Abstract: A DES decrypting unit decrypts video data frames encrypted and compressed based on MPEG standards, when receiving them. The decrypted video data frames are expanded one by one in a MPEG expansion circuit. Each time the single frame is expanded, the MPEG expansion circuit outputs a completion-of-frame-expansion signal to a host control CPU. The host control CPU counts the completion-of-frame-expansion signals and reduces an accounting count value in an accounting data memory in accordance with this count value. The host control CPU outputs character pattern image data from a pattern generator and prohibits the decryption by the DES decrypting unit when the accounting count value becomes 0. The character pattern image data is superimposed on a video signal in an adder circuit.
Abstract: A hotel room entertainment system enables video games to be played in each room of a hotel without providing a video game generator in each room. The entertainment system includes at a head end system portion in which the video game audio and video signals are generated and a plurality of guest terminals. Game interrogations are provided to each guest terminal in an active game-playing mode, each game interrogation having a plurality of response positions for guest terminal responses to the interrogation. The game interrogations are interleaved with a series of system interrogations generated at the head end system, enabling the entertainment system to provide video game signals along with other entertainment and services to the guest terminals using a single distribution system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 27, 1996
Date of Patent:
October 7, 1997
Assignee:
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation
Inventors:
Leon P. Stoel, David M. Bankers, Vernon E. Hills, Prentice J. Plucker, Christopher A. Cinco