GB2452017A - Input Locking - Google Patents
Input Locking Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2452017A GB2452017A GB0712638A GB0712638A GB2452017A GB 2452017 A GB2452017 A GB 2452017A GB 0712638 A GB0712638 A GB 0712638A GB 0712638 A GB0712638 A GB 0712638A GB 2452017 A GB2452017 A GB 2452017A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- input device
- sensing
- response
- user input
- sensor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
- H04M1/667—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set
- H04M1/67—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set by electronic means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
- H04M1/667—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set
- H04M1/67—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set by electronic means
- H04M1/673—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set by electronic means the user being required to key in a code
-
- H04Q7/3263—
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- H04Q7/3294—
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
- H04W88/02—Terminal devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/12—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
Abstract
A device having one or more environmental sensors for sensing the environment in the neighbourhood of the device, a user input device for receiving input from a user and a processor arranged to process data received from the or each sensor and being capable of controlling the functionality of the user input device, the processor being arranged to lock or unlock the user input device in response to data received from the or each sensor.
Description
INPUT LOCKING
This invention relates to a device that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses that data to determine whether to lock one or more input means of the device.
Simple electronic devices are pre-programmed to have a particular pattern of behaviour. As the computing power of devices increases, and as devices are fitted with an increasing range of sensors, efforts have been made to have individual devices respond to a range of environmental stimuli and to learn from the manner in which their owner uses them. The aim of these efforts has been to make devices more responsive to their environment, and to allow them to adapt to the way in which their indMdual user behaves. Some examples of these devices are disclosed in US 5,844,983, US 6,122,366, "Cell Phone as Sensor" (David Pescovitz; htttp://www.coe.berkeley.ed u/ labnotes/0805/honicky.html), "Machine Perception and Learning of Complex Social Systems" (http://reality.media.mit.edu/) and "Presentation on Analysis of Built-in Mobile Phone Sensors for Supporting Interactions with the Real World" (Karin Leichtenstern, http:I/www. medien. ifi. lmu.de/permid2005/pdf/ Presentation_Karin Leichtenstern Perm id2005. pdf).
Devices have an increasing number of sensors that can be used to detect environmental data. The Nokia 6680 mobile phone and other models have an automatic brightness control, with a light sensor above the screen. The Nokia 7650 mobile phone has a proximity sensor above the screen, which when activated reduces the loudspeaker's volume so as to avoid the user having to manually switch the phone out of handsfree mode as he puts the phone to his ear.
In the case of devices that learn behaviour, statistical methods are typically used to analyse whether there is a relationship between certain events being detected by the phone and certain behaviour by the user, or whether certain events detected by the phone match pre-stored event patterns that have been found by the device's designers to suggest that a particular type of behaviour by the device would be desirable. For example, the device could observe that its user regularly turns it into a silent mode at around midnight, and the device could then decide to automatically adopt a silent mode at that time. Or the device could detect a particular spectrum of background noise that its designers have associated with a noisy environment such as a city street, and could automatically adopt a high-volume mode of operation when it detects such noise. Other more complex scenarios are possible.
Many portable devices have a lock facility to disable or partially disable their keypads so that, when the lock is applied, some or all inputs to the keypad will be ignored. For example, some personal music players have a switch that disables presses of buttons that would otherwise cause a player to alter the playback volume or switch to another music track. Some mobile phones are responsive to a certain sequence of keypresses to lock their keypad except for subsequent sequences of keypresses for making calls to emergency numbers and for releasing the lock. Other phones can be configured to lock their keypads after a set period of time has elapsed since the phone was last used. These features are intended to avoid unwanted actions being taken due to inadvertent presses of a device's keys. However, it is still possible that inadvertent actions could be taken because the user has forgotten to manually lock the keypad or because of a delay in the device applying the lock automatically. There is therefore a need for an improved mechanism for locking keypads and other input means.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device having one or more environmental sensors for sensing the environment in the neighbourhood of the device, a user input device for receiving input from a user and a processor arranged to process data received from the or each sensor and being capable of controlling the functionality of the user input device, the processor being arranged to lock or unlock the user input device in response to data received from the or each sensor.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for locking a user input device of a device having one or more environmental sensors for sensing the environment in the neighbourhood of the device, the method comprising automatically locking or unlocking the user input device in response to data received from the or each sensor.
When the user input device is locked it may be effective to influence the operation of the device only in response to one or more pre-set sequences of operation of the input device. When the user input device is locked it may be effective to cause unlocking of the input device in response to a pre-set sequence of operation of the input device. When the user device is locked it may be effective to cause the device to perform an emergency operation in response to a pre-set sequence of operation of the input device. The emergency operation may be the initiation of a communication link to an emergency destination.
The environmental sensor(s) may include an optical sensor capable of sensing ambient light. The processor may be arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the optical sensor sensing a relatively low level of ambient light. The environmental sensor(s) may include first and second optical sensors capable of sensing ambient light. Those sensors may be disposed on opposite sides of the device from each other. The processor may be arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to both optical sensors sensing a relatively low level of ambient light. It may be arranged so that if only a single one of the optical sensors senses a relatively low level of ambient light it does not favour locking.
The environmental sensor(s) may include a microphone capable of sensing ambient noise. The processor may be arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the microphone sensing ambient noise that matches a pre-set spectral pattern.
The environmental sensor(s) may include a motion sensor capable of sensing motion of the device. The processor may be arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the motion sensor sensing motion of a pre-set type.
The environmental sensor(s) may include a temperature sensor capable of sensing temperature in the neighbourhood of the device. The processor may be arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the temperature sensor sensing temperature in a pre-set range.
The device may comprise a memory storing instructions for execution by the processor to cause it to be arranged as aforesaid. The instructions may be part of an operating system of the device.
The device may be a mobile phone.
The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing: Figure 1 shows a mobile phone The mobile phone of figure 1 has environmental sensors that can sense inputs such as the intensity of ambient light and the spectrum of ambient sound. It is arranged to analyse inputs from at least some of those sensors. If a certain pattern of inputs is detected then it automatically disables the keypad. Most conveniently, the pattern of inputs that causes the keypad to be disabled is one that is representative of the mobile phone being in a pocket or a handbag, where a phone is especially prone to inadvertent keypresses.
The mobile phone of figure 1 comprises a central processing unit 1 which is connected to a mobile phone transceiver 2, a display 3, a keypad 4, a microphone 5, a loudspeaker 6, a non-volatile memory 7 and a random access memory (RAM) 8. The central processing unit could be implemented on a single integrated circuit or distributed between multiple integrated circuits or other devices. The transceiver allows the device to communicate with a mobile phone network. The non-volatile memory acts as a store for program instructions 9 which implement an operating system when executed by the processor 1, and for program instructions 10 which implement one or more applications. In operation the device runs under the control of the operating system. The operating system is the software component that loads automatically when the device is turned on. It controls the access of applications that run on the device to the hardware of the device, including their access to the memory 7, 8 of the device. The operating system is capable of preventing each application from accessing certain areas of the memory that might be reserved to the operating system or to other applications. In contrast, components of the operating system preferably have unrestricted access to any areas of the memory that are accessible by the processor.
In addition to the keypad 4 and the microphone 5, the processor 1 is connected to other sensors. The available sensors could vary depending on the device but they could, for example, include a camera 11, a motion sensor 12 and an ambient light sensor 13. The primary purpose of the ambient light sensor 13 could be to allow the device to control the brightness of the display 3, but its output could be used for other purposes. These sensors can be used to detect characteristics of the environment in the neighbourhood of the device so as to help identify whether the neighbourhood is one in which it might be advantageous to lock one or more input means of the device.
The operating system includes code that analyses information derived from the sensors to identify conditions that are indicative of a situation where the keypad should be disabled. Some examples of such conditions will now be given.
The intensity of ambient light could be detected by means of the ambient light sensor 13 and/or the camera 11. The camera has a CCD (charge coupled device) or other optical sensor. Although the primary function of that device is to capture detailed images, the device can also provide general information on the ambient light reaching the device. This can be achieved by activating only a part of the sensor, for example a subset of the available pixels, so as to save power.
When the ambient light sensor(s) sense darkness this can be taken as an indicator towards disabling the keypad.
Many devices have the display on the opposite face to the camera. The ambient light sensor is typically located adjacent to the display. When the device has this configuration, data from both the ambient light sensor and the camera can be used to distinguish between the device being in a dark place and being exposed on a flat surface such as a desk. In the former situation both the ambient light sensor and the camera will sense darkness. In the latter situation the sensor that is facing the surface will sense darkness but the other sensor will sense ambient illumination. When the device has this configuration the sensing of darkness by both of the ambient light sensor(s) can be taken as an indicator towards disabling the keypad.
A second condition that may be indicative of a situation where the keypad should be disabled can be detected by means of a microphone. When a device is in an enclosed location such as a pocket or handbag ambient noise will be muffled.
The spectrum of ambient noise will be expected to have a particular quality. This quality will depend on the nature of the location but it can be expected to have a relatively low component at higher frequencies. The spectrum of the noise detected by the microphone can therefore provide an indicator of the device being in a location where the keypad could be disabled. The spectrum of noise is compared with one or more pre-stored signatures that are indicative of enclosed locations, and similarity between the detected spectrum and any of the pie-stored spectra can be taken as an indicator towards disabling the keypad. The detected noise spectrum could be averaged over time and then compared with the pre-stored spectra.
Other noises may be taken to be characteristic of the device being in an enclosed location such as a pocket or handbag. One example is a jangling noise associated with rattling keys or coins, having a relatively high amplitude compared
to the background noise.
A third condition that may be indicative of a situation where the keypad should be disabled can be detected by means of a motion sensor. The motion sensor could, for example, be an accelerometer or an orientation sensor. When a phone is in a pocket or a handbag it is frequently either motionless (this happens if its user is not moving, or the handbag has been put down) or is moving with a regular periodicity of a frequency that matches a user's gait (this happens if the user is walking). The output of the motion sensor is analysed to compare it with either of those characteristics, and similarity between the detected motion and either of the pre-stored characteristics can be taken as an indicator towards disabling the keypad. The typical frequency of the user's gait could be learned by the device over time, or could be programmed into the device by the user, or could be taken to be a typical gait frequency, for example I to 2Hz.
A fourth condition that may be indicative of a situation where the keypad should be disabled can be detected by means of a temperature sensor. When a phone is in a pocket it may be at a temperature around 30°C, which is warmer than the typical ambient temperature that a phone experiences otherwise. The output of a temperature sensor can be analysed to compare it with a pre-set temperature such as 30°C or with a range of temperatures such as 30°C and over. Similarity between the detected temperature and a pre-stored temperature or range of temperatures can be taken as an indicator towards disabling the keypad.
Devices may in the future commonly be fitted with further sensors that could provide information indicative of an enclosed location such as a pocket or handbag. One example is an odour sensor. The output of the odour sensor could be compared with one or more pre-stored odour characteristics that are generally representative of the interior odours of pockets or handbags, or with an odour characteristic that has been learned by the device or that has been programmed into the device by its user. Similarity between a detected odour and any of those stored odours can be taken as an indicator towards disabling the keypad.
A component of the mobile phone analyses data from one or more of the sensors to determine whether to lock the keypad. That component could be a hardware component or could be software running on the processor 1. Such software could be part of the operating system or could be an application. Preferably it is part of the operating system, since it may then have lower-level access to data from the sensors. Instructions that embody such software could be stored on any suitable data carrier, for example integrated circuit volatile or non-volatile memory, a compact disc or a hard disc.
The analysis component could operate continuously or from time to time.
Preferably it operates periodically, for example every 20 seconds. It could be suspended when the device is known to be in use, for example during a phone call.
When it operates, the analysis component collects data from one or more of the sensors and executes an algorithm to assess that data to determine the extent to which it is indicative of conditions in which it is pre-programmed to lock the keypad. If data from more than one sensor is analysed then the data from the various sensors can be weighted using pre-stored weightings to give an overall measure of the degree to which locking is indicated. The data from a single sensor or the aggregated data from multiple sensors is then compared with a pre-stored threshold. If it exceeds the threshold then the analysis component automatically locks the keypad. To do so it signals the keypad interface 14 of the phone or the keypad driver of the operating system to apply the lock.
When it is in locked mode the interface or driver ignores some or all keypresses on the keypad. Preferably, when the keypad is in locked mode it is substantially inoperative to control the device. Some or all functions normally available by means of the keypad are preferably unavailable when it is in locked mode. Those unavailable functions may include functions for initiating communication with remote entities and/or functions that may cause costs to be incurred by the user of the device. Most preferably although the keypad is substantially disabled in locked mode, it nevertheless does not ignore a specific keypress or combination of keypresses that signifies that the lock is to be released. If it detects that keypress or combination then it exits locked mode and returns to its normal mode of operation in which it is responsive to all inputs from the keypad. In the case of a phone, preferably in locked mode it is also responsive to sequences of keypresses for dialling or otherwise initiating communication with one or more emergency destinations, e.g. by means of phone numbers such as 112, 999 or 911. It may also be operable in locked mode to allow an incoming call or other communication to be answered.
The phone could be configured so as to require that the stimulus that causes locking must be present continuously for a pre-set time before it enters the locked mode. This could avoid the phone entering locked mode at unwanted times, for example if it is picked up and the user's hand momentarily obscures the light sensor.
A full or partial lock could apply to input means other than a keypad. Examples include touchscreens, rotating wheels, voice input interfaces and pointing devices such as joysticks, trackpads and trackballs. Advantageously the input device is one that is sensitive to contact, such as a keypad, since such devices may experience pressure when in an environment such as a pocket or a handbag and locking of the device in such conditions can be helpful to avoid inadvertent input of that nature.
In an analogous way to that described above, the device could unlock one or more input means when conditions indicative of locking are no longer present. To inhibit rapid cycling between locked and unlocked states when the device is in a borderline environmental situation the thresholds for locking and unlocking could be different.
The principles described above are applicable to a wide range of devices.
Examples include personal computers, mobile phones/smartphones and PDAs (personal digital assistants). The device is preferably portable. The device is preferably of a size such that it can be placed in a pocket or handbag, for example having a volume of less than 200cc or 100cc. However, the principles described above are applicable to other articles too. For example, it may be useful for a wired telephone or the controls of a washing machine to be locked when it is in the dark so as to avoid inadvertent operation by agents such as pets.
The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.
Claims (27)
1. A device having one or more environmental sensors for sensing the environment in the neighbourhood of the device, a user input device for receiving input from a user and a processor arranged to process data received from the or each sensor and being capable of controlling the functionality of the user input device, the processor being arranged to lock or unlock the user input device in response to data received from the or each sensor.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the user input device is locked it is effective to influence the operation of the device only in response to one or more pre-set sequences of operation of the input device.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the user input device is locked it is effective to cause unlocking of the input device in response to a pre-set sequence of operation of the input device.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein when the user device is locked it is effective to cause the device to perform an emergency operation in response to a pre-set sequence of operation of the input device.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the emergency operation is the initiation of a communication link to an emergency destination.
6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include an optical sensor capable of sensing ambient light and the processor is arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the optical sensor sensing a relatively low level of ambient light.
7. A device as claimed in any of claims I to 5, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include first and second optical sensors capable of sensing ambient light, the first and second optical sensors being disposed on opposite sides of the device from each other, and the processor is arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to both optical sensors sensing a relatively low level of ambient light.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the processor is arranged so as not to favour locking the user input device in response to only a single one of the optical sensors sensing a relatively low level of ambient light.
9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include a microphone capable of sensing ambient noise and the processor is arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the microphone sensing ambient noise that matches a pre-set spectral pattern.
10. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include a motion sensor capable of sensing motion of the device and the processor is arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the motion sensor sensing motion of a pre-set type.
11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include a temperature sensor capable of sensing temperature in the neighbourhood of the device and the processor is arranged so as to favour locking the user input device in response to the temperature sensor sensing temperature in a pre-set range.
12. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a memory storing instructions for execution by the processor to cause it to be arranged as aforesaid.
13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the instructions are part of an operating system of the device.
14. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is a mobile phone.
15. A method for locking a user input device of a device having one or more environmental sensors for sensing the environment in the neighbourhood of the device, the method comprising automatically locking or unlocking the user input device in response to data received from the or each sensor.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein when the user input device is locked it is effective to influence the operation of the device only in response to one or more pre-set sequences of operation of the input device.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein when the user input device is locked it is effective to cause unlocking of the input device in response to a pre-set sequence of operation of the input device.
18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein when the user device is locked it is effective to cause the device to perform an emergency operation in response to a pre-set sequence of operation of the input device.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the emergency operation is the initiation of a communication link to an emergency destination.
20. A method as claimed in of claims 15 to 19, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include an optical sensor capable of sensing ambient light and the method comprises determining whether to lock the keypad by means of an algorithm that favours locking the user input device in response to the optical sensor sensing a relatively low level of ambient light.
21. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include first and second optical sensors capable of sensing ambient light, the first and second optical sensors being disposed on disposed on opposite sides of the device from each other, and the method comprises determining whether to lock the keypad by means of an algorithm that favours locking the user input device in response to both optical sensors sensing a relatively low level of ambient light.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the algorithm is such as not to favour locking the user input device in response to only a single one of the optical sensors sensing a relatively low level of ambient light.
23. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 22, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include a microphone capable of sensing ambient noise and the method comprises determining whether to lock the keypad by means of an algorithm that favours locking the user input device in response to the microphone sensing ambient noise that matches a pre-set spectral pattern.
24. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 23, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include a motion sensor capable of sensing motion of the device and method comprises determining whether to lock the keypad by means of an algorithm that favours locking the user input device in response to the motion sensor sensing motion of a pre-set type.
25. A method as claimed in any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the environmental sensor(s) include a temperature sensor capable of sensing temperature in the neighbourhood of the device and the method comprises determining whether to lock the keypad by means of an algorithm that favours locking the user input device in response to the temperature sensor sensing temperature in a pre-set range.
26. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the step of automatically locking or unlocking is performed in response to operation of an operating system of the device.
27. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is a mobile phone.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0712638A GB2452017A (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2007-06-28 | Input Locking |
| PCT/GB2008/002046 WO2009001031A1 (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2008-06-16 | Keyboard locking dependent on environmental signals |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0712638A GB2452017A (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2007-06-28 | Input Locking |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0712638D0 GB0712638D0 (en) | 2007-08-08 |
| GB2452017A true GB2452017A (en) | 2009-02-25 |
Family
ID=38420936
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0712638A Withdrawn GB2452017A (en) | 2007-06-28 | 2007-06-28 | Input Locking |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2452017A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2009001031A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101931705A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2010-12-29 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Method for locking input module of mobile terminal and mobile terminal |
| US20180211024A1 (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2018-07-26 | Apple Inc. | Locking and unlocking a mobile device using facial recognition |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101515952B (en) * | 2009-03-18 | 2011-04-27 | 南京邮电大学 | Multi-sensor mobile phone |
| EP2446609A1 (en) | 2009-06-26 | 2012-05-02 | Nokia Corp. | Method, apparatus and computer program code handling a user input |
| WO2011127844A2 (en) * | 2011-05-04 | 2011-10-20 | 华为终端有限公司 | Method for locking mobile telephone keyboard and mobile telephone |
| US8577343B2 (en) * | 2011-10-04 | 2013-11-05 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Inhibiting unintended outgoing communication in mobile devices |
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| WO2002025970A1 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2002-03-28 | Brown James W | System for selective prevention of non-emergency use of an electronic device |
| US6687497B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2004-02-03 | Sony Electronics Inc. | Method, system, and structure for disabling a communication device during the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions |
| GB2391430A (en) * | 2002-07-30 | 2004-02-04 | Nokia Corp | Theft prevention for portable device |
| WO2004073318A2 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2004-08-26 | Nortel Networks Limited | Method and system for reporting the availability of a position-determination capability |
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| GB2209906B (en) * | 1987-09-11 | 1992-01-02 | Crystalate Electronics | Telephone instrument |
| GB2256772A (en) * | 1991-05-28 | 1992-12-16 | So Hing Chung | Telephone with proximity switch |
| KR100193829B1 (en) * | 1996-06-26 | 1999-06-15 | 윤종용 | Key lock control device and method for mobile wireless telephone |
| US7076268B2 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2006-07-11 | International Business Machines Corporation | Preventing inadvertent striking of keys and like buttons in handheld palm-type devices when such devices are not in handheld usage |
| US20070042816A1 (en) * | 2005-08-15 | 2007-02-22 | Idt Communication Technology Limited | Handheld communication device with key-lock |
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2007
- 2007-06-28 GB GB0712638A patent/GB2452017A/en not_active Withdrawn
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- 2008-06-16 WO PCT/GB2008/002046 patent/WO2009001031A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6687497B1 (en) * | 2000-02-11 | 2004-02-03 | Sony Electronics Inc. | Method, system, and structure for disabling a communication device during the occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions |
| WO2002025970A1 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2002-03-28 | Brown James W | System for selective prevention of non-emergency use of an electronic device |
| GB2391430A (en) * | 2002-07-30 | 2004-02-04 | Nokia Corp | Theft prevention for portable device |
| WO2004073318A2 (en) * | 2003-02-14 | 2004-08-26 | Nortel Networks Limited | Method and system for reporting the availability of a position-determination capability |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101931705A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2010-12-29 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Method for locking input module of mobile terminal and mobile terminal |
| US20180211024A1 (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2018-07-26 | Apple Inc. | Locking and unlocking a mobile device using facial recognition |
| US10878069B2 (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2020-12-29 | Apple Inc. | Locking and unlocking a mobile device using facial recognition |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2009001031A1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
| GB0712638D0 (en) | 2007-08-08 |
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