Display Privacy Filter Using Color Overlay and Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack effective methods to protect private information displayed on their screens from being viewed by others, despite the availability of software-based privacy filters, which may not provide sufficient protection in all situations.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device method that identifies private information and displays it using specific attributes, while simultaneously displaying additional information with alternate attributes, making the private information unreadable to unauthorized viewers by using a privacy filter that obscures or alters the private content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If software-based privacy filters are used to protect displayed information, then visibility protection is improved, but the information remains potentially readable under certain conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation protection reliabilityVSAvoidinformation readability by unauthorized viewers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by overlaying a colored pattern (such as dots, lines, or geometric shapes) on top of the displayed private information. This color overlay alters the visual appearance of the content, making it unreadable to unauthorized viewers from a distance or at angles, while the legitimate user can still access the information through interaction (such as tapping or focusing). The colored pattern acts as a visual mask that changes the perceived color and structure of the underlying content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements another dimension by adding a spatial or interactive dimension to information access. The private information is displayed in a way that requires a specific user action (such as tapping, focusing, or moving to a specific position) to become readable. This creates a dimensional difference between the state visible to unauthorized viewers and the state accessible to the legitimate user, effectively protecting the information through dimensional separation rather than simple obscuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If privacy filters obscure private information, then confidentiality is improved, but the information becomes inaccessible to the authorized user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation confidentialityVSAvoidinformation accessibility to authorized user
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the display system with the privacy protection mechanism and the authorized user's identification method. Before the authorized user needs to access the information, the system is already prepared to recognize the user (through biometric data, device authentication, or other identification methods) and automatically activate the appropriate display mode. This eliminates the need for the user to manually toggle privacy modes or perform complex actions to access their information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by creating a closed-loop system where the display behavior responds to user actions or system-detected conditions. When the authorized user interacts with the device (such as tapping the screen, providing biometric authentication, or approaching within a certain distance), the system receives this feedback and automatically adjusts the display to show the private information clearly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the privacy filter does not permanently block access but dynamically responds to legitimate user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3454191B1Electronic device including display and method of providing private information
Publication Date: 2021.06.02 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3454191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3454191B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3454191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of providing private information on a display of an electronic device, includes identifying private information for display on the display of the electronic device, identifying attributes for display of the private information, displaying the private information utilizing the attributes identified, and during displaying the private information utilizing the attributes identified, displaying additional information utilizing alternate attributes that differ from the attributes identified for the private information.