Method and apparatus for managing functions in a camera phone

• US 20050064856A1
• Filed: 09/18/2003
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Atkin, Steven Edward, Rozmiarek, Edward Scott, Sanchez-Cifuentes, Alvaro
• Application Number:
  US10/666,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20050064856A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1016 Telecontrol
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a camera in a mobile communications unit. A location of the mobile communications unit in a selected area is determined. Depending on the location of the mobile communications unit, a signal is sent which causes at least one camera function in the mobile communications unit to be disabled or limited.

Claims

1. A method in a data processing system for managing a camera in a mobile communications unit, the method comprising:

determining if a location of the mobile communications unit in a selected area; and

in response to the mobile communications unit being in the selected area, sending a signal, wherein the signal causes at least one camera function in the mobile communications unit to be limited or disabled.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending step comprises:

broadcasting the signal within the selected area.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending step comprises:

transmitting the signal over a wireless transmission device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile communications unit is one of a digital phone or a personal digital assistant.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one camera function is selected from one of operation of the camera to take a picture, selecting picture resolutions, an ability to record audio, an ability to record video, or a flash function in the camera.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected area is one of a museum, theme park, concert hall, or a meeting room.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step includes:

identifying the location of the mobile communications unit using at least one of a global positioning system, a triangulation process, and a wireless transmission.

8. A method in a data processing system for managing a mobile communications unit having a camera, the method comprising:

monitoring for a presence of the mobile communications unit within a selected area; and

sending picture information for the camera to the mobile communications unit if the mobile communications unit is present in the selected area.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sending step comprises:

sending picture information that includes at least one of a location for taking a picture of interest and settings for taking the picture.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the sending step comprises:

sending picture information that includes a command that disables the camera and an offer to download a picture to the mobile communications unit for a fee.

11. A mobile communications unit comprising:

a digital phone module; and

a camera module having a set of camera functions,

wherein at least one of the camera functions is disabled in response to receiving a selected signal.

12. The mobile communications unit of claim 11, wherein the set of camera functions includes at least one of operation of the camera to take a picture, resolutions of pictures taken by the camera, an ability to record audio, an ability to record video, and a flash function in the camera.

13. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for managing a camera in a mobile communications unit, the computer program product method comprising:

first instructions for determining if a location of the mobile communications unit is in a selected area; and

second instructions, responsive to the mobile communications unit being in the selected area, for sending a signal, wherein the signal causes at least one camera function in the mobile communications unit to be limited or disabled.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the second instructions causes the signal to be broadcast within the selected area.

15. The computer program product of claim 13, second instructions cause the signal to be sent over a wireless transmission device.

16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the mobile communications unit is one of a digital phone or a personal digital assistant.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the at least one camera function is selected from one of operation of the camera to take a picture, selecting picture resolutions, an ability to record audio, an ability to record video, or a flash function in the camera.

18. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the selected area is one of a museum, theme park, concert hall, or a meeting room.

19. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the first instructions identifies the location using at least one of a global positioning system, a triangulation process, and a wireless transmission.

20. A data processing system for managing a camera in a mobile communications unit, the data processing system comprising:

determining means for determining if a location of the mobile communications unit is in a selected area; and

sending means, responsive to the mobile communications unit being in the selected area, for sending a signal, wherein the signal causes at least one camera function in the mobile communications unit to be limited or disabled.