WO2015010570A1

WO2015010570A1 - A method, device, and terminal for hiding or un-hiding content

Info

Publication number: WO2015010570A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/082465
Authority: WO
Inventors: Danhua LI
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-22
Filing date: 2014-07-18
Publication date: 2015-01-29
Also published as: CN104134043A; CN104134043B

Abstract

A method, device, and terminal for hiding or un-hiding content are disclosed. Hiding operations include: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding; determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. Un-hiding operations include: obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for un-hiding; determining whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern; and if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

Description

A METHOD, DEVICE, AND TERMINAL FOR HIDING OR UN-HIDING CONTENT

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2013103089046, filed on July 22, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entireties.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of information security technologies, particularly to a method, device, and terminal for hiding or un-hiding content.

BACKGROUND

[0003] More and more methods for protecting user's information privacy have emerged in the development of information security technologies. Several existing methods for protecting privacy may be available which may include a commonly used privacy protection mode such as hiding user-selected content from view or access. However, regardless of which method is being used, how to hide content without easily being seen or read, or how to unhide content that has been hidden from view or access have become key topics for improving security to the hidden content.

[0004] An example of an existing method may involve hiding content which may require utilizing additional settings and displaying authentication ingress of hiding key, for example, displaying an additional set dial keyboard or utilizing other function ingress. A user may input numerical or character hiding key to the authentication ingress, and a determination is made on whether the received hiding key matches the preset hiding key. If the two keys match, then the content which may be selected to be hidden from view (and access) would then be hidden.

[0005] When it is time to unhide the hidden content, a reverse process may take place, where additional settings may need to be performed and the authentication ingress that displays the un-hiding key (which may be an additionally set dial keyboard or any other function ingress) may need to be displayed. After the authentication ingress receiving the numerical or character un-hiding key input by the user, a determination is made on whether the received un-hiding key matches the preset un-hiding key. If the two keys match, the hidden content may be unhidden from view for access. [0006] The above method has at least the following problems: both the hiding method and the un-hiding method provided require additional settings and displaying of the authentication ingress of the hiding key and un-hiding key, respectively. Consequently, the content hiding process and content un-hiding process may be not convenient enough. Moreover, a numerical or character un-hiding key is relatively easy to be decoded, and therefore the security of the hidden content is relatively limited.

SUMMARY

[0007] To solve the problems with the existing art, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, device, and terminal for hiding or un-hiding content. The aspects of the embodiments include at least the following:

[0008] An embodiment of the disclosure includes a method for hiding content. The method includes at least the following operations: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding; determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding, selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0009] Another embodiment of the disclosure discloses a device or a terminal for hiding or un-hiding content, wherein the device or terminal includes at least a processor with circuitry operating in conjunction with at least a memory which stores instruction codes operable as plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules include: a first acquisition module, which is which is used to obtain a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding; a first determination module, which is which is used to whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and a hiding module, which is which is used to match the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0010] Yet another embodiment of the disclosure discloses a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium stores a program which includes codes or instructions to cause a processor circuitry to execute operations for hiding or un-hiding content in a device or a terminal, the operations including: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding from view; determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding from view, selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0011] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure has at least the following benefits: the first hiding trace pattern that a user inputs on the interface is obtained and, when it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding is performed. Thus, content hiding may be implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, therefore making content hiding more convenient.

[0012] The first un-hiding trace pattern that a user inputs on the interface is obtained and, when it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding is performed. Thus, un-hiding is implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, making un-hiding more convenient. In addition, because it is more difficult to crack the first un-hiding trace pattern due to the numerous possibilities of shapes and coordinates, the security of hidden content is further enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings may be included to provide a further understanding of the claims and disclosure may be incorporated in, and constitute a part of this specification. The detailed description and illustrated embodiments described serve to explain the principles defined by the claims.

[0014] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for hiding content from view, according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for hiding content, according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 3 shows an exemplary schematic diagram for a display interface, according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method, according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure for hiding content;

[0018] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method, according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure for hiding content;

[0019] Figure 6 shows an exemplary schematic diagram for the display interface, according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 7 shows an exemplary structural diagram for the device or terminal for hiding content, according to embodiment 5 of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 8 shows an exemplary structural diagram for another device or terminal for hiding content, according to embodiment 5 of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 9 shows an exemplary structural diagram for a terminal, according to embodiment 7 of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 10 shows an exemplary structural diagram for the another device or terminal for un-hiding content, according to embodiment 8 of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 11 shows an exemplary structural diagram for another device for un-hiding content, according to embodiment 8 of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 12 shows an exemplary structural diagram for the terminal, according to embodiment 10 of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be further described in details in combination with attached drawings and embodiments below. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here may be used only to explain the present disclosure, and may be not which is used to limit the present disclosure. In addition, for the sake of keeping description brief and concise, the newly added features, or features that may be different from those previously described in each new embodiment will be described in details. Similar features may be referenced back to the prior descriptions in a prior numbered drawing or referenced ahead to a higher numbered drawing.

[0027] Embodiment 1 as shown in Figure 1

[0028] Figure 1 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for hiding content from view, according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The method including at least the following exemplary operations: [0029] 101 : obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding from view. In an embodiment, the interface may be a graphical display with a touch-screen human machine interface. In another embodiment, the interface may be a graphical display with a pointing device interface (e.g., stylus, mouse), or simply receives trace pattern commands input from a keyboard. The method of input is not limiting.

[0030] 102: determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and

[0031] 103: if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding from view, selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0032] With the method according to the present embodiment, the first hiding trace pattern that a user inputs on the interface may be obtained and, when it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding from content operation is performed. Thus, content hiding is implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, therefore making content hiding more convenient.

[0033] Embodiment 2 as shown in Figures 2 and 3

[0034] Based on the above-mentioned embodiment 1 , the present embodiment provides a method for hiding content. To make content hiding operation more convenient, the method may decide whether to perform content hiding by using trace pattern matching. As shown in Figure 2, the method may further include:

[0035] 201 : presetting the second hiding trace pattern and setting a correspondence between the preset second hiding trace pattern and the selected content to be hidden. In this step, the second hiding trace pattern may be used as a basis for subsequently determining whether to perform hiding and which may also be considered as the hiding key. Different second hiding trace patterns may be set for different content; or the same second hiding trace pattern may be set for all the entire content, not limited by the present embodiment. In the case different second hiding trace patterns need to be set for different content. The content which may be hidden may be specified by the user first and the user-specified content may be determined as the content to be hidden.

[0036] A corresponding second hiding trace pattern may be preset for selected content to be hidden. In the case that the same preset second hiding trace pattern which needs to be set for all the content, all the content may directly be determined as the content to be hidden without a need of specifying any particular portion of the content. Accordingly, the corresponding second hiding trace pattern may be set for all the content to be hidden. Likewise, a portion of selected content may be hidden and may be determined by the user. The types of the content to be hidden or from access may be, but not limited to, text, audio, graphic, and video files, which is not limited by the present embodiment.

[0037] Regardless of the type of the content to be hidden from view or access, and regardless of whether different second hiding trace patterns may be set for different content or the same second hiding trace pattern may be set for all the content, which the second hiding trace patterns may be set using multiple methods. Such methods may include, but not limited to the following: an option of setting the second hiding trace pattern being provided for and displayed to a user; after selecting this setting option, the user may be prompted to input the user-defined trace pattern on the interface, and the touch-screen action performed on the interface may be detected. When a touch-screen action by the user on the interface is detected, a sliding trace pattern corresponding to the touch-screen action may be determined as the preset second hiding trace pattern. The sliding trace patterns corresponding to touch-screen actions may include, but not limited to one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape such as a circle, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.

[0038] The following example may be provided to facilitate understanding. As shown in Figure 3 (1 ), a user may select only content A from four optional content A, B, C, and D. Display of the selected content A may be different from that of the remaining three content B, C and D, which content A may be determined to be the selected content to be hidden. As shown in Figure 3 (2), one of several setting options (i.e., a delete option, a rename option, and an option of setting a hiding trace pattern) may be displayed in a dialog box. After selecting the option of setting a hiding trace pattern, the user may be prompted to input on a user-defined first hiding trace pattern on an interface (such as a touch-screen interface) as shown in Figure 3 (3).

[0039] In an embodiment, the user may draw on the interface (i.e., a touch-screen interface) a circular trace pattern by sliding his or her finger a circular trace pattern to form the first hiding trace pattern. Likewise, the user may draw multiple trace patterns using other geometric shapes, such as a triangle, a star, a squmay be, a rectangle, an ellipse, a polygon, or even just a few lines, a curve, a symbol, a character or any arbitrary shape as a preset second hiding input. In addition, the multiple trace patterns may be provided in advance for the user's selection. Alternately, the multiple trace patterns may be custom generated on the fly by the user as the trace pattern for the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0040] In the same embodiment, the same procedure of generating or drawing the first trace pattern on the interface may be saved into a database to serve as the preset second hiding trace pattern in order to correspond to a selected content for hiding. For example, the interface as shown in Figure 3 (1 ) may display the selected content A as the content to be hidden. Multiple trace patterns as shown on the interface in Figure 3 (4) may be provided to the user, and a corresponding checkbox may be provided for each trace pattern. For illustration purpose, the current example assumes that the user may select the circular trace pattern as shown in Figure 3 (4) as the preset second hiding trace pattern to correspond to content A for hiding.

[0041] As part of the second preset hiding trace pattern set up, the method may further include adding trace pattern details to the selected circular trace pattern to improve security to the selected content A to be hidden. Such details may include using two or more coordinates encompassed by the circular trace pattern which may form additional lines circumscribed within the area of the circular trace pattern.

[0042] In an embodiment, the same preset second hiding trace patterns may be selected to correspond to one or more selected content, or even to the entire content. Accordingly, a different second hiding trace pattern may be set by the user to correspond to each of different selected content, or alternately, the user may use the same second hiding trace pattern to correspond to all the content.

[0043] It should note that, once after step 201 (i.e., presetting a correspondence between the second hiding trace pattern and the selected content to be hidden) is performed to preset the second hiding trace pattern to correspond to the selected content to be hidden, the method may subsequently directly execute step 202 without performing step 201 again, unless the content or correspondence needs to be updated.

[0044] 202: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding from view. In an embodiment, the obtaining of the first hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface include, but not limited to, detecting a touch-screen action that the user performs on the interface and using the sliding trace pattern corresponding to the touch-screen action as the obtained first hiding trace pattern.

[0045] The sliding trace patterns corresponding to touch-screen actions may include, but may be not limited to one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape such as a circle, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern. For example, Figure 3 (5) may illustrate that the user has selected content A to be hidden and has drawn a circular trace pattern as the obtained first hiding trace pattern.

[0046] 203: according to a first preset rule, respectively selecting, a same preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern. For example, the preset number of coordinates may correspond to planar Cartesian rectangular coordinates with the horizontal axis as the x axis and the vertical axis as the y axis relative to the screen terminal of the display interface.

[0047] Assuming that the first preset rule requires that the same preset number of coordinates with corresponding distance separations be selected as matching requirements. In other words, the number of coordinates (in this example, three coordinates) selected by the user must match the same exact number of coordinates as found in the second preset hiding trace pattern in order to form a match for the corresponding distance separations between the coordinate.

[0048] For example, if there may be three coordinates (e.g., M, N, P) selected in the preset number of coordinates, up to three lines or three relative distance calculations may be calculated. If there may be 4 preset coordinates, up to 6 lines (i.e., four lateral lines and the two diagonals) or 6 relative distances may be calculated. Likewise, the higher the number of preset coordinates being selected (e.g., 5, 10 and so on) for hiding the content, the higher the combination of lines and relative distances may be calculated, thus making it harder for a hacker to crack the preset second hiding trace pattern, thereby improving security using the above disclosed method.

[0049] Note that although the preset number of coordinates may be randomly selected to yield the same number of relative distance calculations, the first preset rule may also modified to include specifying within a certain error threshold, the exact starting location of one or more of the preset number of coordinates, thus further improving the security. Alternately, the first preset rule may also waive such coordinates starting point requirements.

[0050] For the sake of illustration, assuming that a preset number of coordinates may be selected to be 3-point coordinates (i.e., Μ', Ν', P') for the second hiding trace pattern for hiding the content A, as shown in Figure 3(3), and a same preset number of 3-point coordinates (i.e., M, N, P) may be selected to be first hiding trace pattern input by the user, as shown in Figure 3 (5).

[0051] The line distance separations of Μ'Ν', Μ'Ρ', N'P' as shown in Figure 3 (3) may be established in advance respectively using the three coordinates: M' (3, 7), N' (6, 11 ), and P' (6, 4). The line distance separation of MN, MP and NP as shown in Figure 3(5) may be established from the input three coordinates M (3, 4), N (5, 7), and P (5, 2), respectively. ,

[0052] 204: respectively and separately determining, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0053] Based on the planar Cartesian rectangular coordinates established in step 203, the relative distance calculations between any two coordinates (x1 , y1 ) and (x2, y2) may be determined according to the distance formul

.

[0054] Accordingly, the relative distances among the three coordinates (Μ', Ν', 'Ρ') selected on the trace pattern as shown in Figure 3(3) is calculated as: for line M'N'

₌V 2

(3-6)² ₊(7-ll)² _{whiph iQ R. fnr |inp M},_p, (3-6)² ₊(7-4)²

, which is 5; for line M'P" = ^{v ^} "^{J '} ' ^J , which is 4.24; for line N' P'

, which is 7.

[0055] Accordingly, the relative distances among the three coordinates (M, N, P) selected on the trace pattern as shown in Figure 3(5) is calculated as: for line MN

elative , which is

2.83; the relative distance for line NP , which is 5.

[0056] 205: determining whether the relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. If these distances match (i.e., M'N'=MN, M'P'=MP, N'P'=NP) step 206 is performed. [0057] Specifically, the method for determining whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern (i.e., M, N, P) match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates (Μ', Ν', Ρ') corresponding to the second hiding trace pattern includes, but is not limited to, the following: whether the respective ratios of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern matches within a preset acceptable threshold, the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second hiding trace pattern is determined.

[0058] If yes, it is considered that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. If no, it is considered that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern do not match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0059] For reasons that even the same trace patterns that the same user inputs at different times may vary and yield non-identical results. Therefore, it may be used to determine the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second hiding trace pattern when the absolute value of the ratio difference between the relative distances is smaller than the preset acceptable threshold, in addition to when the ratios of the relative distances being equal. That is, determining whether the absolute value of the difference between the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern and the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second hiding trace pattern is smaller than the preset acceptable threshold is determined. If yes, it may be considered that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. If no, it may be considered that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern do not match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0060] The preset acceptable threshold is not limited by the present embodiment. For example, a user may set any threshold during the implementation of the present embodiment.

[0061] For example, as shown in Figure 3(3) and Figure 3(5), the ratio of the relative distance between the coordinates M' and N' to the relative distance between the coordinates M' and P' may be calculated as (Μ'Ν'/Μ'Ρ') = 5/4.24 = 1 .18, which may be set as ratio 1 . The ratio of the relative distance between the coordinates M and N to the relative distance between the coordinates M and P may be calculated as (MN/MP) = 3.61 /2.83 = 1 .28, which may be set as ratio 2. Thus, the absolute value of the difference between ratio 1 and ratio 2 is Abs (1 .18-1 .28) = 0.1 .

[0062] The ratio of the relative distance between the coordinates M' and N' to the relative distance between the coordinates N' and P' may be calculated as (Μ'Ν'/Ν'Ρ') = 5/7 = 0.71 , which is set as ratio 3. The ratio of the relative distance between the coordinates M and N to the relative distance between the coordinates N and P may be calculated as (MN/NP) = 3.61 /5 = 0.72, which is set as ratio 4. Thus, the absolute value of the difference between ratio 3 and ratio 4 is Abs (0.71 -0.72) = 0.01 .

[0063] The ratio of the relative distance between the coordinates M' and P' to the relative distance between the coordinates N' and P' may be calculated as (Μ'Ρ'/Ν'Ρ') = 4.24/7 =0.61 , which is set as ratio 5. The ratio of the relative distance between the coordinates M and P to the relative distance between the coordinates N and P may be calculated as (MP/NP) = 2.83/5 =0.57, which is set as ratio 6. Thus, the absolute value of the difference between ratio 5 and ratio 6 is Abs (0.61 -0.57) =0.04.

[0064] If the preset acceptable threshold is set to 0.2, then the respective absolute value of the difference between the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern and the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second hiding trace pattern would all be smaller than the preset acceptable threshold. Thus, it may be determined that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern (i.e., Fig. 3(5)) match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern (i.e., Fig. 3(3)).

[0065] 206: If the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hide the content to be hidden corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[0066] Specifically, in step 205, it may be determined that the relative distances (i.e., MN, MP, NP) between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern may match the relative distances (i.e., Μ'Ν', Μ'Ρ', N'P') between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. That is, the first hiding trace pattern (i.e., Fig. 3(5)) matches the preset second hiding trace pattern (i.e., Fig. 3(3)). Thus, the selected content to be hidden corresponding to the second hiding trace pattern may be hidden. For example, assuming that a user may select content A as shown in Figure 3(1 ) as the content to be hidden. Thus, after it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern (Fig. 3(5)) matches the preset second hiding trace pattern (Fig. 3(3)), content A, which corresponds to the preset second hiding trace pattern, may be hidden. Figure 3(6) shows the interface after the hiding.

[0067] Note that, in addition to the method according to the present embodiment for hiding content, existing methods for hiding content may also be used. After the content to be hidden is hidden, a method for un-hiding the hidden content may also be included. The present embodiment does not limit the un-hiding method used. For example, the un-hiding method according to the following embodiment 3 or embodiment 4 may be which is used to unhide the content hidden in the present embodiment. For details, see the following embodiment 3 or embodiment 4.

[0068] With the method according to the present embodiment, the first hiding trace pattern that a user inputs on the interface is obtained and, when it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding is performed. Thus, hiding may be implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, making hiding more convenient and more secured.

[0069] Embodiment 3 as shown in Figures 4

[0070] Figure 4 provides an exemplary method for un-hiding content. The method includes at least the following operations:

[0071] 401 : obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface;

[0072] 402: determining whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern;

[0073] 403: if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[0074] With the method according to the present embodiment, a first un-hiding trace pattern that a user inputs on the interface may be obtained and, when it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding of selected content is performed. Thus, un-hiding is implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, making un-hiding more convenient. In addition, because it is difficult to crack the first un-hiding trace pattern, the security of hidden content is further enhanced.

[0075] Embodiment 4 as shown in Figure 5

[0076] Based on the above-mentioned embodiment 3, the present embodiment provides a method for un-hiding content. This method uses trace pattern matching to determine whether un-hiding is to be performed. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include at least the following operations:

[0077] 501 : presetting the second un-hiding trace pattern and setting the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden content.

[0078] For this step, the second un-hiding trace pattern may be used as a basis for subsequently determining whether to unhide the hidden content and may also be considered as an un-hiding key. The hidden content may be obtained by using multiple methods for hiding content. The present embodiment does not limit the hiding method used. For example, content to be hidden may be hidden by using the hiding method according to the above-mentioned embodiment 1 or embodiment 2. Then, the method according to the present embodiment may be that which is used to unhide the hidden content. Alternatively, content to be hidden may also be hidden by using an existing hiding method, without using any hiding trace pattern.

[0079] Regardless of which method is which is used to obtain the hidden content, the second un-hiding trace pattern may be set for the content to be hidden prior to the content to be hidden is hidden. That is, the second un-hiding trace pattern is set for the hidden content. During actual implementation, different second un-hiding trace patterns may be set for different hidden content; or the same second un-hiding trace pattern may be set for all the hidden content, not limited by the present embodiment. If different second un-hiding trace patterns may be set for different hidden content, prior to the user specifies the content to be hidden, the corresponding second un-hiding trace pattern may be set for the content specified by the user. If the same second un-hiding trace pattern is set for all the hidden content, the corresponding second un-hiding trace pattern may be set directly for all the hidden content, without the need of specifying the corresponding content to be hidden.

[0080] Regardless of whether different second un-hiding trace patterns may be set for different hidden content or the same second un-hiding trace pattern is set for all the hidden content, second un-hiding trace patterns may be set using multiple methods. Such methods include, but may be not limited to, the following: the option of setting the second un-hiding trace pattern is provided for and displayed to a user; after selecting this setting option, the user is prompted to input the user-defined un-hiding trace pattern on the interface, and the touch-screen action performed on the interface is detected; when a touch-screen action that the user performs on the interface is detected, the sliding trace pattern corresponding to the touch-screen action is determined as the second un-hiding trace pattern. The sliding trace patterns corresponding to touch-screen actions include, but may be not limited to, the trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings and the trace patterns that describe any curves, such as a circle and a line.

[0081] The following example may be provided to facilitate understanding. As shown in Figure 6(1 ), the user may select content A from the four optional content A, B, C, and D for un-hiding. Display of the content A may be different from that of the other three content B, C and D. As shown in Figure 6 (2), certain setting options, for example, the delete option, rename option, and the option of setting an un-hiding trace pattern may be displayed in a dialog box. After selecting the option of setting an un-hiding trace pattern, the user may be prompted to input a user-defined un-hiding trace pattern on the interface as shown in Figure 6 (3). Then, the touch-screen action may be detected, that the user may draw a triangular trace pattern by sliding his or her finger (assuming that the triangular trace pattern has been preset as also the set second un-hiding trace pattern).

[0082] In addition, after the user selects content A for un-hiding, multiple trace patterns as shown in Figure 6 (4) may be provided in advance on the interface from which the user may select as the second un-hiding trace pattern prior to drawing the first un-hiding trace pattern on the interface. Assuming that the user may select the triangular trace pattern as shown in Figure 6 (4) as the second un-hiding trace pattern set for content A, the user may also select a star trace pattern for a different content B for un-hiding. The user needs to input the first un-hiding trace pattern on the interface with the required coordinates which matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern with the respective coordinates in order to un-hide the corresponding content. The corresponding content may be a selected portion of content or the entire content.

[0083] Note that, step 501 may not be performed again to set the second un-hiding trace pattern to set the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern. Next time when the un-hiding process is performed again to un-hide hidden content, step 502 may be directly performed without the need of performing step 501 again. That is, it is not necessary to perform step 501 each time the method according to the present embodiment is executed, unless the second un-hiding trace pattern or the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden content needs to be updated.

[0084] 502: obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface. Specifically, the method for obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface may include, but is not limited to, detecting a touch-screen action that the user performs on the interface and using the sliding trace pattern corresponding to the touch-screen action that the user may perform on the interface as the obtained first un-hiding trace pattern.

[0085] The sliding trace patterns corresponding to touch-screen actions include, but may be not limited to, one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.

[0086] For example, as shown in Figure 6 (5), the user may slide his or her finger by performing a touch-screen action to draw a triangular trace pattern on the interface as the obtained first un-hiding trace pattern.

[0087] 503: according to a second preset rule, respectively selecting, a same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern. This operation is similar to step 203, the reader is referred to the above section for detail description.

[0088] To further illustrate, assuming that the preset second un-hiding trace pattern has been set as shown in Figure 6(3), and the first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user is shown in Figure 6 (5), and a 3-point coordinates (i.e., the same preset number of coordinates) corresponding to both the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern may be selected at equal separations respectively on these two un-hiding trace patterns. [0089] For example, the three points, namely, Μ', N', and P' may be selected (i.e., the preset number of coordinates) on the preset second un-hiding trace pattern as shown in Figure 6 (3), and these three points Μ', N', and P' may be mapped respectively to the plane rectangular coordinates established in advance to respectively obtain the three coordinates: (3, 8), (6.5, 8), and (4, 5). The same number of preset coordinates (i.e., three points), namely, M, N, and P, may be selected on the first un-hiding trace pattern as shown in Figure 6(5), and these three points M, N, and P may be mapped respectively to the plane rectangular coordinates established in advance to obtain three coordinates: (5, 4), (7, 7), and (6, 2).

[0090] 504: respectively and separately determining, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[0091] Based on the plane rectangular coordinates established in the above-mentioned step 503, the same distance formula ¾)^~ + 0^ _may _De utilized to determine the relative distance between two pairs of coordinates (x1 , y1 ) and (x2, y2).

[0092] Accordingly, the relative distances formed by the three coordinates (Μ', Ν', Ρ') in Figure 6(3) may be respectively calculated as follows:

[0093] Accordingly, the relative distances formed by the three coordinates (M, N, P) in Figure 6(5) may be respectively calculated as follows:

[0094] 505: determining whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. If these relative distances match within a preset threshold, step 506 is performed;

[0095] The same method 9i.e., as described in step 204 may be utilized for determining whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern. More specifically, the method determines whether the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern.

[0096] The determination of matching or not utilizes taking an absolute difference between the corresponding ratios of the relative distances selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern and from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, and determining if the absolute difference falls within a preset threshold. If yes, it is considered that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern. If no, it is considered that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern do not match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern. The preset threshold is not limited by the present embodiment. For example, a user may set any threshold during the implementation of the present embodiment.

[0097] For example, as shown in Figure 6(3) and Figure 6(5), the ratio of the relative distance formed by coordinates between M'N' and M'P' = 3.16/3.5 = 0.90, which is set as ratio 1 . The ratio of the relative distance formed by coordinates between MN and MP = 2/2.24 = 0.90, which is set as ratio 2. Thus, the absolute value of the difference between ratio 1 and ratio 2 is Abs (0.90-0.90) = 0.

[0098] The ratio of the relative distance formed by coordinates between M'N' and N'P' = 3.16/3.91 = 0.81 , which is set as ratio 3. The ratio of the relative distance formed by coordinates between MN and NP = 2/2.24 = 0.89, which is set as ratio 4. Thus, the absolute value of the difference between ratio 3 and ratio 4 is Abs (0.81 -0.89) = 0.08.

[0099] The ratio of the relative distance formed by coordinates between M'P' and N'P' = (3.5/3.91 ) = 0.90, which is set as ratio 5. The ratio of the relative distance formed by coordinates between the coordinates MP and NP = 2.24/2.24 = 1 .00, which is set as ratio 6. Thus, the absolute value of the difference between ratio 5 and ratio 6 is Abs (0.9-1 .00) = 0.1 .

[00100] If the preset threshold is set to 0.2, the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern and the ratio of the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern may be equal or less than the threshold. Accordingly, it may be determined that the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates entered on the interface by the user corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern (see Fig. 6(5)) match the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern (see Fig. 6(3)).

[00101] 506: If the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, unhide the hidden content A, which corresponds to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern. Figure 6(6) shows the interface after the un-hiding.

[00102] In another embodiment, the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the preset second hiding trace pattern, and the selected contents corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the selected contents corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern. In effect, the same preset trace pattern may simply be utilized for both hiding and un-hiding of the same selected content (i.e., content A), since both operations are complementary to each other as being a reverse operation (i.e., un-hiding content is a reverse operation of hiding content).

[00103] With the above method described, un-hiding may be implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, making un-hiding more convenient. In addition, because it is difficult to crack the first un-hiding trace pattern, the security of hidden content may further be enhanced.

[00104] Embodiment 5 as shown in Figures 7-8 and 10-11

[00105] The present embodiment provides a device (700 and 1000) for hiding or un-hiding content. As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the device (700 and 1000) may include at least a processor (770) with circuitry operating in conjunction with at least a memory (760) which stores instruction codes operable as plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules include at least a first acquisition module (701 ), a first judgment module (702) and a hiding module (703).

[00106] The first acquisition module (701 ), which is used to obtain the first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays the content selected for hiding. More specifically, the hiding of the content may be referred to as hiding from view or access.

[00107] The first judgment module (702), which is used to determine whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00108] The hiding module (703), which is used to match the preset second hiding trace pattern, and hiding selected contents corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00109] As shown in Figure 8, the device (700) may further include the following:

[00110] A first selection module (704), which is used to, according to the first preset rule, respectively select, a same preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00111] A first determination module (705), which is used to respectively and separately determine relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00112] The first judgment module (702) is used to determine whether the relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00113] A first setting module (706), which is used to preset both the second hiding trace pattern and set a correspondence between the preset second hiding trace pattern and the selected contents to be hidden. [00114] A second acquisition module (707), which is used to obtain a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface.

[00115] A second determination module (708), which is used to determine whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern;

[00116] An un-hiding module (709), which is used to un-hide selected contents corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00117] A second selection module (710), which is used to, according to a second preset rule, respectively select, a same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00118] A second determination module (711 ), which is used to respectively and separately determine, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00119] A second judgment module (708), which is used to determine whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00120] A second setting module (712), which is used to set the second un-hiding trace pattern and set the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden contents.

[00121] In another embodiment, the hiding device (700) may include the functions of an un-hiding device (1000), since their operations are complementary. Accordingly, the un-hiding device may include at least a processor (770) with circuitry operating in conjunction with at least a memory (760) which stores instruction codes operable as plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules include at least a first acquisition module (1001 ), a first judgment module (1002), and an un-hiding module (1003).

[00122] The first acquisition module (1001 ), which is used to obtain the first un-hiding trace pattern that a user inputs on the interface. [00123] The first judgment module (1002), which is used to determine whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00124] The un-hiding module (1003), which is used to, if the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the second un-hiding trace pattern; unhide the hidden content corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00125] As a preferred embodiment, referring to Figure 11 , the device may further include:

[00126] A first selection module (1004), which is used to, according to the first preset rule, respectively select, a same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00127] A first determination module (1005), which is used to respectively and separately determine relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00128] The first judgment module (1002) is used to determine whether the relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00129] A first setting module (1006), which is used to preset the second un-hiding trace pattern and set a correspondence between the preset second un-hiding trace pattern and the selected contents to be hidden.

[00130] A second acquisition module (1007), which is used to obtain the first hiding trace pattern input by the user inputs on the interface.

[00131] A second determination module (1008), which is used to determine whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00132] A hiding module (1009), which is used to hide selected contents corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00133] A second selection module (1010), which is used to, according to a second preset rule, respectively select, a same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00134] A second determination module (1011 ), which is used to respectively and separately determine, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00135] A second determination module (1008) which is used to determine whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00136] A second setting module (1012), which is used to set the second hiding trace pattern and set the correspondence between the second hiding trace pattern and the hidden contents.

[00137] As pointed out, since the hiding operations and the un-hiding operations are complementary to each other, accordingly, the modules in the hiding device (700) and the un-hiding device (1100) may be commutative or similar in functions. For example, the first acquisition module (701 ), first judgment module (702), first hiding module (703), first selection module (704) first determination module (705) and first setting module (706) in Figure 7, may perform corresponding or equivalent functions as the second acquisition module (1007), second judgment module (1008), second hiding module (1009), second selection module (1010) second determination module (1011 ) and the second setting module (1012) in Figure 11 .

[00138] Likewise, the first acquisition module (1001 ), first judgment module (1002), first un-hiding module (1003), first selection module (1004) first determination module (1005) and first setting module (1006) in Figure 11 , may perform corresponding or equivalent functions as the second acquisition module (707), second judgment module (708), second un-hiding module (709), second selection module (710) second determination module (711 ) and the second setting module (712) in Figure 7.

[00139] In this regard, the device according to the present embodiment utilizing first hiding or un-hiding trace pattern input by a user on the interface if matched to the preset second hiding or un-hiding trace pattern, hiding or un-hiding of content may be performed. Thus, the hiding or un-hiding are implemented without performing any additional settings or displaying any authentication ingress, making content hiding or un-hiding more convenient. In addition, because it is difficult to crack the first hiding or un-hiding trace patterns, the security of the hidden content may further be enhanced.

[00140] Embodiment 6 as shown in Figures 9 and 12 discloses a terminal for hiding or un-hiding content.

[00141] The terminal (900 or 1200) may include a hiding device (700) and an un-hiding device (1000) which hides or un-hides content. In an embodiment, the terminal may be a smart phone, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a desk top computer, a handheld computing device or a terminal connecting to a server wireless or through a wired connection. In principle, content hiding operation should precede the content un-hiding operation, and the presetting operation for the second hiding operation may be used for the presetting operation for the second un-hiding operation, except in reverse order.

[00142] Referring to both Figures 9 and 12, there shows that the terminal (900 or 1200) may include at least a radio frequency (RF) circuit (110 or 210), a memory (120 or 220) which may include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, an input unit (130 or 230), a display unit (140 or 240), a sensor (150 or 250), an audio circuit (160 or 260), a wireless fidelity (WiFi) module (170 or 270), a processor (180 or 280) which may include one or more processing cores, and a power module (190 or 290).

[00143] A person of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that the terminal structure shown in Figures 9 or 12 is an exemplary schematic, which is non-limiting which may include more or less components than that shown in the figures.

[00144] The RF circuit (110 or 210) may be used for receiving and sending information, calls, and receiving and sending of signals. Particularly, downlink information received from a base station is processed by the one or more processors (180 or 280). In addition, data involving uplink information may be sent to a base station. Generally, the RF circuit (110 or 210) may include at least an antenna, at least one amplifier, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a subscriber identity module (SIM), a transceiver, a coupler, low noise amplifier (LNA), and a duplexer. The RF circuit (110 or 210) may also communicate with a network and with other devices by using wireless communication. Any communication standards or protocols may be used for the wireless communication, including, but not limited to, Global System of Mobile communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Email, and Short Messaging Service (SMS). [00145] The memory (120 or 220) may be used to store software programs and modules. The processor (180 or 280) may execute function applications and data processing by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory (120 or 220). The memory (120 or 220) mainly includes a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store an operating system and at least one application program required for completing functions, such as the audio playing function and image playing function. The data storage area may store the data created on the basis of the use of the terminal (900 or 1200), such as audio data and contacts. In addition, the memory (120 or 220) may include high-speed random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory, for example, at least one disk storage module, flash memory module, or any other volatile solid memory module. Accordingly, the memory (120 220) may also include a memory controller that allows the processor (180 280) and the input unit (130 or 230) to access the memory (120 or 220).

[00146] The input unit (130 or 230) may be used to receive input numbers or characters and generate the keyboard, mouse, joystick, optical or trace pattern ball signal input related to user settings and function control. Specifically, the input unit (130 or 230) may include the touch-sensitive surface131 and the other input device (132 or 232). The touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ), also called the touch display or touch-control panel, may collect the touch operations that a user performs on or around it (for example, the operations that a user performs on or around a touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ) by using his or her finger, a stylus, or any other suitable object) and drives the corresponding coupling device based on the preset program. Optionally, the touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ) may include two parts: the touch detecting device and the touch controller. The touch detecting device detects the positions of a user's touches, detects the signals generated due to touching operations, and sends the signals to the touch controller. The touch controller receives touching information from the touch detecting device, converts the information into touch coordinates, and sends the coordinates to the processor (180 or 280). In addition, the touch controller may receive and execute the commands from the processor (180 or 280). In addition, multiple types of touch-sensitive surface, such as resistance, capacitance, infrared, and surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive surface, may be used as the touch-sensitive surface131 . The input unit 130 may comprise the other input device (132 or 232), in addition to the touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ). Specifically, the other input device (132 or 232) may include, but is not limited to, a physical keyboard, function key (for example, the volume control key and power-on/-off key), trace pattern ball, mouse, or joystick or a combination of them.

[00147] The display unit (140 or 240) may be which is used to display the information input by the user, information provided for the user, and various graphical user interfaces of the terminal (900 or 1200). These graphical user interfaces may comprise graphics, text, icons, videos, and a combination of them. The display unit (140 or 240) may include the display panel (141 or 241 ). Optionally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) may be which is used to configure the display panel (141 or 241 ). Furthermore, the touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ) may cover the display panel (141 or 241 ). Upon detecting a touching operation performed on or around it, the touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ) may send the information about the touching operation to the processor (180 or 280) to determine the type of the touching event. Then, the processor (180 or 280) may provide the corresponding visual output on the display panel (141 or 241 ) based on the type of the touching event. As shown in Figure 9 or 12, the touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ) and the display panel (141 or 241 ) may implement the input and output functions as two independent components. However, in certain embodiments, the touch-sensitive surface (131 or 231 ) and the display panel (141 or 241 ) may be integrated to implement the input and output functions.

[00148] The terminal (900 or 1200) further may include at least one sensor (150 or 250), such as an optical sensor, motion sensor, and any other sensor. Specifically, the optical sensor may be an ambient optical sensor or proximity sensor. An ambient optical sensor may adjust the brightness of the display panel (141 or 241 ) according to the ambient light. A proximity sensor may turn off the display panel (141 241 ) and/or the backlight when the terminal (900 or 1200) may be moved close to an ear. As a motion sensor, a gravitational acceleration sensor may detect the magnitude of acceleration in each direction (generally tri-axially) and detect the magnitude and direction of gravity force when the terminal is motionless. Such sensors may be used for applications designed to identify mobile phone attitudes (such as portrait/landscape switching, related games, and magnetometer attitude calibration) and implement functions related to vibration identification (such as a pedometer and percussion). Other sensors that may be configured for the terminal (900 or 1200), such as a gyroscope, barometer, hygrometer, thermometer, and infrared sensor, may be not described in this document.

[00149] The audio circuit (160 or 260), loudspeaker (161 or 261 ), and microphone (162 or 262) may provide the audio interfaces between the user and the terminal (900 or 1200). The audio circuit (160 or 260) may send an electrical signal converted from received audio data to the loudspeaker (161 or 261 ). The loudspeaker (161 or 261 ) converts the electrical signal into an audio signal for output. On the other hand, the microphone (162 or 262) converts the collected audio signal into an electrical signal. On receiving the electrical signal, the audio circuit (160 or 260) converts it into audio data and outputs the audio data to the processor (180 or 280) for processing. After the processing, the audio data is sent via the RF circuit (110 or 210) to; for example, another terminal, or the audio data is output to the memory (120 or 220) for further processing. The audio circuit (160 or 260) further may comprise a headset jack that allows an external headset to communicate with the terminal (900 or 1200).

[00150] WiFi is a short-distance wireless transmission technology. By using the WiFi module (170 or 270), the terminal (900 or 1200) may allow the user to send and receive Emails, browse web pages, and access streaming media, providing wireless broadband Internet access. Figure 9 or 12 shows the WiFi module (170 or 270). However, it may be understood that the WiFi module may not be a required component of the terminal (900 or 1200) and may be omitted as needed without changing the essence scope of the present disclosure.

[00151] As the control center of the terminal (900 or 1200), the processor (180 or 280) connects each part of the mobile phone by using different interfaces and lines, executes the functions of the terminal (900 or 1200) and data processing by running the software programs and/or modules stored in the memory (120 or 220) and invoking the data stored in the memory (120 or 220), thus holistically monitoring the mobile phone. Optionally, the processor (180 or 280) may comprise one or more processing cores. Preferably, the processor (180 or 280) may be integrated with an application processor and modulation-demodulation processor. The application processor mainly processes the operating system, user interfaces, and application programs. The modulation-demodulation processor mainly processes wireless communication. It may be understood that the modulation-demodulation processor may also be not integrated into the processor (180 or 280).

[00152] The terminal (900 or 1200) may further include the power module (190 or 290), for example, a battery, which provides power supply for each component. Preferably, the power module may be logically connected to the processor (180 or 280) by using the power management system, thus completing functions such as battery charging management, discharging management, and power consumption management by using the power management system. The power module (190 or 290) may further include one or more DC or AC power modules, recharging system, power failure detection circuit, power converter or inverter, or power status indicator.

[00153] Though not shown herein, the terminal (900 or 1200) further may include components such as a camera and Bluetooth module. These components may be not described in this document. In the present embodiment, the display unit of the terminal is a touch-screen display.

[00154] The terminal may also include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium stores a program which comprises codes or instructions to cause a processor circuitry to execute operations for hiding or un-hiding contents in a device or a terminal, the operations may include: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays contents to be selected for hiding from view; determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding from view, selected contents corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00155] In another embodiment, prior to the determination of whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, the operation further include: according to a first preset rule, respectively selecting, a same preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern; respectively and separately determining, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which are selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern; wherein the determination of whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second trace pattern further includes: determining whether the relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00156] In another embodiment, prior to the hiding from view, the selected contents, and the operation further includes: presetting the second hiding trace pattern and setting a correspondence between the preset second hiding trace pattern and the selected contents to be hidden. [00157] The operations further include: un-hiding from view, the selected contents corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, wherein the un-hiding is performed after the hiding of the selected contents, wherein the un-hiding include: obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface; determining whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern; if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding selected contents corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00158] In another embodiment, prior to the determination of whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, the un-hiding operation include: according to a second preset rule, respectively selecting, a same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern; and respectively and separately determining, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern; wherein the determination of whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern further include: determining whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00159] In another embodiment, prior to the un-hiding of the hidden content corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern, the un-hiding operation includes: setting the second un-hiding trace pattern and setting the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden content.

[00160] In an embodiment, the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the preset second hiding trace pattern, and the selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00161] In another embodiment, the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern include one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern, and the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern include one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.

[00162] Yet another embodiment discloses a graphical user interface (GUI), which may be used in conjunction with a device (700 or 1000) or in a terminal (900 or 1200). The terminal may include a touch-screen (131 or 231 ), a memory module (120 or 220), and one or more processors (180 or 280) which is used to execute one or more programs to perform the functions of the GUI.

[00163] The hiding functions of the GUI may include: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays contents to be selected for hiding from view; determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding from view, selected contents corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

[00164] The un-hiding functions of the GUI may include: obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface; determining whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern; if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding selected contents corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

[00165] The sequence numbers of the above-mentioned embodiments may be intended only for description, instead of indicating the relative merits of the embodiments. It should be understood by those with ordinary skill in the art that all or some of the steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by hardware, or software program codes stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with computer-executable commands stored within. For example, the disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm as codes stored in a program module or a system with multi-program-modules. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, nonvolatile memory such as compact disc, hard drive. ROM or flash memory. The computer-executable commands may be which is used to enable a computer, server, a smart phone, a tablet or any similar computing device to render content hiding or content un-hiding operations on a terminal.

[00166] The foregoing represents only some preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and their disclosure may not be construed to limit the present disclosure in any way. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that equivalent embodiments may be created via slight alterations and modifications using the technical content disclosed above without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure, and such summary alterations, equivalent has changed and modifications of the foregoing embodiments may be to be viewed as being within the scope of the technical solution of the present disclosure.

Claims

THE CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A method for hiding or un-hiding content, comprising:

obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding;

determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and

if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein prior to the determination of whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, the method further comprising:

according to a first preset rule, respectively selecting, a same preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern; and

respectively and separately determining, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern;

wherein the determination of whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern comprising:

determining whether the relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein prior to the hiding from view, the selected content, further comprising presetting the second hiding trace pattern and setting a correspondence between the preset second hiding trace pattern and the selected content to be hidden.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising un-hiding the selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, wherein the un-hiding is performed after the hiding of the selected content, wherein the un-hiding comprising:

obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface;

determining whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern; and

if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, un-hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

5. The method according to claim 4, where prior to the determination of whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, further comprising:

according to a second preset rule, respectively selecting, a same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern; and

respectively and separately determining, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern;

wherein the determination of whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern comprising:

determining whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein prior to the un-hiding of the hidden content corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern, further comprises:

presetting the second un-hiding trace pattern and setting the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden content.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the preset second hiding trace pattern, and the selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern comprise one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern..

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern comprise one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.

10. A device or terminal for hiding or un-hiding content, wherein the device or terminal comprises at least a processor with circuitry operating in conjunction with at least a memory which stores instruction codes operable as plurality of modules, wherein the plurality of modules comprise:

a first acquisition module, which is which is used to obtain a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding;

a first judgment module, which is used to determine whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern; and

a hiding module, which is which is used to match the preset second hiding trace pattern, and hiding selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern.

1 1 . The device or terminal according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises:

a first selection module, which is used to, according to the first preset rule, respectively select, a same preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern; and a first determination module, which is used to respectively and separately determine relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern;

wherein the first judgment module is used to determine whether the relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the first hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

12. The device or terminal according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises:

a first setting module, which is used to preset the second hiding trace pattern and set a correspondence between the preset second hiding trace pattern and the selected content to be hidden.

13. The device or terminal according to claim 10, wherein the device further comprises:

a second acquisition module, which is used to obtain a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface;

a second determination module, which is used to determine whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern; and

an un-hiding module, which is used to un-hide selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, if it is determined that the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern,.

14. The device or terminal according to claim 13, wherein the device further comprises:

a second selection module, which is used to, according to a second preset rule, respectively select, a same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to both the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern;

a second determination module, which is used to respectively and separately determine, relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern, and corresponding relative distances between one or more pair of coordinates which may be selected from the same first preset number of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern; and

the second judgment module, which is used to determine whether the relative distances between the coordinates selected from the coordinates corresponding to the first un-hiding trace pattern match the corresponding relative distances between the one or more pair of coordinates corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern.

15. The device or terminal according to claim 13, wherein the device further comprises:

a second setting module, which is used to set the second un-hiding trace pattern and set the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden content.

16. The device or terminal according to claim 13, wherein the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the preset second hiding trace pattern, and the selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

17. The device or terminal according to claim 10, wherein the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern comprise one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern..

18. The device or terminal according to claim 13, wherein the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern comprise one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer readable storage medium stores a program which comprises codes or instructions to cause a processor circuitry to execute operations for hiding or un-hiding content in a device or a terminal, the operations comprising: obtaining a first hiding trace pattern input by a user on an interface, wherein the interface displays content to be selected for hiding from view; and

determining whether the first hiding trace pattern matches a preset second hiding trace pattern;

if it is determined that the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, hiding from view, selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 19, wherein prior to the determination of whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second hiding trace pattern, the operation further comprising:

wherein the determination of whether the first hiding trace pattern matches the preset second trace pattern comprising:

21 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 19, wherein prior to the hiding, the selected content, further comprising presetting the second hiding trace pattern and setting a correspondence between the preset second hiding trace pattern and the selected content to be hidden.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 19, further comprising un-hiding the selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern, wherein the un-hiding is performed after the hiding of the selected content, wherein the un-hiding comprising:

obtaining a first un-hiding trace pattern input by the user on the interface; and determining whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches a preset second un-hiding trace pattern;

23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, where prior to the determination of whether the first un-hiding trace pattern matches the preset second un-hiding trace pattern, further comprising:

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein prior to the un-hiding of the hidden content corresponding to the second un-hiding trace pattern, further comprising:

setting the second un-hiding trace pattern and setting the correspondence between the second un-hiding trace pattern and the hidden content.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the preset second hiding trace pattern, and the selected content corresponding to the preset second un-hiding trace pattern being the same as the selected content corresponding to the preset second hiding trace pattern.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 19, wherein the first hiding trace pattern and the preset second hiding trace pattern comprise one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 22, wherein the first un-hiding trace pattern and the preset second un-hiding trace pattern comprise one of or a combination of: trace patterns that describe the numbers, characters, and letters with specific meanings, a line, a geometric shape, an object, a symbol, or an arbitrary trace pattern.