Display Privacy Masking Based on Proximity and Viewing Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to protect sensitive information displayed on computing devices from unauthorized viewers within a threshold vicinity, including intentional or unintentional observers and devices like cameras, by rendering the content unintelligible without affecting the user's view.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing sensor circuits, splitting algorithms, and machine learning to dynamically adjust content visibility based on proximity, light, and viewing angle, employing object detection and facial recognition to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized users, activating privacy mode when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system masks content on the display screen to prevent unauthorized viewing, then data security is improved, but the user's ability to view and interact with the software application may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies masking selectively to specific regions or portions of the display screen based on the detected viewing angle and position of unauthorized users. The masking is not applied uniformly across the entire screen, but only to areas visible to unauthorized observers, thereby preserving data security while maintaining full usability for the authorized user.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking effect is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of unauthorized users' positions and viewing angles. The system continuously monitors the environment and modifies the masking parameters accordingly, ensuring that content remains protected only when and where unauthorized viewing is detected, while allowing unrestricted access when no threats are present.
2Reliability
If the system continuously monitors for unauthorized users and applies masking, then data security is improved, but processing resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring and masking, the system employs periodic detection cycles to scan for unauthorized users. The masking is activated only during periods when unauthorized users are detected, and deactivated during periods when no threats are present. This periodic approach significantly reduces processing resource consumption while maintaining effective data security protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the computing device's existing camera and sensor components for detecting unauthorized users, rather than requiring dedicated specialized hardware. By leveraging already-present resources, the system minimizes additional processing overhead and energy consumption while achieving effective security monitoring.
3Reliability
If the system uses camera and sensor circuits to detect unauthorized users, then data security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs the computing device's existing camera and sensor circuits for multiple purposes: both for standard device functionality and for detecting unauthorized users. By making these components multi-functional, the system achieves enhanced security capabilities without adding dedicated specialized hardware, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses software algorithms and processing logic as intermediaries to translate raw sensor data into meaningful security decisions. Rather than requiring complex hardware processing, the intermediary software layer analyzes sensor inputs and controls the masking functionality, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining effective security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for protecting user data from unauthorized users/devices is disclosed. The system detects a triggering event comprising an interaction of a first user with a software application. The system detects a presence of a second user and determines that the second user is not authorized to view the software application. In response, the system activates a set of sensor circuits to determine a set of measurement data comprising a distance between the second user and the computing device and a viewing angle of the second user. The system determines that the distance is less than a threshold distance. The system determines that the viewing angle is less than a threshold angle. In response, the system masks the content associated with the software application when viewed from the determined angle.