Electronic device and method for unlocking the electronic device

1. A computer-implemented method for unlocking an electronic device with a touch screen and a distance sensor, the method being performed by at least one processor of the electronic device and comprising:

receiving a triggering signal to unlock the electronic device;

determining whether an object is within a predetermined distance of the distance sensor;

if no object is detected within the predetermined distance of the distance sensor, activating the touch screen to display an unlocking area on a portion of the touch screen;

determining whether an unlocking operation is performed according to touch signals received from the unlocking area of the touch screen;

determining whether the unlocking operation is performed in the unlocking area of the touch screen within a preset time period from activation of the touch screen;

unlocking the electronic device if the unlocking operation has not been performed within the preset time period from activation of the touch screen; and

executing a predetermined application when the electronic device is unlocked.

2. The method according to claim 1 , the method further comprising:

unlocking the electronic device if the unlocking operation is performed in the unlocking area of the touch screen within the preset time period; and

displaying a main menu of the electronic device when the electronic device is unlocked.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the distance sensor is equipped in a frontal panel of the electronic device or located in the front of the electronic device.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the unlocking area is a specific position or a random position displayed on the touch screen.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined application is a message application or a phone call application.

6. An electronic device, comprising:

a distance sensor;

a touch screen;

at least one processor; and

a storage system that stores one or more programs, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

receive a triggering signal to unlock the electronic device;

determine whether an object is within a predetermined distance of the distance sensor;

if no object is detected within the predetermined distance of the distance sensor, activate the touch screen to display an unlocking area on a portion of the touch screen;

determine whether an unlocking operation is performed according to touch signals received from the unlocking area of the touch screen;

determine whether the unlocking operation is performed in the unlocking area of the touch screen within a preset time period from activation of the touch screen;

unlock the electronic device if the unlocking operation has not been performed within the preset time period from activation of the touch screen; and

execute a predetermined application when the electronic device is unlocked.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the electronic device is unlocked if the unlocking operation is performed within the preset time period from activation of the touch screen.

8. The electronic device according to claim 7 , wherein a main menu of the electronic device is displayed on the touch screen when the electronic device is unlocked.

9. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the distance sensor is equipped in a frontal panel of the electronic device or located in the front of the electronic device.

10. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein the unlocking area is a specific position or a random position displayed on the touch screen.

11. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the predetermined application is a message application or a phone call application.

12. A non-transitory storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor of an electronic device with a touch screen and a distance sensor, causes the processor to perform a method for unlocking the electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a triggering signal to unlock the electronic device;

determining whether an object is within a predetermined distance of the distance sensor;

if no object is detected within the predetermined distance of the distance sensor, activating the touch screen to display an unlocking area on a portion of the touch screen;

determining whether an unlocking operation is performed according to touch signals received from the unlocking area of the touch screen;

determining whether the unlocking operation is performed in the unlocking area of the touch screen within a preset time period from activation of the touch screen;

unlocking the electronic device if the unlocking operation has not been performed within the preset time period from activation of the touch screen; and

executing a predetermined application when the electronic device is unlocked.

13. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 12 , wherein the electronic device is unlocked if the unlocking operation is performed within the preset time period from activation of the touch screen.

14. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 13 , wherein a main menu of the electronic device is displayed on the touch screen when the electronic device is unlocked.

15. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 12 , wherein the distance sensor is equipped in a frontal panel of electronic device or located in the front of the electronic device.

16. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 12 , wherein the unlocking area is a specific position or a random position displayed on the touch screen.

17. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 12 , wherein the predetermined application is a message application or a phone call application.