Patent ID: 7574200

Claim:
An electronic device, comprising: a processor; an output device connected to the processor for issuing a user stimulus to a user of the electronic device; at least one input device connected to the processor and responsive to user interaction; and a device lock module associated with the processor, the device lock module being configured for initiating a lockout countdown timer having an interval set to an initial value; monitoring for user interaction within the interval; implementing the restrictions on user access when user interaction is not detected within the interval; monitoring for issuance of the user stimulus within the interval; and setting a time remaining in the interval to a second value less than the initial value when the user stimulus is issued during the interval; wherein the device lock module is configured such that, when the user stimulus is issued during the interval, the time remaining in the interval is set to the second value only when the time remaining exceeds the second value when the user stimulus is issued.