Locking method in a mobile terminal

• US 20010016486A1
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Published: 08/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Ko, Bok-You
• Granted Patent: US 6,950,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

A locking method for a mobile terminal is disclosed. In the method, it is determined whether an input lock code matches a stored lock code. When the input lock code is incorrect, the mobile terminal displays a phone number of a service provider. In the meantime, if a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider, the mobile terminal allows a normal outgoing call only to the phone number of the service provider. Further, the mobile terminal displays a present status of the mobile terminal, indicating occurrence of an input error of a lock code, when the input lock code does not match the stored lock code.

Claims

1. A locking method in a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

receiving a lock code input by a user of the mobile terminal;

determining whether the input lock code matches a stored lock code;

displaying information regarding a service provider, when the input lock code does not match; and

allowing a normal outgoing call only to the service provider.

2. The method as claimed in

claim 1

, further comprising the step of displaying a present status of the mobile terminal, indicating occurrence of an input error of a lock code, when the input lock code does not match.

3. The method as claimed in

claim 1

, wherein the displayed information is a phone number.

4. The method as claimed in

claim 3

, wherein the outgoing call is allowed when a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider.

5. A method for controlling a locking function in a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a lock code input by a user of the mobile terminal;

(b) determining whether an input lock code matches a stored lock code;

(c) releasing the locking function, when the input lock code matches the stored lock code;

(d) displaying a phone number of a service provider, when the input lock code does not match; and

(e) allowing a normal outgoing call only to the phone number of the service provider, when a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider, and returning to the step (b).

6. A method for controlling a locking function in a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining whether a lock code input by a user within a preset condition matches a stored lock code;

(b) displaying a phone number of a service provider while maintaining the locking function, when the input lock code does not match the stored lock code; and

(c) allowing a normal outgoing call only to the phone number of the service provider, when a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider, and returning to the step (b).

7. The method as claimed in

claim 6

, wherein said preset condition is a condition in which the input lock codes are identical to at least one lock code stored in an auxiliary memory detachable from the mobile terminal, and identical to a lock code of a main body of the mobile terminal.

8. The method as claimed in

claim 6

, further comprising the step of displaying a present status of the mobile terminal, indicating occurrence of an input error of a lock code, when the input lock code does not match the stored lock code.