Image pattern unlocking techniques for touch sensitive devices

摘要

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.

主权项

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 thereby causing an unlock screen to display, wherein the image pattern unlock mode is further configured to display a random image on the unlock screen, and unlock the device in response to receiving an unlock code including a correct unlock screen input that corresponds to the random image, wherein the combination of the random image and the correct unlock screen input is pre-established and provides at least part of the unlock code.