Method, Apparatus and System for Access Mode Control of a Device

• US 20130347102A1
• Filed: 08/30/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Shi, Jianxiong Jason
• Granted Patent: US 9,740,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/00 Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and system for accessing at least a portion of a device based upon an access input. An access input is received. The access input includes information for gaining access to one or more functions of the device. A user access mode of the device is changed from a first access mode to a second access mode based upon at least in part on the access input. An application is selected in the device in response to changing from the first access mode to the second access mode. At least a portion of the output of the selected application is provided.

Claims

1. A computer readable program storage device, encoded with instructions that, when executed by a portable electronic device configured to execute multiple applications, cause the portable electronic device to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first gesture from a user on a touch sensitive surface of the electronic device while the device is in a locked mode, wherein the locked mode prevents the user from accessing some applications on the device;

determining that the received first gesture meets a first predetermined condition;

in response to determining that the received first gesture meets the first predetermined condition, unlocking a first user account on the device, wherein the unlocked first user account mode allows the user to access a first group of applications;

changing the operational mode of the device from the unlocked first user account mode to the locked mode;

receiving a second gesture from a user on a touch sensitive surface while the device is in the locked mode;

determining that the second gesture meets a second predetermined condition; and

in response to determining that the received second gesture meets the second predetermined condition, unlocking a second user account on the device, wherein the unlocked second user account mode allows the user to access a second group of applications, wherein the second group of applications includes one or more applications that are not within the first group of applications.

2. The computer readable program storage device of claim 1, wherein the touch sensitive surface is a touch screen.

3. The computer readable program storage device of claim 2, wherein for each of the first and second user account modes, when each user account is unlocked, the touch screen displays icons representative of applications that may be accessed in the respective unlocked user account mode.

4. The computer readable program storage device of claim 1, wherein the operations include determining that access to the device in the unlocked first user account mode has timed out, and wherein the transition from the unlocked first user account mode to the locked mode is performed in response to such determination.

5. A computer readable program storage device, encoded with instructions that, when executed by a portable electronic device with multiple user accounts, cause the portable electronic device to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first gesture from a user, the first gesture received through a touch screen interface of the portable electronic device while the device is in a locked mode;

determining that the received first gesture meets a predetermined condition for a gesture to provide access to a first user account;

in response to the received first gesture, unlocking the electronic device to provide access to a first plurality of applications on the device that are enabled for access under the first user account, and displaying icons associated with the first plurality of applications on the touch screen;

receiving a second gesture, the second gesture received through the touch screen interface of the portable electronic device while the device is in a locked mode;

determining that the received second gesture meets a predetermined condition for a gesture to provide access to a second user account; and

in response to the received second gesture, unlocking the electronic device to provide access to a second plurality of applications on the device which are enabled for access under the second user account, and displaying icons associated with the second plurality of applications on the touch screen;

wherein the first plurality of applications includes one or more applications that are not within the second plurality of applications.

6. The computer readable program storage device of claim 5, wherein the operations include receiving one or more inputs through the touch screen before the receiving of the first and second gestures, the one or more inputs identifying at least one application to be included in the first plurality of applications, and at least one application to be included in the second plurality of applications.

7. The computer readable program storage device of claim 6, wherein the operations include receiving at least a plurality of inputs through the touch screen before the receiving of the first and second gestures, the plurality of inputs including:

a first input identifying the gesture to provide access to a first user account; and

a second input identifying the gesture to provide access to the second user account.

8. A computer readable program storage device, encoded with instructions that, when executed by a portable electronic device, cause the portable electronic device to perform operations comprising:

configuring the electronic device to receive access inputs through an audio interface and through a touch screen of the electronic device;

receiving a first access input from a user while the electronic device is in a locked mode, in which access to applications on the device is restricted, the first access input received through either of the audio interface or the touch screen;

determining that the received first access input meets a predetermined condition to provide access to a first user account;

In response to the received first access input, unlocking the electronic device to provide access to a first plurality of applications on the device which are enabled for access by the first user account, and displaying icons associated with the first plurality of applications on the touch screen;

receiving a second access input while the electronic device is in the locked mode the second access input received through either of the audio interface or the touch screen;

determining that the received second access input meets a predetermined condition to provide access to a second user account; and

in response to the received second access input, unlocking the electronic device to provide access to a second plurality of applications on the device which are enabled for access by the second user account, and displaying icons associated with the second plurality of applications on the touch screen;

wherein the first plurality of applications includes one or more applications that are not within the second plurality of applications.

9. The computer readable program storage device of claim 8, wherein the operations include receiving one or more inputs identifying an access input to provide access to the first user account.

10. The computer readable program storage device of claim 9, wherein the access input to provide access to the first user account includes a gesture conveyed through the touch screen.

11. The computer readable program storage device of claim 9, wherein the operations include receiving one or more inputs identifying an access input to provide access to the second user account.

12. The computer readable program storage device of claim 11, wherein the access input to provide access to the second user account includes a gesture conveyed through the touch screen.