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Google granted patent for pattern-based unlock screen, custom gestures

By on November 18, 2011 at 3:09pm in Mobile News

We seem to always post about innovative patents granted to Apple, so it’s nice to report that Google is protecting some of the features that make Android unique.

One such feature has been there for a few versions now, namely the pattern-based unlock screen. With it you are able to define a particular shape in a nine-point grid, making it nearly impossible to crack using brute force. It’s a simple and effective way of keeping your device secure, and even though newer arguably “cooler” methods have been added to Ice Cream Sandwich, namely Face Unlock.

Delving deeper into the patent filing, Google has also posited a method of executing custom actions directly from the pattern-based lock screen, depending on the shape and position of the gesture. For example (see photo after the break) you could pull up your calendar entries by forming a particular shape without even unlocking the device.

Though this hasn’t been implemented into ICS it’s a great idea and something that Android developers have already put into custom ROMs such as CyanogenMOD.

Source: 9to5Google
Via: Phandroid

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  2. Sony Ericsson patent generates music playlist based on facial expression
  3. Bell Motorola Atrix bootloader unlock discovered via Orange UK Gingerbread leak
  4. Google snatches up Toronto-based mobile game developer SocialDeck

Discussion

11 comments for “Google granted patent for pattern-based unlock screen, custom gestures”

  1. cool beans

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 2

    Posted by Cool | November 18, 2011, 3:10 pm
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  2. Neat.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2

    Posted by saffant | November 18, 2011, 3:20 pm
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  3. I know some blackberry developers that wont get happy about this.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3

    Posted by howitzer | November 18, 2011, 3:29 pm
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    • Why?

      Google has stated that is only uses patents for defensive purposes. So unless the blackberry developers are suing Google, they probably have nothing to worry about.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1

      Posted by Bryce | November 18, 2011, 3:58 pm

  4. no wonder…patternlock apps for blackberry were updated over the last 2 days and they’d stop working after the update.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Posted by Shibikku | November 18, 2011, 3:56 pm
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  5. They are patent applications, NOT patents.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2

    Posted by drewski | November 18, 2011, 4:25 pm
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  6. I doubt they’ll get it, as published, because there are videos online of android phones with the unlock screen published online before the filing date.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0

    Posted by drewski | November 18, 2011, 4:36 pm
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    • You might want to take another look at a lot of the tech patents going through these days. Neither prior art nor obviousness seem to matter anymore. First person to apply gets the patent. It’s insane.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0

      Posted by jorvay | November 18, 2011, 4:50 pm

  7. Quite frankly, I don’t care who gets what patent as long as it isn’t Apple getting it. None of the other companies bother suing. The patents they have are just for defense against certain aggressive, jealous fruits *cough*

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 6

    Posted by captain | November 18, 2011, 5:05 pm
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  8. Way to go Google! It’s about bloody time. You’d think after having several of your original ideas patented by other companies, and then getting sued over them, they would have hit up the patent office long before now. But good to see them waking up to the realities of the world

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2

    Posted by Jay | November 18, 2011, 7:15 pm
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  9. Better do it before apple steals it. Good for Google.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2

    Posted by cody | November 19, 2011, 5:24 pm
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