Disguised Power-Off Method for a Mobile Communication Terminal

• US 20080051101A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ju, Jaeyoung, Ha, Dohoon, Kwon, Sangwoon
• Granted Patent: US 8,195,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of determining the location of a mobile terminal using disguised power-off, wherein if a mobile terminal is powered off in a state where a mobile communication service subscriber does not intend to do so, only the location indication function of the mobile terminal operates, but the remaining functions are terminated as if power of the mobile terminal is turned off. In accordance with the present invention, it is determined whether the subscriber terminal is actually powered off or powered off in a disguised manner. All the power of the subscriber terminal is shut off, or all the power except for power for a function of sending a location signal is shut off, depending on the type of power-off. Furthermore, when a location request signal is received from the server of a mobile communication service provider after the subscriber terminal has been powered off in a disguised manner, the subscriber terminal sends a location signal to a call originator that corresponds to call originator information stored therein. The present invention is advantageous in that, when a mobile terminal is powered off by a disguised power-off key when a user, such as a child or teenager, is in danger, the location of the mobile terminal can be determined through locating thereof.

Claims

1. A disguised power-off method for a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

detecting input for actually powering off a subscriber terminal or powering off a subscriber terminal in a disguised manner through key input means;

if the subscriber terminal has been powered off in a disguised manner, switching the subscriber terminal to a disguised power-off mode;

allowing the subscriber terminal to determine whether a location signal has been requested by a server of a mobile communication service provider in a disguised power-off mode;

if it is determined that the location signal has been requested by the server of the mobile communication service provider, transmitting a location signal of the subscriber terminal to the server of the mobile communication service provider;

determining whether a power-on key has been pressed through the key input means of the subscriber terminal; and

maintaining the disguised power-off mode, or switching the subscriber terminal to a normal mode depending on the input of the power-on key and registering communication service with the server of the mobile communication service provider.

2. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether an incoming call signal has been received after the subscriber terminal has been switched to the disguised power-off mode; and

if, as a result of the determination, the incoming call signal has been received, generating a control signal to resume supply of power to the key input means.

3. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the disguised power-off mode prevents reception of calls, sending of calls, shuts off display power and prevents input and output of sound to and from the subscriber terminal.

4. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein a disguised power-off mode sends the location signal of the subscriber terminal to the server of the mobile communication service provider.

5. The disguised power-off method according to claim 4, wherein the location signal is sent using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

6. The disguised power-off method according to claim 4, wherein the location signal is sent when information about an originator terminal that requests a call connection to the subscriber terminal, and specific terminal information, which is stored in the subscriber terminal, is identical to the originator terminal information.

7. The disguised power-off method according to claim 4, wherein the location signal is sent to the server of the mobile communication service provider at predetermined intervals.

8. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the disguised power-off mode is switched when the power-off key of the subscriber terminal is pressed.

9. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein, if the subscriber terminal is actually powered off, power of the subscriber terminal is completely cut off.

10. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the real power-off of the subscriber terminal is achieved by simultaneously pressing the power-off key and a specific key, or sequentially pressing the power-off key and the specific key.