Methods and apparatus for limiting communication capabilities in mobile communication devices
Methods for use in a mobile device configured to communicate in a wireless network is described. The mobile device detects whether a a temperature condition exists. When the temperature condition exists, the mobile device presents a visual indication which indicates that the mobile device is in an emergency communication state. The mobile device further operates to prohibit user-initiated communication requests for non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network, but allows a user-initiated communication request for an emergency telephone call via the wireless network. When the temperature condition fails to exist, the mobile device operates to allow user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network.
1. A method for use in a mobile device configured to communicate in a wireless network, the method comprising:
detecting whether a temperature condition exists at the mobile device;
when the temperature condition exists:
causing a visual indication to be presented, the visual indication indicating that the mobile device is in an emergency communication state;
operating to prohibit user-initiated communication requests for non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network; and
operating to allow a user-initiated communication request for an emergency telephone call via the wireless network.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the temperature condition fails to exist:
operating to allow user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the visual indication indicates “EMERGENCY ONLY”.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting that the temperature condition exists further comprises:
monitoring a temperature based on signals read from a temperature sensor; and
detecting that the temperature condition exists based on the monitored temperature.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting that the temperature condition exists further comprises:
monitoring a temperature from signals read from a temperature sensor; and
detecting that the temperature condition exists if the monitored temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensor is in a battery or battery pack of the mobile device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of detecting that the temperature condition exists comprises detecting a temperature condition at which a battery of the mobile device may become damaged or explode.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting whether the temperature condition exists comprises detecting whether a temperature condition of a power amplifier of the mobile device exists.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises a cellular telephone configured for communications in a cellular telephone network.
10. A mobile communication device configured to communicate in a wireless communication network, the mobile communication device comprising:
a user interface comprising a display;
a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured for wireless communications via the wireless communication network;
a processor which is coupled to the user interface and the RF transceiver;
the processor being configured to:
monitor a temperature based on signals from a temperature sensor;
detect whether a temperature condition exists based on the monitored temperature;
when the temperature condition exists:
cause a visual indication to be presented, the visual indication indicating that the mobile device is in an emergency communication state;
operate to prohibit user-initiated communication requests for non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network; and
operate to allow a user-initiated communication request for an emergency telephone call via the wireless network.
11. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to, when the temperature condition fails to exist:
operate to allow user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency telephone calls via the wireless network.
12. The mobile device of claim 11 , wherein the visual indication indicates “EMERGENCY ONLY”.
13. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by monitoring a temperature based on signals read from a temperature sensor and detecting that the temperature condition exists based on the monitored temperature.
14. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by monitoring a temperature from signals read from a temperature sensor and detecting that the temperature condition exists if the monitored temperature is greater than a predetermined threshold.
15. The mobile device of claim 13 , wherein the temperature sensor is in a battery or battery pack of the mobile device.
16. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by detecting a temperature condition at which a battery of the mobile device may become damaged or explode.
17. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect that the temperature condition exists by detecting whether a temperature condition of a power amplifier of the mobile device exists.
18. The mobile device of claim 10 , comprising a cellular telephone configured for communications in a cellular telephone network.