Locking system for electronic equipment

• US 8,289,132 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2008
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Direct Source International, LLC
• Original Assignee: Direct Source International, Inc.
• Inventors: Kady, Darren
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US12/166,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20090015372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.54, 340/5.21, 340/3.1, 340/5.51, 380/229, 380/232
• US Class Current: 340/5.54
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/81 by operating on the power supply, e.g. enabling or disabling power-on, sleep or resume operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data

Abstract

The operating control system can be use on electronic equipment, such as cell phones, computers, engine analyzers, etc. An input device, programming a single or multiple devices, enables the input of user access data by a primary user for multiple modes. Access for secondary users can be controlled and monitored by the primary user. The system requires password entry upon the total loss of power, shutting down the system if the password is not obtained. In another embodiment the system differentiates between power outages, removal of power, loss due to water and normal loss of power due to use. A further embodiment tracks usage of the device by units, enabling primary user refill of the units.

Claims

1. An operating control system for electronic equipment, said control system being internal to said electronic equipment and having:

a. an activation/deactivation member;

b. at least three user programmable modes;

at least one user access code, at least one of said at least one user access code being capable of programming parameters and accessing each said at least three user programmable modes

d. an activate programming mode, said activate programming mode accessible with at least one of said at lease one user access code for programming said parameters for said at least three programmable modes;

g. input means to receive said user access codes, said programmable mode selection;

h. an internal microprocessor for receiving input from said input means and executing said program parameters;

i. a use mode, said use mode being activated by entry of said at least one user access code to enables use of said multiple user programmable modes based upon said parameters;

wherein said microprocessor controls operation of said electronic equipment based upon said parameters in said at least three user programmable modes for each of said at least one user access code.

2. The operating control system of claim 1 having multiple user programmable activation periods, each of said multiple user programmable activation periods being set by a user for each of said at least three user programmable modes.

3. The operating control system of claim 1 wherein said electronic equipment is a cell phone.

4. The operating control system of claim 3 wherein said at least three user programmable modes include, normal operation and at least one member from the group of sleep mode, delayed start, at least one extension mode, selective number blocking, and partial operation, each of said at least three programmable modes being operable for a user programmed period.

5. The operating control system of claim 4 wherein said at least one member is partial operation and said partial operation includes making outbound calls and blocking inbound calls.

6. The operating control system of claim 4 wherein said partial operation includes receiving inbound calls and blocking outbound calls.

7. The operating control system of claim 4 wherein said partial operation includes programming permitted numbers for outgoing calls.

8. The operating control system of claim 4 wherein said partial operation includes programming permitted numbers for incoming calls.

9. The operating control system of claim 1 wherein said electronic equipment is a computer.

10. The operating control system of claim 9 having multiple user programmable activation periods, each of said multiple user programmable activation periods being set by a user for each of said at least three user programmable modes.

11. The operating control system of claim 9 wherein said at least three user programmable modes include, normal operation and at least one member from the group of URL access, instant message access, timed operation, and delayed start, each of said at least three programmable modes being operable for a user programmed period.

12. The operating control system of claim 9 wherein one of said user programmable modes is limiting downloading programs to secondary codes having programmed access.

13. The operating control system of claim 9 wherein one of said user programmable modes is limiting program installation to secondary codes having programmed access.

14. The operating control system of claim 11 wherein said user selecting normal operation returns said electronic equipment to the previously activated sequence for the remainder of said activation period.

15. The operating control system of claim 1 wherein a secondary user has programming rights, said programming rights being determined and programmed by said primary user.

16. The operating control system of claim 1 wherein a frequency of entering said secondary user access code to access said electronic equipment is based on primary user programming.

17. The operating control system of claim 1 where said input means is a remote, said remote requiring at least one password.

18. The operating control system of claim 2 wherein said programmable time period is based on counting down a programmed number of units.

19. An operating operating control system for electronic equipment, said control system being internal to said electronic equipment and having:

a. an activation/deactivation member;

b. at least three user programmable modes;

d. at least one user access code, said at least one user access code programming parameters for each said at least three user programmable modes and accessing said at least three user programmable modes based upon said program parameters;

e. an activate programming mode, said activate programming mode accessible with at least one of said at least one user access code for programming said parameters for said at least three programmable modes;

g. input means, said input means to receive said user access codes, said programmable mode selection;

i. an internal microprocessor, said internal microprocessor receiving input from said input means and executing said program parameters;

wherein said microprocessor controls operation of said electronic equipment based upon said parameters in said at least three user programmable modes.

20. An internal operating control system for battery powered equipment, said control system having:

a secondary power source;

a water sensor;

a sub-program, said sub-program preventing reactivation of said battery powered equipment for a predetermined period of time from the activation of said water sensor.