Camera-equipped mobile terminal and method for controlling picture-taking function of the same

• US 7,623,891 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Jeong, Won-Bae
• Primary Examiner(s): Dean; Raymond S
• Application Number:
  US10/945,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20050192038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,891 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.4, 455/556.1, 455/550.1, 379/433.1, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/552, 396/429, 396/434
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• 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: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera

Abstract

A camera-equipped mobile terminal and a method for automatically restricting the use of its picture-taking function are provided. The terminal detects a frequency signal of a wireless channel other than wireless channels used for communication, which has high Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) and low pilot power/total received power (Ec/Io). If the strength (i.e., RSSI value) of the detected frequency signal is greater than a predetermined threshold, the picture-taking function of the mobile terminal is deactivated.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a picture-taking function of a mobile terminal in a picture-taking restricted area by using a signal generator, the method comprising the steps of:

generating, by the signal generator, a frequency signal on a specific wireless channel being currently unused for communication, and having high Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) and low pilot power/total received power (Ec/Io), the frequency signal being at a signal strength at least above a specific signal strength detectable in the restricted area;

detecting, by the mobile terminal, the frequency signal;

determining whether the detected frequency signal has a detected strength greater than a predetermined threshold; and

deactivating the picture-taking function when a user of the mobile terminal selects the picture-taking function and the detected strength is greater than the predetermined threshold.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a message indicating the picture-taking restricted area when the picture-taking function is deactivated.

2. A method for controlling a picture-taking function of a mobile terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a signal at a specific frequency of a wireless channel, the wireless channel being currently unused for communication and having high Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) and low pilot power/total received power (Ec/Io), the frequency signal being at a signal strength at least above a specific signal strength detectable in the restricted area;

determining whether the received signal has a received strength greater than a predetermined threshold; and

deactivating the picture-taking function when a user of the mobile terminal selects the picture-taking function and the received strength is greater than the predetermined threshold.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of displaying a message indicating the picture-taking restricted area when the picture-taking function is deactivated.

5. A camera-equipped mobile terminal having a picture-taking function, the terminal comprising:

an RF module for receiving and converting a signal at a specific frequency of a wireless channel, the wireless channel being currently unused for communication and having high Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) and low pilot power/total received power (Ec/Io); and

a controller for determining whether a strength of the signal is greater than a predetermined threshold, and deactivating the picture-taking function of the mobile terminal when a user of the mobile terminal selects the picture-taking function and the strength is greater than the predetermined threshold.