Data processing device and method of activating secure mode of data processing device having screen

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for activating a security mode of a data processing device having a screen, comprising the following steps: checking whether an opened or to-be-opened file or a file name thereof in the data processing device contains at least one specifiable keyword and / or specifiable security feature; if the result of the checking step is positive, activating a security mode of the data processing device, the activation of the security mode representing the execution of at least one of the following steps: activating the audio warning signal; displaying an alarm on a screen; dimming the brightness of the screen; turning on a data processing device and / or a warning lamp on a screen; and / or starting a visibility-limited screen operation mode. The invention also relates to a corresponding data processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] In recent years, great progress has been made in widening the viewing angle of LCD displays. However, in some cases, this extra-wide viewing angle of the screen can become a disadvantage. It is increasingly common for people to access information, such as bank details or other personal and sensitive data, through mobile devices such as laptops and tablets. Therefore, people need to control who can view this sensitive data; individuals should be able to select a wide viewing angle (public mode) to share information on the display with others, such as when viewing vacation photos or advertisements. On the other hand, people need a narrow viewing angle (private mode) if they want to keep image information confidential.

[0002] However, users often forget to use privacy screens unconsciously.

[0003] A similar problem is encountered in automobile manufacturing: when the engine is started, the driver must not be distracted by image content such as digital entertainment programs, while passengers want to enjoy these programs while driving. Therefore, a screen that can switch between the corresponding display modes is required.

[0004] Mobile displays additionally use films based on microsheets for visual data protection. However, such films cannot be switched or converted and always have to be applied and removed by hand. When no longer required, the film must be transported separately from the display. A significant disadvantage of using such microsheet films is also the associated light losses. Background Art

[0005] Patent document US 6,765,550 B2 describes this privacy protection by means of micro-sheets. The biggest disadvantage of this technical solution is the mechanical removal or installation of the filter and the light loss in the protection mode.

[0006] Patent document US 5,993,940 A describes the use of a film to achieve a privacy mode, ie, a limited viewing mode with a narrow viewing angle range, with thin strip prisms evenly arranged on the surface of the film, which is technically quite complex to develop and produce.

[0007] In patent document WO 2012 / 033583 A1, the conversion between free viewing angle and restricted viewing angle is achieved by controlling the liquid crystal between the so-called "color-changing" layers, which will cause light loss and is also quite technically difficult.

[0008] Patent document US2012 / 0235891 A1 describes an extremely complex backlight in a screen. Figure 1As shown in FIG15 , not only multiple light guides are used, but also other complex optical elements are used, such as micro lens elements 40 and prism structures 50, which convert the light from the backlight to the frontlight, which is not only expensive and technically complex, but also causes light loss. According to the variant shown in FIG17 of US2012 / 0235891 A1, both the light source 4R and the light source 18 generate narrow-angle illumination light, and the light from the backlight source 18 has to go through a complex process to be converted into wide-angle illumination light. As mentioned above, this complex conversion will greatly reduce the brightness.

[0009] According to patent document JP 2007-155783A, special optical surfaces 19 (complex in calculation and manufacture) are used, which deflect light into various narrow or wide areas according to the incident angle of the light. These structures are similar to Fresnel lenses, and there are interference edges that deflect light in undesirable directions. Therefore, it is still unclear whether a reasonable light distribution can be achieved.

[0010] Patent document US2013 / 0308185 A1 describes a special stepped light guide that emits light in different directions over a large area depending on the direction of illumination from a narrow face. In combination with a transmissive image display unit, such as a liquid crystal display, a screen that can be switched between a free viewing mode and a restricted viewing mode can be created. The disadvantage is that only left / right or top / bottom restricted visual effects can be produced, but not top / bottom / left / right restricted effects at the same time, which is exactly what is needed in some payment transactions. In addition, even in restricted viewing mode, some residual light can still be seen from the obstructed viewing angle.

[0011] Patent document WO 2015 / 121398 A1 of the applicant describes a screen with two operating modes, in which scattering particles are present in the corresponding light conductor for switching the operating mode. However, the choice of scattering particles made of polymers here generally has the disadvantage that light is coupled out from two large areas, which means that about half of the useful light is emitted in the wrong direction, that is, toward the backlight, and cannot be fully recovered from the backlight for structural reasons. In addition, the scattering polymer particles distributed in the light conductor can lead to scattering effects in certain cases, especially at higher concentrations, thereby reducing the privacy effect in the protection operating mode.

[0012] The above methods and devices generally still have disadvantages, namely, they cannot automatically adjust the privacy protection attributes according to the requirements of the application, nor can they automatically activate privacy protection when calling sensitive data. Summary of the invention

[0013] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to describe a method for a data processing device and a data processing device with a screen that independently recognizes when privacy protection is required in as many relevant cases as possible based on the content of the file to be displayed and / or the relevant security features, and then automatically adjusts its privacy protection properties when necessary. This should be achieved using a simple method integrated into the system without any user activity, such as without pressing a toggle button.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for activating a security mode of a data processing device having a screen, the method comprising the following steps:

[0015] - checking whether a file opened or to be opened in the data processing device or its file name contains at least one assignable keyword (e.g. the words "confidential" or "CONFIDENTIAL") and / or an assignable security feature;

[0016] - If the result of the above test step is positive, activating a safe mode of the data processing device, wherein activating the safe mode means executing at least one of the following steps:

[0017] - Activate an audio warning signal (usually temporarily);

[0018] - displaying an alert on the screen (this may be displayed during the display of the corresponding document or temporarily, for example, the alert may be a text and / or an image and / or a video that fades in or out);

[0019] - Dim the screen brightness (this usually makes it harder to see the screen, at least from the side);

[0020] - activate warning lights on the data processing equipment and / or screen (if any); and / or

[0021] -Turn on the limited visibility screen operating mode (the important point here is that if this operating mode is already on, it will remain unchanged).

[0022] Advantageously, the limited visibility may depend on the viewing angle of the screen. In case the screen operating mode with limited visibility is turned on, advantageously, unhindered visibility is reserved only for selected users (e.g., a main user sitting directly in front of the screen). Due to the limited visibility, other users with oblique viewing angles will not be able to perceive or at least not fully perceive the displayed content. For example, limited visibility can be achieved by modulating the brightness curve within a limited angle range, thereby significantly reducing the perceptible brightness at oblique viewing angles and minimizing visibility.

[0023] Another possibility is to overexpose the displayed image content substantially only at viewing angles with restricted visibility.

[0024] Generally speaking, in the method, if the check result is negative, the security mode of the data processing device is not activated or is deactivated after activation. This ensures that the security mode does not normally exist when sensitive data is not or will not be opened.

[0025] The steps of the method are repeated periodically. When the termination condition is reached, the method can be terminated.

[0026] The assignable security feature may be, for example, a assignable bit sequence or byte sequence, in particular a specific code containing ASCII characters, for example, the security feature "PGP", "pgp" or a PGP key. When used in a vehicle, the security feature may also be a definable string indicating content that disturbs the driver while driving, such as movies, games or other dynamic images that are not related to the driving event. For the purpose of implementing the present invention, the above-mentioned definable string may also, for example, refer to a file extension such as "MPEG" or be determined separately by different manufacturers. Of course, other configurations are also possible.

[0027] In addition, security features can also be obtained indirectly. For example, if the file that has been opened or is to be opened has specific image content, such as military symbols or military equipment, security features can be derived based on the image recognition results (i.e., by the corresponding algorithm). In this case, a separate image recognition processing step will be performed on the file that has been opened or is to be opened, and when the defined image content is recognized, the step will feed the security features back to the checking step.

[0028] Advantageously, in the above method, in the security mode, the screen operating mode of the data processing device is turned on with restricted visibility, and the restricted visibility is only implemented on those areas of the screen of the data processing device that display the opened or to-be-opened files or their file names, which contain at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature. Other areas on the screen maintain unrestricted visibility. Regarding the partial conversion operating mode, it can be implemented, for example, using the teachings of the applicant's patent documents PCT / EP2021 / 076471, PCT / EP2021 / 078013, PCT / EP2021 / 058169 (herein used as reference), and can also be implemented by a so-called dual-cell liquid crystal display (Dual-Cell-LCD).

[0029] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention further proposes a data processing device, comprising at least one processor, a storage space and a screen, and optionally also comprising a speaker and / or a warning light, wherein:

[0030] - the processor, under the control of the control command, checks whether a file opened or to be opened in the storage space of the data processing device or its file name contains at least one specifiable keyword (such as the words "confidential", "CONFIDENTIAL" or "internal") and / or a specifiable security feature;

[0031] If the result of the above checking step is positive, the processor activates the safety mode of the data processing device under the control of the control command, so that the processor executes at least one of the following steps and / or the data processing device is controlled to execute one of the following steps:

[0032] - if a loudspeaker is present, activating an audio warning signal (generally temporarily, such as a typical siren sound);

[0033] - display of an alert on the screen (this may be during the display of the corresponding document or temporarily, i.e. for a defined time, such as 5 seconds, e.g. the alert may be a text and / or an image and / or a video that fades in or out);

[0034] - Dim the brightness of the screen,

[0035] - activate warning lights on the data processing equipment and / or screen (if any); and / or

[0036] -Turn on the limited visibility screen operating mode (the important point here is that if this operating mode is already on, it will remain unchanged).

[0037] The data processing device according to the invention is advantageously designed to carry out the method according to the invention described above.

[0038] Furthermore, preferably, if the result of the check performed by the processor is negative, the processor does not activate or deactivates the security mode of the data processing device after activation.

[0039] The processor will repeat the above steps periodically. When the abort condition is reached, the above processing can be aborted.

[0040] The specifiable security feature may be, for example, a specifiable bit sequence or byte sequence, for example a specific code containing ASCII characters, which may be pre-specified by one or more users and / or an operating system of the data processing device.

[0041] However, the present invention is particularly advantageous when the user of the data processing device is not aware of or at least does not need to input the security features that are decisive for activating the security mode. Instead, the application program executable by the processor controls the processor or the data processing device to load the specific security features from the server, and then performs the aforementioned check each time a file is opened (or after a file is opened) and activates the security mode if necessary.

[0042] In this way, the programmer of a particular application can utilize the present invention to ensure what level of security is appropriate for a particular application or file.

[0043] Similarly, specific keywords can be used for processing.

[0044] Preferably, the screen of the data processing device has at least two operating modes, wherein in a first mode the visibility of the screen is not restricted, and in a second mode the visibility of the screen is restricted. Preferably, the restricted visibility means that the recognizability of the screen is significantly reduced at least in certain angle ranges, for example by significantly reducing the perceived brightness in these angle ranges. For example, these angle ranges may be angle ranges outside the limits of approximately + / -30° or + / -45° (measured from the perpendicular bisector of the screen surface) in the horizontal viewing direction of one or more viewers.

[0045] Other definitions are possible, such as defining additionally or exclusively in the vertical direction of one or more viewers.

[0046] The screen that switches between these operating modes can have a backlight that can selectively emit light with at least two different optional relative brightness distribution curves, which are measured along optional but fixed directions aligned with the screen. These operating modes can be extended to the entire screen area or only to selectable screen parts.

[0047] The screen may also have a switchable optical component (in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned backlight), which can selectively affect the relative brightness distribution curve measured along a direction optionally but fixedly aligned with the screen, wherein the switchable optical component includes at least one of the following components: liquid crystal, an electrochromic layer, a photochromic layer, a thermochromic layer, electrophoretic particles or magnetophoretic particles and / or electrowetting droplets.

[0048] For example, it may be a screen that is located in the direction of the observer's sight or in an image display unit (e.g., an LCD panel with a backlight and a corresponding drive), and includes the aforementioned switchable optical component, which further includes:

[0049] - a first optical element,

[0050] The first optical element comprises a first layer, or comprises the first layer and further layers,

[0051] Each layer contains materials with multiple light absorption transition dipole moments,

[0052] each transition dipole moment is parallel to or fluctuates about a first reference direction selectable for the first optical element, at least in a first state, with a tolerance of at most 10°,

[0053] so that light entering the first optical element is transmitted or at least partially absorbed depending on its direction of incidence relative to the layers and its polarization state;

[0054] - a polarization filter, which is arranged upstream or downstream of the first optical element, as seen in the direction of incidence;

[0055] - means for selectively generating a first electric field or a second electric field;

[0056] - a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first optical element and the polarization filter, the first electric field or the second electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer, thereby affecting the polarization state of light passing through the liquid crystal layer, so as to:

[0057] - In the first operating mode B1 where the first electric field is applied, including the first sub-operating mode B1H and the second sub-operating mode B1V, on the one hand, the non-polarized light incident on the switchable filter parallel to the first reference direction is transmitted by at least 24%, and on the other hand, the non-polarized light incident on the switchable filter at an angle of more than 30° to the first reference direction is absorbed by at least 85%, wherein, in the first sub-operating mode B1H, such light absorption occurs only along the first reference direction, while in the second sub-operating mode B1V, such light absorption occurs only along the second reference direction perpendicular to the first reference direction; in the second operating mode B2 where the second electric field is applied, including the first sub-operating mode B1H and the second sub-operating mode B1V, such light absorption occurs only along the second reference direction perpendicular to the first reference direction. In formula B1H and the second sub-operating mode B1V, on the one hand, the non-polarized light incident on the switchable filter parallel to the first reference direction is transmitted by at least 24%, and on the other hand, the non-polarized light incident on the switchable filter at an angle of more than 30° to the first reference direction is absorbed by at least 85%, wherein, in the first sub-operating mode B1H, such light absorption occurs only along the second reference direction, while in the second sub-operating mode B1V, such light absorption occurs only along the second reference direction perpendicular to the first reference direction, so that for the first operating mode B1 and the second operating mode B2, the light absorption reference directions of the two sub-operating modes B1H and B1V differ by 90° respectively.

[0058] The switchable optical component can advantageously be divided into a plurality of individually switchable segments in order to be able to switch locally between the respectively possible operating modes.

[0059] Thus, limited visibility can be implemented only on those areas of the screen of the data processing device that display opened or to be opened files or their file names (containing at least one assignable keyword and / or assignable security feature). Advantageously, other areas of the screen that do not display information that needs to be kept confidential are still visible to users other than the main user of the data processing device.

[0060] Depending on the application, the screen can also be configured so that even when safety mode is activated, the primary user can still see the image content clearly without limiting visibility if they are not facing the screen directly but looking at it at an angle.

[0061] A data processing device with a screen can typically be a stationary personal computer or server with a single screen or with multiple screens (within the scope of the present invention, these screens can be designed individually, in groups or as a whole and controlled accordingly), a portable computer, a notebook computer, a smartphone or a tablet computer with an integrated screen or any other suitable configuration.

[0062] When describing the method according to the present invention, other embodiments of the screen configuration that can be switched between different operating modes have been mentioned above. These embodiments can also be used in related data processing devices, and will not be described in detail here.

[0063] As described above, the present invention can be advantageously used in offices, cars, and situations where a mobile device is used while traveling or in public places.

[0064] In principle, the performance of the invention can be maintained if the above parameters are varied within certain limits.

[0065] It goes without saying that the above-mentioned features and the features to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which also reveal the basic features of the present invention. These embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting. For example, describing an embodiment including multiple elements or components should not be interpreted as all of these elements or components being necessary features for implementation. On the contrary, other embodiments may include alternative elements and components, reduced elements or components, or additional elements or components. The elements or components of different embodiments may be combined with each other unless otherwise stated. Modifications and changes described for a certain embodiment may also be applicable to other embodiments. To avoid redundancy, the same or corresponding elements in different drawings are marked with the same reference numerals and are not repeated. In the figure:

[0067] Figure 1 A flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing a top view of a data processing device screen viewed from multiple directions, wherein visibility from all viewing directions is not restricted;

[0069] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a top view of a data processing device screen viewed from multiple directions, where visibility from the side viewing direction is limited;

[0070] Figure 4 A schematic top view of a data processing device screen viewed from multiple directions is shown, where visibility is limited only to a selected area of ​​the screen from a lateral viewing direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] The drawings are not drawn to scale and are merely schematic representations.

[0072] Figure 1 A flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of a method for activating a security mode of a data processing device having a screen, the method comprising the following steps:

[0073] - checking whether a file opened or to be opened in the data processing device or its file name contains at least one assignable keyword (e.g. the words "confidential" or "CONFIDENTIAL") and / or an assignable security feature;

[0074] If the result of the above test step is positive, then activate the safety mode of the data processing device, wherein activating the safety mode means executing at least one of the following steps (not shown in the figure):

[0075] - Activate an audio warning signal (usually temporarily);

[0076] - displaying an alert on the screen (this may be displayed during the display of the corresponding document or temporarily, for example, the alert may be a text and / or an image and / or a video that fades in or out);

[0077] - Dim the screen brightness (this usually makes it harder to see the screen, at least from the side);

[0078] - activate warning lights on the data processing equipment and / or screen (if any); and / or

[0079] - Turn on the limited visibility screen operating mode (the important point here is that if this operating mode is already on, it will remain on even if the check result is positive).

[0080] Generally speaking, in the method, if the check result is negative, the security mode of the data processing device is not activated or is deactivated after activation. This ensures that the security mode does not normally exist when sensitive data is not or will not be opened.

[0081] The steps of the method are repeated periodically. When a termination condition is reached, the method is terminated. The termination condition may be, for example, shutting down the data processing equipment.

[0082] The specifiable security feature may be, for example, a specifiable bit sequence or byte sequence, in particular a specific code containing ASCII characters, for example, the security feature "PGP", "pgp" or a PGP key. When used in a vehicle, the security feature may also be a definable string indicating content that disturbs the driver while driving, such as movies, games or other dynamic images that are not related to the driving event. Of course, other configurations are also possible.

[0083] Advantageously, the limited visibility can be designed according to the screen viewing angle. In case of a screen operating mode with limited visibility, it is advantageous that, for example, only selected users (such as the main user in front of the screen) can retain unimpeded visibility. Due to the limited visibility, other users with oblique viewing angles will not be able to perceive or at least not fully perceive the displayed content. For example, limited visibility can be achieved by modulating the brightness curve within a limited angle range, thereby significantly reducing the perceptible brightness at oblique viewing angles and minimizing visibility.

[0084] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a top view of a data processing device screen from multiple directions is shown, where visibility from all viewing directions is unrestricted. As long as the result of the check of whether a file opened or to be opened in the data processing device or its file name contains at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature is negative, i.e. the security mode is not activated, the screen style shown in this figure remains visible from all directions (left, front, right), indicated by the clear word "Text".

[0085] If, on the other hand, the result of the check is positive, i.e. the security mode is activated, visibility is limited and files with the relevant keywords or security features (i.e. their content and / or their titles) are only visible from a limited range of angles, preferably for the primary user in front of the screen. Figure 3 , which shows a schematic diagram of a top view of a data processing device screen from multiple directions, where visibility from the side is limited. Figure 3 As shown, the visibility is good in the central front view. In contrast, the visibility at the oblique angle (for example, the left and right sides are less than 30 degrees or 45 degrees from the perpendicular bisector) is limited, so no information can be read from the oblique angle, which is represented by the black image content in this figure.

[0086] also, Figure 4A schematic diagram of a top view of a data processing device screen viewed from multiple directions is shown, where visibility is limited only to selected areas of the screen from a lateral viewing direction. Advantageously, in the above method, in a safe mode, the screen operation mode of the data processing device is turned on with limited visibility, and the limited visibility is only implemented on those areas of the screen of the data processing device that display opened or to-be-opened files or their file names, and the files or their file names contain at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature. Figure 4 In the figure, this is represented by a screen area that can be read from the front ("document containing keywords or security features"), but is black on both sides when viewed from a side angle. The other areas on the screen remain unrestricted in visibility and are represented in this figure by the word "Text". Regarding the partial conversion operating mode, it can be achieved, for example, using the teachings of the applicant's patent documents PCT / EP2021 / 076471, PCT / EP2021 / 078013, PCT / EP2021 / 058169 (herein used as reference), or by a so-called dual-cell liquid crystal display (Dual-Cell-LCD).

[0087] Figures 1 to 4 It can also be used to illustrate a data processing device. Such a data processing device comprises at least one processor, a storage space and a screen, and optionally also a speaker and / or a warning light, wherein:

[0088] - the processor, under the control of the control command, checks whether a file opened or to be opened in the storage space of the data processing device or its file name contains at least one specifiable keyword (such as the words "confidential", "CONFIDENTIAL" or "internal") and / or a specifiable security feature;

[0089] If the result of the above checking step is positive, the processor activates the safety mode of the data processing device under the control of the control command, wherein the processor performs at least one of the following steps and / or the data processing device is controlled to perform one of the following steps:

[0090] - if a loudspeaker is present, activating an audio warning signal (generally temporarily, such as a typical siren sound);

[0091] - display of an alert on the screen (this may be during the display of the corresponding document or temporarily, i.e. for a defined time, such as 5 seconds, e.g. the alert may be a text and / or an image and / or a video that fades in or out);

[0092] - Dim the screen brightness;

[0093] - activate warning lights on the data processing equipment and / or screen (if any); and / or

[0094] -Turn on the limited visibility screen operating mode (the important point here is that if this operating mode is already on, it will remain unchanged).

[0095] The processor will repeat the above steps periodically. When the abort condition is reached, the above processing can be aborted.

[0096] Figure 1 A possible flow chart for running control commands on a processor is shown.

[0097] Furthermore, preferably, if the result of the check performed by the processor is negative, the processor does not activate or deactivates the security mode of the data processing device after activation.

[0098] The specifiable security feature may be, for example, a specifiable bit sequence or byte sequence, for example a specific code containing ASCII characters.

[0099] Advantageously, the limited visibility can be designed according to the screen viewing angle. In case of a screen operating mode with limited visibility, it is advantageous that, for example, only selected users (such as the primary user) in front of the screen can retain unimpeded visibility. Due to the limited visibility, other users with oblique viewing angles will not be able to perceive or at least not fully perceive the displayed content. For example, the limited visibility can be achieved by modulating the brightness curve within a limited angle range, thereby significantly reducing the perceptible brightness at oblique viewing angles and minimizing visibility.

[0100] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a top view of a data processing device screen from multiple directions is shown, where visibility from all viewing directions is unrestricted. As long as the result of the check of whether a file opened or to be opened in the data processing device or its file name contains at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature is negative, i.e. the security mode is not activated, the screen style shown in this figure remains visible from all directions (left, front, right), indicated by the clear word "Text".

[0101] If, on the other hand, the result of the check is positive, i.e. the security mode is activated, visibility is limited and files with the relevant keywords or security features (i.e. their content and / or their titles) are only visible from a limited range of angles, preferably for the primary user in front of the screen. Figure 3 , which shows a schematic diagram of a top view of a data processing device screen from multiple directions, where visibility from the side is limited. Figure 3 As shown, the visibility is good in the central front view. In contrast, the visibility at the oblique angle (for example, the left and right sides are less than 30 degrees or 45 degrees from the perpendicular bisector) is limited, so no information can be read from the oblique angle, which is represented by the black image content in this figure.

[0102] The screen that switches between these operating modes can have a backlight that emits light with at least two different selectable relative brightness distribution curves, which are measured along selectable but fixed directions aligned with the screen. These operating modes can be extended to the entire screen area or only to selectable screen parts.

[0103] The screen may also have a switchable optical component (in addition to or instead of the above-mentioned backlight), which can selectively affect the relative brightness distribution curve measured along a direction optionally but fixedly aligned with the screen, wherein the switchable optical component includes at least one of the following components: liquid crystal, an electrochromic layer, a photochromic layer, a thermochromic layer, electrophoretic particles or magnetophoretic particles and / or electrowetting droplets.

[0104] also, Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a top view of a data processing device screen viewed from multiple directions is shown, where visibility is limited only to selected areas of the screen from a lateral viewing direction. Advantageously, in the above method, in a safe mode, the screen operation mode of the data processing device is turned on with limited visibility, and the limited visibility is only implemented on those areas of the screen of the data processing device that display opened or to-be-opened files or their file names, and the files or their file names contain at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature. Figure 4 In the figure, this is represented by a screen area that can be read from the front ("document containing keywords or security features"), but is black on both sides when viewed from a side angle. The other areas on the screen remain unrestricted in visibility and are represented in this figure by the word "Text". Regarding the partial conversion operating mode, it can be achieved, for example, using the teachings of the applicant's patent documents PCT / EP2021 / 076471, PCT / EP2021 / 078013, PCT / EP2021 / 058169 (herein used as reference), or by a so-called dual-cell liquid crystal display (Dual-Cell-LCD).

[0105] The data processing device with a screen may be a portable computer or the like.

[0106] As described above, the present invention can be advantageously used in offices, cars, and situations where a mobile device is used while traveling or in public places.

[0107] The solution to the object of the invention is a method for a data processing device and a data processing device with a screen that independently recognizes when privacy protection is required based on the content of the file to be displayed and / or the relevant security features, where relevant, and then automatically adjusts its privacy protection properties accordingly. This can be achieved by simple means integrated into the system without any user activity, such as pressing a toggle button.

Claims

1. A method for activating a security mode of a data processing device having a screen, comprising the following steps: - checking whether a file opened or to be opened in the data processing device or its file name contains at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature, - if the checking step is positive, activating a safety mode of the data processing device, wherein: Activating the safety mode means executing at least one of the following steps: -activation of an audio warning signal, - displaying an alert on said screen, - dim the brightness of said screen, - turning on a warning light on said data processing device and / or said screen, and / or - Enable limited visibility screen operation mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that If the result of the check is negative, the security mode of the data processing device is not activated or is deactivated after activation.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The specifiable security feature is a specifiable bit sequence or byte sequence.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: In the security mode, the screen operation mode of the data processing device is started with restricted visibility, characterized in that the restricted visibility is only implemented on those areas of the screen of the data processing device that display files that have been opened or are to be opened or their file names, and the files or their file names contain at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature.

5. A data processing device comprising at least one processor, a storage space and a screen, and optionally also a speaker and / or a warning light, wherein: - the processor, under the control of the control command, checks whether the files opened or to be opened in the storage space of the data processing device or the file names thereof contain at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature, If the result of the checking step is positive, the processor activates the safety mode of the data processing device under the control of the control command, so that the processor executes at least one of the following steps and / or the data processing device is controlled to execute one of the following steps: - if a loudspeaker is present, the audio warning signal is activated, - displaying an alert on said screen, - dim the brightness of said screen, - turning on a warning light on said data processing device and / or said screen, and / or - Enable limited visibility screen operation mode.

6. The data processing device according to claim 5, characterized in that If the result of the check performed by the processor is negative, the processor does not activate or deactivates the security mode of the data processing device after activation.

7. The data processing device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The specifiable security feature is a specifiable bit sequence or byte sequence.

8. The data processing device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The screen has at least two operating modes, wherein visibility of the screen is not restricted in a first mode and visibility of the screen is restricted in a second mode.

9. The data processing device according to claim 8, characterized in that The screen of the data processing device has a backlight which can selectively emit light with at least two different selectable relative brightness distribution curves, wherein the at least two relative brightness distribution curves are measured along a selectable but fixed direction directed toward the screen.

10. The data processing device according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that: The screen of the data processing device has a switchable optical component, which can selectively affect the relative brightness distribution curve measured along a direction that is optional but fixedly aligned with the screen, wherein the switchable optical component includes at least one of the following components: liquid crystal, electrochromic layer, photochromic layer, thermochromic layer, electrophoretic particles or magnetophoretic particles and / or electrowetting droplets.

11. The data processing device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: In the security mode, the screen operation mode of the data processing device is started with restricted visibility, characterized in that the restricted visibility is only implemented on those areas of the screen of the data processing device that display files that have been opened or are to be opened or their file names, and the files or their file names contain at least one specifiable keyword and / or a specifiable security feature.

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