Methods And Apparatus For Limiting Communication Capabilities In Mobile Communication Devices

• US 20130244610A1
• Filed: 05/08/2013
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Jin, Xin, Islam, Muhammad Khaledul
• Granted Patent: US 8,731,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/028 switching on or off only a part of the equipment circuit blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods for use in a mobile device configured to communicate in a wireless network is described. The mobile device detects whether a a temperature condition exists. When the temperature condition exists, the mobile device presents a visual indication which indicates that the mobile device is in an emergency communication state. The mobile device further operates to prohibit user-initiated communication requests for non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network, but allows a user-initiated communication request for an emergency telephone call via the wireless network. When the temperature condition fails to exist, the mobile device operates to allow user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network.

Claims

1. A method for use in a mobile device configured to communicate in a wireless network, the method comprising:

detecting whether a temperature condition exists at the mobile device;

when the temperature condition exists;

causing a visual indication to be presented, the visual indication indicating that the mobile device is in an emergency communication state;

operating to prohibit user-initiated communication requests for non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network; and

operating to allow a user-initiated communication request for an emergency telephone call via the wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the temperature condition fails to exist:

operating to allow user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the visual indication indicates “

EMERGENCY ONLY”

.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the temperature condition exists further comprises:

monitoring a temperature based on signals read from a temperature sensor; and

detecting that the temperature condition exists based on the monitored temperature.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the temperature condition exists further comprises:

monitoring a temperature from signals read from a temperature sensor; and

detecting that the temperature condition exists if the monitored temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the temperature sensor is in a battery or battery pack of the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of detecting that the temperature condition exists comprises detecting a temperature condition at which a battery of the mobile device may become damaged or explode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting whether the temperature condition exists comprises detecting whether a temperature condition of a power amplifier of the mobile device exists.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a cellular telephone configured for communications in a cellular telephone network.

10. A mobile communication device configured to communicate in a wireless communication network, the mobile communication device comprising:

a user interface comprising a display;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured for wireless communications via the wireless communication network;

a processor which is coupled to the user interface and the RF transceiver;

the processor being configured to;

monitor a temperature based on signals from a temperature sensor;

detect whether a temperature condition exists based on the monitored temperature;

when the temperature condition exists;

cause a visual indication to be presented, the visual indication indicating that the mobile device is in an emergency communication state;

operate to prohibit user-initiated communication requests for non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network; and

operate to allow a user-initiated communication request for an emergency telephone call via the wireless network.

11. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to, when the temperature condition fails to exist:

operate to allow user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network,

12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the visual indication indicates “

EMERGENCY ONLY”

.

13. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by monitoring a temperature based on signals read from a temperature sensor and detecting that the temperature condition exists based on the monitored temperature.

14. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by monitoring a temperature from signals read from a temperature sensor and detecting that the temperature condition exists if the monitored temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold.

15. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the temperature sensor is in a battery or battery pack of the mobile device.

16. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by detecting a temperature condition at which a battery of the mobile device may become damaged or explode.

17. The mobile device of claim 10, wherein the processor Is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by detecting whether a temperature condition of a power amplifier of the mobile device exists.

18. The mobile device of claim 10, comprising a cellular telephone configured for communications in a cellular telephone network.