GB2380815A

GB2380815A - Timer limiting electrical equipment use

Info

Publication number: GB2380815A
Application number: GB0124474A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Burgess
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-12
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2003-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-10-12
Also published as: GB2380815B; GB0124474D0

Abstract

A timer device 40 comprising means for enabling power to be connected to an audio-visual device for a first selected time period, and means for enabling the audio-visual device to be used only for a selected maximum accumulated time within the first period. The time can be directly connected to a wall outlet, separate therefrom or integral with the equipment. Preferably the timer is lockable or clampable to the equipment lead to prevent tampering. Preferably, the clamping comprises a set or grub screw 45. Preferably, the equipment is a television receiver.

Description

A TELEVISION TIMER DEVICE This invention relates to a television timer device. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to a plug adaptor or a television on-board device that includes a settable timer that enables a user to determine the time and maximum duration during any given day that a television may be in operation.

It is a widely held belief that children spend far too much time watching the television. The subject matter of the television programmes and/or video titles that children observe is also a matter of concern for many parents and guardians. Some television networks have partially addressed this problem by introducing a'watershed'time point (usually mid to late evening, 9 pm in the case of the BBC), after which programmes may contain material deemed unsuitable for minors. However, this does not deter, nor can it prevent, a determined minor from viewing post-watershed programmes.

It is also useful to be able to limit children's viewing of other devices, such as video games consoles, computer or audio equipment for example.

This invention arose from an attempt to address some or all of the above identified problems.

According to the present invention in a first aspect there is provided a timer device comprising means for enabling power to be connected to an audio-visual device for a first selected time period, and means for enabling the audio-visual device to be used only for a selected maximum accumulated time within the first period.

The device may be a television, a computer, a games console, or audio equipment for example, or other equipment.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a television timer device comprising: timing means and a power supply interrupt means; wherein, the timing means is adapted to provide a first user selectable time period, during which the power supply interrupt means is deactivated, and a second user selectable time period; wherein, the second user selectable time period determines the maximum accumulated time within the first user selectable time period that the television is operable.

Preferably, the timing means includes a lockable, time-setting control means adapted to enable the user to preset the first and second user selectable time periods, but also adapted to prevent a child from tampering with or re-setting the time periods.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a television timer plug comprising: a female socket for receiving the power plug of a television and a male pin for mating with a suitable power socket; timing means and a power supply interrupt means; wherein, the timing means is adapted to provide a first user selectable time period, during which the power supply interrupt means is deactivated, and a second user selectable time period; wherein, the second user selectable time period determines the maximum accumulated time within the first user selectable time period that the television is operable.

Preferably, the television timer plug includes clamping means for releasably clamping the power plug of the television to the television timer plug. The clamping means is preferably releasable by the adult user only.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a television including a timer device, wherein the timer device comprises: timing means and a power supply interrupt means; wherein, the timing means is adapted to provide a first user selectable time period, during which the power supply interrupt means is deactivated, and a second user selectable time period; wherein, the second user selectable time period determines the maximum accumulated time within the first user selectable time period that the television is operable.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of limiting the operation time of a television including the steps of : setting a first time period during which the power supply to the television is not interrupted; setting a second time period that represents the maximum period within the first time period that the television can be in operation; reducing the maximum period by an amount equivalent to

any time period within the first time period during which the television is in operation; deactivating the television when the maximum time period has been cumulatively reached, or interrupting the power supply to the television upon expiration of the first time period.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure I shows a television timer plug mated with a power socket; Figure la shows an alternative television timer plug; Figure 2 shows the television timer plug of Figure I with a television power plug clamped in place; Figure 3 depicts a television connected to a power socket utilising a television timer plug of the present invention; Figure 4 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing a television that includes an integral television timer device; and Figure 5 is the cross-sectional view A-A of Figure 2.

Referring to Figures 1, 1 a and 2, a television timer plug 40 includes male connector pins (not shown) for mating with female connections of a power socket 20. In addition, the television timer plug 40 also includes female connection sockets 44 for releasably engaging with the male pins of a television power plug 30.

The timer plug 40 is equipped with an integral timer (not shown) which is preferably electronic, and chosen from one of the many known electronic timers. The timer is controlled by a time-setting control means 43 that is adapted to enable a user to select at least a first and a second time period. A display 42 is provided to aid setting of the timer,

and is also provided to enable a user to check the pre-set times, the time remaining in any given pre-set period and the actual time of day. Figure la shows an alternative arrangement to that shown in Figure 1. Here, the time-setting control means 43 is located on the outward front face of the timer plug 40, preferably, although not exclusively, in a position located centrally between the female sockets 44. This arrangement allows the time-setting control means 43 to be concealed behind the power plug 30 once it is in place. Thus, clamping the plug via a clamping means will prevent undesired access to the time-setting control means 43.

In an alternative embodiment to that which is shown in Figure la, the locking device 41 may be replaced by a simple grub screw 45 as shown in Figures 2 and 5. Here, once the timer settings have been selected by use of the time-setting control means 43, and the plug 30 has been clamped to the timer plug 40 by employment of the grub screw 45, a minor will be unable to either access the control means or remove the plug.

Also shown in Figures 1, la and 2 is a locking device 41. This locking device is adapted to, when activated, lock the time-setting control means so as to prevent a third party, such as a minor, from resetting the timer or in any way tampering with the timer plug. In addition, the locking device 41 may be a dual purpose locking device, it may also be adapted to engage and disengage an internal clamping means (not show) that clamps a power plug 30 in place once it has been mated with the timer plug. Alternatively, the clamping means can be engaged or disengaged by means of a small grub screw or the like. The grub screw is shown in Figure 2 in a position prior to engagement with the male earth pin 46 of the power plug 30.

Figure 5 shows a sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 2. The grub screw 45 can be screwed inwardly until an end of the screw abuts the male earth pin 46. Consequently, the power plug 30 cannot be removed unless the grub screw (or similar such device) is withdrawn from contacting the pin 46. The grub screw will preferably be of an insulating material of course.

The locking device 41 may be in the form of a removable key, or it could take the form of a combination lock that requires the input of a correct combination (for example a four digit number) to either release the clamping means, or to allow access to the time-setting control means 43. The display 42 may comprise, for example, and LED or and LCD screen. It alternative embodiments the display 42 in an analogue clock face or dial.

In operation, a user inserts a television power plug 30 into the television timer plug 40 and clamps it thereto by operation of the locking device 41 or other such securing mechanism as is appropriate to the application. Once the time-setting control means 43 is activated by unlocking the locking device 41, the user can pre-set the first time period. The first time period dictates the time during which a power supply interrupt mechanism within the timer plug 40 (not shown) is deactivated, thus allowing the flow of current into the television if and when it is independently switched on at a main power switch 12 (see Figure 3). Outside of the first time period, the internal power supply interrupt mechanism is continually active, therefore control of the television by operation of the main power switch 12 is bi-passed and the television will remain dormant.

The internal power interrupt mechanism can take the form of any of the known circuit-break mechanisms. For instance it may include female electrical contacts that are

disengaged from the mail pins of the power plug 30 outside the first time period, alternatively a relay or switch etc. might be employed.

Once a first time period has been selected, the device allows a user to select a second time period that represents the maximum allowed time interval during the overall first period that a third party, such as a minor, can successfully switch on the television by operation of the main power switch 12. The television timer plug time-setting control means 43 includes a counter that registers the amount of time the television is on in any number of sequential viewing slots. Therefore, the maximum allowed'on'time represented by the second time period can be exhausted in one viewing slot equal to that time period, or a number of individual viewing slots that cumulatively add up to the same maximum period.

In either event, reaching the maximum'on'time period will activate the power supply interrupt mechanism irrespective of whether the end of the first time period has been reached.

Example A user pre-sets the first time period to be the hours between 12. 30 p. m. and 8.30 p. m.: a total of 8 hours. The second time period is selected as 2 hours. Consequently, the television can only be switched-on for a maximum of 2 hours in total between 12.30 p. m. and 8.30 p. m. Outside these time the television is deactivated by the internal power supply interrupt mechanism housed within the television timer plug. In this scenario, a child would be able to turn on the television any number of times between the hours of 12.30 p. m. and 8.30 p. m. so long as the cumulative total of'on'time remains less than 2 hours. Once the child has consumed 2 hours of television viewing, either in one 2 hour stint or in four half hour slots for example, the internal power supply interrupt mechanism would be

activated thus breaking the power supply to the television and rendering the television inactive. The reader will be aware that any adult who is in possession of a locking device key or combination can over-ride the timer plug at any time.

Figure 3 shows the timer plug of the present invention in use with a standard television 10. Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Here, a standard television is provided with an integral timer device 50 that is adapted to provide all the timer functions as discussed above in relation to the television timer plug 40. The difference in the case of this embodiment is that the power interrupt mechanism is now integral to the television and a plug adaptor or similar such device is not required. In all other respects the timer device 50 operates in exactly the same manner as the timer plug 40 discussed above.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A timer device comprising means for enabling power to be connected to an audiovisual device for a first selected time period, and means for enabling the audio-visual device to be used only for a selected maximum accumulated time within the first period.
2. A timer device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the timer device comprises a plug adapted to mate with a power plug of the audio-visual device and a power socket, and be interposed between the two.
3. A timer device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the timer device is integral to the audio-visual device.
4. A timer device as claimed in any of Claims 1,2 or 3, wherein the timer device includes a lockable or concealable time-setting control means.
5. A timer device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the timer device includes a display.
6. A timer device as claimed in any of Claims 1,2, 4 or 5, wherein the timer device includes a releasable clamping means.
7. A television timer device comprising: timing means and a power supply interrupt means; wherein, the timing means is adapted to provide a first user selectable time period,

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during which the power supply interrupt means is deactivated, and a second user selectabl e time period; wherein, the second user selectable time period determines the maximum accumulated time within the first user selectable time period that the television is operable.
8. A television timer device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the timing means includes a lockable, time-setting control means adapted to enable the user to preset the first and second user selectable time periods, but also adapted to prevent a child from tampering with or re-setting the time periods.
9. A television timer plug comprising: a female socket for receiving the power plug of a television and a male pin for mating with a suitable power socket; timing means and a power supply interrupt means; wherein, the timing means is adapted to provide a first user selectable time period, during which the power supply interrupt means is deactivated, and a second user selectable time period; wherein, the second user selectable time period determines the maximum accumulated time within the first user selectable time period that the television is operable.
10. A television timer plug as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the timing means includes a lockable, time-setting control means adapted to enable the user to preset the first and second user selectable time periods, but also adapted to prevent a child from tampering with or re-setting the time periods.
11. A television including a timer device, wherein the timer device comprises: timing means and a power supply interrupt means; wherein, the timing means is adapted to provide a first user selectable time period, during which the power supply interrupt means is

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deactivated, and a second user selectable time period; wherein, the second user selectable time period determines the maximum accumulated time within the first user selectable time period that the television is operable.
12. A television as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the timing means includes a lockable, time-setting control means adapted to enable the user to preset the first and second user selectable time periods, but also adapted to prevent a child from tampering with or resetting the time periods.
13. A method of limiting the operation time of a television including the steps of : setting a first time period during which the power supply to the television is not interrupted; setting a second time period that represents the maximum period within the first time period that the television can be in operation; reducing the maximum period by an amount equivalent to any time period within the first time period during which the television is in operation; deactivating the television when the maximum time period has been cumulatively reached, or interrupting the power supply to the television upon expiration of the first time period.
14. A timer device as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying schematic drawings.
15. A television timer plug as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying schematic drawings.