Abstract: A method includes generating, by a noise generator of an apparatus, a noise signal stream. The method includes outputting, via an audio output device of the apparatus, the noise signal stream towards an audio input device of a personal communication device. The noise signal stream travels from the audio output device towards the audio input device via an audio-sealing pathway. The method includes receiving a recorded representation of the noise signal stream from the personal communication device. The recorded representation of the noise signal stream is a function of a transformation of the noise signal stream, by the audio-sealing pathway, and characterizes an audio transfer function of the audio-sealing pathway. The method includes determining, by the controller of the apparatus, whether or not the audio-sealing pathway satisfies an operational criterion based on the recorded representation of the noise signal stream and a reference transfer function associated with the audio-sealing pathway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method including, receiving, from one or more of a plurality of devices, one or more notifications indicating that one or more audio sound patterns have been detected. The method includes determining whether a same audio sound pattern is detected by two or more of the devices. The method further includes transmitting a notification to each device associated with the same audio sound pattern. The method further includes determining a location of the same audio sound pattern based on one or more criteria and transmitting a notification to each device associated with each of the same audio sound patterns. In some embodiments, the one or more criteria is a time, a duration, a frequency, an amplitude, a speed, or a direction of the audio sound pattern, and an aggregation of information from two or more of the devices.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device and a peripheral interface supported by the housing, where the peripheral interface is connectable to a supplemental functional device. The apparatus further includes a local communication device coupled to the peripheral interface and supported by the housing, where the local communication device includes a personal communication device interface modem operable to provide a communication channel between the peripheral interface and the personal communication device. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the peripheral interface and the local communication device, where the controller is operable to manage the communication channel between the supplemental functional device and the personal communication device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes an audio output device arranged to output sound directed to an audio input device of a second device. The apparatus further includes an audio coupling interface arranged to provide a cavity for the audio output device and the audio input device of the second device. The apparatus also includes a spectral shaper, coupled to the audio output device, operable to apply a spectral envelope to an audio signal in order to produce a shaped audio signal, wherein the shaped audio signal is selectively coupled to the audio output device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection includes a housing arranged to hold a second device, a local communication device at least partially supported by the housing, and a controller, where the apparatus is associated with a radio frequency (RF) power detector. The RF power detector monitors energy emitted from one or more antennas of the second device in response to determining that the second device indicates that the second device has transitioned from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation. The apparatus further establishes a communication channel between the apparatus and the second device, and obtains, through the communication channel, a communication status of the second device. The apparatus can then report compromise of the second device upon determining that a discrepancy between the communication status and the energy emission.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion arranged to receive and enclose one or more personal communication devices. The apparatus further includes at least one sound attenuation layer disposed in the second housing portion, the at least one sound attenuation layer absorbs sound. The apparatus also includes a noise generator to provide one or more noise signal streams and audio output device(s), which are at least partially supported by the first housing portion and coupled to the noise generator to receive the one or more noise signal streams. The audio output device(s) are operable to output noise signal based on the one or more noise signal streams and direct the noise signal at the one or more personal communication devices placed adjacent the at least one sound attenuation layer.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a training method for biometric identity and authentication is provided. The method includes obtaining biometric data from a plurality of sources. The method further includes extracting a plurality of feature vectors from the biometric data. The method also includes determining a plurality of identifiability scores correspondingly associated with the plurality of feature vectors, where each of the plurality of identifiability scores provides a quantitative characterization of a relative uniqueness of a corresponding one of the plurality of feature vectors.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a second device and sensor(s), where the sensor(s) are operable to obtain a tactile input. The apparatus also includes a communication interface operable to communicate with the second device. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller operable to direct the second device, through the communication interface, to generate a distress response in response to receiving the tactile input. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes remote communication device(s) to communicate with a remote source. In such embodiments, the controller is coupled to the remote communication device(s), where the controller receives the geo-fencing information through the one or more communication devices, compares the information with movement and location information of the apparatus, and determines whether to direct the second device to enter a distress mode based on the comparison.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes an audio output device arranged to output sound directed to an audio input device of a second device. The apparatus further includes an audio coupling interface arranged to provide a cavity for the audio output device and the audio input device of the second device. The apparatus also includes a spectral shaper, coupled to the audio output device, operable to apply a spectral envelope to an audio signal in order to produce a shaped audio signal, wherein the shaped audio signal is selectively coupled to the audio output device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a random number generator providing a random number sequence. The apparatus also includes a key generator operable to receive the random number sequence and synthesize the random number sequence to generate a plurality of keys. The apparatus also includes a plurality of randomizing chains, each receiving a corresponding key from the key generator and providing a respective discrete random number sequence based on the corresponding key. The apparatus further includes output devices, each of which is connected to a respective randomizing chain to receive the respective discrete random number sequence and produces a respective output noise signal based on a function of the respective discrete random number sequence. The apparatus also includes interfaces mating the output devices with the input devices of a second device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device, a first subscriber identity module (SIM) interface, a second SIM interface, a personal communication device interface, and a controller. A portion of the personal communication device interface is shaped to mate with a SIM slot of the personal communication device, and the personal communication device interface includes a SIM emulator operable to couple the second SIM interface to the SIM slot of the personal communication device. Through operation of the personal communication device interface, the controller is operable to selectively couple one of the first SIM interface and the second SIM interface to the SIM slot of the personal communication device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection is provided. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a second device and sensor(s), where the sensor(s) are operable to obtain a tactile input. The apparatus also includes a communication interface operable to communicate with the second device. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller operable to direct the second device, through the communication interface, to generate a distress response in response to receiving the tactile input. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes remote communication device(s) to communicate with a remote source. In such embodiments, the controller is coupled to the remote communication device(s), where the controller receives the geo-fencing information through the one or more communication devices, compares the information with movement and location information of the apparatus, and determines whether to direct the second device to enter a distress mode based on the comparison.

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.

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.