Anamorphic Display Privacy Mode for Unauthorized Observation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security measures for electronic devices fail to effectively prevent unauthorized observation of display screens, particularly in scenarios where users are in close proximity to others, such as on public transportation, allowing sensitive information to be accessed by unintended viewers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an anamorphic privacy mode on electronic devices that uses anamorphic rendering, perspective rendering, or 3D rendering to obscure the display content unless viewed from a specific position, ensuring that only the intended user can clearly see the information while others see distorted or illegible images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional display modes are used, then the display content is clearly visible to all observers, but unauthorized observers can easily access sensitive information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized observationVSAvoidviewing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different display qualities to different viewing positions. The display uses anamorphic rendering that provides clear image quality only at a specific viewing position (the user's position), while appearing distorted or illegible at other positions (unauthorized observer positions). This local differentiation of display quality resolves the contradiction by protecting privacy at unauthorized positions while maintaining clarity at the authorized position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric rendering techniques where the display content is intentionally made asymmetric in its visual properties. The anamorphic rendering creates an asymmetric display pattern that is optimized for a specific viewing angle, making the display appear normal only from that specific position and distorted from all other positions, thus preventing unauthorized observation while maintaining usability for the intended user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Object-affected harmful factors

If anamorphic rendering is applied to obscure display content, then unauthorized observers cannot read the information, but the intended user may have difficulty viewing the content clearly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidviewing clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to detect the user's viewing position and adjust the display accordingly. The system uses sensors (such as cameras or gyroscopes) to detect whether the device is being viewed from the correct position, and dynamically adjusts the anamorphic rendering parameters to ensure optimal clarity for the authenticated user while maintaining obfuscation for unauthorized observers. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by adapting the display properties in real-time based on viewing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2927903B1System and method for electronic device display privacy
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2927903B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2927903B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2927903B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electronic device and associated method is provided. The electronic device comprises a processor; a display coupled to the processor, the display for displaying an image; a memory coupled to the processor; and a security module saved in the memory. The security module configures the processor to apply obfuscation to the image displayed on the display when a privacy mode is engaged on the electronic device.