Apple Inc. was given the approval from the United States (U.S.) Patent and Trademark Office on providing a new gesture entry technique for touch-screen devices.

Known as "Gesture Entry Techniques" with patent No. 20140109010, the Apple patent acknowledges what many iPhone or iPad devices have, an "array of visible graphical elements" that may be used to unlock the device. The patent can further present hidden areas that are not displayed to the user.

"For example, the device may detect a user'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," noted the Apple patent.

A second example provided was the possibility for the device to estimate "possible or probable paths" centered on the device owner's touch position. The visible graphical elements, which may originally appear hidden to the user, may be illuminated when a touch is detected.

The enhanced entry techniques may be important for Apple as the patent recognizes portable devices are "increasingly used for storing various types of information" ranging from phone numbers, personal and professional contacts, communications such as texts, media, and finances, to name a few.

The new entry techniques move away from the standard numeral or alphabetical password or PIN code on current Apple devices. It may resemble the techniques seen on Android devices.

"In 2008, Google introduced pattern unlocking in its Android operating system, which accepts gesture input on a grid of dots to unlock a device. The feature has been adapted with so-called 'picture passwords' (both on Android and Microsoft's Windows 8) that accept various gestures arranged on a photo, but the basic idea still involves entering a series of shapes onto an onscreen image," reported Apple Insider's Mikey Campbell.

A difference with the Apple patent, however, is the device owner can rearrange the graphical elements on the lock screen. To create additional complexity to potential hackers or criminals, users can use more than one finger to unlock the screen.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also approved a second patent that coincides with No. 20140109010 with No. 20140109018.

The inventors of the "Gesture Entry Techniques" patents were credited to Brandon J. Casey, Jake M. Logan, Erik M. Cressall, Stephen H. Cotterill. The patents are not final as modifications to the ideas provided can be adjusted.

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