Granted Patent B2

US 8,457,620 · App. 13/554,222 · Granted Jun 4, 2013

Abstract

Claims (60)

1. A method for use in a mobile device having a visual display, the method comprising:

monitoring an operating temperature at the device;

when the monitored operating temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature:

allowing only emergency communication; and

providing a visual indication indicating that only emergency communication is allowed.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising allowing only emergency communication and providing a visual indication indicating that only emergency communication is allowed, when the monitored operating temperature is greater than the first threshold temperature and less than a second threshold temperature.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the monitored operating temperature is a first monitored operating temperature, the method further comprising:

monitoring a second temperature at the device;

inhibiting all communication when the second monitored operating temperature is greater than the second threshold temperature.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual indication comprises an “EMERGENCY ONLY” indication.

5. A mobile device configured to provide communications in a wireless communication network, the mobile device comprising:

a temperature sensor;

a visual display;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured for wireless communications via the wireless communication network;

a processor coupled to the temperature sensor, the visual display and the RF transceiver, the processor being configured to:

monitor an operating temperature based on a signal read from the temperature sensor;

allow only emergency communication when the operating temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature; and

provide an indication on said visual display that only emergency communication is allowed.

6. The mobile device of claim 5 , wherein the processor is further configured to inhibit all communication when the monitored temperature is greater than a second threshold temperature.

7. The mobile device of claim 5 , further comprising:

a battery interface configured to receive a battery that provides electrical power to the RF transceiver, the visual display and the processor; and

wherein monitoring the operating temperature comprises monitoring a temperature of the battery.

8. The mobile device of claim 7 , further comprising;

the battery; and

wherein the temperature sensor is in the battery.

9. The mobile device of claim 5 , wherein the temperature sensor comprises a thermistor.

10. The mobile device of claim 5 , which comprises a cellular telephone.

11. The mobile device of claim 5 , further comprising:

a user interface; and

wherein the user interface is configured to receive a user initiated communication request.

12. The mobile device of claim 11 , wherein the user interface comprises one of a keypad, a keyboard, and a touch screen display.

13. The mobile device of claim 5 further comprising:

wherein the radio frequency (RF) transceiver comprises a power amplifier; and

wherein monitoring the operating temperature comprises monitoring a temperature of the power amplifier.

14. A method for use in a mobile device, the method comprising:

monitoring an operating temperature at the device;

allowing only emergency communication when the monitored operating temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature and less than a second threshold temperature; and

inhibiting all communication when the monitored operating temperature is greater than the second threshold temperature.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising allowing user-initiated communication requests for emergency and non-emergency communications from the mobile device when the monitored operating temperature is below the first threshold temperature.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

receiving a user-initiated communication request while only emergency communication is allowed; and

allowing the emergency communication.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the emergency communication comprises an emergency telephone call.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the emergency communication comprises an emergency data message.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the 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.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the monitored operating temperature comprises a monitored temperature of a battery of the mobile device.

21. The method of claim 14 , wherein the monitored operating temperature comprises a monitored temperature at a power amplifier of the mobile device.

22. The method of claim 14 , wherein inhibiting all communication comprises powering down the mobile device.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the monitored operating temperature is a first monitored operating temperature, further comprising:

after the mobile device has powered down, receiving a command from a user to power up;

monitoring a second operating temperature at the device;

powering down the mobile device when the second monitored temperature is greater than the second threshold temperature.

24. A mobile device configured to provide communications in a wireless communication network, the mobile device comprising:

a temperature sensor;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured for wireless communications via the wireless communication network;

a processor coupled to the temperature sensor and the RF transceiver, the processor being configured to:

monitor an operating temperature based on a signal read from the temperature sensor;

allow only emergency communication when the operating temperature is greater than a first threshold temperature and less than a second threshold temperature; and

inhibit all communication when the monitored temperature is greater than the second threshold temperature.

25. The mobile device of claim 24 , wherein the processor is further configured to inhibit all communication by powering down the mobile device.

Assignments (8)