WO2005079924A1

WO2005079924A1 - Method and apparatus for enabling an electronic device with a secure data storage media

Info

Publication number: WO2005079924A1
Application number: PCT/CA2004/000257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chong Yeng Chan
Original assignee: Chong Yeng Chan
Priority date: 2004-02-20
Filing date: 2004-02-20
Publication date: 2005-09-01

Abstract

A method and apparatus enable operation of an electronic device (450, 458, 460, 462, 464) for a time period related to extent of use of a second device (454). The method includes the step of sensing an extent of use of the second device. Data is recorded on a data storage media (120) which is indicative of the extent of use of the second device. The data storage media is transported to a control device (20) capable of reading and writing said data on the data storage media. The electronic device is connected to the control device so the control device controls operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device is enabled for a period of time related to the extent of use of the second device recorded on the data storage media.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH A SECURE DATA STORAGE MEDIA

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for enabling operation of an electronic device for a time period related to extent of use of another device, such as an exerciser.

Various devices have been developed for enabling operation of an electronic device for a time period related to the extent of use of another device. The concept basically revolves around the idea of inducing someone to spend time on an exerciser or similar device by giving a reward in return. The reward is a specified amount of time during which the person can use another device, such as watching a television set. Such concepts are shown in a number of earlier patents.

For example, United States Patent 5,142,358 shows the general idea of earning a certain amount of television viewing time for a certain amount of exercising time. The device is connected to an exercising bicycle and to a television set. The power cords to the television and a VCR are connected to a controlled outlet. Power is provided to the television and VCR for a time period related to the usage of the exercising bicycle.

United States Patent 6,376,936 shows a wireless device including a transmitter connected to an exercising apparatus and a transceiver module connected between a television set and a power supply. The module receives pulses from the transmitter and includes a pulse counter.

One problem encountered with such devices is that the exercising device typically must be located close to the television or other such electronic device so that data can be communicated by cables or a wireless connection. It would be desirable to allow users to bank time accumulated while utilizing an exercising device or the like and provide means for them to activate a television set or other electronic device at another location for a commensurate period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for enabling operation of an electronic device for a time period related to an extent of use of another device. The method includes the step of sensing the extent of use of said another device. Data is recorded on data storage media which is indicative of said extent of use of the other device. The data storage media is transported to a control device capable of reading said data on said data storage media. The electronic device is connected to the control device so the control device controls operation of the electronic device. Operation of the electronic device is enabled for a period of time related to the extent of use of said another device as recorded on said data storage media.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for enabling operation of an electronic device having an electrical cable connected thereto, in a manner related to an extent of use of another device. The apparatus comprises an input for receiving data storage media having data indicative of the extent of use of said another device. There is memory for receiving the data indicative of the extent of use of said other device. A connector receives the electrical cable connected to the electronic device. A switch is connected to the connector for enabling the electronic device via the electrical cable. A controller controls the switch to enable the electronic device when the input receives data indicative of the extent of use of said another device, the controller decrementing the data received in memory while the electronic device is in use, the electronic device being rendered operative while data remains in memory.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for enabling operation of an electronic device for a time period related to extent of use of another device. The system comprises means for tabulating time spent while using said another device and means for recording data indicative of said time spent on data storage media. There is means for reading said data and means for enabling operation of the electronic device for the time period related to the extent of use of said another device.

Unlike the prior art, the invention offers the advantage of banking time spent on an exercising device and utilizing the banked time later at a remote location to enable an electronic device, such as a television set or a VCR. For example, the time can be banked on a smart card or other portable data storage media. The data storage media can be taken from, for example, a gymnasium to the user's home to watch the television or VCR. The smart card or other data storage media can contain a characteristic code which is verified when the time is utilized to view the electronic device. Moreover, unused time can be kept on the smart card and utilized elsewhere or at a later time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top, front isometric view of a control unit for an apparatus for enabling operation of an electronic device for a period of time, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top, side isometric view thereof;

Figure 3 is a top, rear isometric view thereof with the lockable cover removed;

Figure 4 is a schematic, top plan view thereof;

Figure 5 is a simplified, isometric view of the controller connected to an electrical device; Figure 6 is a simplified, isometric view of the control unit connected to a television set, a VHS/DVD player, a cable box and a game console;

Figure 7 is a simplified, isometric view of the control unit connected to a personal computer;

Figure 8 is a front view of the control unit shown in Figure 1 with the display being illustrated for the condition when the smart card is removed;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, showing the control unit when the reset button has been pressed;

Figures 10 A- 10E are flowcharts of the software for the control unit;

Figures 1 OF- 101 are flowcharts of the software for implementing functions controlled by the buttons on the control unit:

Figure 11 is a top, front isometric view of a data storage media writing unit, according to one embodiment of the invention, connected to an exerciser illustrated schematically;

Figure 12 is a schematic, top plan view of the data storage media writing unit of Figure l i;

Figure 13 is a top plan view thereof showing the display in use;

Figure 14 A- 14C are flowcharts of the software for the data storage media writing unit: and

Figure 15 is a drawing, partly in elevation, partly in plan and partly isometric, showing the components of the apparatus according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, and first to Figure 15, this shows the various components used in conjunction with each other in one embodiment of the invention. There is a control unit 20 which enables operation of electronic devices, in this case a television set 450 and

DVD player 452, by controlling power provided to the television set, for example, through power cord 451 in this example. There is also a device, in this case a smart card writer 130, for tabulating time spent while using another device, in this case an exerciser 454. In brief, time spent on the exerciser results in a credit being recorded on a smart card 120 while the smart card is inserted into the card writer 130. The smart card can then be transported to the control unit 20 at a different location to enable operation of the television set, or some other electronic device, for period of time which is related to the time spent on the exerciser.

Referring to Figure 5 , this shows the control unit 20 used for enabling an electronic device

22. The electronic device has a power cord 24 which is connected to the control unit. The control unit is connected to a wall receptacle 26 by a power cord 28 and plug 31. The control unit is capable of enabling or disabling the electronic device by connecting the electronic device to the wall receptacle, so it receives electrical current, or disconnecting the electronic device from the wall receptacle so it does not receive electrical current.

Figure 6 shows another assembly whereby control unit 20 is used for enabling a series of electronic devices including television 450, video projector 458, satellite receiver 462, NCR 460 and game console 464. A video out cable 451 extends from the control unit to the video projector and the television set, video in cable 453 extends to the satellite receiver and the NCR, while video in cable 455 extends from the control unit to the game console.

Figure 7 shows control unit 20 connected to a personal computer 470 by video in cable 461. Video out cable 463 connects the control unit to computer monitor 466. This, like the other arrangements described above, are examples only of the many possibilities whereby the control console can control various electronic devices.

The control unit 20 is shown in better detail in Figure 1. The control unit has a display 30, which is an LED display in this example although LCD displays or other types of displays could be substituted. The display includes indicia 32 which indicates a time credit available on a data storage media for operating the electronic device and indicia 34 which indicates remaining time available for operating the electronic device after a portion of the credit has been transferred from the data storage media to the control unit. Indicia 33 indicates the device selected for operation using device button 37. The button is pushed to toggle between different devices designated A, B and C which may be, for example, a television set, a computer monitor and a stereo. Control buttons 38, 40 and 42 respectively control play, pause and reset functions for the electronic device, while button 44 is an on/off switch for the control unit. The control unit has a lockable location 48, covered by a cover 50, which receives the cables providing power or signals to the electronic device. This is shown in better detail in Figure 3 which shows the lockable location 48 with cover 50 removed. There is a key lock 52 which prevents unauthorized access to the lockable location.

This particular control unit has a socket 64, shown in Figure 4, for receiving a power plug

62 on the power cord 24 of the electronic device 22 shown in Figure 5. Also there is a pair of sockets 64 and 66 for receiving a video in cable 68 and a video out cable 70 of another electronic device. A second pair of sockets 72 and 74 are connected to S-video out cable 80 and S-video in cable 82 of another electronic device.

There is a set of electronic switching relays 86, 88 and 90 com ected to the socket 60 and the pairs of sockets 64, 66 and 72, 74 respectively. Opening and closing of the switching relays is controlled by a microcontroller on system board 100. The term "switch" as used herein includes such relays as well as other means for turning on or off an electrical current or signal or an optical signal. The control unit has a main power supply 102 connected to the wall receptacle by the power cord 28 and the plug 31. This supplies power to the relay 86 for supplying electrical power to the power plug 62 when the relay is closed. Relay 88, when closed, interconnects the video out and video in cables 70 and 68, while relay 90, when closed, connects the S-video cables 80 and 82. Various types of input/output video cable pairs can be accommodated including computer VGA, coaxial, component video or optical cable types.

The control unit 20, as shown in Figure 4, includes a smart card reader and writer 110 capable of receiving the smart card 120 for data communication with the system board 100. In alternative embodiments other types of data storage media could be substituted including a CD-RW, a DVD, a recordable magnetic disk, a memory card or a memory stick. However it is preferred that the data storage media should be a secure type, such as the smart card, so that the data thereon cannot be readily altered by a user.

When a smart card 120 is inserted into the smart card reader and writer 110 shown in

Figure 4, the control unit 20 initially checks the smart card to see if it has a characteristic code to indicate that it is authorized to operate the electronic device. Then the smart card reader reads a time credit from the smart card to the memory of the control unit and initially the entire credit shows as indicia 32 in Figure 1. This amount of time is deducted from the time credit on the smart card and from the indicia 32. When the user wishes to operate the electronic device, the play button 38 in Figure 1 is pressed. A portion of the credit, for example 15 minutes or 30 minutes, is transferred to memory of the control unit 100 on the system board. Initially this entire credit appears as indicia 34 in Figure 1. The transferred time credit shown as indicia 34 decrements while the electronic device is operational. The time can be paused by pressing button 40.

Referring to Figure 11 , this shows a smart card writing unit 130 connected to an exerciser

132. The smart card writing unit has a smart card reader and writer 134 which can receive a smart card similar to the smart card 120 shown in Figure 4. Again other types of data storage media, preferably secure data storage media, can be substituted provided they are compatible with the control unit described above. In this particular embodiment the exerciser 132 is an exercising bicycle with a speedometer and a square wave generator which activates the odometer. The square wave generator is connected to the smart card writing unit 130 and time is credited to the smart card as long as the square waves are generated to indicate that the exerciser is in use. It should be understood that the smart card writing unit could be connected to other types of exercising devices and other types of inputs could be utilized to sense whether or not the exerciser is in use. Also the smart card writing unit could be attached to other devices besides exercising devices and could record the time credit when such other devices are use.

As shown in Figure 12, the unit 130 has a microcontroller system board 140 having smart card reader and writer 110 for receiving the smart card 120 in order to read and write data on the card. There is also an input 142 on the system board for receiving signal 144 from the sensor on the exercise equipment. The system board is powered, in this example, by a 9 volt battery 146 although other power supplies could be substituted. There is a LED display 150 controlled by the system board which has indicia 152, shown in Figure 13, which indicates the time credit available on the smart card. Indicia 154 indicates the elapsed time on the exerciser. The elapsed time is transferred to the smart card in increments, hi this particular example either 15 minute increments or 30 minute increments can be selected at 156 before a time credit of 60 or 180 minutes respectively is written to the smart card. There are also input buttons or keypad 160 for operating the microcontroller, button 155 in the example of Figure 13.

Figures 1 OA-l 0E are flowcharts illustrating the software associated with the control unit shown in Figure 1-4. The system first initializes at 200 by setting the state to CARD

REMOVED, setting the time credit to 0 and also setting the play time for the electronic device to 0. The system then waits for a short period of time at 202, in this case for 100 milliseconds, and then checks at 204 to see if the current state is CARD REMOVED. If so, then the system checks to see if the smart card has been inserted in slot 110 at 206. If no smart card has been inserted, the system returns to point A. If the smart card has been inserted, then the system checks to see whether the smart card has the proper Programmable Security Code (PSC) at 208. The PSC is secret and is assigned to the software applications for the control unit and the writing unit. If the smart card Programmable Security Code is properly verified at 208, then, at 210, the system changes the state to CARD INSERTED, reads the credit from the smart card and displays the credit on the LED display 30.

If the smart card PSC is not properly verified at 208, then the system checks at 211 to see if a preset maximum number of attempts has been exceeded. For example, the system may allow three attempts. If the maximum number of attempts has been exceeded, then the smart card is permanently disabled, meaning that the smart card is no longer verifiable, rendering it useless at 212. The smart card is ejected from the slot at 214. If the maximum number of attempts not been exceeded at 211 then the smart card is ejected at 214, but the card is not disabled. The system then returns to point A.

If the system determines that the current state is not CARD REMOVED at 204, then the system proceeds to point B shown in Figure 10B. The system determines at 220 whether the state has been set to CARD INSERTED at 210 in Figure 10A. If the state is CARD INSERTED, then the system checks at 222 to see if the card is removed. If not, then the system returns to A in Figure 10 A. If the card is removed, then the state is changed to

CARD REMOVED at 224, the credit is set to 0 and the LED display is updated. The system then returns to A in Figure 10 A.

If the system determines that the state is not CARD INSERTED at 220, then the system proceeds to C in Figure IOC. The system then determines at 230 whether the state is

CARD PLAYING. If the state is not CARD PLAYING, then the system returns to A in Figure 10A. If the card is playing, then the system checks at 232 to see if the card is removed. If the card is removed, then the state is changed to CARD REMOVED, the time credit is set to 0, the LED screen is updated and the relay switch for the electronic device is opened. The system than returns to A in Figure 10 A. If however the card is not removed, then the system proceeds to D in Figure 10D. The system then checks at 240 to see if the elapsed time is 1 second (or alternatively some other time period). If the elapsed time is 1 second, then the play time is decremented by 1 second at 242. If not, then the system returns to A in Figure 10 A. After decrementing the play time by 1 second at 242, the system checks at 244 to see if the play time is not 0 or if the credit is not 0. If not, then the smart card is ejected at 246, the state is set to CARD REMOVED, the relay switch to the device is opened and the LED screen is updated. The system than returns to A in Figure 10A. If the play time is not 0 at 244, or if the credit is not 0 at 244, then the system checks at 250 to see if the play time is 0. If not, then the LED screen is updated at 252 and system returns to A in Figure 10A.

If the play time is 0 at 250, then the system proceeds to E in Figure 10E. The system checks at 260 to see if the credit is greater than 30 minutes (or whenever increment such as 15 minutes is chosen). If the credit is not less than 30 minutes, then the play time is set to credit at 262 and the credit is set to 0. The system then proceeds to 264, updates the credit on the smart card, updates the LED screen and then returns to A in Figure 10A. If however the credit is greater than 30 minutes at 260, then the play time is set to 30 minutes and the credit is decremented by 30 minutes at 270. The system then proceeds to update the credit on the smart card and updates the LED screen at 264 before returning to A in Figure 10 A.

Referring to Figures 1 OF- 101, these illustrate the functions of the control buttons on the control unit shown in Figure 1. First, with reference to Figure 10F, this illustrates the function of device button 37 which selects the device to be played when the card is inserted. The device button 37 is pressed at 400. A determination is then made as to whether or not a smart card is playing at 402. If a card is playing, then the system proceeds to exit at 403. If a card is not playing, then the system sets the external device to A, B or C at 404, as selected by pressing the button 37. The indicia 33 of the display is then updated according to the device selected. For illustrative purposes device A has been selected in Figure 1. Figure 10G illustrates the operation of play button 37. The button is pressed at 410 and a determination is made at 412 as to whether or not a smart card is inserted. If no card is inserted, then the system exits at 414. If a card is inserted, then a deteπnination is made at 415 whether either the play time remaining on the card or the credit is greater then 0. If neither is greater than 0, then the system exits at 414. If either is greater than zero, then the state is set to CARD PLAYING at 417. The appropriate relay switch 86, 88 or 90 in Figure 4 is closed. The system then exits.

Figure 1 OH illustrates the operation of pause button 40. If the button 40 is pressed at 420, then a determination is made at 421 as to whether or not a smart card is playing. If not, then the system exits at 422. If a card is playing, then the state is set to CARD INSERTED at 424. The relay switch to the appropriate device is then opened.

Figure 101 shows operation of the reset button 42. When the button is pressed at 430 a determination is made at 432 as to whether or not the card is removed. If the card is not removed, then the system exits at 434. If the card is removed, then a determination is made at 436 as to whether the play time is greater than 0. If not, then the system exits. If the play time remaining is greater than 0, then the play time is set to 0 at 437 and the display is updated accordingly. The reset button is used to prevent unauthorized use of the time remaining.

The software for the card writing apparatus is shown in Figures 14A-14C. The program initializes at 300 by setting the state to CARD REMOVED, setting the credit to 0 and the exercise time to 0. The system then waits a short period of time, 100 milliseconds in this example, at 302. The system then checks to see if the current state is CARD REMOVED at 304. If so, then the program checks at 306 to see if the smart card is inserted. If so then the program checks at 307 to see if the smart card security code is verified. If so, then at 308 the state is changed to CARD INSERTED, the credit on the smart card is read and displayed on the LED screen. The system then returns to A. If the smart card is not inserted at 306, then the program returns to A. If the smart card security code is not verified at 307, then the program checks at 310 to see if the verification count has been exceeded. If not, then the smart card is ejected at 312 and the program returns to A. If the verification count is exceeded at 310, then the smart card is permanently disabled at 314, meaning that the smart card is no longer verifiable, rendering it useless. The card is ejected at 312 and the program returns to A.

If the current state is not CARD REMOVED at 304, then the program proceeds to B in Figure 14B. The program checks at 320 to see if the smart card is removed. If it is, then the state is changed to CARD REMOVED, the credit is set to 0, the exercise time is set to 0 and the LED screen is updated at 322. The program then returns to A in Figure 14 A.

If the smart card is not removed at 320 then the program checks at 326 to see if pulses have been detected from the sensor on the exerciser for 1 minute. If not, then the program then returns to A in Figure 14 A. If pulses have been detected for 1 minute, then the LED screen is updated and the exercise time is incremented by 1 minute at 328. The program then checks at 330 to see if the exercise time is greater than or equal to the required minimum. If not, then it returns to A in Figure 14A. If the exercise time is greater than or equal to the required minimum at 330, then the program increments the credit by an award credit, updates the credit on the smart card, decrements the exercise time by the required minimum and updates the LED screen at 332.

Figure 14C illustrates the operation performed by pressing button 155 in Figure 13. In this example there are two modes of operation, mode 1 requiring a minimum 15 minutes of exercise to place a credit on the smart card, while mode 2 requires a minimum of 30 minutes. The operationstartsbypressingbutton l55 as shownat350 inFigure 14C. The system then checks at 352 to see if mode 1 is selected. If so, then the system sets the minimum credit to 15 minutes, sets the award credit to 60 minutes and updates the LED display at 354. The system then exits at 356. If mode 1 was not selected at 352, then the required minimum is set to 30 minutes, the award credit is set to 180 minutes, and the LED display is updated at 358. The system then exits at 356. In operation, a user inserts a smart card 120 into the smart card reader and writer 110 of the control unit as seen, for example, in Figure 1. The available credit in hours and minutes is displayed as indicia 32 in Figure 1, while the play time is displayed as indicia 34. If the available credit is zero and the play time is also zero, then it is necessary to recharge the smart card.

The user then selects the device, such as a television set or video monitor, he or she wishes to use using device button 37. The play button 38 is then pushed. The selected device is powered on or a video signal is sent to the television or video monitor. A maximum of 30 minutes is deducted from the available credits for play time. The current play time is displayed at 34 on the right side of the LED display in minutes in seconds and counts down in seconds. When the play time reaches zero, a further maximum of 30 minutes is deducted from the smart card.

When the available credit and play time are both zero, the selected device is powered off or the video signal is disconnected from the television set or video monitor. The user will not be able to power the selected device or connect the video signal to the television set or monitor again until the smart card has been recharged with more credits.

The user can press the pause button 40 to power off the selected device or disconnect the video signal to the television set or monitor at any time. The available play time is displayed on the LED display. The user then can press the play button 38 again to power on the selected device or send a video signal to the television set or monitor.

The user can also power off the selected device or disconnect the video signal to the television set or monitor at any time by simply removing the smart card. The available credit displayed on the LED display is then set as zero. The remaining play time however is still displayed on the right side of the LED display. This is shown in Figure 8. The user can reinsert the smart card at any time and press the play button 38 to power on the device or enable a video signal to the television set or monitor again. Any remaining play time is used before a further maximum of 30 minutes will be deducted from the available credit on the credit card.

The user can clear any remaining play time once the smart card is removed by pressing the reset button 42. This is illustrated in Figure 9.

The writing unit is operated by inserting a smart card into the device 130 attached to the exercise equipment. The currently available credit on the smart card is displayed on the

LED display at 152 in Figure 13 , to the left side in this example. The user then selects the exercise mode with button 155. Mode 1 gives a credit of 60 minutes of play time for every 15 minutes of exercise time. Mode 2 gives a credit of 180 minutes of play time for every 30 minutes of exercise time.

The user then starts exercising on the exercise equipment. As the user exercises, the elapsed time is counted and displayed on the LED display at 154, to the right side in this example. This time only increases when the user exercises.

When the user reaches 15 minutes of exercise (in Mode 1), a 60 minute credit is added to the smart card. The elapsed time counter is reset to zero before accumulation of time begins again as the user exercises.

If the selected exercise mode is 2, then 180 minutes of credit is added to the smart card only after the user has exercised for 30 minutes. The user continues exercising until he or she has the required amount of time credit. The smart card is then removed from the device. Both the credit and elapsed time are set to zero as soon as the smart card is removed. The smart card can now be used to power on or enable a video device as previously disclosed. The system can be modified to support a multi-user smart card. A keypad is added to the controller shown in Figure 1 and to the writing unit shown in Figure 11. These allow the user to enter a personal identification number (PIN) and select functions to create a new PIN, change a PIN or to a delete PIN.

In addition to PIN verifications, storing and retrieving the remaining play time for each user is needed in the software for the control unit. The control unit needs to remember any unused play time for the previously verified PIN when a new PIN is entered or when the smart card is removed.

When using the multiuser system, a user inserts a smart card into the control unit shown in Figure 1 or the writing unit shown in Figure 11. The application verifies the smart card Programmable Security Code (PSC). This code is secret and is assigned to the software applications for the control unit and the writing unit. Once the PSC is verified, the application loads all list of PINs from the smart card. The user is prompted to create a new PIN if the smart card's PIN list is empty and does not contain any valid PIN.

The application then prompts the user to enter his or her PIN if the PIN list is not empty. The user's PIN is checked against the loaded PIN list. If the user enters a PIN that is not in the PIN list then the user is prompted to reenter the correct PIN. The credit and play time values are both displayed as 0 when an invalid PIN is entered.

Once the PIN is verified, the application on the control unit and the writing unit reads and writes to the credit location associated with this particular user PIN on the smart card. On both the control and the writing units, the credit is read from this location on the smart card and displayed on the LED for the respective device after the PIN is verified. On the control unit, the remaining play time for this user is retrieved from memory and displayed on the LED once the PIN is verified. The control unit or writing unit is then utilized in the same manner as for the single-user version described above. A user can delete and free up a PIN by selecting a "Delete PIN" function on the control or writing unit to automatically set the PIN to an invalid PIN after the user's PIN is verified..

A user can change the PIN by selecting a "Change PIN" function. The user will be prompted to enter a different PIN if the PIN entered is not unique in the PIN list on the smart card. A message will be displayed if the PIN list is full when the user tries to create a new PIN. The user needs to delete an existing PIN before a new one can be created when the PIN list is full.

An optional hardware override switch can be added to the control unit. When this switch is on the 'ON' position, all devices connected to the control unit are automatically enabled without requiring the use of a smart card. This switch is only accessible by unlocking the lockable cover using a key.

It will be understood by someone skilled in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of example only and can be modified or deleted without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for enabling operation of an electronic device for a time period related to an extent of use of another device, comprising: sensing the extent of use of said another device; recording data indicative of said extent of use of the other device on a data storage media; transporting the data storage media to a control device capable of reading said data on said data storage media; connecting said electronic device to the control device so the control device controls operation of the electronic device; and enabling operation of the electronic device for a period of time related to the extent of use of said another device as recorded on said data storage media.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , where the data recorded on the data storage media is indicative of time during which the other device is being used.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control device has memory, the data recorded on the data storage media being transferred into the memory of the control device, the control device decrementing said data transferred into the memory of the control device as the electronic device is operated.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the control device stops operation of the electronic device when the data transferred into the memory of the control device is fully decremented.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data is transferred from the data storage media into the memory of the control device in preset increments.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the data storage media is a smart card.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said another device requires manual input.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said another device is an exercising machine.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the electronic device is selected from one of a television set, a computer monitor, a game console and a video recorder.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the electronic device has an electrical conductor comiected thereto and controlling operation thereof, the electrical conductor being connected to the control device.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, where the electrical connector is connected to the control device at a lockable location

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the electrical connector includes a power cord.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrical connector includes a video cable.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, where the data recorded on the data storage media indicates the length of time the other device is in use.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, where in the data is recorded on the data storage media in preset increments of time.

16. An apparatus for enabling operation of an electronic device having an electrical or optical cable connected thereto in a manner related to an extent of use of another device, the apparatus comprising: an input for receiving a data storage media having data indicative of the extent of use of said another device; memory for receiving the data indicative of the extent of use of said other device; a connector for receiving the cable connected to the electronic device; a switch connected to the connector for enabling the electronic device via the cable; and a controller for controlling the switch to enable the electronic device when the input receives data indicative of the extent of use of said another device, the controller decrementing the data received in memory while the electronic device is in use, the electronic device being rendered operative while data remains in memory.

17. A system for enabling operation of an electronic device for a time period related to extent of use of another device, comprising: means for tabulating time spent while using said another device; means for recording data indicative of said time spent on data storage media; means for reading said data; and means for enabling operation of the electronic device for the time period related to the extent of use of said another device.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, wherein the data storage media is portable.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the data storage media is a smart card.

20. The system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the smart card has characterizing indicia, the means for enabling including means for reading said indicia to ensure that the smart card is authorized.

21. The system as claimed in claim 17, including a control device with the means for reading data and the means for enabling operation.

22. The system as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the data storage media is a smart card and the means for reading is a smart card reader.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said another device requires manual input.

24. The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said another device is an exercising machine.

25. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the electronic device is selected from one of a television set, a computer monitor, a game console and a video recorder.

26. The system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the electronic device has an electrical conductor connected thereto and controlling operation thereof, the means for controlling including a switch on the control device, the electrical conductor being connected to the switch of the control device.

27. The system as claimed in claim 26, where the control device has a lockable location, the electrical connector being connected to the control device at a lockable location

28. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the electrical connector includes a power cord.

29. The system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the electrical connector includes a video cable.

30. The system as claimed in claim 17, where the data recorded on the data storage media indicates the length of time said another device is in use.

31. The system as claimed in claim 30, where in the data is recorded on the data storage media in preset increments of time.