Communication Terminal Privacy Output Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems often inadvertently disclose private video or audio data to third parties nearby the recipient, as the recipient may not realize the confidential nature of the information until it is output by their terminal, leading to unintended exposure.
Innovation Solution
A method and communication terminal configuration that sets and enforces privacy indicators for received communications, determining the presence of non-users within a specified distance and adjusting output accordingly, such as suppressing audible or visual output, using headphones, or reducing volume, to maintain privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If communication content is output through terminal devices (speakers, displays), then users can receive and process information, but third parties nearby can inadvertently overhear or see private data
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of nearby third parties using sensors (microphone, camera, proximity sensors) before outputting communication content. Privacy indicators are set in advance based on detected conditions, and the system proactively prevents privacy exposure by suppressing output or switching to private modes before confidential information can be overheard or seen by unauthorized persons.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the environment during communication using various sensors and provides feedback about detected third parties. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts output behavior - suppressing audio when voices are detected nearby, blocking camera when faces are detected, or switching to vibration/hidden display modes - thereby resolving the contradiction between information reception and privacy protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If text-to-speech function is activated for received messages, then accessibility and information delivery are improved, but private text content can be inadvertently disclosed through audible output
Solution Approach 1:
The text-to-speech function is made dynamic and conditional rather than static. The system automatically enables or disables text-to-speech conversion based on real-time detection of nearby third parties using microphone audio analysis and proximity sensors. When third parties are detected, the system dynamically switches from audible output to non-audible alternatives (vibration, visual display only), thereby maintaining accessibility for the user while preventing privacy disclosure to others.
3Illumination intensity
If communication terminal outputs content at high volume or visibility, then user experience and information clarity are enhanced, but the risk of third-party interception increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different output intensities to different contexts and directions. When third parties are detected, the system reduces overall output intensity but maintains sufficient clarity for the intended user through directional output (e.g., directing audio toward the user's ear, displaying content in a direction away from third parties). This creates local quality variations in the output that protect privacy while maintaining user experience.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system, method and communication terminal are configured to facilitate private outputting of content of a message or communication session. A communication terminal can be configured via data included in a message or via a privacy setting to output content of data from a communication session or message in accordance with a pre-selected privacy setting or one or more privacy rules. For instance, a communication terminal may be configured to suppress a text to speech function for certain text messages, email messages, instant messages, or social networking messages that it receives having the privacy parameter set therein. As another example, a user may set the privacy parameter in his or her terminal so that any such message received by that terminal is output in accordance with the privacy setting or rules. A detection of nearby people can affect how certain content may be output via a terminal.