Screen Capture Masking via Centralized Managed List
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing screen capturing and masking systems face challenges in mobile applications due to varying layouts based on device type, operating system, and orientation, making it difficult to uniquely identify and mask personal information without updating the application.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a centralized managed list with heuristic identifiers to determine the location of display objects associated with information to be masked across different layouts, allowing for dynamic masking without requiring updates to the application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the application layout is changed to adapt to different devices and orientations, then the adaptability is improved, but the difficulty of identifying and masking personal information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the personal information masking task into two independent parts: (1) a centralized configuration file that defines WHAT information to mask using semantic identifiers, and (2) the application code that captures screens and applies masking. This separation allows the masking logic to remain simple while the application adapts to different layouts, as the semantic identifiers can locate personal information regardless of position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized configuration file as an intermediary between the application and the masking process. This configuration file contains semantic identifiers that act as mediators to locate personal information in various layouts without requiring the application code to know the specific positions. The mediator translates semantic descriptions into actual masking actions across different device configurations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the application is updated to reflect changes in which fields should be masked, then the masking accuracy is improved, but the productivity and deployment time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining all masking requirements in a centralized configuration file before the application runs. This configuration file can be updated independently and deployed separately from the application code. When masking requirements change, only the configuration file needs to be updated and redistributed, not the entire application, enabling rapid response to regulatory changes without full application updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the masking configuration dynamic and separable from the application binary. The centralized configuration file can be independently modified, versioned, and deployed. This dynamic configuration approach allows the system to adapt to changing masking requirements without requiring application recompilation or redistribution, significantly improving productivity when masking policies change.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual image editing tools are used to mask personal information, then the masking precision is improved, but the ease of operation and technical threshold worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by automatically masking personal information in captured screens without requiring manual intervention. The system uses semantic identifiers from the centralized configuration file to automatically locate and mask the appropriate fields. This automation eliminates the need for operators to manually edit images or understand complex image processing techniques, significantly reducing the technical threshold while maintaining high masking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual image editing with an automated computational system. Instead of requiring operators to manually select and mask regions in images, the system uses programmatic approaches with semantic identifiers to automatically identify and mask personal information. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated systems maintains precision while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A screen capturing method comprising: providing an application configured to display an application screen comprising a plurality of display objects to a user of a user device, wherein a subset of the display objects is associated with information to be masked, and wherein at least one of the display objects of the subset is located at different locations in at least two different layouts of the application screen; receiving a request to obtain a centralized managed list comprising one or more records including information characterizing the subset; and sending the centralized managed list to the user device, thereby enabling the user device to determine a location of the subset and to generate at least one screen capture of the application screen in which the subset of the display objects associated with the information to be masked is masked.