Patent ID: 8125312
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: G08C

Abstract:
1. An access management system for an electronic device, comprising: an accelerometer for generating a tap signal when said accelerometer detects a tap from a location of a plurality of locations on a case for said electronic device; a monitoring circuit connected to said accelerometer to process said tap signal; an access management module to receive said tap signal from said monitoring circuit and to determine whether said tap signal completes a match for a tap pattern to change an access state of said electronic device; and a graphical user interface (GUI) application allowing initial pattern entry or modifications to be made to said tap pattern for said electronic device, providing described levels of movement for said electronic device for said tap pattern including a first level of movement and a second level of movement and providing described locations for said plurality of tap signals, said described levels and said described locations used to define parameters for identifying an acceptable tap signal for said tap pattern, wherein said second level of movement is larger than said first level of movement; said system identifies for said tap signal said location, a magnitude and a time spacing characteristic compared to a previously received tap; said system utilizes one or more of said location, said magnitude and said time spacing characteristic of said tap to determine whether said tap signal completes said match for said tap pattern; said system analyzes said tap pattern against said tap signal independent of an orientation of said electronic device when said tap signal is imparted on said electronic device; said electronic device is a handheld electronic device; and said plurality of locations are locations on said case where fingers of a hand of a user can touch when said hand is holding said electronic device.