Point of play terminal

• US 20060003619A1
• Filed: 03/11/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackbird Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: J & E Hynds LLC
• Inventors: Hynds, John P., Antilla, Dennis
• Granted Patent: US 7,162,378 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/003 the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors

Abstract

A point of play terminal includes a lockable outlet strip having one or more power sockets and an source of electric power, wherein the sockets can be selectively enabled with power, a computing device in electronic communication with said strip, wherein the computing device selectively enables power to individual sockets, and an access terminal in electronic communication with said computing device. A computer software driven process for allocating duration of allowed power use for individual power sockets based on identification data. An apparatus for allocating duration of allowed power use for individual power sockets based on identification data. An article including: a storage medium, the storage medium having instructions stored thereon for allocating duration of allowed power use for individual power sockets based on identification data, one or more enclosing walls, and a locking bar. A lockable electrical strip includes a power outlet strip base with a plurality of electrical outlet sockets on the top of said base, one or more locking rings, one or more enclosing walls, and a locking piece.

Claims

1. A point of play terminal, comprising:

a lockable outlet strip having one or more power sockets and an source of electric power, wherein the sockets can be selectively provided with power;

a computing device in electronic communication with said strip, wherein the computing device selectively provides power to individual sockets; and

an access terminal in electronic communication with said computing device.

2. A computer software driven process for allocating duration of allowed power use for individual power sockets based on identification data, comprising the steps of:

receiving identification data from a user;

comparing the identification data with a user account database to determine amount of power usage allowed to the user;

determining whether the user is allowed power usage;

if the user is allowed power usage, performing the steps of;

allowing the user to choose one or more power outlet sockets to power;

monitoring the length in time of the power usage by the user;

storing the elapsed time of power usage in the user account database; and

incrementing the elapsed session time to the total elapsed time for the user in the power usage database; and

declining further power usage when the aggregate lapsed time reaches certain predefined parameters.

3. The process of claim 2, further comprising the step of resetting user specific power usage parameters.

4. An apparatus for allocating duration of allowed power use for individual power sockets based on identification data, comprising:

a computer;

means loaded on said computer for receiving identification data from a user;

means loaded on said computer for comparing the identification data with a user account database to determine amount of power usage allowed to the user;

means loaded on said computer for determining whether the user is allowed power usage;

if the user is allowed power usage, means loaded on said computer for performing the steps of;

allowing the user to choose one or more power outlet sockets to power;

monitoring the length in time of the power usage by the user;

storing the elapsed time of power usage in the user account database; and

incrementing the elapsed session time to the total elapsed time for the user in the power usage database; and

means loaded on said computer for declining further power usage when the aggregate lapsed time reaches certain predefined parameters.

5. A computer loaded with a set of instructions for receiving identification data from a user, comparing the identification data with a user account database to determine amount of power usage allowed to the user, determining whether the user is allowed power usage, if the user is allowed power usage, then allowing the user to choose one or more power outlet sockets to power, monitoring the length in time of the power usage by the user, storing the elapsed time of power usage in the user account database, incrementing the elapsed session time to the total elapsed time for the user in the power usage database, declining further power usage when the aggregate lapsed time reaches certain predefined parameters, comprising;

a computer;

a set of instructions loaded on said computer, said instructions comprising;

instructions for receiving identification data from a user;

instructions for comparing the identification data with a user account database to determine amount of power usage allowed to the user;

instructions for determining whether the user is allowed power usage;

if the user is allowed power usage, instructions for performing the steps of;

allowing the user to select power outlet sockets to power;

monitoring the length in time of the power usage by user;

storing the elapsed time of power usage in the user account database; and

incrementing the elapsed session time to the total elapsed time for the user in the power usage database; and

instructions for declining further power usage when the aggregate lapsed time reaches certain predefined parameters; and

a lockable power outlet strip having one or more power sockets in electronic communication with said computer; and

an access terminal in electronic communication with said computer.

6. An article comprising:

a storage medium, the storage medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein when the instructions are executed by a machine, they result in;

receiving identification data from a user;

comparing the identification data with a user account database to determine amount of power usage allowed to the user;

determining whether the user is allowed power usage;

if the user is allowed power usage, performing the steps of;

allowing the user to select power outlet sockets to power;

monitoring the length in time of the power usage by the user;

storing the elapsed time of power usage in the user account database; and

incrementing the elapsed session time to the total elapsed time for the user in the power usage database; and

declining further power usage when the aggregate lapsed time reaches certain predefined parameters.

7. A lockable power outlet strip, comprising:

a power outlet strip base having one or more power sockets and a power cord connectable to a standard power supply;

one or more enclosing walls connected to said base which enclose the power strip base;

locking rings connected to said enclosing walls; and

a locking piece insertable through said locking rings to prohibit the enclosing walls from opening.

8. A lockable electrical outlet strip comprising:

a power outlet strip base with a plurality of electrical outlet sockets;

an enclosing wall having a top portion connected to said base and a side portion hingeably connected to said top portion, wherein said enclosing wall defines transverse access slots;

locking rings connected to said base;

a locking bar insertable through the locking rings, provided with a stop on one end of said locking bar, and a locking passage on the distal end of said locking bar; and

a locking piece insertable through said locking passage.