[alanh]

If any software patents are valid, I think this one is legit.

Note that the Android unlock "grid" would not seem to be covered by this patent, as reported by the Register. Because you aren’t moving a graphic somewhere or along a path.

And I can’t think of prior art.

We all thought this was pretty cool is 2007. Remember? Before the iPhone, phones had a physical "lock" switch and/or a clamshell mechanism that obviated the need for unlock and/or you had to push star-zero, and tablets and PDAs had power buttons and styluses, but no one had swipe to unlock.

It’s genuine innovation, easy enough to work around, and I don’t hold the patent against them.

IANAL, etc.