U.S. patent number RE42,459 [Application Number 11/416,478] was granted by the patent office on 2011-06-14 for mobile telephone terminal with improved utility.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Masaki Kinoshita.
United States Patent |
RE42,459 |
Kinoshita |
June 14, 2011 |
Mobile telephone terminal with improved utility
Abstract
A mobile communication terminal includes timer for detecting the
time of an incoming call, a caller number registration table for
storing caller numbers, answer message ID numbers and
time-dependent switching codes in relation to each other, the
time-dependent control codes designating callers for whom answer
messages are switched depending on a time zone in which the call is
made. There is thus provided a capability of selecting an answer
message for a caller based on the caller number included in the
incoming call signal and switching between answer messages based on
the time of call incoming detected by the timer.
Inventors: |
Kinoshita; Masaki (Tokyo,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Apple Inc. (Cupertino,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
17586420 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/416,478 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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11008752 |
Dec 10, 2004 |
Re. 41997 |
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Reissue of: |
09369335 |
Aug 6, 1999 |
6493548 |
Dec 10, 2002 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Sep 30, 1998 [JP] |
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10-277652 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/412.1;
455/420; 455/418; 379/142.05; 379/142.04; 455/414.1; 379/88.21;
455/413; 379/142.06; 455/415; 455/414.3; 455/411; 455/410;
379/88.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M
1/57 (20130101); H04M 1/642 (20130101); H04W
4/16 (20130101); H04M 1/663 (20130101); H04M
1/72451 (20210101); H04W 4/20 (20130101); H04W
8/18 (20130101); H04W 88/02 (20130101); H04W
4/12 (20130101); H04M 1/724 (20210101); H04W
88/06 (20130101); H04W 76/10 (20180201); H04W
8/26 (20130101); H04M 1/6505 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04L
12/58 (20060101); H04M 1/725 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;455/410-411,413,415-420,412.1-412.2,414.1-414.4
;379/88.01-88.09,88.21-88.28,142.01-142.11 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0399520 |
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Nov 1990 |
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0 494 525 |
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Dec 1991 |
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EP |
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0494525 |
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Jul 1992 |
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EP |
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0567135 |
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Oct 1993 |
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EP |
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0 783 219 |
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Jul 1997 |
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EP |
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0783219 |
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Jul 1997 |
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EP |
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0825751 |
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Feb 1998 |
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EP |
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2280084 |
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Jan 1995 |
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GB |
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2318702 |
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Apr 1998 |
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2318702 |
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Apr 1998 |
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GB |
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2318707 |
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Apr 1998 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Tran; Tuan A
Claims
What is claimed is:
.[.1. A mobile communication terminal, comprising: a time monitor
that detects the time that an incoming call signal is received from
an originating terminal, said incoming call signal including caller
ID information; a caller ID storage device that stores preselected
caller ID information and associates specific call answering
message information with each stored caller ID, wherein at least
one caller ID has associated therewith different call answering
messages based on the time that said incoming call signal is
received; a call answering message storage device for storing call
answering messages associated with specific call answering message
information stored in said caller ID storage device, and a preset
call answering message not associated with any call answering
message information in said caller ID storage device; and a call
answering message selector that receives an incoming call signal
caller ID and receives from said time monitor the time that the
incoming call signal is received, determines whether said incoming
call signal caller ID is stored in said caller ID storage device,
and if so whether different call answering message information is
stored for said incoming call signal caller ID based on the time
that said incoming call is received, retrieves a call answering
message from said call answering message storage device based on
the results of said determinations, and outputs said retrieved call
answering message when a user of said mobile communication terminal
has failed to answer said incoming call; whereby incoming calls for
the same user of said mobile communication terminal are capable of
receiving different call answering messages based on the received
caller ID, and the time that the incoming call from a particular
caller as identified by said caller ID is received..].
.[.2. A mobile communication terminal as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said preselected caller ID information includes a caller's
number and a caller's name corresponding to the caller's number,
and a time-dependent control code associated with a caller's number
for designating different call answering messages for answering
incoming calls depending upon the time that a particular call is
received from a caller having caller ID information stored in said
caller ID storage device..].
.[.3. A mobile communication terminal as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said preselected caller ID information includes a caller's
number and a caller's name corresponding to the caller's number,
and a forced alert control code associated with a caller's number
for triggering a forced alert option to alert a user of the mobile
communication terminal of the presence of an incoming call from a
caller having a forced alert control code associated with said
caller ID information stored in said caller ID storage
device..].
.[.4. A mobile communication terminal as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said preselected caller ID information includes a caller's
number and a caller's name corresponding to the caller's number,
and a locked dialing control code associated with a caller's number
for allowing a caller to set a locked dialing option in said mobile
communication terminal to prevent said mobile communication
terminal from being used to make outgoing calls, whereby a user who
has lost or misplaced the mobile communication terminal may call
the terminal from a predesignated calling terminal to prevent the
mobile communication terminal from being used by unauthorized
persons..].
.[.5. A mobile communication terminal as set forth in claim 1,
wherein said preselected caller ID information includes a caller's
number and a caller's name corresponding to the caller's number,
and a voice mail control code associated with a caller's number for
allowing a caller to set a voice mail option in said mobile
communication terminal from a predesignated calling terminal
whereby a voice mail function in said mobile communication terminal
may be set up remotely by an authorized user as identified from
said stored caller number..].
.Iadd.6. A mobile communication terminal, comprising: a storage
portion configured to store caller ID information of a calling
terminal and authentication information; a receiving portion
configured to receive a call incoming signal including caller ID
information of the calling terminal; and a setting portion
configured to set the mobile terminal to deactivate outgoing call
operations and permit reception of an incoming call when said
caller ID information of the calling terminal included in said call
incoming signal agrees with said caller ID information stored in
the storage portion, and when authentication is completed based on
said authentication information. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.7. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 6 or
10, wherein deactivating outgoing call operations includes locking
a dial function. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.8. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 7,
wherein locking a dial function includes locking a memory dial
display operation. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.9. The mobile communication terminal according to claim 6 or
10, wherein said setting portion is configured to set a voicemail
function when said caller ID information of the calling terminal
included in said call incoming signal agrees with said caller ID
information stored in the storage portion, and when authentication
is completed based on said authentication information.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. A mobile communication terminal, comprising: a storage
portion configured to store first authentication information and
second authentication information, said first authentication
information is caller ID information of a calling terminal; a
receiving portion configured to receive a call incoming signal
including caller ID information of the calling terminal; and a
setting portion configured to set the mobile terminal to deactivate
outgoing call operations and permit reception of an incoming call
when said caller ID information of the calling terminal included in
said call incoming signal agrees with said caller ID information
stored in the storage portion, and when authentication is completed
based on said second authentication information. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. A method of preventing unauthorized use of a
communication device, comprising: determining whether a first
condition has been met; then determining whether a second condition
has been met; and deactivating outgoing call operations and
permitting reception of an incoming call at the communication
device when said first and second conditions have been met, wherein
said first condition is agreement of a received caller ID number
with a stored caller ID number. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. A mobile communication device, comprising: a first
determining portion configured to determine whether a first
condition has been met, said first condition is agreement of a
received caller ID number with a stored caller ID number; a second
determining portion configured to determine whether a second
condition has been met; and a processor configured to deactivate
outgoing call operations and permit reception of an incoming call
at the communication device when said first and second conditions
have been met. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The mobile communication device according to claim 12,
wherein said second condition is lapse of a predetermined time.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The mobile communication device according to claim 12,
wherein said second condition is occurrence of a predetermined
times of phenomenon. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. The mobile communication device according to claim 14,
wherein said second condition is agreement of an input code with a
stored code. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. A mobile communication device, comprising: a first
registering portion configured to register a predetermined value of
a first variable; a second registering portion configured to
register a predetermined value of a second variable; and a
processor configured to deactivate outgoing call operations and
permit reception of an incoming call at said mobile communication
device when said first and second variables have been met with said
predetermined value or have exceeded said predetermined value,
wherein said first variable is a received caller ID number, and
said predetermined value is a stored caller ID number.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The mobile communication device according to claim 16,
wherein said second variable is a lapse of time, and said
predetermined value is a specific value. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The mobile communication device according to claim 16,
wherein said second variable is number of occurrences of a
phenomenon, and said predetermined value is a specific value.
.Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. The mobile communication device according to claim 16
further comprising: a code registering portion for registering a
code; a code input portion for inputting a code; and a code
authenticating portion for authenticating the input code with the
stored code. .Iaddend.
Description
.Iadd.More than one reissue application has been filed for the
reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,548. The reissue applications are
application Ser. Nos. 11/008,752 (Patent reissue application),
11/416,478 (present divisional reissue application), and 11/416,476
(second divisional reissue application). .Iaddend.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to portable telephone
terminals and, more particularly, to a portable telephone terminal
having an answering function for switching between answer messages
in accordance with a caller number and the time, and also to a
terminal operable by a remote telephone set using caller number
authentication.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-66145 discloses a
mobile communication terminal having an answering function for
switching between answer messages depending on a caller number. A
call signal incoming at a called terminal from a calling terminal
includes a caller number and control information for controlling
the called terminal. The called terminal controls an answering mode
and switches between answer messages based on the caller number and
the control information. Answer messages for individual expected
callers are registered in the called terminal and retrieved
according to the flowchart of FIG. 7. Each answer message has
associated therewith a message identification number.
Referring to FIG. 7, when it is determined in step ST1001 that
there is an incoming call, a determination is made in step ST1002
as to whether the automatic answering mode is activated. When the
answering mode is activated, a determination is made in step ST1003
as to whether a calling number is identified. If the calling number
is identified, a determination is then made in step ST1005 as to
whether the calling number is registered in a directory. If the
calling number is registered, a determination is made in step
ST1006 as to whether the forced answering mode is on. If it is
determined that the forced answering mode is turned on, a
determination is made in step ST1007 as to whether a predetermined
answer message is to be used to automatically respond to the
particular caller. If an affirmative answer is yielded in step
ST1007, the answer message for that caller is used for response in
step ST1008. If a negative answer is yielded in steps ST1003,
ST1005, ST1006 and ST1007, a default answer message is used for
response to that caller in step ST1004.
If it is determined in step ST1002 that the answering mode is not
activated, similar steps (ST1011, ST1012 and ST1009) are executed.
When it is determined in step ST1009 that the forced answering mode
is not turned on, a normal voice call proceeds in step ST1010.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-126495 and Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-182158disclose a portable
telephone set provided with a capability whereby the portable
telephone set, if lost, can be remotely operated by another
telephone set so that a dialing operation using the lost portable
telephone set is prohibited. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application
No. 10-126495 also discloses a portable telephone set configurable,
if lost, for a fixed call destination by feeding a remote operation
signal to the lost portable telephone set. Operations related to
the memory are prohibited so that the leak of personal information
and the illegal use of the portable telephone set are prevented.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 9-182158 discloses a
system wherein a lock preventing an illegal use of a lost portable
telephone set is registered in a base station using another
telephone set so that call origination by an illegal user is
prevented.
A rapidly increasing number of portable telephone sets is being
used because of the convenience it provides in enabling
communication not bounded by time and place constraints. When a
user is not able to answer a call, the answering function is
utilized. The related-art mobile communication terminal disclosed
in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 10-66145 is provided
with an answering function for switching between answer messages
depending on the caller number. However, related-art mobile
communication terminals are not capable of switching between answer
messages for a particular caller in accordance with the time that a
call is received.
A user of a portable telephone set may want to answer a call from a
particular caller but does not want to answer a call from the
others. The answering function that meets such a requirement should
be provided with a forced alert function for alerting a user of a
call from a registered caller even when the answering mode is
activated.
Another problem with the portable telephone system according to the
related art is that an input of a password is required when a user
calls a lost portable telephone set and remotely sets up a locked
dialing option in the lost telephone set. When the user has
forgotten the password, the locked dialing option cannot be set up
when necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a
portable telephone set in which the aforementioned problems are
eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to
provide a mobile communication terminal such as a portable
telephone set provided with an answering function that enables
switching between answer messages in accordance with the time of
calling.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a
portable telephone set in which a remote operation not requiring an
input of a password is enabled by specifying terminal numbers
(caller numbers) authorized to perform a remote operation for a
locked dialing option or a voice mail option.
The aforementioned objects can be achieved by a mobile
communication terminal comprising: timer means for detecting the
time when a call incoming signal including a caller number is
received from an originating terminal; caller number storage means
for storing control codes in relation to expected caller numbers,
the control codes being used to switch between different modes of
operation of the mobile communication terminal; answer message
storage means for storing messages to be returned to a caller; and
answer message selecting means referring to said caller number
storage means so as to determine whether the caller number included
in the incoming call signal is registered in said caller number
storage means, reading from said caller number storage means the
control code associated with the caller number, and selecting an
answer message stored in said answer message storage means based on
the caller number, the control code and the time of call detected
by said timer means.
The caller number storage means may store caller numbers, caller
names corresponding to the caller numbers and time-dependent
switching codes in relation to each other, the time-dependent
control codes designating callers for whom answer messages are
switched depending on a time zone in which the call is made.
The caller number storage means may store caller numbers, caller
names corresponding to the caller numbers and forced alert codes in
relation to each other, the forced alert code designating callers
triggering a forced alert option for alerting a user of the mobile
communication terminal of an incoming call even when an answering
mode is activated.
The caller number storage means may store caller numbers, caller
names corresponding to the caller numbers and locked dialing codes
in relation to each other, the locked dialing codes designating
callers authorized to set up a locked dialing option in the mobile
communication terminal from a calling terminal.
The caller number storage means may store caller numbers, caller
names corresponding to the caller numbers and voice mail codes in
relation to each other, the voice mail codes designating callers
authorized to set up a voice mail option in the mobile
communication terminal from a calling terminal.
According to the invention, mobile communication terminal is
provided with an answering function capable of selecting an answer
message in accordance with the caller number included in an
incoming call signal and switching between answer messages
depending on the time of call. Since it is possible to prepare a
variety of answer messages suitable for individual expected
callers, the answering function is enhanced.
The mobile communication terminal according to the invention is
provided with the capability of alerting the user if a call is
received from a designated caller even when the answering mode is
activated, by recognizing the caller prior to an off-hook operation
based on the caller number included in the incoming call signal.
Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between callers requiring
an answer and callers not requiring an answer.
In further accordance with the invention, when the caller number
matches the registered number assigned a remote operation code, the
caller is authorized to perform a remote operation such as setting
up of a locked dialing option or a voice mail option. With this, it
is possible to perform a remote operation without a password by
calling from a registered terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and further features of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a mobile
communication terminal according to a first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a call setting message;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for the control of the answering
function;
FIG. 4 shows a caller number registration table;
FIG. 5 is flowchart showing how a remote operation in a mobile
communication terminal is controlled according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing how a remote operation in a mobile
communication terminal is controlled according to a third
embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing how an answering function of a mobile
communication terminal is controlled according to the related
art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a mobile
communication terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is
a diagram showing a call setting message. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for
the control of the answering function. FIG. 4 shows a caller number
registration table.
The mobile communication terminal according to the first embodiment
comprises an antenna for transmitting and receiving a modulated
radio wave, a frequency converter (RF/IF unit) 2 for converting the
frequency of the modulated radio wave, a modulating/demodulating
unit 3 for modulating a carrier wave in accordance with a base band
signal and for demodulating the modulated radio wave received via
the antenna 1 to retrieve the base band signal. There are further
provided a digital signal processing circuit 4 for subjecting the
base band signal to TDMA signal processing, a speech signal
processing circuit 5 for processing the base band signal, a
controller 6, a time monitor unit 7 that includes a timer circuit,
a memory 8, a keyboard 9, a speaker 10, a microphone 11 and a
remote operation controller 12.
The memory 8 provides means for storing caller numbers and
constitutes an answer message selecting means. In the memory 8,
caller numbers, caller names, control codes (time-dependent
switching codes, forced alert codes, message numbers selected in
time zone 1 and in time zone 2) are stored. The controller 9
provides means for referring to the memory 8 and recognizing the
calling terminal by referring to the caller number, means for
referring to the caller number and recognizing the caller. The
controller 9 also constitutes the answer message selecting
means.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a call setting message constituting a
signal received by an antenna of a called mobile communication
terminal from a calling mobile communication terminal. Call
origination occurs by the call setting message shown in FIG. 2
being sent from a base station to a call destination mobile
communication terminal. The call setting message includes a
protocol identifier, a called number, a calling number and an
origination subaddress indicating the subaddress of a call
originator.
The answering function of the mobile communication terminal
according to the first embodiment includes an answer message
selecting capability whereby an answer message is selected in
accordance with the caller and also includes a forced alert
capability for alerting a terminal user of call incoming from a
designated caller. The answer message selecting capability is
controlled according to the time. A description will now be given
of the operation according to the first embodiment with reference
to FIG. 3.
A portable telephone terminal (hereinafter, simply referred to as a
terminal) is in a wait state in step ST301. A call is received in
step ST302. After a predetermined period of time elapses (ST303),
the terminal responds to call incoming (ST304). The terminal refers
to the caller number registration table shown in FIG. 4 (ST305). If
it is determined that the caller ID retrieved from the call setting
message is registered in the caller number registration table
(ST306), a determination is made as to whether the forced alert is
set (ST307). If the forced alert is set, a call can proceed
(ST308). When the call is terminated (ST309), the mobile
communication terminal is returned to a wait state (ST310).
If it is determined that the caller ID retrieved from the call
setting message is not registered in the caller number registration
table (ST306), a preset message is sent to the network (ST317).
When the preset message has been sent, the caller is allowed to
leave a message (ST314). Control is then turned to step ST309.
If the originating ID is registered in the caller number
registration table but the forced alert is not set, a message to be
sent to the caller is selected in steps subsequent to ST311
depending on the time of call and the identity of the caller. In
step ST311, the caller number registration table is examined so as
to determine if time-dependent switching is set up for the caller.
If it is determined that time-dependent switching is set up for the
caller, the time of call is detected by a timer circuit included in
the time monitor unit shown in FIG. 1 (ST312). If the time of call
from the caller is included in a first time zone, an answer message
designated for the caller and the first time zone is selected
(ST313). Subsequently, the caller can record a message (ST314).
If it is not determined that the time of call from the caller is
not included in the first time zone, an answer message designated
for the caller and a second time zone is selected (ST315).
Subsequently, a message from the caller is recorded (ST314). If the
call is from a caller for which time-dependent switching is not set
up, a predetermined message designated for the caller is selected
and sent to the network (ST316). Subsequently, a message from the
caller is recorded (ST314). Control is then turned to step
ST309.
As has been described, the mobile communication terminal according
to the first embodiment is provided with the capability of
selecting an answer message depending on the caller and the forced
alert capability for alerting the user of the terminal when there
is a call from a designated caller. Further, the answer message
selecting capability is controlled in accordance with the time.
Accordingly, the user of the terminal can properly set up the
terminal for expected callers.
Embodiment 2
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing how a remote operation function of a
mobile communication terminal is controlled according to the second
embodiment. It is assumed that a portable telephone set
(hereinafter, simply referred to as a terminal) is in a wait state
(ST501). When a call arrives at the terminal (ST502), a
determination is made as to whether the caller ID retrieved from
the call setting message is registered in the caller number
registration table and whether the caller is authorized to perform
a remote operation (ST503). If it is determined that the caller is
registered and authorized to perform a remote operation, after a
predetermined period of time elapses (ST504), the terminal responds
to the call (ST505).
When the caller inputs a number for setting up the locked dialing
option (ST506), the terminal verifies the input number (ST507). If
the input number is verified, the locked dialing option is set up
(ST508). When the locked dialing option has been set up, the call
is terminated (ST509), whereupon the terminal is placed in a wait
state. When the number input for the locked dialing option is not
verified, the number of times that the verification fails is
counted (ST511). When the number of times exceeds a predetermined
count, control is returned to step ST506.
As has been described, the mobile communication terminal according
to the second embodiment does not require an input of a password.
Therefore, the user can set up a locked dialing option whenever
necessary. By configuring the telephone set at home as the only
authorized terminal, it is possible to prevent strangers from
setting up the locked dialing option.
Embodiment 3
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for controlling the voice mail function of a
mobile communication terminal according to third embodiment. It is
assumed that a portable telephone set (hereinafter, simply referred
to as a terminal) is in a wait state in step ST601. When a call
arrives at the terminal (ST602), a determination is made as to
whether the caller ID retrieved from the call setting message is
registered in the caller number registration table and whether the
caller is authorized to perform a remote operation (ST603). If it
is determined that the caller is registered and authorized to
perform a remote operation, after a predetermined period of time
elapses (ST604), the terminal responds to the call (ST605).
When the caller inputs a number for setting up a voice mail option
(ST606), the input number is verified (ST607). If the input number
is verified, the voice mail option is set up (ST608). When the
voice mail option has been set up, the call is terminated (ST609)
so that the terminal is placed in a wait state (ST610). If the
input number is not verified, the number of times that the
verification fails is counted (ST611). If the number of times
exceeds a predetermined count (ST612), control is turned to step
ST606.
As has been described, the mobile communication terminal according
to the third embodiment does not require an input of a password to
set up a voice mail option remotely. Thus, even when the user has
forgot the password, the user can still set up a voice mail
option.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments and variations and modifications may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *