Electronic Device Camera Security Marker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with cameras pose a security risk in confidential environments as they can capture sensitive information, and existing measures to prevent data leakage are inadequate, especially when users attempt to photograph confidential data displayed on screens.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device and method that captures image data, detects a security marker displayed by a screen, and applies a security policy to prevent unauthorized image capture, including disabling camera functions or altering the image, to protect confidential information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If administrators disable copy and paste functions or screenshot functions on computer systems, then data protection is improved, but users cannot control data leakage caused when users of electronic devices having cameras purport to capture images of display devices showing confidential or private data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a display device and electronic device that work together to detect and prevent unauthorized image capture. The display device displays security markers, and the electronic device's image processing system detects these markers to determine whether captured images should be blocked or watermarked, providing adaptive control over data leakage while maintaining legitimate camera functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameters of image data based on the detection of security markers. When a security marker is detected, the system modifies the image data by applying watermarks, blurring, or blocking certain regions, thereby adapting the image processing parameters to prevent data leakage while allowing normal operation when no security markers are present.
2Reliability
If security markers are periodically displayed to be undetectable by a human eye, then security against unauthorized capture is improved, but detection complexity for electronic devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The security markers are displayed periodically at specific refresh rates that make them imperceptible to the human eye but detectable by electronic image sensors. This periodic display creates a temporal pattern that can be detected through frame-by-frame analysis of video feeds or sequential capture of images, allowing the system to identify the presence of security markers without requiring complex spatial analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human visual detection with electronic image sensor detection. Instead of relying on human eyes to perceive security markers, the system uses electronic devices with image sensors to detect the periodic patterns of security markers, substituting mechanical/biological detection with electronic detection that can analyze temporal and spatial patterns beyond human capability.
3Reliability
If camera functions are disabled to prevent unauthorized image capture, then confidential information protection is improved, but legitimate image capture needs are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing qualities to different regions of captured images based on the presence and location of security markers. Instead of uniformly disabling the camera or applying uniform watermarks to entire images, the system selectively applies watermarks, blurring, or blocking only to specific regions containing security markers or confidential information, thereby preserving legitimate image capture functionality while protecting sensitive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by selectively preventing or modifying only those image captures that contain security markers, while allowing other captures to proceed normally. This partial application of security measures maintains ease of operation for legitimate purposes while providing sufficient protection for confidential information, avoiding the excessive action of completely disabling camera functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and device for securing image data detected by an electronic device is provided. The electronic may include a camera. In one aspect, a method includes: capturing image data using the camera; based on the captured image data, detecting a security marker displayed by a display device, the security marker being periodically displayed to be undetectable by a human eye that is viewing the display device; and in response to determining that the security marker is detected by the electronic device, applying a security policy to the image data captured by the electronic device.