Enpoint security appliance/sensor platform

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10075844-B2
Application number	US-201615384027-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 19, 2016
Priority date	Dec 18, 2015
Publication date	Sep 11, 2018
Grant date	Sep 11, 2018

Abstract

Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to attenuate acoustic and light energy, and an audio channel comprising a microphone and speaker that can play input derived primarily from either the microphone or from a different audio source. The privacy/security apparatus includes a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that can receive the input from the microphone and provide the input to the speaker or process the microphone input prior to providing speaker, and seed to generate a masking signal provided to one or more speakers with an output that is played to one or more microphones of a portable communication device. Further, the privacy/security apparatus includes a microprocessor configured and arranged to: i. load software on the DSP, and ii. provide control of a user interface that controls at least some functions of the apparatus.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus for a portable communication device comprising:
a. a housing assembly configured to at least partially attenuate at least one of acoustic and light energy, wherein the housing assembly is arranged to conform to the portable communication device;
b. at least one audio channel comprising a microphone and a speaker at least partially supported by the housing assembly, wherein the speaker is arranged to output sound derived from an input primarily provided from either the microphone or from a different audio source; and
c. a processor arranged to:
i. receive the input from the microphone and provide the input to the speaker or process the microphone input prior to providing to the speaker; and
ii. use a random seed value to generate a masking signal provided to the speaker in order to output masking sound that is played to one or more microphones of the portable communication device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an interface for a module, which provides additional capabilities for the apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the module comprises a subscriber identity module.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor provided to capture states of switches or buttons at least partially supported by the housing assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor provided to capture battery status.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microprocessor provided to control at least one visual feedback system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a visual feedback system including at least one LED.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising one or more user actuated buttons, slides, or shutters configured to control a type of signal played to a least one microphone of the portable communication device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the one or more user actuated buttons, slides, or shutters are configured to cover or uncover at least one camera on the portable communication device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one switch configured to detect a state of at least one shutter for a camera.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one switch is further configured to automatically change the output sound derived from the input played to a microphone of the portable communication device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one LED to indicate a state of the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one wired or wireless connection configured to allow information to pass to or from the apparatus and the portable communication device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a mechanical or electrical connection configured and arranged for coupling at least one module to the apparatus, the mechanical or electrical connection enabling:
i. power to pass to and/or from the at least one module and the apparatus; and
ii. data to pass to and/or from the at least one module and the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the at least one module utilizes the mechanical or electrical connection to couple one or more components of the apparatus to the at least one module.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the one or more components comprise one or more of:
a. a blank module to fill an open space that may be taken by a module;
b. a module configured to provide extra battery power to the portable communication device, the apparatus or to one or more separate devices; and
c. a module to detect Radio Frequency transmissions.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly includes an articulating assembly configured and arranged to articulate a portion of the housing assembly to one or more positions to enable a user to insert, enclose or remove the portable communication device.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly includes a sliding assembly configured and arranged to slide a portion of the housing assembly to one or more positions to enable a user to insert, enclose or remove the portable communication device.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly includes one or more separate and distinct parts or components, together which integrate and connect into a complete assembly enclosing the portable communication device.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one microphone configured to listen to the mask sound generated by the apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a microprocessor configured to set parameters of a battery charge system.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a microprocessor configured to control a power state of one or more components of the apparatus.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to filter or sculpt audio, voice or mask noise to compensate for the microphone, the speaker and a cavity of the apparatus.

24. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to analyze ambient audio to determine optimum mask profile.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to morph voice to obfuscate identity while maintaining intelligibility.

26. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to apply a frequency mask.

Assignees

• Ppip Llc

Inventors

• Fong Michael
• Thomas Teddy David
• Quintus-Bosz Harald
• Diduch Piotr
• Ritsher Kenneth Alan
• Greeley Gabriel
• Fong Neric
• Tarr Morton
• Kotiza Blake Edward

Classifications

• H04M1/0254

  comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules · CPC title

• H04M1/667

  Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set (H04M1/677 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H04M2250/12

  including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion · CPC title

• H04M1/0202 Primary

  Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets (constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03) · CPC title

• H04M2250/52

  including functional features of a camera · CPC title