Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1994-12-06
2001-01-09
Nguyen, Chanh (Department: 2775)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S901000, C345S205000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172664
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic apparatuses including an electronic organizer, a portable information terminal, and a personal computer, and more specifically, it is concerned with an electronic apparatus capable of setting a confidential mode in reading data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among electronic apparatuses having functions of storing and reading data, apparatus exist for keeping data confidential. In such an apparatus, confidential data are not displayed. Such a non-display state can be released by a person inputting a password which is not known to others. However, one might forget existence of the data themselves if the data intended to be kept confidential are not displayed. This problem is not crucial perhaps for address book data and memo data; however, it is a problem for schedule data, i.e., missed appointments, etc.
In this respect, even though such a function is available, a user has to release the function first thing in the morning every day to confirm the schedule.
One method of avoiding the above-described non display is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2-137884. A password is used to determine whether processing to be done is varied by a parameter of time when inputting the password so that the password will not be seen and abused by others. In such a system there is a disadvantage that data intended to be kept confidential might be seen, since any one can operate the apparatus upon inputting the password and starting the apparatus. Although this system may be developed so that the password is input every time before the data is displayed, this procedure is not practical because it is too time-consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus which can be operated easily and is capable of keeping data.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic apparatus which can keep confidentiality of data and recognize the existence of the data.
Still another object of the present invention is to display confidential data after scrambling the data in an electronic apparatus.
The above objects of the present invention can be achieved by using an electronic apparatus capable of keeping confidentiality of data includes: a display for displaying data; a unit for setting a confidential mode; a unit for determining whether or not data to be displayed on the display is confidential data; and a controller for displaying the confidential data on the display after converting the confidential data into different data, if the confidential mode is set and the determination unit determines that the data is confidential data.
By including the above elements in the electronic apparatus, if the apparatus is set in the confidential mode and the data to be displayed is determined to be the confidential data, then the confidential data is displayed after being converted into the different data. Thus, the confidential data can be displayed in a different format, thereby preventing the existence of the confidential data from being forgotten but still maintaining the confidentiality of the data. Consequently, the electronic apparatus which can be operated easily and keep confidentiality.
According to another aspect of the present invention, in the electronic apparatus capable of keeping confidentiality of data, the different data include pictorial elements.
A set status of a setting flag is referenced in response to a read instruction of data stored in a memory means, and determination is made whether or not the data directed to be read is confidential data. If the data are determined to be the confidential data, specified codes of the data stored in the memory means are converted into other specified codes so that the data to be read is displayed with the converted specified codes.
According to the present invention, data intended to be kept confidential is displayed such that the contents of the data are not understandable. This prevents the contents of the confidential data from being known to others reading the data, but acknowledges the existence of the confidential data thus preventing the existence of the data from being forgotten.
In a preferred embodiment, the confidential data can be converted randomly by converting read out of the confidential data into codes by using time information which changes every moment. Therefore, a rule in code conversion cannot be discovered easily. Further, the read out of the confidential data are converted into specified codes which are sorted by type corresponding to the number of times of power-on, thereby generating a certain rule in converted codes and realizing a display which looks neat and is enjoyable.
The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4786900 (1988-11-01), Karasawa et al.
patent: 5377269 (1994-12-01), Heptig et al.
patent: 5420936 (1995-05-01), Fitzpatrick et al.
patent: 2-137884 (1990-05-01), None
WordPerfect for Windows, Version 5.1, 1991, pp. 3, 12-13, 347-348.
Simpson, Mastering WordPerfect 5.1&5.2 for Windows, 1993, pp. 5, 408-410.
Kawai Shoichi
Kihara Yoshiro
Nakasuji Masataka
Nishioka Youko
Saitou Junichi
Nguyen Chanh
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
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