Locking device for electronic equipment

• US 20030107470A1
• Filed: 01/09/2003
• Published: 06/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Direct Source International, LLC
• Original Assignee: Innovations World Wide, LLC
• Inventors: Kady, Darren
• Granted Patent: US 7,394,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.21
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The operating control system can be use on electronic equipment, such as cell phones, computers, engine analyzers, etc. An input device enables the input of user access data and a readout panel monitors the equipment status. A programmable feature selection member enables the user to select at least one programmable feature and respective activation time period. An internal member controls operation of the equipment by controlling access to one or more said programmable features based upon user selection, to enable full or partial activation of the device. A user is able to program specific events, such as TV shows, to be activated at specific times with controlled access by secondary access codes.

Claims

1. An operating control system for equipment having an exterior case, a power source, an internal feature activation member, said control device having:

at least one primary user access code,

a programmable feature selection member, said programmable feature selection member enabling at least one programmable feature to be selected by said user,

at least one programmable feature activation time period, said programmable feature activation time period set by a user for each of said at least one programmable feature,

input means, for setting said programmable feature selection and said programmable feature activation time period;

user ID means, to receive said predetermined user access code,

a readout panel, said readout panel providing a status report of said operating control device, an internal control member, said control member being in direct communication with said input device, said power source, said programmable feature activation time period and said programmable feature selection member,

wherein said internal control member controls operation of said equipment by controlling access to one or more said programmable features based upon user selection of said programmable feature and said programmable feature activation time.

2. The control system of claim 1 wherein said equipment is a cell phone.

3. The control system of claim 2 wherein said programmable features include at least one member from the group of normal operation, timed operation, sleep mode, delayed start and partial operation.

4. The control system of claim 3 wherein said partial operation includes making outbound calls and blocking inbound calls for a preprogrammed time period.

5. The control system of claim 3 wherein said partial operation includes receiving inbound calls and blocking outbound calls for a preprogrammed time period.

6. The control system of claim 1 further comprising at least one secondary access code, said secondary access code enabling access only to said at least one programmable feature entered by a user with said at least one primary access code.

7. The control system of claim 6 wherein said equipment is a TV.

8. The control system of claim 7 wherein one of said at least one programmable feature is station selection to program selected stations be viewed and one of said at least one programmable feature activation time period is the time said station selection can be viewed.

9. The control system of claim 6 wherein said equipment is a computer.

10. The control system of claim 9 wherein one of said at least one programmable feature is the selection of a specific computer program permitted to be accessed and one of said at least one programmable feature activation time period is the time said specific computer program can be activated.

11. The control system of claim 1 wherein said equipment is a digital camera.

12. The control system of claim 1 wherein said user ID means is removable from said equipment.

13. The control system of claim 1 wherein said predetermined user access code, said programmable feature selection member and said programmable feature activation time period are programmed into said electronic equipment by a remote member.

14. The control system of claim 1 wherein said a predetermined user access code, said programmable feature selection member and said programmable feature activation time period are programmed into said electronic equipment by a removable member.

15. The control system of claim 1 further comprising a maximum operation time, said maximum operation time being the maximum length of consecutive time said periods electronic equipment can be activated.

16. The control system of claim 13 wherein said maximum operation time is unchangeable by a user.

17. The control system of claim 1 wherein said readout panel is remote from said electronic equipment.

18. The control system of claim 1 further comprising an time extension mode, said time extension mode extending said current programming by a preprogrammed time period.

19. A method of controlling the use of electronic equipment using a locking system, comprising the steps of:

a. activating said electronic equipment,

b. selecting an activation mode,

c. entering a user code,

d. selecting at least one programmable feature,

e. selecting a programmable feature activation time period,

f. saving said programmable feature and said programmable feature activation time period in said locking system memory.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of repeating steps c-f until all intended programmable features are selected.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of selecting the programmable feature enabling timed operation.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of electing to set said timed operation by clock setting.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of electing to set said timed operation based the length of operating time from an entered start time.

24. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of selecting the programmable feature enabling sleep mode.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of programming a start time and an end time to said sleep mode.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of selecting the programmable feature enabling a delayed start mode.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of programming a start time and an end time to said delayed start mode.

28. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of selecting the programmable feature enabling a partial operation mode.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of electing to permit outgoing calls and block incoming calls for a predetermined, programmable, time period.

30. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of electing to permit incoming calls and block outgoing calls for a predetermined, programmable, time period.

31. An operating control system for equipment having an exterior case, a power source, an internal feature activation member, said control system having:

at least one primary user access code,

a programmable feature selection member, said programmable feature selection member enabling at least one programmable feature to be selected by said user, said programmable features include at least one from the group of

normal operation,

timed operation, said timed operation operating said equipment for a predetermined period of time set by a user;

sleep mode, said sleep mode preventing operation of said equipment for a user selected period of time, returning to operation at the expiration of said user selected period of time;

delayed start, said delayed start preventing operation until a user sent time; and

partial operation, said partial operation enabling a user to selection one or more functions of said equipment for operation and selecting one or more functions of said equipment for non operation,

at least one programmable feature activation time period, said programmable feature activation time period being set by a user for each of said at least one programmable feature,

an input device, said input device permitting input of said predetermined user access code, said programmable feature selection and said programmable feature activation time period;

a readout panel, said readout panel providing a status report of said operating control device;

an internal control member, said control member being in direct communication with said input device, said power source, said programmable feature activation time period and said programmable feature selection member,

wherein said internal control member controls operation of said equipment by controlling access to one or more said programmable features based upon user selection of said programmable feature and said programmable feature activation time.

32. The operating control system of claim 31 further comprising a battery power source, said battery power source'"'"'s status being monitored by said operating control device