US5812954A — Mobile telephone power key lock function

Claim 1

Independent Claim 118 words

A method for operating a mobile phone of a type having a key pre-defined as a power-on key and a plurality of other keys, comprising the steps of: defining at least one of the keys to represent a secondary power-on key; during a time that the mobile phone is in an off-state, sensing that the power-on key has been activated; placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state; determining, within a predetermined period of time, if the at least one secondary power-on key has been activated; and if the step of determining indicates that the at least one secondary power-on key has not been activated within the predetermined period of time, restoring the mobile phone to the off-state.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 118 words

A method for operating a mobile phone of a type having a key pre-defined as a power-on key and a plurality of other keys, comprising the steps of: defining at least one of the keys to represent a secondary power-on key; during a time that the mobile phone is in an off-state, sensing that the power-on key has been activated; placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state; determining, within a predetermined period of time, if the at least one secondary power-on key has been activated; and if the step of determining indicates that the at least one secondary power-on key has not been activated within the predetermined period of time, restoring the mobile phone to the off-state.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of defining includes the step of: in response to the user depressing a key, storing an identity of the depressed key as the secondary power-on key.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 141 words

A mobile phone of a type having a key pre-defined as a power-on key and a plurality of other keys, said mobile phone comprising: a memory for storing an identity of at least one key that is specified for functioning as a secondary power-on key; and power control means having inputs coupled to the power-on key, to the plurality of other keys, and to the memory, said power control means comprising, means, responsive to the power-on key being activated during a time that the mobile phone is in an off state, for placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state; and means for determining, within a predetermined period of time when the mobile phone is in the partially on-state, if the at least one secondary power-on key has been activated and, if not, for restoring the mobile phone to the off-state.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 141 words

A mobile phone of a type having a key pre-defined as a power-on key and a plurality of other keys, said mobile phone comprising: a memory for storing an identity of at least one key that is specified for functioning as a secondary power-on key; and power control means having inputs coupled to the power-on key, to the plurality of other keys, and to the memory, said power control means comprising, means, responsive to the power-on key being activated during a time that the mobile phone is in an off state, for placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state; and means for determining, within a predetermined period of time when the mobile phone is in the partially on-state, if the at least one secondary power-on key has been activated and, if not, for restoring the mobile phone to the off-state.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 53 words

A mobile phone as set forth in claim 3, and further comprising: means for presenting a message to a user for prompting the user to depress a key; and in response to the user depressing a key, for storing within said memory an identity of the depressed key as the secondary power-on key.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 68 words

A mobile phone as set forth in claim 3, wherein said mobile phone is further comprised of a battery for providing operating power to said mobile phone, and wherein said means for placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state has an input coupled to said battery for placing the mobile phone in the partially on-state only when a voltage of said battery exceeds a predetermined minimum threshold.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

A mobile phone as set forth in claim 3, wherein said predetermined period of time is established by timer means reaching a predetermined value.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 62 words

A mobile phone as set forth in claim 6, wherein said determining means is comprised of a programmable control means, wherein said timer means is coupled to said power-on key and is enabled to operate by said power-on key being activated, and wherein said timer means is coupled to said programmable control means for being periodically reset by said programmable control means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 48 words

A mobile phone as set forth in claim 7, wherein said programmable control means is responsive to said at least one secondary power-on key being activated, when the mobile phone is in the partially on-state, for preventing an output of said timer means from equalling said predetermined value.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

A mobile phone as set forth in claim 3, wherein said at least one secondary power-on key is selected from a group consisting of said power-on key and said plurality of other keys.

Claim 12

Independent Claim 158 words

A method for operating a mobile phone of a type having a primary power-on key and a plurality of other keys, comprising the steps of: in response to an input from a user, defining one of the other keys to represent a secondary power-on key; during a time that the mobile phone is in an off-state, sensing that the primary power-on key has been activated and, in response, placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state only if it is determined that a power supply voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage; determining, within a predetermined period of time after placing the mobile phone in the partially on-state, if the secondary power-on key is activated; and if the secondary power-on key is not activated within the predetermined period of time, restoring the mobile phone to the off-state; else, if the secondary power-on key is activated within the predetermined period of time, placing the mobile phone in a fully on-state.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 158 words

A method for operating a mobile phone of a type having a primary power-on key and a plurality of other keys, comprising the steps of: in response to an input from a user, defining one of the other keys to represent a secondary power-on key; during a time that the mobile phone is in an off-state, sensing that the primary power-on key has been activated and, in response, placing the mobile phone in a partially on-state only if it is determined that a power supply voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage; determining, within a predetermined period of time after placing the mobile phone in the partially on-state, if the secondary power-on key is activated; and if the secondary power-on key is not activated within the predetermined period of time, restoring the mobile phone to the off-state; else, if the secondary power-on key is activated within the predetermined period of time, placing the mobile phone in a fully on-state.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-09-21	2002-03-23	2002-09-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-09-21	2006-03-23	2006-09-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-09-21	2010-03-23	2010-09-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Mobile telephone power key lock function

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