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.

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.