[Idea] Lockscreen Code Input Method
asked 2014-10-18 12:58:28 +0300
I've been thinking of a new way to input the lock screen code on the Jolla. Android has had pattern unlock for a long time and it has been pretty popular so I was thinking something along those lines. The idea I have was inspired by the circle based input for the alarm clock menu.
The code is input via 4 circles, each of the circles starts at the top (12 O Clock) and can be swiped left or right to create the desired shape.
Input would be to start at the inner layer, and draw the innermost circle which then locks into place once you lift your finger, and you then proceed to the next layer until the pattern is complete.
If each circle has 7 possible positions left or right, that gives 14 possible positions for each circle for around 40,000 possible combinations. This method of code input isn't as secure as a 5-6 digit numerical code, but I thought I would share it anyway as someone else might be able to improve it from a security/complexity perspective.
EDIT: changed the input description, will come up with some more pictures to describe it better
I think this system would be quite unintuitive because of the need of lifting your finger between the circles, accompanied with the required precision to hit the right position in the circle. I mean, my experiences from the clock application is that it can be quite difficult to hit the right digit if I'm trying to be fast, and if there'd be four of those circles, the inner circles would have to be really small, so using them would be even more difficult. And though you have to lift your finger with the numerical code too, it doesn't involve as much need of accuracy as the buttons are much bigger. I think your idea would be visually great, but I feel it just isn't fast and intuitive enough.
Grunt ( 2014-10-18 15:07:36 +0300 )edit@Grunt that was one of the reason why I suggested 7 possible positions rather than 12 like the clock (or 60 for the minutes), so it would be easier/quicker to get right, in practice that number might have to be tweaked to hit the right speed vs complexity.
One possible implementation I thought of was that you draw the first shape (inner most) then it 'locks' into place, then you draw the second shape. This does mean you have to get them all perfect in order, which could slow things down from retries, but solves the "innermost being small" problem
Also, bare in mind that this is a lock, unintuitive can actually be a feature in this case, if you dont know how to input the code (because its not your phone) how can you unlock it?
r0kk3rz ( 2014-10-18 15:31:50 +0300 )editI think this is quite an interesting idea! Would like to see it in use :)
Mariusmssj ( 2014-10-18 22:55:53 +0300 )edit@r0kk3rz - The Android lock goes from one distinct point to another. The sailfish lock could be started anywhere. Buttons vs gestures.
vattuvarg ( 2014-10-18 23:04:07 +0300 )editInteresting idea! Plus it would be like solving a Myst puzzle, how cool would THAT be? ;)
thisisme ( 2014-10-26 17:16:04 +0300 )edit