Mobile communication device capable of functioning in transmitter disabling state

• US 8,433,290 B2
• Filed: 04/23/2012
• Issued: 04/30/2013
• 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 V
• Application Number:
  US13/453,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20120208594A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/575, 455/404.1, 455/26.1, 455/436, 455/438, 455/439, 455/440, 455/565, 455/456.6, 455/419, 455/414, 455/550
• US Class Current: 455/411
• 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 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;

an earphone jack into which a detachable earphone set is capable of being inserted to enable the second mode; and

a controller arranged to ensure that the second mode will be continued for as long as the detachable earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack and that the first mode cannot be performed as long as the detachable earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack.

2. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the detachable earphone set is of a standardized appearance which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.

3. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the detachable earphone set is provided with a standardized symbol marked on an appearance thereof which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.

4. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein the detachable earphone set is of a specialized type for exclusive use during the second mode, and wherein the controller includes a sensor arranged to sense that the earphone set of the specialized type is inserted into the earphone jack.

5. The mobile communication device according to claim 4, wherein the controller is arranged to allow the first mode to be selected when another type of earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack if the sensor does not sense that the inserted earphone set is of the specialized type.

6. A combination of a mobile communication device and a detachable earphone set, the 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;

an earphone jack into which the detachable earphone set is capable of being inserted to enable the second mode; and

a controller arranged to ensure that the second mode will be continued for as long as the detachable earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack and that the first mode cannot be performed as long as the detachable earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the detachable earphone set is of a standardized appearance which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.

8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein the detachable earphone set is of a standardized appearance in color which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.

9. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the detachable earphone set is provided with a standardized symbol marked on an appearance thereof which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.

10. The combination according to claim 6, wherein the detachable earphone set is of a specialized type for exclusive use in the second mode, and wherein the controller of the mobile communication device includes a sensor arranged to sense that the earphone set of the specialized type is inserted into the earphone jack.

11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the controller is arranged to allow the first mode to be selected when another type of earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack if the sensor does not sense that the inserted earphone set is of the specialized type.

12. An earphone set to be attached to a mobile communication device having 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, and an earphone jack for the earphone set to enable the second mode, the earphone set comprising:

a special plug to be inserted into the earphone jack, the special plug being for exclusive use in the second mode; and

a specialized appearance to indicate that the earphone set is of exclusive use of the second mode;

wherein

the second mode will be continued for as long as the special plug of the earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack and the first mode cannot be performed as long as the detachable earphone set is inserted into the earphone jack.

13. The earphone set according to claim 12, wherein the earphone set is of a standardized appearance in color which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.

14. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the earphone set is provided with a standardized symbol marked on an appearance thereof which indicates an exclusive use of the second mode.