Dynamic Image Segmentation for Secure Digital Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sharing digital images over communication networks, such as those used in smartphones, do not adequately prevent misuse of shared photos, as recipients can capture or record images during their limited display time, even with ephemeral mechanisms like Snapchat.
Innovation Solution
A method that processes digital images into 'degraded' versions for display, concealing content with blurring, and only reveals the interacted portion of the image when a user engages with the screen, using a partitioning template to segment the image into parts that are dynamically displayed as plaintext during interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If ephemeral photo mechanisms like Snapchat are used to limit image display time, then the duration of image visibility is reduced, but recipients can still capture or record images during the display period
Solution Approach 1:
The original image is divided into multiple degraded parts, each showing only a portion of the complete image. Even if a recipient captures the screen during display, they only obtain fragmented, unusable segments rather than the complete image, thereby maintaining security while allowing temporary display.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the image are treated differently through degradation techniques. The image is transformed so that only specific local areas are visible at specific times during interaction, while other areas remain obscured, preventing complete image capture while maintaining usability.
2Ease of operation
If the complete image is displayed for user interaction, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of image misappropriation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image is segmented into multiple degraded parts that are displayed sequentially or conditionally based on user interaction. This allows users to interact with the image content while preventing complete image capture, as each captured frame shows only a degraded portion rather than the complete image.
Solution Approach 2:
The image display is made dynamic and conditional rather than static. The complete image is revealed only under specific interaction conditions (e.g., prolonged touch, specific gestures), and even then only temporarily. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation while reducing misappropriation risk.
3Reliability
If the image is heavily degraded to prevent capture, then image security is improved, but image usability and recognition are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The degradation is applied locally and selectively rather than uniformly to the entire image. Different regions receive different levels of degradation, allowing critical recognition areas to remain more visible while other areas are obscured. This maintains both security and recognizability.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradation level is dynamic rather than static. The image transitions between degraded and less-degraded states based on user interaction, allowing the system to balance security and recognizability adaptively. Users can progress from degraded to clearer views through legitimate interaction while captured frames remain degraded.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for sharing a digital image between a first user terminal and at least one second user terminal over a communications network. The method includes: displaying on the second terminal a “degraded image”, the degraded image being obtained from a “first image” by digital processing of the first image, the digital processing visually concealing content of the first image; and following detection of an interaction of a user with the screen of the second terminal: defining a zone of interaction of the degraded image depending on the location of the interaction on the screen; obtaining a portion of the first image corresponding to the determined zone of the degraded image; and displaying on the screen of the second terminal the portion of the first image in the place of the corresponding area of the degraded image, throughout the duration of the interaction of the user with the screen.