Display Control for Foldable Case Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Foldable cell-phones allow information intended to be private to be easily visible to others when in a closed state, compromising user privacy.

Innovation Solution

A display control device that detects the inclination of a foldable cell-phone and determines which display unit is visible to the user, outputting only authorized information to that unit to prevent unauthorized viewing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple display units are arranged on different surfaces of a foldable case to enable visibility in closed state, then user convenience is improved, but information privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinformation privacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by detecting the inclination of each display unit individually and determining visibility status for each specific display unit based on its local orientation. The control unit then selectively outputs display data only to display units that are determined to be visible to the user, thereby applying different display behaviors to different local positions (display units) based on their specific inclination angles and visibility conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If display data is output to all display units regardless of visibility, then information completeness is improved, but unauthorized viewing risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidunauthorized viewing risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using the inclination detection unit to continuously monitor the angle of each display unit and feed this information back to the control unit. The control unit then uses this feedback to dynamically determine which display units are visible to the user and adjusts the display data output accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing device orientations and user viewing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If display units are made visible in closed state for convenience, then accessibility is improved, but security against peeking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the display visibility dynamic rather than static. Display units are dynamically adjusted based on real-time inclination detection - they are activated when determined to be visible to the user and deactivated or obscured when not visible. This dynamic control allows the system to provide accessibility when needed while maintaining security when the device is in positions where unauthorized viewing is possible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents unintended information from being seen by others while maintaining user convenience and visibility of desired information.

Implementation Method 1

an inclination detection unit that detects an inclination of the case with reference to a ground surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2892050B1Display control device, communication terminal, display control method, and computer-readable recording medium on which program is recorded
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 NEC CORP
  • EP2892050B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP2892050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2892050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display control device (500) is the display control device (500) that controls output of display data to a plurality of display units that are arranged on different surfaces of a case, comprising a posture detection unit (510), a visibility state determination unit (520), and a display data output unit (530). The posture detection unit (510) detects a posture of the case. The visibility state determination unit (520) determines a display unit that is visually recognizable to the user from among the plurality of display units according to the posture of the case detected by the posture detection unit (510). The display data output unit (530) outputs the display data to the display unit that the visibility state determination unit (520) determined as visually recognizable to the user.