MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE CAPABLE OF FUNCTIONING IN TRANSMITTER DISABLING STATE

• US 20090258676A1
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: TANAKA, Masahide
• Granted Patent: US 8,185,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone

Abstract

A mobile communication device, such as a cellular phone, for example, is capable of functioning in a transmitter disabling mode and is set to the transmitter disabling mode in automatic response to a power-on operation and then automatically changed to a transmitter enabling mode provided that a predetermined condition is confirmed. The communication device is instantly set to the transmitter disabling mode in automatic response to the initiation of use of an earphone or camera function and kept in the transmitter disabling mode even if the earphone or camera function enters an out of use condition. Surrounding people are informed of the transmitter disabling mode without fail by a standardized appearance of the earphone or a standardized blinking of a flash unit of the camera function.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to generate radio waves used in a telecommunication function;

a selector arranged to selectively switch the mobile communication device between a first mode of functioning in which the transmitter is enabled, and a second mode of functioning in which the transmitter is disabled;

a power switch arranged to switch the mobile communication device from an inoperative state to an operative state; and

a controller arranged to automatically set the mobile communication device to the second mode in response to an operation of the power switch, and then to automatically change the mobile communication device from the second mode to the first mode when a predetermined condition is confirmed.

2. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a manually operable unit arranged to have the selector select the second mode, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition in which the manually operable unit is not operated.

3. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a function unit arranged to function in the second mode, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition in which the function unit is not in use.

4. The mobile communication device according to claim 3, wherein the function unit includes an audio function unit.

5. The mobile communication device according to claim 4, wherein the audio function unit includes an earphone set, and the controller is arranged to detect an attachment of the earphone set to the mobile communication device, and the detection of the attachment is the predetermined condition.

6. The mobile communication device according to claim 5, wherein the earphone set is a dedicated member arranged to be exclusively used in the second mode.

7. The mobile communication device according to claim 3, wherein the function unit includes a camera function unit.

8. A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to generate radio waves used in a telecommunication function;

a selector arranged to selectively switch the mobile communication device between a first mode of functioning in which the transmitter is enabled, and a second mode of functioning in which the transmitter is disabled;

a function unit arranged to function in the second mode; and

a controller arranged to automatically set the mobile communication device to the second mode in response to a use of the function unit, and to keep the mobile communication device in the second mode even if the function unit enters an out of use condition.

9. The mobile communication device according to claim 8, further comprising a manually operable unit arranged to have the selector select the first mode, wherein the controller is arranged to change the mobile communication device from the second mode to the first mode in response to an activation of the manually operable unit.

10. The mobile communication device according to claim 9, wherein the controller is arranged to change the mobile communication device from the second mode to the first mode in response to a second activation of the manually operable unit.

11. The mobile communication device according to claim 10, further comprising an indicator arranged to inform the user of a necessity of the second operation of the manually operable unit.

12. The mobile communication device according to claim 8, wherein the function unit includes an earphone set, and the function unit enters the out of use condition if the earphone set drops off the mobile communication device.

13. A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to generate radio waves used in a telecommunication function;

a selector arranged to selectively switch the mobile communication device between a first mode of functioning in which the transmitter is enabled, and a second mode of functioning in which the transmitter is disabled;

a notification unit arranged to inform surrounding people of the fact that the mobile communication device is used in the second mode; and

a controller arranged to assure that the notification unit works as long as the mobile communication device is used in the second mode.

14. The mobile communication device according to claim 13, wherein the notification unit includes an attachment which is in use in the second mode.

15. The mobile communication device according to claim 14, wherein the notification is effected by a standardized color of an appearance of the attachment.

16. The mobile communication device according to claim 14, wherein the notification is effected by a standardized symbol marked on an appearance of the attachment.

17. The mobile communication device according to claim 14, wherein the attachment is an earphone set.

18. The mobile communication device according to claim 13, further comprising a camera unit arranged to function in the second mode, wherein the notification unit includes an illumination unit prepared for the camera function.

19. The mobile communication device according to claim 18, wherein the notification is effected by a standardized emission of light from the illumination unit.