System and method for call restriction in a wireless communication device

• US 5,884,193 A
• Filed: 02/03/1997
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Kaplan, Diego
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/792,421
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.23, 379/88.25, 379/93.02, 379/196, 379/197, 379/201, 379/207, 379/230, 455/8, 455/9, 455/17, 455/462, 455/411, 455/550, 455/565
• US Class Current: 455/565
• 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: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• 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

A keypad is operated by the user to generate keypad data indicative of a destination telephone number. A storage area stores data related to the calling plan and containing data indicative of call restrictions that may apply to the destination telephone number. A call restriction storage area is used to store user-selectable call restriction data. A processor accepts and uses keypad data to access the data storage area. The processor compares data indicative of call restrictions that may apply to the destination telephone number with the user-selectable call restriction data to determine if any user-selectable call restrictions apply to the destination telephone number. The processor sets an enable signal to an enabled state if no call restrictions apply to the destination telephone number and sets the enable signal to a disabled state if call restrictions do apply to the destination telephone number.

Claims

1. A system for controlling communications between a wireless communication device and a central controller having a calling plan, the system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting data from said wireless communication device to said central controller;

an enable signal having enabled and disabled states for selectively enabling transmission of a call origination message from said wireless communication device to said central controller;

a keypad operable by a user for generating keypad data;

a storage area for storing a state table indicative of a present state of the wireless communication device, said present state being altered in response to each entry of keypad data, said state table further for storing data indicative of call restrictions applicable to said present state;

a call restriction storage area for storing call restriction data; and

a processor for comparing said data indicative of call restrictions applicable to said present state to said restriction data and for generating said enable signal in response to said comparison.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor sets said enable signal to said disabled state if call restrictions apply to said present state and wherein said processor sets said enable signal to said enabled state if call restrictions do not apply to said present state.

3. The system of claim 1, further including a password storage area for storing a user password, said processor further for comparing said keypad data to said user password and permitting access to said call restriction storage area to store said call restriction data if said keypad data matches said user password.

4. The system of claim 2, further including an override number storage area for storing data indicative of a override telephone number, said processor further for setting said enable signal to said enabled state regardless of whether call restrictions apply to said present state if said keypad data matches said override telephone number.

5. The system of claim 2, further including a restricted number storage area for storing data indicative of a restricted telephone number, said processor further for setting said enable signal to said disabled state regardless of whether call restrictions apply to said present state if said keypad data matches said restricted telephone number.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said enable signal is a logical flag.

7. A method for controlling communications between a wireless communication device and a central controller having a calling plan, the method comprising the steps of:

generating keypad data in response to keypad entries;

storing a state table indicative of a present state of said wireless communication device, said present state being altered in response to each entry of keypad data;

storing data indicative of call restrictions applicable to said present state;

storing call restriction data;

comparing said data indicative of call restrictions applicable to said present state to said restriction data; and

generating said enable signal in response to said comparison.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

setting said enable signal to a disabled state if call restrictions apply to said present state; and

setting said enable signal to an enabled state if call restrictions do not apply to said present state.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

storing a user password;

comparing said keypad data to said user password; and

permitting access to said call restriction storage area if said keypad data matches said user password.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

storing data indicative of a override telephone number; and

setting said enable signal to said enabled state regardless of whether call restrictions apply to said present state if said keypad data matches said override telephone number.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

storing data indicative of a restricted telephone number; and

setting said enable signal to said disabled state regardless of whether call restrictions apply to said present state if said keypad data matches said restricted telephone number.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein said enable signal is a logical flag.