The present invention generally relates to method for unlocking of an electronic appliance
that is locked using a pattern. The invention further relates to the electronic appliance
implementing the unlocking method.
Background of the Invention:
Electronic appliances such as computing devices, smartphones, desktop computers, etc. can
be locked by user to prevent accidental and/or unauthorized access. For example, a
smartphone may require a user to enter a number of alphanumeric characters to gain access to
the full functionality of the smartphone. Alternatively, the smartphone may require the user to
draw a pattern on a touchscreen to gain access to the full functionality of the smartphone.
Larger computers, such as desktop computers, also often require a person to enter a username
and password to unlock or gain access to the device. Computing devices such as palm tops,
laptops, tablets, etc. may also require entry of password or patterns, or unlocking element to
gain access to the full functionality.
Till now, many locking/unlocking methods have been proposed for enhancing security aspect
of an electronic appliance and its functionalities. These have addressed the following aspects:
 Storing and using multiple locking patterns for different predefined actions;
 Unlocking the device in different stages through progressive touch gestures; and
 Generating analogous gestures on the basis of size, orientation or position and
performing analogous actions
The requirements for locking and unlocking of an electronic appliance for attaining higher
security are sometimes at odd with the user convenience in locking / unlocking. By way of
example, to provide enhanced security, unlocking of the electronic appliance may require a
user to perform complicated tasks, for example, may require entering a password or pressing
an independent unlock key. On the other hand, user convenience requires that the user is
required to take least effort to attain unlocking.
Thus, consumers expect more convenient capability in operating functions of electronic
appliances, and conventional unlocking scheme may drive a user in trouble situations under
circumstances the user forgets the password or needs to unlock the mobile terminal quickly.
In addition, post unlocking of the electronic appliance, it takes a time to executing desired
functionality, since in most cases, a menu option is presented after unlocking of the electronic
3
appliance. Therefore, to be competitive, the manufacturers need to address ever growing
requirement for convenient and advanced unlocking function.
Summary of the Invention:
In general, the present invention discloses unlocking of specific functionalities of an
electronic appliance without unlocking the appliance completely. To ensure security, the user
will be required to draw a logical sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern. The sub-portions
of the stored unlocking patterns can be either provided manually or can be derived by the
system dynamically through specific logic and computing. Hence, the unlocking method of
the present invention allows easy access without comprising the security.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is appreciated that these figures depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its
scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying figures.
Brief Description of Figures:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates flow chart of an unlocking method for an electronic appliance in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of a process for manual configuration of the sub-portion of
the stored unlocking pattern;
Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart of a process for automatic configuration of the sub-portion of
the stored unlocking pattern;
Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of an electronic appliance implementing the process flow
chart of a process for automatic configuration of the sub-portion of the stored unlocking
pattern;
Figure 5 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone (a smart phone) using a first
sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention that results in unlocking of functionality sub-set of the mobile phone;
4
Figure 6 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using the stored unlocking
pattern in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention that results in
reaching of the home screen;
Figure 7 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using a first sub-portion of a
stored unlocking pattern in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention
which also results in execution of a particular function based on a starting point of the
unlocking pattern;
Figure 8 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using a first sub-portion of a
stored unlocking pattern which also results in execution of a particular function based on a
starting point of the unlocking pattern, the starting point for figure 8 being different from the
starting point of figure 7;
Figure 9 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using a first sub-portion of a
stored unlocking pattern which also results in execution of a particular function based on a
starting point of the unlocking pattern, the starting point for figure 9 being different from the
starting points of figures 7 and 8;
Figure 10 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using a second sub-portion of a
stored unlocking pattern which also results in execution of a particular function based on a
starting point of the unlocking pattern;
Figure 11 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using a second sub-portion of a
stored unlocking pattern which also results in execution of a particular function based on an
end point of the unlocking pattern;
Figure 12 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using the stored unlocking
pattern in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention which also
results in execution of a particular function based on a starting point of the unlocking pattern;
Figure 13 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone using the stored unlocking
pattern in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention which also
results in execution of a particular function based on ending point of the unlocking pattern;
Figure 14 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone (a smart phone) using a first
sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern in accordance with figure 5 and further illustrates
receiving a selection pertaining to a particular functionality and an execution of the
functionality as selected;
Figure 15 illustrates a procedure of unlocking a mobile phone (a smart phone) using a mirror
image of a second sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern in accordance with one
5
embodiment of the present invention that results in unlocking of functionality sub-set of the
mobile phone;
Figure 16 illustrates an example of the process of manual configuration of the sub-portion of
the stored unlocking pattern in accordance with figure 2; and
Figure 17 illustrates an example of the process of automatic configuration of the sub-portion
of the stored unlocking pattern in accordance with figure 3.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow
charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction
of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the
figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
6
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Now referring to figure 1, there is illustrated a method (100) by which a locked electronic
appliance may be unlocked. In particular the present invention discloses a method of
unlocking of the electronic appliance comprising:
receiving (101), by an input unit, an unlocking pattern from a user;
determining (102), by a comparator, whether the unlocking pattern received from the user
matches with at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern; and
unlocking (103), by a processor, a functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance, in
response to a determination that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with
said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises determining (104)
whether the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored unlocking
pattern.
7
In another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises unlocking
(105) a functionality set of the electronic appliance, in response to a determination that the
unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored unlocking pattern.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises displaying
(106) a home screen user interface of the electronic appliance, in response to a determination
that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored unlocking pattern.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises
determining (107) a starting point of the unlocking pattern received from the user and
executing a functionality corresponding to the start point.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises determining
(108) an end point of the unlocking pattern received from the user and executing a
functionality corresponding to the end point.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises receiving
(109) a selection pertaining to a functionality of the electronic appliance and executing the
functionality as selected.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises displaying
(110) icons pertaining to the functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance prior to
receiving the unlocking pattern from the user.
The method of present invention further comprises steps for manual configuration of the subportion
of the stored unlocking pattern or automatic configuration of the sub-portion of the
stored unlocking pattern.
As illustrated in figure 2 a method (200) for manual configuration comprises: receiving input
from the user that specifies at least one of: (a) the stored unlocking pattern (201); (b) the at
least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern (203); and (c) the functionality sub-set
associated with said at least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern (204).
As illustrated in figure 3 a method (300) for automatic configuration comprises: receiving
(301) input from the user that specifies the stored unlocking pattern; segmenting (303) the
stored unlocking pattern into at least one sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern; and
8
receiving (304) input from the user associating functionality sub-set to said least one subportion
of the stored locking pattern.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the stored unlocking pattern is segmented
into multiple sub-portions to obtain at least a first sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern
and a second sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern. In such case, the method comprises
receiving first input from the user associating a first set of functionalities of the electronic
appliance to the first sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern and receiving second input
from the user associating a second set functionalities of the electronic appliance to the second
sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern, each of the first set of functionalities and second
set of functionalities belonging to the functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, receiving unlocking pattern from the user
comprises receiving input from the user that specifies a numeric or alphanumeric code.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, receiving unlocking pattern from the
user comprises receiving input from the user that contacts a touchscreen and traces a path
across the touchscreen.
Implementing the method(s) described above, an electronic appliance (400) as illustrated in
figure 4 is provided, said electronic appliance comprises:
an input unit (401) for receiving an unlocking pattern from a user;
a storage device (402) comprising a stored unlocking pattern, at least one pre-defined subportion
of the stored unlocking pattern and details of functionality sub-set of the electronic
appliance mapped to the said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of the stored unlocking
pattern;
a comparator (403) being in operational interconnection with the input unit and the storage
device for determining whether the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with at
least one pre-defined sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern; and
a processor (404) being in operational interconnection with the comparator and the storage
device for unlocking a functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance, in response to a
determination that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with said at least one
pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern.
9
In an embodiment of the present invention, the comparator (403) is further configured to
determine whether the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored
unlocking pattern.
In another embodiment of the present invention, in response to a determination by the
comparator (403) that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored
unlocking pattern, the processor (404) is further configured to unlocking a functionality set of
the electronic appliance.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein in response to a determination
by the comparator (403) that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the
stored unlocking pattern, the processor (404) is further configured to display a home screen
user interface of the electronic appliance.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the processor (404) is further configured
to determine a starting point of the unlocking pattern received from the user and executing a
functionality corresponding to the start point.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the processor (404) is further configured to
determine an end point of the unlocking pattern received from the user and executing a
functionality corresponding to the end point.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor (404) is further configured to
receive a selection pertaining to a functionality of the electronic appliance from the input unit
and executing the functionality as selected.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the processor (404) is further configured to
display icons pertaining to the functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance prior to
receiving the unlocking pattern from the user.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the input unit (401) is adapted to
receiving input from the user that specifies: (a) the stored unlocking pattern; (b) the at least
one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern; and (c) the functionality sub-set associated with
said at least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern; and the storage device (402) is
adapted to store the same.
10
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the input unit (401) is adapted to
receiving input from the user that specifies the stored unlocking pattern and storing the same
on the storage device (402) and the processor (403) is adapted to segment the stored
unlocking pattern into at least one sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the input unit (401) is further adapted to receiving
input from the user associating functionality sub-set to said least one sub-portion of the stored
locking pattern and storing the same on the storage device (402).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the processor (404) is further adapted to
segment the stored unlocking pattern into multiple sub-portions to obtain at least a first subportion
of the stored unlocking pattern and a second sub-portion of the stored unlocking
pattern.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the input unit (401) is further adapted to
receive first input from the user associating a first set of functionalities of the electronic
appliance to the first sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern and receive second input
from the user associating a second set functionalities of the electronic appliance to the second
sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern, each of the first set of functionalities and second
set of functionalities belonging to the functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, the input unit (401) for receiving
unlocking pattern from the user comprises means for receiving input from the user that
specifies a numeric or alphanumeric code.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the input means (401) for receiving
unlocking pattern from the user comprises a touchscreen receiving input from the user that
contacts a touchscreen and traces a path across the touchscreen.
The invention is hereinafter described with reference to some of the preferred modes of
implementation. In the preferred modes of implementation, are illustrated with regard to a
smart phone. It should however, be understood that the method can be implemented in other
electronic appliances and that the scope of the claims is not intended to be restricted by the
description being provided hereafter and is intended to be restricted by the claims themselves
and their equivalents.
11
Now referring to figure 5, the user is presented a graphical user interface (501) vide which
the user can provide the un-locking pattern. Assuming that the electronic appliance receives
an unlocking pattern (502) as illustrated, the same is checked with at least one pre-defined
sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern. In case, the unlocking pattern received from the
user matches with said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern, as
illustrated by the graphical user interface 503, a functionality sub-set of the electronic
appliance (which is shown to comprise of APP1 to APP9) are unlocked.
Now referring to figure 6, the user is presented a graphical user interface (501) vide which
the user can provide the un-locking pattern. Assuming that the electronic appliance receives
an unlocking pattern (601) as illustrated, the same is checked with the stored unlocking
pattern (in case the received unlocking pattern does not match with at least one pre-defined
sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern). In case, the unlocking pattern received from the
user matches with said stored unlocking pattern, as illustrated by the graphical user interface
(602), a functionality set of the electronic appliance are unlocked. In particular, a home
screen user interface of the electronic appliance is displayed, in response to a determination
that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored unlocking pattern.
Now referring to figure 7, the user is presented a graphical user interface (701) which
displays icons pertaining to the functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance prior to
receiving the unlocking pattern from the user. Thus, it can be seen that compared to figure 5
(which does not show any icons and merely some dots, the graphical user interface shows
icons for APP1 to APP9 (i.e. the functionality sub-set mapped to the sub-portion of the stored
unlocking pattern). It must however be noted that depiction of the icons on the graphical user
interface does not provide any clue to the user in respect of the unlocking pattern in itself.
Assuming that the electronic appliance receives an unlocking pattern (702) as illustrated, the
same is checked with at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern.
Additionally, the method stores the starting point and/or ending point of the unlocking pattern
as provided by the user. In case, the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with
said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern, the electronic
appliance can execute the functionality corresponding to the starting point. Assuming that the
user touched the icon pertaining to APP5 at the beginning and thereafter traces a path
comprising APP5 to APP3 to APP6 to APP9 and back to APP5, the starting point is
12
determined as APP5 and functionality corresponding to the starting point i.e. APP5 is
executed as illustrated by 703.
Now referring to figure 8, assuming that the electronic appliance receives an unlocking
pattern (801) from the graphical user interface (701) as illustrated. While the unlocking
pattern 801 is same as the unlocking pattern 702 of figure 7, the starting point of the
unlocking pattern 801 is not the same as that of the unlocking pattern 702. Assuming that the
user touched the icon pertaining to APP3 at the beginning and thereafter traces a path
comprising APP3 to APP6 to APP9 to APP5 and back to APP3, the starting point is
determined as APP3 and functionality corresponding to the starting point i.e. APP3 is
executed as illustrated by 802.
Now referring to figure 9, assuming that the electronic appliance receives an unlocking
pattern (901) from the graphical user interface (701) as illustrated. While the unlocking
pattern 901 is same as the unlocking pattern 702 of figure 7 (or unlocking pattern 801 of
figure 8), the starting point of the unlocking pattern is different compared to that of the
unlocking pattern 702 (or the unlocking pattern 801). Assuming that the user touched the icon
pertaining to APP6 at the beginning and thereafter traces a path comprising APP6 to APP9 to
APP5 to APP3 and back to APP6, the starting point is determined as APP6 and functionality
corresponding to the starting point i.e. APP6 is executed as illustrated by 902.
Thus, it can be noticed that in addition to merely unlocking the functionality sub-set, the
method can be further adapted so as to execute automatically execute a functionality from the
functionality sub-set based on either the starting point or the ending point.
While in figures 7 to 9, the sub-portion of the stored un-unlocking pattern is a closed figure,
the sub-portion of the stored un-unlocking pattern can be a non-closed figure, as illustrated in
figures 10 and 11. The option of storing the starting point and the ending point of the
unlocking pattern as provided by the user can be appreciated more easily while considering
figures 10 and 11, wherein the unlocking patterns 1001 of figure 10 is same as the unlocking
pattern 1101 of figure 11. However, the starting point of the unlocking pattern 1001 is
different compared to that of the unlocking pattern 1101. Assuming that the user touched the
icon pertaining to APP2 at the beginning and thereafter traces a path comprising APP2 to
APP1 to APP5 to APP7 while drawing the unlocking pattern 1001 of figure 10, the starting
point is determined as APP2 and functionality corresponding to the starting point i.e. APP2 is
13
executed as illustrated by 1002. On the other hand, assuming that the user touched the icon
pertaining to APP7 at the beginning and thereafter traces a path comprising APP7 to APP5 to
APP1 to APP2 while drawing the unlocking pattern 1101 of figure 11, the starting point is
determined as APP7 and functionality corresponding to the starting point i.e. APP7 is
executed as illustrated by 1102.
The same procedure can be extended even when the unlocking pattern received from the user
matches with said stored unlocking pattern. In such case, instead of (or in addition) to merely
unlocking the functionality set of the electronic appliance a pre-designated functionality
corresponding to the starting point or the ending point can be executed. In such case, the user
can associate a first functionality (let’s say APP-X) in case of a first starting point and a
second functionality (let’s say APP-Y) in case of a second starting point. As illustrated in
figure 12, in case the unlocking pattern received from the user (1201) matches with stored
unlocking pattern and if the starting point is co-ordinate 2 and the end point is co-ordinate 7,
APP-X is executed (1202), while, as illustrated in figure 13, in case the unlocking pattern
received from the user (1301) matches with stored unlocking pattern and if the starting point
is co-ordinate 7 and the end point is co-ordinate 2, APP-Y is executed (1302).
In case of a scenario, wherein a functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance (which is
shown to comprise of APP1 to APP9) are unlocked in response to the unlocking pattern
received from the user matching with said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored
unlocking pattern, the method may further comprise receiving a selection pertaining to a
functionality of the electronic appliance and executing the functionality as selected. This
aspect is illustrated in figure 14, wherein similar to that of figure 5, a graphical user interface
(501) is presented, an unlocking pattern (502) is received and a functionality sub-set of the
electronic appliance (which is shown to comprise of APP1 to APP9) and a graphical user
interface (503) comprising the same is displayed. In this case, a selection input pertaining to
APP8 can be received from the user (1401) and APP8 can be executed (1402).
In addition to merely using the sub-portion of the stored un-unlocking pattern for purposes of
unlocking of the functionality sub-set, the method of the present invention can also use, by
way of a non-limiting example, a mirror image of the sub-portion of the stored un-unlocking
pattern. This aspect is illustrated in figure 15, wherein a graphical user interface (1501) is
presented and an un-locking pattern (1502) is received. It can be seen that the un-locking
pattern 1502 is a mirror image of the second unlocking pattern (1001 or 1101, as illustrated in
14
figures 10 or 11). Thus, based on the aforesaid determination, the method can unlock the
functionality sub-set, as illustrated by 1503.
While in the above, the process of un-locking has been described in detail, in the following
paragraphs the process of configuration is explained in detail. As indicated above, the process
of configuration can be generally classified as purely manual process or a process wherein at
least some portions are automated. The process of configuration which is purely manual is
illustrated in figure 2 while the process wherein at least some portions are automated is
illustrated in figure 3.
Referring to figure 16, the process of manual configuration is explained in detail. The process
beings with the receiving (1601) input from the user that specifies the stored unlocking
pattern (1602). The electronic appliance may then prompt the user to specific as to whether
he/she wishes to create sub-portions of the unlocking pattern (1603). In case the user
responds positively (1604), input from the user pertaining to selection of at least one subportion
of the stored locking pattern is received (1605). Although not essential, and merely
for the purposes of assistance, the method may display the stored unlocking pattern in dotted
format at the time of selecting the at least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern
(1606). Once a valid sub-portion has been received, the functionality set of the electronic
appliance are depicted and user input pertaining to functionality sub-set to be associated with
said at least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern is received (1607). Additionally, the
method may comprise prompting the user to provide a valid sub-portion (1608), in case the
user’s input in relation to the sub-portion is determined to be invalid.
Now referring to figure 17, the process wherein at least some portions are automated is
explained in detail. The process beings in a manner similar to that illustrated in figure 17 i.e.
with receiving (1601) input from the user that specifies the stored unlocking pattern (1602).
The electronic appliance may then prompt the user to specific as to whether he/she wishes
auto detection of sub-portions of the unlocking pattern (1701). In case the user responds
positively (1702), the electronic appliance undertakes a sub-portion detection method. In the
sub-portion detection method, the electronic appliance segments the stored unlocking pattern
into at least one sub-portion and stores the same. By way of example, the electronic appliance
can undertake a process of detecting closed figure(s) in the stored unlocking pattern and save
the same as sub-portions. By way of yet another example, the electronic appliance may
segment the stored unlocking pattern at about a middle to obtain two sub-portions and store
15
each segmented portion as a sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern. Methods other than
what has been described above can also be adopted, based on the need. Referring to figure
17, based on the method of detecting closed figures in the stored unlocking pattern, a first
sub-portion (1703) is detected. Based on the method of segmenting the stored unlocking
pattern, a second sub-portion (1704) is detected and a third sub-portion which is similar to the
first sub-portion is detected (and hence, is not displayed).
Now the first sub-portion (1703) and the second sub-portion (1704) are displayed to the user.
The user may opt to keep both the sub-portions or keep only one sub-portion. In either of
these events, user input pertaining to functionality sub-set to be associated with said at least
one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern is received (1705) and stored.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive
concept as taught herein.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a
single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple
functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the
manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.
Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the
other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences
in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at
least as broad as given by the following claims.

WE CLAIMS:-
1. An unlocking method for an electronic appliance, comprising:
receiving, by an input unit, an unlocking pattern from a user;
determining, by a comparator, whether the unlocking pattern received from the user
matches with at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern; and
unlocking, by a processor, a functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance, in
response to a determination that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches
with said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising determining whether the
unlocking pattern received from the user matches with the stored unlocking pattern.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: unlocking a functionality set of
the electronic appliance, in response to a determination that the unlocking pattern
received from the user matches with the stored unlocking pattern.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2 further comprising: displaying a home screen user
interface of the electronic appliance, in response to a determination that the unlocking
pattern received from the user matches with the stored unlocking pattern.
5. The method as claimed in any of the aforesaid claims further comprising: determining
a starting point of the unlocking pattern received from the user and executing a
functionality corresponding to the start point.
6. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising: determining an end
point of the unlocking pattern received from the user and executing a functionality
corresponding to the end point.
7. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 further comprising: receiving a
selection pertaining to a functionality of the electronic appliance and executing the
functionality as selected.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: displaying icons pertaining to
the functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance prior to receiving the unlocking
pattern from the user.
17
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: receiving input from the user
that specifies at least one of: (a) the stored unlocking pattern; (b) the at least one subportion
of the stored locking pattern; and (c) the functionality sub-set associated with
said at least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: receiving input from the user
that specifies the stored unlocking pattern; segmenting the stored unlocking pattern
into at least one sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern; and receiving input from
the user associating functionality sub-set to said least one sub-portion of the stored
locking pattern.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising: segmenting the stored
unlocking pattern into multiple sub-portions to obtain at least a first sub-portion of the
stored unlocking pattern and a second sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising receiving first input from the
user associating a first set of functionalities of the electronic appliance to the first subportion
of the stored unlocking pattern and receiving second input from the user
associating a second set functionalities of the electronic appliance to the second subportion
of the stored unlocking pattern, each of the first set of functionalities and
second set of functionalities belonging to the functionality sub-set of the electronic
appliance.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving unlocking pattern from the user
comprises receiving input from the user that specifies a numeric or alphanumeric
code.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving unlocking pattern from the user
comprises receiving input from the user that contacts a touchscreen and traces a path
across the touchscreen.
15. An electronic appliance comprising:
an input unit for receiving an unlocking pattern from a user;
a storage device comprising a stored unlocking pattern, at least one pre-defined subportion
of the stored unlocking pattern and details of functionality sub-set of the
18
electronic appliance mapped to the said at least one pre-defined sub-portion of the
stored unlocking pattern;
a comparator being in operational interconnection with the input unit and the storage
device for determining whether the unlocking pattern received from the user matches
with at least one pre-defined sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern; and
a processor being in operational interconnection with the comparator and the storage
device for unlocking a functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance, in response to
a determination that the unlocking pattern received from the user matches with said at
least one pre-defined sub-portion of a stored unlocking pattern.
16. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the comparator is further
configured to determine whether the unlocking pattern received from the user matches
with the stored unlocking pattern.
17. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein in response to a
determination by the comparator that the unlocking pattern received from the user
matches with the stored unlocking pattern, the processor is further configured to
unlocking a functionality set of the electronic appliance.
18. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 16, wherein in response to a
determination by the comparator that the unlocking pattern received from the user
matches with the stored unlocking pattern, the processor is further configured to
display a home screen user interface of the electronic appliance.
19. The electronic appliance as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the processor
is further configured to determine a starting point of the unlocking pattern received
from the user and executing a functionality corresponding to the start point.
20. The electronic appliance as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the processor
is further configured to determine an end point of the unlocking pattern received from
the user and executing a functionality corresponding to the end point.
21. The electronic appliance as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the processor
is further configured to receive a selection pertaining to a functionality of the
electronic appliance from the input unit and executing the functionality as selected.
19
22. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the processor is further
configured to display icons pertaining to the functionality sub-set of the electronic
appliance prior to receiving the unlocking pattern from the user.
23. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the input unit is adapted to
receiving input from the user that specifies: (a) the stored unlocking pattern; (b) the at
least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern; and (c) the functionality sub-set
associated with said at least one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern; and the
storage device is adapted to store the same.
24. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the input unit is adapted to
receiving input from the user that specifies the stored unlocking pattern and storing
the same on the storage device and the processor is adapted to segment the stored
unlocking pattern into at least one sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern.
25. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 24, wherein the input unit is further
adapted to receiving input from the user associating functionality sub-set to said least
one sub-portion of the stored locking pattern and storing the same on the storage
device.
26. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 24, wherein the processor is further
adapted to segment the stored unlocking pattern into multiple sub-portions to obtain at
least a first sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern and a second sub-portion of the
stored unlocking pattern.
27. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 26, wherein the input unit is further
adapted to receive first input from the user associating a first set of functionalities of
the electronic appliance to the first sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern and
receive second input from the user associating a second set functionalities of the
electronic appliance to the second sub-portion of the stored unlocking pattern, each of
the first set of functionalities and second set of functionalities belonging to the
functionality sub-set of the electronic appliance.
28. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the input unit for receiving
unlocking pattern from the user comprises means for receiving input from the user
that specifies a numeric or alphanumeric code.
20
29. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein the input means for
receiving unlocking pattern from the user comprises a touchscreen receiving input
from the user that contacts a touchscreen and traces a path across the touchscreen.