android pattern lock blocks internet access?

My app transfers data to an internet server at regular intervals. It does this ok when locked with my phone which has the standard lock - no pin or pattern. I am testing with a friends phone which has a pattern lock and it seem开发者_运维技巧s that when locked with a pattern it does not have internet access. Is my suspicion correct? If so could someone point me towards a method to establish the internet connection even tho pattern locked?