Reversible collapsible security pouch for electronic devices

A Reversible Collapsible Security Pouch for Electronic Devices. The Pouch is provided in a variety of different configurations, and further are designed to accommodate a variety of different items. A key-fob-accommodating version is small enough to be attachable to the key fob when in a compacted condition so that it can always be attached to the key fob. The key fob version includes a pair of stretchable wrapping loops that allows the user to roll the pouch into a compact roll and then secure it in the rolled condition using one of the wrapping loops. In some larger pouch versions, there may be closure buttons around which a wrapping loop could be wrapped to secure the closure of the pouch. Other versions may include the ability to close and lock the pouch to secure the encapsulated device. All versions include a Faraday cage integrated into the pouch assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to Electromagnetic Shielding Devices and, more specifically, to a Reversible Collapsible Security Pouch for Electronic Devices.

2. Description of Related Art

Today's modern world has made it virtually mandatory that everyone carries a plurality of electronic devices on their person while out in public. The list of these portable electronic devices is long, and is only getting longer. Cellular telephones, vehicle remote controls, RFID pass-keys, digital cameras, iot devices, wearables, Bluetooth devices, radios, connected equipment, and even credit cards are included on this list. Included with the convenience provided by these numerous devices is also a substantial security hazard. Each of these electronic devices is, in varying levels, capable of being compromised by hostile “hackers” seeking to access personal data and/or security access data contained within the electronic devices.

In order to combat hostile attacks on personal electronic devices, a series of containers for electronic devices have been created that provide RF (radio frequency) shielding. The RF shielding in these containers is commonly provided by a “faraday cage” integrated within the inner compartment formed by the container. A faraday cage is an enclosure comprising a series of thin conductive filaments. These filaments are generally made of copper, but could also be made from silver, nickel, galvanized zinc, iron, aluminum, stainless steel or a combination of other conductive material or composite. Silver has long been known for its ability to kill some of the nasty microbes that can make people sick. In hospitals, it's used to help burn victims, to combat germs on catheters and even to wipe out dangerous “superbugs” that have grown resistant to traditional antibiotics. Now, capitalizing on consumers' fear of germs, companies are adding tiny, powerful silver particles to cutting boards, underwear, yoga mats, running shirts, socks and an expanding array of other “antibacterial” goods. Such products are made possible by recent advances in technology that allow manufacturers to create nano-sized silver and incorporate it into various materials. (A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter; a human hair is about 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers wide.)

A Faraday cage operates because an external electrical field causes the electric charges within the cage's conducting material to be distributed so that they cancel the field's effect in the cage's interior.1This means that items encased within a faraday cage-equipped container can neither transmit electronic signals, nor can they be accessed by external electronic signals attempting to activate or penetrate the electronic devices from outside of the cage.1https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

The problem with the RF-shielding containers on the market today is that they can be cumbersome and therefore inconvenient to carry at all times. This is particularly the case as it applies to protection of electronic key fob remote controls for vehicles (also may be referred to as Frequency Operated Buttons or Remote Keyless Entry Systems). Most key fobs use a rolling key—the key produces a new waveform that depends on the ID of the key fob, a random seed, and how many times the key fob has been pressed. The car keeps track of the last code it received, and knows what the next several hundred codes might be. If it detects one of the expected future codes it unlocks the car. If it gets a previously used code, it stops responding to the key fob (because it concludes that the signal emanated from a hacker).

Key fobs can also be subject to “relay attacks.” Relay attacks can occur when there are cars that open when the owner gets close to the car. This is based on a low power signal that can only be received when the key fob is very close. This can be defeated by amplifying these small signals from the key fob, capturing the signal, and then relaying it back to the car.

Yet another key fob vulnerability is to “replay attacks.” Replay Attacks describe when an individual (hacker) gains access to the key fob when the key fob is not within transmit/receive range of the vehicle. The hacker presses the key fob's button and records the several sequential signals. The hacker then plays these recorded signals later until one successfully unlocks the vehicle.

All of these hacker attacks can be thwarted by storing the key fob in a faraday cage, because the faraday cage will prevent the key from either transmitting or receiving electronic signals. Two problems with current faraday cage pouches make it nonfeasible for an owner to place his or her key fob in a faraday cage pouch—first, there are no current faraday cage-equipped pouches that are small enough so that they can be carried on or along with the owner's key fob, so that it is available at all times. Second, there is no such key fob-protective case or pouch that is lockable in order to prevent hackers from executing one of the previously-described hacks when the owner doesn't have the key fob in their direct possession (or accidental activation during maintenance or vulnerable to accidental or deliberate activation).

What is needed, then, is a faraday-cage-equipped pouch or container that is collapsible (to provide a small, conveniently portable package), and potentially also lockable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Reversible Collapsible Security Pouch for Electronic Devices. The Pouch should be provided in a variety of different configurations, and further be designed to accommodate a variety of different items. A key-fob-accommodating version should be small enough to be attachable to the key fob when in a compacted condition so that it can always be attached to the key fob. The key fob version should include a pair of stretchable wrapping loops that allows the user to roll the pouch into a compact roll and then secure it in the rolled condition using one of the wrapping loops. In some larger pouch versions, there should be closure buttons around which a wrapping loop could be wrapped to secure the closure of the pouch. Other versions may include the ability to close and lock the pouch to secure the encapsulated device. All versions should include a Faraday cage integrated into the pouch assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention can best be understood by initial consideration ofFIG.1.2FIG.1is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the reversible collapsible security pouch10of the present invention. The pouch10(in the depicted position), has a flexible pouch made of a faraday cage12bonded or otherwise attached to an aesthetic pouch20. The bonded pouches12,20form a closed end15and an open end17(also defined as the mouth17of the pouch10). The aesthetic pouch20can be made from a plurality of materials, including nylon mesh, leather, waterproof plastic or rubber and highly elastic fabric such as those used in the construction of socks, etc. The faraday cage pouch12is a mesh of thin wires either bonded to or otherwise incorporated with the material forming the aesthetic pouch20(i.e. one side of the pouch20is aesthetically pleasing and/or functional to protect a secured item, and the other surface has the faraday cage mesh attached to it.2As used throughout this disclosure, element numbers enclosed in square brackets [ ] indicates that the referenced element is not shown in the instant drawing figure, but rather is displayed elsewhere in another drawing figure.

A fastener ring18protrudes from the closed end15of the pouch12. Fastening clip16, such as the keyring clip depicted here, is attached to the fastener ring18. In other versions, other clip designs may comprise the fastening clip16(e.g. a carabiner or other design). A first wrapping loop14extends from the closed end15of the pouch12adjacent to the fastener ring18. The first wrapping loop14is preferably made from a stretchable elastic cord that will stretch beyond its resting length and then return to its resting length repeatedly.

A second wrapping loop22extends from the closed end15of the inside surface (i.e. the closed end of the aesthetic pouch20). The second wrapping loop22is made from similar material as is the first wrapping loop14, however it may be colored differently in order to match the color of the aesthetic pouch20.

The faraday cage pouch12is configured to block Cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, RFID, NFC, Key Fob. All frequencies between 800 MHz-10 GHz are blocked. Furthermore, CDMA, GSM, DCS, PHS, 3G, 4G, and LTE cellular signal transmissions are blocked. The pouch12has also been tested to block WiFi (2.4-6 GHz), Bluetooth (2.4 GHz) and GPS (1-2 GHz) signals, as well as RFID and NFC in 13.56 the MHz range. The pouch12blocks Carrier, hardware, and OS agnostics, GPS—global positioning systems, RFID—radio frequency identification, NFC—near field communication, EMP—electromagnetic pulses, and EMF—electromagnetic frequencies. Now turning toFIG.2, we can further examine the function and structure of the present invention.

FIG.2is a perspective view of the pouch10ofFIG.1attached to a key fob24. Here, as inFIG.1, we would consider the pouch10to be in a “reversed” condition, wherein the faraday cage pouch12is the outer surface of the pouch10. The fastening clip16has been attached to a key ring26extending from a key fob24. In this fashion, the pouch10is securely attached to the key fob24.FIG.3shows how the vehicle owner would generally carry the combination of the key fob24with pouch10attached to it.

FIG.3is a perspective view of the pouch10and key fob24ofFIG.2. Here, the pouch10has been rolled up tightly in a collapsed position28. The pouch10is maintained in the collapsed position28by wrapping the first wrapping loop14around it. In this collapsed position28, the pouch10is very small and compact, and therefore is very convenient to leave attached to the key fob24at all times, similar to other trinkets (medallions and the like) that users commonly attach to their key fobs24. Because it is compact and always attached to the key fob24, the key fob24can easily be placed within the pouch10at any time desired, as depicted below inFIGS.4-6.

FIG.4is a perspective view of the pouch10ofFIG.1, with its aesthetic pouch20forming the exterior surface of the pouch10. Here, the pouch's10surfaces have been reversed, so that the aesthetic pouch20is now the outer surface of the pouch10(and the faraday cage pouch [12] is the inner surface of the pouch10. The two surfaces were reversed by turning the pouch10inside-out (from the condition shown inFIG.1to the condition shown inFIG.4). The second wrapping loop22is now protruding from the outer surface of the pouch10.FIG.5shows the interior of the pouch10.

FIG.5is a perspective view of the pouch10ofFIG.1in the condition depicted inFIG.4, and housing a key fob24. As shown, once the pouch10has been turned inside-out, the key fob24is now located inside of the faraday cage pouch12, securely attached thereto by the key ring26and fastening clip16. Even with the mouth17left open as shown here, a vast majority of electronic signals will be blocked by the faraday cage pouch12, however, most users will complete the blocking of the signals by securing the pouch10as shown inFIG.6.

FIG.6is a perspective view of the pouch10ofFIG.1in its secured position28. In the secured position, the open end of the pouch10is rolled up so that the mouth17is now in the center of the rolled-up portion. The second wrapping loop30has then been stretched and placed around the pouch10(including the rolled-up portion). In this secured position28, the pouch10is very compact and fully secures the key fob [24] from hacking in any of the ways described herein above.

Although not depicted here, there may be an option to lock the pouch10. The lockable option is designed to satisfy lock out tag out laws, osha compliance and digital forensics, safe rooms, lock boxes and storage. The lock (not shown) could be locked once the key fob or other item has been placed within the pouch10.

The preferred method for this version and other preferred versions of the pouch10of the present invention is to (a) store the pouch10in a collapsed position, wherein the pouch10may be in a reversed condition, wherein the faraday cage pouch [12] is the outer surface of the pouch10. Next, (b) the key fob (or other item for which EMF protection is desired) is placed in close proximity to the pouch10. Finally, (c) the key fob or other item is placed within the faraday cage pouch [12]. In cases where the faraday cage pouch [12] was in a reversed condition at the initiation of the process, the pouch10is un-reversed, so that the faraday cage pouch [12] is the inside of the pouch10, and the aesthetic pouch [20] is the outer surface of the pouch10. In other versions of the method, the pouch10is in a collapsed position28(and potentially also in the reversed condition). In further method versions, the pouch10is placed in a secured position [28] with the mouth [17] of the pouch10contained within a rolled-up portion, which is then bound by a wrapping loop [30].

While the previous description ofFIGS.1-6relate to a pouch10for a key fob [24], it should be understood that the pouch10could also be created in a variety of sizes and shapes, so as to be used to shield other types of devices, such as laptops, tablets, cellular telephones, wallets and the like. Computing devices placed within the pouch10will remain in a “sleep” state, thereby prolonging battery life while also preventing wireless hacking.

Furthermore, either the faraday cage pouch [12] or the aesthetic pouch [20] could be manufactured from a variety of materials so as to provide additional protection to objects contained within the pouch10. For example, fireproofing protection could be provided via the incorporation of silicone coated fiberglass fabric, kevlar, aluminized materials, silica cloth liner, kevlar woven material, PBI, Aramids—para and meta, FR cotton, Coated nylon, Carbon foam (CFOAM), Polyhydroquinone—dimidazopyridine, Melamine, Modacrylic into the pouches [12], [20]. The pouches [12], [20] could also include scent-barrier materials, such as activated carbon, carbon lining and taffeta. Still further, the pouches [12], [20] could include additional sound-proofing protection by incorporating mass loaded vinyl, foam, acoustic padding, etc.

If we now turn toFIGS.7A-7C, we can examine an alternate embodiment of the pouch10A of the present invention. This version10A may be better suited to encasing items that are larger than a key fob, such as laptops or computing tablets29. The front side of the aesthetic pouch20has a pair of closure buttons30attached to it, such that they protrude from the face of the pouch20. These buttons30could be pegs, hooks or other devices, and further could be provided in a variety of numbers (more or less than the two shown here). The back side of the pouch10A is shown inFIG.7B. Here, the second wrapping loop22is attached and extends therefrom. This pouch10A is placed into its secured position28as shown inFIG.7Cby rolling up the open end of the pouch10A (to roll up the mouth17). The second wrapping loop22is then stretched over the wrapped-up portion and around the closure buttons30. In the secured position28, the laptop29will be secured from hacking within the faraday pouch12.

Now turning toFIGS.8A-8C, we can examine yet another optional feature that could be incorporated into any embodiment of the pouch of the present invention. The pouch10C ofFIGS.8A-8Chas a lockable closure added to the other ways of securing the pouches. A preferred set of features to create this lockability functionality has a first locking tab32A on the front side of the pouch20. The locking tab32A has a reinforced aperture34A formed in it (such as an “eyelet”). A second locking tab32B extends from the back side of the pouch20, as shown inFIG.8B. The second locking tab32B has a second reinforced aperture34B.

When the open end of the pouch10C is rolled up to close the mouth17, the second locking tab32B is wrapped over the rolled-up portion until it aligns with the first locking tab32A. A locking device36(e.g. padlock) is then locked through the reinforced apertures34A,34B, thereby preventing the pouch10C from being opened without first removing the lock36. This position is referred to as the secured and locked position28A.