Abstract:
A simple, customizable and intuitive virtual combination unlock method and system. More specifically, an unlock system and method is disclosed which includes a virtual combination lock, where the virtual combination lock includes several rows of user-selectable images such as pictures or icons as the virtual combination wheels. In certain embodiments, the images are accessed via the user&#39;s database. To unlock the device, the user touches and drags pre-selected images into alignment with each other. Security can be adjusted by changing the number of images that need to be aligned to unlock the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to information handling systems and more particularly to a combination lock used for information handling systems. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     It is known to provide information handling systems with device locking capabilities. Locks for use with phones, tablets and touch screen information handling systems are well-known. Certain devices, such as the certain smart phones use a slide or swipe to unlock function. Other smart phones use patterns or pin numbers to provide unlocking function. It is also known to use picture passwords where a user taps on preset areas of a photo to unlock a device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a simple, customizable and intuitive virtual combination unlock method and system are disclosed. More specifically, an unlock method is disclosed which includes a virtual combination lock, where the virtual combination lock includes several rows of user-selectable images such as pictures or icons as the virtual combination wheels. In certain embodiments, the images are accessed via the user&#39;s database. To unlock the device, the user touches and drags pre-selected images into alignment with each other. Security can be adjusted by changing the number of images that need to be aligned to unlock the device. If the wheels appear with random indexes, the screen smears would not be usable to determine the unlock pattern. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the wheels are replaced by a grid or other-type arrangement where images are dropped into appropriate slots. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
         FIG. 1  shows a system block diagram of an information handling system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a flow chart of the operation of a photo combination lock system. 
         FIG. 3  shows a sample screen presentation of a photo combination lock system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 1 , a system block diagram of an information handling system  100  is shown. The information handling system  100  includes a processor  102 , input/output (I/O) devices  104 , such as a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and associated controllers (each of which may be coupled remotely to the information handling system  100 ), a memory  106  including volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory such as a hard disk and drive, and other storage devices  108 , such as an optical disk and drive and other memory devices, and various other subsystems  110 , all interconnected via one or more buses  112 . The memory  106  also stores an image unlock lock system  130  as well as image files  132 . 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a flow chart of the operation of an image combination lock system is shown. More specifically, when the image unlock system  130  is accessed at step  202 , the image unlock system  130  presents a combination lock with sets of images at step  210 . Each set of images is presented as a row of user selectable images such as pictures or icons. In certain embodiments, the images are derived from the image database of the user so that the images are familiar to the user. 
     Next, at step  220 , the user manipulates (e.g., touches and drags) the rows of images to align certain images with each other to provide an image combination set. Next at step  230 , the image unlock system  130  determines whether the correct combination of images have been aligned. If so, then the information handling system  100  is unlocked at step  232 . 
     If the correct combination of images are not aligned then the image unlock system increments an attempt count at step  240  and then determines whether a predefined number of attempts have been attempted (as indicated by the attempt count) at step  242 . If more than a predefined number of attempts have been attempted, then the information handling system  100  is placed in a higher security state at step  244 . If the number of predefined attempts has not been exceeded, then the image unlock system  130  returns to presenting a set of images at step  210 . In certain embodiments, the images may be scrambled before the images are presented. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a sample screen presentation of an image combination lock system is shown. More specifically, the image combination lock system includes a plurality of groups of images such as columns  310  of images  320 . Each of the groups of images are manipulated to move the images into alignment such as by dragging one group down  330  and another group up  332 . When a particular row of images  340  matches a predetermined image combination, then then information handling system is transitions from a locked configuration to an unlocked configuration  350 . 
     The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. 
     For example, security can be adjusted by changing the number of images that need to be aligned to unlock the device. Additionally, if the wheels appear with random indexes, the screen smears would not be usable to determine the unlock pattern. Additionally, the wheels can be replaced by a grid or other-type arrangement where images are dropped into appropriate slots. 
     Also for example, the above-discussed embodiments include software modules that perform certain tasks. The software modules discussed herein may include script, batch, or other executable files. The software modules may be stored on a machine-readable or computer-readable storage medium such as a disk drive. Storage devices used for storing software modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be magnetic floppy disks, hard disks, or optical discs such as CD-ROMs or CD-Rs, for example. A storage device used for storing firmware or hardware modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may also include a semiconductor-based memory, which may be permanently, removably, or remotely coupled to a microprocessor/memory system. Thus, the modules may be stored within a computer system memory to configure the computer system to perform the functions of the module Other new and various types of computer-readable storage media may be used to store the modules discussed herein. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the separation of functionality into modules is for illustrative purposes. Alternative embodiments may merge the functionality of multiple modules into a single module or may impose an alternate decomposition of functionality of modules. For example, a software module for calling sub-modules may be decomposed so that each sub-module performs its function and passes control directly to another sub-module. 
     Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.