Patent ID: 7689256

Claim:
A method of limiting communication capabilities in a mobile communication device comprising the acts of: detecting whether an operating variable of the mobile communication device is within one of a first range of values, a second range of values, and a third range of values; causing the mobile communication device to operate in a full communication state if the operating variable is detected to be within the first range of values; causing the mobile communication device to operate in a first limited communication state if the operating variable is detected to be within the second range of values; causing the mobile communication device to operate in a second limited communication state if the operating variable is detected to be within the third range of values; receiving a communication request for establishment of a voice call or for communication of a user data message; if the mobile communication device is in the full communication state: if the communication request is for establishment of a voice call, then permitting the voice call to be established via the wireless communication network; if the communication request is for communication of a user data message, then permitting the user data message to be communicated via the wireless communication network; if the mobile communication device is in the first limited communication state: if the communication request is for establishment of a voice call, then inhibiting the voice call from being established via the wireless communication network; if the communication request is for communication of a user data message, then permitting the user data message to be communicated via the wireless communication network; if the mobile communication device is in the second limited communication state: if the communication request is for establishment of a voice call, then inhibiting the voice call from being established via the wireless communication network; and if the communication request is for communication of a user data message, then inhibiting the data message from being communicated via the wireless communication network, wherein the operating variable is a temperature of the mobile communication device or a battery operating voltage of the mobile communication device.