Restricting the display of information with a physical object
First Claim
1. A method for restricting a view of private information displayed on a display surface to a privileged viewer, comprising the steps of:
- (a) enabling a view restrictor to be positioned at a first location on the display surface; and
(b) displaying the private information at a second location on the display surface so that the view restrictor substantially blocks any non-privileged viewer from viewing the private information but enables the privileged viewer to view the private information.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A view restrictor is employed to ensure that private information can only be viewed on an interactive display by a privileged user but not by non-privileged users. By detecting the location and orientation of the view restrictor on the display surface, a private portion of the display surface can be determined. The private portion is not visible to non-privileged users. The private information is then displayed to a privileged user at this private portion, and the view restrictor blocks non-privileged user(s) from viewing the private information. The interactive display detects removal of the view restrictor from the display surface, and interrupts display of the private information. In another embodiment, the private information is obfuscated so that it can be viewed only by a privileged viewer through a view revealer that includes a color filter. The private information may be either a graphic image or text.
33 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for restricting a view of private information displayed on a display surface to a privileged viewer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) enabling a view restrictor to be positioned at a first location on the display surface; and
(b) displaying the private information at a second location on the display surface so that the view restrictor substantially blocks any non-privileged viewer from viewing the private information but enables the privileged viewer to view the private information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for restricting a view of private information displayed on a display surface to a privileged viewer, wherein at least a portion of the display surface can be viewed by a non-privileged viewer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting a view restrictor placed on the display surface, the view restrictor restricting a view of a private portion of the display surface to a privileged viewer;
(b) associating the view restrictor with the private information;
(c) determining the private portion on the display surface at which to display the private information; and
(d) displaying the private information at the private portion. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for restricting a view of private information displayed to a privileged viewer, to prevent the private information being viewed by a non-privileged viewer, comprising:
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(a) a display surface on which the private information is displayed, the display surface having an interactive side from which the private information is viewed on which objects can be placed, at least a portion of the display surface being visible to a non-privileged viewer;
(b) a view restrictor that is sized and shaped to be placed on the display surface to restrict a view of private information being displayed on the display surface, so that the private information is not visually perceivable by a non-privileged viewer;
(c) a light source disposed on an opposite side of the display surface from the interactive side, the light source emitting an infrared light that is transmitted through the display surface to the interactive side of the display surface;
(d) a light sensor disposed on the opposite side of the display surface, the light sensor sensing infrared light reflected back from an object through the display surface;
(e) a processor in communication with the light sensor; and
(f) a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) detecting the view restrictor when it is placed on the display surface to restrict a view of a private portion of the display surface, to prevent the private information from being visible to a non-privileged viewer;
(ii) associating the view restrictor with the private information;
(iii) determining the private portion on the display surface at which to display the private information; and
(iv) displaying the private information at the private portion. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for revealing private information on a display surface, wherein at least a portion of the display surface can be viewed by a non-privileged viewer, comprising the steps of:
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(a) obfuscating private information displayed on the display surface; and
(b) enabling the private information to be viewed through a view revealer that is in a line of sight between the private information and a privileged viewer. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A view restrictor for restricting view of private information on a display surface, wherein at least a portion of the display surface can be viewed by a non-privileged viewer, comprising:
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(a) a view restricting panel that is shaped and sized to restrict a view of a private portion of the display surface from at least one direction;
(b) a support coupled to the view restricting panel, for supporting the view restricting panel upright above the display surface; and
(c) an identifier associated with the view restrictor, said identifier identifying the view restrictor to a display system, so that private information related to the view restrictor is displayed at the private portion of the display surface and is viewable from a desired position, but not from at least said one direction. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A view revealer for enabling private information displayed on a display surface to be visually perceived only by a privileged viewer viewing the display surface, wherein at least a portion of the display surface on which the private information is displayed, but visually obscured, so that when viewed by a non-privileged viewer, the private information is not visually perceived by the non-privileged viewer, comprising:
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(a) a view revealing component that enables the private information to be perceived by a privileged viewer when the view revealing component is placed in a line of sight between the privileged viewer and the display surface; and
(b) a support that is coupled to the view revealing component, for supporting the view revealing component between the private information and a line of sight of the privileged viewer. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification