Access Management

• US 20090227232A1
• Filed: 03/04/2008
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Forstall, Scott, Matas, Mike, Van Os, Marcel MWA
• Granted Patent: US 8,909,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/411
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector

Abstract

Methods, computing devices and computer-readable media for access management are disclosed. A method of passcode authentication includes: maintaining a count for failed authentication attempts, displaying a visual representation of a current count for failed authentication attempts on an authentication interface. An additional method of passcode authentication is also disclosed which includes: maintaining a count for failed authentication attempts; determining a current authentication request invalid; determining a delay time based on the count for failed authentication attempts; and delaying submission of a second authentication attempt until after the delay time has expired, wherein the delaying submission manifests in a delayed visual feedback of user input, in a delayed processing of user input, or in an inability to enter user input for during the delay time.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining a current authentication request is invalid;

determining a delay time; and

delaying submission of a next authentication request until after the delay time has expired.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the delaying submission of a next authentication attempt further comprises

delaying visual feedback of a user input until after the delay time has expired.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the delay submission of a next authentication attempt further comprises

delaying processing of a user input until after the delay time has expired.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the delay in submission of a next authentication attempt further comprises

delaying accepting a user input until after the delay time has expired.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the current authentication request has been entered to gain access to an access control management interface in a mobile telephone device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein

the access control management interface is a parental control settings interface.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining an attempt count for invalid authentication requests; and

wherein the determining a delay time further comprises

determining a delay time based on the attempt count.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein

the delay time increases with the attempt count.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein

the delay time increases with the attempt count when the attempt count exceeds a predetermined limit.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

if the next authentication request is valid, resetting the attempt count.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

displaying a visual representation of the attempt count.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the visual representation of the attempt count is text.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the visual representation of the attempt count is made in a length, a width, a shape, or a color of a display object.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a user request to cease authentication attempts before a valid authentication request has been received; and

displaying a second visual representation of the attempt count in a new user interface.

15. A method, comprising:

displaying an authentication interface for an access control management interface in a mobile telephone device;

maintaining an attempt count for failed authentication attempts;

receiving a current authentication request;

verifying the current authentication request;

determining whether the current authentication request is valid; and

if the current authentication request is valid,

proceeding to activate a restricted interface; and

resetting the attempt count;

if the current authentication request is invalid,

determining a delay time; and

delaying submission of a next authentication request until after the delay time has expired.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

displaying a visual representation of the attempt count on the authentication interface.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving a user request to cease authentication attempts before a valid authentication request has been received; and

displaying a second visual representation of the attempt count in a second user interface.

18. A method, comprising:

receiving a user selection in an access management interface regarding an access restriction to an object in a mobile device;

identifying an attribute of the object; and

modifying the attribute of the object according to the user selection.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the user selection is for restricting access to the object without authentication, and the attribute of the object controls whether the existence of the object will be concealed in one or more user interfaces on the mobile device; and

the method further comprises setting the attribute of the object to conceal the existence of the object in the one or more user interfaces on the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

rending the one or more user interface without a display object identifying the object.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein

the access management interface is a parental control interface.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein

the mobile device is a mobile telephone device.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein

the object is an application, a data, or a function in the mobile device.

24. A computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform operations comprising:

determining a current authentication request is invalid;

determining a delay time; and

delaying submission of a next authentication request until after the delay time has expired.

25. A computing device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including;

instructions for determining a current authentication request is invalid;

instruction for determining a delay time; and

instruction for delaying submission of a next authentication request until after the delay time has expired.

26. A graphical user interface on a multifunction mobile device with a touch screen display, comprising:

an interface for receiving a passcode entry for authentication;

a visual representation of an attempt count for failed authentication attempts; and

a keypad.

27. A graphical user interface on a multifunction mobile device with a touch screen display, comprising:

an interface for activating or deactivating an access control management interface that is operatively coupled to an authentication interface; and

an interface for changing access control settings of objects existing on the multifunction mobile device; and

wherein;

the interface for changing access control settings is inactive when the authentication interface has not been passed, and

the interface for changing access control settings is active when the authentication interface has been passed.