# US 9,521,247 B2 · Above-lock camera access > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,521,247 B2 - Document ID: US9521247B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/339,060 - Filed: 2014-07-23 - Published: 2015-02-19 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-09 - Assignees: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Applicants: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC - Inventors: Shamik Bandyopadhyay; Donald A. Barnett; Vikram Kapoor; Veronica Y. Law; Kathryn C. Lemson; Tirthankar Sengupta; Divya Tyamagundlu; Ahmad Bilal - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521247B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1626: {with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]} - G06F 1/1643: {the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads (details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615)} - G06F 1/1686: {the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera} - G06F 1/3203: Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode - G06F 3/016: {Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user} - G06F 3/0481: based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance - G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials - G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures - G06F 21/31: User authentication - G06F 21/36: by graphic or iconic representation - G06F 21/6218: {to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database} - G06V 40/1365: {Matching; Classification} - H04L 63/0861: {using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231)} - H04L 63/107: {wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals} - H04M 1/724631: {by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad} - H04M 1/724634: {With partially locked states, e.g. when some telephonic functional locked states or applications remain accessible in the locked states} - H04N 7/185: {from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control} - H04N 23/632: {for displaying or modifying preview images prior to image capturing, e.g. variety of image resolutions or capturing parameters} - H04N 23/651: {for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera} - H04W 12/06: Authentication - H04W 12/068: {using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications} - G06F 1/32: Means for saving power - G06F 2221/2149: Restricted operating environment - H04L 63/083: {using passwords (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226)} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Apparatus and methods are disclosed for allowing smart phone users to “capture the moment” by allowing easy access to a camera application when a mobile device is in an above-lock (or locked) mode, while also preventing unauthorized access to other smart phone functionality. According to one embodiment of the disclosed technology, a method of operating a mobile device having an above-lock state and a below-lock state comprises receiving input data requesting invocation of an camera application when the mobile device is in the above-lock state and invoking the requested camera application on the device, where one or more functions of the requested application are unavailable as a result of the mobile device being in the above-lock state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a mobile device having a plurality of authentication states, including an above-lock state and a below-lock state, the method comprising: receiving first input data from a hardware button coupled to a low-power state power supply of the mobile device, the first input data indicating a request for invocation of an application when the mobile device is in the above-lock state, wherein one or more functions of the requested application available in the below-lock state are unavailable while the mobile device is in the above-lock state; responsive to the receiving the first input data, invoking the requested application on the mobile device; responsive to receiving second input data requesting at least one of the unavailable functions, presenting an unlock user interface; and authenticating a user of the mobile device with the unlock user interface and changing the state of the mobile device from the above-lock state to the below-lock state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the unavailable functions comprise sending data using a network connection connected to the mobile device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising waking the mobile device from a standby state based on the receiving the first input data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first input data is received as a result of a hardware button of the mobile device being depressed for a predefined duration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first input data is received as a result of detecting that a hardware button of the mobile device is depressed and second input data being received after the detection of the hardware button depress. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first input data is received as a result of a hardware button of the mobile device being depressed concurrently with another button coupled to the mobile device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving second input data requesting at least one of the unavailable functions, and subsequent to the receiving the second input data, performing the changing the state of the mobile device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the hardware button is a camera shutter button. ### Claim 9 One or more computer-readable storage devices or memory storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by a mobile device cause the mobile device to perform a method, the mobile device having a plurality of authentication states, including an above-lock state and an below-lock state, the mobile device having a plurality of power states, including a low-power state and an active-power state, the method comprising: receiving a first request from a hardware button coupled to a low-power state power supply of the mobile device, the first request being for execution of an application or function when the mobile device is in the above-lock state and the low-power state; responsive to receiving the first request, causing the mobile device to enter the active-power state and executing the requested application or function with the mobile device, wherein one or more functions of the requested application available in the below-lock state are unavailable while the mobile device is in the above-lock state; receiving a second request for one or more of the functions unavailable in the above-lock state; and responsive to the receiving the second request, presenting a lock screen that can be used to change the mobile device to the below-lock state. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage devices or memory of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises, based on receiving authenticating input, changing the state of the mobile device from the above-lock state to the below-lock state; and wherein at least one of the unavailable functions are made available in the below-lock state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage devices or memory of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises: if the mobile device does not detect user activity before a predetermined timeout period expires, then transitioning the mobile device back to the above-lock state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage devices or memory of claim 9, wherein the second request is received with a touch screen display. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The computer-readable storage devices or memory of claim 9, wherein the second request is received via a voice recognition or voice recording application. ### Claim 14 An apparatus, comprising: one or more input sources; one or more processors; and a low-power state power supply, the low-power state power supply being electrically connected to a first hardware button configured to send a first signal requesting that the apparatus enter an active power state and a second hardware button configure to send a second signal requesting that the apparatus enter the active power state and invoke a requested function; an active-state power supply configured to provide power for the requested function in the active power state but not in the low-power state; and one or more computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by the processors, cause the apparatus to perform a method of invoking the requested function, the instructions comprising: instructions for receiving input data from the input source, instructions for locking and unlocking the apparatus using authentication, and instructions for, responsive to receiving the second signal, invoking the requested function. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the low-power state power supply is electrically connected to a wireless modem receiver; and the active-state power supply is electrically connected to a touch screen display and a wireless modem transmitter. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the requested function includes at least one or more of the following: wake phone, GPS data, auto upload data to cloud, or keep GPS data with uploaded documents. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the requested function is determined by privacy options that can be configured by a user of the apparatus, and wherein the requested function includes at least one or more of the following: wake phone, GPS data, auto upload data to cloud, or keep GPS data with uploaded documents. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions for, if the apparatus is locked, invoking the instructions for unlocking the apparatus using authentication. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions for, if the apparatus is locked, invoking the instructions for unlocking the apparatus using authentication; and after the unlocking the apparatus, providing the requested function as if the requested function was invoked when the device was unlocked. ### Claim 20 One or more computer-readable storage devices or memory storing computer-readable instructions that when executed by a mobile device cause the mobile device to perform a method, the method comprising: executing an application or function for recording audio, images, and/or video when the mobile device is in an above-lock state; receiving a request for one or more functions unavailable in the above-lock state; responsive to the receiving the request, presenting a lock screen that can be used to change the mobile device to a below-lock state; changing the mobile device to a below lock state; and if the mobile device does not detect user activity before a predetermined timeout period expires, and the mobile device is recording audio and/or video, then remaining in the below-lock state. ### Claim 21 A mobile device having a plurality of authentication states, including an above-lock state and an below-lock state, the mobile device having a plurality of power states, including a low-power state and an active-power state, the mobile device comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable storage devices or memory storing instructions that when executed with the processors, cause the mobile device to perform a method, the instructions comprising: instructions to receive a first request from a hardware button coupled to a low-power state power supply of the mobile device, the first request being for execution of an application or function when the mobile device is in the above-lock state and the low-power state, instructions to, responsive to receiving the first request, cause the mobile device to enter the active-power state and executing the requested application or function with the mobile device, wherein one or more functions of the requested application available in the below-lock state are unavailable while the mobile device is in the above-lock state, instructions to receive a second request for one or more of the functions unavailable in the above-lock state, and instructions to, responsive to the receiving the second request, present a lock screen that can be used to change the mobile device to the below-lock state. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The mobile device of claim 21, wherein at least one of the unavailable functions is made available in the below-lock state, and wherein the computer-readable storage devices or memory further comprise: instructions to, based on receiving authenticating input, change the state of the mobile device from the above-lock state to the below-lock state. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the computer-readable storage devices or memory further comprise: instructions to, if the mobile device does not detect user activity before a predetermined timeout period expires, transition the mobile device back to the above-lock state. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the computer-readable storage devices or memory further comprise: instructions to receive the second request with a touch screen display. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the computer-readable storage devices or memory further comprise: instructions to receive the second request via a voice recognition or voice recording application.