Video/TV access controller

• US 5,731,763 A
• Filed: 03/30/1995
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mathew S. Herweck, Steve A. Herweck
• Original Assignee: Mathew S. Herweck, Steve A. Herweck
• Inventors: Herweck, Steve A., Herweck, Mathew S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michel
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON JR, WILLIAM HALL
• Application Number:
  US08/413,457
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 200/43.22, 200/61.93, 200/293, 206/330, 220/210, 220/252, 220/253, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 361/636, 361/641, 361/654, 361/658, 361/740, 439/133, 439/535, 439/536, 439/892, 439/901, 439/915, 439/950
• US Class Current: 340/12.55
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/032 Anti-tamper
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/901 Connector hood or shell
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/915 Auxiliary device for existing plug

Abstract

An access controller for a television, computer or display device includes a wireless transmitter and a receiving unit. The receiving unit has a tamper-proof housing that covers the device power line and protects receiving and switching circuitry. The receiving circuitry receives and demodulates a control signal sent by the transmitter, and drives the switching circuitry between ON and OFF states. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has opposed halves which close about the device plug. A pigtail line cord extends from the housing and provides power through the switch, to the device plug. The housing itself is featureless, and the transmitter is an inconspicuous, pocketable, push-button device, so the TV or other device may be controlled without physically approaching or otherwise revealing either the nature of the control mechanism or even that the operator is exercising control. This effectively conceals the presences and operation of the switch from discovery, preventing behavioral problems associated with parent-child enforcement situations. Preferred embodiments involve a simple clamshell or clamp-on box, which may be permanently or releasably locked on the line cord.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use by a person to secure an electrically operated domestic video display device against unauthorized use, wherein the device includes a power line connected via a domestic power line plug to a source of power for powering operation of said device, and includes a power switch for normally turning the device on and off such apparatus comprising

a transmitter unit for transmitting a wireless security signal, said transmitter unit including manual actuation means for manually actuating the unit to transmit, and

a receiving unit separate and distinct from the transmitting unit for remotely receiving and implementing said wireless security signal, wherein the receiving unit includes

first means configured to receive the wireless security signal and produce an indication of reception thereof

switch means, responsive to said indication of reception for changing between OFF and ON states, said switch means being attached in said power line to disconnect the source of power rendering the device inoperative in said OFF state,

a tamper-proof housing enclosing said first means and said switch means of said receiving unit and also enclosing a socket for receiving a domestic power line plug, the socket being wired through said switch means to a plug assembly for providing power to the switch means, and wherein said tamper-proof housing encloses and secures the domestic power line plug of the device to said socket so that power enters the device only when enabled by said transmitter unit, and so that once connected in said power line the receiving unit disables the electrically operated display device when said switch means is in an OFF state,

wherein the housing constitutes a featureless attachment to said device to effectively hide presence and functioning said switch means, so that behavioral control issues between the person and child over use of the device do not arise, and

whereby actuation of the transmitter unit remotely disables the electrically operated display device and the switch means cannot be bypassed to provide power for operating the device without tell-tale destruction or tampering of said housing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first means includes means for demodulating the wireless security signal to produce a demodulated discrimination signal.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first means further includes means for decoding the demodulated discrimination signal.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit is located within a housing of said device, and the device housing is the tamper-proof housing, and wherein said switch means disconnects the power line of said device.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the device is a television, and said transmitting unit is incorporated in a remote controller of said television so as to transmit a coded transmission signal for turning the television ON.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said receiving unit enables power ON in series with an ON/OFF switch of said device.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tamper-proof housing forms a featureless case enclosing an end of said power line.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tamper-proof housing is a self-locking clam shell housing.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tamper-proof housing comprises a pair of half-boxes, and means for locking said pair together to form a substantially featureless enclosure.

10. Apparatus for securing an electrically operated domestic video display device against unauthorized operation by children, such apparatus comprising

a locking housing which fits about a power line plug from the domestic display device

a switch within the locking housing connected to the power line plug to selectively control power thereto, and

a signal receiver and discrimination circuit located within the housing and being operative upon receipt of a remote transmission signal to operate the switch

said apparatus being configured to plug into an outlet to receive power for said device, and said housing connecting and providing a featureless extension of said power line plug enclosing both the power line plug and switch, thus effectively hiding the presence of said switch, so that by remotely sending the transmission signal the switch is remotely operated to control whether power reaches the domestic display device and thereby selectively allow children to operate the device without appearing to exercise control.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said apparatus is configured with a plug of a size to fit in a domestic electronics chassis socket array.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an LED in said housing for indicating ON/OFF state of said switch.