Foldable Screen UI Privacy Through Angle-Dependent Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to effectively protect sensitive information displayed on a mobile end user device from being misappropriated by onlookers, particularly in flexible or foldable screen devices, where the display configuration can expose personal and financial data to unauthorized viewers.
Innovation Solution
Implement UI manipulation techniques that distort the displayed information on foldable screens unless the device is configured to a specific folding and viewing angle, ensuring only the user can view the information clearly while obscuring it from onlookers, using a UI manipulation engine that assesses privacy risk and adjusts the display accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensitive information is displayed on a flexible or foldable screen device, then the information is accessible and readable to the user, but it becomes vulnerable to misappropriation by onlookers who can view it from the sides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the display content have different visual properties at different locations. Specifically, the displayed information is rendered with spatially varying characteristics such that it appears normal and readable only at the user's viewing position, while appearing distorted or illegible at other positions where onlookers would view it from the sides. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining accessibility for the user while preventing misappropriation by onlookers through location-dependent display properties.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the display is configured to protect information from onlookers by distorting it, then information security is improved, but the usability and readability for the user may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the display configuration adaptive and variable rather than static. The display system dynamically adjusts the distortion parameters based on detected viewing conditions, such as the position of the user's eyes or the device's orientation. This allows the display to maintain optimal readability for the user while simultaneously providing protection from onlookers, resolving the contradiction between security and usability through real-time adaptation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a UI manipulation engine is implemented to assess privacy risk and adjust display configuration, then information protection is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the display system to automatically assess privacy risks and adjust its configuration without requiring explicit user intervention. The UI manipulation engine continuously monitors viewing conditions, determines the appropriate level of distortion, and applies the necessary transformations autonomously. This resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced privacy protection through automation, reducing the burden on the user while managing complexity through integrated self-regulating functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
User interface (UI) manipulation techniques are disclosed that can allow a user device to hide and obscure sensitive information displayed on a flexible, foldable, or otherwise reconfigurable display from onlookers whilst maintaining or improving its accessibility exclusively to the primary user. Examples of the disclosed techniques can manipulate the UI in a way such that it is largely only viewable as intended when the user device is physically configured to a certain folding angle (and/or viewing angle). In some examples, the UI can be customized such that it promotes a certain device configuration (e.g., folding angle) that can provide an optimum security configuration for the user's current surroundings. The UI displayed on the display screen can change in form factor (e.g., an intended size as viewed by the user) to adapt to the current surroundings and/or based on the sensitivity in the displayed content.