ABOVE-LOCK CAMERA ACCESS

• US 20170070606A1
• Filed: 11/18/2016
• Published: 03/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Bandyopadhyay, Shamik, Barnett, Donald A., Kapoor, Vikram, Law, Veronica Y., Lemson, Kathryn C., Sengupta, Tirthankar, Tyamagundlu, Divya, Bilal, Ahmad
• Granted Patent: US 10,686,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1365 Matching; Classification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724634 With partially locked states, e.g. when some telephonic functional locked states or applications remain accessible in the locked states
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/632 for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 : for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 : from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 : using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for allowing smart phone users to “capture the moment” by allowing easy access to a camera application when a mobile device is in an above-lock (or locked) mode, while also preventing unauthorized access to other smart phone functionality. According to one embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method of operating a mobile device having an above-lock state and a below-lock state comprises receiving input data requesting invocation of an camera application when the mobile device is in the above-lock state and invoking the requested camera application on the device, where one or more functions of the requested application are unavailable as a result of the mobile device being in the above-lock state.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A method of operating a mobile device including an above-lock state and a below-lock state, the method comprising:

responsive to receiving first input data from a first hardware input source coupled to the mobile device when the device is in the above-lock state, invoking an application indicated by the first input data on the mobile device, wherein one or more functions of the requested application available in the below-lock state are unavailable while the mobile device is in the above-lock state; and

responsive to receiving a request for at least one of the unavailable functions indicated by second input data from a second hardware input source coupled to the mobile device, presenting an unlock user interface.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the application is one of the following:

an e-mail application, an SMS messaging application, an image-capture application, a calendar application, a contact manager, or a web browser.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the first hardware input source is the same as the second hardware input source.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the first hardware input source comprises one or more of the following:

an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, or a touch screen.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the first input data is generated responsive to detecting a user swiping a finger across a touch screen coupled to the mobile device.

26. A system, comprising:

one or more processors;

a hardware input source;

a computer-readable storage device storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processors, cause the system to perform a method, the instructions comprising;

instructions to, responsive to receiving first input data from the hardware input source coupled to the system when the device is in an above-lock state, invoke an application on the system indicated by the first input data, the application being configured such that a subset of functionality is available when the device is in the above-lock state; and

instructions to, responsive to receiving a request indicated by second input data from the hardware input source coupled to the system for functionality other than the subset of functionality, present an unlock user interface.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein:

the first input data is generated by a swipe received with a touch screen display coupled to the system; and

the second input data is generated by depressing a hardware button coupled to the system.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the unlock user interface is not presented until a timer waits for a predetermined period of time of the depressing the hardware button.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein:

the first input data is generated by depressing a hardware button coupled to the system; and

the second input data is generated by a swipe received with a touch screen display coupled to the system.

30. The system of claim 26, wherein the hardware input source comprises one or more of the following:

an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, or a touch screen display.

31. The system of claim 26, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to evaluate a previously-stored user setting permitting the requested functionality to be invoked when the system is in the locked state.

32. The system of claim 26, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to present an options menu to configure which functions are available in the above-lock state.

33. The system of claim 26, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to activate an actuator coupled to the system responsive to the receiving the first input data.

34. The system of claim 26, wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to receive fingerprint data or voice data with the hardware input source; and

based on authenticating a user with the fingerprint data or the voice data, changing the system to a below-lock state.

35. A method of operating a mobile device including an above-lock state and a below-lock state, the method comprising:

responsive to receiving first input data requesting invocation of an application while the device is in an above-lock state, starting a timer having a timeout period;

if user activity is not detected before the timeout period expires, then remaining in the above-lock state; and

if user activity is detected before the timeout period expires, then presenting an unlock user interface for authenticating a user of the mobile device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first input data is generated based on depressing a hardware button for the duration of the timeout period, the method further comprising:

responsive to receiving second input data requesting invocation of a camera application, the second input data being generated by receiving a swipe with a touch screen display coupled to the mobile device, invoking the camera application.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein a subset of normal functionality of the camera application in the below-lock state is provided while the mobile device is in the above-lock state.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

checking a proximity sensor, and

if the checking indicates an object is in proximity with the device, then remaining in the above-lock state.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein:

if the device is in the above-lock state and not presenting the unlock user interface, then not powering a display coupled to the device.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein:

if the device is presenting the unlock user interface or the device is in the below-lock state, then powering a display coupled to the device.