US 5,731,763 AGranted

Video/TV access controller

OwnerSteve A. Herweck, Mathew S. Herweckinventors

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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.

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.

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Abstract

Claims12