Commodity hardware based parental control device
US9946852B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 2009 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 10, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/34
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A portable hardware device such as a USB memory stick is used to provide parental locking functionality to a computer. When the device is coupled to the computer, the computer is unlocked and allowed to operate normally. When the device is not coupled to the computer, the computer is locked, and some or all of the computing functionality is blocked. This enables parents to lock and unlock a child's computer with a “key.” A detecting module detects the coupling and uncoupling of devices to the computer. When a device is coupled to the computer, an identifying module identifies the device by reading its unique identifier, and determining whether the coupled device is the one being used as the key. If so, the computer is unlocked, and allowed to operate. If not, a blocking module blocks at least some capabilities of the computer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.