Television viewing control device and method

• US 5,231,661 A
• Filed: 07/31/1991
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gold Medal Kids Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gold Medal Kids Incorporated
• Inventors: Cox, Stan, Harnum, Niels, Tate, George
• Primary Examiner(s): CANGIALOSI, SALVATORE A
• Application Number:
  US07/738,514
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 358/349, 380/7, 380/15, 380/10, 455/181, 455/186
• US Class Current: 725/29
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/161 Constructional details of the subscriber equipment H04N7/164 takes precedence

Abstract

A device and method for controlling television usage by children or other users. The owner (e.g. parent) of the device establishes user access codes for authorizing multiple users and bestows a time allowance to each of the users to control viewing of any of several video signals (i.e. television, VCR, video entertainment systems). Each user who has been given an allotted time may have the time replenished periodically, i.e. weekly. Each user'"'"'s coded and allotted time is decremented for each amount of actual viewing time used. An activating means controls the switches and the selected video signal, and upon matching the user entered code against the owner selected code, determines whether viewing will be blocked or unblocked. Any unmatched code switches the signal to the off-state of the device'"'"'s apparatus.

Claims

1. A device for controlling television operation, comprising, in combination:

a television monitor,

an incoming signal source operatively connected to said monitor,

an incoming power source operatively coupled to said monitor, and

programming means interposed between said monitor and said signal source wherein said programming means allots an amount of time in which said monitor may be utilized by a user such as the monitor is utilized by the user an amount of time remaining of the original allotted amount of time is calculated,

said programming means including a keyboard entry means and a securing means integral with said programming means, such that said programming means cannot be accessed by the user except upon inputting through said keyboard entry means an individualized programming code provided to the user, said code providing the user with said incoming signal for the amount of allotted time remaining without disruption,

disruption means coupled to said programming means wherein, when said programming allotted time of a user has been exhausted, said incoming signal source is disrupted while said incoming power source is not disrupted and display area simultaneously displaying the amount of allotted time to a user and the allotted time remaining to a user.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said programming mean includes an input terminal and an output terminal for operatively connecting said monitor to said signal source through shielded cables.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said programming means further includes a jack which operatively couples to a source of power, said source of power defined as a 9-volt plug-in transformer.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said programming means further includes a second source of power defined as a 9-volt transistor battery,

said battery is located in a recessed compartment of said programming means,

said recessed compartment includes a slideably removable cover, for easy access, removal and replacement of said battery.

5. The device claim 4 wherein said programming means further includes first, second and third diodes,

said first and second diodes are operatively coupled to said battery thereby preventing said battery from discharging said second source of power to said programming means when said first source of power is functioning properly, and

said third diode is operatively coupled to said battery thereby directing said second source of power to the maintenance of pre-stored programs in said programming means.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said securing means of said programming means includes a sixteen key key-pad arrangement, said key-pad arrangement providing means for a user to enter said individualized programming codes and prompts,

a display area further disposed on said top surface of said programming means and providing visual indicia to a user,

wherein when said keys are depressed said display are through said visual indicia alerts the user of said programming code entered or of said programming prompts.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said programming codes may be entered and stored in said programming means for multiple users;

wherein said display area is dividable to display multiple messages indicative of time allotted to a specific user, programming selections, time of day, user codes, owner codes, and time remaining for a specific user, said time remaining message being constantly updated to display the precise time of viewing available to the specific user;

wherein said disruption means and said programming means are configured such that multiple incoming signal sources may be disrupted and different amounts of time may be allotted by said programming means to selectively disrupt viewing of any combination of incoming signals, whereby a user is assigned multiple separate allotted times, one for each incoming signal source;

wherein each of said programming codes of said programming means assigned to a different user may be provided with different times allotted for undisrupted viewing;

wherein said programming means includes an input means in the form of said sixteen key key-pad, said key-pad having keys operatively coupled to said programming means, said programming means utilizing instructions entered by said key-pad to program said device to allot time to a user, said keys having indicia in the form of printed lettering , said lettering corresponding to programming instructions associated with depression of said keys, some of said keys having multiple indicia such that single keys may provide multiple instructions to said programming means depending on the sequence of depression of said keys;

wherein said programming instructions associated with said key-pad keys include;

designation of a plurality of separate specific user identification numbers by which a user who enters one of the numbers disables said disruption means and causes an allotted time remaining associated with the identification number entered to be displayed and decremented, said user identification number inputted by depression of four keys in sequence, the keys having numbers printed thereon corresponding to digits forming the identification numbers; and

designation of a specific amount of time allotted associated with each identification number from which remaining time is computed and displayed, said specific amount of time allotted being inputted by depression of four keys in sequence, the keys having numbers printed thereon corresponding to digits forming the time allotted;

wherein said user identification numbers form codes utilizable by separate users to disable said disruption means for an amount of time allotted to that code, one code designated as a free code, said free code having an infinite amount of time allotted thereto, whereby inputting of the code into the programming means disables the disruption means until the time allotted to the inputted code has passed;

wherein a master code is selectable upon an initial power up of said device through utilization of said keys of said key-pad, said master code being inputtable into said key-pad and into said programming means, said master code providing access to all user codes and allotted times, whereby various codes and allotted times may be altered after inputting said master code;

wherein said time remaining for each said user is periodically reinitialized to equal said time allotted for each said user, said periodic reinitialization occurring on a weekly, seven day cycle;

wherein said disruption means disrupts an incoming signal source by interposing a switch in a conduit transmitting said incoming signal, said conduit being a shielded cable having means to prevent radiation from said incoming signal source from by-passing said switch when said switch is closed, said switch blocking said conduit when said switch is closed and said disruption means is activated.

8. A device for controlling a restricted user'"'"'s television viewing time, comprising, in combination:

a television monitor,

an incoming signal source operatively connected to said monitor,

a power supply connection means,

programming means interposed between said monitor and said signal source such that an allotted amount of time provided by an authorized programmer in which said monitor may be utilized by a user,

access restriction means coupled to said programming means including an input keyboard integral therewith requiring an authorized programmer access code on said input keyboard to enter or modify said allotted amount of time,

a user access code,

said access restriction means requiring said user access code to be inputted on said input keyboard to allow a user to view said television monitor without said incoming signal source being disrupted for an amount of time corresponding to said allotted amount of time,

said programming means including a processor circuit, a radio frequency switch circuit, and a power supply circuit all operatively coupled such that when said programmed allotted time of a user has been exhausted, said incoming signal source is disrupted without disruption of said power supply connection means and display area simultaneously displaying the amount of allotted time to a user and the allotted time remaining to a user.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said processor circuit includes a microcontroller, an address latch and a programmable memory operatively coupled to said microcontroller requiring identification by a user to activate said monitor such that when said monitor is activated by a user, said programming means enables or disables said incoming signal source, based on said programmed allotted time stored in said programmable memory and user information stored in said address latch.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said microcontroller further includes an internal clock, wherein said internal clock is configured such that it keeps track of said programmed allotted time for each user,

wherein when said programmed allotted time of a user has been exhausted, said internal clock generates an interrupt signal whereby said incoming signal source is disrupted.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said interrupt signal is defined as a high impedance negative -9 V signal.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said negative -9 V signal is transmitted via a plurality of control logic circuits to said radio frequency switch circuit.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said radio frequency switch circuit further includes;

a plurality of diodes,

a plurality of capacitors,

a plurality of chokes, and

input terminal and a output terminal, wherein said input terminal, diodes, capacitor, chokes and output terminal are operatively coupled such that when said negative -9 V signal is transmitted to said radio frequency switch circuit at said input terminal, said negative -9 V signal is then transmitted to said diodes, said capacitors, said chokes and said output terminal, respectively, thereby disrupting said incoming signal source.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein when said programmed allotted time of a user has not been exhausted, said terminal clock generates a non-interrupt signal whereby said incoming signal source is not disrupted.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said non-interrupt signal is defined as a low impedance positive 9 V signal.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said positive +9 V signal is transmitted via a plurality of control logic circuits to said radio frequency switch circuit.

17. The device of claim wherein when said positive +9 V signal is transmitted to said radio frequency switch circuit at said input terminal, said positive +9V signal is than transmitted to said diodes, said capacitors, said chokes and said output terminal, respectively, thereby allowing said incoming signal source to be transmitted to said monitor;

wherein said display area is dividable to display multiple messages indicative of time allotted to a specific user, programming selections, time of day, user codes, owner codes, and time remaining for a specific user, said time remaining message being constantly updated to display the precise time of viewing available to the specific user;

wherein said disruption means and said programming means are configured such the multiple incoming signal sources may be disrupted and different amounts of time may be allotted by said programming means to selectively disrupt viewing of any combination of incoming signals, whereby a user is assigned multiple separate allotted times, one for each incoming signal source;

wherein each of said programming codes of said programming means assigned to a different user may be provided with different times allotted for undisrupted viewing;

wherein said programming means includes an input means in the form of said sixteen key key-pad, said key-pad having keys operatively coupled to said programming means, said programming means utilizing instructions entered by said key-pad to program said device to allot time to a user, said keys having indicia in the form of printed lettering, said lettering corresponding to programming instructions associated with depression of said keys, some of said keys having multiple indicia such that single keys may provide multiple instructions to said programming means depending on the sequence of depression of said keys;

wherein said programming instructions associated with said key-pad keys include;

designation of a plurality of separate specific user identification numbers by which a user who enters one of the numbers disables said disruption means and causes an allotted time remaining associated with the identification number entered to be displayed and decremented, said user identification number inputted by depression of four keys in sequence, the keys having numbers printed thereon corresponding to digits forming the identification numbers; and

designation of a specific amount of time allotted associated with each identification number from which remaining time is computed and displayed, said specific amount of time allotted being inputted by depression of four keys in sequence, the keys having numbers printed thereon corresponding to digits forming the time allotted;

wherein said user identification numbers form codes utilizable by separate users to disable said disruption means for an amount of time allotted to that code, one code designated as a free code, said free code having an infinite amount of time allotted thereto, whereby inputting of the code into the programming means disables the disruption means until the time allotted to the inputted code has passed;

wherein a master code is selectable upon an initial power up of said device through utilization of said keys of said key-pad, said master code being inputtable into said key-pad and into said programming means, said master code providing access to all user codes and allotted times, whereby various codes and allotted times may be altered after inputting said master code;

wherein said time remaining for each said user is periodically reinitialized to equal said time allotted for each said user, said periodic reinitialization occurring on a weekly, seven day cycle;

wherein said disruption means disrupts an incoming signal source by interposing a switch in a conduit transmitting said incoming signal, said conduit being a shielded cable having means to prevent radiation from said incoming signal source from by-passing said switch when said switch is closed, said switch blocking said conduit when said switch is closed and said disruption means is activated.

18. A method instilling video viewing discipline in a video viewer, the steps including:

providing a user with physical access to a video output monitor,

providing power to the monitor,

interposing a signal blocker between the monitor and a signal source, and

altering video output as a function of;

assigning a code to the viewer,

allotting time to the code,

blocking the video without blocking power to the monitor,

unblocking the video upon entry of the viewer'"'"'s code into a keypad entry device coupled to the signal blocker,

decrementing the allotted time for an amount of time corresponding to the amount of time the video is unblocked until all allotted time has been exhausted,

displaying the allotted amount of time and a remaining amount of time equal to the allotted amount of time less the amount of time corresponding to the amount of time the video is unblocked, simultaneously, upon a display device, and

blocking the video without blocking power to the monitor upon exhaustion of the time.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said allotting time to the code step of said altering video output step is defined as entering a programmer'"'"'s master code into the keypad entry device, entering the signal source code, entering the current day and time, entering a user code, and inputting a time allotment for the user.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said user code and said time allotment are initially programmed to automatically reset for each viewing period for each viewer.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said time allotment may be selectively reprogrammed during said viewing period such that the designated viewer can be temporarily allotted more or less viewing time.

22. A television viewing limiter for preventing a viewer from watching the television more than desired by a programming individual comprising in combination:

an input signal disruptor interposed between a television and a plurality of signal sources chosen from a group consisting of;

antenna signals, Cable signals, Video Cassette Recorder signals, and Video game signals;

a microcontroller operatively connected to said disruptor, such that said microcontroller causes said disruptor to disrupt said signals sources;

a programming means operatively connected to said microcontroller which instructs said microcontroller concerning how much time is allotted to a viewer,

said programming means including a keyboard access panel having a security code system included therein which precludes unauthorized users from utilizing said programming means;

a viewer access means operatively connected to said microcontroller which provides the viewer with access to said microcontroller to block said microcontroller from disrupting said signal sources when said programming means allows access by said viewer;

said access means including said keyboard access panel;

a clock operatively connected to said microcontroller;

wherein the programming individual utilizes said programming means to allot a specific amount of viewing time to the viewer and wherein the viewer can access said microcontroller to view said television while said microcontroller and said clock decrement the amount of allotted time until no allotted time is left and then activate said signal disruptor; and

wherein said viewer access means includes a code which when entered on said keyboard access panel authorizes said input signal disruptor to be blocked and for a display to communicate to the user a running tally of an amount of the allotted time remaining before said input signal disruption means will be activated, said display simultaneously displaying said amount of allotted time and said allotted time remaining.