Method for locking and releasing a camera in a portable terminal

• US 7,509,130 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2004
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Moon-Heui, Park, Jeon-Man
• Primary Examiner(s): LAFORGIA, CHRISTIAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/786,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,853 Days
• Field of Search: 395/56, 396 56- 59, 34821199-21114, 455/456.1, 455/456.3
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/20 visible in viewfinder
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for locking a camera in a portable terminal by means of a cipher apparatus connected to the portable terminal. The portable terminal includes the camera for photographing an image, a memory for storing secret codes, an image processor for processing the photographed image, and a display unit for displaying the processed image. The method comprises the steps of the cipher apparatus receiving information of the portable terminal, establishing a secret code, and transmitting enciphered data; the portable terminal receiving the enciphered data and stopping an operation of the camera; and the cipher apparatus receiving information reporting a locked state of the camera, and storing and displaying the secret code and a telephone number of the portable terminal.

Claims

1. A method for locking a camera in a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) a cipher apparatus receiving information from the portable terminal, establishing a secret code, and transmitting data being enciphered comprising the secret code by using information of the portable terminal;

(2) the portable terminal receiving the enciphered data and stopping an operation of the camera; and

(3) the cipher apparatus receiving information reporting a locked state of the camera, and storing and displaying the secret code and a telephone number of the portable terminal.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step (1) comprises the steps of:

the cipher apparatus requesting time information and the telephone number of the portable terminal;

the portable terminal transmitting the time information and the telephone number of the portable terminal;

the cipher apparatus receiving the time information and the telephone number of the portable terminal, establishing the secret code, and enciphering the secret code by means of the time information; and

the cipher apparatus transmitting enciphered data obtained from the secret code.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:

storing the secret code in the memory of the portable terminal; and

stopping an operation of the image processor.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein data are exchanged through a cable to lock the camera of the portable terminal.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein data are exchanged wirelessly, to lock the camera of the portable terminal.