Dynamic Privacy Filter for Display Adaptation to Ambient Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack effective solutions to protect displayed information from being viewed by others, as current privacy filters do not adequately adapt to changing light conditions, which can compromise the privacy of users.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device method that applies a privacy filter based on detected light conditions, adjusting settings such as background darkness, contrast, and blur to ensure information remains private, even as ambient light levels change, by using a touch-sensitive display and light sensor to dynamically adjust the privacy filter settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a static privacy filter is applied to the display, then privacy protection is provided, but the filter fails to adapt to changing light conditions compromising privacy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidadaptation to light conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dynamic privacy filter that automatically adjusts its characteristics based on detected ambient light conditions. The system transitions from a static filter to a dynamic one that responds to environmental changes, maintaining effective privacy protection across varying lighting scenarios without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a light sensor that continuously monitors ambient lighting conditions and provides feedback to the display controller. This feedback loop enables the privacy filter to automatically adjust its parameters (such as darkness level or blur intensity) in response to changing light conditions, ensuring consistent privacy protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the privacy filter makes information more obscure to protect privacy, then unintended viewers cannot read the content, but the user's ability to read the content may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility to unintended viewersVSAvoidlegibility for intended user
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The privacy filter applies different levels of obscuration to different portions of the display based on viewing angle and light conditions. Areas more susceptible to unintended viewing receive stronger filtering, while maintaining adequate legibility for the primary user viewing from the intended angle, thus balancing privacy protection with usability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts privacy filter parameters such as darkness level, contrast adjustment, and blur intensity based on detected light conditions and viewing context. This parameter adaptation ensures that the filter provides sufficient privacy protection while maintaining acceptable legibility for the intended user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3418938B1Electronic device including display and method of applying privacy filter
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3418938B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3418938B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3418938B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A method of applying a privacy filter to display information on a display of an electronic device, includes receiving information for display on the display of the electronic device, detecting a light condition of the display, and applying a privacy filter setting based on the light condition of the display.