{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854159","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854159","title":"Image system with eye protection","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-08-31T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","G06F","G06V","G06V","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":19,"abstract":"An image system including a display device, an image sensor, a face detection engine, an eye detection engine and an eye protection engine is provided. The image sensor captures an image. The face detection engine recognizes a user face in the image. The eye detection engine recognizes user eyes in the image. The eye protection engine turns off the display device when the user eyes are recognized in the image but the user face is not recognized in the image."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Image System with Eye Protection patent presents an innovative solution to prevent unauthorized viewing of sensitive information displayed on electronic devices. The core innovation lies in its ability to dynamically adjust display visibility based on user presence and attention. This is achieved through the integration of an image sensor, a face detection engine, an eye detection engine, and an eye protection engine.\n\nThe problem being solved is the increasing risk of visual hacking or shoulder surfing, where unauthorized individuals can easily glean sensitive information from computer screens in public or shared spaces. Traditional security measures, such as passwords and encryption, do not address this vulnerability.\n\nThe key technical approach involves capturing images of the user, detecting the user's face and eyes within the image, and then turning off the display when the user's eyes are recognized but the user's face is not continuously recognized. This ensures that the display is only active when the authorized user is present and actively viewing the screen.\n\nThe business value and applications of this technology are significant. It can be used in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and government, to protect sensitive customer data, patient information, and classified documents. The technology can be implemented on laptops, desktop computers, mobile devices, and other electronic displays.\n\nThe market opportunity for this technology is substantial. As data privacy becomes increasingly important, organizations and individuals are seeking effective solutions to prevent visual hacking. The Image System with Eye Protection offers a practical and user-friendly approach to this problem, making it a valuable asset in today's security-conscious environment.","layman_explanation":"The Image System with Eye Protection addresses the growing concern of visual hacking, where individuals can steal sensitive information by looking at someone else's computer screen. This is a problem because traditional security measures like passwords don't prevent someone from simply looking at your screen while you're working.\n\nThis technology works by using a camera to detect when you're looking at your screen. It recognizes your face and eyes, and as long as you're focused on the display, it stays on. But the moment you look away, the system turns off the screen, preventing anyone else from seeing what's on it. Think of it like a smart light that only turns on when you're in the room.\n\nThis matters because it provides an extra layer of security in public places, open offices, or any situation where someone might be able to see your screen without your permission. It protects sensitive data, prevents potential breaches, and gives you peace of mind knowing your information is safe from prying eyes.\n\nLooking ahead, this technology could be integrated into more devices and become a standard feature for laptops, tablets, and even smartphones. As concerns about data privacy continue to rise, innovations like this will become increasingly important. For businesses, this means enhanced security and a competitive advantage. For investors, it presents an opportunity to support a technology that addresses a critical need in the market.","technical_analysis":"The Image System with Eye Protection utilizes a combination of hardware and software components to achieve its functionality. The core of the system consists of an image sensor, a face detection engine, an eye detection engine, and an eye protection engine. The image sensor captures images of the user and their surroundings. This could be a standard webcam, an infrared camera, or any other suitable imaging device.\n\nThe face detection engine is responsible for identifying the presence of a human face within the captured image. This can be implemented using various algorithms, such as Haar cascades, HOG (Histogram of Oriented Gradients), or deep learning-based methods like CNNs (Convolutional Neural Networks). The choice of algorithm depends on the desired accuracy and performance characteristics.\n\nThe eye detection engine pinpoints the user's eyes within the identified face region. Techniques such as pupil detection, landmark-based methods, or deep learning can be used for this purpose. The accuracy of the eye detection engine is crucial for the overall performance of the system.\n\nThe eye protection engine is the decision-making component of the system. It analyzes the output of the face and eye detection engines to determine whether the display should be active or inactive. When the engine recognizes the user's eyes but not their face, it triggers the display to turn off. This logic can be further refined to incorporate factors such as gaze direction and user activity.\n\nThe integration of these components requires careful consideration of performance and resource constraints. The face and eye detection engines can be computationally intensive, so efficient algorithms and hardware acceleration techniques may be necessary. The system should also be designed to minimize false positives and false negatives to ensure a seamless user experience.\n\nFrom a code-level perspective, the system can be implemented using programming languages such as Python, C++, or Java. Libraries such as OpenCV, TensorFlow, or PyTorch can be used to implement the face and eye detection engines. The eye protection engine can be implemented as a separate module that interacts with the operating system to control the display state. The system should also include error handling and logging mechanisms to facilitate debugging and maintenance.","business_analysis":"The Image System with Eye Protection presents a compelling business opportunity in the growing market for data privacy and security solutions. The increasing awareness of visual hacking and the potential for data breaches have created a demand for technologies that can protect sensitive information from unauthorized viewing.\n\nThe market opportunity size is substantial. According to industry reports, the global data privacy market is expected to reach billions of dollars in the coming years. The Image System with Eye Protection can capture a significant share of this market by providing a unique and effective solution to the problem of visual hacking.\n\nThe competitive advantages of this technology include its dynamic and user-centric approach, its seamless integration with existing devices, and its potential for customization and enhancement. Unlike traditional security measures, such as privacy filters, the Image System with Eye Protection does not compromise usability or user experience.\n\nThe revenue potential for this technology is significant. It can be sold as a standalone product, integrated into existing devices, or offered as a subscription service. The business model can be tailored to different customer segments, such as individual consumers, small businesses, and large enterprises.\n\nFrom a strategic positioning perspective, the Image System with Eye Protection can be positioned as a premium security solution that provides superior protection against visual hacking. The technology can be marketed to security-conscious organizations and individuals who are willing to pay a premium for enhanced data privacy.\n\nThe ROI projections for this technology are attractive. By reducing the risk of data breaches and financial losses, the Image System with Eye Protection can provide a significant return on investment for its users. The technology can also generate recurring revenue through subscription fees and maintenance contracts.","faqs":null,"topics":["image system","eye protection","display security","visual hacking","privacy tech","image","system","protection"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Image System with Eye Protection - Patent US-9854159","description":"Protect your screen from prying eyes with the Image System with Eye Protection. This patent automatically shuts off your display when you're not looking. Learn more!","keywords":["image system","eye protection","display security","visual hacking","privacy tech","data security","patent US-9854159"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854159","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854159","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Image system with eye protection\" (US-9854159). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854159","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854159","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854159","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T04:32:28.645Z"}