Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for validating digital images (e.g., originality of digital images, source of digital images) by validating non-fungible tokens. The methods and systems enable a device to obtain analog values using an imaging sensor, such as on a camera of the device. A first identification code and digital image can be generated using the analog values and can be used to mint a first non-fungible token (NFT). When a request is made to validate a second NFT containing the same digital image, e.g., claiming to be the original digital image, the analog values can be used to generate another hash, and compared against the identification (ID) value of the second NFT.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to using a blockchain to manage files and ownership thereof for a file sharing and storage service. The blockchain can also record and track edits to the files. The file sharing and storage service can automatically analyze the files to identify various visual features and subjects, and record metadata thereof to the blockchain.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a flash memory card that is removably and securely coupled to a host device (e.g., smartphone). When removed, the apparatus facilitates physical and logical air-gapping and secure, “cold” storage of digital assets. In one example, a flash memory card stores computer-executable instructions to determine that a mobile device is authorized to communicate with the flash memory card when the flash memory card is inserted into a memory card slot of the mobile device. If communication is authorized, the instructions can further cause the memory card to establish communication with the mobile device and cause the mobile device to access a digital asset using a key stored on the memory card. The digital asset can be digitally managed in response to receiving user input at the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: The system obtains a first digital image and a hash associated with the first digital image, where the hash associated with the first digital image is a hash of analog values recorded by a sensor involved in generating the first digital image. Based on the hash, the system retrieves the analog values from a database. Based on the analog values, the system reconstructs a second digital image. The system determines whether the first digital image and the second digital image are substantially the same. Upon determining that the first digital image and the second digital image are substantially the same, the system provides a first notification that the first digital image is the same as the second digital image, otherwise the system provides a second notification that the first digital image is different from the second digital image.

Abstract: A connection hub includes a housing coupled to a universal serial bus (USB) cable that includes a plug for electronic devices. A housing of the connection hub includes a number (N) of ports and switches. The connection hub includes 1-to-N connections between the USB cable and the N ports, where each of the N ports includes a data line and/or a power line. The switches each include a mechanical component that is movable between a first position that activates a private mode and a second position that deactivates the private mode. A data line of a particular port is disabled when the private mode is activated, and a particular power line of the particular port is enabled when either the private mode is activated and when the private mode is deactivated.

Abstract: The system obtains information to send to the first user device and converts the information into a sequence of images, where one or more images in the sequence of images include the information, and a remainder of images in the sequence include a visual unrelated to the information. The number of the one or more images and the number of the remainder of images indicate a display frequency. The number of the remainder of images is greater than the number of the one or more images. The display frequency causes an observer to form a perception of the one or more images. The system sends the sequence to the first user device and causes the first user device to present on the display screen the sequence at the display frequency, which causes a garbling of a recording of the display screen associated with the first user device.

Abstract: The disclosed technique secures a seed phrase configured to access a digital wallet, which holds private keys to access digital assets on a blockchain. Copies of portions of the seed phrase are stored at multiple electronic devices. The seed phrase can be reconstructed at a particular device by retrieving a necessary and sufficient number of the portions from the other devices. In one example, the portions can be shared among devices when in physical proximity to each other and/or when the devices are authenticated as belonging to the same user, which owns the digital wallet. As such, the seed phrase can be stored securely across multiple devices and retrieved even when one of those devices is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Abstract: The technology relates to a technique for representing a unique physical asset such as a smartphone with a unique (singular) digital asset such as a non-fungible token (NFT). The NFT and related metadata can be stored on a blockchain to verify ownership of the digital asset. In one example, the NFT is produced based on a unique identifier (IMEI) for the smartphone. Other examples of physical assets with unique identifiers include automobiles, real property, etc.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: A mobile device can receive input to execute a target application in a private session. The target application is a native application for a mobile platform of the mobile device. The private session is a native function of the mobile device configured to isolate data of the target application. In response to the input, the mobile device can configure a local resource of the mobile device to support the target application in the private session, instantiate a procedure that utilizes the local resource to isolate the data of the target application while in the private session, and execute the target application in the private session on the mobile device. The operation of the private session is transparent and undetectable to the target application.

Abstract: A client-side virtual private network (VPN) chaining architecture can provision multiple sessions for multiple VPN clients that are configured to communicate packet traffic in parallel between an end-user device and one or more destinations. The client-side chaining architecture can capture packet traffic per specific users/apps and process (e.g., drop) or reroute the captured packet traffic for different VPN clients. For example, packet traffic can be rerouted from a main VPN client to a secondary VPN client. As such, there can be multiple VPN clients that are simultaneously chained in various ways to the same end-user device.

Abstract: A mobile device includes non-private memory that can store software programs and a private memory that can store copies of the software programs as well as exclusively store trusted programs that are not stored in the non-private memory. The mobile device includes a processor configured to execute the software programs of the non-private memory when the mobile device is in a non-private mode, execute a trusted program only when the mobile device is in a private mode, and enable switching between the non-private mode and the private mode in response to a reboot of the mobile device.

Abstract: A technique for selectively configuring a case of a handheld device to shield an antenna from receiving or transmitting wireless signals is disclosed. The technique includes moving a blocking element on the case between a first position and a second position. The blocking element is a physical structure that is rotatable, slidable, or removable to switch between the first position and the second position. In response to moving the blocking element to the first position, the blocking element blocks wireless signals received or transmitted by the antenna of the handheld device. In response to moving the blocking element to the second position, wireless signals can be received or transmitted through the case by the antenna.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for operating an electronic device as a web camera are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments relate to features that enable a user to operate a mobile device as a webcam. A smartphone case can hold a smartphone and be attached to a display, such as a laptop monitor or a flatscreen monitor, with a camera of the smartphone pointed at the user. The smartphone case can include a magnet, which triggers a Hall effect sensor inside the laptop or flatscreen monitor. The sensor can be used to trigger software that enables the smartphone and laptop or computer to pair with each other, e.g., by a Bluetooth handshake. The laptop or computer can accept a Wi-Fi or physical signal, such as via USB, from the smartphone and treat that input as a video stream into the laptop or computer.

Abstract: A mobile device has a private memory that stores multiple software programs including a trusted software program. A non-private memory stores copies of the software programs except the trusted software program. The mobile device can be set in a full non-private mode, a modified non-private mode, or a private mode. In the full non-private mode, the full non-private memory is restored with copies of the software programs stored at the private memory. In the modified non-private mode, only selected software programs are restored at the non-private memory with a copy from the private memory. In the private mode, the trusted software program at the private memory can be executed.