IMAGE PATTERN UNLOCKING TECHNIQUES FOR TOUCH SENSITIVE DEVICES

• US 20140317723A1
• Filed: 04/23/2013
• Published: 10/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barnes & Noble College Booksellers LLC (Barnes & Noble Education, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nook Digital, LLC (f/k/a Barnesandnoble.com LLC) (Bahwan CyberTek Pvt Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hicks, Kourtny M., Cueto, Gerald B., Mesguich Havilio, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 8,966,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/19
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for providing an image pattern unlock mode in electronic touch sensitive devices. The image pattern unlock mode can display an unlock screen to the user, prompting the user to arrange or create or otherwise select a specific image pattern in order to unlock the device. The customizable image pattern may include any uniquely identifiable unlocking pattern including a combination of images, or even a single image selected from an image group. The unlocking mechanism may include images gathered from the user'"'"'s photo collection and/or one or more online profiles, and the unlock pattern could be a selection of such images. In other embodiments, a combination of color and images can also be used, such as matching colors to images. When the user has arranged the proper image pattern, the device unlocks and may be used. If the correct image pattern is not arranged, the device remains locked.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a touch screen display for displaying content to a user and allowing user input; and

a user interface including an image pattern unlock mode configured to activate in response to the device entering a locked state, wherein the image pattern unlock mode is configured to unlock the device in response to a user selecting a predetermined image pattern.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined image pattern is user configurable.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined image pattern includes a plurality of images, at least one of which is gathered from the user'"'"'s photo collection.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined image pattern includes a plurality of images, at least one of which is associated with a social media profile, online networking service profile, or an online avatar.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the image pattern unlock mode is configured to display a plurality of images from which the user may select the predetermined image pattern, and the predetermined image pattern includes one or more of the plurality of images but not all the images in the plurality.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined image pattern includes a plurality of images arranged into a predetermined order.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the predetermined image pattern includes a plurality of images selected in a predetermined order.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the image pattern unlock mode is further configured to display an unlocking animation as the device is being unlocked.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the image pattern unlock mode is further configured to maintain the device in a locked state if the predetermined image pattern is not selected.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is an eReader device or a tablet computer or a smartphone.

11. A mobile computing system, comprising:

a processor and a display for displaying content to a user and a touch sensitive surface for allowing user input; and

a user interface executable on the processor and including an image pattern unlock mode, wherein the image pattern unlock mode is configured to maintain the device in a locked state until a predetermined image pattern is selected, wherein the predetermined image pattern is user configurable.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the predetermined image pattern comprises a plurality of images selected or arranged in a predetermined order.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the image pattern unlock mode is configured to display a plurality of images from which the user may select the predetermined image pattern, and the predetermined image pattern includes one or more of the plurality of images but not all the images in the plurality.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the predetermined image pattern comprises a plurality of images, at least one of which is associated with a social media profile, online networking service profile, or an online avatar.

15. A computer program product comprising a plurality of instructions non-transiently encoded thereon to facilitate operation of an electronic device according to the following process, the process comprising:

display on the electronic device an unlock screen, wherein the unlock screen prompts the user to input a unique image pattern; and

unlock the electronic device in response to a user inputting the unique image pattern.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the unique image pattern is user configurable.

17. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein a user inputting the unique image pattern includes the user selecting or arranging a plurality of images in a predetermined order.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the image pattern unlock mode is configured to display a plurality of images from which the user may select the predetermined image pattern, and the predetermined image pattern includes one or more of the plurality of images but not all the images in the plurality.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the unique image pattern includes a plurality of images, at least one of which is associated with a social media profile, online networking service profile, or an online avatar.

20. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the process further comprises:

maintain the device in a locked state in response to a user inputting an incorrect image pattern.