[0001] The present invention relates to an alarm device of the type that, for example, is coupled in a supply line between a power outlet and an electrically- powered device.

[0002] In the field of computer games, particularly but not exclusively, it is known to employ a gaming console to enable users to play computer and other "video" games. The gaming console is typically dedicated computing hardware that is optimised for the playing of games and comprises dedicated software and firmware for the playing of games. The games console is thereby capable of loading different games to be played and so provides flexibility of use in that the games console is not limited to the playing of a single or number of pre-stored games.

[0003] Although the gaming console provides considerable entertainment, use of the gaming console is known to be unrestricted, i.e. the console is available to be played at any time of the day or night. In a parenting context, this is undesirable. In particular, a parent typically wants a child to stop playing with the gaming console at a particular time in order to begin a bed time routine or engage in another activity, for example homework. This is relatively easy to implement through regular parenting skills when the gaming console is located in a communal room, for example a lounge. However, it is becoming increasingly common for children to have gaming consoles in their bedrooms. It is therefore less simple to police use of the gaming console located in a private environment than in the more "public" environment of the lounge, i.e. when the console is located in the bedroom of a child. The child may not always obey an instruction of a parent to stop using the gaming console; in the presence of the parent, the child may initially agree to stop playing the gaming console, but may then revert to playing with the gaming console, for example at reduced or zero volume, once the parent has left the bedroom. [0004] A number of studies, for example "Television Viewing, Computer Game Playing, and Internet Use and Self-Reported Time to Bed and Time out of Bed in Secondary-School Children" by Jan Van den Bulck, PhD (SLEEP, Vol. 27, No. 1 , 2004), have suggested that a relationship may exist between use of certain electrically-powered devices, such as gaming consoles and televisions, and negative effects on sleep patterns and bed times.

[0005] One known solution is the use of timer units that plug into electric power outlets in order to control when an electrically-powered device is powered. One typical use of the timer is for controlling the powering up of electric lights, typically in a home when an owner is not at home, such as on holiday. The timer comprises a plug portion that connects to the power outlet. The timer also has a socket portion that receives a plug from the electrically-powered device.

[0006] However, while the timer can equally be used to control use of the gaming console, the control exercised by timers of this type is easily circumvented by disconnection of, for example by unplugging, the gaming console from the timer. Hence, in the example of a parent and a child, the parent cannot effectively prevent the child from playing the gaming console during certain periods of time.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alarm device for restricting use of an electrically-powered device, the alarm device being arranged to be connected, when in use, in a supply line between a power outlet and the electrically-powered device; wherein the alarm device comprises: a timer module arranged to exercise, when in use, control over when the electrically- powered device is powered; an alarm module arranged to detect an attempt to interfere with the exercise of control over when the electrically-powered device is powered.

[0008] The alarm module may be arranged to detect the attempt to interfere with the exercise of control by detecting a mechanical break in the supply line. [0009] The timer module may be arranged to allow flow of electrical current through the supply line during a time window and to inhibit the electrical current from flowing through the supply line outside the time window. The timer module may be arranged to provide selective definition of the time window.

[0010] The alarm module may be arranged to detect mechanical decoupling of the electrically-powered device. [0011] The alarm device may further comprise a power supply port for electrically coupling the electrically-powered device thereto. The alarm module may be arranged to provide the alert in response to disconnection of the electrically- powered device from the power supply port. [0012] The timer module may be user-configurable.

[0013] The alert may be an alarm. The alarm may be an audible and/or visible alarm. [0014] The timer module may be a mechanical timer having a mechanically actuable element in order to support definition of when the electrically-powered device is permitted to be powered.

[0015] The timer module may be a digital timer module operably coupled to an input key for receiving an instruction in order to support definition of when the electrically-powered device is permitted to be powered.

[0016] The alarm device may further comprise an anti-tamper module operably coupled to the timer module.

[0017] The anti-tamper device may be a mechanical locking device arranged to prevent unauthorised use of the mechanically actuable element. [0018] The anti-tamper device may be a digital inhibition module arranged to prevent unauthorised use of the digital timer unit. [0019] The digital inhibition module may be arranged to require an authorisation code in order to permit use of the digital timer unit.

[0020] The digital inhibition module may be arranged to require the authorisation code as a number of keypresses.

[0021] The digital inhibition module may be arranged to receive the authorisation code wirelessly.

[0022] The digital inhibition module may be arranged to receive the authorisation code via a Radio-Frequency (RF) tag.

[0023] The timer module and the alarm module may be arranged to provide a warning alert a predetermined period of time in advance of when the electrically- powered device is no longer permitted to be powered.

[0024] The alarm device may further comprise a housing arranged to provide a plug on one side thereof for coupling to the power outlet, and a socket on another side thereof for coupling to the electrically-powered device. [0025] It is thus possible to provide an alarm device that is capable of exercising control over when an electrically-powered device is powered and hence used, while also providing an alert as to when an attempt is being made to circumvent the exercise of control by the alarm device. In the context of a parent restricting use by a child of a gaming console or other electrically-powered device, for example a television, the child can be prevented from using the electrically- powered device a sufficient amount of time prior to going to sleep and so the sleep routine of the child is improved over a situation where the child had been using the electrically-powered device immediately prior to going to bed. Hence, the child will be better rested.

[0026] At least one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a device constituting an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 1 in greater detail;

Figure 3 is another perspective view of the device of Figure 1 in greater detail; and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of functional internal elements of the device of Figure 1 .

[0027] Throughout the following description identical reference numerals will be used to identify like parts.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 , an electric power outlet 100 is provided in a room (not shown) for connection to an electrically-powered device 102, for example a television, a gaming console and/or a computer, such as a Personal Computer (PC). In this example, the electric power outlet 100 is a domestic electric socket. An alarm device 104 is plugged into the electric socket 100, the alarm device 104 having an additional socket (not shown in Figure 1 ) on one side thereof for coupling to the electrically-powered device 102 via, for example, an electric plug 106 on another side thereof, the electric plug 106 being coupled to the electrically- powered device via an electric cable, for example a three-core electric cable 108. Hence, the alarm device 104 is coupled in a supply line between the power outlet 100 and the electrically-powered device 102. [0029] Although the alarm device 104 is shown as being directly connected to the electric socket 100, the skilled person should appreciate that the alarm device 104 can be coupled to the electric socket 100, for example via an extension cable (not shown). Similarly, although the electrically-powered device 102 is shown as being directly connected to the alarm device 104 via the electric cable 108, the skilled person should appreciate that the electrically-powered device 102 can be coupled to the alarm device 104, for example via an extension cable (also not shown).

[0030] Turning to Figures 2 and 3, the alarm device 104 comprises another outlet point or power supply port, for example an electrical socket portion 1 10, and an electrical plug portion 1 12 formed with a housing 1 14 of the alarm device 104. A user panel 1 16 is disposed on an upper side wall 1 18 of the housing 1 14. In this example, the user panel 1 16 comprises a display 120, for example a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), timer control keys or buttons 122 and lock control keys or buttons 124.

[0031] Referring to Figure 4, the alarm device 104 comprises a switching device 126, for example an electronically actuated relay, electrically coupled, in line, between the plug portion 1 12 and the socket portion 1 10. Although an electronically actuated relay is employed in this example, the skilled person should appreciate that other switching arrangements can be employed, for example a solid-state device arrangement.

[0032] A control terminal 128 of the switching device 126 is coupled to a timer module 130, the timer module 130 being, in this example, a digital timer module that is coupled to the timer control buttons 122 and the display 120. The lock control buttons 124 are coupled to a digital inhibition, or security, module 132, the security module 132 constituting an anti-tamper module and also being coupled to the timer module 130 and an alert or alarm module 134.

[0033] The alert module 134 is also coupled to a loudspeaker 136 in order to provide, in this example, an audible alert, such as an alarm. Of course, the skilled person should appreciate that the alert can also be visual in addition to, or as an alternative to, the audible alarm. The alert module 134 is also electrically coupled to a "live" terminal 138 and a "neutral" terminal 140 of the socket portion 1 10. [0034] In operation, the alarm device 104 is plugged into the electric socket 100 and a power switch 142 is set to an "on" state. Although not shown, the alarm device 104 has a back-up battery supply in order to maintain power to the timer module 130 in order to retain settings thereof, details of which will be described in greater detail later herein.

[0035] The timer control buttons 122 are used by a user to selectively define one or more time windows during which the electrically-powered device 102 is permitted to be powered. The timer module 130 is therefore used to set an "on" time and an "off' time. Furthermore, the timer module 130 supports the storage and implementation of programmes, for example setting common "on" and "off' times for weekdays and different common "on" and "off' times for weekends. Other programmes are, of course, envisaged, for example time windows for alternate days or other patterns. Similarly, multiple time windows can be defined, if desired, for one or more days of the week. Output, for example while setting the time window, provided by the timer module 130 is provided to the user via the display 120. Three of the timer control buttons 122 can also be used to set a time for an internally maintained clock of the timer module 130.

[0036] In this example, it is assumed that the user sets the time window to be the period of time between the hours of 3pm and 5pm each day. However, before the user can set the timer module 130, the user has to provide the alarm device 104 with an authorisation or security code in order to demonstrate authorisation to be able to set the timer module 130. In this regard, the user can enter the security code via the lock control buttons 124. In this example, each button of the lock control buttons 124 represents a numerical digit. The security module 132 receives the security code via the lock control buttons 124 and determines whether the security code is correct. In the event that the security code is found by the security module 132 to be correct, the security module 132 sends an "authorised" signal to the timer module 130 in order to instruct the timer module 130 to permit setting thereof. In this example, after a period of inactivity with respect to setting of the timer module 130, the timer module 130 enters a "locked" state and the security code has to be provided again. For the sake of clarity and conciseness of description and in order to maintain simplicity of description, the method of setting and/or modifying the security code will not be described herein. However, the skilled person should appreciate that any suitable technique can be employed.

[0037] Once the timer module 130 has been set, the user must enter the security code again before being able to alter the settings of the timer module 130.

[0038] Using the internal clock mentioned above, the timer module 130 maintains a record of the current time. When the current time enters the time window set, the timer module 130 sends an "actuate" control signal to the switching device 126. In response to the "actuate" control signal, the switching device 126 electrically connects the terminals of the plug portion 1 12 to the terminals of the socket portion 1 10. Consequently, during the time window, electrical current is permitted to flow through the supply line from the electric socket 100 to the electrically-powered device 102, thereby powering the electrically-powered device 102. Hence, the timer module 130 exercises control over when the electrically- powered device 102 is powered. [0039] When the time window ends, the timer module 130 sends another "actuate" control signal to the switching device 126 in order to toggle the switching device 126. In response to the subsequent "actuate" control signal, the switching device 126 electrically disconnects the terminals of the plug portion 1 12 from the terminals of the socket portion 1 10. Consequently, outside the time window, electrical current is inhibited from flowing through the supply line from the electric socket 100 to the electrically-powered device 102, thereby depriving the electrically-powered device 102 of power. [0040] The alert module 134 monitors the plug portion 1 14 in order to detect an attempt to interfere with the operation of the alarm device 102 in order to use the electrically-powered device 102 outside of the time window. In this respect, if during or outside of the time window, an unauthorised attempt is made to inhibit the exercise of control by the alarm device 102 over when the electrically-powered device is powered, for example by disconnection of the electric plug 106 from the socket portion 1 10, the alert module 134 detects the disconnection and initiates an audible alarm. In this regard, the alert module 134 detects a mechanical break in the supply line by detecting mechanical decoupling of the electrically-powered device 102 from the alarm device 104. In this example, the audible alarm, issued via the loudspeaker 136, is sufficiently loud so as to be heard in a different room to the alarm device 104. The alarm cannot be deactivated without provision of a deactivate code, which can be the same as the security code, via the lock control buttons 124.

[0041] In another embodiment, the security code and/or the deactivate code can be provided wirelessly. In this respect, the security module 132 is arranged to receive wireless information in accordance with any suitable technique, for example via a so-called Radio Frequency (RF) tag.

[0042] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the timer module 130 can be arranged to cause the alert module 134 to generate a warning alert to a user of the electrically-powered device 102 to which the alarm device 104 is coupled in order to provide advance warning of the approach of the end of the time window, for example five minutes prior to the end of the time window. The advance warning, a predetermined period of time in advance of when the electrically-powered device is no longer permitted to be powered, enables a person using the electrically- powered device 102 to begin powering down the electrically-powered device 102 in advance of the end of the time window in order to ensure that the electrically- powered device 102 is powered down safely, for example in order to avoid a loss of data by the electrically-powered device 102. [0043] Although the above examples have been described in the electrical domain, it should be appreciated that mechanical implementations are possible. In this respect, the timer module 130 can comprise mechanical components, for example a dial of fingers or other mechanically actuable elements, which can be set either to an "on" state or an "off state. By setting a continuous block of fingers, the time window can be defined. Hence, the mechanically actuable elements support definition of when the electrically-powered device is permitted to be powered. The mechanical timer module operates in accordance with other such known mechanical timers, namely using electrical power to rotate the dial of fingers such that a finger attributable to an "on" state at a predetermined point in time causes a switch to actuate at the predetermined time in order to activate a mechanical switching device to enable coupling and decoupling of the plug portion 1 12 with respect to the socket portion 1 10. In order to prevent or dissuade tampering with the alarm device 104, a mechanical locking device can be provided to prevent the dial of fingers being altered in an unauthorised manner, for example during use. Additionally, the alert module 134 comprises a sensor to detect forced rotation of the dial of fingers.