Methods, systems and computer program products for controlling usage of a mobile terminal

• US 20050130633A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Stephens, Debra, Hill, Lee
• Application Number:
  US10/736,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20050130633A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/705 Account settings, e.g. limits or numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/723 using the user's device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/88 Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/886 limit per terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0116 Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0136 Limit per terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7009 Account settings, e.g. users, terminals, limits, numbers or payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7054 Using the phone
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

Methods for controlling usage of a mobile terminal are provided. A usage specification including an identification of allowed numbers, an identification of restricted numbers, a usage time limitation, an expiration value and/or a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted is received. Usage of the mobile terminal is limited based on the received usage specification responsive to receipt of a valid authorization code. The authorization code and/or the usage specification may be received from a keypad and/or input screen of the mobile terminal. Alternatively, the authorization code and/or the usage specification are received from a remote user over a wireless communication connection.

Claims

1. A method for controlling usage of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

receiving a usage specification including an identification of allowed numbers, an identification of restricted numbers, a usage time limitation, an expiration value and/or a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted; and

limiting usage of the mobile terminal based on the received usage specification responsive to receipt of a valid authorization code.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorization code and/or the usage specification are received from a keypad and/or input screen of the mobile terminal.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the authorization code and/or the usage specification are received from a remote user over a wireless communication connection.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the authorization code is received from a remote user over a wireless communication connection and wherein the authorization code is encoded to restrict viewing of the authorization code by a user of the mobile terminal.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the authorization code is a reset code and wherein the method further comprises over-riding the usage specification responsive to receipt of the reset code.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein over-riding the usage specification comprises selecting an alternative usage specification responsive to receipt of the reset code.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the alternate usage specification includes no restrictions to return the mobile terminal to a normal operating mode.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the usage specification is received from a remote user over a wireless communication connection.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a usage specification comprises:

accessing a usage controls menu of the mobile terminal;

prompting a user for entry of the authorization code;

verifying the authorization code;

providing a menu of usage restriction options to a user only if the authorization code is verified as valid;

receiving a selection of restrictions from the user responsive to the provided menu; and

generating the usage specification responsive to the received selection of restrictions.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving a disable request and wherein generating the usage specification comprises generating a usage specification that includes no restrictions to place the mobile terminal in a normal operating mode.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving an identification of allowed numbers.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein providing a menu includes providing a listing of numbers from a phone book of the mobile terminal to a display of the mobile terminal and wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving a designation of ones of the displayed listing of numbers.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving an identification of restricted numbers.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted and wherein the specification of enabled services includes a restriction on internet access services of the mobile terminal.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted and wherein the specification of enabled services includes a restriction on placement of long distance calls and/or calls to specified area codes from the mobile terminal.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the specification of enabled services includes a restriction on placement of calls to specified area codes and wherein the restriction of placement of calls to specified area codes comprises a designation of allowed area codes for calls from the mobile terminal.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving a selection of restrictions comprises receiving a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted and wherein the specification of enabled services includes a restriction on placement of calls when the mobile terminal is in a roaming mode.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein limiting usage of the mobile terminal further comprises allowing placement of emergency calls even if usage of the mobile terminal is otherwise restricted.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein limiting usage of the mobile terminal further comprises allowing placement of calls to a specified number even if usage of the mobile terminal is otherwise restricted.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the usage time limitation includes a limitation on times of day when the mobile terminal may be used.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the usage time limitation includes a limitation on the duration of usage of the mobile terminal.

22. A usage control system for a mobile terminal, the system comprising:

a user interface circuit for receiving from a user an authorization code and a usage specification including an identification of allowed numbers, an identification of restricted numbers, a usage time limitation, an expiration value and/or a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted; and

an access circuit configured to limit usage of the mobile terminal based on the received usage specification responsive to receipt of a valid authorization code.

23. A mobile terminal including the usage control system of claim 22.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the user interface includes a keypad and/or input screen of the mobile terminal.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the user interface further includes a transceiver configured to receive the authorization code and/or the usage specification from a remote user over a wireless communication connection.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the user interface is further configured to restrict viewing of the authorization code by a user of the mobile terminal.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the authorization code is a reset code and wherein the access circuit is further configured to over-ride the usage specification responsive to receipt of the reset code to return the mobile terminal to a normal operating mode.

28. The system of claim 22 wherein the user interface further comprises:

a usage controls menu of the mobile terminal;

a menu of usage restriction options; and

wherein the system further comprises a memory including an identification of a valid authorization code and usage restriction options.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the user interface is further configured to retrieve a listing of numbers from a phone book of the mobile terminal and to display the listing of numbers on a screen of the mobile terminal responsive to selection of an associated option on the menu of usage restriction options and to receive a designation of ones of the displayed listing of numbers to include in the usage specification.

30. A computer program product for controlling usage of a mobile terminal, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied in said medium, said computer-readable program code comprising;

computer-readable program code that receives a usage specification including an identification of allowed numbers, an identification of restricted numbers, a usage time limitation, an expiration value and/or a specification of enabled services of the mobile terminal that are restricted; and

computer-readable program code that limits usage of the mobile terminal based on the received usage specification responsive to receipt of a valid authorization code.