Video-based privacy supporting system

Abstract

Computer display privacy and security for computer systems. In one aspect, the invention provides a computer-controlled system for regulating the interaction between a computer and a user of the computer based on the environment of the computer and the user. For example, the computer-controlled system provided by the invention comprises an input-output device including an image sensor configured to collect facial recognition data proximate to the computer. The system also includes a user security parameter database encoding security parameters associated with the user; the database is also configured to communicate with the security processor. The security processor is configured to receive the facial recognition data and the security parameters associated with the user, and is further configured to at least partially control the operation of the data input device and the data output device in response to the facial recognition data and the security parameters associated with the user.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A computer-controlled system for regulating the interaction between a computer and a user of said computer based on the attention point of said user, said computer-controlled system comprising:
 a data input device and data output device, each of said data input device and said data output device in electronic communication with said computer, wherein said output device comprises at least a device display;   an image sensor, said image sensor being configured to collect facial recognition data proximate to said computer, said image sensor being further configured to communicate said facial recognition data to a processor;   said processor configured to receive said facial recognition data associated with said user and determine the attention point of said user with respect to said display device, said processor being further configured to at least partially control the operation of said data input device and said data output device in response to said attention point of said user.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said processor being further configured to at least partially control the operation of said data input device and said data output device in response to said attention point of said user comprises to activate or deactivate privacy mode based on the attention point of said user with respect to said display device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said processor being further configured to determine the attention point of said user with respect to said display device, is based on determining whether the user is looking directly at the device display. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said processor being further configured to determine the attention point of said user with respect to said display device, is based on determining whether the user is looking at the display at an angle. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said processor being further configured to determine the attention point of said user with respect to said display device, is based on determining whether the user is looking away from the display. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said data input device comprises at least a microphone, and wherein said processor being further configured to at least partially control the operation of said data input device and said data output device, comprises to modify the microphone. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said data input device comprises at least a microphone, and wherein said processor being further configured to at least partially control the operation of said data input device and said data output device, comprises to modify the operation of the display device. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein modify the operation of the display device comprises obscure or alter data on the display device. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein obscure or alter data on the display device, comprises that the portions of the display that are selected for obscuration are determined based on the type of data being displayed, by the type of application displaying the data, by the specific application displaying the data, by specific window or windows, by tags associated with data, specific parts of the display, such as particular fields in on-screen forms, redacted data sections. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein obscure or alter data on the display device, comprises to obscure data along a gradient, so that areas of the display other than the area where the user is focusing attention will be obscured, while the area near the attention point remains clear. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said data input device comprises at least a video input, and wherein said processor being further configured to at least partially control the operation of said data input device and said data output device, comprises to deactivate the video input. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein modify the operation of the display device comprises obscuring the whole display, a subset of the display or portions of a plurality of displays. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein modify the operation of the display device comprises obscuring the display by pixilation, Gaussian blurring, pixel randomization, screen blanking, activation of a screen saver, substitution of alternative data, such as a slide show, static image or advertisement, or floating a logo or other image onscreen, opening of extra windows with false or deceptive text or images to distract unauthorized viewers, insertion of random text blocks or images or moving patterns on the screen, or in some other manner make the displayed private data unusable to those viewing it. 
     
     
         15 . A method for regulating the interaction between a computer and a user of said computer based on the attention point of said user, said method comprising:
 obtaining facial recognition data from an image sensor device configured to collect facial recognition data, said image sensor being configured to communicate said facial recognition data to a processor and pass said facial recognition data to said processor, wherein said facial recognition data comprises user data of said user; and   using said processor to determine the attention point of said user with respect to a display device, and at least partially control the operation of at least one of a data input device and a data output device connected with said computer in response to said attention point of said user.   
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer-readable program control devices thereon, said computer-readable program control device being configured to enable a computer to:
 obtain facial recognition data from an image sensor device configured to collect facial recognition data, said image sensor being configured to communicate said facial recognition data to a processor and pass said facial recognition data to said processor, wherein said facial recognition data comprises user data of said user; and   enable said processor to determine the attention point of said user with respect to a display device, and at least partially control the operation of at least one of a data input device and a data output device connected with said computer in response to said attention point of said user.