Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus that enables trusted location tracking includes a housing arranged to hold a user equipment, one or more devices, a local communication device, and a controller at least partially supported by the housing. The apparatus obtains, via the one or more devices, a first set of data characterizing a location of the user equipment. The apparatus further establishes, via the location communication device, a local communication channel with the user equipment. The apparatus also obtains through the local communication channel a second set of data characterizing the location of the user equipment. The apparatus also determines a trust score characterizing the second set of data based on the first set of data. The apparatus additionally triggers an alert in accordance with a determination that the trust score is below a threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes a crypto engine that provides device independent crypto services. The apparatus includes a housing arranged to hold a device. The apparatus also includes a non-transitory memory that further includes a key store for storing a first key. The apparatus further includes a communication device at least partially supported by the housing and connectable to the device to establish a communication channel with the device. The apparatus also includes a controller (e.g., a crypto engine) that receives, via the communication channel, a first portion of data from the device, performs a cryptographic operation on the first portion of the data using the first key to generate a modified first portion, sends, via the communication channel, the modified first portion to the device, and enables the device to derive a second portion of the data using the modified first portion.

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 that enables trusted location tracking includes a housing arranged to hold a user equipment, one or more devices, a local communication device, and a controller at least partially supported by the housing. The apparatus obtains, via the one or more devices, a first set of data characterizing a location of the user equipment. The apparatus further establishes, via the location communication device, a local communication channel with the user equipment. The apparatus also obtains through the local communication channel a second set of data characterizing the location of the user equipment. The apparatus also determines a trust score characterizing the second set of data based on the first set of data. The apparatus additionally triggers an alert in accordance with a determination that the trust score is below a threshold.

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 housing arranged to hold a second device; one or more sensors, at least partially supported by the housing, operable to continuously collect biometric data of a user; an authentication neural network, operable to extract from the biometric data a plurality feature vectors associated with a plurality of identifiable scores; and a decision unit, coupled to the authentication neural network, operable to generate an authentication score as a function of the plurality of identifiability scores and the plurality of feature vectors, determine whether or not the authentication score satisfies an authentication threshold, and gate electronic access to the second device base on whether or not the authentication score satisfies the authentication threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus performing a method including: receiving, from an apparatus including a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device used by a user, a notification indicating a first authentication score of the user is below a first pre-determined threshold, providing a challenge to the personal communication device. In some embodiments, the challenge is selected based on one or more sensor data obtained by at least one of the apparatus or the personal communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating a second authentication score based on a response to the challenge, and causing the apparatus, to gate electronic access to the personal communication device based on whether the second authentication score is above a second pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection includes a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device. The apparatus further includes a remote communication device and a local communication device at least partially supported by the housing, where the remote communication device is operable to provide a remote communication channel between the apparatus and a remote device and the local communication device is operable to provide a local communication channel to the personal communication device. The apparatus additionally includes a security management controller operable to: (a) extract data from communication messages received via the remote communication channel; (b) scan the extracted data in order to identify a first type of extracted data; and (c) send the first type of extracted data to the personal communication device through the local communication channel.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a secure modular apparatus providing a first platform for secure platform integration includes communication device(s) and a key store for storing encryption keys. The apparatus additionally includes a crypto engine operable to use the encryption keys for cryptographic operations. The apparatus also includes a controller and a housing arranged to at least partially support the communication device(s), the key store, the crypto engine, and the controller. The controller, via the communication device(s), exchanges encrypted messages prepared or processed by the crypto engine with a second platform provided by a personal communication device, where the second platform is distinct from the first platform and has a plurality of layers including at least one layer between a hardware layer and high level layers, and the encrypted messages control one or more of a hardware unit in the hardware layer and a component in the high level layers.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection includes a peripheral interface connectable to a second device. In some embodiments, the second device is operably connectable to a personal communication device and the peripheral interface provides characteristics of communication signals associated with the personal communication device to the second device. The apparatus also includes a radio frequency (RF) detection device operable to detect energy carrying a communication signal to or from the personal communication device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus that controls device re-configuration for security is provided. The apparatus includes a storage storing a first firmware image for a re-configurable data communication device. In some embodiments, the first firmware image provides one or more operating parameter configurations for the re-configurable data communication device. The apparatus also includes a controller, which is coupled to the storage and the re-configurable data communication device and operable to manage transport of data by the re-configurable data communication device, including obtaining the first firmware image from the storage and loading the first firmware image to the re-configurable data communication device. The apparatus additionally includes a housing at least partially supporting the storage and the controller.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus performing a method including: receiving, by a decision unit coupled to a plurality of sensors at least partially supported by a housing which holds a personal communication device, trait data of a user of the personal communication device and determining whether or not a first authentication score generated based on a first set of trait data and a first set of weights assigned to the first set of trait data is above a pre-determined threshold. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a challenge to the user based on a determination that the first authentication score is below the pre-determined threshold, and gating electronic access to the personal communication device based on whether or not a second authentication score generated based on a second set of trait data and the first set of weights is above the pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus and methods for providing alternative communications are provided. The apparatus may include a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device. The apparatus may provide an additional communication path for the personal communication device which was previously not there. In some embodiments, an additional communication mechanism may be provided for a newer telecommunication standard or form of communication. In another embodiment, an added close proximity data communication device may be provided, which enables a personal communication device to perform in close proximity standards that it otherwise may not be able to.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a first apparatus that provides protocol isolation includes a controller, one or more re-configurable data communication devices operable to provide alternative transport of data for a native data communication device on a second apparatus to an external device, and one or more data converters coupled to the one or more re-configurable data communication devices. The protocol isolation method performed by the first apparatus includes establishing a local communication channel with the second apparatus. The method further includes exchanging the data via the local communication channel with the second apparatus according to a first protocol. The method also includes converting the data to a second protocol different from the first protocol.

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 establishing a candidate set of neural network parameters. The method additional includes extracting a plurality of feature vectors from the biometric data using the candidate set of neural network parameters. The method also includes determining whether or not the plurality of feature vectors match a training vector set within an error threshold. The method further includes updating the candidate set of neural network parameters in response to determining that the plurality of feature vectors do not match the training vector set within the error threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus for privacy protection includes a peripheral interface connectable to a second device. In some embodiments, the second device is operably connectable to a personal communication device and the peripheral interface provides characteristics of communication signals associated with the personal communication device to the second device. The apparatus also includes a radio frequency (RF) detection device operable to detect energy carrying a communication signal to or from the personal communication device.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus that seals the audio path of an enclosed device is provided. The apparatus includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion, when mated, are arranged to enclose a device, where a surface of the second housing portion is arranged to impart pressure on the device toward the first housing portion. The apparatus further includes a first supporting portion disposed along one side of the first housing portion and arranged to support the device. The apparatus also includes a first liner disposed in the first housing portion and arranged to form a first cavity, where the first cavity is adjacent to the first supporting portion. The apparatus further includes a noise generator operable to provide noise signal stream and a first audio output device coupled to the noise generator operable to output first masking signals to the first cavity.

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 and methods for providing alternative communications are provided. The apparatus may include a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device. The apparatus may provide an additional communication path for the personal communication device which was previously not there. In some embodiments, an additional communication mechanism may be provided for a newer telecommunication standard or form of communication. In another embodiment, an added close proximity data communication device may be provided, which enables a personal communication device to perform in close proximity standards that it otherwise may not be able to.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus performing a method including: receiving, from an apparatus including a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device used by a user, a notification indicating a first authentication score of the user is below a first pre-determined threshold, providing a challenge to the personal communication device. In some embodiments, the challenge is selected based on one or more sensor data obtained by at least one of the apparatus or the personal communication device. In some embodiments, the method includes calculating a second authentication score based on a response to the challenge, and causing the apparatus, to gate electronic access to the personal communication device based on whether the second authentication score is above a second pre-determined threshold.