Lock function handling for information processing devices

摘要

Embodiments relate to a method, program product and an information processing device for handling lock functions. The device includes a lock function for restricting user operations and a lock setting unit responsive to the lock function for transitioning the information processing device to a locked state after a period of inactivity. It also includes a lock releasing unit responsive to the lock setting unit for releasing the locked state in response to the input of a predetermined first password and a changing unit responsive to the lock releasing unit for changing the number of characters to be inputted in the first password to release the locked state.

主权项

1. An information processing device configured to enable user operations, comprising:
hardware comprising a computer processing unit (CPU) and memory, the computer processing unit executing a program of the memory that configures the information processing device to: restrict user operations; responsive to restricting the user operations, transition the information processing device to a locked state after a period of inactivity; responsive to transitioning to the locked state, release the locked state in response to an input of characters of a predetermined first password; and change a number of the characters to be inputted in the predetermined first password to release the locked state, such that changing the number of the characters comprises, in response to inputting the characters within a certain proximity to a last user operation, allowing input of greater than a single character but less than all of the characters in the predetermined first password in order to release the locked state; where changing the number of the characters to allow input of greater than the single character but less than all of the characters in the predetermined first password to release the locked state comprises: requiring input of at least a first additional character along with the single character when the certain proximity to the last user operation is at least a first elapsed time since the last user operation; requiring input of at least a second additional character along with the single character when the certain proximity to the last user operation is at least a second elapsed time since the last user operation, the second elapsed time being greater than the first elapsed time; and requiring input of at least a third additional character along with the single character when the certain proximity to the last user operation is at least a third elapsed time since the last user operation, the third elapsed time being greater than the second elapsed time; where the last user operation is separate from input of greater than the single character but less than all of the characters in the predetermined first password.