Method And Apparatus For Remotely Controlling A Plurality Of Devices

• US 20100026471A1
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cloudrock LLC (Slingshot Technologies LLC)
• Original Assignee: Scheidner Research LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Cohen, Richard S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,077,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/309.160
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/61 Password, biometric

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for controlling usage times for at least one device, including the steps of: (a) identifying a device to be controlled; (b) utilizing the device by a user; (c) tracking a device usage value for the device as the user utilizes the device; and (d) initiating an action sequence based upon the device usage value. Also disclosed is an apparatus for controlling usage times for at least one device.

Claims

1. A method of controlling utilization of at least one device, comprising:

(a) receiving from a user an indication of a request for the utilization of the at least one device;

(b) determining if the user is authorized to utilize the at least one device based on one or more device allotment usage values for the at least one device; and

(c) if the user is authorized to use the device,

(i) providing access to the device;

(ii) initiating a warning sequence when a parameter corresponding to the device usage exceeds a warning value.

(iii) denying access to the at least one device when a parameter corresponding to the device usage equals or exceeds the one or more device allotment usage values.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(d) if an authorization for the user has not been received, denying access to the device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein denying access to the at least one device includes switching off the at least one device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein denying access to the at least one device includes denying use of a software program resident on the at least one device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters corresponding to the device usage include at least one of an accrued time since user authorization, an time of day, and a day of the week.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the warning value indicates the parameter corresponding to the device usage is approaching the one or more device allotment usage values.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more device allotment usage values include a range of one or more time intervals where use of the devices is restricted.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more device allotment usage value includes an quantity of time that the user is allowed to utilize the at least one device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication includes a login and a password.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the warning sequence includes at least one of an audio sequence or a visual signal to alert the user that the parameters corresponding to the device usage are approaching the one or more device allotment usage values.

11. A method of controlling utilization of at least one device, comprising:

(a) receiving device allotment usage values corresponding to the at least one device, wherein one or more users are associated with each of the at least one device and one of the device allotment usage values corresponds to each user for each of the one or more devices;

(b) monitoring a usage time for the at least one device;

(c) comparing the usage time to the device allotment usage values;

(d) initiating a warning sequence when the usage time of the at least one device is approaching the device allotment usage values; and

(e) denying access to the at least one device when the usage time is equal to or exceeds the device allotment usage values.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one device comprises two or more devices located in different rooms of a structure.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein denying access to the at least one device includes switching off the at least one device.

14. the method of claim 11, wherein denying access to the at least one device includes disallowing use of a software program resident on the at least one device.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the warning sequence includes at least one of an audio sequence or a visual signal to alert the user that the parameters corresponding to the device usage are approaching the one or more device allotment usage values.

16. An article of manufacture for controlling utilization of at least one device, the article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium holding computer-executable instructions capable of:

(a) receiving device allotment usage values corresponding to the at least one device, wherein one or more users are associated with each of the at least one device and a device allotment usage value corresponds to each user for each of the one or more devices;

(b) monitoring a usage time of the at least one device;

(c) comparing the usage time to the device allotment usage values;

(d) initiating a warning sequence when the usage time of the at least one device approaches at least one of the device allotment usage values; and

(e) denying access to the at least one device when the usage time is equal to or exceeds at least one of the device allotment usage values.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the at least one device comprises two or more devices located in different rooms of a structure.

18. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein denying access to the at least one device includes switching off the at least one device.

19. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein denying access to the at least one device includes disallowing use of a software program resident on the at least one device.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the warning sequence includes at least one of an audio sequence or a visual signal to alert the user that the parameters corresponding to the device usage are approaching the one or more device allotment usage values.

21. A device usage monitoring and control system capable of monitoring and controlling access by multiple users to at least one device, comprising the following capabilities:

(a) Receiving control inputs to limit the access time of at least one user to the at least one device;

(b) Controlling the at least one user'"'"'s access to the at least one device;

(c) Monitoring each user'"'"'s usage of the at least one device; and

(d) Terminating a user'"'"'s access to said at least one device when the limited access time for that user is exceeded.

22. A device as set forth in claim 21, including a control unit which communicates wirelessly with the at least one device.

23. A device as set forth in claim 21, including a control unit which communicates via wired connections with the at least one device.

24. A digital television of the type configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings stored therein;

the DTV configured to receive a parental control modification command from an entertainment device;

invoke a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification commend is authenticated or unauthenticated; and

modify the first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated.