Electronic information lockout device

• US 5,661,786 A
• Filed: 08/19/1996
• Issued: 08/26/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas Horn
• Original Assignee: Douglas Horn
• Inventors: Horn, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US08/699,622
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 379/99, 379/95, 379/445, 379/446, 379/437, 379/438
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/667 Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set H04M1/677 takes precedence

Abstract

A lockout system for preventing children from accessing parentally-restricted and undesirable electronic information through an interface device of a computer comprises a signal cable connected at one end with a signal port and at the other end with an interface device of a computer through an opening in a case of the computer, so electronic information may pass back and forth between the interface device and port and a locking device coupled in-line with the signal cable. The locking device, when actuated, disables the signal cable to prevent electronic information from passing between the interface device and port so that children cannot gain access to information prohibited by parents. A protective collar is configured for engaging the computer body proximate the opening in the case and maintaining the other end of the signal cable in operable connection with the interface device to hinder a bypass of the lockout system.

Claims

1. A lockout system for preventing children from accessing parentally-restricted and undesirable electronic information through an interface device of a computer comprising:

a signal cable operable for carrying electronic information and configured for being operably connected at one end with a signal port and at the other end with an interface device of a computer through an opening in a case of the computer, so electronic information may pass back and forth between the interface device and port;

a locking device operably coupled in-line with the signal cable, the locking device, when actuated, disabling the signal cable to prevent electronic information from passing between the interface device and port so that children cannot gain access to information prohibited by parents;

a protective collar couplable with the signal cable proximate said other end, the collar configured for engaging the computer body proximate the opening in said case and maintaining the other end of the signal cable in operable connection with the interface device to hinder a bypass of the lockout system.

2. The lockout system of claim 1 wherein the signal cable is a telephone cable operable for carrying modem signals and is configured for being connected between a telephone port and a modem to prevent access to prohibited information over a phone line.

3. The lockout system of claim 1 wherein the locking device includes a keyed switch which is opened and closed using a key structure, the switch disabling and enabling the signal cable.

4. The lockout system of claim 3 wherein the locking device includes an outer housing, a portion of the keyed switch being located inside of said housing to further hinder a child from bypassing the lockout system.

5. The lockout system of claim 1 wherein the protective collar includes a body having an aperture extending therethrough for receiving the signal cable, at least one tab extending from a side of the body for engaging the case proximate the opening and securing the collar with the case to maintain the signal cable operably connected with the interface device.

6. The lockout device of claim 5 wherein the case opening is in the shape of a slot, the tab of the collar configured for abutting the case proximate a side of the slot to secure the collar with the case.

7. A lockout system for preventing children from accessing parentally-restricted and undesirable electronic information through an interface device of a computer comprising:

a locking device configured for being operably coupled in-line with a signal cable extending between and connecting with a signal port at one end and the interface device at the other end, the locking device, when actuated, operable for disabling the signal cable to prevent electronic information from passing between the interface device and port so that children cannot gain access to information prohibited by parents;

a protective collar couplable with the signal cable proximate said other end, the collar configured for engaging a portion of the computer and maintaining the other end of the signal cable and locking device in operable connection with the interface device to hinder a bypass of the lockout system by a child.

8. The lockout system of claim 7 wherein the signal cable is a telephone cable operable for carrying modem signals and is configured for being connected between a telephone port and a modem to prevent access to prohibited information over a phone line.

9. The lockout system of claim 7 wherein the locking device includes a keyed switch which is opened and closed using a key structure, the switch disabling and enabling the signal cable.

10. The lockout system of claim 7 wherein the protective collar comprises a body having an aperture extending therethrough for receiving the signal cable, the collar body including a portion which engages the computer and prevents the signal cable from being disconnected from the interface device to hinder bypassing of the locking device.

11. The lockout system of claim 10 wherein the signal cable is connectable to the interface device through an opening in a case of the computer, the collar including at least one tab extending from a side of the collar body for engaging the computer case proximate the opening and securing the collar with the case to prevent disconnection of the signal cable.

12. The lockout device of claim 11 wherein the opening is in the shape of a slot, the tab of the collar configured for abutting the case proximate a side of the slot to secure the collar with the case.

13. A lockout system for preventing children from accessing parentally-restricted and undesirable electronic information through a modem device of a computer comprising:

a locking device configured for being operably coupled in-line with a telephone cable extending between and connecting with a telephone port and the modem device, the locking device, when actuated, operable for disabling the telephone cable to prevent electronic information from passing between the modem device and port so that children cannot gain access to information prohibited by parents;

a protective mount structure couplable with the telephone line, the mount structure configured for engaging a portion of the computer and preventing the telephone line from being easily disconnected from the modem device to hinder a bypass of the lockout system by a child.

14. The lockout system of claim 13 wherein the locking device includes a keyed switch which is opened and closed using a key structure, the switch enabling and disabling the telephone cable.

15. The lockout system of claim 13 wherein the protective mount structure comprises a body having an aperture extending therethrough for receiving the telephone cable, the collar body including a portion which engages the computer and prevents the telephone cable from being disconnected from the modem device to hinder bypassing of the locking device.

16. The lockout system of claim 15 wherein the telephone line is connectable to the modem device through an opening in a case of the computer, the mount structure including at least one tab extending from a side of the body for engaging the computer case proximate the opening and securing the collar with the case to prevent disconnection of the telephone cable.

17. The lockout system of claim 16 wherein the opening is in the shape of a slot, the tab of the mount structure configured for abutting the case proximate a side of the slot to secure the mount structure with the case.

18. The lockout system of claim 13 wherein the telephone line includes a plug which is inserted into a socket in the modem for connecting the line and the modem, the protective mount structure engaging the plug and computer simultaneously and preventing the line from being unplugged from the modem socket.

19. The lockout system of claim 13 wherein the computer includes a case having an opening therein for passage of the telephone cable to the modem, the protective mount structure engaging the computer case inside thereof and proximate the opening and preventing easy removal of the protective mount structure and disconnection of the telephone cable from outside of the case.