Other further embodiments and designs of the invention are indicated in the remaining dependent claims. An example of embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawings and is described in detail hereinafter. It shows in:
FIG. 1 the flow chart of the method according to invention;
FIG. 2 steps 1 to 3 the merging of information divided into 42 sections;
FIG. 3 steps 4 to 6 of the information merging from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 steps 7 to 9 of the information merging from FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 steps 22 to 24 of the information merging from FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 steps 37 to 39 of the information merging from FIG. 2 and
FIG. 7 steps 40 to 42 of the information merging from FIG. 2
In the example of application in accordance with FIG. 1, A and B agree to mutually exchange personal information. Firstly A conveys to B, what size (pixel width/height) the total picture should have, which is to be supplied by B to A. B does this in analogous fashion. Following the definition of the pixel grid of the total picture, A and B agree on the number of rows (n) and columns (m), into which the respective picture is to be divided. On the basis of this defined data now the conversion of the respective information into a graphics display takes place with A and B. If the data is present for example in XML, then by means of XSL Style sheets an HTML document can be generated, which can be displayed by means of a web browser. The generated graphics display is subsequently divided into n rows and m columns, so that a matrix with n×m fields results. Thus n×m fields are clearly defined. The fields can be saved in a usual image format (JPEG, GIF or similar). A now happens to select a field and sends it with the specification of the appropriate line and column number to B. B receives the field, arranges it at the right position in the matrix and displays it on the display. Now B sends the field to A, which is at the same position as the field just received from A. A receives this field, arranges it at the right position in the matrix and displays it on the display. Now according to this pattern the exchange of the remaining fields takes place in analogous fashion. For A and B there is always the option of terminating the method prematurely and thus of aborting the information exchange. If one user has the impression that he can trust the other, then at any point of time in the exchange process he can offer to exchange the remainder of the image in one step in order to accelerate the process. If the other person consents, both transmit the still remaining fields in one step to the respective other person.
In the example of application in accordance with FIGS. 2 to 7 the method is clarified by way of example from the point of view of two users Peter and Vera. The image generated from the personal information has a resolution of 300×300 pixels and was divided into 7×6 fields. Therefore, 42 fields are to be transmitted altogether, till the respective other user can see the image completely. Whereas the two users still cannot infer any coherent information (compare FIG. 4) after the exchange of 9 fields of the display, after the exchange of 24 images already section information such as size or hair color can be guessed (compare FIG. 5). After 37 fields (compare FIG. 6) already substantial information is exchanged, here for example the transmission of the remaining fields for the acceleration of the exchange process would be conceivable. If all 42 fields were exchanged, the users Peter and Vera in this case have the complete personal information of their counterparts (compare FIG. 7). The structuring of the information in this example of application is selected arbitrarily; naturally any other structure is possible. In the same way, personal images or technical drawings etcetera can also be exchanged. The method is applicable without modification for any data formats, in which the information to be exchanged is available. The recipient need not worry about how the data is to be presented to the user, since the sender already supplies images, which only need to be reproduced. The user detects quickly whether the supplied information is of interest to him. (With raw data this is substantially more difficult for him to find out, if necessary he has to wait till the data is transmitted completely.) As a result, aborting the information exchange at an early point of time is possible, so that it is ensured that the user does not reveal personal data without a service in return. The user can stop the exchange process at any time. Furthermore, the use of the graphics format protects against machine analysis and subsequent processing of the personal data by a third party.
Patent Application
20080003986
