PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9372970-B2
Application Number: US-201213651118-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Gesture entry techniques

Abstract:
Techniques are provided for entering and saving a gesture on a touch-sensitive display device. In one embodiment, the device displays an array of visible graphical elements and may detect a gesture based on a user&#39;s touch of the visible graphical elements as well as on hidden areas not displayed to the user. For example, the device may detect a user&#39;s touch over hidden dots between the visible graphical elements or through hidden lines connecting the visible graphical elements. Some embodiments may include algorithms for improving accuracy in detecting the intended gesture. For example, the device may estimate possible or probable paths based on a current user touch position. In some embodiments, the visible graphical elements may be illuminated when a touch of the visible graphical elements is detected, or a disc representing a user&#39;s touch may be displayed as the user enters a gesture.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device, comprising:
 a touch-sensitive display; and 
 data processing circuitry configured to:
 cause the touch-sensitive display to display a gesture saving user interface that includes a gesture entry region comprising:
 a plurality of predefined selectable visible graphical elements displayed on the touch-sensitive display; 
 a plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements not displayed on the touch-sensitive display; and 
 interstitial regions on the touch-sensitive display that do not contain predefined selectable visible graphical elements and do not contain predefined selectable invisible elements; 
 
 detect movement of a first contact on the touch-sensitive display that includes movement through a combination of one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements, one or more of the predefined selectable invisible elements, and one or more of the interstitial regions, wherein the movement of the first contact comprises movement from at least one selectable visible graphical element to at least one selectable invisible element that passes through at least one interstitial region; 
 determine a sequence in which the first contact moves through the one or more predefined selectable visible graphical elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements without regard to motion of the first contact within the interstitial regions; and 
 save the sequence of the one or more predefined selectable visible elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements as an entered gesture. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predefined selectable visible graphical elements comprises an array of visible dots displayed on the touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements comprises an array of hidden dots not displayed on the touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the array of hidden dots is a subset of the array of visible dots. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein the array of visible dots is a subset of the array of hidden dots. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the entered gesture comprises receiving the combination of the one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements, the one or more of the predefined selected selectable invisible elements, the one or more of the interstitial regions during a user-selected time period. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to assign a strength indication based on the combination of the one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements, the one or more of the predefined selectable invisible elements, and the one or more of the interstitial regions. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the strength indication comprises a bar that transitions from empty to full proportional to the estimated strength of the entered gesture. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the entered gesture is not saved until a strength of the entered gesture is estimated as strong. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements comprise a plurality of hidden lines that connect respective selectable visible graphical elements to an immediately adjacent selectable visible graphical element, an immediately diagonal selectable visible graphical element, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the entered gesture comprises a number of crossed hidden lines. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the entered gesture comprises a number of a combination of selected selectable visible graphical elements and crossed hidden lines. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to display a disk representing a user&#39;s gesture entry while the entered gesture is received, wherein the disk position corresponds to an estimated position of the user&#39;s gesture. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the data processing circuitry is configured to illuminate the one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements when the one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements are selected while receiving the entered gesture. 
     
     
       15. A method comprising:
 displaying on a touch-sensitive display of an electronic device, a gesture saving user interface that includes a gesture entry region comprising:
 a plurality of predefined selectable visible graphical elements displayed on the touch-sensitive display; 
 a plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements not displayed on the touch-sensitive display; and 
 interstitial regions on the touch-sensitive display that do not contain predefined selectable visible graphical elements and do not contain predefined selectable invisible elements; 
 
 detecting movement of a first contact on the touch-sensitive display that includes movement through a combination of one or more of the predefined selected visible selectable graphical elements, one or more of the predefined selected invisible selectable touch-sensing elements, and one or more of the interstitial regions, wherein the movement of the first contact comprises movement from at least one selected visible selectable graphical element to at least one selected invisible selectable touch-sensing element that passes through at least one interstitial region, and wherein the selected invisible selectable touch-sensing elements are not displayed on the touch-sensitive display; 
 determine a sequence in which the first contact moves through the one or more predefined selectable visible elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements without regard to motion of the first contact within the interstitial regions; and 
 saving the sequence of movement of the first contact through the one or more predefined selectable visible elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements as an entered gesture. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the entered gesture is not saved until a strength of the entered gesture is estimated as strong. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , comprising displaying an illuminated disk representative of a path of the entered gesture while receiving the entered gesture. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the entered gesture comprises a first predefined selectable visible graphical element or predefined selectable invisible element and a second predefined selectable visible graphical element or predefined selectable invisible element that is not adjacent to the first predefined selectable visible graphical element or predefined selectable invisible element. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein saving the entered gesture comprises utilizing the entered gesture for a future authentication process. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein saving the entered gesture comprises utilizing the entered gesture for a future authorization process. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 15 , wherein saving the entered gesture comprises restricting access to the electronic device if a future entered gesture is not substantially similar to the saved entered gesture. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 15 , wherein saving the entered gesture comprises allowing access to the electronic device if a future entered gesture is substantially similar to the saved entered gesture. 
     
     
       23. A touch-sensitive electronic device configured to:
 display on a touch-sensitive display of the touch-sensitive electronic device a gesture saving user interface that includes a gesture entry region comprising:
 a plurality of predefined selectable visible graphical elements displayed on the touch-sensitive display and 
 a plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements not displayed on the touch-sensitive display, wherein there are interstitial regions on the touch-sensitive display that do not contain predefined selectable visible graphical elements and do not contain predefined selectable invisible elements; 
 detect movement of a first contact on the touch-sensitive display that includes movement through a combination of one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements, one or more of the predefined selectable invisible elements, and one or more of the interstitial regions, wherein the movement of the first contact gesture comprises movement from at least one selectable visible graphical element to at least one selectable invisible element that passes through at least one interstitial region; 
 
 determine a sequence in which the first contact moves through the one or more predefined selectable visible graphical elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements without regard to motion of the first contact within the interstitial regions; and 
 save the sequence of movement of the first contact through the one or more predefined selectable visible elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements as an entered gesture. 
 
     
     
       24. The touch-sensitive electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the touch-sensitive electronic device is configured to assign a strength indication based on the combination of the one or more of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements, the one or more of the predefined selectable invisible elements, and the one or more of the interstitial regions. 
     
     
       25. The touch-sensitive electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the touch-sensitive electronic device is configured to estimate a path of the entered gesture further based on a subsequently selected visible selectable graphical element or a subsequently selected invisible selectable element. 
     
     
       26. The touch-sensitive electronic device of  claim 25 , wherein the touch-sensitive electronic device is configured to assign a strength indication based on the subsequently selected visible selectable graphical element or the subsequently selected invisible selectable element in the path. 
     
     
       27. The touch-sensitive electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the touch-sensitive electronic device is configured to receive multiple selections of at least one predefined selectable visible graphical element while receiving the entered gesture. 
     
     
       28. The touch-sensitive electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the touch-sensitive electronic device is configured to receiving multiple selections of at least one predefined selectable invisible element while receiving the entered gesture. 
     
     
       29. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predefined selectable visible graphical elements displayed on the touch-sensitive display are distinct from the plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements not displayed on the touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       30. The electronic device of  claim 29 , wherein the plurality of predefined selectable invisible elements not displayed on the touch-sensitive display comprises a finite set of touch sensing elements on the touch-sensitive display. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the entered gesture comprises a combination of the predefined selectable visible graphical elements and a distinct combination of the predefined selectable invisible elements. 
     
     
       32. The touch-sensitive electronic device of  claim 23 , wherein the predefined selectable visible graphical elements are separate from the predefined selectable invisible elements. 
     
     
       33. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the data processing circuitry is further configured to:
 after saving the entered gesture, display an unlock user interface that includes the gesture entry region while one or more functions of the device in a locked state; 
 while displaying the unlock user interface, detect movement of a second contact on the touch-sensitive surface that is different from the movement of the first contact; and 
 in response to detecting the movement of the second contact:
 in accordance with a determination that the movement of the second contact includes movement through the one or more predefined selectable visible elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements in the sequence that corresponds to the entered gesture without regard to motion of the second contact within the interstitial regions, transition the one or more functions of the device to an unlocked state; and 
 in accordance with a determination that the movement of the second contact does not include movement through the one or more predefined selectable visible elements and the one or more predefined selectable invisible elements in the sequence that corresponds to the entered gesture without regard to motion of the second contact within the interstitial regions, maintain the one or more functions of the device in the locked state.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more specifically to techniques for entering gesture authentications into electronic devices. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     The present disclosure relates generally to controlling access to information or applications stored on an electronic device, such as a handheld or portable device. This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Electronic devices, and in particular portable electronic devices (e.g., portable media players, cellular telephones and notebook and tablet computers) are increasingly used for storing various types of information. Such information may include confidential information such as phone numbers, personal and professional contacts, electronic communications, information relating to finances or financial accounts, business related projects and documents, personal photos and videos, personal and business contacts, and so forth. Storing such information on a portable electronic device allows a user to access the information wherever the user may take the device. However, storing such information on a portable electronic device may also increase the risk that confidential information may be lost, stolen, or accessed by an unauthorized person. 
     Some electronic devices are configured with security measures to decrease accessibility of confidential information to unauthorized parties. However, conventional security measures such as the use of alphanumeric security codes (e.g., passwords, personal identification numbers [PINs], etc.) may not provide adequate security. In particular, screens or fields for entering a password or PIN may be visible to a bystander who may be able to view the entered security code. Furthermore, users may select a password or PIN which may be guessed relatively easily and may not provide a high degree of security for the stored confidential information. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     The present embodiments relate to the use of security measures based on non-alphanumeric inputs that are user configurable (as opposed to purely biometric inputs) to control access to restricted information or functions. For example, access to confidential information may be based on a gesture input via a touch-sensitive input device, such as a touch-sensitive display or touchpad. A gesture may be used to invoke one or more authentication screens such as, a gesture entry screen, for accessing confidential information or functions that may be otherwise unavailable. 
     In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an authentication gesture entry screen is displayed to allow a user to enter a desired gesture via an array of visible and/or invisible touch sensing areas displayed on a touch-sensitive display. To enter or input the authentication gesture, the user travels a path along the touch sensing areas using one or more fingers until achieving a desired gesture. If the entered gesture is estimated as a strong gesture, then the entered gesture is saved for the purpose of user authentication and/or authorization. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of this disclosure may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of example components of an electronic device, in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a handheld electronic device embodiment in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a tablet computer for use accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a gesture entry screen in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  depicts an example of entered gestures on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a 2×2 array of hidden dots on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an example of an entered gesture on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 6  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a 4×4 array of hidden dots on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  depicts an example of an entered gesture on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 8  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  depicts a timer indicator on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a strength estimation indicator on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process suitable for entering a gesture to authenticate a user, in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIGS. 13-13E  depict examples of an entered gestures through hidden dots and corresponding strength estimation indicator on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIGS. 14A-14H  depict examples of an entered gesture through hidden lines on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIGS. 15A-15G  depict alternative examples of an entered gesture through hidden lines on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; and 
         FIGS. 16A-16D  depict examples of an entered gestures through hidden lines and corresponding strength estimation indicators on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
         FIG. 17  depicts an example of illuminated contact disks on the gesture entry screen of  FIG. 4  in accordance with present embodiments; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The present techniques allow for securely accessing confidential and/or hidden information or functions stored on an electronic device. Examples of such information and functions may include bank account or credit card information (as well as other types of financial information), personal contacts, personal photos, applications that allow or invoke confidential information, and networks or similar communication options that may be accessible via an electronic device. The information or functions may be accessed using non-alphanumeric (e.g., characters or elements not found on a keyboard), and non-biometric inputs that are user configurable, such as gestures or sequence codes. In certain embodiments, an initial screen may not display any reference to the existence of the confidential data or functions or any visible selection related to accessing such data or function. The presently disclosed techniques allow a user to enter and save an authentication gesture to restrict access to such confidential data or functions. Once the entered authentication gesture is saved, the confidential data and/or functions can be accessed only if a subsequent entry of an authentication gesture is substantially the same as the saved authentication gesture. 
     In one embodiment, the gesture entry screen is displayed to allow a user to enter a desired gesture via an array of visible graphical elements including illuminated dots, invisible touch-sensing areas including hidden dots and/or hidden lines, or a combination of visible graphical elements and touch-sensing areas on a touch-sensitive display. To enter or input the gesture, the user travels a path at least along, between, near, or around the visible graphical elements using one or more fingers until achieving a desired gesture, or until a strength estimation indicator displayed on the gesture entry screen indicates to the user that the entered gesture is estimated as a strong gesture. 
     The user then saves the entered gesture to restrict access to confidential data and/or functions. Once the entered gesture is saved, the confidential data and/or functions can be accessed only if a subsequent entry of a gesture is substantially the same as the saved authentication gesture. 
     With these foregoing features in mind, a general description of suitable electronic devices for implementing aspects of the present techniques is provided. In  FIG. 1 , a block diagram depicting various components that may be present in electronic devices suitable for use with the present techniques is provided. In  FIG. 2 , one example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a handheld electronic device, is depicted. In  FIG. 3 , another example of a suitable electronic device, here provided as a tablet computer, is depicted. These types of electronic devices, and other electronic devices providing suitable storage and/or processing capabilities, may be used in conjunction with the present techniques. For example, these and similar types of electronic devices may implement non-alphanumeric, non-biometric authentication schemes to access hidden or confidential information or functions in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure. 
     An example of a suitable electronic device may include various internal and/or external components which contribute to the function of the device.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating the components that may be present in such an electronic device  10  and which may allow the device  10  to function in accordance with the techniques discussed herein. As will be appreciated, the various functional blocks shown in  FIG. 1  may include hardware elements (including application specific or generic circuitry), software elements (including computer code or instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium) or a combination of both hardware and software elements. It should further be noted that  FIG. 1  is merely one example of a particular implementation and is merely intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in a device  10 . For example, in the presently illustrated embodiment, these components may include a display  18 , I/O ports  12 , input displays  14 , data processing circuitry, such as one or more processors  14 , a memory device  20 , a non-volatile storage  22 , expansion card(s)  24 , a networking device  26 , and a power source  28 . 
     With regard to each of these components, the display  18  may be used to display various images generated by the device  10 . The display  18  may be any type of display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or other suitable display. In certain embodiments of the electronic device  10 , the display  18  may include a touch-sensitive element, such as a touch screen, and may be used to perform methods of entering and saving authentication gestures. 
     The I/O ports  30  may include ports configured to connect to a variety of external devices, such as a power source or other electronic devices (such as handheld devices and/or computers, printers, projectors, external displays, modems, docking stations, and so forth). The I/O ports  30  may support any standard or proprietary interface type, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a video port, a serial connection port, an IEEE-1394 port, an Ethernet or modem port, and/or an AC/DC power connection port. 
     The input displays  16  may include the various devices, circuitry, and pathways by which input or feedback is provided to data processing circuitry, such as the processor  14 . Such input displays  16  may be configured to control a function of the device  10  when actuated. For example, the input displays  16  may include buttons, sliders, switches, control pads, keys, knobs, scroll wheels, keyboards, mice, touchpads, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the input displays  16  may also include such components as global positioning system (GPS) circuitry and/or accelerometers that convey information about the location and/or orientation of the device  10  to the processor(s)  14 . 
     In certain embodiments, an input structure  14  and display  18  may be provided together, such an in the case of a touch screen where a touch-sensitive mechanism is provided in conjunction with the display  18 . In such embodiments, the user may select or interact with displayed interface elements via the touch-sensitive mechanism. In this way, the displayed user interface may provide interactive functionality, allowing a user to select, by touch screen or other input display, from among options displayed on the display  18 . 
     User interaction with the input structure  14 , such as to interact with a user or application interface displayed on the display  18 , may generate electrical signals indicative of the user input. These input signals may be routed via suitable pathways, such as an input hub or bus, to data processing circuitry, such as the processor(s)  14 , for further processing. 
     The processor(s)  14  may provide data processing capability to execute and support one or more operating systems, programs, user and application interfaces, software systems and applications, and any other functions of the electronic device  10 . The processor(s)  14  may include one or more microprocessors, such as one or more “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors and/or ASICS, a System-on-Chip (SoC) microprocessor, or some combination of such processing components and devices. For example, the processor  14  may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors, as well as graphics processors, video processors, audio processors and/or related chip sets. 
     The instructions or data to be processed by the processor(s)  14  may be stored in a memory  20 . The memory  20  may be provided as a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or as a non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory  20  may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory  20  may store firmware executed by a processor  14  (such as basic input/output instructions or operating system instructions, including instructions implementing non-alphanumeric authentication (e.g., authentication not based on keys or characters found on a keyboard) as discussed herein), other programs that enable various functions of the electronic device  10 , user interface functions, processor functions. In addition, the memory  20  and may be used for buffering or caching during operation of the electronic device  10 . 
     The components may further include a non-volatile storage  22  for persistent storage of data and/or instructions. The non-volatile storage  22  may include flash memory, a hard drive, or any other optical, magnetic, and/or solid-state storage media. The non-volatile storage  22  may be used to store data files such as personal or business information (e.g., financial and other account information), software, wireless connection information (e.g., information that may enable the electronic device  10  to establish a wireless connection, such as a telephone or wireless network connection), and any other suitable data. In addition, the non-volatile storage  22  may also store code and/or data for implementing various functions of the electronic device  10 , such as application or program code, data associated with such applications or programs, operating system code, user configured preferences, as well as code for implementing secure user authentication as discussed herein. 
     The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  may also include one or more card or expansion slots. The card slots may be configured to receive an expansion card  24  that may be used to add functionality, such as additional memory, I/O functionality, or networking capability, to the electronic device  10 . Such an expansion card  24  may connect to the device through any type of suitable standard or proprietary connector, and may be accessed internally or external to the housing of the electronic device  10 . For example, in one embodiment, the expansion card  24  may be flash memory card, such as a SecureDigital (SD) card, mini- or microSD, CompactFlash card, Multimedia card (MMC), or the like. 
     The components depicted in  FIG. 1  also include a network device  24 , such as a network controller or a network interface card (NIC). In one embodiment, the network device  24  may be a wireless NIC providing wireless connectivity over any 802.11 standard or any other suitable wireless networking standard. The network device  24  may allow the electronic device  10  to communicate over a network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), cellular network, or the Internet. Further, the electronic device  10  may connect to and send or receive data with any device on the network, such as portable electronic devices, personal computers, printers, and so forth. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the electronic device  10  may not include a network device  24 . In such an embodiment, a NIC may be added as an expansion card  24  to provide similar networking capability as described above. 
     Further, the components may also include a power source  28 . In one embodiment, the power source  28  may be one or more batteries, such as a lithium-ion polymer battery. The battery may be user-removable or may be secured within the housing of the electronic device  10 , and may be rechargeable. Additionally, the power source  28  may include AC power, such as provided by an electrical outlet, and the electronic device  10  may be connected to the power source  28  via a power adapter. This power adapter may also be used to recharge one or more batteries if present. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 2  illustrates an electronic device  10  in the form of a handheld device  10 A, here a cellular telephone, that may be used to store confidential personal and/or professional information and/or to execute routines to facilitate secure authentication in accessing such information or other secured features (network connections, applications, and so forth) of the device  10 A. It should be noted that while the depicted handheld device  10 A is provided in the context of a cellular telephone, other types of handheld devices (such as media players for playing music and/or video, personal data organizers, handheld game platforms, and/or combinations of such devices) may also be suitable be provided as the electronic device  10 . Further, a suitable handheld device  10 A may incorporate the functionality of one or more types of devices, such as a media player, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, a personal data organizer, and so forth. 
     For example, in the depicted embodiment, the handheld device  10 A is in the form of a cellular telephone that may provide various additional functionalities (such as the ability to take pictures, record audio and/or video, listen to music, play games, and so forth). As discussed with respect to the generalized electronic device of  FIG. 1 , the handheld device  10 A may allow a user to connect to and communicate through the Internet or through other networks, such as local or wide area networks or cellular networks. For example, the handheld device  10 A may allow a user to communicate using e-mail, text messaging, instant messaging, or other forms of electronic communication. The handheld electronic device  10 A, may also communicate with other devices using short-range connections, such as Bluetooth and near field communication. By way of example, the handheld device  10 A may be a model of an iPod® or iPhone®, or a derivative thereof, available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
     In the depicted embodiment, a housing  32  includes input displays  16  through which a user may interface with the device. Each input display  14  may be configured to help control a device function when actuated. For example, in a cellular telephone implementation, one or more of the input displays  16  may be configured to invoke a “home” screen or menu to be displayed, to toggle between a sleep and a wake mode, to silence a ringer for a cell phone application, to increase or decrease a volume output, and so forth. 
     A display  18  of the handheld device  10 A may be used to display a graphical user interface (GUI)  34  that allows a user to interact with the handheld device  10 A. The GUI  34  may include various layers, windows, screens, templates, or other graphical elements that may be displayed in all, or a portion, of the display  18 . In certain embodiments, the GUI  34  may include a gesture entry screen to implement and facilitate the authentication and/or authorization of a user of the electronic device  10 . Generally, the GUI  34  may include graphical elements that represent applications and functions of the electronic device. The graphical elements may include icons  36  and other images representing buttons, sliders, menu bars, and the like. The icons  36  may correspond to various applications of the electronic device that may open upon selection of a respective icon  36 . Furthermore, selection of an icon  36  may lead to a hierarchical navigation process, such that selection of an icon  36  leads to a screen that includes one or more additional icons or other GUI elements. The icons  36  may be selected via a touch screen provided as the display  18  in certain embodiments, or may be selected by a user input display  14 , such as a wheel or button 
     In addition, the handheld device  10 A may include data processing circuitry (such as one or more processors), network connectivity, memory, and storage capabilities, as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , which allow the handheld device  10 A to store and execute the GUI or other applications suitable for implementing the present techniques. For example, the handheld device  10 A may be configured to store and execute code suitable for accessing confidential information or secured applications or network connections using gestures input via a touch screen, a sequence of user selections of displayed objects, or other non-alphanumeric (e.g., non-keyboard), non-biometric inputs. Further, to the extent that the handheld device  10 A has network connectivity, such connectivity may be utilized to update or modify an existing application or GUI on the handheld device  10 A to provide such functionality, i.e., to update an operating system or software application to include new or modified functionality with respect to accessing secured data, applications, or connections on electronic devices. 
     In addition to handheld devices  10 A, such as the depicted cellular telephone of  FIG. 2 , an electronic device  10  may also take the form of a computer or other types of electronic device on which confidential information might be stored and on which software code governing secure access to such information might be executed. Such computers may include computers that are generally portable (such as laptop, notebook, and tablet computers) as well as computers that are generally used in one place (such as conventional desktop computers, workstations and/or servers). In certain embodiments, the electronic device  10  in the form of computer may be a model of a MacBook®, MacBook® Pro, MacBook Air®, iMac®, Mac® mini, or Mac Pro® available from Apple Inc. 
     By way of example, a tablet computing device  10 B embodiment of the electronic device  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The depicted tablet computing device  10 B includes, a housing  32  includes a display  18 , input displays  16 , and input/output ports  30 C. The input displays  16  (such as one or more pushbuttons and touchpad) may be used to interact with the tablet computing device  10 , such as to start, control, or operate a GUI or applications running on the tablet computing device  10 . For example, the touchpad may allow a user to navigate a user interface or application interface displayed on the display  18 . In addition, the input and output ports  30 C may allow connection of additional devices. For example, the tablet computing device  10 B may include an I/O port  30 C, such as a USB port or other port, suitable for connecting to another electronic device, such as a handheld device  10 A. 
     In addition, as discussed with respect to the handheld device  10 A, the tablet computing device  10 B may include data processing circuitry (such as one or more processors), network connectivity, memory, and storage capabilities that allow the tablet computing device  10 B to store and execute a GUI and other applications suitable for implementing the present techniques. For example, the tablet computing device  10 B may be configured to store and execute programming code encoding routines suitable for accessing confidential information or secured applications or network connections using non-alphanumeric and non-biometric inputs (e.g., gestures, sequences, and so forth). Further, to the extent that a tablet computing device  10 B has network connectivity, such connectivity may be utilized to update or modify an existing application on the tablet computing device  10 B to provide such functionality. 
     In certain embodiments, the tablet computing device  10 B may provide the functionality of more than one type of electronic device, such as a device incorporating the functionality of two or more of a media player, a web browser, a cellular phone, a gaming platform, a personal data organizer, and so forth. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the tablet computing device  10 B may provide various additional functionalities, such as the ability to display information, take pictures and record audio and/or video listen to music, play games, and so forth. By way of example only, the tablet computing device  10 B may be a model of an iPad® tablet computer, available from Apple Inc. 
     With the foregoing discussion in mind, it may be appreciated that an electronic device  10  in either embodiment of a handheld device  10 A or a tablet computing device  10 B may be suitable for storing confidential or hidden information and providing user authentication via non-alphanumeric, non-biometric inputs or gestures as described herein. Accordingly, as used herein, the term “authentication” may refer to a system or process in which a supporting system or device (e.g., electronic device  10 ) securely identifies the user of the system or device prior to granting access to confidential information. Similarly, as used herein, the term “authorization” may refer to a system or process in which a supporting system or device (e.g., electronic device  10 ) determines the extent or level of access to confidential information an authenticated user should be allowed. The term “gesture” can be understood to encompass the movement of one or more fingers across or along a touch-sensitive display or device (e.g., display  18 ), such as to move along a path, draw a pattern or shape, move a displayed virtual object, and so forth. Accordingly, the term “gesture,” as will be further appreciated, can therefore be understood to be distinct from the simple act of touching the touch-sensitive display, such as a touch screen or touch pad, at a single point or without movement along the surface of the touch-sensitive display, as may occur when a button, icon, or object is typically selected using a touch-sensitive display. Thus, in certain embodiments, a gesture can be understood to include one or more gesture strokes (or one or more finger touch travel paths). Though specific examples of the use of one type of electronic device or another might be described or discussed herein as storing confidential information or as providing user authentication and/or authorization via gesture, sequence, or other non-alphanumeric, non-biometric input, such discussion is intended as an example only and should not be construed as limiting or as indicative of a preference of one implementation over another. Instead, it should be understood that any suitable electronic device  10  (whether a portable handheld electronic device  10 A, portable tablet computing device  10 B, or other type of device) configured to store confidential information, and receive non-alphanumeric and non-biometric inputs that may be used to perform these respective functions in the various implementations described herein. 
     In certain embodiments, gestures are user definable, in which a user can define or configure the gesture, and are generated and entered by the user when prompted, such as when designating data or a function as having restricted access. That is, the act of designating data or a function as having restricted access may invoke an gesture entry routine (as opposed to a password or PIN entry routine) in which the user performs the desired gesture. As will be further appreciated, the user may enter and save a gesture to restrict access to confidential data or functions to only an authenticated and/or authorized user. 
     For example, in one implementation, code or instructions stored and/or executed on a handheld device  10 A or tablet computing device  10 B may be used to invoke display of one or more authentication screens, which may include at least gesture entry screen. The gesture entry screen may be part of an authentication and/or authorization system, which in turn allows a user to enter and save a gesture to restrict access to otherwise unavailable (e.g., confidential, hidden, and so forth) data or functions (e.g., applications or network connections). 
     In certain embodiments, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , an implementation of an gesture entry screen  62  for use with gestures is depicted with respect to the display  18  (e.g., touch-sensitive display) of the electronic device  10 . The gesture entry screen  62  may include an array of selectable graphical elements  60 A,  60 B,  60 C,  60 D,  60 E,  60 F,  60 G,  60 H,  60 I, which may each serve as initiation and/or destination locations for user gestures. As will be appreciated, though the depicted example employs graphical elements that are circular in shape, other shapes of touch sensing areas (e.g., triangular, square, star-shaped, and so forth) suitable for marking a location on the touch-sensitive display  18  may be employed. Likewise, though a 3×3 grid is depicted, other sizes and shapes of grids of graphical elements  60 A- 60 I may be displayed, e.g., 2×2, 2×3, 3×4, 4×4, 5×5, and so forth. In some embodiments, the graphical elements  60 A- 60 I may be randomly arranged on the gesture entry screen  62 , or may be customized (e.g., arranged by the user) to the preference of the user. Further, the size of the graphical elements  60 A- 60 I may vary in different implementations to represent the tolerance and/or precision associated with the gesture. For example, larger graphical elements  60 A- 60 I may be associated with greater tolerance in evaluating a gesture or vice versa. It should be further appreciated that the gesture entry screen  62  may also include one or more invisible touch sensing areas instead of or in addition to the visibly displayed graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. For example, in one embodiment, the gesture entry screen  62  may display no visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, but instead may allow a user to enter a gesture over one or more preferred display images (e.g., photos) or over a dark display screen. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in certain embodiments, a user may enter a gesture using one or more gesture strokes  64 . The gesture strokes  64  may begin and end at any one of the graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, including beginning and ending at the same graphical element, for example, by using a small circular gesture or similar gesture that returns to the initial graphical element. As discussed above, the path a finger travels between one or more of the graphical elements  60 A- 60 I may also constitute a gesture evaluated to authenticate and/or authorize a user. For example, in one embodiment, the gesture strokes  64  may include a user moving one or more fingers across the surface of the display  18  (e.g., touch-sensitive display) to invoke an authentication routine, for example, by performing a gesture on the gesture entry screen  62 . Thus, as implemented as an input to the electronic device  10 , a gesture may be described by a sequence of locations (e.g., a series of coordinates) input via a user touching the display  18 . As discussed herein, such a sequence of locations may include more than one location being input concurrently. That is, a multi-touch may be implemented by the user, in which more than one finger may be involved in making a gesture on the display  18  at any given time. 
     Further, a sequence of locations may be defined not only by location in space, or where the contact is occurring, but by respective timing, or when the contact or movement is occurring. In this way, the velocity or acceleration of the finger or fingers on the touch-sensitive display  18  or the addition or removal of fingers involved in the gesture at a particular point in time may define the gesture. Likewise, in certain embodiments, pauses may be incorporated into the gesture such that a gesture is evaluated based on whether the pauses are present at particular times when tracing the gesture. 
     Thus, as an input, a gesture may be understood to encompass sequential locations or positions (e.g., coordinates) identified by the movement of a finger or fingers on a touch-sensitive display  18 . The input associated with such a gesture may also include a temporal component that may be evaluated separately from the spatial component (i.e., the movement of a second finger is included or removed from the gesture movement at a particular point in time) or may be evaluated in conjunction with the spatial component (i.e., the velocity and/or acceleration of the finger when moving across the touch-sensitive display may constitute part of the gesture). 
     As will be discussed in greater detail below, an input associated with one or more gesture strokes  64  may be further characterized by other factors. For example, the total distance traveled by a finger in performing one or more gesture strokes  64  may be a factor used to characterize the gesture. That is, two different gesture strokes  64  may begin and end at the same points on a touch-sensitive display such as the display  18 , but may travel different paths of different lengths in moving between the otherwise identical beginning and ending locations. In such a context, the actual path traced or the distance traveled may be used to characterize the authentication gesture. Likewise, the direction of a movement may be used to characterize the authentication gesture. For example, a clockwise circular motion and a counterclockwise circular motion may start and stop at the same locations and may involve a movement of the same distance. However, such complementary movements may be distinguished based on the directionality of the motion in addition to the actual path traveled. 
     Further, in certain embodiments, the speed at which all or part of the authentication gesture is executed, or the speed at which the path or paths are traveled between graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, may constitute part of the gesture that is estimated or evaluated. For example, the gesture may be authenticated if performed at a certain speed or range, or if certain gesture strokes  64  of the gesture are performed at one speed while other gesture strokes  64  of the gesture are performed at a different speed. As will be discussed in greater detail, in such an embodiment, a visible trace or color illuminated trail may be displayed on the gesture entry screen  62 (such as a colored circle or trail centered on the moving fingertip) which changes color, shading or hatching based on the speed of the fingertip motion. 
     As an example of various gesture stokes  64 , and by extension various potential gestures, as depicted in  FIG. 5 , a user may begin a gesture at a first graphical element  60 A, as shown by finger contact disc  68  overlying the first touch area  60 A. As depicted by the gesture strokes  64 , the user may perform all or part of a gesture by moving his or her finger, while in contact with the display  18 , to any of the graphical elements (e.g.,  60 B- 60 I), including the first graphical element  60 A, as well as any invisible touch sensing area of the authentication screen  62 . Thus, in the depicted example a simple gesture from a first graphical element to a second graphical element, excluding path, speed, distance, and so forth, may yield at least 81 (i.e., 9×9 touch sensing areas) possible combinations. Accordingly, each additional graphical element (e.g.,  60 A- 60 I) added to the authentication gesture may increase the number of possible combinations by a factor of 9. For example, an gesture moving from a first to a second to a third graphical element (e.g.,  60 A to  60 B to  60 C) may have 729 combinations, while a fourth graphical element (e.g.,  60 A to  60 B to  60 C to  60 D) may yield 6,561 combinations, and so forth. 
     As previously noted, in certain embodiments, the gesture entry screen  62  may, in addition to the visible selectable graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, include an array of invisible touch-sensing areas. As will be discussed in greater detail, in one embodiment, the invisible touch-sensing areas may include an array of hidden dots  66 , while in another embodiment the invisible touch-sensing areas may include an array or arrangement of crossing and connecting hidden lines. Nevertheless, the invisible touch-sensing areas may allow a user, for example, to perform gestures that include traveling a detected path along, between, near, or around the visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 6 , the hidden dots  66 A- 66 D may each be interspersed between and around the visible selectable graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. In a further example, again referring to  FIG. 6 , the hidden dots  66 A,  66 B,  66 C, and  66 D may each be positioned substantially at the center of any two or more graphical elements  60 A- 60 I in any direction. It should also be appreciated that, although displayed as a 2×2 array, the hidden dots  66  (e.g., dots  66 A- 66 D) may be arranged in any size array (e.g., 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, and so forth). Further, the hidden dots (e.g., hidden dots  66 A- 66 D) may be spaced in an arrangement that allows a user to perform one or more gesture strokes  64  and complete a gesture entry by either touching no visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, or by traveling a path from a first desired graphical element (e.g., graphical element  60 A) to any other graphical element in the array of visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. 
     For example, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , a first gesture stroke  64 A may be performed by traveling from graphical element  60 A through hidden dots  66 A,  66 C,  66 D to  66 B, and then to graphical element  60 C. Continuing, a second gesture stroke  64 B may be performed concurrently with gesture stroke  64 A as multi-touch gesture, for example, by using one finger to perform gesture stroke  64 A and another finger to perform gesture stroke  64 B at substantially the same time. Otherwise, the second gesture stroke  64 B may be performed subsequent to performing gesture stroke  64 A, for example, by using the one finger to perform gesture stroke  64 A, and lifting the one finger to perform gesture stroke  64 B. 
     Without the currently disclosed techniques, to perform certain gestures (e.g., gestures strokes  64 A and  64 B of  FIG. 7 ), a user could travel in only direct paths through intervening graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. That is, the path the user traveled from one graphical element (e.g.,  60 A- 60 I) to another graphical element (e.g.,  60 A- 60 I) would be inconsequential, as the electronic device (e.g., electronic device  10 ) could only detect paths through intervening graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. For example, to perform a gesture stroke  64  from graphical element  60 A to element  60 C, the electronic device would detect that the user traveled a path through the intervening graphical element  60 B. However, the presently disclosed embodiments allows the user to perform gestures (e.g., multi-touch, double touch, drag, flick, rotate, etc.) by traveling any desired path from graphical element (e.g.,  60 A- 60 I) to graphical element (e.g.,  60 A- 60 I), as the path traveled through touch-sensing areas (e.g., hidden dots  66  and/or hidden lines) is detected as part of the entered gesture. For example, again referring to  FIG. 7 , the gesture stroke  64 A is performed by traveling from graphical element  60 A through hidden dots  66 A,  66 C,  66 D to  66 B, and then to graphical element  60 C. Thus the possible combinations of gesture entries and potential gesture strength are increased. Similarly, as previously noted, the user may likewise enter a complete gesture by traveling only through touch-sensing areas (e.g., hidden dots  66  and/or hidden lines) between, but not touching, any of the graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. 
     Similar to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 8  depicts an embodiment of the gesture entry screen  62  including a 3×3 array of visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and a 4×4 array of invisible hidden dots  66 A- 66 P. As previously noted, and also depicted in  FIG. 8 , the hidden dots  66  (e.g., hidden dots  66 A- 66 P) may be interspersed or scattered among the visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. As also noted above with respect to  FIG. 5 , in such an embodiment, additional graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and/or hidden dots  66 A- 66 P added to the authentication gesture may increase the total number of possible gesture combinations by factors of 9. Accordingly, by including a 4×4 array of hidden dots  66 A- 66 P, the possible combinations of gesture entries may be further increased, and by extension, gesture authentication strength and complexity may be further increased. 
     Depicted in  FIG. 9  is an example of a gesture performed through the 3×3 array of visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and the 4×4 array of invisible hidden dots  66 A- 66 P. As illustrated, a user may perform a gesture stroke  64 A by making one or more circular paths through hidden dots  66 A,  66 E,  66 F,  66 B and around graphical element  60 A. Particularly, it should be appreciated that the circular paths through the hidden dots (e.g.,  66 A,  66 E,  66 F,  66 B) and around graphical element  60 A may represent multiple (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and so forth) circle paths around the graphical element  60 A, thus increasing the strength and complexity the gesture. Further, the user may perform gesture strokes  64 B (e.g., traveling a path from hidden dot  66 F through graphical elements  60 E and  60 I) and  64 C (e.g., traveling a path from graphical element  60 G through graphical elements  60 H and  60 I) as single or multi-touch gestures strokes  64 . As will be further appreciated, such a gesture may be estimated as a strong gesture, and saved to be used for the purpose of user authentication and/or authorization. 
     In certain embodiments, the authentication screen or gesture entry screen  62  may also include a timer indicator  73 , as depicted in  FIG. 10 . The timer indicator  73  may indicate a time elapsed while the user enters a gesture. For example, the elapsed time indicated by timer indicator  73  may be based on the time it takes to travel a number of graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, hidden dots  66 A- 66 D and/or hidden lines, or combinations of graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and hidden dots  66 A- 66 D and/or hidden lines the user touches. Alternatively the elapsed time indicated by the timer indicator  73  may be based on the total distance traveled for each gesture stroke  64  performed by the user. In one embodiment, the timer indicator  73  may allow a user to view a specified amount of time he or she should be allotted to complete a gesture. For example, a user may set and save the allotted time for entering a gesture to, for example, 10 seconds. In such the case, each subsequent time the user enters a gesture, the timer indicator  73  may display a 10-second time revolution. In certain embodiments, the strength of a gesture may be based on a specified allotted time. 
     In certain embodiments, the gesture entry screen  62  may further include a gesture strength estimation indicator  70 . As depicted in  FIG. 11 , the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may include a progress bar  72  that may indicate to a user the strength (or the measure of length, complexity, unpredictability, entropy or randomness, general security, and so forth) of a gesture (e.g., a collection of gesture strokes  64 ) being entered or having been entered by the user. The progress bar  72  of the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may range or extend from a “Low” end of the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  to a “High” end (e.g., transition from empty to full) of the indicator  70  in proportion to the strength of the gesture entered by the user. For example, the progress bar  72  may extend a proportional percentage (e.g., 10% extension to 100% extension) to indicate a weak, medium, or strong entered gesture. The progress bar  72  of the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may further display varying colors in proportion to the strength of the gesture entered by the user. For example, the color red may indicate a weak gesture, yellow a gesture of medium strength, while green may indicate a strong gesture. 
     As it may be worth noting, the extension and/or variation in color of progress bar  72  may each either concurrently indicate gesture strength or each sequentially indicate gesture strength. For example, the progress bar  72  may extend in 10 percent increments from “Low” to “High” while concurrently displaying varying colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, etc.) to indicate gesture strength. However, in certain embodiments, the progress bar  72  may extend in 10 percent increments up to 100 percent, and subsequently display varying colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green) to indicate an even stronger gesture. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , a flow diagram is presented, illustrating an embodiment of a process  74  performed by a device, such as the device  10 , that may be useful in displaying a gesture entry screen  62 , and receiving, analyzing, and storing an entered gesture for the purpose of user authentication and/or authorization. Further, for the purpose of illustration,  FIGS. 13-17  will be discussed as example embodiments of the process  74  of  FIG. 12 . The process  74  may include code or instructions stored in a non-transitory machine-readable medium (e.g., the memory  20 ) and executed, for example, by the processor(s)  14 . The gesture entry screen  62  may allow a user of electronic device  10 , for example, to enter a unique or desired gesture using a array of displayed graphical elements (e.g., graphical elements  60 A- 60 I), a array of invisible touch-sensing areas (e.g., hidden dots  66  and/or hidden lines  94 ), or a combination of visible graphical elements and invisible touch-sensing areas by employing any number of gestures (e.g., single touch, double touch, drag, flick, multi-touch, rotate, pinch, zoom, etc.). 
     The process  74  may begin with the electronic device  10  displaying (block  76  of  FIG. 12 ) the gesture entry screen  62 . For example, the gesture entry screen may appear as depicted in  FIG. 13 . Although not shown, the user may see one or more instructional and selectable screen elements, prompting the user to enter and save a discretionary gesture. The user may then view the gesture entry screen  62 , which, as previously noted with respect to  FIG. 4 , may include an array of visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and/or an array of invisible touch-sensing areas (e.g., hidden dots  66 A- 66 D). The electronic device  10  may then receive (block  78 ) and analyze (block  80 ) an estimated gesture entered by the user. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 13 , the user may see a strength estimation indicator  70  and progress bar  72 , indicating to the user the strength of the gesture estimated and analyzed as the user performs one or more gesture strokes  64  to enter a gesture. As previously noted, the progress bar  72 , for example, may both extend from the “Low” end to the “High” end (e.g., transition from empty to full) of the strength estimation indicator  70 , as well as display varying colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow, green, and so forth) to indicate gesture strength based on an estimate of the entered gesture while the user enters a desired gesture. Upon entering a desired gesture of strong strength, the user may then elect to save (block  82 ) the entered gesture for later utilization to authenticate and/or authorize, for example, a user of the electronic device  10 . 
     For the purpose of further illustration, various examples of entered gestures and corresponding gesture strength estimation indicators  70  are depicted in  FIGS. 13A-13E . As previously discussed, the gesture entry screen  62  supported by processor(s)  14  of electronic device  10  may assign strength or weights to particular gestures based on the number of graphical elements  60 A- 60 I touched by the user, the number of hidden dots  66  (e.g., hidden dots  66 A- 66 P) touched by the user, the number of combinations of graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and hidden dots  66  touched by the user, or the type of gesture performed (e.g., a double touch gesture may be assigned more strength than single touch and drag gestures, while rotate and zoom gestures may be assigned more strength than a double touch, and so forth) by the user. However, in particular, more strength or greater weight may be assigned based on the path traveled over invisible touch-sensing areas (e.g., hidden dots or hidden lines), as the complexity and entropy of the possible combinations of gesture entries may be markedly increased. 
     For example,  FIG. 13A  displays a relatively simple gesture input (e.g., gesture stroke  64 ) traveling directly from graphical element  60 A to the column-adjacent graphical element  60 D, and then directly to the neighboring graphical element  60 E. Accordingly, the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may indicate a weak gesture, displaying, for example, a red, only 10% extended progress bar  72 . Similarly,  FIG. 13B  displays a 4×4 array of hidden dots  66 A- 66 P, but the gesture stoke  64  travels a path only through neighboring graphical elements  60 A,  60 D,  60 E, and  60 F. This may be indicated by the strength estimation indicator  70  to be a weak gesture entry, as the user fails to travel through any of the available invisible hidden dots  66 A- 66 P.  FIG. 13C  displays a slightly longer or stronger gesture, traveling a path (e.g., gesture stroke  64 A) from graphical element  60 A through elements  60 D and  60 E to element  60 F. Another path (e.g., gesture stroke  64 B), which may, for example, be performed as a double touch or concurrently as a multi-touch gesture, is traveled from graphical element  60 H to element  60 G. Accordingly, the progress bar  72  may be extended to a greater length, for example, and may display an orange or similar medium (e.g., between red and green) color. 
     In contrast,  FIG. 13D  displays a much stronger gesture, in that the gesture stroke  64 A travels a path from graphical element  60 A to the adjacent graphical element  60 B by looping around graphical element  60 E through hidden dots  66 D and  66 B. Continuing, the gesture stroke  64 B travels a path directly from graphical element  60 C to graphical element  60 I, which again may be performed concurrently with gesture stroke  64 A or subsequent to performing gesture stroke  64 A. As a result, gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may indicate a strong gesture input, displaying, for example, a green, nearby fully-extended progress bar  72 . Lastly,  FIG. 13E  displays a gesture stroke  64  traveling a path from hidden dot  66 A through hidden dots  66 F and  66 G, and ending at hidden dot  66 D. Accordingly, similar to  FIG. 13D , the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may indicate a strong gesture input, displaying, for example, a green, nearby fully-extended progress bar  72 . 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 6 , in certain embodiments, the gesture entry screen  62  may, in addition to the visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, include an array of touch-sensing areas. Previously discussed embodiments of the touch-sensing areas have been discussed with respect to an array of hidden dots  66  interspersed among the visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. Nevertheless, in alternative embodiments, the touch-sensing areas may include an invisible array or arrangement of crossing and connecting hidden lines  94 . For example, as depicted in  FIG. 14A , the array of hidden lines  94  may invisibly connect each of the visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I to at least one other adjacent, surrounding, or multi-directionally (e.g., vertically, horizontally, diagonally, etc.) neighboring visible graphical element  60 A- 60 I. As will be discussed below, traveling a path across hidden lines  94  may further increase the total number of possible gesture entry combinations available to a user for the purpose of authentication and/or authorization. 
     Accordingly, various examples of gesture strokes  64 , and by extension gestures, are depicted in  FIGS. 14B-14H  and  FIGS. 15A-15G . Unlike the previously discussed hidden dots  66 , the hidden lines  94  may be “enabled” or “disabled” based on the position of one or more fingers of a user, for example, as one or more gesture strokes  64  are performed. As discussed herein, “enabled” may refer to one or more hidden lines  94  that may be estimated or registered as part of an entered gesture due to the one or more hidden lines  94  being substantially orthogonal to one of several estimated possible travel paths of a gesture stroke  64 . Contrastingly, as discussed herein, “disabled” may refer to one or more hidden lines  94  that may not be reregistered as part of an entered gesture due the one or more hidden lines  94  being substantially parallel to one of several estimated possible travel paths of a gesture stroke  64 . Thus, by enabling and disabling hidden lines  94 , the electronic device  10  may provide a barrier to estimate the possible direction or path the user will likely travel toward while entering a gesture. 
     For example, as depicted in  FIG. 14B , a user may begin to enter a gesture by touching the graphical element  60 E. As shown, each hidden line  94 A (illustrated as a solid hidden line) connected orthogonally to the possible gesture stroke  64  travel paths from graphical element  60 E may remain enabled, while each hidden line  94 B (illustrated as a dashed hidden line) connected in parallel to the possible gesture stroke  64  travel paths from graphical element  60 E may become disabled. In one embodiment, even after the user begins to travel a path as depicted in  FIG. 14C , the hidden lines  94 B may remain disabled until the user travels across an enabled hidden line  94 A. In another embodiment, the hidden lines  94 B may remain disabled until the user travels substantially near an enabled hidden line  94 A, such that it may be estimated that the user will attempt to travel across the enabled hidden line  94 A. 
     Enabled, as depicted in  FIG. 14C , a hidden line  94 A may allow the gesture entry screen  62 , for example, to register or process the exact location of the user&#39;s finger as the user performs a gesture stroke  64 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 14D , as the user travels a path across enabled hidden line  94 C (illustrated as a solid, bold hidden line), the gesture stroke  64  may be mapped to each of the graphical elements  60 B and  60 D connected by the hidden line  94 C, which may further indicate, for example, that the user crossed that particular hidden line  94 C as opposed to another hidden line  94 . Disabled, a hidden line  94 B may allow the gesture entry screen  62 , for example, to circumvent possibly registering or processing a hidden line  94  that is substantially parallel to the estimated possible travel path of the gesture stroke  64  as part of the user&#39;s entered gesture. 
     Likewise,  FIGS. 14E-14H  display similar examples of performing one or more gesture strokes  64  through the hidden lines  94 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 14E and 14F , as a gesture stroke  64  is performed by traveling to an area outside of the array of visible graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and/or the array of hidden lines  94 , each of the hidden lines  94  may become enabled, as the user may then travel a path orthogonal to any of the hidden lines  94 .  FIG. 14G  illustrates a gesture stroke  64  as it crosses hidden lines  94 C connecting graphical elements  60 B,  60 C,  60 E, and  60 F. In such a case, the gesture stroke  64  may be mapped to each of the graphical elements  60 B,  60 C,  60 E, and  60 F. As will be discussed in greater detail, such a gesture stroke  64  or path travel across hidden lines  94 C connecting, for example, four graphical elements may be assigned a greater strength or weight, as again the gesture stroke  64  may be mapped to each of the connecting graphical elements. Continuing from  FIG. 14G ,  FIG. 14H  further illustrates that one or more of the hidden lines  94  may immediately switch between enabled or disabled based on the position of the user&#39;s finger at any given time. For example, again referring to  FIG. 14G , hidden line  94 B, having just previously been enabled as shown in  FIG. 14F , becomes disabled as the gesture stroke  64  travels a path toward graphical element  60 E. 
     Similar to  FIGS. 14A-14G ,  FIGS. 15A-15G  display a further example of performing a gesture through hidden lines  94 . Particularly,  FIGS. 15A-15D  is very similar to what was previously discussed with respect to  FIGS. 14B-14E , as the hidden lines  94  may be enabled or disabled based on the position of one or more fingers of a user, for example, as one or more gesture strokes  64  may be performed. Similar again to  FIG. 14G ,  FIGS. 15E and 15F  illustrate a gesture stroke  64  as it crosses hidden lines  94 C connecting multiple graphical elements  60 A- 60 I, in which case, as previously noted, the gesture stroke  64  may be mapped to each of the multiple connecting graphical elements.  FIG. 15G  again illustrates that one or more of the hidden lines  94  may switch between enabled or disabled based on the position of the user&#39;s finger at any given time. Although particular gesture entries are illustrated with respect to  FIGS. 14A-14G  and  FIGS. 15A-15G , it should be appreciated that gestures may be entered by traveling across as many different hidden lines  94 , or by traveling as many times across one or more of the same hidden lines  94 , all at the discretion of the user. 
     Similarly, as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 13A-13E , various examples of entered gestures and corresponding gesture strength estimation indicators  70  are depicted in  FIGS. 16A-16D . For example,  FIG. 16A  displays a strong gesture input, in that the gesture stroke  64 A travels a path from graphical element  60 A to graphical element  60 C by crossing several crossing and connecting hidden lines  94 A before looping up through graphical element  60 F to graphical element  60 C. Continuing, gesture stroke  64 B travels in a circular path through graphical elements  60 D and  60 E and the connecting hidden lines  94 A. The gesture stroke  64 B may be performed concurrently with gesture stroke  64 A or subsequent to performing gesture stroke  64 A. Moreover, although displayed as a single circular path, the gesture stroke  64 B may represent multiple (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) circular paths through graphical elements  60 D and  60 E and connecting hidden lines  94 . Accordingly, the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may indicate a strong gesture input, displaying, for example, a green, nearby fully-extended progress bar  72 . In contrast,  FIG. 16B  displays a relatively simple gesture input (e.g., gesture stroke  64 ) traveling directly from graphical element  60 A to the column-adjacent graphical element  60 D, and then directly through the neighboring graphical elements  60 E and  60 F. That is, the gesture stroke  64  travels through neither of the available invisible hidden lines  94 . Such a gesture may warrant a weak gesture indication, in which the gesture strength estimation indicator  70  may display, for example, a red, only 10% extended progress bar  72 . 
       FIG. 16C  and  FIG. 16D  illustrate other examples of a strong gesture inputs. As illustrated in  FIG. 16C , the gesture stroke  64  travels a path from graphical element  60 A to graphical element  60 C by crossing through each of several hidden lines  94  connecting at least four graphical elements. As previously noted, such a gesture stroke  64  may be assigned a greater strength, as the connecting hidden lines  94  may be mapped to multiple graphical elements  60 A- 60 I. Similarly,  FIG. 16D  illustrates a gesture stroke  64  traveling a path through a combination of graphical elements  60 A- 60 I and crossing and connecting hidden lines  94 . For example, as depicted, the gesture stroke  64  travels a path from graphical element  60 A to graphical element  60 G by passing through a combination of hidden lines  94  connecting at least four graphical elements (e.g.,  60 A,  60 B,  60 D, and  60 E) and graphical element  60 F. As a result, gesture strength estimation indicators  70  of  FIGS. 16C and 16D  may each indicate strong gesture inputs, displaying, for example, a green, nearby fully-extended progress bar  72 . 
     In certain embodiments, the finger contact discs  68  of the gesture entry screen  62  may display varying colors as the user, for example, travels from one graphical element  60 A- 60 I to the next. For example, as depicted in  FIG. 17 , as the user travels (e.g. performs gesture strokes  64 ) from graphical element  60 A to graphical element  60 H, the finger contact discs  68  may display an illumination of colors  96 A,  96 B, and  96 C, respectively, to indicate the estimated position of the user&#39;s finger as he or she enters a gesture. The color illuminations  96 A,  96 B, and  96 C may each include colors such as white, yellow, red, orange, green, blue, and so forth, or may, in some embodiments, vary as the user travels a path through touch-sensing areas (e.g., hidden dots  66  and/or hidden lines  94 ). 
     The foregoing demonstrate various ways in which user authentication and/or authorization may be regulated and/or implemented by implementing gesture entry screen on an electronic device. While certain examples have been provided in the context of a handheld device and a tablet computing device, the techniques disclosed herein are equally applicable to any type of electronic device on which access to data or functions (such as applications or network connections) is limited or otherwise regulated. For example, access confidential information such as phone numbers, personal and professional contacts, electronic communications, information relating to finances or financial accounts, business related projects and documents, personal photos and videos, and so forth may be limited in view of the present techniques based on user authentication and/or authorization techniques as disclosed herein. Further, the gesture entry screen may further allow a user added security by including arrays of hidden dots and/or hidden lines to increase possible combinations of gesture entries. A strength estimation indicator may also indicate to the user the strength of the entered gesture before it is saved and utilized for the purpose of user authentication and/or authorization. 
     The specific embodiments described above have been shown by way of example, and it should be understood that these embodiments may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. It should be further understood that the claims are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but rather to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20121012
Publication Date: 20160621
Grant Date: 20160621
Priority Date: 20121012
Inventors: CASEY BRANDON J.
LOGAN JAKE M.
CRESSALL ERIK M.
COTTERILL STEPHEN H.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G06F21/31", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/04883", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F21/31", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50476644