avoid both screen lock and pattern lock
Under Settings -> Location and security there is an option for "Lock screen after" where you can choose how long before the pattern is required.  With this setting changed you can turn the phone off and back on and only have to swipe down.

Under Settings -> Display there is an option for "Screen timeout" that should change the amount of time before the phone goes to sleep.

As far as I know the swipe down is not optional.