Patent ID: 6944441
Filing Date: 2005-09-13
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a portable telephone having plural numbered dialing keys that each have a unique identity for dialing a telephone number, the method comprising the steps of: establishing the telephone in a call origination mode; operating one of the plural numbered dialing keys and determining the unique identity of the operated one of the plural numbered dialing keys; and as soon as the unique identity of the operated one of the plural keys is determined, changing from the call origination mode to an operating mode in which a call cannot be originated based on the determined unique identity of the operated one of the plural numbered dialing keys, wherein the step of changing from the call origination mode to an operating mode in which a call cannot be originated occurs when the determined identity of the operated one of the plural numbered dialing keys is one of a first set of the plural numbered dialing keys and wherein the step of changing from the call origination mode to an operating mode in which a call cannot be originated does not occur when the determined identity of the operated one of the plural numbered dialing keys is one of a second set of the plural numbered dialing keys that does not overlap the first set.