Multi-Touch Display Control for Sensitive Information Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

The ease of data sharing in a connected society has made it difficult for senders to control the availability and prevent unauthorized copying or sharing of sensitive information, as recipients can easily take screenshots or record sensitive content despite expiration timers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where sensitive content is displayed only upon detection of a specific pattern of multiple touches, which requires users to continuously provide the touch pattern to view the content, thereby inhibiting screenshotting and recording, and incorporating a timer for content expiration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sensitive information is transmitted digitally for easy sharing, then communication efficiency is improved, but security control over the information is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of sensitive information display by requiring continuous touch input to maintain visibility. The information transitions from a static state to a dynamic one where it remains visible only during active user interaction, automatically disappearing when touch input stops, thus preventing unauthorized copying while maintaining communication efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a touch-based intermediary mechanism that mediates between the sender and recipient. This intermediary requires specific touch patterns to be activated and maintained for viewing sensitive information, creating a controlled intermediate state that prevents direct unauthorized access while allowing authorized viewing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If expiration timers are implemented to automatically delete sensitive documents, then security is improved, but the ability to prevent screenshotting and recording is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidscreenshotting and recording capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by preventing the harmful act of screenshotting before it can occur. By requiring continuous touch input to display sensitive information, the system ensures that the information is never in a static visible state that could be captured, proactively neutralizing the screenshot threat

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the information display dynamic rather than static. The information appears and disappears based on continuous touch input, creating a moving target that cannot be effectively captured by traditional screenshot methods, thereby enhancing security against recording while maintaining controlled access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If continuous touch pattern is required to view sensitive content, then security control is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity controlVSAvoidease of viewing content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing specific touch patterns (such as pressing multiple fingers on specific regions) as the condition for viewing. While this adds a layer of complexity, it maintains ease of operation for authorized users who can simply follow the instructed pattern, while significantly enhancing security control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2799969B1Multi touch combination for viewing sensitive information
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2799969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2799969B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2799969B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method at an electronic device including a user input device, the method comprising: receiving data comprising displayable content and data indicating that touch events corresponding to a pattern of multiple touches are to be detected in order to display the displayable content; upon detecting touch events corresponding to the pattern of multiple touches, displaying the displayable content; and ceasing to display the displayable content once the touch events corresponding to the pattern of multiple touches are no longer detected.