Method of locking function of mobile telephone system

• US 4,945,556 A
• Filed: 11/09/1988
• Issued: 07/31/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Namekawa, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Lev, Robert
• Application Number:
  US07/270,423
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 379/62, 379/63, 379/58, 455/54, 455/56, 455/58
• US Class Current: 455/565
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6075 adapted for handsfree use in a vehicle H04M1/6058 takes precedence; arrangements for holding telephones in a vehicle B60R11/0241
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/677 Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of locking the functions of a mobile telephone system. At least two lock codes are stored in a memory together with the functions to be kept locked or actuated when the locked state of the mobile system is released. The locked state of the automobile is not released unless a registered lock code is input. When the locked state is released by inputting one of the registered lock codes, some functions remain in the locked state in accordance with the input lock code, while other functions are actuated. Thus it is possible to limit the use of the mobile telephone system depending upon who drives the car.

Claims

1. A method of selectively locking a plurality of functions of a mobile telephone system having an input keypad, a memory, a control portion for controlling operation of the functions of the mobile telephone system, and an on/off power switch, comprising the steps of:

storing, in advance, a first lock code in the memory;

storing, in advance, at least one, second lock code in the memory;

providing, in the control portion, all of said functions of the mobile telephone system in a first operational mode, and less than the total number of said functions of the mobile telephone system in a second operational mode;

assigning said first lock code to a first user who is to be allowed access to all of said functions of said mobile telephone system;

assigning a second lock code to a second user who is to have access to a different set of said functions in the form of said less than the total number of said functions;

locking all of said functions of said mobile telephone system when said on/off power switch is turned on;

comparing an input lock code keyed in by a user to determine if said first lock code or said second lock code has been provided by the user;

unlocking all of said functions of said mobile telephone system to allow unlimited use by said user in the first operational mode if the first lock code assigned to said first user is provided;

unlocking said different set of said functions corresponding to the previously assigned second lock code of a said second user to allow use of said different set of said functions in the second operational mode if said assigned second lock code is provided.

2. A method of locking a plurality of functions of a mobile telephone system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of functions constitutes more than three functions.

3. A method of selectively locking the functions of a mobile telephone system according to claim 1, further comprising the step of instructing said control portion to keep the telephone system locked from transmitting long-distance telephone calls in the second operational mode when a second lock code has been provided.

4. A method of selectively locking the functions of a mobile telephone system according to claim 1, further comprising the step of instructing said control portion to keep the telephone system locked from transmitting local telephone calls in the second operational mode when a second lock code has been provided.

5. A method of selectively locking the functions of a mobile telephone system according to claim 1, further comprising the step of instructing said control portion to keep the telephone system locked from receiving telephone calls in the second operational mode when a second lock code has been provided.

6. A method of selectively locking the functions of a mobile telephone system according to claim 1 wherein the telephone system has a display portion, and further comprising providing an instruction setting mode including displaying questions to prompt the owner of the vehicle to provide instructions to said control portion, and storing answer codes provided by the owner in response to the displayed questions for instructing said control portion to keep the telephone system locked for different functions in the second operational mode when a second lock code has been provided.