Mobile communication device capable of functioning in transmitter disabling state

• US 8,185,136 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2009
• Issued: 05/22/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Tanaka, Masahide
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Linh
• Application Number:
  US12/420,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20090258676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/411, 455/404.1, 455/26.1, 455/436, 455/438, 455/439, 455/440, 455/565, 455/456.6, 455/419, 455/550, 455/414
• US Class Current: 455/456.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6058 involving the use of a headset accessory device connected to the portable telephone

Abstract

A mobile communication device, such as a cellular phone, for example, is capable of functioning in a transmitter disabling mode and is set to the transmitter disabling mode in automatic response to a power-on operation and then automatically changed to a transmitter enabling mode provided that a predetermined condition is confirmed. The communication device is instantly set to the transmitter disabling mode in automatic response to the initiation of use of an earphone or camera function and kept in the transmitter disabling mode even if the earphone or camera function enters an out of use condition. Surrounding people are informed of the transmitter disabling mode without fail by a standardized appearance of the earphone or a standardized blinking of a flash unit of the camera function.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to generate radio waves used in a telecommunication function;

a power switch arranged to switch the mobile communication device from an inoperative state to an operative state;

a selector arranged to selectively switch the mobile communication device between a first mode of functioning in which the transmitter is enabled, and a second mode of functioning in which the transmitter is disabled after the mobile communication device has been switched to the operative state by the power switch; and

a controller arranged to forcibly and automatically set the mobile communication device to the second mode in response to an operation of the power switch to switch the mobile communication device to the operative state regardless of whether the mobile communication device was in the first mode or in the second mode when the power switch was previously operated to switch the mobile communication device to the inoperative state, and then to automatically change the mobile communication device from the second mode to the first mode when a predetermined condition is confirmed, so as to prevent an unexpected accident due to radio wave transmission when the mobile communication device is unwittingly turned on at a place where radio wave transmission is prohibited.

2. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a manually operable unit arranged to have the selector select the second mode, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition in which the manually operable unit is not operated after the mobile communication device has been switched to the operative state by the power switch.

3. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a function unit arranged to function in the second mode, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition in which the function unit is not in use.

4. The mobile communication device according to claim 3, wherein the function unit includes an audio function unit.

5. The mobile communication device according to claim 4, wherein the audio function unit includes an earphone set, and the controller is arranged to detect an attachment of the earphone set to the mobile communication device, and the detection of the attachment is the predetermined condition.

6. The mobile communication device according to claim 5, wherein the earphone set is a dedicated member arranged to be exclusively used in the second mode.

7. The mobile communication device according to claim 3, wherein the function unit includes a camera function unit.

8. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to forcibly and automatically set the mobile communication device to the second mode in response to an operation of the power switch at a stage not influenced by any condition prior to the switching of the mobile communication device to the operative state.

9. A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to generate radio waves used in a telecommunication function;

a selector arranged to selectively switch the mobile communication device between a first mode of functioning in which the transmitter is enabled, and a second mode of functioning in which the transmitter is disabled;

a function unit arranged to function and to be used in the second mode; and

a controller arranged to automatically set the mobile communication device to the second mode in response to a start of use of the function unit which is to be used in the second mode, and to keep the mobile communication device in the second mode even if the function unit enters an out of use condition.

10. The mobile communication device according to claim 9, further comprising a manually operable unit arranged to have the selector select the first mode, wherein the controller is arranged to change the mobile communication device from the second mode to the first mode in response to an activation of the manually operable unit.

11. The mobile communication device according to claim 10, wherein the controller is arranged to change the mobile communication device from the second mode to the first mode in response to the activation of the manually operable unit being performed twice.

12. The mobile communication device according to claim 11, further comprising an indicator arranged to inform the user of a necessity of the activation of the manually operable unit being performed twice.

13. The mobile communication device according to claim 12, wherein the indicator is arranged to inform the user of the necessity of a second activation in response to a first activation of the manually operable unit.

14. The mobile communication device according to claim 9, wherein the function unit includes a detachable earphone set, and the controller is arranged to automatically set the mobile communication device to the second mode in response to the detachable earphone set being attached to the mobile communication device, and to keep the mobile communication device in the second mode even if the detachable earphone set drops off the mobile communication device.

15. A mobile communication device comprising:

a transmitter arranged to generate radio waves used in a telecommunication function;

a selector arranged to selectively switch the mobile communication device between a first mode of functioning in which the transmitter is enabled, and a second mode of functioning in which the transmitter is disabled;

a notification unit arranged to inform people surrounding the mobile communication device of the fact that the mobile communication device is used in the second mode;

a controller arranged to assure that the notification unit works as long as the mobile communication device is used in the second mode;

a camera unit arranged to function in the second mode; and

an illumination unit arranged to emit light for a photo-taking function of the camera unit;

wherein

the controller is arranged to control the illumination unit to emit light in the photo-taking function of the camera unit and to emit light to inform the people surrounding the mobile communication device of the fact that the mobile communication device is used in the second mode if the notification unit functions.

16. The mobile communication device according to claim 15, wherein the notification unit includes an attachment which is in use in the second mode.

17. The mobile communication device according to claim 16, wherein the notification is effected by a standardized color of an appearance of the attachment.

18. The mobile communication device according to claim 16, wherein the notification is effected by a standardized symbol marked on an appearance of the attachment.

19. The mobile communication device according to claim 16, wherein the attachment is an earphone set.

20. The mobile communication device according to claim 15, wherein the controller is arranged to temporarily stop emitting light to inform the people surrounding the mobile communication device during an instant of emitting light in the photo-taking function.