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 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 linking virtual assets and physical assets through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in a metaverse. As such, the invention anchors a metaverse to the real world. The metaverse can limit ownership or rendering of certain virtual assets in the metaverse to only those who actually own physical assets. For example, the metaverse can limit a virtual representation of a car in the metaverse to those who own the real car. The linkage between the virtual and real assets can be verified in the metaverse based on NFTs stored on a blockchain. As such, only those who actually own a physical asset in the real world are associated with the virtual asset (or related representation) in the metaverse.

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 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: 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: 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 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 linking utilities with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) is disclosed. The utilities are not necessarily physical assets. For example, the utilities can be services or functions that depend on who and when the NFT is owned. The utilities can be enabled on or through a device or computer system. The utilities can have levels or be of different types and vary by time. For example, a utility can change, aggregate, or expire over time.

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: The technology relates to linking virtual assets and physical assets through non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in a metaverse. As such, the invention anchors a metaverse to the real world. The metaverse can limit ownership or rendering of certain virtual assets in the metaverse to only those who actually own physical assets. For example, the metaverse can limit a virtual representation of a car in the metaverse to those who own the real car. The linkage between the virtual and real assets can be verified in the metaverse based on NFTs stored on a blockchain. As such, only those who actually own a physical asset in the real world are associated with the virtual asset (or related representation) in the metaverse.

Abstract: A mobile device can detect an idle state and, in response, initiate an access monitoring function to covertly monitor activity involving a human interaction with the mobile device. The covert monitoring is undetectable by a user of the mobile device. The mobile device can then detect a human interaction with the mobile device and, in response, cause the mobile device to covertly capture and log one or more human interactions with the mobile device. An authorized user of the mobile device is enabled to review the log of human interactions with 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: A Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable includes a connector and a switch. The connector includes a housing configured for gripping by a user to manually insert/remove the connector to/from a port of an electronic device. The connector includes a power line configured to enable transfer of power to the electronic device and a data line configured to enable exchange of data with the electronic device. The switch is integrated into the outer surface of the housing and includes, for example, a toggle that is mechanically movable between a first position that activates a private mode and a second position that deactivates the private mode. The exchange of data with the electronic device is only enabled while the toggle is in the second position, and the transfer of power to the electronic device is enabled regardless of whether the toggle is in the first position or the second position.

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 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: 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.