Patent Application
20060030955
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for controlling power and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling power through a power cord where power-control access is restricted.
2. Background of the invention
Consumer electronic devices that operate using alternating current (AC) have heretofore been provided with power cords that supply power to the attached device in an unrestricted manner. This is to be expected since there is typically no motivation to limit a consumer's ability to power-on an electronic device.
There are presently two primary means of controlling power to a consumer electronic device. First, the consumer electronic device will typically come equipped with a power switch which toggles in an on/off manner. In this case, the consumer is free to turn the device on and off at will. Second, the power cord may be plugged into a separate timer device which is then, in turn, plugged into an AC outlet. The timer device may then be programmed to allow power to run through it only during a specified period of time. Such timing devices have been used for controlling, for example, lamps while a homeowner is away from their home.
In both of the aforementioned cases, the consumer is provided with unfettered access to control the power that is provided to the consumer electronic device in question. However, there may be occasions in which it is desirable to limit a user's ability to control when power flows to the consumer electronic device. For example, in the case of a video game console, a parent may wish to limit the amount of time their child can play while not having to be in the household or actively monitoring the child's activities. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for controlling power through a power cord in a restricted fashion.
Disclosed and claimed herein are methods and apparatus for restricting power flow through a power cord. In one embodiment, a method includes restricting access to one or more power control settings, receiving a valid authorization to access the one or more power control settings, and restricting flow of power through the power cord based on the one or more power control settings.
Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed herein.
One aspect of the invention is to provide a power cord to which a power control console has been coupled. It should be appreciated that the power control console may be coupled to the power cord in any number of ways, so long as the power control console is able to i) detect when current is running through the power cord, and ii) prevent the flow of current through the power cord in accordance with the power control settings entered by a user. In one embodiment, a user is able to provide the power control settings to the power control console using an input device, such as a series of buttons, switches, dials, etc.
Another aspect of the invention is to restrict user access to the settings of the power control console. For example, the input device may be further equipped with a keypad into which a PIN must be entered in order to modify the power control settings. While numerous other means of restricting access to the power control module may similarly be used, the following disclosure assumes a keypad is used for restricting user access.
In one embodiment, the power control module is usable to set a length of time (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.) and/or a range of time (e.g., 12:00-1:30) during which power will not be restricted from passing through the power cord. Once set, these power control settings may not be changed unless a valid PIN is first entered. Subsequently supplying a valid PIN will ‘unlock’ the power control module and allow the power control settings to be modified, according to one embodiment.
One application in which the invention may be used is in combination with video game consoles. Presently video game consoles are supplied with traditional power cords that plug into the console to supply power thereto. Once plugged in and the power turned on, there is presently no way to restrict the amount of time that power is allowed to flow to the console without actively monitoring the console. This may be undesirable for a parent seeking to limit the amount of time their child engages in game playing on the video game console, while not having to be in the household or actively monitoring the child's activities. Moreover, using a traditional timer device would not be sufficient in restricting the amount of time the child plays with the video game console since the child would be able to freely reprogram the power control console.
Thus, as will be described in more detail below, by replacing the video game console's power cord with a power cord consistent with the invention, a parent will be able to limit the amount of time their child is able to play with the video game console by programming in power control settings to the attached power control console, and then restricting access thereto using a security means (e.g., PIN entered via a keypad).
Referring now to the figures,
Referring now to
Referring now to
At block 120, the access control for the console 40 may be setup. In one embodiment, this comprises programming the console after entering an access code usable to modify one or more power control settings (discussed below). While in one embodiment, the access code may be entered using access control portion 60, it should equally be appreciated that any other input means may be used. It should further be appreciated that, instead or in addition to an access code, the access control of the power control console 40 may involve any other known means for restricting access, such as voice verification, biometrics and/or password protection. In the case of a video game console, a parent may use a secret access code to modify or reset the power control settings, which will now be discussed.
Continuing to refer to
Once the access control has been setup (block 120), the power control settings entered (block 130), the power cord connected (block 110), the connected consumer electronic device may be powered on at block 140. As will be detailed below with reference to
If, on other hand, it's determined at block 230 that power is allowed to flow (e.g., according to the current power control settings), then process 200 will continue to block 260 where a power control timer may be started. This would be the case, for example, where the power control setting are in terms of a total period of time (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, etc.) for which power will not be restricted. Alternatively, where the power control settings are in terms of a range of time (e.g., 12:00-1:00), there would be no need to start a timer. Rather, an internal clock may be used to determine if the range-of-time criteria for allowing power is satisfied. Optionally, timer/time information may be displayed to the user at block 270 (e.g., using display portion 50).
Continuing to refer to
It should further be appreciated that, in addition to the timer information of block 270, other information may also be displayed to the user using display portion 50. For example, at some predetermined period of time before the time limit of block 280 is reached, the user may be notified that power to the connected electronic device is about to be stopped. Similarly, an audible notification (e.g., alarm) may also be used to inform the user that the device will soon be turned off by virtue of not having any power flowing to it. In the case of a video game console, this would enable the user to save the current game being played before the gaming console is powered down.
In another embodiment, the power control console 40 may be programmed for multiple users. In this case, each user may be assigned an access code or PIN. This code would be in addition to the main code needed to access and modify the console's 40 power control settings Upon entering the individual user's access code, the console 40 may then access and apply a previously-programmed set of power control settings for that specific user. In this fashion, power restriction settings can be tailored to individual users. In the case of a video game console, a parent may program the power control console 40 to be used by two or more children which are to be granted different power access rights. For example, it may be desirable to grant one child additional power access time as a reward. This would be possible by assigning that child a separate PIN and, as part of the previously described process 100 of
In sum, in the case of a video game console, replacing the power cord that comes with the game console with power cord 10, will enable a parent to limit the amount of time a child will be able to play the video game console, even when the parent is not able to actively monitor the child. When power cord 10 is adapted to connect to the video game console in question, the manufacturers power cord may be thrown away or otherwise removed from use. At that point, the only means by which the child will be able to operate the video game console is with the properly adapted power cord 10. And once the parent adjusts the power control settings of the console 40 to limit the duration that power will be permitted to flow to the video game console, the parent can rest easy knowing that the child is unable to play the video game console more than the maximum amount of time set by the patent.
It should further be appreciated that the power control console may restrict the flow of electricity through the power cord 10 using numerous known means, the details of which are beyond the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, any means for opening the circuit or otherwise preventing the flow of electricity through a power cord may be used.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
