Touch Screen Obscuring Layer for Secure Content Viewing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen devices lack secure methods to prevent unauthorized viewing and saving of electronic content, as some operating systems cannot disable screen capture functionality, allowing partial or complete content to be saved.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secure touch screen system where content is displayed behind an obscuring layer that clears only when a finger is dragged across the screen, with the cleared path becoming obscured again after a predetermined time, and the entire screen re-obscuring when the finger is lifted, thereby preventing complete content capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screen capture functionality is enabled in existing touch screen devices, then users can save and view electronic content, but security is compromised as unauthorized viewing and saving of content becomes possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the screen content dynamically change between obscured and clear states based on user interaction. The content remains obscured by default and only becomes visible when the user actively drags their finger across the screen, creating a dynamic security mechanism that adapts to user actions rather than being statically secure or accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-obscuring the content before any viewing attempt. The obscuring layer is already in place when the content is displayed, and the user must perform the action of dragging their finger to reveal the content. This prevents accidental or unauthorized viewing before the user intentionally activates it
2Loss of information
If complete content is displayed on screen, then users can view all electronic data, but the ability to prevent saving entire content is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by only revealing the portion of content that the user actively touches and drags across. Instead of making the entire screen visible or allowing complete capture, the system selectively reveals only the specific area where the user's finger moves, preventing screenshot capture of the full content while still allowing the user to view what they need
3Reliability
If obscuring layer is permanently applied to content, then content security is maintained, but content cannot be viewed at all
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different portions of the screen have different transparency properties at different times. The obscuring layer is selectively removed only in the specific area where the user's finger is dragging, while the rest of the screen remains obscured. This allows localized viewing without compromising overall security
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments on the invention are directed to displaying and viewing secure digital contents on touch screen displays. In one embodiment, a digital content such as image, text, or video is displayed on a touch screen display. An obscured layer that prevents viewing of the content protects the digital content. The obscured layer can be temporarily removed by a finger stroke in any direction on the touch screen display. As the finger is moved on the screen the area underneath the stroke is cleared and the content is revealed. The cleared area is then obscured again after a predetermined amount of time. This novel method prevents saving the digital content by taking a screenshot.