U.S. patent application number 14/012335 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-05 for integration of head mounted displays with public display devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Babak Forutanpour, Evan Robert Hildreth, Phuong Lam Ton.
Application Number | 20150062158 14/012335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51570833 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150062158 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hildreth; Evan Robert ; et
al. |
March 5, 2015 |
INTEGRATION OF HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAYS WITH PUBLIC DISPLAY
DEVICES
Abstract
Various arrangements for presenting private information are
presented. Private information to be displayed via a head mounted
display to a user may be identified. A marker displayed by a public
display device may also be identified. This public display device
may be visible in a vicinity of the user. The private information
and an indication of the marker may be output to the head-mounted
display of the user, such that the private information is displayed
by the head-mounted display in relation to the marker displayed by
the public display device.
Inventors: |
Hildreth; Evan Robert;
(Thornhill, CA) ; Forutanpour; Babak; (Carlsbad,
CA) ; Ton; Phuong Lam; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
51570833 |
Appl. No.: |
14/012335 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/633 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 27/017 20130101;
G02B 2027/0198 20130101; G09G 2340/12 20130101; G06F 3/011
20130101; G06F 21/84 20130101; G06F 2221/032 20130101; H04N 21/4122
20130101; G06T 19/006 20130101; G02B 27/0172 20130101; G09G 2340/14
20130101; H04N 21/41415 20130101; A63F 13/26 20140902; G02B
2027/0178 20130101; G09G 5/377 20130101; G02B 2027/0181 20130101;
G06F 1/163 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/633 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/377 20060101
G09G005/377; G02B 27/01 20060101 G02B027/01 |
Claims
1. A method for presenting private information, the method
comprising: identifying, by a display control system, private
information to be displayed, wherein the private information is to
be viewed via a head mounted display by a user; identifying, by the
display control system, a marker present in public information
displayed by a public display device, wherein the public display
device is visible in a vicinity of the user; and outputting, by the
display control system, the private information and an indication
of the marker to the head mounted display of the user, such that
the private information is displayed by the head mounted display in
relation to the marker displayed by the public display device.
2. The method for presenting private information of claim 1, the
method further comprising: identifying, by the display control
system, public information to be displayed by the public display
device; and outputting, by the display control system, the public
information to the public display device, wherein the public
information is displayed by the public display device.
3. The method for presenting private information of claim 2,
wherein at least a portion of the public information is used as the
marker.
4. The method for presenting private information of claim 1,
wherein information associated with the marker indicates that the
private information is to be displayed by the head mounted display
overlaying the public display device.
5. The method for presenting private information of claim 4,
further comprising: presenting, by the head mounted display, the
private information in relation to the marker, such that the
private information overlays a portion of the public display
device.
6. The method for presenting private information of claim 1,
further comprising: identifying, by the display control system, a
second piece of private information to be displayed to a second
user, wherein the second piece of private information is to be
viewed by the second user to the exclusion of the user;
identifying, by the display control system, a second marker
displayed by the public display device, wherein the public display
device is visible in the vicinity of the user and a second vicinity
of the second user; and outputting, by the display control system,
the second piece of private information and a second indication of
the second marker to a second head-mounted display, such that the
second piece of private information is displayed by the second
head-mounted display in relation to the second marker displayed by
the public display device.
7. The method for presenting private information of claim 6,
wherein the marker and the second marker are a same marker.
8. The method for presenting private information of claim 1,
wherein identifying the private information to be displayed
comprises receiving, by the display control system, a definition of
a rule for identifying the private information from the user; and
identifying, by the display control system, the private information
to be displayed comprises using the rule.
9. The method for presenting private information of claim 1,
further comprising: outputting, by the display control system, to
the public display device, false information, wherein the private
information displayed by the head mounted display is configured to
overlay the false information displayed by the public display
device.
10. A system for presenting private information, the system
comprising: one or more processors; and a memory communicatively
coupled with and readable by the one or more processors and having
stored therein processor-readable instructions which, when executed
by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
identify private information to be displayed, wherein the private
information is to be viewed via a head mounted display by a user;
identify a marker present in public information displayed by a
public display device, wherein the public display device is visible
in a vicinity of the user; and output the private information and
an indication of the marker to the head mounted display of the
user, such that the private information is displayed by the head
mounted display in relation to the marker displayed by the public
display device.
11. The system for presenting private information of claim 10,
wherein the processor-readable instructions, when executed by the
one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors
to: identify public information to be displayed by the public
display device; and output the public information to the public
display device, wherein the public information is displayed by the
public display device.
12. The system for presenting private information of claim 11,
wherein at least a portion of the public information is used as the
marker.
13. The system for presenting private information of claim 10,
wherein information associated with the marker indicates that the
private information is to be displayed by the head mounted display
overlaying the public display device.
14. The system for presenting private information of claim 13, the
system further comprising the head mounted display, configured to
present the private information in relation to the marker, such
that the private information overlays a portion of the public
display device.
15. The system for presenting private information of claim 10,
wherein the processor-readable instructions, when executed by the
one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors
to: identify a second piece of private information to be displayed
to a second user, wherein the second piece of private information
is to be viewed by the second user to the exclusion of the user;
identify a second marker displayed by the public display device,
wherein the public display device is visible in the vicinity of the
user and a second vicinity of the second user; and output the
second piece of private information and a second indication of the
second marker to a second head-mounted display, such that the
second piece of private information is displayed by the second
head-mounted display in relation to the second marker displayed by
the public display device.
16. The system for presenting private information of claim 15,
wherein the marker and the second marker are a same marker.
17. The system for presenting private information of claim 10,
wherein the instructions that cause the one or more processors to
identify the private information to be displayed comprises
processor-readable instructions which, when executed, cause the one
or more processors to: receive a definition of a rule for
identifying the private information from the user, wherein the
processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more
processors to identify the private information to be displayed
comprises processor-readable instructions configured to cause the
one or more processors to identify the private information to be
displayed using the rule.
18. The system for presenting private information of claim 10,
wherein the processor-readable instructions, when executed by the
one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors
to: output, to the public display device, false information,
wherein the private information displayed by the head mounted
display is configured to overlay the false information displayed by
the public display device.
19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information, comprising processor-readable instructions
configured to cause one or more processors to: identify private
information to be displayed, wherein the private information is to
be viewed via a head mounted display by a user; identify a marker
present in public information displayed by a public display device,
wherein the public display device is visible in a vicinity of the
user; and output the private information and an indication of the
marker to the head mounted display of the user, such that the
private information is displayed by the head mounted display in
relation to the marker displayed by the public display device.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 19, wherein the processor-readable
instructions are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: identify public information to be displayed by the
public display device; and output the public information to the
public display device, wherein the public information is displayed
by the public display device.
21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the
public information is used as the marker.
22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 19, wherein information associated
with the marker indicates that the private information is to be
displayed by the head mounted display overlaying the public display
device.
23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 19, wherein the processor-readable
instructions are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: identify a second piece of private information to be
displayed to a second user, wherein the second piece of private
information is to be viewed by the second user to the exclusion of
the user; identify a second marker displayed by the public display
device, wherein the public display device is visible in the
vicinity of the user and a second vicinity of the second user; and
output the second piece of private information and a second
indication of the second marker to a second head-mounted display,
such that the second piece of private information is displayed by
the second head-mounted display in relation to the second marker
displayed by the public display device.
24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 23, wherein the marker and the second
marker are a same marker.
25. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 19, wherein the instructions
configured cause the one or more processors to identify the private
information to be displayed comprises processor-readable
instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to:
receive a definition of a rule for identifying the private
information from the user, wherein the processor-readable
instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to
identify the private information to be displayed comprises
processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more
processors to identify the private information to be displayed
using the rule.
26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium for presenting
private information of claim 19, wherein the processor-readable
instructions are further configured to cause the one or more
processors to: output, to the public display device, false
information, wherein the private information displayed by the head
mounted display is configured to overlay the false information
displayed by the public display device.
27. An apparatus for presenting private information, the apparatus
comprising: means for identifying private information to be
displayed, wherein the private information is to be viewed via a
means for presenting private information by a user; means for
identifying a marker present in public information displayed by a
means for presenting public information, wherein the means for
presenting public information is visible in a vicinity of the user;
and means for outputting the private information and an indication
of the marker to the means for presenting private information of
the user, such that the private information is displayed by the
means for presenting private information in relation to the marker
displayed by the means for presenting public information.
28. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 27,
the apparatus further comprising: means for identifying public
information to be displayed by the means for presenting public
information; and means for outputting the public information to the
means for presenting public information, wherein the public
information is displayed by the means for presenting public
information.
29. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 28,
wherein at least a portion of the public information is used as the
marker.
30. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 27,
wherein information associated with the marker indicates that the
private information is to be displayed by the means for presenting
private information overlaying the means for presenting public
information.
31. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 30,
further comprising: means for presenting the private information in
relation to the marker, such that the private information overlays
a portion of the means for presenting public information.
32. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 27,
further comprising: means for identifying a second piece of private
information to be displayed to a second user, wherein the second
piece of private information is to be viewed by the second user to
the exclusion of the user; means for identifying a second marker
displayed by the means for presenting public information, wherein
the means for presenting public information is visible in the
vicinity of the user and a second vicinity of the second user; and
means for outputting the second piece of private information and a
second indication of the second marker to a second means for
presenting private information, such that the second piece of
private information is displayed by the second means for presenting
private information in relation to the second marker displayed by
the means for presenting public information.
33. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 32,
wherein the marker and the second marker are a same marker.
34. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 27,
wherein the means for identifying the private information to be
displayed comprises: means for receiving a definition of a rule for
identifying the private information from the user, wherein the
means identifying the private information to be displayed comprises
means for using the rule.
35. The apparatus for presenting private information of claim 27,
further comprising: means for outputting to the public display
device, false information, wherein the private information
displayed by the means for presenting private information is
configured to overlay the false information displayed by the means
for presenting public information.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No.
______, filed Aug. 28, 2013, entitled "Dynamic Display Markers",
Atty. Dkt. No. 131532U2, which is hereby incorporated in its
entirety by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Privacy, when using a public display device, such as a
laptop computer screen or tablet computer, in various environments,
can be a concern. For example, while a user may desire to interact
with confidential information on a public display device in a
public setting, such as at a coffee shop, the user may not want the
confidential information to be visible to passers-by, curious
onlookers, intentional snoops, or other persons in the user's
vicinity.
[0003] While a head-mounted display (HMD) presents information such
that only the user of the HMD can view the information, use of an
HMD may have various drawbacks. For example, the brightness,
colors, and resolution of an HMD may be limited as compared to
other types of display devices. Further, the more information that
is presented by an HMD, the more power that may be consumed by the
HMD, thus resulting in the HMD requiring more power (e.g., a
higher-capacity battery) or functioning for a shorter period of
time between battery charges.
SUMMARY
[0004] Various embodiments of presenting private information is
presented. In some embodiments, a method for presenting private
information is described. The method may include identifying, by a
display control system, private information to be displayed. The
private information may be viewed via a head mounted display by a
user. The method may include identifying, by the display control
system, a marker present in public information displayed by a
public display device. The public display device may be visible in
a vicinity of the user. The method may include outputting, by the
display control system, the private information and an indication
of the marker to the head mounted display of the user, such that
the private information is displayed by the head mounted display in
relation to the marker displayed by the public display device.
[0005] Embodiments of such a method may include one or more of the
following features: The method may include identifying, by the
display control system, public information to be displayed by the
public display device. The method may include outputting, by the
display control system, the public information to the public
display device, wherein the public information is displayed by the
public display device. At least a portion of the public information
may be used as the marker. Information associated with the marker
may indicate that the private information is to be displayed by the
head mounted display overlaying the public display device. The
method may include presenting, by the head mounted display, the
private information in relation to the marker, such that the
private information overlays a portion of the public display
device. The method may include identifying, by the display control
system, a second piece of private information to be displayed to a
second user, wherein the second piece of private information is to
be viewed by the second user to the exclusion of the user. The
method may include identifying, by the display control system, a
second marker displayed by the public display device, wherein the
public display device is visible in the vicinity of the user and a
second vicinity of the second user. The method may include
outputting, by the display control system, the second piece of
private information and a second indication of the second marker to
a second head-mounted display, such that the second piece of
private information is displayed by the second head-mounted display
in relation to the second marker displayed by the public display
device. The marker and the second marker may be a same marker.
Identifying the private information to be displayed may include
receiving, by the display control system, a definition of a rule
for identifying the private information from the user. Identifying,
by the display control system, the private information to be
displayed may include using the rule. The method may include
outputting, by the display control system, to the public display
device, false information, wherein the private information
displayed by the head mounted display is configured to overlay the
false information displayed by the public display device.
[0006] In some embodiments, a system for presenting private
information is described. The system may include one or more
processors. The system may include a memory communicatively coupled
with and readable by the one or more processors.
[0007] The memory may have stored therein processor-readable
instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors,
cause the one or more processors to identify private information to
be displayed, wherein the private information is to be viewed via a
head mounted display by a user. The processor-readable instructions
may further cause the one or more processors to identify a marker
present in public information displayed by a public display device,
wherein the public display device is visible in a vicinity of the
user. The processor-readable instructions may further cause the one
or more processors to output the private information and an
indication of the marker to the head mounted display of the user,
such that the private information is displayed by the head mounted
display in relation to the marker displayed by the public display
device.
[0008] Embodiments of such a system may include one or more of the
following features: The processor-readable instructions may further
cause the one or more processors to identify public information to
be displayed by the public display device. The processor-readable
instructions may further cause the one or more processors to output
the public information to the public display device, wherein the
public information is displayed by the public display device. At
least a portion of the public information may be used as the
marker. Information associated with the marker may indicate that
the private information is to be displayed by the head mounted
display overlaying the public display device. The system may
further include the head mounted display, configured to present the
private information in relation to the marker, such that the
private information overlays a portion of the public display
device. The processor-readable instructions, when executed by the
one or more processors, may further cause the one or more
processors to identify a second piece of private information to be
displayed to a second user, wherein the second piece of private
information is to be viewed by the second user to the exclusion of
the user.
[0009] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a system
may include one or more of the following features: The
processor-readable instructions may further cause the one or more
processors to identify a second marker displayed by the public
display device, wherein the public display device is visible in the
vicinity of the user and a second vicinity of the second user. The
processor-readable instructions may further cause the one or more
processors to output the second piece of private information and a
second indication of the second marker to a second head-mounted
display, such that the second piece of private information is
displayed by the second head-mounted display in relation to the
second marker displayed by the public display device. The marker
and the second marker may be a same marker. The instructions that
cause the one or more processors to identify the private
information to be displayed may include processor-readable
instructions which, when executed, cause the one or more processors
to receive a definition of a rule for identifying the private
information from the user. The processor-readable instructions
configured to cause the one or more processors to identify the
private information to be displayed may include processor-readable
instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to
identify the private information to be displayed using the rule.
The processor-readable instructions, when executed by the one or
more processors, may further cause the one or more processors to
output, to the public display device, false information, wherein
the private information displayed by the head mounted display is
configured to overlay the false information displayed by the public
display device.
[0010] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable
medium for presenting private information is described. The
non-transitory computer-readable medium may include
processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more
processors to identify private information to be displayed, wherein
the private information is to be viewed via a head mounted display
by a user. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include
processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more
processors to identify a marker present in public information
displayed by a public display device, wherein the public display
device is visible in a vicinity of the user. The non-transitory
computer-readable medium may include processor-readable
instructions configured to cause one or more processors to output
the private information and an indication of the marker to the head
mounted display of the user, such that the private information is
displayed by the head mounted display in relation to the marker
displayed by the public display device.
[0011] Embodiments of such a non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include one or more of the following features: The
non-transitory computer-readable medium may include
processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or more
processors to identify public information to be displayed by the
public display device. The non-transitory computer-readable medium
may include processor-readable instructions configured to cause one
or more processors to output the public information to the public
display device, wherein the public information is displayed by the
public display device. At least a portion of the public information
may be used as the marker. Information associated with the marker
may indicate that the private information is to be displayed by the
head mounted display overlaying the public display device. The
processor-readable instructions may be further configured to cause
the one or more processors to identify a second piece of private
information to be displayed to a second user, wherein the second
piece of private information is to be viewed by the second user to
the exclusion of the user. The non-transitory computer-readable
medium may include processor-readable instructions configured to
cause one or more processors to identify a second marker displayed
by the public display device, wherein the public display device is
visible in the vicinity of the user and a second vicinity of the
second user.
[0012] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of such a
non-transitory computer-readable medium may include one or more of
the following features: The non-transitory computer-readable medium
may include processor-readable instructions configured to cause one
or more processors to output the second piece of private
information and a second indication of the second marker to a
second head-mounted display, such that the second piece of private
information is displayed by the second head-mounted display in
relation to the second marker displayed by the public display
device. The marker and the second marker may be a same marker. The
instructions configured cause the one or more processors to
identify the private information to be displayed may include
processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more
processors to receive a definition of a rule for identifying the
private information from the user, wherein the processor-readable
instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to
identify the private information to be displayed comprises
processor-readable instructions configured to cause the one or more
processors to identify the private information to be displayed
using the rule. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may
include processor-readable instructions configured to cause one or
more processors to output, to the public display device, false
information, wherein the private information displayed by the head
mounted display is configured to overlay the false information
displayed by the public display device.
[0013] In some embodiments, an apparatus for presenting private
information is described. The apparatus may include means for
identifying private information to be displayed, wherein the
private information is to be viewed via a means for presenting
private information by a user. The apparatus may include means for
identifying a marker present in public information displayed by a
means for presenting public information, wherein the means for
presenting public information is visible in a vicinity of the user.
The apparatus may include means for outputting the private
information and an indication of the marker to the means for
presenting private information of the user, such that the private
information is displayed by the means for presenting private
information in relation to the marker displayed by the means for
presenting public information.
[0014] Embodiments of such an apparatus may include one or more of
the following features: The apparatus may include means for
identifying public information to be displayed by the means for
presenting public information. The apparatus may include means for
outputting the public information to the means for presenting
public information, wherein the public information is displayed by
the means for presenting public information. At least a portion of
the public information may be used as the marker. Information
associated with the marker may indicate that the private
information is to be displayed by the means for presenting private
information overlaying the means for presenting public information.
The apparatus may include means for presenting the private
information in relation to the marker, such that the private
information overlays a portion of the means for presenting public
information. The apparatus may include means for identifying a
second piece of private information to be displayed to a second
user, wherein the second piece of private information is to be
viewed by the second user to the exclusion of the user. The
apparatus may include means for identifying a second marker
displayed by the means for presenting public information, wherein
the means for presenting public information is visible in the
vicinity of the user and a second vicinity of the second user. The
apparatus may include means for outputting the second piece of
private information and a second indication of the second marker to
a second means for presenting private information, such that the
second piece of private information is displayed by the second
means for presenting private information in relation to the second
marker displayed by the means for presenting public information.
The marker and the second marker may be a same marker. The means
for identifying the private information to be displayed may include
means for receiving a definition of a rule for identifying the
private information from the user, wherein the means identifying
the private information to be displayed comprises means for using
the rule. The apparatus may include means for outputting to the
public display device, false information, wherein the private
information displayed by the means for presenting private
information is configured to overlay the false information
displayed by the means for presenting public information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of
various embodiments may be realized by reference to the following
figures. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a system for presenting
private information using a private display in conjunction with a
public display to a user.
[0017] FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a system for presenting
different sets of private information to multiple users using
multiple private displays and a single public display.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system for
identifying, marking, and presenting private information.
[0019] FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of a scene in which a user
is viewing private information in conjunction with a public
display.
[0020] FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of private information
overlaid by a private display device onto public information
presented by a public display device.
[0021] FIG. 3C illustrates an embodiment of how a public display
device may appear when viewed by a person not wearing private
display device.
[0022] FIG. 3D illustrates another embodiment of how a public
display device may appear when viewed by a person not wearing a
private display device.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a scene in which
multiple users are viewing different sets of private information
and viewing a common public display.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for presenting
private information using a private display device in conjunction
with a public display device.
[0025] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a method for
presenting private information using a private display device in
conjunction with a public display device.
[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] In a conventional arrangement, a user may use a single
display device to display information of which some is private,
such as the content of a document (e.g., an email), a markup of a
document, credit card information, or cards for a card game, and
some is public (e.g., graphics which the user does not care if
other persons view). In contrast, embodiments detailed herein are
directed to integrating the use of a private display device, such
as a head-mounted display (HMD), with use of a public display
device. To prevent unauthorized viewing of private information, an
HMD may be used to supplement information displayed by a public
display device. A public display device may be a laptop computer
screen, a computer monitor, a table computer's display screen, an
overhead projector, a television, or some other type of display
device. A public display device can be defined as a display device
that permits multiple users to simultaneously view content
presented by the public display device. For instance, a laptop
computer screen could be a public display device because two
persons can view content presented by the laptop computer screen at
a same time. However, an HMD is not a public display device because
an HMD is configured to be worn and used by a single user at a
time.
[0028] In embodiments presented herein, information to be presented
to a user may be designated as public or private. Public
information, that is, information which is not considered of a
private nature, may be presented by the public display device to
the user. It may be of little consequence to the user as to whether
another person views this public information. For example, icons,
web pages, web graphics, videos, operating system information,
and/or background graphics are basic examples of information which
may be considered public information. Such public information may
be presented in a higher resolution, higher brightness level,
and/or higher contrast display format than is available via an HMD
of the user. Private information may be information that is
considered of a private nature to the user. For example,
correspondence (e.g., text of an email), biographical data,
passwords, comments, financial account information, and the content
of documents (e.g., stored text) may be considered private
information. Private information may be presented by an HMD
directly to the user such that other persons who can view the
public display device cannot see the private information. As an
example, if the user is writing an email, the address, subject, and
text of the email may be treated as private information while all
other displayed information may be treated as public information. A
person (other than the user wearing the HMD) viewing the public
display device may see the public information but not the private
information.
[0029] Information that is tagged (or otherwise designated) as
private may be transmitted to a private display device of the user
for display and viewing, but not to the public display device. The
private information may be linked with a marker that is also
transmitted to the private display device. A marker, which also may
be referred to as a fiduciary or anchor, may be a visual indicator
used by the private display device as a reference for determining
where to display the private information in relation to the
displayed public information. The computer system that identifies
information as public or private may designate a marker among the
public information displayed by the public display device. This
marker, which may be a portion of the public information displayed,
may be used to properly position the private information for
display by the private display device. For instance, in many
embodiments, the private information presented by the private
display device may be overlaid on the user's view of the public
display device. Coordinates, a vector, or other location
information may be used in combination with the marker to determine
where in the user's field-of-vision the private information should
be displayed by the private display device. As the public
information presented to the user by the public display device
changes, the marker may be updated such that the marker is present
in the public information currently being presented by the public
display device. If the location of the marker is changed, the
vector, coordinates, or other location information may also be
changed.
[0030] The private information and markers may be transmitted to
the private display device such that the private display device
presents the private information to the user overlaying the user's
view of the public display device. By private information
overlaying a portion of the user's view, objects directly behind
the private information may be partially visible. In some
embodiments, the private information may be less than fully opaque,
allowing the private information and objects over which the private
information is overlaid to be visible. Therefore, from the user's
point-of-view, it may appear as if the private information is being
presented on or by the public display device. However, to a person
other than the user, the private information is not visible
(because the information is being presented to the user via the
private display device). Returning to the example of an email
message, the user may be able to view the address, subject and
message text overlaid on the corresponding graphical fields of the
public display device, regardless of the private display device's
orientation to the public display device (e.g., as the user's head
moves, the private display device keeps the private information
overlaying the public display device).
[0031] The presentation of private information may be on a
user-by-user basis. For example, multiple users each using a
private display device may view a public display device. Depending
on each user's permissions, the private information presented to
each user may vary. For instance, a first user may be able to view
a first set of private information in conjunction with public
information displayed by the public display device while a second
user is presented a second set of private information displayed in
conjunction with the public information displayed by the public
display device. The second set of private information may represent
different private information and/or a subset of the private
information than the private information presented to the first
user. The same or different markers presented by the public display
device may be used for each user. For instance, the markers used as
references for each HMD may be determined as detailed in relation
to the application incorporated by reference.
[0032] In some embodiments, the public display device may leave
blank space where private information is to be presented to the
user by the private display device. For example, a dark colored
region (e.g., black region) may be displayed by the public display
device to use as a backdrop where private information is overlaid
by the private display device. . In some embodiments, the public
display device may display public information where private
information is to be presented to the user by the private display
device. For example, if displaying an electronic version of cards,
such as poker, the backs of cards (so that the cards appear to be
face-down) may be presented by the public display, onto which the
private display device may overlay the fronts of cards (so that the
cards appear to be face-up). In other embodiments, false
information may be presented by the public display device in a
location to be overlaid with private information for the user. This
false information may be overlaid by private information presented
by the private display device, thus obscuring the false information
to the user. A person other than the user may see the false
information, while the user will see the correct, private
information. The presence of the false information may help conceal
from persons other than the user that the user is not displaying
all information via the public display device or the false
information may serve to purposefully mislead the persons (e.g.,
during an electronic version of a card game or when financial
account information is presented).
[0033] FIG. 1A illustrates an embodiment of a system 100A for
presenting private information to a user using a private display
device in conjunction with a public display device. System 100A may
include a display control system 110, a public display device 120,
and a private display device 130-1. Display control system 110 may
be configured to execute an operating system, one or more
applications, and/or receive information to be presented from an
external source. The operating system and/or one or more
applications may output information to be displayed visually to the
user. More detail regarding various embodiments of display control
system 110 is provided in relation to FIG. 2. Display control
system 110 may be in communication with at least two display
devices: public display device 120 and private display device
130-1. In the illustrated embodiment of system 100A, display
control system 110 is in wireless communication with private
display device 130-1 and is in wired communication with public
display device 120. Such an arrangement may vary by embodiment.
Wireless or wired communication may be possible between public
display device 120, private display device 130-1, and display
control system 110.
[0034] Information determined to be public may be transmitted by
display control system 110 to public display device 120. Public
display device 120 may be a display device capable of being
simultaneously viewed by multiple persons in a vicinity of public
display device 120. For example, common public display devices can
include laptop computer screens, tablet computer screens, mobile
phone (smartphone) screens, televisions, projectors, and computer
monitors. Each of these types of public display devices presents
information such that multiple persons can look at the screen
simultaneously. Display control system 110 may assess whether
information should be displayed as public or private information.
Information, which may include graphics and text, that is to be
publicly displayed, may be transmitted by display control system
110 to public display device 120.
[0035] In many scenarios involving system 100A, the vast majority
of information to be presented to a user may be public and thus may
be presented to the user via public display device 120. For
example, if a user is viewing a public web page and composing an
email, the entire web page, the user's desktop background, and the
user's start menu (to name only a few examples), may all be
presented via public display device 120. Information presented by
public display device 120 is represented as being visible to the
user by the dotted arrow to user 101. Such information presented by
public display device 120 may also be visible to persons 102, who
may or may not be present and/or attempting to view public display
device 120. User 101 may or may not be aware that one or more of
persons 102 are viewing public display device 120 or are in the
vicinity. Persons 102 may not be using any private display device
or may be using one or more private display devices that are not
authorized to receive the private information presented to user 101
via private display device 130-1.
[0036] Information determined to be private may be transmitted by
display control system 110 to private display device 130-1 for
display. Private display device 130-1 may be a display device
capable of being viewed by only a single user of private display
device 130-1 at a given time. For example, a private display device
can be an HMD. An HMD may present information (e.g., graphics
and/or text) such that only user 101 who is wearing (or otherwise
using) private display device 130-1 can view the information
presented by private display device 130-1. While persons 102 may be
aware that user 101 is wearing private display device 130-1, it may
be difficult or impossible for persons 102 to effectively view the
information presented by private display device 130-1 to user 101.
Display control system 110 may assess whether information should be
presented as public or private information to a user;
alternatively, in some embodiments, information for display
received by display control system 110 may be tagged as public or
private information. In such embodiments, display control system
110 may serve to route the information for display appropriately.
Information, which may include graphics and text, that is to be
privately displayed, may be transmitted by display control system
110 to private display device 130-1; in some cases such
transmission may be wireless.
[0037] Since, in many scenarios involving system 100A, the vast
majority of information to be presented to a user may be public and
thus may be presented to the user via public display device 120,
only small snippets of private information may be present.
Returning to the previous example, if a user is viewing a public
web page and composing an email, the entire public web page, the
user's desktop background, and the user's start menu (to name only
a few examples), may all be presented via public display device
120. The private information presented by private display device
130-1 may include text of the email (including email addresses
and/or recipients indicated in the "to," "from," and "cc" fields,
the subject line, and the body of the email), and/or some pieces of
information presented about the user in the web page (e.g., a user
name, account number, credit card number). Information presented by
private display device 130-1 is represented as being visible to
only the user by the dotted arrow to user 101 from private display
device 130-1. Such private information is not visible to persons
102.
[0038] To enhance the user experience of user 101, as much
information may be presented to user 101 via public display device
120 as possible without compromising the privacy of user 101.
Public display device 120 may have a higher resolution, a higher
contrast ratio, a higher refresh rate, more accurate color
reproduction, and/or have access to power more readily than private
display device 130-1. As such, it may be desirable to minimize the
amount of information presented to user 101 via private display
device 130-1. In many instances, information that is identified as
private and is to be presented to user 101 by private display
device 130-1 may typically be in the form of text, while video and
graphics may tend to be presented to user 101 via public display
device 120. Generally, HMDs require one or more batteries for power
(such that the HMDs can be wireless). The more information
presented by an HMD to user 101, the greater the amount of power
that is consumed by the HMD. Therefore, to reduce the capacity of
the one or more batteries of the HMD and/or increase the battery
life of the HMD, the amount of information presented to user 101
via an HMD may be desired to be minimized.
[0039] User 101 may view public display device 120 and private
display device 130-1 simultaneously. In some embodiments,
information presented to user 101 via private display device 130-1
is overlaid (e.g., superimposed) on the user's view of public
display device 120. Again, returning to the previous example, if
the user is composing an e-mail, the graphics for the e-mail
program may be presented by public display device 120. However, the
text of the e-mail may be presented to user 101 by private display
device 130-1. To user 101, the text of the e-mail presented by
private display device 130-1 may appear as part of the e-mail
program presented by public display device 120.
[0040] FIG. 1B illustrates an embodiment of a system 100B for
presenting different sets of private information to multiple users.
In system 100B, multiple users 103 may be viewing a same public
display device 120, but may each be using a private display device
that allows users 103 to view the same and/or different private
information. Further, one or more persons 102 may be present who
can view only the public information presented by public display
device 120. System 100B may include a display control system 110, a
public display device 120, and private display devices 130. Display
control system 110 may be configured to execute an operating system
and one or more applications. The operating system and/or one or
more applications may output information to be displayed to the
multiple users. More detail regarding various embodiments of
display control system 110 is provided in relation to FIG. 2.
Display control system 110 may be in communication with at least
three display devices: public display device 120 and two or more
private display devices (e.g., private display device 130-1,
private display device 130-2, and private display device 130-3). In
the illustrated embodiment of system 100B, display control system
110 is in wireless communication with private display devices 130
and wired communication with public display device 120. Such an
arrangement may vary by embodiment. Wireless or wired communication
may be possible between public display device 120, private display
devices 130, and display control system 110.
[0041] Information determined to be acceptable for public display
may be transmitted by display control system 110 to public display
device 120. Such information may be viewed by users 103 and, if
present, one or more persons 102 who may or may not be looking at
public display device 120. As previously noted, public display
device 120 may be a display device capable of being viewed by
multiple persons in a vicinity of public display device 120 such as
laptop computer screens, tablet computer screens, mobile phone
(smartphone) screens, televisions, projectors, and computer
monitors. Each of these public display devices presents information
such that multiple persons may view displayed information
simultaneously. Display control system 110 may assess whether
information should be presented as public or private information to
a user. Information, which may include graphics and text, that is
to be publicly displayed, may be transmitted by display control
system 110 to public display device 120.
[0042] In many scenarios involving system 100B, the vast majority
of information to be presented to users 103 may be public and thus
may be presented to the users via public display device 120. For
example, if users 103 are playing an electronic version of cards,
such as poker, the graphics for the card game may be presented via
public display device 120. Information which may not be presented
by public display device 120 includes the specific cards each user
of users 103 holds. Information presented by public display device
120 is represented as being visible to the users by the dotted
arrows to users 103 from public display device 120. Such
information presented by public display device 120 may also be
visible to persons 102, which is also represented by a dotted arrow
from public display device 120 to persons 102. One or more users of
users 103 may or may not be aware that one or more of persons 102
are viewing public display device 120. Persons 102 may not be using
any private display device or may be using one or more private
display devices that are not authorized to receive the private
information presented to users 103 via private display devices
130.
[0043] Information determined to be private may be transmitted by
display control system 110 to one or more of private display
devices 130. Private display devices 130 may be display devices
capable of being viewed by only a single user at a time. For
example, a private display device can be a head-mounted display. An
HMD may present information (e.g., graphics and/or text) such that
only the user who is wearing (or otherwise using) a private display
device can view information presented by the private display
device. While persons 102 and one or more other users of users 103
may be aware that a user is wearing a private display device, it
may be difficult or impossible for persons 102 or other users of
users 103 to effectively view information presented by the private
display device to the user. Display control system 110 may assess
whether information should be presented as public or private
information to a user. Information, which may include graphics and
text, that is to be privately displayed, may be transmitted by
display control system 110 to the appropriate one or more private
display devices of private display devices 130. In some
embodiments, such transmission is wireless.
[0044] Each user of users 103 may view the same or different
private information. Display control system 110 may have
identification information to determine which user of users 103 is
using which private display device of private display devices 130.
Therefore, private information intended for user 103-1 may be
presented only by private display device 130-1; private information
intended for user 103-2 may be presented only by private display
device 130-2; and finally private information intended for user
103-3 may be presented only by private display device 130-3.
Returning to the example of a card game, each private display
device of private display devices 130 may present the card numbers
(and graphics) specific to its user. Therefore, private display
device 130-2 may only present the card numbers for cards held by a
user 103-2. Each of users 103 and, possibly, persons 102 may view
on public display device 124 other text and/or graphics associated
with the card game (e.g., such as a green felt background and an
animated representation of a dealer). In some embodiments, multiple
private display devices of private display device 130 may present
the same private information. For example, during a presentation,
user 103-1 and user 103-3 may view the same private information
while a user 103-2 is presented either a subset of the private
information presented to users 103-1 and 103-3 or different private
information and possibly persons 102 are viewers of the
presentation not permitted to view any of the private
information.
[0045] To enhance the user experience of users 103, as much
information may be presented to users 103 via public display device
120 as possible without compromising the privacy of each user of
users 103. Public display device 120 may have a higher resolution,
a higher contrast ratio, a higher refresh rate, and/or more
accurate color reproduction then private display device 130-1. As
such, it may be desirable to decrease (e.g., minimize) the amount
of information presented to users 103 via private display devices
130. Each user of users 103 may view public display device 120 and
the user's private display device of private display devices 130
simultaneously. In some embodiments, information presented to users
103 via private display devices 130 may be overlaid on each user's
view of public display device 120, thereby giving each user the
impression of viewing a single display device.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a display control system
110 for identifying, marking, and presenting private information.
Display control system 110 of FIG. 2 represents display control
system 110 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. However, it should be understood,
that alternate embodiments of display control system 110 may be
used in systems 100A and 100B of FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively.
Further, display control system 110 of FIG. 2 may be implemented in
conjunction with systems other than systems 100A and 100B of FIGS.
1A and 1B, respectively. Display control system 110 of FIG. 2
contains various components. Such components may be implemented
using hardware, software, and/or firmware. The functions of various
components may be performed based on instructions executed by
general purpose processors. For instance, the functions of some
components of display control system 110 may be performed by the
components of computer system 700 of FIG. 7. Display control system
110 may include: data classification analysis engine 210, user
interface environment 220, display analysis rules database 230,
user credential database 235, marker definition engine 240, public
data display modification engine 250, private data display
modification engine 260, public display interface 270, and private
display interface 280.
[0047] Data classification analysis engine 210 may receive
information (e.g., text, graphics) to be displayed from user
interface environment 220. User interface environment may comprise
software being executed by display control system 110. User
interface environment may include an operating system 222 and/or
one or more applications being executed, such as application 224.
User interface environment may output visual information that is to
be presented to one or more users. The visual information output by
user interface environment 220 may or may not include tagged
information. If tagged, pieces of visual information may be labeled
as public or private. For instance, application 224 may assess
information it outputs for privacy. Privacy as determined by
application 224 may be based on how a developer of application 224
has labeled various categories of information that may be output
for display by application 224 or user preferences, such as in
display analysis rules database 230. For instance, whenever an
account number is output for display by application 224,
application 224 may label the account number as private. In other
embodiments, an application may simply label all text output for
display as private. Similarly, just as an application such as
application 224 may label information to be displayed as public or
private, operating system 222 may label information output for
display by operating system 222 and/or may label information output
by applications being executed through operating system 222 as
either private or public.
[0048] In some embodiments, display control system 110 may receive
information to be displayed from an external source. Rather than
information to be displayed being generated by the user interface
environment of display control system 110, a separate computer
system or other data source may be in communication with display
control system 110. Information received from this external source
may be processed via user interface environment 220 and/or data
classification analysis engine 210.
[0049] Data classification analysis engine 210 may identify whether
information to be displayed should be categorized as public or
private and/or may route data based on the privacy of the data.
Data classification analysis engine 210 (and other components of
display control system 110) are illustrated as being operated
outside of user interface environment 220. In some embodiments, it
should be understood that data classification analysis engine 210
and/or other components of display control system 110 may be in the
form of software executed via operating system 222. For instance,
data classification analysis engine 210 may be a type of
application. In other embodiments, such components may be
implemented using firmware and/or specialized hardware.
[0050] If operating system 222 or application 224 has labeled data
to be displayed as public or private, data classification analysis
engine 210 may serve to properly route the public data and private
data for display. Public data may be routed to public data display
modification engine 250. In some embodiments, data for display
received by data classification analysis engine 210 may not be
labeled as either public or private. Data classification analysis
engine 210 may analyze the data for display and determine whether
the data should be classified as public or private. In some
embodiments, text will treated as private information while
graphics will be treated as public information. Such a rule may be
useful for a user desiring a high level of privacy. If a user is
only desirable of a lower level of privacy, only numbers, email
addresses, addresses, and passwords (for example) may be treated as
private information. Data classification analysis engine 210 may
use a set of rules to determine information that should be treated
as public or private. Display analysis rules database 230 may
contain rules that control whether information is presented to the
user as public or private. Such rules may be at least partially
defined by a user. In some embodiments, a user may select a level
of privacy (e.g., high, medium, or low). In some embodiments, the
user may define specific rules (e.g., all text output for display
by an email program should be treated as private). The rules stored
by display analysis rules database 230 may be application-specific
or may be used for information output for display by multiple
applications.
[0051] In some embodiments, the rules followed regarding which
information is treated as public or private is based on location.
For instance, if the user is determined to be viewing information
in his office or home, it may be assumed that the user does not
need to protect displayed information from casual onlookers.
However, if a person is located at a public location, like a coffee
shop or mall, a higher level of privacy may be enforced. In some
embodiments, gaze detection may be used to determine if a person
other than the user is attempting to look at the user's public
display device. For instance, a camera that has a field-of-view of
a scene where the public display device is visible may be used to
determine if a person other than the user is looking at the user's
public display device. If so, private information may be
transitioned to being presented via a private display device to the
user. In some embodiments, false information may be substituted for
the private information to fool the person other than the user
looking at the public display device.
[0052] Marker definition engine 240 may define a marker (e.g.,
reference, anchor, fiduciary) for displaying the private
information by the private display device in relation to the public
information displayed by the public display device. For example, if
a user is using an HMD as the private display device, the private
information displayed to the user may be desired to be presented in
the user's field of vision such that the private data appears to
the user as displayed seamlessly with the public data displayed by
the public display device. Therefore, as the user's head moves, the
private data may need to be repositioned by the private display
device such that the user has the impression of the private data
remaining in a same location relative to the public information
displayed by the public display device.
[0053] In order for the private display device to properly position
the private information for display in relation to the public
information displayed by the public display device, a marker from
among the public information being displayed may be defined. The
marker may be a visual pattern that can be recognized by the
private display device from among the public information presented
by the public display device. Techniques for locating a defined
marker are known to those with skill in the art and for brevity are
not detailed herein. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/756,373, entitled "Enhanced Handheld Screen-Sensing Pointer",
which is hereby incorporated by reference, described various
techniques for location a defined marker which may be used. Marker
definition engine 240 may use public information being displayed by
the public display device to be used as the marker. Therefore,
marker definition engine 240 may access public information being
output for display by public display interface 270 to determine
what public information is to be used as a marker. The marker
definition engine 240 may analyze the public information for
display be public display interface 270, to detect visually
detectable features (such as edges, corners, colors, etc) within
the public information, and select what public information is to be
used as a marker based on the presence of uniquely identifiable
features within that public data. Marker data may be in the form of
features (such as edges, corners, colors, etc). As the public
information output for display by public display interface 270
changes, the public information used as the marker may need to be
modified. Further, marker definition engine 240 may include vector
data that indicates where private data should be displayed in
relation to the defined marker. As such, the vector data may
indicate a direction and the distance for the private information
to be presented relative to the marker. Such vector data may also
be in the form of coordinates or some other form of location
information. Marker and vector data defined by marker definition
engine 240 may be routed to the private display device of one or
more users via private display interface 280. This marker and
vector data may be used to position private data received by the
private display device for display.
[0054] Data that is to be displayed privately to the user may be
routed to private data display modification engine 260 by data
classification analysis engine 210. Data that is to be displayed
publicly to the user may be routed by data classification analysis
engine 210 to public data display modification engine 250.
Information related to the location of private data to be displayed
via private display devices and the public data to be displayed via
the public display device may also be routed to marker definition
engine 240.
[0055] Both public information and private information to be
presented by their respective display devices may need to be
modified for display by the respective display device. For
instance, the resolution of a private display device may be
different from the resolution of the public display device. Private
data display modification engine 260 may receive private
information to be presented by the private display device. Private
data display modification engine 260 may modify the private
information to be more effectively presented by the private display
device. This may include adjusting the contrast, brightness, size,
and/or resolution of the private information. Similarly, public
data display modification engine 250 may receive public information
to be presented by the public display device. Public data display
modification engine 250 may modify the public information to be
more effectively presented by the public display device and to
facilitate display of the private information. This may include
adjusting the contrast, brightness, size, and/or resolution of the
private information. Public information to be presented behind
private information may be modified to facilitate display of the
private information. For example, a graphic to be displayed behind
private text may be decreased in brightness to allow the text to be
more visible against the graphic background. As an example,
consider the background graphic of a body section of an email in
relation to the text of the email, which may be treated as private
information. By decreasing the brightness of at least portions of
the public information to be presented, the brightness output by
the private display device required for visibility of private
information may be decreased, thus possibly resulting in power
savings. If public information is to be displayed by the public
display device in a location onto which private information is to
be overlaid by the private display device, public data display
modification engine 250 may create and/or access public information
to be presented in that location. As such, this public information
may be visible to persons other than the user, but the display of
private information may obscure this public information from the
user viewing the private information via the private display
device. For example, in an electronic version of cards, such as
poker, the public information may be the decorative backs of cards,
and the private information may be the fronts of cards displayed
only to the user "holding" the cards. Further, if false information
is to be displayed by the public display device, public data
display modification engine 250 may create and/or access false
information to be presented in a location which will be overlaid
with the (real) private information for the user. As such, this
false information may be visible to persons other than the user,
but the display of the private information may obscure the false
information presented by the public display device. For example, in
the example of a financial account number, the false information
may be a random number of the same number of digits.
[0056] User credential database 235 may be used when multiple users
are each using a private display device receiving private data from
display control system 110. User credential database 235 may manage
which users are permitted to view one or more sets of private data.
For instance, different users may be able to view different sets or
subsets of private data. Based on the user's permissions, which
private data is presented via the user's private display device may
vary. In some embodiments, multiple users may be able to view the
same private information. Persons without a private display device
(or, possibly, without the proper permissions for their private
display device) may be unable to see any of the data indicated as
private by data classification analysis engine 210.
[0057] Private display interface 280 may serve to interface with
the private display device of one or more users. For instance,
private display interface 280 may serve to interface with the
private display device. Private display interface 280 may cause
wireless (or wired) transmission of the private data to be
displayed, the marker data, and associated vector data to the
private display device of the one or more users. Such data may be
encrypted. Similarly, public display interface 270 may serve to
interface with the public display device being viewed by the user
(and, possibly, one or more other persons). Public display
interface 270 may output the public information to be displayed by
the public display device including the public information that is
to be used as the marker for positioning the private information.
The public display device may be in wired or wireless communication
with public display interface 270. When viewed by the user, private
information may be overlaid in the user's field-of-view over at
least some of the private information. As such, to the user, it may
appear that the public display device is presenting all of the
information. However, to another person in the area, the private
information being presented to the user via the private display
device is not visible, thereby protecting the private information
being viewed by the user.
[0058] FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of a scene 300A in which a
user is viewing private information via a private display device in
conjunction with a public display device. Scene 300A may be an
implementation of system 100A of FIG. 1A. In scene 300A, user 101
is sitting in a coffee shop using his laptop. The user's laptop has
a display screen functioning as public display device 120 and the
user is using private display device 130-1, which displays
information visible to only user 101. In the illustrated
embodiment, private display device 130-1 is an HMD. In scene 300A,
person 102-1 is attempting to see what is on public display device
120 of the user's laptop. User 101 may or may not be aware that
person 102-1 is attempting to see the information being presented
by the public display device 120 of the user's laptop.
[0059] In the illustrated scene 300A, user 101 is composing an
e-mail. This e-mail may contain sensitive materials that user 101
desires to keep confidential. While the user is located in a public
location which may have persons, such as person 102-1, attempting
to view the user's laptop, the user may be able to maintain privacy
by having only public information be presented via public display
device 120. Private information, such as the text of the e-mail
that user 101 is composing, may be presented to user 101 via
private display device 130-1. Therefore, person 102-1 and any other
person attempting to view public display device 120 may not see any
information that may be private to user 101. However, user 101 may
view the private information via private display device 130-1.
Further, the private information may appear to be displayed by
public display device 120 to user 101 on public display device 120
because private display device 130-1 overlays (or superimposes) the
private information on public display device 120. For instance,
FIG. 3B represents what user 101 may see when looking at public
display device 120 through private display device 130-1. To be
clear, a private display device, such as an HMD, can display text
and/or graphics on a transparent surface, thus allowing a user to
directly view real-world objects through the HMD.
[0060] FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment 300B of private
information overlaid by a private display device onto public
information presented by a public display device. Embodiment 300B
may represent the view of user 101 of FIG. 3A while looking at
public display device 120. In embodiment 300B, the majority of the
information presented may be considered public information. For
instance, the sending and delete graphics in the upper right, the
background box for the e-mails body text, and application bar 340
may each be pieces of public information presented by the public
display device that are viewed directly from public display device
120 by user 101.
[0061] However, text 310-1, which represents e-mail recipients and
the subject of the e-mail, and text 310-2, which is the body text
of the email, may be treated as private information. Such private
information may be presented to user 101 via a private display
device, such as private display device 130-1 of FIG. 3A. Private
information, such as texts 310 may be superimposed on the public
information presented by public display device 120. As such, to
user 101, the presentation of the public and private information
may have the appearance of being presented by a single display
device, while protecting private information from viewing by other
persons such as person 102-1.
[0062] FIG. 3C illustrates an embodiment 300C of how embodiment
300B may appear when viewed by a person not wearing private display
device 130-1. Embodiment 300C may represent the view of person
102-1 of FIG. 3A while looking at public display device 120. In
embodiment 300C, person 102-1 may be able to view all of the public
information, but not the private information. Therefore, person
102-1 may not see the private information of user 101. FIG. 3D
illustrates an alternate embodiment 300D of how embodiment 300B may
appear when viewed by a person not wearing private display device
130-1. Rather than leaving blank space where private information is
to be overlaid on public display device 120 for user 101, false
information may be presented by the public display device to
deceive persons, such as person 102-1. For example, text 310-1 may
be presented to user 101, while person 102-1 may see false text
350-1 of FIG. 3D. Further, while user 101 may see text 310-2 via
private display device 130-1, person 102-1 may see false text 350-2
presented by public display device 120. False texts 350 may be
obscured from viewing by user 101 by the private information
presented by private display device 130-1 (e.g., the private
information may be displayed brighter and superimposed directly
over false texts 350). Such false text may be random (e.g., false
text 350-1) or used from a public source (e.g., false text 350-2),
which may be retrieved from the Internet.
[0063] Returning to FIG. 3B, in order for private display device
130-1 to properly position text 310 over public display device 120,
private display device 130-1 may require to be notified of a marker
that is displayed by public display device 120 and vector data for
where the private information should be presented in relation to
the marker. A marker definition engine, such as marker definition
engine 240 of FIG. 2, may select some or all of a graphic (or other
presented information) as marker 320. Marker 320 may be located by
a camera of private display device 130-1 which is aimed in the
direction of the field of vision of user 101. From marker 320,
vector data may be transmitted to private display device 130-1 and
may indicate where private information should be positioned for
display by private display device 130-1. For example vector data
may indicate a direction and distance, indicated by line 330-1, to
present text 310-1. A different vector which indicates a different
distance and direction, indicated by line 330-2, may indicate where
text 310-2 is to be displayed in relation to marker 320.
[0064] If the public information presented by public display device
120 is altered such that marker 320 is no longer displayed, a
different portion of the information presented by public display
device 120 may be assigned to be the marker; private display device
130-1 may be notified of the new marker and new vector data for use
in positioning private information to be displayed by private
display device 130-1.
[0065] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment 400 of a scene in which
multiple users are viewing different sets of private information.
Scene 400 may be an implementation of system 100B of FIG. 1B. Scene
400 is from the point of view of a user, such as user 103-2 of FIG.
1B. As such, user 103-2 may be sitting (or standing) in the back of
a conference room where a presentation is being given. For
instance, while persons, such as person 102-2, are viewing the
presentation slides presented by public display device 120, user
103-2 may be addressing the crowd about the presentation.
[0066] While user 103-2 is viewing public display device 120,
private information may be (partially) overlaid public display
device 120. In some embodiments, private information may be
presented in relation to, but may not be overlaying (either
partially or fully), public display device 120, such as to the side
of public display device 120. Person 102-2, who is either not
wearing a private display device or is not wearing a private
display device having the proper permissions, cannot view private
information 410. Private information 410 is presented to user 103-2
via a private display device (such as private display device 130-2
of FIG. 1B) that user 103-2 is wearing. In this example, private
information 410 serves to alert user 103-2 of various topics to
discuss while the picture of the new CEO is displayed and also
topics to avoid.
[0067] User 103-3 may also be present and may be wearing a private
display device, such as private display device 130-3, as shown in
FIG. 1B. Depending on the permissions associated with user 103-3,
user 103-3 may be presented the same private information 410 as
user 103-2. Alternatively, based on the user permissions of user
103-3, user 103-3 may be presented only private information 410-1.
In yet another embodiment, user 103-3 may be presented entirely
different private information based on the permissions of user
103-3.
[0068] As detailed in relation to FIG. 3B, in order for the private
display devices used by users 103-2 and 103-3 to properly position
private information 410-1 (and private information 410-2 for user
103-2) over public display device 120, each private display device
may require to be notified of a marker that is displayed by public
display device 120 and vector data for where the private
information should be presented in relation to the marker. A marker
definition engine, such as marker definition engine 240 of FIG. 2,
may select a portion of information as marker 430. A portion of
information may be selected as a marker based on the presence of a
(uniquely) identifiable combination of features (such as edges,
corners, colors, etc). Marker 430 presented by public display
device 120 may be located by cameras of the private display devices
which are aimed in the direction of the field of vision user's
103-3 and 103-2. From marker 430, vector data may be provided to
private display device 130-1 and may indicate where private
information should be positioned for display by private display
device 130-1. For example vector data may indicate a direction and
distance, indicated by line 440-1, to present private information
410-1. A different vector which indicates a different distance and
direction, indicated by line 440-2, may indicate where private
information 410-2 is to be displayed in relation to marker 430. If
the public information presented by public display device 120 is
altered such that marker 430 is no longer displayed, a different
portion of the information presented by public display device 120
may be assigned to be the marker; private display devices may be
notified of the new marker data and new vector data for use in
positioning private information to be displayed by the private
display devices.
[0069] Various methods may be performed using the systems presented
and described in relation to FIGS. 1A-4. FIG. 5 illustrates an
embodiment of a method 500 for presenting private information.
Method 500 may be performed using the system 100A of FIG. 1A and
display control system 110 of FIG. 2. For example, method 500 may
be performed in a situation similar to scene 300A of FIG. 3A. It
should be understood that method 500 may be performed using various
embodiments of systems differing from system 100A of FIG. 1A and
display control system 110 of FIG. 2. The steps of method 500 may
be implemented using software, firmware, and/or hardware. For
instance, instructions to perform steps of method 500 may be stored
and executed by general-purpose computer components, such as
components of computer system 700 of FIG. 7. Accordingly, means for
performing the steps of method 500 include one or more instances
of: components of system 100A of FIG. 1A, components of display
control system 110, and/or components of computer system 700 of
FIG. 7.
[0070] At step 510, from information to be presented to a user,
private information that is to be displayed may be identified. At
step 520, from the information to be presented to the user, public
information that is to be displayed may be identified. Information
that is not classified as private may be, by default, classified as
public; the reverse may also be true. Referring to FIG. 2, a data
classification analysis engine 210 may receive information that is
to be presented to a user. In some embodiments, information
received by the data classification analysis engine may be tagged
as either public or private. Information that is tagged as public
may be routed for display by a public display device while
information that is tagged as private may be routed for display to
a private display device. In some embodiments, the data
classification analysis engine may analyze the information to be
presented to determine which information should be classified as
public and which information should be classified as private. Such
classification may be based on one or more rules, such as rules
stored by display analysis rules database 230 of display control
system 110. Such rules may be defined or modified by a user. As
such, only information the user desires to be treated as private
may be presented to the user via a private display device. Means
for performing step 510 and step 520 may include a data
classification analysis engine. For instance, referring to FIG. 3A,
the laptop of user 101 may have hardware, firmware, and/or software
that functions as the data classification analysis engine.
Generally, a data classification analysis engine may be implemented
using software, firmware, and/or hardware. For example, one or more
specialized or general purpose processors may perform the functions
of a data classification analysis engine.
[0071] At step 530, a portion (or possibly all) of the public
information to be displayed by the public display device may be
selected to serve as a marker for presentation of the private
information to be presented by the private display device. In some
embodiments multiple markers may be assigned. The marker assigned
at step 530 may be large enough for a camera of a private display
device located a distance away to detect the marker. Means for
performing step 530 may include a marker definition engine, such as
marker definition engine 240 of FIG. 2. Different markers may be
assigned for different private display devices. In some
embodiments, markers may be assigned based on feedback received
from a private display device or another form of analysis in which
operating conditions of a private display device are analyzed in
determining the marker to be used. For example, the application,
incorporated by reference, details such assignment of markers based
on feedback from a private display device and/or the analysis of
operation conditions of the private display device. Such a marker
definition engine may be implemented using software, firmware,
and/or hardware. For example, one or more specialized or general
purpose processors may perform the functions of a marker definition
engine.
[0072] At step 540, one or more vectors may be determined The
vectors determined at step 540 may indicate the spatial
relationship between the marker and the private information to be
presented by the private display device. Therefore, the vector data
determined at step 540 may include a distance and direction for use
by the private display device in order to determine where the
private information identified at step 510 should be positioned
relative to the marker assigned at step 530. It should be
understood that at step 540 multiple vectors for multiple pieces of
private information may be determined For instance, different
vectors for different markers may be determined Such vector
determination may be implemented using software, firmware, and/or
hardware, such as in the form of marker definition engine 240 of
FIG. 2. For example, one or more specialized or general purpose
processors may perform such vector determination. In other
embodiments, rather than vector data being determined, coordinates
or other location information may be determined at step 540 to
position private information relative to a marker displayed by a
public display device.
[0073] At step 550, an indication of the marker (marker data), the
vector data, and the private information may be transmitted to the
private display device of the user. At step 560, the public
information, including the public information that is being used as
the marker, may be output to a public display device. At step 570,
the public information may be caused to be presented by a public
display device, such as a computer monitor. The information
transmitted to the private display device at step 550 may cause
presentation of the private data to the user via the private
display device, which may be an HMD, at step 580. As the public and
private information is presented, the private information may
appear superimposed over the public display device to the user.
Means for performing steps 550, 560, 570, and 580 include
computerized software, firmware, and/or hardware. More
specifically, means for performing step 550 include a private
display interface 280 configured to transmit information to a
private display device; means for performing step 560 include a
public display interface; means for performing step 570 include a
public display device, such as a monitor, television, screen,
projector, etc.; and means for performing step 580 include a
private display device such as an HMD (or, possibly, a mobile
device which could be positioned such that it is only visible to
the user).
[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method 600 for
presenting private information using a private display device in
conjunction with a public display device. Method 600 may be
performed using the system 100B of FIG. 1B and display control
system 110 of FIG. 2. For example, method 600 may be performed in a
situation similar to scene 400 of FIG. 4. It should be understood
that method 600 may be performed using various embodiments of
systems differing from system 100B of FIG. 1B and display control
system 110 of FIG. 2. The steps of method 600 may be implemented
using software, firmware, and/or hardware. For instance,
instructions to perform steps of method 600 may be stored and
executed by general-purpose computer components, such as components
of computer system 700 of FIG. 7. Accordingly, means for performing
the steps of method 600 include one or more instances of:
components of system 100B of FIG. 1B, components of display control
system 110, and/or components of computer system 700 of FIG. 7.
[0075] At step 610, an indication of a first user's credentials may
be received. At step 620, a second user's credentials may be
received. The private data that will be presented to each user may
be dependent on each user's credentials. The credentials may be
provided to a display control system from each user's private
display device, such as an HMD. For example, an HMD may have user
credentials stored. When a user enters the range of the display
control system and/or provides input indicating to communicate with
the display control system, the user credentials may be provided to
the display control system in order to register the user. The
display control system may compare received user credentials to
stored credential information in a user credential database, such
as user credential database 235, which may be stored locally by a
display control system or may be remotely accessible. If a user's
credentials do not indicate access to private data, the user
associated with the user credentials may not be provided any
private information to view via the user's private display device.
If the first and second user each have a same level of access to
private data, the same private data may be presented to each of the
first and second users via each user's private display device. For
the remainder of the described example of method 600, it is assumed
that the first user and the second user each have access to
different sets of private information. Performance of steps 610 and
620 may include private display devices transmitting (e.g.,
wirelessly) information to a private display interface, such as
private display interface of display control system 110. A private
data display modification engine 260 may analyze the received user
credentials against stored credentials in a user credential
database, such as user credential database 235. Accordingly, means
for performing steps 610 and 620 include processors, communication
interfaces, and non-transitory computer-readable storage
mediums.
[0076] At step 610, from information to be presented to a user,
private information that is to be displayed to each user, based on
each user's credentials, may be identified. At step 620, from the
information to be presented, public information that is to be
displayed may be identified. Such public information, at minimum,
will be presented to both users via the public display device.
Additional persons, who may not view any private information, such
as person 102-2 of FIG. 4, may view the public information
presented via a public display device. Information that is not
classified as private may be, by default, classified as public; the
reverse may also be true. Referring to FIG. 2, a data
classification analysis engine 210 may receive information that is
to be presented to at least the two users. In some embodiments,
information received by the data classification analysis engine may
be tagged as either public, private, or private and available to
only particular users. Information that is tagged as public may be
routed for display by a public display device while information is
tagged as private may be routed for display to a private display
device. In some embodiments, the data classification analysis
engine may analyze the information to be presented to determine
which information should be classified as public and which
information should be classified as private. Such classification
may be based on one or more rules, such as rules stored by display
analysis rules database 230 of display control system 110. Such
rules may be defined or modified by a user. As such, only
information the users desire to be treated as private may be
presented to the users via a private display device.
[0077] A private data display modification engine may enforce user
credentials such that private data is presented only to users who
have the credentials specific for that private data. Referring to
FIG. 4, for example, while user 103-2 may be able to view private
information 410-1 and 410-2, user 103-3 may only have sufficient
credentials to view private information 410-1. Means for performing
step 630 and step 640 may include a data classification analysis
engine, private data display modification engine, and user
credential database. For instance, referring to FIG. 3B, a
computerized device providing output to private display devices and
public display device 120 may have hardware, firmware, and/or
software that functions as the data classification analysis engine,
private data display modification engine, and user credential
database.
[0078] Generally, such functions may be implemented using software,
firmware, and/or hardware. For example, one or more specialized or
general purpose processors and non-transitory computer-readable
mediums may perform the functions of a data classification analysis
engine, private data display modification engine, and user
credential database.
[0079] At step 650, a portion (or possibly all) of the public
information to be displayed by the public display device may be
selected to serve as a marker for presentation of the private
information to be presented by the private display device of each
user. In some embodiments multiple markers may be assigned (e.g.,
different markers may be used for different private display
devices). The same marker may be used for multiple private display
devices; for example, referring to FIG. 4, marker 430 may be used
for the private display devices of user 103-2 and user 103-3. The
marker assigned at step 650 may be large and distinct enough for a
camera of a private display device located a distance away to
detect the marker. Means for performing step 650 may include a
marker definition engine, such as marker definition engine 240 of
FIG. 2. In some embodiments, markers may be assigned based on
feedback received from a private display device or another form of
analysis in which operating conditions of a private display device
are analyzed in determining the marker to be used. For example, the
application, incorporated by reference, details such assignment of
markers based on feedback from a private display device and/or the
analysis of operation conditions of the private display device.
Such a marker definition engine may be implemented using software,
firmware, and/or hardware. For example, one or more specialized or
general purpose processors may perform the functions of a marker
definition engine.
[0080] At step 660, one or more vectors may be determined The
vectors determined at step 660 may indicate the spatial
relationship between the marker and the private information to be
presented by each private display device. As such, if private
information is being presented in different locations to different
users, the vector data provided to each of the user's private
display devices may vary, even if the same marker is used for each
private display device. Therefore, the vector data determined at
step 660 may include a distance and direction for use by each
private display device in order to determine where private
information should be positioned relative to the marker assigned at
step 650. It should be understood that at step 660 multiple vectors
for multiple pieces of private information may be determined For
instance, different vectors for different markers may be determined
Such vector determination may be implemented using software,
firmware, and/or hardware, such as in the form of marker definition
engine 240 of FIG. 2. For example, one or more specialized or
general purpose processors may perform such vector determination.
In other embodiments, rather than vector data being determined,
coordinates or other location information may be determined at step
660 to position private information relative to a marker displayed
by a public display device.
[0081] At step 670, an indication of the marker, the vector data,
and the private information may be transmitted to each private
display device. Only private data to be viewed using a particular
private display device may be provided to that private display
device. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the private display
device of user 103-3 may not receive any indication of private
information 410-2. At step 680, the public information, including
the public information that is being used as the marker(s) for each
private device, may be output to a public display device (which is
viewable by at least the two users). At step 690, the public
information may be caused to be presented by a public display
device, such as a projector in FIG. 4. The information transmitted
to the private display device at step 670 may cause presentation of
the private data to each user via each user's private display
device, which may be an HMD, at step 695. As the public and private
information is presented, the private information may appear
superimposed over at least a portion of the public display device
to the user or may be presented in a position relative to the
marker presented by the public display device (e.g., a distance to
the side of the public display device).
[0082] Means for performing steps 670, 680, 690, and 695 include
computerized software, firmware, and/or hardware. More
specifically, means for performing step 670, include a private
display interface 280 configured to transmit information to a
private display device; means for performing step 680 include a
public display interface; means for performing step 690 include a
public display device, such as a monitor, television, screen,
projector, etc.; and means for performing step 695 include at least
two private display devices such as HMDs (or, possibly, mobile
devices which could be positioned such that they are only visible
to the corresponding user).
[0083] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a computer system. A
computer system as illustrated in FIG. 7 may be incorporated as
part of the previously described computerized devices, such as the
display control systems, public display devices, and private
display devices. FIG. 7 provides a schematic illustration of one
embodiment of a computer system 700 that can perform various steps
of the methods provided by various embodiments. It should be noted
that FIG. 7 is meant only to provide a generalized illustration of
various components, any or all of which may be utilized as
appropriate. FIG. 7, therefore, broadly illustrates how individual
system elements may be implemented in a relatively separated or
relatively more integrated manner.
[0084] The computer system 700 is shown comprising hardware
elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus 705 (or may
otherwise be in communication, as appropriate). The hardware
elements may include one or more processors 710, including without
limitation one or more general-purpose processors and/or one or
more special-purpose processors (such as digital signal processing
chips, graphics acceleration processors, video decoders, and/or the
like); one or more input devices 715, which can include without
limitation a mouse, a keyboard, remote control, and/or the like;
and one or more output devices 720, which can include without
limitation a display device, a printer, and/or the like. Output
devices 720 may include a public display device.
[0085] The computer system 700 may further include (and/or be in
communication with) one or more non-transitory storage devices 725,
which can comprise, without limitation, local and/or network
accessible storage, and/or can include, without limitation, a disk
drive, a drive array, an optical storage device, a solid-state
storage device, such as a random access memory ("RAM"), and/or a
read-only memory ("ROM"), which can be programmable,
flash-updateable and/or the like. Such storage devices may be
configured to implement any appropriate data stores, including
without limitation, various file systems, database structures,
and/or the like.
[0086] The computer system 700 might also include a communications
subsystem 730, which can include without limitation a modem, a
network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device,
a wireless communication device, and/or a chipset (such as a
Bluetooth.TM. device, an 802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax
device, cellular communication device, etc.), and/or the like. The
communications subsystem 730 may permit data to be exchanged with a
network (such as the network described below, to name one example),
other computer systems, and/or any other devices described herein.
In many embodiments, the computer system 700 will further comprise
a working memory 735, which can include a RAM or ROM device, as
described above.
[0087] The computer system 700 also can comprise software elements,
shown as being currently located within the working memory 735,
including an operating system 740 (which may correspond to
operating system 222 of FIG. 2), device drivers, executable
libraries, and/or other code, such as one or more application
programs 745 (which may correspond to application 224 of FIG. 2),
which may comprise computer programs provided by various
embodiments, and/or may be designed to implement methods, and/or
configure systems, provided by other embodiments, as described
herein. Merely by way of example, one or more procedures described
with respect to the method(s) discussed above might be implemented
as code and/or instructions executable by a computer (and/or a
processor within a computer); in an aspect, then, such code and/or
instructions can be used to configure and/or adapt a general
purpose computer (or other device) to perform one or more
operations in accordance with the described methods.
[0088] A set of these instructions and/or code might be stored on a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, such as the
non-transitory storage device(s) 725 described above. In some
cases, the storage medium might be incorporated within a computer
system, such as computer system 700. In other embodiments, the
storage medium might be separate from a computer system (e.g., a
removable medium, such as a compact disc), and/or provided in an
installation package, such that the storage medium can be used to
program, configure, and/or adapt a general purpose computer with
the instructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take
the form of executable code, which is executable by the computer
system 700 and/or might take the form of source and/or installable
code, which, upon compilation and/or installation on the computer
system 700 (e.g., using any of a variety of generally available
compilers, installation programs, compression/decompression
utilities, etc.), then takes the form of executable code.
[0089] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
substantial variations may be made in accordance with specific
requirements. For example, customized hardware might also be used,
and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware,
software (including portable software, such as applets, etc.), or
both. Further, connection to other computing devices such as
network input/output devices may be employed.
[0090] As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may
employ a computer system (such as the computer system 700) to
perform methods in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention. According to a set of embodiments, some or all of the
procedures of such methods are performed by the computer system 700
in response to processor 710 executing one or more sequences of one
or more instructions (which might be incorporated into the
operating system 740 and/or other code, such as an application
program 745) contained in the working memory 735. Such instructions
may be read into the working memory 735 from another
computer-readable medium, such as one or more of the non-transitory
storage device(s) 725. Merely by way of example, execution of the
sequences of instructions contained in the working memory 735 might
cause the processor(s) 710 to perform one or more procedures of the
methods described herein. For instance, processor(s) 710 may
perform various functions of the components of display control
system 110 of FIG. 2, such as data classification analysis engine
210 and marker definition engine 240.
[0091] The terms "machine-readable medium," "computer-readable
storage medium" and "computer-readable medium," as used herein,
refer to any medium that participates in providing data that causes
a machine to operate in a specific fashion. These mediums may be
non-transitory. In an embodiment implemented using the computer
system 700, various computer-readable media might be involved in
providing instructions/code to processor(s) 710 for execution
and/or might be used to store and/or carry such instructions/code.
In many implementations, a computer-readable medium is a physical
and/or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take the form of
a non-volatile media or volatile media. Non-volatile media include,
for example, optical and/or magnetic disks, such as the
non-transitory storage device(s) 725. For instance, non-transitory
storage device(s) 725 may store display analysis rules database 230
and/or user credential database 235 of FIG. 2. Volatile media
include, without limitation, dynamic memory, such as the working
memory 735.
[0092] Common forms of physical and/or tangible computer-readable
media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard
disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any
other optical medium, any other physical medium with patterns of
marks, a RAM, a PROM, EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip
or cartridge, or any other medium from which a computer can read
instructions and/or code.
[0093] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the
processor(s) 710 for execution. Merely by way of example, the
instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk and/or
optical disc of a remote computer. A remote computer might load the
instructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions as
signals over a transmission medium to be received and/or executed
by the computer system 700.
[0094] The communications subsystem 730 (and/or components thereof)
generally will receive signals, and the bus 705 then might carry
the signals (and/or the data, instructions, etc. carried by the
signals) to the working memory 735, from which the processor(s) 710
retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received
by the working memory 735 may optionally be stored on a
non-transitory storage device 725 either before or after execution
by the processor(s) 710. Communications subsystem 730 may perform
functions of private display interface 280 for communicating with a
private display device.
[0095] It should further be understood that the components of
computer system 700 can be distributed across a network. For
example, some processing may be performed in one location using a
first processor while other processing may be performed by another
processor remote from the first processor. Other components of
computer system 700 may be similarly distributed. As such, computer
system 700 may be interpreted as a distributed computing system
that performs processing in multiple locations. In some instances,
computer system 700 may be interpreted as a single computing
device, such as a distinct laptop, desktop computer, or the like,
depending on the context.
[0096] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are
examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add
various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, in
alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in an
order different from that described, and/or various stages may be
added, omitted, and/or combined. Also, features described with
respect to certain configurations may be combined in various other
configurations. Different aspects and elements of the
configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,
technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and
do not limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.
[0097] Specific details are given in the description to provide a
thorough understanding of example configurations (including
implementations). However, configurations may be practiced without
these specific details. For example, well-known circuits,
processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques have been shown
without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the
configurations. This description provides example configurations
only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or
configurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of
the configurations will provide those skilled in the art with an
enabling description for implementing described techniques. Various
changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.
[0098] Also, configurations may be described as a process which is
depicted as a flow diagram or block diagram. Although each may
describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process
may have additional steps not included in the figure. Furthermore,
examples of the methods may be implemented by hardware, software,
firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or
any combination thereof When implemented in software, firmware,
middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to
perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory
computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. Processors may
perform the described tasks.
[0099] Having described several example configurations, various
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be
used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For
example, the above elements may be components of a larger system,
wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify
the application of the invention. Also, a number of steps may be
undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are
considered.
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