Abstract:
A method for controlling a mobile telephone in which user information and an automatic call number are previously registered in the mobile telephone. Upon receiving a user information check request and an automatic call request in a locked mode, the mobile telephone outputs the registered user information and connects a call to the registered automatic call number.

Description:
PRIORITY  
         [0001]    This application claims priority to an application entitled “Method for Checking User information of a Mobile Telephone in Locked State and Automatically Calling the User” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Sep. 19, 2001 and assigned Serial No. 2001-57917, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a method for controlling a mobile telephone, and in particular, to a method for checking user information of a mobile telephone that is in a locked state and automatically calling a user of the mobile telephone.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    With the progress of modem society, an increasing number of individuals use mobile telephones. Consequently, illegal use of mobile telephones by unauthorized persons has also increased. In order to prevent the illegal use of a mobile telephone by another person, a user sets a locking function by registering a password in his or her mobile telephone.  
           [0006]    However, when the user loses his or her mobile telephone with its locking function set, another person, though he or she found the missing mobile telephone, cannot hand back the found mobile telephone to the user because the finder cannot check the user&#39;s information in the found mobile telephone.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for checking user information in a mobile telephone in a locked state.  
           [0008]    It is further another object of the present invention to provide a method for automatically calling a user of a missing mobile telephone in a locked state.  
           [0009]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for checking user information of a mobile telephone in a locked state. The method comprises registering user information input by a user, switching an operation mode of the mobile telephone to a locked mode, if a preset automatic locking time period has elapsed after registering the user information, and outputting the user information upon detecting a user infonnation check request in the locked mode.  
           [0010]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for automatically calling a user of a mobile telephone in a locked state. The method comprises registering an automatic call number input by a user, switching an operation mode of the mobile telephone to a locked mode if a preset automatic locking time period has elapsed after registering the automatic call number, and connecting a call to the registered automatic call number upon detecting an automatic call request in the locked mode. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of a mobile telephone to which an embodiment of the present invention is applicable;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for registering user information according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for checking user information in a locked state according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for registering an automatic call number according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for automatically calling a user of a mobile telephone in a locked stated according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal structure of a mobile telephone to which an embodiment of the present invention is applicable. Referring to FIG. 1, a controller  111  controls the overall operation of the mobile telephone. A memory  113  stores a control program of the mobile telephone and control data generated while the controller  111  controls the mobile telephone. Particularly, in the embodiment of the present invention, the memory  113  stores user information in the mobile telephone while it is in a locked state. For example, the user information includes a name of the telephone user and a unique telephone number of the mobile telephone.  
         [0019]    A key input unit  115  includes a plurality of dialing digit keys, a Menu key and a Send key. The key input unit  115  generates a key signal corresponding to a key selected (or pressed) by the user and provides the generated key signal to the controller  111 . In particular, the key input unit  115  includes a User Information Check key and an Automatic Call key. The User Information Check key is used to check user information of the mobile telephone when the mobile telephone is in a locked state, and the Automatic Call key is used to call the user of the mobile telephone in the locked state. Here, the User Information Check key and the Automatic Call key can be realized by combining a plurality of keys included in the key input unit  115 , or specific keys can be separately prepared for the User Information Check key and the Automatic Call key.  
         [0020]    A voice memory  117  stores a plurality of voice messages, and a voice processor  119 , under the control of the controller  111 , converts a voice message read from the voice memory  117  into an analog voice signal and outputs the voice signal through a SPK (speaker). Further, the voice processor  119  converts an analog voice signal received from the user through a MIC (microphone) into a digital voice signal.  
         [0021]    A transmitter  121  modulates a signal generated by the controller  111  into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal and provides the RF signal to a duplexer  123 . The duplexer  123  transmits the RF signal provided from the transmitter  121  through an ANT (antenna). Further, the duplexer  123  provides an RF signal received through the ANT to a receiver  125 . The receiver  125  demodulates the RF signal provided from the duplexer  123 , and provides the demodulated signal to the controller  111 . The controller  111  controls a call according to the demodulated signal provided from the receiver  125 . A display unit  127 , realized by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an LED (Light Emitting Diode), displays input data and control data of the mobile telephone under the control of the controller  111 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for registering user information according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the controller  111  determines in step  211  whether a User Information Input Mode key is input from the key input unit  115  in an idle mode. As a result of the determination, if the User Information Input Mode key is not input from the key input unit  115 , the controller  111  ends the procedure. However, if the User Information Input Mode key is input from the key input unit  115  in step  211 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  213 . In step  213 , the controller  111  switches an operation mode of the mobile telephone from the idle mode to a user information input mode, and then proceeds to step  215 . In step  215 , the controller  111  determines whether user information of the mobile telephone, for example, a user name and a unique telephone number of the mobile telephone, is input from the key input unit  115 . Of course, the user information is input by the user using the keys included in the key input unit  115 .  
         [0023]    If the user information is not input in step  215 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  217 . In step  217 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset time period, e.g., 5 seconds, has elapsed. As a result of the determination, if the preset time period has not yet elapsed, the controller  111  returns to step  215 . Otherwise, if the preset time period has elapsed, the controller  111  proceeds to step  227  and ends the user information input mode. However, if the user information is input in step  215 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  219 . In step  219 , the controller  111  buffers the input user information, and then proceeds to step  221 . In step  221 , the controller  111  determines whether a Save key is input from the key input unit  115 . If the Save key is not input, the controller  111  proceeds to step  223 . In step  223 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset time period, e.g., 5 seconds, has elapsed. If the preset time period-has not yet elapsed, the controller  111  returns to step  221 . If the preset time period has elapsed in step  223 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  227 .  
         [0024]    However, if the Save key is input in step  221 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  225 . In step  225 , the controller  111  registers the buffered user information in the memory  113  as user information of the mobile telephone, and then proceeds to step  227 . In step  227 , the controller  111  ends the user information input mode and switches to the idle mode, and then ends the procedure.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for checking user information in a locked state according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the controller  111  performs an idle mode in step  311 , and then proceeds to step  313 . In step  313 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset automatic locking time period has elapsed. Here, though not illustrated, the process of determining the automatic locking time period indicates a process in which the mobile telephone is automatically switched to a locked state after a lapse of a preset time period, e.g., 30 minutes. As a result of the determination in step  313 , if the automatic locking time period has not elapsed yet, the controller  111  returns to step  311 .  
         [0026]    However, if the automatic locking time period has elapsed in step  313 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  315 . In step  315 , the controller  111  switches an operation mode of the mobile telephone from the idle mode to a locked mode, and then proceeds to step  317 . In step  317 , the controller  111  determines whether a User Information Check key is input from the key input unit  115 . Here, the User Information Check key is a key input to check user information of the mobile telephone. When the mobile telephone is in the locked mode, if the User Information Check key is input, it is possible to check user information of the mobile telephone even in the locked state.  
         [0027]    As a result of the determination in step  317 , if the User Information Check key is not input, the controller  111  ends the procedure while maintaining the locked mode. However, if the User Information Check key is input in step  317 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  319 . In step  319 , the controller  111  displays the user information registered in the memory  113  on the display unit  127 , and then ends the procedure.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for registering an automatic call number according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the controller  111  determines in step  411  whether an Automatic Call Function Setting Mode key is input from the key input unit  115  in the idle mode. As a result of the determination, if the Automatic Call Function Setting Mode key is not input, the controller  111  ends the procedure. However, as a result of the determination in step  411 , if the Automatic Call Function Setting Mode key is input from the key input unit  115 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  413 . In step  413 , the controller  111  switches an operation mode of the mobile telephone from the idle mode to the automatic call function setting mode, and then proceeds to step  415 .  
         [0029]    In step  415 , the controller  111  determines whether an automatic call number is input from the key input unit  115 . If an automatic call number is not input from the key input unit  115 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  417 . In step  417 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset time period, e.g., 5 seconds has elapsed. If the preset time period has not elapsed yet, the controller  111  returns to step  415 . Otherwise, if the preset time period has elapsed, the controller  111  proceeds to step  433  and ends the automatic call function setting mode.  
         [0030]    However, if an automatic call number is input from the key input unit  115  in step  415 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  419 . In step  419 , the controller  111  buffers the input automatic call number, and then proceeds to step  421 . In step  421 , the controller  111  determines whether a Save key is input from the key input unit  115 . If the Save key is not input, the controller  111  proceeds to step  423 . In step  423 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset time period, i.e.,  5  seconds has elapsed. If the preset time period has not elapsed yet, the controller  111  returns to step  421 . However, if the preset time period has elapsed, the controller  111  proceeds to step  433 .  
         [0031]    However, if the Save key is input from the key input unit  115  in step  421 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  425 . In step  425 , the controller  111  reads an automatic call key input request message previously stored in the memory  113  and displays the read automatic call key input request message on the display unit  127  to request the user to input the Automatic Call key, and then proceeds to step  427 . Here, the “Automatic Call key” means an automatic call number of the mobile telephone, and is a kind of a command key for dialing the automatic call number in order to actually connect a call.  
         [0032]    In step  427 , the controller  111  determines whether an Automatic Call key to be mapped with the automatic call number is input from the key input unit  115 . If the Automatic Call key is not input from the key input unit  115 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  429 . In step  429 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset time period, e.g., 5 seconds has elapsed. If the preset time has not elapsed yet, the controller  111  returns to step  427 . If the preset time period has elapsed, the controller  111  proceeds to step  433 .  
         [0033]    However, if the Automatic Call key is input from the key input unit  115  in step  427 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  431 . In step  431 , the controller  111  maps the input Automatic Call key to the buffered automatic call number, registers the mapped automatic call number in the memory  113 , and then proceeds to step  433 . In step  433 , the controller  111  ends the automatic call function setting mode, switches an operation mode of the mobile telephone to the idle mode, and then ends the procedure.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a procedure for automatically calling a user of a mobile telephone in a locked stated according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the controller  111  performs an idle mode in step  511 , and then proceeds to step  513 . In step  513 , the controller  111  determines whether a preset automatic locking time period has elapsed. Here, though not illustrated, the process of determining the automatic locking time period indicates a process in which the mobile telephone is automatically switched to a locked state after a lapse of a preset time period, e.g., 30 minutes. As a result of the determination in step  513 , if the automatic locking time period has not elapsed yet, the controller  111  returns to step  511 .  
         [0035]    However, if the automatic locking time period has elapsed in step  513 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  515 . In step  515 , the controller  111  switches an operation mode of the mobile telephone from the idle mode to a locked mode, and then proceeds to step  517 . In step  517 , the controller  111  determines whether an Automatic Call key is input from the key input unit  115 . If the Automatic Call key is not input from the key input unit  115 , the controller  111  ends the procedure. However, if the Automatic Call key is input from the key input unit  115 , the controller  111  proceeds to step  519 . In step  519 , the controller  111  dials the automatic call number registered in the memory  113  to connect a call, enabling the finder of the mobile phone to alert the user of the mobile phone that the mobile phone has been found.  
         [0036]    As described above, the present invention previously registers user information and an automatic call number in a mobile telephone, so even an unauthorized person can check the user information by inputting a User Information Check key of the mobile telephone that is in a locked state. In addition, the unauthorized person can automatically dial the automatic call number by inputting an Automatic Call key. Therefore, even though the user loses the mobile telephone with the locking function set, the finder of the missing mobile telephone can contact the user (owner) of the mobile telephone by checking the user information of the mobile telephone and performing the automatic call function, thus offering convenience to the user.  
         [0037]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.