Movement Activated Key Guard

• US 20080032680A1
• Filed: 03/25/2004
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Dam Nielsen, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 9,031,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10

Abstract

A user is prevented from accidentally activating a mobile telephone (101). By detecting a change of state of motion of the telephone, followed by determining an absence of user-induced activity in the telephone and, depending on the detected change of state of motion and depending on the determined absence of user-induced activity, an input means-lock function in the telephone is activated.

Claims

1. A method of preventing a user from activating a mobile telephone by accidental manipulation of input means of the telephone, comprising the steps of:

detecting a change of state of motion of the telephone, followed by

determining an absence of user-induced activity in the telephone,

depending on the detected change of state of motion and depending on the determined absence of user-induced activity, activating an input means-lock function in the telephone.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said detecting a change of state of motion comprises the steps of:

detecting that the telephone is substantially at rest, followed by

detecting that the telephone is in motion.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of determining an absence of user-induced activity in the telephone includes monitoring, during a first predetermined time period, any activity induced by a user and, when said first time period has lapsed and user-induced activity has not been detected, establishing an absence of user-induced activity.

4. The method according to claim 1, commencing with:

detecting a change of state of motion of the telephone, from a state in which the telephone is in motion, to a state in which the telephone is substantially at rest and, having detected that the telephone is substantially at rest, continuing with the steps of claim 1.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said step of detecting that the telephone is substantially at rest includes monitoring, during a second predetermined time period, any motion of the telephone and, when said second time period has lapsed and motion of the telephone has not been detected, establishing that the telephone is substantially at rest.

6. The method according to claim 1, where detecting motion includes detecting acceleration in any spatial direction.

10. A computer program comprising software instructions capable of performing a method according to claim 1.

7. A mobile telephone capable of being prevented from being accidentally activated through user manipulation of input means of the telephone, comprising means for:

detecting a change of state of motion of the telephone,

determining an absence of user-induced activity in the telephone,

activating an input means-lock function in the telephone, depending on the detected change of state of motion and depending on the determined absence of user-induced activity.

8. The telephone according to claim 7, wherein said means for determining an absence of user-induced activity in the telephone includes means for monitoring, during a first predetermined time period, any activity induced by a user and, when said first time period has lapsed and user-induced activity has not been detected, establishing an absence of user-induced activity.

9. The telephone according to claim 7, where the means for detecting a change of state of motion includes means for detecting acceleration in any spatial direction.