Method and arrangement for limiting the use of a mobile telephone

• US 6,032,038 A
• Filed: 03/03/1997
• Issued: 02/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Kulla, Veli-Matti, Schroderus, Jari, Jokimies, Matti, Jutila, Sami
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WYCHE, MYRON
• Application Number:
  US08/807,994
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 455/405, 455/406, 455/407, 455/409, 455/410
• US Class Current: 455/405
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A method and arrangement for limiting the use of a mobile telephone is characterized in that it involves setting a time limit (TIMER_-- VALUE) in said mobile telephone (20). The time limit can be set for accumulated operating time or elapsed time in general. Setting of the limit is advantageously made possible by means of a secret code (SECRET_-- KEY). Thereafter, the mobile telephone begins measuring time, and when the elapsed or accumulated time reaches the set limit, operation of the mobile telephone (20) is blocked. Then, only operation by which a new time limit can be set or the block can be removed is allowed. A mobile telephone manufacturer can easily realize an arrangement according to the present invention in a mobile telephone, and said arrangement can just as easily be implemented by, for example, a mobile telephone renter. The temptation to misuse and steal mobile telephones decreases when it is known that said telephones have a limited operating time, after which they will not function.

Claims

1. In a mobile telephone handset operatively connected to a mobile telephone system, said handset constructed to be rented by the user and having a keypad for entering information;

a memory for storing information and rental operation software; and

a control unit for operating the telephone in response to said software;

a method for limiting said period of rental use of the mobile telephone handset comprising the steps of;

setting a time limit for said period of rental use of said mobile telephone in said memory;

measuring the elapsed time of rental use of said mobile telephone;

comparing said measured elapsed rental time with said set time limit;

blocking the operation of said mobile telephone, at least in part, in response to the elapsed rental time having reached the set time limit;

setting a predetermined security code in said memory;

resetting said period of rental use by entering a security code through the use of said keypad; and

allowing the resetting of the period of rental use to an extended period when said entered security code matches said predetermined security code.

2. In a mobile telephone handset operatively connected to a mobile telephone system, said mobile phone constructed to be rented by the user and having a keypad for entering information;

a memory for storing information and rental operation software; and

a control unit for operating the telephone in response to said software;

a method for limiting said period of rental use of the mobile telephone handset as described in claim 1 wherein the resetting of the time limit is performed via an aerial interface using a short message service of the mobile telephone system.

3. In a mobile telephone handset, an arrangement for limiting the rental use of said mobile telephone handset, said handset comprising:

a keypad for entering information, including a predetermined period of rental use;

a memory for storing information entered by said keypad and rental operation software;

said information including said period of rental use

a control unit for operating the telephone in response to said software;

wherein said control unit measures elapsed time of rental use, compares said elapsed time of use and said predetermined rental period and blocks operation of the hadnset when said elapsed time is equal to said predetermined rental period; and

further wherein a predetermined security code is stored in the memory for comparison in said control unit with a security code entered by the user by means of the keypad, said control unit allowing the resetting of the period of rental use when said entered security code matches said predetermined security code.

4. In a mobile telephone handset, an arrangement for limiting the use of said mobile telephone handset, as described in claim 3, wherein the time limit may be reset via an aerial interface using a short message service of a mobile telephone system.