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: 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, 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 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 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: 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 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, 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 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 includes a housing arranged to hold a personal communication device. The apparatus further includes at least one off-device resource supported by the housing that provides an alternate to a corresponding on-device resource integrated within the personal communication device. The apparatus also includes a local communication device coupled to the at least one off-device resource 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 at least one off-device resource and 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 personal communication device. The apparatus further includes a local communication device at least partially 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 validation engine coupled to the local communication device and operable to validate at least one of one or more portions of the personal communication device, a user of the personal communication device, or operational status of the personal communication device through the local communication device.

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.

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 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.