Abstract:
The new invention provides a system for privacy protection from unauthorized and unintentional camera and microphone access for a host user device. The system includes at least one user-enabled privacy means, said system comprising at least one sound generator, such as a white noise maker, associated with at least one speaker, said sound generator being configured to selectively operate in one of two states: a first state enabling sound generation and a second state disabling sound generation; a notifier for the active operational state; and user-controlled front and rear camera masking means.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    None. 
       FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention is concerned with systems and methods for privacy protection by manual user control of one or more masking means for cameras and microphones on mobile user devices. It is known that mobile devices, particularly smartphones and tablets, can be activated in one&#39;s pocket, purse or briefcase and, generally, at inopportune moments. It is also known that technology exists by which an individual or entity can remotely and without a user&#39;s authorization activate a user&#39;s mobile device and utilize its sensory equipment (e.g., camera and microphone). However, it has not been possible heretofore to easily and seamlessly prevent unauthorized users or unwitting recipients of inadvertent phone calls from receiving audio or photographic data from the user&#39;s device once access to the user&#39;s device is made. 
         [0005]    There are few existing systems designed to prevent remote, unauthorized collection of data from one&#39;s mobile device, but devices are not user-enabled and, thus, fail to provide the user with confidence that the device is active when privacy is desirable. Notably, the system and method disclosed in patent application no. WO2013144966 A1 provides an automated privacy system that both senses attempted remote, unauthorized activation of a user device and controls operability of the communication sensors of the user device. In other words, such system requires not only interaction with user device&#39;s operating system, it actually must be integrated into the phone&#39;s hardware and software design. Given the abundance and variety of mobile device available on the market today, it is unrealistic to expect that such system can and will be built into even the most popular devices anytime soon. In any event, such protection by the WO2013144966 A1 system is not—and cannot be—made available on-demand or even for one&#39;s current mobile device. Further, such system is quite limited in terms of user control and does not address the problem of inadvertent calling or photographing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Since any mobile device privacy system requiring control of the device&#39;s integral components is, at least at present, not readily available and not available on all existing user devices, there is a need for a mobile device privacy system that effectively masks a device&#39;s sensor components as to render useless and unidentifiable any data that may be remotely collected. Thus, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a system whereby manual means can be employed by a user to mask a device&#39;s sensors. Said system is integrated into a relatively standard size mobile device case. Such manual masking means may include a noise generator connected to a speaker located in close proximity to the device&#39;s microphone such that, for example, very low level white noise serves to distort any audio that may be remotely or inadvertently transmitted when the user is not intentionally utilizing the microphone function of the device. Another such masking means is a shutter mechanism integrated into the case and positioned over each camera lens in the target mobile device thereby enabling the user to render blank any photographic or video images transmitted inadvertently or without the user&#39;s authorization. 
         [0007]    Generally, this application relates to cases for portable electronic devices, and more particularly, to cases that may be used to prevent unauthorized collection of photograph, video, audio recordings and the like via remote use of a portable electronic device&#39;s (or, more simply, a “device”) speaker and camera functions. As used herein, the term “portable electronic device” may include any type of wireless communication devices, such as, e.g., mobile telephone, tablet, portable computer, gaming device, media player, smartphone, personal organizer, and the like. 
         [0008]    The system is incorporated into a case that may be designed to protect a device from collisions or impacts. The case may be designed to attempt to protect a device from contaminants or contamination. Such contaminants or contamination may include liquids, particulates, heat, cold, moisture, humidity, dirt, dust, and/or any other externally generated influence that may compromise the functionality of the device. A case may also be designed to protect interactive parts of the device (for example, touch screen) from scratching. A case may further be designed with an integral solar charging mechanism by which either or both the battery charging the phone and the battery charging the noise generator can be supplementally charged via solar power. 
         [0009]    The sum of these advantages unify with the novel article of the new mobile device privacy and protection system, resulting in an invention that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art support, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0010]    These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty characterizing the invention, are described with particularity in the claims herewith. A more comprehensive understanding of the features, operation and uses of the invention may be gleaned from reference to the enclosed drawings and descriptive matter further illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention. 
         [0011]    The embodiments described herein are illustrative of the invention, and it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description and drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It should be further understood that the phraseology and terminology applied herein merely serve the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  depict one embodiment of the front of the privacy case, in operational position on a smartphone, showing the shutter-closed and shutter-open positions, respectively. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  depict horizontal cross-sections of one embodiment of the privacy case. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  depict the inside of the backside under the tray and the inside of the tray of one embodiment of the privacy case, respectively.  FIG. 3C  depicts a side-vertical cross-section of one embodiment of the privacy case. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict the inside of the backside under the tray and the inside of the tray of another embodiment of the privacy case, respectively.  FIG. 4C  depicts a side-vertical cross-section of another embodiment of the privacy case. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict one embodiment of the back of the privacy case, in operational position on a smartphone, showing the shutter-closed and shutter-open positions, respectively. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict the top and bottom of one embodiment of the privacy case, respectively.  FIGS. 6C and 6D  depict the closed-flap and open-flap positions of the bottom of another embodiment of the privacy case, respectively. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict left and right side views, respectively, of the privacy case. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0019]    In accordance with this invention, it is now possible for a mobile device user to optionally and manually mask the content of data remotely acquired or inadvertently transmitted from a user&#39;s mobile device. Further, the new system enables a user to easily and independently control the audio and visual privacy functions with confidence that the desired function is enabled. 
         [0020]    The following example is submitted to illustrate but not to limit this invention. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  collectively illustrate one embodiment of the privacy case  100  in operational position on a smartphone mobile device  101  having allowances for volume controls  102  (e.g., covers or holes), allowance for the device&#39;s power button  103 , and a cutout for the device&#39;s speaker  104 .  FIG. 1A  shows the front view of the privacy case with a front visual privacy component, a shutter  106 , in non-operative position relative to a front mobile device camera lens  105  exposed via a cutout—which may be open or contain a transparent material for better protection of the device—in the privacy case  100  to enable user-elected camera use.  FIG. 1B  shows the front view of the privacy case with a front visual privacy component, a shutter  106 , in operative position as to fully obstruct visual data collection from a mobile device&#39;s front camera. To the right of the privacy shutter  106  is a privacy shutter control mechanism whereby a user-controlled slidable switch  107  can be moved side-to-side in a switch track  108 , thus causing the privacy shutter to open and close as desired.  FIG. 1A  depicts the switch  107  in open position on the track  108 , and  FIG. 1B  depicts the switch  107  in closed position on the track  108 . 
         [0022]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  collectively illustrate a horizontal cross-section of one embodiment of the privacy case  200  in operational position on a smartphone mobile device  201 .  FIG. 2A . depicts, generally, a “unified” embodiment of the privacy system whereby the noise-emitting speaker  202  can be seen in its stationary position beneath and adjacent to the microphone of the user device.  FIG. 2B . depicts, generally, a “gated” embodiment of the privacy system whereby a hinged gate  203  is positioned at the bottom of the case  200 , which serves to control activation of the noise-emitter, as discussed below, and which disguises the speaker in this particular depiction. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  3 C collectively illustrate the components of the unified embodiment of the privacy case.  FIG. 3A  illustrates the electrical components of the system as embedded in the primary casing  300  of the privacy case. An optional charging port  301 , which may be a micro USB or any other standard or customized power port type, is located in proximity to the edge of the case and is connected via electrical circuitry  302  to a battery  303 , which is further connected through a user-controlled circuit  304  to a noise generator  305  and, via said noise generator  305  and additional electric circuitry  306 , to a micro speaker  307 . In the depicted unified embodiment, the audible privacy feature is active by default. In other words, when the device is not in use by the user, the noise-generator is on and the audio privacy function is working. The user-controlled circuit  304  provides a user-accessible means  304 A to optionally and temporarily intercept (or break) the circuit  304 B between the battery  303  and noise-generator  305 , such as by touching or squeezing the user accessible means  304 A. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3B  depicts a “tray”  308  having an inner length and width of the target user device and outer dimensions enabling it to fit snuggly into the casing  300  of the privacy case, leaving a gap  309  between the tray and the bottom of the casing, which enables the speaker  307  diaphragm to move and, thus, to operate efficiently.  FIG. 3B  further depicts a battery replacement mechanism  310  for removing the noise-generator&#39;s power supply. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a vertical, latitudinal cross-section of the system depicting the tray  308  positioned inside the privacy system&#39;s casing  300  and beneath a user device  310 . Within the casing  300  is illustrated the relative positions of the battery  303 , noise-generator  305  and speaker  307 . When the system is active, the emitted noise level may vary, but an example acceptable level is 20-24 decibel, which is roughly equivalent to a very low whisper. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  collectively illustrate the components of the gated embodiment of the privacy case.  FIG. 4A  illustrates the electrical components of the system as embedded in the primary casing  400  of the privacy case. An optional charging port  401 , which may be a micro USB or any other standard or customized power port type, is located in proximity to the edge of the case and is connected via electrical circuitry  402  to a battery  403 , which is further connected through a user-controlled circuit  404  to a first circuit end means opposing a second circuit end means, together considered the end means  405 , which is connected via electrical circuitry  407  to a noise generator  408  and, via said noise generator  408  and additional electric circuitry  409 , to a micro speaker  410 . The user-controlled circuit  404  provides a user-accessible means  404 A to optionally and temporarily intercept (or break) the circuit  404 B between the battery  403  and noise-generator  408 , such as by touching or squeezing the user accessible means  404 A. In the depicted gated embodiment, the audio privacy feature is inactive (i.e., not generating pink or white noise) when the gate  411  located at the bottom of the case is open. When the gate  411  is closed, a circuit connecting means  406  makes contact with both circuit end means  405 , thereby connecting the circuit and enabling the battery  403  to power the noise-generator  408 . In other words, when the device is not in use by the user, the user closes the gate, thereby turning on the noise-generator and activating the audio privacy function. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4B  depicts a “tray”  412  having an inner length and width of the target user device and outer dimensions enabling it to fit snuggly into the casing  400  of the privacy case, leaving a gap  414  between the tray and the bottom of the casing, which enables the speaker  410  diaphragm to move and, thus, to operate efficiently.  FIG. 4B  further depicts a battery replacement mechanism  413  for removing the noise-generator&#39;s power supply. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a vertical, latitudinal cross-section of the system depicting the tray  412  positioned inside the privacy system&#39;s casing  400  and beneath a user device  415 . Within the casing  400  is illustrated the relative positions of the battery  403 , noise-generator  407  and speaker  410 . The user-controlled gate  411  is connected to the casing  400  by a hinge  416 , such that the gate opens from the front-end, thereby breaking or completing the audio masking circuit when the circuit connecting means  406  located on the gate  411  makes contact with the circuit end means  405  located on the casing  400 . When the system is active, the emitted noise level may vary, but an example acceptable level is 20-24 decibel, which is roughly equivalent to a very low whisper. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  collectively illustrate the backside of one embodiment of the privacy case  500  in operational position on a smartphone mobile device.  FIG. 5A  shows the rear view of the privacy case with a rear visual privacy component, a shutter  504 , in non-operative position relative to a rear mobile device camera lens  503  exposed via a cutout  502 —which may be open or contain a transparent material for better protection of the device—in the privacy case  500  to enable user-elected camera imaging.  FIG. 5B  shows the rear view of the privacy case with a rear visual privacy component, a shutter  506 , in operative position as to fully obstruct visual data collection from a mobile device&#39;s rear camera. To the right of the privacy shutter  504  is a privacy shutter control mechanism whereby a user-controlled slidable switch  505  can be moved side-to-side in a switch track  506 , thus causing the privacy shutter to open and close as desired.  FIG. 5A  depicts the switch  505  in open position on the track  506 , and  FIG. 5B  depicts the switch  505  in closed position on the track  506 . 
         [0030]    Both  FIGS. 5A and 5B  also depict a notifier that signals activity when an electronic privacy function is active (i.e., when the noise generator is on). In one embodiment, a small light-emitting diode (LED)  507  is situated in the casing such that it is exposed for user visibility on the outside of the case and connected to the noise-generator circuitry embedded in the casing  500  as to enable LED activation via the noise-generator&#39;s power source when the noise-generator is active. 
         [0031]    As further illustrated in both  FIGS. 5A and 5B , one embodiment of the privacy and protection mobile device case enables charging of the system&#39;s rechargeable battery by harnessing solar power. Such embodiment houses a photovoltaic cell system  501  that can be exposed to light when the case is face-down on a surface or when the cell is otherwise exposed to light. The photocell  501  is connected to a solar battery and the solar battery is electrically connected to the charging circuit of the electrical components of the privacy system. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  collectively depict the top and bottom views, respectively, of a unified embodiment of the privacy case in operational position on a smartphone.  FIG. 6A  illustrates the top view of the unified privacy case showing the casing  600  and an allowance for the power function  601  of a smartphone.  FIG. 6B  illustrates the bottom view of the unified privacy case showing the casing  600  having allowances for the audio input  602 , power port  603  and speaker functions  604  of the smartphone.  FIGS. 6C and 6D  collectively illustrate the closed-gate and open-gate bottom views, respectively, of a gated embodiment of the privacy case in operational position on a smartphone.  FIG. 6C  illustrates the bottom view of the gated privacy case in closed-gate position, showing the casing  600  with gate  605  in closed position having allowances for the audio input  602  and power port  603  of the smartphone.  FIG. 6D  illustrates the bottom view of the gated privacy case in open-gate position, showing the casing  600  with gate  605  in open position, thereby exposing the bottom of the smartphone  608 , as well as the circuit connecting means  609  and the circuit end means  610 . 
         [0033]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  collectively depict the side views of a gated embodiment of the privacy case in operational position on a smartphone.  FIG. 7A  illustrates the left said view showing the casing  700  with allowances for volume  701 , sound on/off  702  and power  703  controls of the smartphone.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the right side of the casing  700  showing the power port  704  of the privacy case and an allowance for the power function  703  of the smartphone. 
         [0034]    As to further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of this invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention, the use of which results in a mobile user device privacy and protection system that:
       enables a mobile device user to optionally and manually mask the content of data remotely acquired or inadvertently transmitted from a user&#39;s mobile device;   enables a user to easily and independently control the audio and visual privacy functions with confidence that the desired function is enabled; and   simultaneously provides the protection desired and expected of any standard commercially available mobile device case.       
 
         [0038]    Although the description presented heretofore contains specificities for the benefit of illustration, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but rather as illustrative examples of some of the several embodiments. Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples provided.