Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/383,875, filed May 28, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGOUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the remote control of a plurality of devices, and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of electronic devices, such as entertainment devices and the like. 
     2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
     Children in developed nations typically have unlimited access to electronic devices, e.g., television, gaming devices and consoles, personal computers, etc., that may not always contribute to their positive growth and development. In recent years, parents and guardians have addressed this problem without tools, as it is a “family” problem, which can only be controlled when parents are at home and present with their children. At those times, when a parent or guardian estimates that any of their children are spending too much time utilizing any of these devices, they must discipline the child. Since the amount of time on these devices is rarely measured, discipline occurs at inconsistent times, generally dependent on the mood of the parent, and generally without objective information to support the discipline. As a result, discipline without any data creates a strain on the parent-child relationship, often yielding poor results. Further, such discipline does not occur at all when children are at home without parents. 
     A secondary problem that exists is the fact that, when entertainment device use is unlimited, children value it less. When it is limited, for example if a child can only spend 10 hours per week watching television, television viewing will become a more valued, and therefore more planned, use of time. Therefore, instead of the practice of “flipping” through television channels, children will be more likely to select a planned schedule of certain television programs, which will result in a more valuable entertainment experience for the child. 
     The automatic control of a variety of multiple electronic devices and appliances is well known in the art. Further, many of the control devices are able to disable an electronic device or appliance based upon an action sequence. In addition, control devices have been developed where a parent or guardian may “lock out” certain channels or control viewing using a programmable controller. Typically, these control devices are used for security systems and localized control situations. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,127 to Bennett; U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,476 to Valiulis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,020 to Kuroiwa et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,256 to Broadbent, II. These systems lack the sophistication, however, of allowing a parent or guardian to monitor, control and budget the time of their children&#39;s usage of one or multiple devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of devices that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that assists parents and guardians in limiting entertainment device usage time for their children. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for remotely controlling multiple devices and power to multiple electronic devices. 
     The present invention is a method and apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of devices and, in particular, multiple entertainment-related devices. The present invention is directed to a method for controlling usage times for at least one device, including the steps of: (a) identifying a device to be controlled; (b) utilizing the device by a user; (c) tracking a device usage value for the device as the user utilizes the device; and (d) initiating an action sequence based upon the device usage value. In a preferred embodiment, when the device usage value equals a device usage allotment value, the operability of the device being used is temporarily terminated. 
     The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for controlling usage times for at least one device and includes a control mechanism for communicating with the device and initiating an action sequence corresponding to the device; an input mechanism in communication with the control mechanism for transmitting user inputs to the control mechanism; and a visual display in communication with the control mechanism for displaying visual data, such as selection menus, inputs, outputs, computational results and alphanumeric symbols. The control mechanism: (a) identifies the device in operation; (b) tracks the device usage value for the device as a user utilizes the device; and (c) initiates an action sequence based upon the device usage value. 
     The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for controlling usage times for at least one device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a hand-held apparatus for controlling usage times for at least one device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a controllable electronic communication configuration for attachment to a device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of a tamper-proof enclosure for housing a device electrical controller/terminator according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a controllable electronic communication configuration for attachment to multiple devices according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a switch configuration and power contact device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of a switch configuration and power contact device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a table of menu selections for operating a control mechanism according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a table of further menu selections for operating a control mechanism according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a device power cord device end security arrangement according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 9   a  is a top view of a device power cord device end security arrangement according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9   b  is a side view of the device power cord device end security arrangement of  FIG. 9   a.    
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling usage time for devices, and the apparatus and system  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1–5 . The apparatus  10  includes a control mechanism  12 , which is in communication with multiple devices  14  or software programs, applications, processes or sub-processes resident on the device  14 . This control mechanism  12  initiates action sequences that affect or change operational states of the devices  14  when certain parameters are met. While any device, appliance or software program is envisioned, in a preferred embodiment, these devices  14  are electrically operated entertainment devices, such as television, gaming devices or consoles, personal computers, computer monitors, video cassette recorders, digital video devices, a software program resident on the device, an application resident on the device, a process of the device and a sub-process of the device. Hereinafter, the term “device” includes all such devices, appliances, software programs and the like. 
     The control mechanism  12  is in communication with an input mechanism  16 . The input mechanism  16  transmits user inputs to the control mechanism  12 . Further, the input mechanism  16  may include an alphanumeric keypad, a mouse, a touch-activated display device, a pen, a trackball, a touchpad, a lever, a joystick or other devices capable of accepting input from a user and transmitting this input to the control mechanism  12 . The control mechanism  12  is also in communication with a visual display mechanism  18 . This visual display mechanism  18  allows a user to view certain selection menus, outputs and computational results and alphanumeric symbols, as produced or transmitted from the control mechanism  12 , as well as inputs, as transmitted from the input mechanism  16 . 
     The control mechanism  12  may be located in a dedicated housing  20 , together with the input mechanism  16  and the visual display mechanism  18  mounted thereon. However, it is also envisioned that the control mechanism  12  may exist as a program on a separate device, such as a television set, a personal computer, a hand-held computer, a computing device, etc. In such cases, these devices would typically have their own visual display mechanism  18  and input mechanism  16 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the housing  20  is in the form of a hand-held, portable device, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As seen in this embodiment, this hand-held device uses an alphanumeric keypad  22  as the input device  16 , and a screen  24 , located on the housing  20 , as the visual display mechanism  18 . The housing  20  is sized such that the apparatus  10  is easily carried throughout one&#39;s dwelling. 
     In this preferred embodiment, the apparatus  10  includes a control mechanism  12  having a memory and a configurable database. This configurable database allows for the input, modification, deletion, and output of various variable and values, namely, multiple user accounts, device identification values unique to each of the devices  14 , and device usage allotment values for each device  14  corresponding to the device identification value for each user account. In addition, each user account may be assigned a specific user identification or group assignment, as well as a password or a pass code for each user in a particular group. In addition, the device identification value may be a label, which would name the device or application to be monitored, such as “TV”, “Personal Computer”, or “Internet Browser”. 
     The control mechanism  12  includes a user interface, which would allow the parent or guardian to set the settings for each user (child). In this embodiment, the parent or guardian acts as the system administrator, having system privileges, and can therefore add or delete user accounts, add or delete device identification values for devices  14 , and add, modify or delete device usage allotment values for each device  14  and each user. Further, in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the control mechanism allows for user names, user types (restricted or unrestricted), weekday hours, weekend hours, password changing, bonus allowances (in the form of extra weekday or weekend hours), use restriction, user deletion, device selection, addition and deletion of device names and numbers, time or date selection and modification, time carryover options, language changing, day definitions and settings, hours per device, setup password changing, user statistics, device statistics, etc. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus  10  plugs into a typical wall outlet, either through a docking station or as a stand-alone, and communicates via X10, CEBus, RF Technology, bluetooth, and/or a computer networking protocol such as Ethernet or TCP/IP. Each switch  26  is associated with and in direct communication with a device  14 . It is envisioned that any other viable communications technology may be used as well, such as the Internet, Ethernet, Infrared (IR), and hardwired connections. It is further envisioned that the Internet could permit guardians to check on children&#39;s usage when not at home. 
     As discussed above, while the control mechanism  12  may be a separate device, similar to a cell phone, it may also be an embedded microchip in an entertainment device, such as a television, a DVD player, a VCR, etc., in which the user interface would be accessible via an on-screen display on the television set connected to the entertainment device. Further, the control mechanism  12  may include its own housing  20 , but as opposed to the screen  24  on the housing  20 , the visual display mechanism  18  may be a television screen, again using an on-screen display user interface. Still further, the control mechanism  12  may be located as a program on a personal computer, where the logic and user interface would be present as software. 
     One preferred embodiment of an electronic communication switch configuration  26  is illustrated in  FIG. 3   a . These switches  26  are devices, which accept an electrical plug  27  of an entertainment device  14 , for example a television. In addition, this switch configuration  26  includes a secure, tamper-proof enclosure  28 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b.    
     The switch configuration  26 , in a preferred embodiment, includes a hinged enclosure  28  adapted to house a power outlet  30 . This power outlet  30  is configured to accept the electrical plug  27  of a device power cord  32 , which passes power to its respective device  14 . In addition, the power outlet  30 , the electrical plug  27  and the device power cord  32  are all housed at least partially within the enclosure  28 , which is lockable by a removable locking mechanism  31 . For example, the removable locking mechanism  31  may be a typical lock that interacts with and is fed through projections  33  attached to the hinged enclosure  28 . The removable locking mechanism  31  may require a key, pass code or other security feature to open the locking mechanism  31  from the enclosure  28 , thereby allowing entry therein. 
     A microchip mechanism (not shown) is in communication with the power outlet  30  and is able to terminate power flow between the power outlet  30  and the device power cord  32  if instructed by the control mechanism  12 . In a preferred embodiment, the microchip mechanism is installed in a microchip housing  34 , and the microchip mechanism (not shown) is also in communication with an indicator light  36 . It is also envisioned that the microchip mechanism is installed within the locked enclosure  28 , and the indicator light  36  is attached directly to the enclosure  28 . The power outlet  30  has a wall outlet connection that plugs into a standard wall outlet  44 . 
     In this embodiment, the microchip mechanism has an embedded serial number, which the control mechanism  12  uses to identify the proper switch configuration  26  to which it should communicate an action sequence. While any number of action sequences is envisioned, typically the switch is a simple on/off switch, which would turn power to the device  14  on or off based on a command from the control mechanism  12 . Since the microchip mechanism may be programmed to accept signals via the electrical system of the house from the control mechanism  12 , the control mechanism  12  may then turn the entertainment device  14  on or off. It is also envisioned that the serialized or uniquely-identified microchip mechanism and power switch can be embedded into a standard size wall outlet, to be installed by an electrician in a user&#39;s wall. 
     While the preferred embodiment illustrates a single enclosure  28  for use in connection with a single device  14 , as seen in  FIG. 4 , the enclosure  28  may be sized and shaped so as to contain multiple power outlets  30 . Each of multiple device electrical plugs  27  would be plugged into a respective power outlet  30 , and, each power outlet  30  would have an associated indicator light  36  and/or sound warning. It is envisioned that each power outlet  30  may also have a separate microchip housing  34  housing a microchip mechanism (not shown), or that the microchip mechanism would be placed within or associated with the enclosure  28 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the enclosure  28  may also have one or multiple indicator lights  36  or sound warnings attached directly to the enclosure  28 , thereby allowing a user easy visual or audio indication of device  14  usage. It is further envisioned that an audio or sound-producing mechanism (not shown) could be used in conjunction with the indicator light  36  or alone. 
     The control mechanism  12  is able to communicate with the switch configuration  26 , and therefore with each device  14 , thereby controlling the device  14 . The indicator light  36  and/or the associated audio mechanism may provide a visual signal or audio sequence indicating that the device  14  is in use or, in an alternative embodiment, may flash, beep or otherwise indicate that the user is using or nearing the allotted usage time for a device  14 . 
     In another embodiment, it may be preferable for the apparatus  10  to include some way for preventing or notifying the parent if a user attempts to disconnect the device power cord  32  from the power outlet  30  in order to obviate the apparatus  10 . In order to avoid this, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the switch configuration of the apparatus  10  may also include a power contact device  38 . This power contact device  38  would provide some indication whether power is passing from the power outlet  30  to the device power cord  32 , and thus to the device  14  to be controlled. It is also envisioned that software could be used in connection with identifying any user attempts to gain access to “locked” software programs and applications. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the power contact device  38  includes a device housing  40  having one or more power contact device power outlets  42  positioned thereon. This power contact device power outlet  42  is capable of accepting the electric plug  27  of the device power cord  32  and, therefore, pass power from the power contact device power outlet  42  to the device  14 . In order to power the power contact device power outlet  42 , the power contact device  38  is capable of being plugged into a typical and standard wall outlet  44 . Of course, the wall outlet  44  can be any standard power outlet that is integrated with the floors, ceiling or walls of one&#39;s dwelling or other similar structure. 
     In one embodiment, the power contact device  38  includes a load sensor (not shown) positioned within the device housing  40  and in communication with the power contact device power outlet  42 . This load sensor monitors whether power is passing from the power contact device power outlet  42  to the electric plug  27  and device power cord  32 , which powers the device  14 . If electrical contact is broken and the power load is interrupted, the load sensor produces a signal and initiates some action based upon this break in power. This may also be achieved when the power contact device  38  includes a mechanical switch (not shown), which actuates upon a physical break in contact between the electric plug  27  of the device power cord  32  and the power contact device power outlet  42 . As with the load sensor, a physical break in contact causes the mechanical switch to produce some mechanical or electrical signal and initiate an action sequence. 
     In the above-described embodiments, the action sequence can be visual or audio-based. In one preferred embodiment, the power contact device  38  includes an indicator light  46  that visually indicates whether power is passing from the power contact device power outlet  42  to the electric plug  27  of the device power cord  32 . Additionally, indicator light  46  can provide another indication such as flashing, to reveal if power has been interrupted, which would occur if, for example, a child unplugs the power contact device  38 . The visual indication can be replaced or augmented by an audio mechanism (not shown) placed within the device housing  40  and having a speaker outlet  48  associated therewith. Similar to the indicator light  46 , the audio mechanism emits an audio sequence through the speaker outlet  48 , also indicating whether power is passing from the power contact device power outlet  42  to the device power cord  32  or if the power has been interrupted. 
     It may also be preferable to provide some security arrangement to prevent removal of or indicate removal of the device power cord  32  from the device  14 . One such arrangement is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this arrangement, the device power cord  32  includes a device end  50  and an external power source end  52 . The external power source end  52  is connectable to the power outlet  30  and/or the wall outlet  44 . The device end  50  of the device power cord  32  is typically connectable to the device  14  that requires power, for example a personal computer, a VCR, etc. In the arrangement of  FIG. 8 , the apparatus  10  further includes a length of indication tape  54  attached to the device end  50  of the device power cord  32  and also attached to a surface  56 , typically a rear surface, of the device  14  or a surface near the device  14  or the wall outlet, etc. Removal of the indication tape  54  leaves a conspicuous mark on the device surface  56 . Such indication tape  54  is known in the industry, as many personal computer manufacturers put tamper-proof tape on personal computers to ensure that they are not opened. When the indication tape  54  is removed, there is a conspicuous mark left, and the indication tape  54  is not reusable. 
     Another security arrangement for ensuring the non-removal or indicating the non-removal of the device power cord  32  from the device  14  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b . In this embodiment, the device end  50  of the device power cord  32  has at least one and typically multiple tab elements  58  attached to and extending from the device end  50 . These tab elements  58  substantially abut the device surface  56  adjacent the device end  50 . It is to these tab elements  58  that the indication tape  54  is attached. While the length of indication tape  54  may be attached to only one tab element  58 , it is desirous to attach a length of indication tape  54  to each of the tab elements  58  in order to provide higher security precautions. As discussed above, when the indication tape  54  is removed, a conspicuous mark is left and the tape  54  cannot be reused. It is also envisioned that the indication tape  54  includes a unique serial number for further identification and security measures. 
     In operation, the parent or guardian creates a user account on a configurable database on the control mechanism  12 . The parent would also input, via the input mechanism  16 , device identification values, which would be unique to each of the devices  14 , and thereby identify the device  14  to be controlled. Of course, it is also envisioned that the apparatus  10  be capable of performing this identification by communicating with each active switch configuration  26 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a menu structure, which is accessible by each user when the control mechanism  12  is activated. Specifically, the menu structure illustrated in  FIG. 6  is for a user. Another menu structure is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . The menu structure in  FIG. 7  is a “setup” program, and is only accessible to a system administrator, typically a parent or guardian. While the menu structures of  FIGS. 6 and 7  represent one preferred embodiment of menu control, many different functions, setups and alternative structures are envisioned. 
     The parent or guardian must next set up device usage allotment values for each device  14  to be controlled and for each user in the user database. After this information has been entered, a user can begin using the system. Specifically, the user inputs his or her user ID and password in order to access his or her “account”. The user then identifies the device  14  to be used, and begins using the device  14  if he or she has remaining time allotted. 
     Once the user is engaged with the device  14 , the control mechanism  12  tracks the device usage value for the device  14  or software program corresponding to its device identification value. The control mechanism  12  continues to monitor the device usage value for the user as he or she uses the device  14  corresponding to the device identification value. Next, the control mechanism  12  initiates an action sequence, based upon the device usage value. Any manner of determining whether the device usage equals or exceeds the device allotment is envisioned. For example, the control mechanism  16  may accrue time and compare it to the allotted time amount or may start with the allotted time and “count down” to zero. 
     The apparatus  10  may also have a warning value, such that when the device usage value equals the warning value, the action sequence is a warning sequence, which somehow indicates to the user that he or she is approaching termination of their usage of the device  14 . As discussed above, the indicator light  36  on the microchip housing  34  may be used to indicate this warning. However, it is also, as discussed above, envisioned that a sound alarm or other visual indicator could also be projected or initiated. After the device usage value has exceeded the warning value and equals the device usage allotment value, the control mechanism  12  instructs the switch configuration  26  to terminate power at the power outlet  30 , thereby terminating power to the entertainment device  14 . In this manner, when the device usage allotment value set by the parent or guardian is met, the user or child can no longer use that device  14 , without gaining additional device usage allotment. 
     Parents or guardians may, for each child and each entertainment device  14  or software application on the device  14  in the household, allot a certain amount of hours per week and a certain amount of hours per weekend for each child and either each device  14  or all devices  14 . When the child wants to use the device  14 , they simply enter their user ID and/or password into the control mechanism  12  via the input mechanism  16 , and the apparatus  10  allows access by allowing power to flow to that device  14 . When the child is finished using the entertainment device  14 , he or she simply logs off from that device  14  via the user interface on the control mechanism  12 . 
     As discussed above, when the child runs “out of time”, the indicator light  36  lights up or an audio sequence is initiated, for example, three minutes before the time limit is reached. Upon reaching the time limit, the unit or device  14  is shut off by the control mechanism  12 , and the child or user is then locked out of the entertainment device  14  or devices  14  until a new time cycle begins, for example, the start of a new day, week or weekend. However, it is also envisioned that, if the device  14  is the control mechanism  16 , such as on a PC, certain applications (for example, a software program, such as a video game, an Internet Browser, etc.) can have budget allotments. When the application budget time is reached, access to the application is restricted, as opposed to power termination to the device  14 . Therefore, any device  14  and/or a software program resident on the device, an application resident on the device, a process of the device and a sub-process of the device may have multiple device usage allotment values, depending upon the day, date, hour or other variable. 
     In this manner, the apparatus  10  allows the parent or guardian to manage time budgets in a flexible manner. For example, a common time budget management technique would be to allot a certain number of hours for a five-day weekday, and a certain amount of hours for the two-day weekend. These allowable hours may be used on any device  14 . In addition, time budgets may also be set up on a per device  14  basis, for example, each child may have a certain number of hours per week or per day on the television and a certain number of hours per week or per day on the video game console. Further time budgets may also be set per day instead of per weekend or weekday period, and may be easily modified in the event that the child has extra days off school, such as for Christmas vacation, etc. 
     It is also envisioned that the parent or guardian may add additional hours (as a bonus) or take away hours or time (as a punishment) from any weekday, weekend or day period. Further, parents may set criteria or some predetermined mathematical formula, which would give the children an incentive to spend less time on entertainment devices  14 . For example, in a week that children do not use all of their hours, parents may choose to add half (or any percentage) of the number of unused hours in any given weekend to the following week or the upcoming weekend. So, for example, if a child is allotted ten hours in a five-day weekday period, and by Friday night the child only used seven of his allotted ten hours, the following week the child will have 11.5 (10 hours+1.5 hours) of time. 
     The user interface on the control mechanism  12  may also have a switch to shut off all of the entertainment devices  14 , such that all users may be restricted at one time. For example, an angry parent may want to turn off all entertainment devices  14  for one night for all restricted users at one time. The parent may also wish to set up a schedule, where all entertainment devices  14  are shut off automatically between certain hours. For example, a parent may want all entertainment devices  14  shut off during dinner hours. In this case, the parent may program the control mechanism  12  to shut off all devices  14  between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This functionality allows the parent to terminate power to or otherwise affect the state of one or more of the devices  14  on a periodic, predetermined or set basis. 
     The control mechanism  12  also allows the parent to monitor statistics on which of their children are using which of the household entertainment devices  14  at what time. For example, a parent can select a child in the user interface of the control mechanism  12  and see the last 50 uses of each entertainment device  14  in the house, showing details of each use including device name, amount of time used, and date and time of use. The parent may also see statistics on each entertainment device  14  in the house, including the past 50 users of that device  14  and the date, time, and amount of time used for each use. 
     The control mechanism  12  may allow or require that no device  14  be used by a restricted user between certain hours. For example, parents may decide to disallow use of any device between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays. However, since the parent or guardian is the system administrator, they would be considered “unrestricted” users of the apparatus  10  and system. Any time a parent or guardian wishes to use one of the household entertainment devices  14  or other appliances connected to the system, the parent simply types in a system password, which would yield unrestricted use of any device  14 . It is also envisioned that the control mechanism  12  and user interface would have a setting to change a language for the user interface. 
     Overall, the present invention is a method and apparatus  10  for remotely controlling multiple devices  14  and/or software programs and budgeting time for using the device  14  for each user. The present invention allows a parent or guardian to limit entertainment device  14  usage time for their children, and also allows for the remote control of multiple devices  14  and the power to these multiple electronic devices  14 . 
     The present invention allows parents to administer “time budgets” to their children, thereby ensuring that the children spend less time on entertainment devices  14 , via either limited time on entertainment devices  14  or carefully plan their limited time on entertainment devices  14  and spend more time on more viable activities. This invention will also allow parents to better manage the discipline of their children, by giving them hard data with which to discuss the problem of excessive use of entertainment devices  14 . 
     This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.

Technology Category: g