Television viewing time regulator

• US 4,566,033 A
• Filed: 08/11/1983
• Issued: 01/21/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Linda L. Reidenouer
• Original Assignee: Linda L. Reidenouer
• Inventors: Reidenouer, Linda L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wallace, Linda J.
• Application Number:
  US06/522,020
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 358/84, 358/115, 455/2, 194/9 T, 194/16, 194/4 F, 200/42 R, 335/205
• US Class Current: 725/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/12 in which metering is on a time basis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/164 Coin-freed apparatus

Abstract

A small regulator unit including a solid state timer activated by a reed switch is installed between a television receiver and a convenient wall outlet. The unit has a passageway adjacent to the reed switch for the reception of magnetic tokens which act on the reed switch, in turn activating the timer and completing a circuit through the television receiver. After a predetermined time period, the television receiver is turned off automatically so that viewing time can be controlled.

Claims

1. A television viewing time regulator unit including a receptacle adapted to receive a plug of a television receiver power cable and further including another power cable adapted to be plugged into a conventional household power outlet, a regulated power supply on the regulator unit connected with said another power cable, a timer circuit means on the regulator unit including a magnetically operated activating switch and means to enable the delivery of operating power through the first-named receptacle to the television receiver for a predetermined period of time regulated by the timer circuit means, and the regulator unit having a receiving passage adjacent to the magnetically operated activating switch for a token of magnetic material.

2. A television viewing time regulator unit as defined in claim 1, and said activating switch comprising a magnetic reed switch fixed at one side of a substantially vertical chute having the receiving passage for the token.

3. A television viewing time regulator unit as defined in claim 2, and the unit including a housing which encloses all of its components except said power cables, and said chute opening through one wall of said housing.

4. A television viewing time regulator unit as defined in claim 3, and the housing including an access cover provided with a locking means.

5. A television viewing time regulator unit as defined in claim 1, and said means to enable the delivery of operating power through the first-named receptacle to the television receiver including a transistor coupled to said timer circuit means and a pair of triacs coupled in parallel to said first-named receptacle, said transistor being rendered operable by said timer circuit means to trigger said triacs into conduction and thereby complete a power delivery circuit to said first-named receptacle.

6. A television viewing time regulator unit as defined in claim 1, and said timer circuit means comprising a timer chip having a connection with the magnetically operated activating switch, and said means to enable the delivery of operating power through the first-named receptacle to the television receiver comprising a transistor having a connection with said timer chip and a triac means coupled between the transistor and the first-named receptacle.

7. A television viewing time regulator unit adapted to be interposed between a television receiver and an outlet for 115 volt 60 Hz. power, said unit having within a regulated power supply connected with said outlet, a timer within the unit, a magnetically operated timer activating switch on the unit responding to the deposit of a magnetic token into the unit, and means electrically interconnecting the timer and a television receiver requiring regulation by the timer and including means enabling the delivery of operating power to the television receiver for a predetermined operating time interval under control of the timer.