Automatic Display Privacy Filter Application via Contextual Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing user interface technologies lack automatic and context-aware mechanisms to apply privacy filters on electronic device displays, relying on explicit user commands and failing to provide timely protection against unintended viewers.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically applies display privacy filters based on various indirect indications, including user actions, device contexts, and environmental conditions, such as the presence of nearby people, sensitive content classification, and geographical locations, without requiring explicit user input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If explicit user commands are used to apply privacy filters, then user control is maintained, but timely protection against unintended viewers is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protection reliabilityVSAvoiduser operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects contextual indicators (multiple faces, sensitive applications, public locations) and applies privacy filters without requiring explicit user commands. The device monitors its own state and environment, making privacy protection decisions autonomously based on pre-configured policies, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures privacy policies and detection rules before needed, enabling automatic response when triggering conditions are met. By establishing detection criteria and response protocols in advance, the system can provide timely privacy protection without requiring real-time user intervention, balancing reliability with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If automatic privacy filter application is implemented, then timely protection is provided, but user experience disruption may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protection reliabilityVSAvoiduser experience continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy filter is applied selectively based on local contextual conditions rather than globally. The system evaluates specific indicators (face detection results, application sensitivity, location data) and applies filters only when appropriate conditions are met, minimizing unnecessary disruptions to user experience while maintaining reliable protection when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors contextual indicators and adjusts privacy filter application dynamically. By providing feedback loops that detect current state and adjust protection levels accordingly, the system maintains reliable privacy protection while adapting to user needs and minimizing experience disruption through intelligent response adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If continuous monitoring for privacy indications is performed, then automatic filter application is improved, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic filter applicationVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs monitoring and detection at periodic intervals rather than continuously, checking for privacy indicators (faces, applications, location changes) at scheduled times or when state changes occur. This periodic approach maintains effective automatic filter application while significantly reducing battery consumption compared to constant monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring intensity and frequency are dynamically adjusted based on current context and risk levels. The system increases monitoring when sensitive conditions are detected and reduces monitoring during low-risk periods, optimizing the balance between automatic filter application effectiveness and battery consumption through adaptive resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3373184B1Indirect indications for applying display privacy filters
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3373184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3373184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3373184B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for automatically applying display privacy filters. Content to be displayed on a device is received. An indirect indication of a condition of the device that is associated with applying a display privacy filter to a presentation of the device is received. Based on receiving the indirect indication, the display privacy filter to presentations of the content.