Ambiguated control functions for covert communications

Abstract

Some embodiments include an ambiguated application that can perform first functions, e.g., a communication application functions, when the ambiguated application is in a first state, and perform second functions, e.g., game functions, when the ambiguated application is in a second state. The ambiguated application in the first state and the ambiguated application in the second state share a same graphic user interface (GUI). When a functional object of the GUI is selected, the ambiguated application performs a first function if the ambiguated application is in a first state. In addition, when the same functional object of the GUI is selected, the ambiguated application performs a second function if the ambiguated application is in a second state.

1 . A communication device, comprising:
 a transceiver configured to communicate in a wireless communication network;   an ambiguated application to be operated by one or more processors, wherein the ambiguated application comprises displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) including a functional object; and   the one or more processors coupled to the transceiver, and configured to:
 perform a communication function of a covert communication application whose functions are part of the ambiguated application in a covert communication state, wherein the covert communication application is not operative in a lock state of the covert communication state, wherein placement of the functional object in a predetermined way unlocks the covert communication application; 
 switch the ambiguated application from the covert communication state to a gallery state; and 
 present one or more images of the gallery state that are part of the ambiguated application, wherein the functional object has a same appearance when the ambiguated application is in the covert communication state and the gallery state, wherein the functional object in the gallery state is a static object comprising an image of the one or more images. 
   
     
     
         2 . The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the communication function comprises a push-to-talk (PTT) voice communication control function. 
     
     
         3 . The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the ambiguated application in the covert communication state comprises one or more images and the functional object includes a portion of the one or more images. 
     
     
         4 . The communication device of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more images correspond to communication groups, the one or more processors are further configured to switch from a first communication group to another, wherein the first communication group comprises the communication device and another communication device forming a mobile push-to-talk (PTT) group. 
     
     
         5 . The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the functional object comprises: an area defined by a shape transparent or invisible to a human, and wherein the functional object is controlled by a touch or a gesture of a user. 
     
     
         6 . The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI further comprises a first visible indicator to indicate that the ambiguated application is in the covert communication state, and a second visible indicator to indicate that the ambiguated application is in a gallery state. 
     
     
         7 . The communication device of  claim 6 , wherein the first visible indicator and the second visible indicator differ in color. 
     
     
         8 . The communication device of  claim 6 , wherein the first visible indicator comprises a background image of the GUI in a first tone and the second visible indicator includes the background image in a second tone. 
     
     
         9 . The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the GUI further comprises one or more switching objects to switch the ambiguated application from the covert communication state to the gallery state, or from the gallery state to the covert communication state, and wherein to switch the ambiguated application, the one or more processors are configured to: activate the one or more switching objects via one or more control actions comprising a tap, a click, a swipe, or a gesture, or by placement of a predetermined pattern formed by the one or more switching objects. 
     
     
         10 . The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the ambiguated application is in an administrative state, and the one or more processors are configured to setup a portion of the GUI or the functional object. 
     
     
         11 . The communication device of  claim 1 , further comprising a memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory comprises one allocated memory space for the ambiguated application that operates in the covert communication state and the gallery state. 
     
     
         12 . A method for a communication device, including an ambiguated application, comprising:
 displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) including a functional object; and   performing a communication function of a covert communication application whose functions are part of the ambiguated application in a covert communication state, wherein the covert communication application is not operative in a lock state of the covert communication state, wherein placement of the functional object in a predetermined way unlocks the covert communication application;   switching the ambiguated application from the covert communication state to a gallery state; and   presenting one or more images of the gallery state that are part of the ambiguated application, wherein the functional object has a same appearance when the ambiguated application is in the covert communication state and the gallery state, wherein the functional object in the gallery state is a static object comprising an image of the one or more images.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the ambiguated application in the covert communication state comprises one or more images and the functional object includes a portion of the one or more images. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more images correspond to communication groups, method comprises switching from a first communication group to another, wherein the first communication group comprises the communication device and another communication device forming a mobile push-to-talk (PTT) group. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the functional object comprises: an area defined by a shape transparent or invisible to a human, and wherein the functional object is controlled by a touch or a gesture of a user. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a communication device, cause the communication device to perform operations comprising:
 displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) including a functional object; and   performing a communication function of a covert communication application whose functions are part of an ambiguated application in a covert communication state, wherein the covert communication application is not operative in a lock state of the covert communication state, wherein placement of the functional object in a predetermined way unlocks the covert communication application;   switching the ambiguated application from the covert communication state to a gallery state; and   presenting one or more images of the gallery state that are part of the ambiguated application, wherein the functional object has a same appearance when the ambiguated application is in the covert communication state and the gallery state, wherein the functional object in the gallery state is a static object comprising an image of the one or more images.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the GUI further comprises a first visible indicator to indicate that the ambiguated application is in the covert communication state, and a second visible indicator to indicate that the ambiguated application is in a gallery state. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the first visible indicator comprises a background image of the GUI in a first tone and the second visible indicator includes the background image in a second tone. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the GUI further comprises one or more switching objects to switch the ambiguated application from the covert communication state to the gallery state, or from the gallery state to the covert communication state, and wherein to switch the ambiguated application, the operations comprise activating the one or more switching objects via one or more control actions including a tap, a click, a swipe, or a gesture, or by placement of a predetermined pattern formed by the one or more switching objects. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the ambiguated application in the covert communication state uses the GUI, the ambiguated application in the gallery state uses a second GUI, and wherein the GUI and the second GUI, share at least the functional object in common.