Internet/telephone access device

• US 20030219106A1
• Filed: 05/23/2002
• Published: 11/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Net Administration, LLC
• Original Assignee: Net Administration, LLC
• Inventors: Ferrier, Kirk J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,744,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code

Abstract

An telecommunications access device is disclosed which allows an administrator to set an amount of time per day that a user can access the Internet or use a telephone. The telecommunications access device may be permanently electrically connected to first and second telecommunications lines each of which may include a telephone cord and a plug. The first telecommunications line may be electrically connected to a port of a computer processor. The second telecommunications line may be electrically connected to a port of a telephone jack. The telecommunications access device may include a keypad, which allows the user to enter a user code, which permits the user to access, the Internet or use a telephone, if the amount of time has not expired. The telecommunications access device may include a display, which dynamically displays the amount of time that the user has remaining to access the Internet for a particular day.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising

a telecommunications access device, which allows an administrator to set an amount of time per day that a user can access a main telecommunications line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the telecommunications access device is permanently electrically connected to first and second telecommunications lines.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

the first telecommunications line is comprised of a first telephone cord and a first plug, wherein the first plug is adaptable for insertion into a telecommunications port of a computer processor;

and

the second telecommunications line is comprised of a second telephone cord and a second plug, wherein the second plug is adaptable for insertion into a port of a telephone jack, which is electrically connected to the main telecommunications line.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the telecommunications access device includes a keypad, which allows the user to enter a user code, which permits the user to access the main telecommunications line if the amount of time has not expired.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the telecommunications access device includes a display, which dynamically displays the amount of time that the user has remaining to access the main telecommunications line for a particular day.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the telecommunications access device includes a display, which displays the amount of time per day that the user has to access the main telecommunications line.

12. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein

the first telecommunications line is comprised of a first telephone cord and a first plug, wherein the first plug is adaptable for insertion into a port of a telephone base;

the second telecommunications line is comprised of a second telephone cord and a second plug, wherein the second plug is adaptable for insertion into a port of a telephone handset.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the

the amount of time per day that the user can access the main telecommunications line determines an amount of time per day that the user can access the Internet.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a telephone base;

a telephone handset; and

wherein the telecommunications access device is interposed between the telephone base and the telephone handset such that the telecommunications access device determ ines whether communication takes place between the telephone base and the telephone handset.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein

the first telecommunications line is comprised of a first telephone cord and a first plug, wherein the first plug is adaptable for insertion into a port of the telephone base;

and

the second telecommunications line is comprised of a second telephone cord and a second plug, wherein the second plug is adaptable for insertion into a port of the telephone handset.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a computer processor;

a telephone jack; and

wherein the telecommunications access device is interposed between the computer processor and the telephone jack such that the telecommunications access device determines whether communication takes place between the telephone jack and the computer processor.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein

the first telecommunications line is comprised of a first telephone cord and a first plug, wherein the first plug is adaptable for insertion into a telecommunications port of the computer processor;

and

the second telecommunications line is comprised of a second telephone cord and a second plug, wherein the second plug is adaptable for insertion into a port of the telephone jack.

7. A method comprising the steps of:

setting an amount of time per day that a user can access the main telecommunications line.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein

the amount of time per day is set via a telecommunications access device that is permanently electrically connected to first and second telecommunication lines.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein

the telecommunications access device includes a keypad, which allows the user to enter a user code, which permits the user to access the telecommunications line if the amount of time has not expired.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising

dynamically displaying the amount of time that the user has remaining to access the telecommunications line for a particular day.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising

displaying the amount of time per day that the user has to access the telecommunications line.