Locking method in a mobile terminal

• US 6,950,647 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Ko, Bok-You
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zewdu, Meless
• Application Number:
  US09/790,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20010016486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,679 Days
• Field of Search: 455409-411, 455/550.1, 455/551, 455/565, 455/566
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

A locking method for a mobile terminal is disclosed. In the method, it is determined whether an input lock code matches a stored lock code. When the input lock code is incorrect, the mobile terminal displays a phone number of a service provider. In the meantime, if a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider, the mobile terminal allows a normal outgoing call only to the phone number of the service provider. Further, the mobile terminal displays a present status of the mobile terminal, indicating occurrence of an input error of a lock code, when the input lock code does not match the stored lock code.

Claims

1. A locking method in a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

receiving a lock code input by a user of the mobile terminal;

determining whether the input lock code matches a stored lock code and at least one of first or second lock codes stored in an auxiliary memory of the mobile terminal; and

displaying a telephone number regarding a service provider, when the input lock code does not match, and allowing a normal outgoing call only to the service provider,

wherein the outgoing call is allowed when a phone number is input, which is identical to the displayed telephone number of the service provider.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a present status of the mobile terminal, indicating occurrence of an input error of a lock code, when the input lock code does not match.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising unlocking the mobile terminal when the input lock code matches the stored lock code and matches at least one of the first or second lock codes.

3. A method for controlling a locking function in a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a lock code input by a user of the mobile terminal;

(b) determining whether the input lock code matches a stored lock code and at least one of first or second lock codes stored in an auxiliary memory of the mobile terminal;

(c) releasing the locking function, when the input lock cock matches the stored lock code and matches at least one of the first or second lock codes;

(d) displaying a phone number of a service provider, when the input lock code does not match; and

(e) allowing a normal outgoing call only to the phone number of the service provider, when a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider, and returning to the step (b).

4. A method for controlling a locking function in a mobile terminal having an auxiliary memory which is detachable from a main body of the mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

storing a lock code of the main body and storing first and second lock codes of the auxiliary memory;

when the auxiliary memory is attached to the main body, releasing the locking function if it is determined that lock codes input by a user match the stored lock codes;

displaying a phone number of a service provider while maintaining the locking function, if the input lock codes do not match the stored lock codes; and

allowing a normal outgoing call only to the phone number of the service provider, when a phone number is input which is identical to the displayed phone number of the service provider.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first lock code is a personal identification number and the second lock code is a Personal Unlocking Key (PUK) code.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of displaying a present status of the mobile terminal, indicating occurrence of an input error of a lock code, when the input lock code does not match the stored lock code.

7. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein lock codes must be input within a predetermined time period.

8. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein after the outgoing call is made to the service provider, the user must visit the service provider to release the locking function.