FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information hiding method (or an electronic device by
pressing a combination of alphanumeric keys. The invention further relates to opening a
dialogue window to drag n drop the private tiles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Show Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 7, 8.x or Vista: the tiles and/or folders can
be hidden by changing "Folder OptiOY[;,'i '.:Jn Microsoft Windows. However·. an uttucker can
easily view the Iiles and (older by only changing the settings in the control panel to show
hidden tiles and folders. After changing the settings, the tiles o_r fplders are in visible form but
slightly in dim brightness.
2. Folder lock: The tiles and (older are locked using apassword so that an attacker cannot
have a direct access to the tiles/folders. However, the passwords are vulnerable. which can
be compromised and it results in security breach o[the confidential information. Further. if
the locked information is private and one doesn't want to share it with anyone. the visibility
of the (older. might lead to a situation where he/she might have to unwillingly give the
authentication details to someone who is insisting (or the same.
3. ·Hybrid method.· i[the combination of above both can be used, even then the confidential
file and (alders might be compromised as the existence ofthe tiles or folders is visible. ·
So. to hide the very existence of the tiles and folders from the attackers or· unauthorized
persons, the proposed method uses a combination of keys which opens a dialogue window
having another security protocol requiring the user name. password. etc. The tiles and/or
(older are ·hidden by dropping them directly into a new window. Thus, the proposed method
increases the security two folds in comparison to the existing methods. Firstly, the random
combination of at least two keys at a user defined path is the first hig hurdle for the attacker
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and the!' the details like lfs.er '!a'!le. password. etc. are t~e next h'flrdle for the attacker (o g_et
the aCCffSS o[t~e confjdential information. Thus. (he proposed sc;heme is verJ!Secure.
IMAGES
-:---['._
104
----....._
r---
. 103
200
VI 00
Program l
Code I 1.---1 I Display Unit ~
Storage Unit
I Processing Unit ~ v
Fig. 1
_,_-r--21 0
Go to the user defined path for 211
hiding confidential/private data
Press at least two keys, which 212
pops-up a dialogue window
Provide the required information 213
like user name, password etc.,
Drag and drop the confidential
files in the window and press ok
214
-
02
101
~ 1. 1\1.: .d_ 9
I. PO 0 E.L · .Un.TL {)4-07-28lro '-'!
Fig.2
Computer> My Drive I ~ I CJ I x I E?EJ•EJ 300
EJ
Fig.3
Window
User Name
Password
Register I Verify
Fig.4
Computer > My Drive
501
500
Fig.5
~PO DELHI oa-87-2016 14:49
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700
Computer> My Drive
Fig.6
Go to the user defined path at
which files are hidden
Press same combination of keys,
which pops-up a dialogue window
Provide the required information
like user name, password etc.,
View the hidden files and
folders
~600
~713
714
~--t-715
Fig.7
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to conceal private/confidential tiles and/or
folders o[an electronic device by simultaneously pressing at least two alphanumeric ke_ys.
The present invention discloses a data hiding method for an electronic device. comprising
pressing at least two alphanumeric keys at user defined directory. opening a dialogue
window which comprises: 0) a user name field. (2) a password field. (3) and/ or at least one
biometric · field, for registering/verifying the user for concealing/revealing
P,rivatelconfidential tiles and/or folders; receiving the input data (or each field i.e. user name
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..------------------------------
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field. password field. and/or biometric field and opening a window in which the
P!ivate/confidential files and/or folders are dragged n dropped to con.ceal them.
The present invention further discloses an electronic device. comprising a processing unit. a
displgv unit attached to the processing unit for showing an operation of the processing uni_t.
and a storage unit attached to the processing unit (or storing a program code to instruct the
processing unit (or executing a data hiding method wherein the data hiding method
comprises pressing at least two alphanumeric kevs at user defined directory. opening a
dialogue window which comprises: 0) an user name field, (2) a password field (3) and/ or
at least one biometric field, (or registering(ve!'...ifying the user (or concealing/revealing
private/confidential files and/or fjJlders: receiving the input data (or each fleld i.e. user name
field. password fleld and/or biometric field and opening a window in which the
private/confldential files and/or (olders 'are dragged n dropped to conceal the information.
Other devices. methods. functions and beneflts ofthe described aspects ofthe invention will
be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art after viewing and studying the figures
and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional devices. methods. functions
and benefits be included within this description be within the boundary o(and protected by
the provided claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 represents the block diagram of an electronic device according to an aspect of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates the data hiding method according to an aspect o[the present invention.
FIG. 3 to FIG. 6 represents the schematic diagrams which essentially show the output screen
o(each step o(Fig.2.
FIG. 7 illustrates the information revealing method according to an aspect of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 represents a block diagram o(an electronic device 100 according to an aspect o(the
present invention. The electronic device 100 can be a tablet computer. a smart phone, a
personal digital assistant or a netbook/notebook computing device. The electronic
device 100 includes a processing unit 101. a display unit 102 and a storage unit 103 .The
processing unit 1 OJ is attached to the display unit 102 and the storage unit 103. The
processing unit 101 can be such as an application-speciflc integrated circuit (ASIC) or a
microprocessor. The display 102 can be a cathode ray tube (CRT). or a liquid crystal display
fjJr presenting the operations done by processing unit 101. The storage unit 103 can belong
to any data storage device like a random-access memory CRAM). CD-ROMs. a hard disk.
magnetic tapes. or optical data storage device. and not limited to the above listed storage
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devices for storing t_he program code I 04. The storage unit 103 should_ be . accessible to
processing unit 101.
FIG. 2 rekrs a flow chart of data hiding method according to an aspect of the present
invention. The data h.i ding process 200 which is used in the electronic device 100 for hiding " - . . . . . . . . .. ' . .
private/confidential data. The data hiding process 200 may be compiled into the program . ' . . . . . . .
code 104 and includes the following steps:
Step 210: Start.
Step 211: Go to the user defined path for hiding confidential/private data
Step 2I2: pressing at least two alphanumeric keys at user defined directory which generate a
dialogue window comprising (1) a user name fi.eld, (2) password fi.eld;
Step 213: Providing the input data for each fi.eld and pressing the register/verify button to
close this window and open another window;
Step 214: and dragging n dropping the private tiles/folder in the opened window and press
OK to hide information.
Step 215: End.
Fig. 3 represents display screen 300 of step 21 I which shows an instance of stored
fi./es!folders in the electronic device 100 at the selected path in which some of them are
confi.dential files and folders.
Fig. 4 represents a window 400 ofstep 212 which is visible after pressing at least two keys
simultaneously. The window comprises a user name fi.eld 401. a password field 402 and mav
also contain a biometric fi.eld. It also has a button 403 namely register/verify button to close
this window and open another window. The username and password to be input in the fields
may be any combination of alphabets, numbers and special characters. Fig. 5 refers a
window in which privatelconfi.dential fi./es are to be stored or already stored. This window is
closed after pressing the OK button.
Fig. 5 represents a screen 500 in which two sub-screens are presented. The first sub-screen
3 00 is similar to the screen ofstep 21 I in addition to the selected private tiles and/or folders.
The second sub-screen 501 is the new opened window after pressing the button 403 during
step 213. This screen may contain the hidden information and also may be used to drag n
drop the fi./es (rom the sub-screen 300 to hide the information. Afier hiding/viewing the
information, the user closes the window by pressing the OK button shown on the above right
corner.
Fig. 6 represents the screen 600 after hiding the information which now does not have or
show the private/confidential tiles and/or folders.
Fig. 7 refers a flow chart of data revealing method according to an aspect of the present
invention. The data revealing process 700 which is used in the electronic device 100 for
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revealing private/confidential data. The data revealing process 700 may be compiled into.the
ero,gram code 114 and includes the following steps:
Step 710: Start.
Step 711: Go to the path at which files and/or fOlders are hidden.
Step 712: pressing the same combination ofkeys as at step 212 to open a dialogue window
comprising (1) a user name field, (2) password field;
Step 713: Providing the required input data {or each field a,nd pressing the register/verify
button to close this window and open another window:
Step 714: and viewing the private filesl(older in the opened window and press OK to further
hide in,{ormation.
Step 715: End. .
The window opened at step 212 and 712 may be same . however, at the time ofrevealing the
hidden files and/or folders. the same credentials i.e., user name and password must be
submitted else it will open the· new window 501 to store private/confidential files and/or
.folders without giving any error message. Therefore. any unauthorised person who does not
know the required credentials will not be able to even sense the existe.nce of the hidden
information.
Those skilled in the art will readily have clue that several changes o(the device and method
may be done while keeping the essence of the inyevtion intact. Aoooniinglv. tht: tlisdosed
invention should be construed as limited only by the boundary o[the appended claims.

CLAIMS:
1. An information hiding method (or an electronic device which comprises a processing unit.
a display unit attached to a processing unit (or presenting· an operation of the processing
unit. and a storage unit attached to the a processing unit (or storing a program code to
instruct the a processing unit (or executing a data hiding method. comprising:
pressing at least two alphanumeric keys at user defined directory:
opening a dialogue window which comprises: (1) a user name field, and (2) a password field:
receiving the input data (or each field and opening another window;
and dragging n dropping the private files and/or folders in the opened window to conceal the
files and/or folders.
2. The files and/or folders ofclaim 1. includes images, documents. audios and or videos.
3. The input (or user name and password of claim] can be any combination of alphabets,
numbers and special characters.
4. An information revealing method for an electronic device which comprises a processing
unit. a display unit attached to a processing unit {pr presenting an operation of the
processing unit, and a storage unit attached to the a processing unit for storing a program
code to instruct the a processing unit for executing an infOrmation revealing method {Or
showing the hidden infOrmation. comprising:
moving to the location or drive where information is hidden,·
pressing the same combination of keys used at the time ofin{Ormation hiding.·
opening a dialogue window which comprises: (1) a user name field. and (2) a password field
and receiving the required credentials {Or each field;
and displaying the window containing the hidden files and/or {Olders.
6. The files and/or {Olders of claim 5. includes images. documents. audios and or videos.
7. The credentials for user name and password of claimS can be any combination of
alphabets. numbers and special characters.