Proximity-based accidental lock screen command prevention for mobile communication terminal

A method of operating a mobile communication terminal to prevent accidental unlock commands, the method involving:

• obtaining a sensor reading from a proximity sensor of the mobile communication terminal indicating presence, by the user of the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal, or presence, by an inside of a storage space in which the user puts away the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal;
• and
• providing user feedback by a touch display of the mobile communication terminal, wherein the user feedback is selected from the group consisting of:
• explanatory information to a user of the mobile communication terminal that execution of an unlock command by the user has been prevented since the proximity sensor is blocked,
• instructive information facilitating for the user to make sure that the proximity sensor is not blocked;
• and
• executing the unlock command when the sensor reading from the proximity sensor does not indicate presence, by the user of the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal, or presence, by an inside of a storage space in which the user puts away the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal;
• and
• wherein the instructive information comprises a graphical indication of the proximity sensor's position with respect to an apparatus housing of the mobile communication terminal.

A mobile communication terminal comprising:

• a controller;
• a touch display, the touch display having an inactive mode essentially without user interaction ability, a lock screen mode with limited user interaction ability, and an operational mode, the lock screen mode generally preventing a user from accessing functionality provided by the mobile communication terminal in the operational mode;
• and
• a proximity sensor,
• wherein the controller is operative, in the lock screen mode, to:
• detect actuation of the mobile communication terminal;
• identify the detected actuation as a user command;
• evaluate a sensor reading from the proximity sensor;
• if the sensor reading from the proximity sensor indicates presence, by the user of the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal, or presence, by an inside of a storage space in which the user puts away the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal:
• prevent execution of the user command, provide user feedback by the touch display and continue in the lock screen mode;
• and
• if the sensor reading from the proximity sensor does not indicate presence, by the user of the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal, or presence, by an inside of a storage space in which the user puts away the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal:
• execute the user command;
• and
• wherein the user feedback provided by the touch display comprises explanatory information to the user that execution of the user command has been prevented since the proximity sensor is blocked.

A mobile communication terminal comprising:

• a controller;
• a touch display, the touch display having an inactive mode essentially without user interaction ability, a lock screen mode with limited user interaction ability, and an operational mode, the lock screen mode generally preventing a user from accessing functionality provided by the mobile communication terminal in the operational mode;
• and
• a proximity sensor,
• wherein the controller is operative, in the lock screen mode, to:
• detect actuation of the mobile communication terminal;
• identify the detected actuation as a user command;
• evaluate a sensor reading from the proximity sensor;
• if the sensor reading from the proximity sensor indicates presence, by the user of the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal, or presence, by an inside of a storage space in which the user puts away the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal:
• prevent execution of the user command, provide user feedback by the touch display and continue in the lock screen mode;
• and
• if the sensor reading from the proximity sensor not indicate presence executing the user command as a result when the sensor reading from the proximity sensor does not indicate presence, by the user of the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal, or presence, by an inside of a storage space in which the user puts away the mobile communication terminal, relative to the mobile communication terminal;
• and
• wherein the user feedback provided by the touch display comprises instructive information facilitating for the user to make sure that the proximity sensor is not blocked.