WO2011089422A1

WO2011089422A1 - Parental control device for restricting access to a game station

Info

Publication number: WO2011089422A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050081
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Edwards
Original assignee: John Edwards
Priority date: 2010-01-21
Filing date: 2011-01-19
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: GB2477172A; GB201014236D0; GB201000921D0

Abstract

A device for restricting access to a game station by enclosing the game controller or controllers inside a lockable hinged two- part casing (4). The device includes a timer (48) which can be set to generate a warning after a predetermined playing time has elapsed, and means (47) for displaying a message to the user. The casing is generally X-shaped and contains sponge fillers which provide two back-to-back recesses for holding two game controllers.

Description

PARENTAL CONTROL DEVICE FOR RESTRICTING ACCESS TO A GAME STATION

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a parental control device which can be used to restrict access to a game station.

BACKGROUND

It is widely recognized that children and young people spend too much time sitting in front of a computer or game station instead of engaging in healthy activities, doing home work, completing household chores etc. Although parental controls are often implemented in computer software many parents are unable to use them effectively, and it is generally true that youngsters are far better at overcoming such controls than adults are at applying them. Parents often resort to unplugging a computer or confiscating the mouse, keyboard etc., but this is unlikely to stop the equipment being used when the parents are not around.

The present invention seeks to provide new and inventive parental control measures which are inexpensive, reliable, uncomplicated, and effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a device for controlling use of an electronic game station of the kind having a visual display monitor and at least one hand-operated input device in the form of a game controller, said device comprising a casing adapted to receive a game controller and having two or more co-operable parts provided with a lock to prevent the casing from being removed to gain access to the game controller, and the device incorporates a timer which can be set to generate a warning after a predetermined playing time has elapsed, and means for displaying a message to the user.

The invention is based on simple but powerful psychology. It has been found that if the majority of youngsters make a promise to their parents they are generally inclined to keep it even if the parents are not around. The device issues an appropriate reminder when the time has elapsed, so that parents do not usually need to be present to physically switch off the game station when the agreed playing time has elapsed.

The casing may have upper and lower parts which are hinged together and is preferably configured to contain two generally U- shaped recesses arranged back-to-back. In a preferred configuration the casing is generally X-shaped.

The recesses are preferably formed within a soft resilient filler which is enclosed within the casing. The filler may contain additional recesses positioned between the two generally U- shaped recesses. Both the upper and lower parts preferably both contain resilient fillers which are co-operatively shaped to form enclosed recesses when the two parts of the casing are locked together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top view of a parental control device for use with a game station;

Figure 2 is a front view of the device; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of the same device in an open configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Fig.s 1 and 2, the parental control device can be used to control access to a game station such as an X Box, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation, etc. Such devices normally have at least two of game controllers allowing two players to compete against each other, but some games can be used in single player mode. The device comprises a two-part casing 4 which can be used to enclose a game controller to prevent it from being used. The casing may be moulded from a thermoplastic or any other suitable material, and comprises a generally rectangular bottom 41 having plano-concave side walls such that, in plan view, the casing is generally X-shaped. The bottom 41 is provided with a matching top 42, and the two are connected together by a pair of integral web hinges 43, or other suitable hinges, which are spaced apart on one side of the casing. The opposite side of the casing has a single key- operated lock 44 which can be used to secure the top and bottom parts of the casing together. One or two game controllers may be locked inside the casing to prevent them being used to operate the game station.

The opposing edges of the two parts of the casing may be provided with notches to receive the cable which may be attached some controllers, so that the controllers can remain plugged into the game station. As shown in Fig. 3, suitably shaped sponge inserts 45 and 46 may be fitted inside the two parts of the casing to prevent game controllers from moving. The base insert 46 is formed with a pair of generally U-shaped butterfly-like recesses 50 and 51 which are arranged back-to- back to hold the two controllers in a secure and ergonomic configuration. Additional recesses 52 and 53 may be provided in the lid insert 45 to hold additional lightweight items such as coiled-up leads attached to the controllers, lightweight stick-like game controllers such as those provided for use with the Wii games console, game cartridges or such like. In addition, one or more rectangular recesses 54 are provided in the base insert 46, between the recesses 50 and 51, to hold a Nintendo DSI, stick-like game controllers, etc. When the two parts of the case 41 and 42 are locked the inserts 45 and 46 are brought together to securely hold the enclosed items.

The devices are provided with a display device 47 on which various messages can be displayed to the potential user such as "Do your homework!", "Get some exercise!", "Help your parents!", or "Ride your bike!", e.g. on a manually rotatable roller. A mechanical or electronic timer 48 can be set by the parent to remind users, by means of an audible warning, when their allowed playing time has expired, e.g. one hour.

It has been found that by drawing a young person's attention to their obligations in such a simple but effective way, the device is surprisingly effective. Most youngsters will stop playing when their agreed time has elapsed.

It is not, or course, essential to use a key-operated lock; a combination lock could be used for example.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

1. A device for controlling use of an electronic game station of the kind having a visual display monitor and at least one hand-operated input device in the form of a game controller, said device comprising a casing (4) adapted to receive a game controller and having two or more co-operable parts (41, 42) provided with a lock (44) to prevent the casing from being removed to gain access to the game controller,

characterised in that the device incorporates a timer (48) which can be set to generate a warning after a predetermined playing time has elapsed, and means (47) for displaying a message to the user.

2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the casing has upper and lower parts (41, 42) which are hinged together (43).

3. A device according to Claim 2 in which the casing (4) is configured to contain two generally U-shaped recesses (50, 51) arranged back-to-back.

4. A device according to Claim 3 in which the casing (4) is generally X-shaped.

5. A device according to Claim 3 in which the generally U- shaped recesses (50, 51) are formed within a soft resilient filler (45, 46) which is enclosed within the casing (4).

6. A device according to Claim 5 in which the soft resilient filler (45, 46) contains additional recesses (52, 53, 54) positioned between the two generally U-shaped recesses (50, 51).

7. A device according to Claim 5 in which the upper and lower parts (41, 42) both contain resilient fillers (45, 46) which are co-operatively shaped to form enclosed recesses (50-54) when the two parts of the casing are locked together.