Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an electronic device

A method of controlling the operation of a first electronic device having a first display screen, the method comprising:

• determining if the first display screen is in use by a first user;
• obtaining measurements of an orientation of the first display screen, and one or both of a position of the first electronic device relative to a second electronic device and an orientation of a second display screen of the second electronic device;
• determining, using the obtained measurements, whether a second user using the second electronic device can view the first display screen;
• and
• controlling the display of information on the first display screen based on the result of the step of determining;
• wherein the step of determining comprises:
• using the orientation of the second display screen and/or position of the first electronic device relative to the second electronic device to estimate a position of the second user when using the second electronic device;
• and
• determining if the first display screen can be viewed from the estimated position of the second user using the orientation of the first display screen.

An apparatus, for controlling the operation of a first electronic device having a first display screen, the apparatus comprising a processing unit that is configured to:

• obtain measurements of an orientation of a second display screen of a second electronic device, and one or both of a position of the first electronic device relative to the second electronic device and an orientation of the first display screen;
• determine, using the obtained measurements, whether a first user using the first electronic device can view the second display screen;
• and
• control the display of information on the first display screen based on whether the first user can view the second display screen;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to:
• use the orientation of the first display screen and/or position of the first electronic device relative to the second electronic device to estimate a position of the first user when using the first electronic device;
• and
• determine if the second display screen can be viewed from the estimated position of the first user using the orientation of the second display screen.

An apparatus, for controlling the operation of a first electronic device having a first display screen, the apparatus comprising a processing unit that is configured to:

• obtain measurements of an orientation of the first display screen, and one or both of a position of the first electronic device relative to a second electronic device, and an orientation of a second display screen of the second electronic device;
• determine, using the obtained measurements, whether a user using the second electronic device can view the first display screen;
• and
• control the display of information on the first display screen based on whether the user can view the first display screen
• wherein the processing unit is configured to:
• use the orientation of the second display screen and/or position of the first electronic device relative to the second electronic device to estimate a position of the user when using the second electronic device;
• and
• determine if the first display screen can be viewed from the estimated position of the user using the orientation of the first display screen.