Method and arrangement for preventing a function

• US 20070098173A1
• Filed: 06/24/2004
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Rajakallio, Timo
• Application Number:
  US10/562,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20070098173A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/249
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, arrangement and computer program product for temporarily preventing a certain function of a device. In the method according to the invention, a function of a portable device is temporarily blocked, so that in the device there is received a blocking key that blocks a certain function, and that the received blocking key is activated in the device in order to prevent a certain function. By means of the blocking key, there is temporarily blocked a given undesirable function of the device for the duration, until there is received an unblocking key, and by activating the unblocking key the blocked function is released to function normally.

Claims

1. A method for temporarily blocking a function in a portable device, characterized in that in the device there is received via a wireless connection an executable blocking key for blocking a certain function of the device, and that the received blocking key is activated by programmable means in the device in order to prevent the certain function of the device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the device there is received an unblocking key that cancels the blocking key, and that the received unblocking key is activated in the device in order to release the function of the device that was blocked.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the blocking or unblocking key is received in the device through a wireless, short-range connection, in message form or via a cable.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the device, there is displayed a confirmation request, and that the received blocking or unblocking key is activated in the device as a response to feeding in the confirmation.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the blocking key is used for temporarily blocking a certain undesirable function of the device for the duration, until there is received an unblocking key, and by activating said unblocking key the blocked function is released to function in the way it functioned before the activation of the blocking key.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking or unblocking key is received in the device through a wireless, short-range connection, in message form or via a cable.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the device, there is displayed a confirmation request, and that the received blocking or unblocking key is activated in the device as a response to feeding in the confirmation.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking key is used for temporarily blocking a certain undesirable function of the device for the duration, until there is received an unblocking key, and by activating said unblocking key the blocked function is released to function in the way it functioned before the activation of the blocking key.

6. A portable device containing segments for realizing the device functions, characterized in that the device includes means for receiving via a wireless connection an executable blocking key for blocking a certain function, and programmable means for activating the received blocking key in the device in order to prevent the function of a certain segment thereof.

7. The portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes means for receiving an unblocking key for releasing the function blocked by the blocking key, and means for activating the received unblocking key in the device in order to release the function that was prevented by the blocking key.

8. The portable device according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes means for receiving a blocking key and/or an unblocking key transmitted along a wireless, short-range connection.

9. The portable device according to claim 8, characterized in that it includes means for receiving blocking key and/or an unblocking key of a message-form transmitted through a message service center.

10. The portable device according to claim 9, characterized in that it includes means for displaying a confirmation request and for feeding in a confirmation before the received blocking or unblocking key is activated in the device.

11. The portable device according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes program means for processing the blocking and unblocking keys.

15. The portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes means for receiving a blocking key and/or an unblocking key transmitted along a wireless, short-range connection.

16. The portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes means for receiving blocking key and/or an unblocking key of a message-form transmitted through a message service center.

17. The portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes means for displaying a confirmation request and for feeding in a confirmation before the received blocking or unblocking key is activated in the device.

18. The portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes program means for processing the blocking and unblocking keys.