Privacy protection method for terminal subscriber, privacy protection terminal device, and privacy protection program

Abstract

A privacy protection method for a terminal subscriber and a terminal and program for implementing the same are provided, wherein at least either a picture or voice associated with at least either an individual or an organization registered in an address book is preregistered in a terminal equipped with a function that enables the terminal to be switched between a privacy mode and a non-privacy mode, and wherein when a call arrives at the terminal in the privacy mode, processing is performed at least either to display an image or to reproduce voice with which a caller cannot be identified, instead of displaying the picture or reproducing the voice registered in the address book, while when a call arrives at the terminal in the non-privacy mode, processing is performed at least either to display the picture or to reproduce the voice registered in the address book, thereby preventing the pictures, etc. preregistered in the terminal from being unrestrictedly presented for display for viewing by other persons, and thus protecting the privacy of the terminal subscriber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining a privacy protection method according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an external view of a portable telephone implementing the privacy protection method according to the one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a privacy protection terminal device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A privacy protection method for a terminal subscriber, comprising: preregistering at least either a picture or voice associated with at least either an individual or an organization registered in an address book in a terminal equipped with a function that enables said terminal to be switched between a privacy mode and a non-privacy mode;when a call arrives at said terminal in said privacy mode, performing processing at least either to display an image or to reproduce voice with which a caller cannot be identified, instead of displaying said picture or reproducing said voice registered in said address book; andwhen a call arrives at said terminal in said non-privacy mode, performing processing at least either to display said picture or to reproduce said voice registered in said address book.

2. A privacy protection method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: determining, in the case of said non-privacy mode, at which of at least two levels said non-privacy mode is; andperforming processing at least either to display said picture or to reproduce said voice preregistered in said address book in accordance with said determined level of said non-privacy mode.

3. A privacy protection method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said registered picture is either a logo mark or a picture identifying said registered individual or organization, and said registered voice is either voice or music associated with said registered individual or organization.

4. A privacy protection terminal device for a terminal subscriber, comprising: a unit preregistering at least either a picture or voice associated with at least either an individual or an organization registered in an address book in a terminal equipped with a function that enables said terminal to be switched between a privacy mode and a non-privacy mode;a unit which, when a call arrives at said terminal in said privacy mode, performs processing at least either to display an image or to reproduce voice with which a caller cannot be identified, instead of displaying said picture or reproducing said voice registered in said address book; anda unit which, when a call arrives at said terminal in said non-privacy mode, performs processing at least either to display said picture or to reproduce said voice registered in said address book.

5. A privacy protection terminal device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: a unit determining, in the case of said non-privacy mode, at which of at least two levels said non-privacy mode is; anda unit performing processing at least either to display said picture or to reproduce said voice preregistered in said address book in accordance with said determined level of said non-privacy mode.

6. A privacy protection program for a terminal subscriber for causing a computer to carry out the steps of: preregistering at least either a picture or voice associated with at least either an individual or an organization registered in an address book in a terminal equipped with a function that enables said terminal to be switched between a privacy mode and a non-privacy mode;when a call arrives at said terminal in said privacy mode, performing processing at least either to display an image or to reproduce voice with which a caller cannot be identified, instead of displaying said picture or reproducing said voice registered in said address book; andwhen a call arrives at said terminal in said non-privacy mode, performing processing at least either to display said picture or to reproduce said voice registered in said address book.