Touchscreen Blackout Service for Selective Data Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack fail-safe mechanisms to selectively share information between devices, often making it obvious when data is redacted or hidden, and fail to control access to different types of applications and data effectively.
Innovation Solution
A background service on touchscreen devices that allows users to selectively hide sensitive information through a 'blackout' feature, reconfiguring the display to obscure sensitive data and providing a preview for verification, with optional features like fingerprint scanning and geofencing to manage access based on user identity and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is shared between devices, then information exchange is enabled, but sensitive information may be exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into shareable and sensitive portions by allowing users to selectively blackout specific regions or elements on the display. This segmentation enables partial data sharing while protecting sensitive information, resolving the contradiction between enabling information exchange and preventing exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different display qualities to different regions of the same data set. Sensitive regions are blacked out or obscured while non-sensitive regions remain visible and shareable. This local differentiation allows the system to enable data sharing for appropriate portions while preventing exposure of sensitive portions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If data is redacted to protect sensitive information, then confidentiality is maintained, but the display becomes aesthetically unpleasant and obvious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual transformations such as color changes, blurring, or pixelation to blackout sensitive data. These transformations maintain the overall display aesthetics by integrating the blacked out regions smoothly into the display layout, preventing obvious visual disruptions while maintaining confidentiality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent handles blacked out data in a different dimensional space by reconfiguring the display layout. When certain columns or rows are blacked out, the system rearranges remaining elements to fill gaps, maintaining a complete and aesthetically pleasing display structure rather than leaving obvious voids.
3Ease of operation
If manual selection of data for sharing is used, then user control is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary configuration of blackout rules and sensitive data identification before actual data sharing occurs. Users can pre-define which types of information should be protected, and the system automatically applies these rules during sharing, eliminating the need for manual selection during the sharing process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements automatic detection and classification of sensitive data types, allowing the system to self-configure blackout regions without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by identifying sensitive information based on predefined criteria and automatically applying appropriate blacking out, thus reducing time loss while maintaining user control through configurable policies.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If existing redaction mechanisms are used, then information security is improved, but fail-safe verification is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that allow users to verify the effectiveness of blackout configurations before actual data sharing. The system provides preview functionality showing exactly what the receiving device will see, enabling users to confirm that sensitive information is properly protected while desired information is shareable, thus providing fail-safe verification.
Data Source
AI summary
One exemplary aspect is a blackout feature that can be used in connection with touchscreen devices to hide selected data in a shared display environment. An exemplary embodiment may be provided as a service running in the background or on a touchscreen device. A service may pop-up in response to the initiation of a collaboration session or entry of the device into a data transfer or sharing environment to prompt the user as to handle they would like to handle the shared information, e.g., “hide” sensitive information. Another exemplary aspect can display data in a constellation fashion. For example, data included in a file or data set to be shared is displayed by the touchscreen device. The user can then run their finger over the data that the user does not wish to share. The selected data/information can then be prevented from delivery to and/or display on the collaborating device(s).