Outputting a warning signal when approaching a protected area warning of an impending mode change

• US 6,343,212 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2000
• Issued: 01/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Limited (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Limited (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Weber, Matthias, Winkler, Gregor
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Application Number:
  US09/523,359
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 455/404, 455/414, 455/418, 455/421, 455/426, 455/63, 455/434, 455/435, 455/436, 455/437, 455/440, 455/456, 455/31.2, 455/67.1, 455/68, 455/69, 455/70, 455/71, 455/515, 455/550, 455/561, 455/567, 455/575, 455/519, 455/518, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72463 to restrict the functionality of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A predetermined area is protected from the disturbing usage of mobile terminals (e. g. cell phones) of a wireless communication system. Mode change information is sent over a system information message of a broadcast channel to change the operating mode (e. g. to deactivate) of the mobile terminal. This mode change information contains information, such as, the duration of the mode change, a reason for the mode change and information on groups of mobile terminals that will be exempted from the mode change. Additionally, the mobile terminal transmits an alarm signal to the user if the user is approaching a predetermined protected area.

Claims

1. A base station for protecting a predetermined area from disturbing usage of mobile terminals of a wireless communications system, comprising:

a generator for generating mode change information for changing an operation mode of said mobile terminals to prevent said mobile terminals from operating in a disturbing mode, and for generating identifying information representing at least one group of mobile terminals that receive said mode change information but are excluded from changing their operation mode; and

a transmitter coupled to said generator for transmitting said generated mode change information and said identifying information within said predetermined area by means of system information messages on a broadcast control channel of said wireless communication system.

2. The base station of claim 1, wherein said mode change information replaces at least a portion of said system information messages on said broadcast control channel.

3. The base station of claim 1, wherein said mode change information is transmitted in addition to said system information messages on said broadcast control channel.

4. The base station of claim 1, wherein said system information messages include an identification channel on which mode change information is transmitted, said last-mentioned channel being different than said broadcast control channel.

5. The base station of claim 1, wherein said transmitter regularly transmits said mode change information.

6. The base station of claim 1, wherein said mode change information is operable to deactivate at least a high frequency portion of the mobile terminal that receives said mode change information.

7. The base station of claim 1, wherein said mode change information is operable to turn off audible signal generators of the mobile terminal that receives said mode change information.

8. The base station of claim 1, wherein said mode change information includes timing information to establish a time duration during which the operating mode of the mobile terminal that receives said mode change information remains changed.

9. The base station of claim 1, wherein said mode change information includes information representing the reason for the change in the operating mode of the mobile terminal that receives said mode change information.

10. Method for protecting a predetermined area from disturbing usage of mobile terminals of a wireless cellular communication system, comprising the steps of:

generating mode change information for changing an operation mode of said mobile terminals to prevent said mobile terminals from operating in a disturbing mode, and for generating identifying information representing at least one group of mobile terminals that receive said mode change information but are excluded from changing their operation mode; and

transmitting said generated mode change information and said identifying information within said predetermined area by means of system information messages on a broadcast control channel of said wireless communication system.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said mode change information replaces at least a portion of said system information messages on said broadcast control channel.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said mode change information is transmitted in addition to said system information messages on said broadcast control channel.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein said system information messages include an identification channel on which mode change information is transmitted, said last-mentioned channel being different than said broadcast control channel.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said mode change information is regularly transmitted.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein said mode change information is operable to deactivate at least a high frequency portion of a mobile terminal that receives said mode change information.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein said mode change information is operable to turn off audible signal generators of the mobile terminal that receives.

17. A mobile terminal for a wireless cellular telecommunication system, comprising:

transmitting and receiving means for transmitting information to and receiving information from base stations of said telecommunication system and for receiving mode change information transmitted from a base station by means of system information messages on a broadcast control channel of said wireless telecommunication system for protecting a predetermined area from disturbing usage of the mobile terminal; and

control means for detecting received mode change information and a mode of the mobile terminal depending on the received change information so that said predetermined area is protected,

wherein in a case of being located in a cell adjacent to said predetermined area said transmitting and receiving means receives information on the position of said broadcast control channel of the base station for protecting said predetermined area, said control means determines the receiving power of said broadcast control channel of the base station and outputs an alarm signal to a user either through audible sounds or signaling means that a mode of the mobile terminal will soon be changed.

18. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, wherein said control means maintains said changed mode as long as the mode change information is received and detected.

19. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, including a timing means for calculating the time period since the last reception and detection of said mode change information and for comparing said time period with a predetermined time threshold, whereby the mobile terminal is reset to an original mode in the event that the time period exceeds said time threshold.

20. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, wherein said control means maintains said changed mode until a time period represented as time information included with said mode change information has expired, whereby the mobile terminal is reset to an original mode thereafter.

21. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, including switching means which switches said broadcast control channel normally received by said mobile terminal to a mode change information channel.

22. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, wherein said control means detecting said mode change information deactivates at least a high frequency portion of the mobile terminal.

23. The mobile terminal according to claim 17, wherein said control means detecting said mode change information turns off audible signal generators of the mobile terminal.