Viewer-based device control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling viewable access to content displayed by a computing device, comprising:
- obtaining an image using an imaging element of the computing device, the imaging element positioned with respect to the computing device such that one or more viewers viewing a display element of the computing device appear in at least a portion of the obtained image;
analyzing the obtained image, using the computing device, to identify if an unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image;
when the unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image, determining a gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer, andwhen the gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer is determined to be substantially toward at least a portion of the computing device,identifying a device of the unauthorized viewer, andgenerating a notification to be communicated to the identified device of the unauthorized viewer, the notification including at least one of information related to the content being displayed by the computing device or advertising information associated with the information being displayed on the computing device.
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Abstract
A computing device can monitor the gaze direction of people around the device to determine whether any unintended viewers are viewing content displayed on the device. A user can activate a privacy mode of the device, such that when an unintended viewer is detected the device can take an appropriate action. In some cases the device can notify the primary user of the device using audible, visual, or tactile alerts. In other cases, the device can modify the display of content such that the unintended viewer is unable to decipher or view the content, or is otherwise notified of the detection.
143 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of controlling viewable access to content displayed by a computing device, comprising:
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obtaining an image using an imaging element of the computing device, the imaging element positioned with respect to the computing device such that one or more viewers viewing a display element of the computing device appear in at least a portion of the obtained image; analyzing the obtained image, using the computing device, to identify if an unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image; when the unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image, determining a gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer, and when the gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer is determined to be substantially toward at least a portion of the computing device, identifying a device of the unauthorized viewer, and generating a notification to be communicated to the identified device of the unauthorized viewer, the notification including at least one of information related to the content being displayed by the computing device or advertising information associated with the information being displayed on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling a computing device, comprising:
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obtaining at least one image using a display element of the computing device; analyzing the obtained at least one image, using the computing device, to determine a number of viewers having a gaze direction substantially towards at least a portion of the computing device when at least one viewer appears in the at least one obtained image; when the determined number of viewers is within a first range of viewers, causing a state of the display element to be in a first state; and when the determined number of viewers is not within a first range of viewers, identifying a device of the at least one viewer, the at least one viewer corresponding to an unauthorized viewer, and generating a notification to be communicated to the identified device of the unauthorized viewer, the notification including at least one of information related to content being displayed by the computing device or advertising information associated with the information being displayed on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A computing device, comprising:
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a processor; a display element for displaying content; and a memory device including instructions operable to be executed by the processor to perform a set of actions, enabling the processor to; obtain an image using an imaging element of the computing device, the imaging element positioned with respect to the computing device such that one or more viewers viewing a display element of the computing device appear in at least a portion of the obtained image; analyze the obtained image, using the computing device, to identify if an unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image; when an unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image, determining a gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer; and
; andwhen the gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer is determined to be substantially toward at least a portion of the computing device, identify a device of the unauthorized viewer, and generate a notification to be communicated to the identified device of the unauthorized viewer, the notification including at least one of information related to the content being displayed by the computing device or advertising information associated with the information being displayed on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions for controlling a computing device, comprising:
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program code for obtaining an image using an imaging element of the computing device, the imaging element positioned with respect to the computing device such that one or more viewers viewing a display element of the computing device appear in at least a portion of the obtained image; program code for analyzing the obtained image, using the computing device, to identify if an unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image; program code for, when the unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image, determining a gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer; and program code for, when the gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer is determined to be substantially toward at least a portion of the computing device, identifying a device of the unauthorized viewer, generating a notification to be communicated to the identified device of the unauthorized viewer, the notification including at least one of information related to content being displayed by the computing device or advertising information associated with the information being displayed on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus, comprising:
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an imaging element positioned such that one or more viewers viewing a display element of a computing device appear in at least a portion of an obtained image; a memory device including instructions operable to be executed by a processor to perform a set of actions, enabling the processor to; obtain an image using the imaging element; analyze the obtained image to identify if an unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image; when the unauthorized viewer appears in the obtained image, determine a gaze direction of the unauthorized viewer; and when the gaze direction of the unauthorized is determined to be substantially toward at least a portion of the computing device, identify a device of the unauthorized viewer, and generate a notification to be communicated to the identified device of the unauthorized viewer, the notification including at least one of information related to the content being displayed by the computing device or advertising information associated with the information being displayed on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
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Specification