Method for locking and releasing a camera in a portable terminal

• US 20040181678A1
• Filed: 02/26/2004
• Published: 09/16/2004
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,509,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/189
• 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 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 comprising the steps of:

receiving a secret code;

storing the secret code in the memory; and

stopping an operation of the image processor.

2. A method for releasing a locked state of a camera in a 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 comprising the steps of:

comparing an input secret code with one of the secret codes stored in the memory; and

enabling the image processor to operate when the input secret code matches one of the secret codes stored in the memory.

3. 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 comprising the steps of:

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

(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.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, 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.

5. The method as claimed in claim 3, 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.

6. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein data are exchanged through a cable to lock the camera of the portable terminal.

7. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein data are exchanged wirelessly, to lock the camera of the portable terminal.

8. A method for releasing a locked state of 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 comprising the steps of:

(1) the cipher apparatus receiving information of the portable terminal, and obtaining a secret code for the locked state of the camera from a database;

(2) the cipher apparatus transmitting enciphered data obtained from the secret code;

(3) the portable terminal receiving and deciphering the enciphered data, and comparing the secret code received from the cipher apparatus with one of the secret codes stored in the memory; and

(4) enabling the camera to operate when the secret code matches said one of the secret codes stored in the memory.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein step (4) comprises the steps of:

enabling the image processor to operate; and

transmitting information reporting a released state of the camera to the cipher apparatus.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein data is exchanged through a cable to release the locked state of the camera of the portable terminal.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein data is exchanged wirelessly to release the locked state of the camera of the portable terminal.

12. A method for preventing a camera of a portable phone located in a cell of a base station from being operated, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) the base station transmitting a camera locking signal to the portable terminal located in the cell of the base station to prevent the camera from being used; and

(2) the portable terminal receiving the camera locking signal and preventing the camera from operating.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein, in step (1), the base station periodically transmits the camera locking signal at a predetermined time interval.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein step (2) comprises the steps of:

determining whether the portable terminal receives the camera locking signal; and

preventing an image processor of the portable phone from being operated to process a photographed image for a predetermined time period when the portable terminal receives the camera locking signal.