Abstract:
The present invention is to provide a cellular phone capable of detecting counterfeit currency or lighting comprising a counterfeit currency detection bulb, a lamp and a keypad, wherein the keypad includes a first dual key in association with the counterfeit currency detection bulb, a second dual key in association with the lamp and a plurality of third keys, such that in response to pressing the first dual key or the second dual key, the cellular phone activates the counterfeit currency detection bulb for detecting counterfeit currency or activates the lamp for lighting respectively.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to cellular phones, more particularly to a cellular phone capable of either detecting counterfeit currency or lighting and a method of detecting counterfeit currency or lighting by the cellular phone. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The world we are living in has entered into a new era with both information technology and electronics being progressed rapidly. Thus, various kinds of information and electronic products are commercially available due to the fast progress in computer science and technology. The fast development of such new products brings a lot of convenience. In response to various kinds of new information and electronic products being developed, especially cellular phones, users become more critical with respect to the features and/or quality thereof. Thus, whether cellular phone manufacturers can provide a more convenient, effective, and friendly service to users in their products will be an indicator to decide whether the cellular phone manufacturing technology of one electronic company is more advanced than other competitive ones. 
   Many people have the experience of receiving counterfeit money. Such is bothersome. Upgrades in the counterfeiter&#39;s methods and techniques have also made the problem of cellular phone currency even worse. It is typical for a sales person to use a large counterfeit money detection device or a counterfeit money detection pen to authenticate a received currency bill. It is also typical that a flashlight is needed to light a door in a dark environment prior to correctly inserting a key into the keyhole of the lock on the door. However, carrying a flashlight is not a convenient thing. In this regard, for meeting the needs of the large cellular phone market and therefore hopefully increasing the share of the market, major cellular phone manufacturers spend a lot of time and money to develop quality cellular phones and powerful and multifunctional cellular phones with ergonomic design. 
   Thus, it is desirable among major cellular phone manufacturers and consumers to provide a cellular phone capable of either detecting counterfeit currency or lighting in addition to its default communication capability in order to overcome the above drawbacks of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a cellular phone which, in addition to its default communication capability, is able to detect counterfeit currency by activating a counterfeit currency detection bulb thereof or light by activating a lamp thereof and method of the same. The trend of developing cellular phones is slimness, compactness, and lightweight in consideration of weight and size. Additional provision of a counterfeit currency detection bulb and a lamp on a cellular phone will inevitably, undesirably increase the size or surface area thereof. The present invention is thus devised to avoid the above disadvantage by modifying the existing keys. By utilizing the present invention, a pressing of one of two dual keys will represent a predetermined meaning (e.g., number, alphabet, or instruction) thereof in a default state. Alternatively, a pressing or continuous pressing of the same dual key will represent an activation of either the counterfeit currency detection bulb or the lamp in a restricted state. 
   The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a cellular phone according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the counterfeit currency detection bulb of a cellular phone having a hinged cover according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the lamp of the cellular phone having a hinged cover according to the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the counterfeit currency detection bulb of a cellular phone without a cover according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the lamp of the cellular phone without a cover according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cellular phone capable of detecting counterfeit currency or lighting and method of the same in accordance with the invention. The cellular phone comprises a counterfeit currency detection bulb  1 , a lamp  2 , a display  3 , and a keypad  4  on its top surface. The cellular phone further comprises a CPU (central processing unit)  5 , a MMI (main machine interface)  6 , a keypad driver  7 , a counterfeit currency detection driver  8 , and a lighting driver  9  all in its internal circuitry or as installed software. The keypad  4  comprises a first dual key  41  and a second dual key  42 . A pressing of one of the dual keys  41  and  42  will represent a predetermined meaning thereof for communication in a default state. Alternatively, a pressing or continuous pressing of the same dual key  41  or  42  will represent an activation of the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1  or the lamp  2  in a restricted state as detailed below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  again, the invention is applicable to a cellular phone having a hinged cover. In detail, the cellular phone comprises a phone body and a cover. One end of the phone body is hingedly coupled to one end of the cover. In one state, the cover can be pivoted to rest on the phone body for covering the keypad  4 . On one side of the phone body, there are provided a volume increase key (i.e., the first dual key  41 ) and a volume decrease key (i.e., the second dual key  42 ). The volume increase key or the volume decrease key can be pressed to adjust volume of the cellular phone having a hinged cover when the cover of the cellular phone having a hinged cover is open. Alternatively, the volume increase key acts as a switch for activating the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1  or the volume decrease key acts as a switch for activating the lamp  2  when the cover of the cellular phone is pivoted to rest on the phone body. Operations of the activation of the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1  or the lamp  2  will be described by referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  below. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , there is shown a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1  by the CPU  5  when the volume increase key is pressed according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   In step  101 , an interrupt signal is received. 
   In step  102 , run the keypad driver  7  to scan the key of the keypad  4  being pressed. 
   In step  103 , run the MMI  6  to determine the key and the meaning thereof. 
   In step  104 , it is determined whether the cover is rested on the phone body. If yes, the process goes to step  105 . Otherwise, the process jumps to step  106 . 
   In step  105 , run the counterfeit currency detection driver  8  to activate the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1 . The process ends. 
   In step  106 , increase volume of the cellular phone having a hinged cover. The process ends. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , there is shown a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the lamp  2  by the CPU  5  when the volume decrease key is pressed according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   In step  201 , an interrupt signal is received. 
   In step  202 , run the keypad driver  7  to scan the key of the keypad  4  being pressed. 
   In step  203 , run the MMI  6  to determine the key and the meaning thereof. 
   In step  204 , it is determined whether the cover is rested on the phone body. If yes, the process goes to step  205 . Otherwise, the process jumps to step  206 . 
   In step  205 , run the lighting driver  9  to activate the lamp  2 . The process ends. 
   In step  206 , decrease volume of the cellular phone having a hinged cover. The process ends. 
   The invention is applicable to either a cellular phone having a hinged cover as above or a cellular phone without a cover as detailed below. The cellular phone comprises a phone body without a hinged cover. On a top surface of the cellular phone there are provided the display  3  and the keypad  4  including a “#” key (i.e., the first dual key  41 ) and a “*” (i.e., the second dual key  42 ). One pressing of the “#” or the “*” key will deactivate the pressing state thereof. The pressed “#” or the “*” key will be shown on the display  3 . Operations of the activation of the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1  or the lamp  2  will be described by referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  below when the “#” or the “*” key is pressed continuously. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , there is shown a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1  by the CPU  5  when the “#” key is pressed according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   In step  301 , an interrupt signal is received. 
   In step  302 , run the keypad driver  7  to scan the key of the keypad  4  being pressed. 
   In step  303 , run the MMI  6  to determine the key and the meaning thereof. 
   In step  304 , it is determined whether the “#” key is pressed continuously. If yes, the process goes to step  305 . Otherwise, the process jumps to step  306 . 
   In step  305 , run the counterfeit currency detection driver  8  to activate the counterfeit currency detection bulb  1 . The process ends. 
   In step  306 , show “#” on the display  3 . The process ends. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , there is shown a flow chart illustrating a process of activating the lamp  2  by the CPU  5  when the “*” key is pressed according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   In step  401 , an interrupt signal is received. 
   In step  402 , run the keypad driver  7  to scan the key of the keypad  4  being pressed. 
   In step  403 , run the MMI  6  to determine the key and the meaning thereof. 
   In step  404 , it is determined whether the “*” key is pressed continuously. If yes, the process goes to step  405 . Otherwise, the process jumps to step  406 . 
   In step  405 , run the lighting driver  9  to activate the lamp  2 . The process ends. 
   In step  406 , show “*” on the display  3 . The process ends. 
   While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.