An electronic controller switch (90) is disclosed for authorizing use of controlled devices. The electronic controller switch includes memory (112) for storing a plurality of data strings unique to the particular controlled device with which the electronic controller switch is used. Each data string includes an access code, a validation data bit, and a user time data value. A user provides an input code to the controller via a standard infrared transmitter (134) and an infrared receiver (130) coupled to the controller. In response to the input code provided by the user, a microprocessor (106) searches the memory to determine whether any of the data strings includes a corresponding access code. If a corresponding access code is found and the validation data bit of its data string is not set, then the user has provided a valid input code and will be authorized to use the controlled device (102). If the validation data bit is set, which indicates that the input code provided by the user has been previously used, the user will not be authorized. When the microprocessor determines that a user is authorized, the microprocessor will provide the use time data value of the data string to a timer (116), thereby to control the time period for which the user is authorized. Different data strings are provided with time data values corresponding to different duration time periods.