# US 2014/0157402 A1 · User access control based on handheld device orientation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0157402 A1 - Document ID: US20140157402A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/693,994 - Filed: 2012-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Applicants: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Gregory J. BOSS; James R. KOZLOSKI; Clifford Alan PICKOVER; Anne R. SAND - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140157402A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - G06F 3/0346: with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors - G06F 21/31: User authentication - G06F 21/36: by graphic or iconic representation - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract Disclosed is a novel system, computer program product, and method for allowing access to an application on a handheld device. This is also known as logging on or password entry. The method begins with detecting a change in at least one of orientation and position of a handheld device relative to a given plane. At least one of a keyboard, a touch screen, a gesture, and voice recognition engine input is received. Based on a combination of the at least one of orientation and position of the handheld and the user input received matching a previously stored value, unlocking access to an application running on the handheld device. The detecting of the change in orientation or position or both can occur simultaneously with the user input or previous to the user input or after the user input. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of allowing access to a user of a handheld device, the method comprising: detecting a change in rotation between a landscape and portrait position of a handheld device relative to a given plane; receiving input, after rotating the handheld device, from at least one of a keyboard, a touch screen, a gesture, and voice recognition engine; and based on a combination of the position of the handheld and the input received matching a previously stored value, unlocking access to an application running on the handheld device. ### Claim 2 (canceled) ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a first indicator upon a display of the handheld device; moving the first indicator across the display relative to a second indicator, in response to the change in the position of the handheld device relative to the given plane; and determining when the first indicator corresponds to a value which is within a threshold of a password value for a period of time. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying an avatar upon a display of the handheld device; and updating at least one characteristic of the avatar in response to the input received. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the updating the at least one characteristic of the avatar in response to the input received, includes updating at least one characteristic of clothing, hair, eyes, gesture, position, and posture. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein the unlocking access to the application running of the handheld device includes unlocking access to the application running on the handheld device based on the at least one characteristics of the avatar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: displaying a virtual keyboard upon a display of the handheld device; and updating at least one characteristic of the virtual keyboard in response to the change in the position of the handheld device relative to the given plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the unlocking access to the application running of the handheld device includes unlocking access to the application running on the handheld device based on the at least one characteristics of the virtual keyboard. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting a change in the position of a handheld device relative to the given plane includes changing a position in at least a first direction and then in changing position a second direction within a plane. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the unlocking access to the application running of the handheld device is based on the at least one an amplitude and frequency of changing the position of the handheld device in the first direction and the second direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting a change in the position of a handheld device relative to the given plane includes rotating the handheld device in at least a first direction and then in a second direction about an axis normal to a display. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the unlocking access to the application running of the handheld device is based on the at least one an amplitude and frequency of rotating the position of the handheld device in the first direction and the second direction. ### Claim at position 13 13-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the change in the position of the handheld device relative to the given plane includes detecting a change in position in a plurality of planes.