Volumetric UI Layers for Privacy-Preserving 3D Interface Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices often display user interfaces in two dimensions, which can reveal personal or private information about the user to applications, compromising privacy.
Innovation Solution
Implementing system-defined, discrete, three-dimensional distance layers for user interface positioning, where applications can request specific layers for UI display, while the system controls the positioning to protect user privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If user interfaces are displayed in two dimensions on a two-dimensional display, then the interface layout is simple and easy to implement, but personal or private information about the user is revealed to applications, compromising privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from two-dimensional UI display to three-dimensional volumetric interface layers. The system divides space into multiple discrete distance layers (e.g., near layer, far layer) along the depth axis, allowing UI elements to be positioned at different distances from the user. This volumetric arrangement prevents applications from inferring user attributes (such as handedness or gaze direction) from UI positioning, as the same UI can be displayed at various depths without revealing user characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If applications can freely position user interfaces in three-dimensional space, then UI flexibility and user customization are enhanced, but applications can derive user information from UI positioning, compromising privacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the system/volumetric interface manager) that mediates between applications and the three-dimensional display space. Applications request UI positioning through semantic labels (e.g., 'near layer', 'far layer') without directly controlling precise spatial coordinates. The system translates these semantic requests into actual 3D positions, preventing applications from inferring user information while maintaining UI flexibility. This intermediary control ensures that UI placement reflects user preferences rather than revealing user characteristics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If discrete three-dimensional distance layers are implemented for UI positioning, then user privacy is protected by preventing derivation of user information, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the three-dimensional display space into discrete, predefined distance layers (e.g., near layer, intermediate layer, far layer). Each layer represents a specific depth range from the user, and UI elements are assigned to these segmented layers rather than allowing continuous positioning. This segmentation simplifies the system architecture by providing a finite set of positioning options, making it easier to manage and implement privacy protection without requiring complex continuous spatial control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology provide volumetric interface layers for an electronic device. The volumetric interface layers may be discrete distance layers, each having a respective distance from the electronic device, in which user interfaces can be displayed by the electronic device. Applications running on the electronic device may be provided with the ability to request display of a user interface for the application in one of the discrete distance layers. In one or more implementations, the discrete distance layers may be semantically labeled, and may be requested by an application using their semantic labels.