Methods and apparatus for limiting communication capabilities in mobile communication devices
Techniques for use in a mobile device involve detecting a temperature condition at said device and, in response, operating in a limited communication state for which only emergency communication is permitted. When the mobile device receives a user-initiated communication request, the mobile device inhibits non-emergency communication but permits emergency communication despite the existence of said temperature condition.
1. A method for use in a mobile device, the method comprising:
detecting a temperature condition at said device;
in response, operating in a limited communication state for which only emergency communication is permitted; and
operating in a full communication state if said temperature condition fails to exist;
wherein operating in said full communication state comprises allowing user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency communications from said mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein an indication of said limited communication state is provided on a visual display.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a user-initiated communication request for an emergency communication; and
permitting said emergency communication despite the existence of said temperature condition.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said emergency communication comprises an emergency telephone call.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said emergency communication comprises an emergency data message.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said emergency communication comprises at least one of a communication with a public safety access point and a communication initiated by entry of an emergency telephone number.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting that said temperature condition exists further comprises:
monitoring a temperature based on signals read from a temperature sensor; and
detecting that said temperature condition exists based on said monitored temperature.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting that said temperature condition exists further comprises:
monitoring a temperature from signals read from a temperature sensor; and
detecting that said temperature condition exists if said monitored temperature is greater than a threshold.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting whether said temperature condition exists comprises detecting whether a temperature condition exists in a battery of said mobile device.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting whether said temperature condition exists comprises detecting whether a temperature condition exists at a power amplifier of said mobile device.
11. A mobile device configured to provide communications in a wireless communication network, said mobile device comprising:
a temperature sensor;
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured for wireless communications via said wireless communication network;
a processor coupled to said temperature sensor and said RF transceiver, said processor being configured to:
detect a temperature condition at said device based on signals read from said temperature sensor;
in response, operate in a limited communication state for which only emergency communication is permitted; and
operate in a full communication state if said temperature condition fails to exist;
wherein operating in said full communication state comprises allowing user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency communications from said mobile device.
12. The mobile device of claim 11 , further comprising a visual display;
wherein said processor is further configured to provide an indication of said limited communication state on said visual display.
13. The mobile device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a battery interface configured to receive a battery that provides electrical power to said RF transceiver and said processor,
wherein detecting whether said temperature condition exists comprises detecting whether a temperature condition exists at said battery.
14. The mobile device of claim 13 , further comprising:
said battery,
wherein said temperature sensor is in said battery.
15. The mobile device of claim 11 , wherein said temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.
16. The mobile device of claim 11 , wherein said mobile device comprises a cellular telephone.
17. The mobile device of claim 11 , further comprising a user interface, said user interface configured to receive a user-initiated communication request.
18. The mobile device of claim 17 , wherein said user interface comprises one of a keypad, a keyboard, and a touch screen display.
19. The mobile device of claim 11 , wherein said emergency communication comprises at least one of an emergency telephone call and an emergency data message.
20. A method for use in a mobile device having a visual display, the method comprising:
detecting whether a temperature condition exists at said mobile device; and
when said temperature condition exists, providing a visual indication indicating that said mobile device is in a limited communication state;
wherein said limited communication state comprises a state in which a user-initiated communication request for a non-emergency communication is not permitted and a user-initiated communication request for an emergency communication is permitted.
21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
in response to detecting that said temperature condition exists, operating said mobile device in said limited communication state.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein said visual indication comprises an “EMERGENCY ONLY” indication.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein said non-emergency communication comprises a non-emergency telephone call and said emergency communication comprises an emergency telephone call.
24. The method of claim 20 , further comprising:
when said temperature condition fails to exist, operating in a full communication state;
wherein said full communication state comprises a state in which user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls are permitted.
25. A method for use in a mobile device, the method comprising:
detecting a temperature condition at said device; and
in response, operating in a limited communication state for which only emergency communication with a public safety answering point is permitted.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein said emergency communication comprises at least one of an emergency telephone call and an emergency data message.
27. The method of claim 25 , wherein said device comprises a mobile telephone device operative for communications in a wireless communication network.
28. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
operating in a full communication state if said temperature condition fails to exist;
wherein operating in said full communication state comprises allowing user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency communications from said mobile device.