Method, apparatus, and recording medium for recording multimedia content

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and a recording medium for recording multimedia content, which allow a controlled access to the multimedia content. According to the invention, the recording medium for recording multimedia content has a content limitation indicator for indicating which multimedia content is allowed to be recorded on the recording medium, which specifies an age rating for the multimedia content. A recording apparatus compares the multimedia content to be recorded with the limitations specified by the content limitation indicator prior to recording the multimedia content on the recording medium.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding the invention shall now be explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures. It is understood that the invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment and that specified features can also expediently be combined and/or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows an optical recording medium according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method according to the invention for recording movies; and

FIG. 3 schematically shows a DVD kiosk implementing a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following the invention is explained for a method for renting a movie on a DVD. Of course, the invention is not limited to this example. The invention is likewise applicable to other types of multimedia content, such as music, software, games, pictures, text, or other types of data. Similarly, recording can also be performed on other types of recording media, e.g. other types of optical disks (Compact Disk, BluRay Disk, High Density Digital Versatile Disk, Holographic Disk or Card, etc.), tapes, storage cards, etc.

In FIG. 1 an optical recording medium 1 according to the invention is shown. The recording medium 1 has a data recording area 2 and a special area 3 for a content limitation indicator 4. In the figure the special area 3 is illustrated as an area distinct from the data recording area 2. However, the indicator 4 may likewise be recorded in the data recording area 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method according to the invention for renting movies. A customer who wants to rent a movie first buys 10 a prepaid, recordable or rewritable DVD. This DVD can preferably be purchased at a plurality of locations, e.g. at gas stations, supermarkets or convenience stores, diners, bus or trains stations etc. At the time of purchase, the customer is asked for an identification document to verify his age. According to one solution, the customer then receives a DVD indicating that movies rated 6, 12, 14, 16 or 18 years, by way of example, are allowed to be recorded. This indication is fixed, which has the advantage that it cannot easily be hacked. In this case, however, different types of DVDs have to be provided. According to a further solution, the DVD indicates the date of birth of the owner. This indication is recorded on the DVD using special equipment. Preferably, the indication is secured to prevent illegal alterations of the indication. In this case only one type of DVD is needed.

The prepaid DVD either has a fixed initial value or is loaded with a variable amount. The amount is recorded on the DVD and is preferably protected. It may be indicated as a monetary value (e.g. EUR or USD), a proprietary value (“movie points”, etc.), the number of rentable movies, or the like.

According to a further aspect of the invention, instead of obtaining 10 a prepaid recordable DVD with an age indication, a customer may be provided 11 with a recordable DVD having a different indication. For example, a video distributor or a studio distributes recordable DVDs for promotional purposes. An indicator on the DVD specifies which movies may be recorded on the DVD, e.g. only movies produced by a specific studio, movies with a release date before a specified date, movies belonging to special promotion campaign, etc.

When the customer intends to rent a movie, he inserts 12 the prepaid or promotional DVD in a recording apparatus of a renting terminal (kiosk). The renting terminal verifies 13 the age of the customer using the indicator on the DVD and/or checks for other content limitations indicated on the DVD. A list of available movies is then automatically limited 14 to titles complying to the age and/or the other limitations. The customer can then select 15 a movie (or a plurality of movies) from the list of available movies. After selecting 15 a movie, the movie is recorded 16 to the recordable DVD. In case of a normal prepaid DVD, after recording 16 the movie the corresponding fee is debited 17 from the prepaid DVD. In case of a promotional DVD, the DVD may be invalidated 18 to prevent further recording.

In FIG. 3 a DVD kiosk 20 implementing a method according to the invention is shown schematically. The kiosk 20 has a display 21 and a keyboard 22 for interaction with a customer. Of course, other types of user interface can also be employed, e.g. a touch screen etc. The customer inserts the prepaid or promotional, recordable or rewritable DVD into a recording device 23 of the kiosk 20. Preferably, the recording device 23 uses a slot loading mechanism, which reduces the risk of damage. However, the recording device 23 can also use a tray for receiving the DVD. The kiosk further includes a verification unit 24 for verifying the customer's age and/or other content limitations based on the indicator on the DVD. After verification a list of available movies is displayed. The list may already be limited based on the content limitations, or at least indicates which of the displayed movies may be recorded. Using the keyboard 22 the user selects one or more of the movies, which are then recorded on the DVD by the recording device 23.

Though in the above the invention has been described for a multimedia content distribution system based on prepaid media, the invention is not limited to such a renting system. It can also be implemented with usual recording media. In this case the age indication is especially advantageous. Minors would only be allowed to purchase recording media in accordance with their age. Inappropriate content could not be recorded on those recording media, e.g. using a DVD recorder in a PC or a stand-alone DVD-Recorder for recording TV-signals.

Claims

1. Recording medium for recording multimedia content, having an indicator for indicating which multimedia content is allowed to be recorded on the recording medium, wherein the indicator specifies an age rating for the multimedia content.

2. Recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the indicator can be modified.

3. Recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is protected by a password.

4. Recording medium according to claim 1, wherein different indicators are provided for different users.

5. Recording medium according to claim 1, wherein it is an optical recording medium.

6. Method for recording multimedia content on a recording medium, having the steps of: comparing the multimedia content to be recorded with a content limitation indicator on the recording medium; andrecording the multimedia content on the recording medium (1) in case the multimedia content fulfills the limitations specified by the content limitation indicator,

7. Apparatus for recording multimedia content on a recording medium, having: a verification unit for comparing the multimedia content to be recorded with a content limitation indicator on the recording medium; anda recording device for recording the multimedia content on the recording medium,