Lockable widgets on a mobile device

摘要

A software widget running on a user device may be designed to operate in a locked or an unlocked mode. In unlocked mode, the user has full interactivity with the widget. In locked mode, however, at least some of the interactivity with the widget is restricted, despite the fact that the widget still operates normally otherwise while in the locked mode. While in locked mode, user input may be compared against a predefined unlocking sequence to determine if the widget should be unlocked.

主权项

1. A user device comprising:
a touchscreen display a memory; a processor operable to execute a first individual software widget, wherein the software widget automatically displays information on the touchscreen display and permits user interaction with the first individual software widget to modify the information displayed; a widget locking module executable by the processor and configured to:
secure the first individual software widget in a locked mode, the securing of the first individual software widget in a locked mode not affecting interactivity of any other software widgets on the user device; while the software widget is operating in a locked mode, place restrictions on interactivity between the first individual software widget and the user; receive first user input on the user device; compare the first user input to a first predefined unlocking sequence; and in response to a determination that the first user input matches the first predefined unlocking sequence, alter the state of the first individual software widget to an unlocked mode, the altering removing the restrictions on interactivity between the first individual software widget and the user placed in the locked mode while not affecting interactivity of any other software widgets on the user device.