CONTROLLING ACCESS TO AND USE OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

摘要

The invention generally relates to a lock-box device that requires a child or any other user to answer one or more educational questions correctly before being allowed access to one or more entertainment systems that require power such as a television, a computer, and a video game console.

主权项

1. A device for controlling access to and use of an electronic system, comprising:
a housing including a lock mechanism; a power outlet disposed within the housing for receiving a power plug at the end of a power cord of the electronic system, the lock mechanism operable to lock the power plug within the housing when the power plug is inserted into the power outlet; a device power cord extending from the housing and terminating in a device power plug for insertion into an electrical outlet to power the device; one or more connectors accessible external to the housing to allow at least one input unit to be connected to the device; and a logic and control system disposed within the housing, the logic and control system for supplying images to be shown on a display when the display is connected to the device, the images including educational content in the form of one or more questions in one or more educational subject matter areas, the logic and control system also for allowing responses to the one or more questions by a potential user of the electronic system, the at least one input unit for use by the potential user to provide the responses to the one or more questions, the logic and control system controls the supply of power to the power outlet based on the responses to the one or more questions thereby controlling access to and use of the electronic system by the potential user.