JP2004501361A - Electronic equipment use restriction device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to allow children and the like to use at home only during a limited time period in order to restrict indiscreet viewing and use of home electronic devices such as TVs and personal computers at home. And a device for restricting use of electronic equipment.
The present invention incorporates a timer in the main body of a video medium electronic device such as a TV or a personal computer, or a CRT, and in particular, a three-stage changeover switch capable of selecting continuous use, use of a set time zone of a timer, and use stop mode. 2 and 2a, when the timer mode is selected, power is supplied only during the time period set in the timer to enable driving of the video medium, and the end time approaches before the end of the timer set time Is to be announced by warning means.
[Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device which can be used only at a preset time zone in order to restrict children and the like from indiscriminately viewing and using a home electronic device such as a TV and a personal computer at home. It relates to a use restriction device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, personal computers and TVs installed in homes are useful and are important electronic media for providing enormous amounts of information, entertainment, etc. However, indiscriminate and excessive use may cause these electronic devices to function in reverse. Is not preferred.
In particular, children and adolescents who are not expected to make rational decisions spend too much time on entertainment on a PC or watching TV, which is not only educationally and emotionally unfavorable, but also causes a decrease in vision. You need to be modest as you gain.
[0003]
On the other hand, existing TVs and personal computers are equipped with a key lock function that restricts the disturbance of electronic devices with a key to restrict excessive viewing and use, and a password input function that is activated only when the password is input. Although there are things, these functions are only control functions and security measures that completely and forcibly restrict the use of electronic equipment.
However, at present, there are no methods or electronic devices that can appropriately control these so that they can be used with some restrictions. In particular, it is necessary to provide a useful and educational program for children, etc., appropriate personal computer entertainment for a certain period of time, and use of the Internet, etc., rather than complete control in the absence of parents due to the absence of parents or the co-earning of parents. Yes, it is important.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Although the present invention controls the use of electronic devices such as TVs and personal computers, it enables efficient control of electronic devices by allowing anyone to freely view and use them during a specific time zone. It is.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention incorporates a restriction timer for restricting the use of a TV or a personal computer, while the operation of the restriction timer is controlled by a key lock or a small-size remote controller dedicated to a timer. And the use stop is selected by the three-stage changeover switch, and when the use of the timer setting time zone is selected, the electronic device can be used only in the time zone set by the restriction timer, and the other time zones Is performed by enabling continuous use or stop of use by selecting a mode.
[0006]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
According to the embodiment of the present invention, a restriction timer (11a) for restricting use is incorporated in the TV (1) of FIG. 1 and the personal computer (5) of FIG. The present invention relates to a device for restricting the use of an electronic device, which is provided with a three-stage changeover switch that can drive a video medium.
Such a three-stage switch of the present invention is provided on one side of a CRT or a main body of a TV (1) or a personal computer (5), and is provided by a three-stage switch (2) (2a) by key lock or separately provided. It can be adjusted using the remote control signal receiving units (3) and (3a). On the other hand, the remote control signal receiving unit (3) can be used without being separately provided.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the three-stage changeover switch (2) (2a) using the key lock can be installed on the lower part, the upper part, and the side of the TV (1) or the personal computer (5). One of three modes, continuous, timer, and stop, can be selected using a key.
[0007]
On the other hand, in the case of the TV (1), the remote control receiving unit (3) adjusts the three-stage changeover switch by using a small-sized timer-specific remote controller (6a) separately from the general-function driving system remote controller (6) as shown in FIG. When it is provided to the personal computer (5), only the timer remote controller (6a) is provided, and no channel or volume adjustment keys are provided. The timer-dedicated remote controller (6a) is manufactured in a small size, and is provided with a lid to prevent malfunction or damage of the function, and is manufactured so as to be easy to carry.
Further, a timer for limiting (11a) is installed inside the TV (1) or the personal computer (5), and the timer is operated by using a timer remote controller (6a) or a keyboard of the personal computer.
At this time, the setting timer (11a) of the present invention can change and set the setting time only when the key is inserted into the three-stage changeover switch holder (2) when the key is locked. Can be operated separately from the current time by a system timer (11) built into the electronic device. For example, the reason is that the current time of the personal computer (1) can be changed by anyone, and when the current time of the personal computer is changed, it can be used regardless of the time set on the timer. This is to prevent children or the like from arbitrarily changing the set time of the restriction timer (11a).
[0008]
In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, signals from a control signal input unit (12) and a tuner (19) are recognized by a microprocessor unit (10), and an OSD processing unit (14), an audio editing control unit (16), The output unit (15) is configured to be controlled.
The control signal input unit (12) may include a remote controller, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, and the like, and the storage medium (13) includes a CD, a hard disk, a floppy disk, or the like.
The microprocessor unit (10) controls the OSD processing unit (14) and the output unit (15) according to the input of the control signal input unit (12) to set the timer setting time, or according to the timer setting time. The audio editing control unit (16) is controlled so that the audio signal stored in the audio memory unit (17) is output from the output unit (15) via the D / A converter (18).
The three-stage selector switch (2) (2a) and the timer remote controller (6) by the key lock of the present invention are in a state where the power switches (4) (4a) of the TV (1) and the personal computer (5) are turned on. , And one of three modes, continuous, timer, and stop, can be selected and used. These mode selections are recognized and stored in the microprocessor unit (10).
[0009]
Further, when the timer mode is selected by the timer remote controller (6a), a setting table of the timer time is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 5 so that the user can set the ON / OFF time for each day of the week. Since the set time is the usage time of the electronic device, the ON / OFF time can be set in consideration of the permissible viewing time zone for each day of the week for children and adolescents.
[0010]
Then, as an embodiment of the present invention, first, the viewing of the TV (1) is restricted by using the timer remote controller (6a) of the three-stage changeover switch (2) by key lock, and the selective viewing is enabled. The process will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in the case of the TV (1), with the power switch (4) turned on, using the three-stage switch (2) by key lock or the remote controller (6a) dedicated to the timer, the continuous mode, the timer, and the stop mode are selected. When the continuous mode is selected, the TV can be operated by the system remote controller (6). At this time, if the password is set, the password is transmitted through the password confirmation routine. The TV (1) can be operated by the system remote controller (6) only when it matches, and when it is desired to end the viewing, the system remote controller (6), the three-stage switch by key lock (2), and the timer remote controller (6a) The power is turned off using a power button or a power switch (4).
[0011]
Further, when the timer mode is selected, it is checked whether the timer setting is completed, and the timer setting OSD is displayed to guide the timer time setting.
At this time, the timer time must be set by inserting a key into the three-stage switch (2) by key lock, selecting the timer mode, and using the timer remote controller (6) or function keys.
Further, when the timer time setting is completed in the timer selection mode, the current time and the set time are checked, and when the current time is the same as the set time, the operation of the TV by the system remote controller (6) and the function key is enabled, and Then, the current time and the end time are checked, and an end preliminary signal (OSD character or video and audio signal) is transmitted 10 minutes before and 5 minutes before the end, respectively, to notify that the end is imminent.
[0012]
In this case, the TV can be viewed only during the time period set by using the key of the three-stage changeover switch (2) by key lock or the timer remote controller (6a). In other words, if the parent / guardian sets the viewable time and goes out with the dedicated key of the three-stage changeover switch (2) by the key lock or the remote controller (6a) dedicated to the timer, the child or the young person remaining in the house can be Since viewing cannot be performed outside of the time zone set by the parent, effective viewing restriction can be performed.
Further, when the stop mode is selected, the continuous mode and the timer mode are ignored, and when the power switch (4) is ON, the three-stage switch (2) by key lock and the timer remote control (6) The power switch (4) is turned off after a certain period of time after the selection. In particular, in this stop mode, viewing is not possible because the entire system of the TV (1) is completely turned off.
[0013]
Next, the process of restricting the use of the personal computer (5) will be examined with reference to FIG. 7 as an embodiment of the present invention.
At this time, the operation mode of the timer incorporated in the personal computer (5) is selected by using only the three-stage switch (2a) by key lock or the timer remote controller (6a) from the ON state of the power switch (4a). In addition, it is also possible to set the use time of the personal computer by selecting the timer mode and then using the timer remote controller (6a) or the keyboard of the personal computer.
When the continuous mode is selected by the three-stage switch (2a) by the key lock or the remote controller (6a) dedicated to the timer, the user can continuously use the personal computer (5) without any particular limitation. In the case where a password is set, if only the password is input, the password can be used without any limitation.
[0014]
Further, when selecting the timer mode, the power switch (4a) must be in the ON state before selecting the timer mode using the three-stage switch (2a) by key lock or the timer remote controller (6a) as described above. The user must select a mode, and the use time can be set. Especially in this mode, even if the parent is away, the child can always use the electronic device only when it is necessary, and the use is forcibly restricted after the set time has passed. Become. Furthermore, when the set end time approaches, the end preliminary signal (OSD character, special video or audio signal) is transmitted 10 minutes before and 5 minutes before, respectively, to notify the user that the end is approaching, so that the user is normal. In this way, the personal computer (5) can be prevented from being damaged or the system being damaged.
[0015]
In the present invention, when the timer mode is selected in this way, when the parent is away, the set time zone can be freely used, and by appropriately restricting the use other than the set time zone, Users will be selectively licensed.
Further, when the stop mode is selected, the continuous mode and the timer mode are ignored, and the three-stage switch (2a) using the key lock and the timer remote controller (6a) are always used when the power switch (4a) is ON. ) Can be selected, and after a certain time, the power switch (4a) is turned off.
In particular, in this stop mode, the entire system of the personal computer (5) is completely locked and a security function can be performed, so that no user can use the personal computer (5).
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is provided with a three-stage switch and a timer by a key lock which can select and use one of a continuous mode, a timer mode, and a stop mode for electronic devices such as a TV and a personal computer. By doing so, it is possible to use the TV or personal computer only during the time period set on the timer, and to restrict the use at other times, so that children and adolescents etc. can be used while the guardian is absent Also, it is possible to restrict the use at times other than the scheduled time.
Therefore, the present invention is to carry a dedicated key or a timer dedicated remote control after operation, or in a certain place, so as to effectively restrict the use of inadvertent electronic devices by adolescents and children in the absence of parents. Since viewing and viewing may not be possible outside of the scheduled time, not only can the above-mentioned problems be easily solved, but also the security effect of others, especially when applied to personal computers. We can expect enough.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
It is a perspective view of the TV to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2
1 is a perspective view of a personal computer to which the present invention has been applied.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the system remote controller and the timer remote controller of the present invention.
FIG. 4
It is a hardware block diagram of this invention.
FIG. 5
It is a timer time setting display figure of this invention.
FIG. 6
It is an operation | movement diagram of the TV to which this invention is applied.
FIG. 7
FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of a personal computer to which the present invention is applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
l: TV
2, 2a: three-stage switch by key lock 3: remote control receiving unit 4, 4a: power switch 5: personal computer 6: system remote control 1
7: Timer remote control 2
10: Microprocessor unit 11: Timer 12 Control signal input unit 14: OSD processing unit 15: Output unit 16: Audio editing control unit

Claims (4)

A remote control receiver (3) (3a) installed on one side of a front surface of an electronic device such as a TV (1) and a personal computer (5);
A timer remote controller (6a) for transmitting a remote controller signal by the remote controller receivers (3) and (3a) and selecting an electronic device in three modes (continuous, timer, and stop);
When the timer mode is selected using the timer remote controller (6a), the use time of the electronic device is set, and a use restriction timer (11a) incorporated in the electronic device is provided.
A microprocessor unit (10) for operating the electronic device and displaying the current time and the set time according to the current time of the timer (11a) for restricting use when the timer mode is selected by the timer remote controller (6a) and the preset time set in advance. )When,
Use of the electronic device by a timer-dedicated remote control, comprising a preliminary notification means for sending an end preliminary signal when the end time of the electronic device when the electronic device is driven by the timer mode selection approaches, and for ending the electronic device normally. Limiting device. In the first paragraph, a key holder for a three-stage switch is provided on one side of the CRT or the main body of the electronic device, applied to the key holder for the three-stage switch, a key is inserted, and three modes (continuous, timer, stop) are provided. A device for restricting the use of electronic equipment, characterized in that the device is configured to be selected in (1). 2. The use restriction device for an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the use restriction timer can be set with a current time setting timer and a timer remote controller or key lock separately installed. In the first item, the setting time of the timer (11) is set by inputting a number while moving the cursor while displaying an OSD screen for setting the use time in units of one week, and is set in units of one week. A use restriction device for electronic equipment characterized by being operated repeatedly over time.

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