Disguised power-off method for a mobile communication terminal

• US 8,195,248 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Issued: 06/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Ha, Dohoon, Kwon, Sangwoon, Ju, Jaeyoung
• Primary Examiner(s): Pérez-Gutiérrez, Rafael
• Assistant Examiner(s): DONADO, FRANK E
• Application Number:
  US11/629,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20080051101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,533 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72418 for supporting emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of determining the location of a mobile terminal using disguised power-off, wherein if a mobile terminal is powered off in a state where a mobile communication service subscriber does not intend to do so, only the location indication function of the mobile terminal operates, but the remaining functions are terminated as if power of the mobile terminal is turned off. In accordance with the present invention, it is determined whether the subscriber terminal is actually powered off or powered off in a disguised manner. All the power of the subscriber terminal is shut off, or all the power except for power for a function of sending a location signal is shut off, depending on the type of power-off. Furthermore, when a location request signal is received from the server of a mobile communication service provider after the subscriber terminal has been powered off in a disguised manner, the subscriber terminal sends a location signal to a call originator that corresponds to call originator information stored therein. The present invention is advantageous in that, when a mobile terminal is powered off by a disguised power-off key when a user, such as a child or teenager, is in danger, the location of the mobile terminal can be determined through locating thereof.

Claims

1. A disguised power-off method for a mobile terminal, comprising the steps of:

receiving an input requesting that a subscriber terminal enter a disguised power-off mode, the input being generated through key input means;

sending a location signal indicating a location of the subscriber terminal to a server of a mobile communication service provider, and switching the subscriber terminal to the disguised power-off mode;

receiving an incoming call signal after the subscriber terminal has been switched to the disguised power-off mode;

generating a control signal to resume supply of power to the key input means in the disguised power-off mode after receiving the incoming call signal;

receiving a location request signal from the mobile communication service provider in the disguised power-off mode;

transmitting the location signal to the mobile communication service provider in the disguised power-off mode;

receiving an input requesting that the subscriber terminal be powered on, the input being generated through the key input means of the subscriber terminal in the disguised power-off mode; and

switching the subscriber terminal from the disguised power-off mode to a normal mode and registering communication service with the server of the mobile communication service provider,

wherein, after receiving the incoming call signal, the subscriber terminal maintains the disguised power-off mode until the input requesting that the subscriber terminal be powered on is received,

wherein the disguised power-off mode shuts off display power and prevents input and output of sound to and from the subscriber terminal, and

wherein the location signal is sent when information about an originator terminal that requests a call connection to the subscriber terminal is identical to specific terminal information stored in the subscriber terminal.

2. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein a location of the subscriber terminal is determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS).

3. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the location signal is sent to the mobile communication service provider at predetermined intervals.

4. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the input requesting that the subscriber terminal enter the disguised power-off mode is generated when a power-off key of the subscriber terminal is pressed.

5. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a signal requesting that the subscriber terminal is completely powered off; and

completely cutting off the power of the subscriber terminal.

6. The disguised power-off method according to claim 5, wherein the signal requesting that the subscriber terminal be completely powered off is generated by simultaneously pressing a power-off key and a specific key, or sequentially pressing the power-off key and the specific key.

7. The disguised power-off method according to claim 6, wherein the input requesting that the subscriber terminal enter the disguised power-off mode is generated by pressing the power-off key.

8. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication service provider requests the location signal in the disguised power-off mode when a location of the subscriber terminal has been requested by a patron terminal.

9. The disguised power-off method according to claim 1, wherein the subscriber terminal is connected to a terminal of call originator, depending on whether call originator information based on originator information display and information stored in the subscriber terminal are identical to each other.