Above-lock camera access

• US 10,686,932 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2016
• Issued: 06/16/2020
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Nathan S
• Application Number:
  US15/355,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20170070606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 455411, 4555501, 455 261, 345169-173
• 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. A method of operating a mobile device including an above-lock state and a below-lock state, the method comprising:

receiving a first input data from a single input source coupled to the mobile device when the device is in the above-lock state, wherein the single input source is a first hardware input button and the first input data comprises data relating to engaging the first hardware input button;

upon receiving the first input data and based only on the first input data, invoking an application indicated by the first input data on the mobile device unless an object is detected in proximity with 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 one or more unavailable functions indicated by a second input data from a second input source coupled to the mobile device, presenting an unlock user interface.

2. The method of claim 1, 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.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first hardware input source is the same as the second input source.

4. A system comprising:

a processor;

a hardware input source comprising at least one of;

a hardware button, an accelerometer, or a microphone;

a computer-readable storage device storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the system to perform functions to;

upon receiving a first input data from a single input source when the device is in an above-lock state and based only on the first input data, invoke an application on the system indicated by the first input data unless an object is detected in proximity with the system, the application being configured such that a subset of functionality is available when the device is in the above-lock state, wherein the single input source is the hardware button and the first input data comprises data relating to actuation of the hardware button;

responsive to receiving a request indicated by a second input data for additional functionality other than the subset of functionality, present an unlock user interface; and

when the user successfully authenticates using the unlock user interface, providing the additional functionality.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the second input data is generated by depressing the hardware button.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the unlock user interface is not presented until a timer waits for a predetermined period of time of the depressing the hardware button.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the first input data is generated by depressing the hardware button; and

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

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, further cause the system to:

evaluate a previously-stored user setting permitting the additional functionality to be invoked when the system is in the below-lock state.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, further cause the system to:

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

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, further cause the system to:

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

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the instructions when executed by the processor, further cause the system to:

receive fingerprint data or voice data with the single input source; and

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

12. The system of claim 4, wherein the object is detected using a proximity sensor, a light sensor, or a proximity sensor and a light sensor coupled to the system.

13. A method of operating a mobile device having a plurality of authentication states, including an above-lock state and a below-lock state, the method comprising:

receiving a first input responsive to an actuation of a hardware button of the mobile device, the first input indicating a request for invocation of an application when the mobile device is in the above-lock state, 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;

upon receiving the first input and based only on the first input data, invoking the requested application on the mobile device unless a proximity sensor detects an object in proximity with the mobile device;

responsive to receiving a second input requesting at least one of the unavailable functions, presenting an unlock user interface; and

authenticating a user of the mobile device with the unlock user interface and changing state of the mobile device from the above-lock state to the below-lock state.

14. The method of claim 13, 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.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein input from the proximity sensor is used to form a determination whether the mobile device is in a stored position, and wherein the object is detected in proximity based on the determination.

16. A mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a hardware input button;

a proximity sensor; and

a computer-readable storage device storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to perform functions to;

receive a first input from the hardware input button of the mobile device, the first input indicating a request for invocation of an application when the mobile device is in an above-lock state, wherein one or more functions of the requested application available in a below-lock state of the mobile device are unavailable while the mobile device is in the above-lock state;

determine whether any object is in proximity with the proximity sensor;

responsive to receiving the first input and based only on the first input data and based on determining that no object is in proximity with the proximity sensor, invoke the requested application on the mobile device;

responsive to receiving a second input requesting at least one of the unavailable functions, present an unlock user interface; and

authenticate a user of the mobile device with the unlock user interface and change state of the mobile device from the above-lock state to the below-lock state.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the proximity sensor comprises at least one or more of:

an image sensor, a light sensor, a photodiode, or an infrared sensor.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the instructions to invoke the requested application further comprise instructions to configure the system to be in an active power state.