent teaches a video game time allowance device that
electrically connects system power supply 125 to console 100.
Electric current is cut off from console 100 once the time
allowance has been exceeded. Other methods of regulating time
allowance include devices that set time limits on one of the
peripherals of console 100, for example hand held game controllers
and viewing devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,984 to Sweeney, Jr., et
al., teaches a hand-held game controller, for game console 100,
that has time allowance functionality. The game controller (not
shown) temporarily ceases to function once the time allowance has
been exceeded, thus inactivating console 100. U.S. Pat. No.
5,331,353 to Levenson, et al., teaches a device that sets limits on
the use of an electronic device by controlling its power supply.
The device of Levenson et al. may be applied to a television set,
thus functioning as an external time allowance device 156.
[0009] All four of the patents referred to above, i.e., U.S. Pat.
No. 5,203,848, U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,661, U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,984 and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,353, are incorporated by reference for all
purposes as if fully set forth herein
[0010] A clearly noticeable disadvantage of known time allowance
devices and methods, particularly the ones that are referred to
above, is that the time limitation is set on a particular game
console device at a particular site. This problem becomes more
significant when considering the aforementioned practice of
saved-state porting between two or more consoles 100. A user may
play on a first game console 100, for example at the user's home,
which enables a form of time allowance limitation. Having come to
the end of the time allowance on the first game console 100, the
user may save the state of the game on a
memory-for-saved-saved-state 160 and continue playing on a second
game console 100, for example at a friends house, where the time
limitation has not been implemented. Thus, the time limitation set
by the administrator could be easily bypassed. Another disadvantage
is that despite the demand for the incorporation of time allowance
means in consoles 100, and the feasibility of such time allowance
means using current technology, most game consoles do not include a
built in time allowance device 132. Parents and guardians need to,
therefore, install an external time allowance device 156 on console
100 or on one of the peripherals of console 100. The installment
and maintenance of an additional device may be cumbersome for many
parents and guardians, and the cost of an additional device may
exceed their budgets.
[0011] With the progressive improvement of game consoles and the
growing sophistication of games, gamers have come to rely on solid
state memory cards, functioning as memory-for-saved-state 160, for
the enhancement of the users' gaming experience. The wide
distribution of game consoles combined with the possibility of
overcoming the disadvantages of time allowance devices known in the
art today has generated the widespread need for a solid state
memory card for a game console that would function as a
memory-for-saved-state 160 but would also enable an administrator
to set a time allowance for a user. The time allowance
functionality would be independent of a particular console 100 in a
specific site, further improving the protection of children from
excessive use of a game console 100.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] According to the present invention there is provided a game
system including: (a) a memory device including a first nonvolatile
memory module for storing a time allowance for a game; (b) a game
console including an interface for reversibly operationally
attaching the memory device to the game console; and (c) a time
allowance module for allowing the game console to cooperate with
the memory device to play the game only in accordance with the time
allowance.
[0013] According to the present invention there is provided a
memory device for playing a game, including: (a) a first
nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of the game;
(b) a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance
for the game; (c) a processor for writing and reading the saved
state in the first nonvolatile memory module; and (d) a time
allowance module for allowing the writing and reading of the saved
state only in accordance with the time allowance.
[0014] According to the present invention there is provided a game
system, including: (a) a memory device including: (i) a first
nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of a game, (ii)
a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for
the game, (iii) a processor for writing and reading the saved state
in the first nonvolatile memory module, and (iv) a time allowance
module for allowing the writing and reading of the saved state only
in accordance with the time allowance; and (b) a game console, for
playing the game, including an interface for reversibly
operationally attaching the memory device to the game console, the
game console being operative to store the saved state only in the
memory device.
[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a game
system, including: (a) a memory device including: (i) a first
nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of a game, (ii)
a second nonvolatile memory module for storing a time allowance for
the game, (iii) a processor for writing and reading the saved state
in the first nonvolatile memory module, and (iv) a time allowance
module for allowing the writing and reading of the saved state only
in accordance with the time allowance; and (b) a computer,
including an interface for reversibly operationally attaching the
memory device to the computer, the computer operative to
authenticate write access to the second nonvolatile memory module
for defining the time allowance and to support the write access
contingent on the authentication when the memory device is
reversibly operationally attached to the computer.
[0016] A basic embodiment of the first game system of the present
invention includes a memory device, a game console and a time
allowance module. The memory device includes a first nonvolatile
memory module for storing a time allowance for a game. The game
console includes an interface for reversibly operationally
attaching the memory device to the game console. The time allowance
module, that preferably is part of either the memory device or the
game console, allows the game console to cooperate with the memory
device to play the game only in accordance with the time
allowance.
[0017] The time allowance may include an allowed clock time
interval (e.g. 16:00 to 18:00 on Tuesdays) or a periodic time quota
(e.g. two hours per day).
[0018] Preferably, the first nonvolatile memory module includes a
configuration file that contains the time allowance. Write access
to the configuration file is password-protected.
[0019] Preferably, the memory device also includes a second
nonvolatile memory module for storing a saved state of the game.
The game console is operative to store the saved state only in the
second nonvolatile memory module. Both nonvolatile memory modules
are in a common nonvolatile memory medium, for example in a common
flash memory. Alternatively, the nonvolatile memory modules are in
separate nonvolatile memory media, for example in separate flash
memories.
[0020] Preferably, write access to the first nonvolatile memory
module, for defining the time allowance, is restricted, for example
by password protection, so that only an authorized user of the game
system is allowed to define the time allowance. Most preferably,
the time allowance module is operative to authenticate the write
access to the first nonvolatile memory module and to support that
write access contingent on such authentication: a user whose write
access is not authenticated is not allowed to write to the first
nonvolatile memory module, whereas a user whose write access is
authenticated is allowed to write to the first nonvolatile memory
module via the time allowance module. Alternatively, the game
system also includes a computer, separate from the game console,
that includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching
the memory device to the computer. The computer is for
authenticating the write access to the first nonvolatile memory
module and for supporting that write access contingent on such
authentication while the memory device is reversibly operationally
attached to the computer: a user whose write access is not
authenticated is not allowed to write to the first nonvolatile
memory module, whereas a user whose write access is authenticated
is allowed to write to the first nonvolatile memory module via the
computer.
[0021] Preferably, the time allowance module functions by granting
or denying access to an operational component of the game system,
in accordance with the time allowance. The operational component to
which access is thus limited may be either in the memory device or
in the game console.
[0022] A basic second memory device of the present invention, for
playing a game, includes first and second nonvolatile memory
modules, a processor and a time allowance module. The first
nonvolatile memory module is for storing a saved state of the game.
The second nonvolatile memory module is for storing a time
allowance for the game,. The processor reads and writes the saved
state of the game in the first nonvolatile memory module. The time
allowance module allows the writing and reading of the saved state
only in accordance with the time allowance.
[0023] Preferably, write access to the second nonvolatile memory
module is restricted, for example by password protection, so that
only an authorized user of the memory device is allowed to write to
the second nonvolatile memory module.
[0024] In one preferred embodiment of the second memory device, the
time allowance includes an allowed time interval (e.g. 16:00 to
18:00 on Tuesdays) and the memory device also includes a clock for
measuring the allowed time interval. In another preferred
embodiment of the second memory device, the time allowance includes
a periodic time quota (e.g. two hours per day) and the memory
device also includes a clock for measuring the periodic time
quota.
[0025] Preferably, the second nonvolatile memory module includes a
configuration file that contains the time allowance. Write access
to the configuration file is password-protected.
[0026] Preferably, both nonvolatile memory modules are in a common
nonvolatile memory medium, for example in a common flash memory.
Alternatively, the nonvolatile memory modules are in separate
nonvolatile memory media, for example in separate flash
memories.
[0027] The scope of the present invention also includes a game
system that includes the second memory device and also a game
console, for playing the game, that includes an interface for
reversibly operationally attaching the second memory device to the
game console. The game console is operative to store the saved
state only in the second memory device. Preferably, the time
allowance module is operative to cooperate with the game console to
authenticate the write access to the second nonvolatile memory
module. The time allowance module also is operative to cooperate
with the game console to support the write access contingent on
such authentication: a user whose write access is not authenticated
is not allowed to write to the second nonvolatile memory module,
whereas a user whose write access is authenticated is allowed to
write to the second nonvolatile memory module via the time
allowance module.
[0028] The scope of the present invention also includes a game
system that includes the second memory device and also a computer
that includes an interface for reversibly operationally attaching
the second memory device to the computer. The computer is operative
to authenticate the write access to the second nonvolatile memory
module for defining the time allowance and to support the write
access contingent on the authentication while the memory device is
reversibly operationally attached to the computer: a user whose
write access is not authenticated is not allowed to write to the
second nonvolatile memory module, whereas a user whose write access
is authenticated is allowed to write to the second nonvolatile
memory module via the computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1A is a high-level block diagram of a game console of
the prior art;
[0031] FIG. 1B is a high-level block diagram of a system including
a game console and an external time allowance device of the prior
art
[0032] FIG. 2 is a high-level block diagram of a preferred
embodiment of the current invention, being a system for regulating
time allowance on a game consoles;
[0033] FIG. 3 is a high-level block diagram of another preferred
embodiment of the current invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The principles and operation of a system for time allowance
for game consoles according to the present invention may be better
understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying
description.
[0035] One preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
system for setting and enforcing access limitations to a game
console operational component, or to an operational component
assemblage, according to a time allowance. At least the time
allowance configuration, i.e. the definitions pertaining to the
time allowed for playing, are stored on a portable memory device
for saved state. An operational component is herein defined as any
data, computer instruction, physical component, logical component
or user interface utilized or displayed by a game console during
the running of a computer program, specifically a computer game.
Examples of operational components include: the saved state storage
component of a removable-memory-for-saved-state device, a user menu
interface, and other modules and components (hardware or software)
of the game console operating system. Limiting access to an
operational component impedes the game play of a console user in
some way. For example, if access is denied to the saved state
storage component, the user can not save states and can not access
previously saved states, disabling the possibility of restoring a
game to a previously saved state. If an access limitation is set on
a component of the operating system, the user is disallowed from
accessing a computer game, thus temporarily disabling the main
functionality of the game console. An operational component
assemblage is a group of operational components that cooperate to
implement the running of the computer game. The totality of such
components is referred to herein as the "game playing working
environment".
[0036] Referring again to the drawings, FIG. 2 illustrates a
system, that incorporates a game console and a memory device for
saved state, and that includes time allowance functionality. A
console 200 generally functions in the same manner as console 100,
previously described in the prior art, except for the differences
described below. Components 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 235, 236, 240,
245 and 250 of console 200 function in the same manner as
components 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 135, 136, 140, 145 and 150 of
console 100, respectively.
[0037] Most prior art game consoles include components similar to
components 205, 210, 215, 220, 225, 235, 236, 240, 245 and 250 that
game console 200 inherits from prior art game console 100,
configured similarly to their configuration in game consoles 100
and 200 and operating similarly to their operation in game consoles
100 and 200. It should be understood that other implementations of
game consoles are possible that exclude one or more of these legacy
components or that include legacy components not mentioned herein.
The configurations described herein are to be understood as
examples of possible implementations of game consoles rather than
as categorizing definitions of game consoles.
[0038] A removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance 260
includes a storage-for-time-allowance 275.
Storage-for-time-allowance 275 is a non-volatile memory medium that
holds computer instructions that define the time limitations on the
usage of game console 200. These instructions are stored in the
form of a time allowance configuration file. The time allowance
configuration defined in the time allowance configuration file
includes information pertaining to the different forms of time
limitations known in the art: a quota limitation, a limitation on
the periods of the day/week/month/year that playing on console 200
is allowed, or a combination of the two. The time allowance
configuration file may only be accessed and updated by an
administrator. The administrator is authenticated by a password
according to one of the methods known in the art, when an attempt
is made to access the time allowance configuration file.
Storage-for-time-allowance 275 further contains computer
instructions that describe the current time quota. This information
is stored in the form of a current quota file. The function of the
current quota file is elaborated below.
[0039] Memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance 260 also includes
a processor 265 and a storage-for-saved-state 270 that generally
function in the same manner as has been described with regards to
processor 165 and storage-for-saved-state 170 of
removable-memory-for-saved-state 160. A parental control module 230
includes an optional content filtering unit 231 that functions in a
similar manner to content filtering module 131 of console 100.
Parental control module 230 also includes a time allowance module
232. Time allowance module 232 is configured to communicate with
processor 265 of removable memory 260 through
memory-for-saved-state-interface 220 to read and write data from/to
storage-for-time-allowance 275. Time allowance module 232 is
configured to grant access to the game playing working environment
of console 200 only in the case that the time limitations appearing
on storage-for-time-allowance-configuration 275 allow such access,
i.e. the time of day/week/month/year is allowed for playing and the
game playing quota has not been exceeded.
[0040] The following is an example that demonstrates the time
allowance functionality of game console 200. In this example, the
time allowance configuration file, stored on
storage-for-time-allowance 275, is set to allow playing between
16:00 and 20:00 every day and the weekly quota is set to three
hours of playing. At the beginning of the week, the current time
quota file is set to hold the same quota as the one appearing in
the configuration file, namely three hours. Time allowance module
232 grants a user access to the game playing working environment if
the user attempts to play at 17:00. If on the other hand the user
attempts playing at 22:00, time allowance module 232 does not allow
the user access to the game playing working environment denying the
user the ability to play a computer game on game console 200.
Assuming that module 232 has granted the user access to the game
playing working environment, the quota held in the current quota
file is updated at each configurable time interval (the time
interval may be a minute, ten minutes, an hour, etc.). For example,
if a daily quota of three hours is stored on the current quota file
at the beginning of a playing session which takes two hours, time
allowance module 232 ensures that the current quota at the end of
the playing session is one hour. The current time quota file is
updated every time interval, for example every ten minutes,
subtracting ten minutes from the current time quota at each
interval. A user commencing a new playing session on the same day
would only have another hour of game play. The current time
allowance quota is replenished in the case that the period of time
that the quota is defined for has passed. Thus, in the previous
example, if the user were to commence the second playing session on
the day following the day of the first playing session, the quota,
being a daily quota, would be replenished by time allowance module
232, updating the current time quota file to hold three hours of
game play. Time allowance module 232 uses real time clock 236 to
determine the time of day, to determine whether a current quota
time interval has elapsed and to determine whether the quota stored
in the current quota file should be replenished.
[0041] The time allowance configuration file may be configured and
updated by an administrator either via time allowance module 232,
or alternatively via a separate computer 280 that is operatively
connectable to removable memory 260 and that has a dedicated time
allowance configuration computer program. Both the update
configuration file functionality of time allowance module 232 and
the dedicated computer program on computer 280 operate in the same
manner: an administrator accesses a user interface menu from which
the time configuration file may be updated, the updating is done
only after the administrator has been authenticated by a password
according to one of the methods known in the art.
[0042] This first preferred embodiment of the current invention
overcomes some of the problems of time allowance devices described
in the prior art. The time allowance is stored in
removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance 260 and is
independent of a particular game console 200 at a particular
location. Each game console, that is operatively connected to time
allowance 260, inherits the time allowance dictated by removable
memory 260, assuming that the clocks 236 of the consoles are
synchronized. A user attempting to extend time of play by saving a
state on storage 260 on a first game console 200 and continuing on
a second game console 200 would be denied access to the game
playing working environment if the current time period is not
allowed for playing or if the current quota is exhausted.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the
current invention. In this embodiment, the time allowance module
forms part of the removable memory for saved state with time
allowance. Components 305, 310, 315, 320, 325, 335, 340, 345 and
350 of console 300 function in the same manner as components 205,
210, 215, 220, 225, 235, 240, 245 and 250 of console 200,
respectively. A
removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance 360 includes a
processor 365, a storage-for-saved-state 370 and a
storage-for-time-allowance 375 that function in the same manner as
processor 265, storage-for-saved-state 270 and
storage-for-time-allowance 275 of
removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance 260. Removable
memory 360 also includes a time allowance module 376. Time
allowance module 376 includes code that is executed by processor
365 for enforcing the time limitation policy dictated in a time
allowance configuration file stored in storage-for-time-allowance
375. Time allowance module 376 functions similarly to time
allowance module 232 previously described in relation to FIG. 2,
except for some modifications. Time allowance module 376 allows or
disallows access to a specific operational component:
storage-for-saved-state 370. Thus a user succeeds or fails to
restore or save games according to the limitations appearing in the
time allowance configuration file and current time quota file
stored in storage-for-time-allowance 375. Time allowance module 376
includes a volatile internal clock, used for measuring time during
a playing session. The internal clock operates only when
storage-for-saved-state 370 is operatively connected to a host
computer, for example a game console 300. The internal clock cannot
be used as a real time clock but can be used to measure the time of
a playing session and the current quota update interval mentioned
above in relation to console 200. Memory 360 therefore supports at
least one of the time allowance methods previously described, the
time quota. The time quota method uses the same configuration
file/current quota file logic described above in relation to
console 200. An optional real time clock 336, forming part of game
console 300 or part of removable memory 360, further enhances the
time allowance capabilities of removable memory 360. Time allowance
module 376 uses real time clock 336 to enable the time period
allowance functionality described above in relation to game console
200. If memory 360 includes such a real time clock 336 then this
real time clock 336 can be used by time allowance module 376
instead of a volatile internal clock for measuring elapsed time
during a playing session. It should be noted that if real time
clock 336 forms part of removable memory 360 then removable memory
360 must also have an independent power source such as a battery.
The time allowance configuration file of storage-for-time-allowance
375 may be updated as part of a user interface menu forming part of
operating system 315 interface logic. Another option for updating
the time allowance configuration file of storage-for-time-allowance
375 is through a dedicated program on separate computer system 280
that is operatively connectable to removable memory 360. The system
for time allowance described in relation to FIG. 3 limits only the
saved state capabilities of game console 300, whereas the system
described in relation to FIG. 2 limits all game playing
capabilities. The advantage of the system described in relation to
FIG. 3, especially the variant of that system that uses computer
280 for setting and updating the time allowance, is that prior art
game consoles may be incorporated in such a system, with only minor
changes or no changes at all needed to be made to the console and
to its operating system. Thus,
removable-memory-for-saved-state-with-time-allowance-capabilities
360 could grant time allowance capabilities to a prior art game
console. A parent or guardian wanting to implement these
capabilities may thus do so without the costly expenditures
involved in purchasing a new game console.
[0044] While the invention has been described with respect to a
limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
variations, modifications and other applications of the invention
may be made.
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