The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 29, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 03, 1997
Jari Schroderus, Oulu, FI;
Matti Jokimies, Salo, FI;
Sami Jutila, Oulu, FI;
Veli-Matti Kulla, Kiviniemi, FI;
Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd., Salo, FI;
Abstract
A method and arrangement for limiting the use of a mobile telephone is characterized in that it involves setting a time limit (TIMER.sub.-- VALUE) in said mobile telephone (20). The time limit can be set for accumulated operating time or elapsed time in general. Setting of the limit is advantageously made possible by means of a secret code (SECRET.sub.-- KEY). Thereafter, the mobile telephone begins measuring time, and when the elapsed or accumulated time reaches the set limit, operation of the mobile telephone (20) is blocked. Then, only operation by which a new time limit can be set or the block can be removed is allowed. A mobile telephone manufacturer can easily realize an arrangement according to the present invention in a mobile telephone, and said arrangement can just as easily be implemented by, for example, a mobile telephone renter. The temptation to misuse and steal mobile telephones decreases when it is known that said telephones have a limited operating time, after which they will not function.