20240056522. SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING USER PRIVACY AND/OR USER CONTROL OVER AUDIO-ACTIVATED DEVICES simplified abstract (Unknown Organization)
SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING USER PRIVACY AND/OR USER CONTROL OVER AUDIO-ACTIVATED DEVICES
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Gregory O'keeffe of Boston MA (US)
Brian Dutton of Boston MA (US)
SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING USER PRIVACY AND/OR USER CONTROL OVER AUDIO-ACTIVATED DEVICES - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240056522 titled 'SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR ENHANCING USER PRIVACY AND/OR USER CONTROL OVER AUDIO-ACTIVATED DEVICES
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes a system and devices that can generate a distorted ambient noise signal and project it into a microphone of an audio-activated device. This prevents the audio-activated device from deciphering speech and other sounds in the environment. The distorted ambient noise signal can be scanned and analyzed to determine if there is an audio trigger or phrase included. If an audio trigger is detected, an undistorted ambient noise signal is communicated to the speaker of the audio-activated device, allowing it to respond to a command included in the ambient noise.
- The system and devices receive an ambient noise signal.
- The ambient noise signal is used to generate a distorted ambient noise signal.
- The distorted ambient noise signal is projected into the microphone of an audio-activated device.
- The audio-activated device cannot decipher speech and other sounds in the ambient noise.
- The distorted ambient noise signal is scanned and analyzed for an audio trigger or phrase.
- If an audio trigger is detected, an undistorted ambient noise signal is communicated to the speaker of the audio-activated device.
- The audio-activated device can respond to a command included in the ambient noise.
Potential Applications:
- Enhancing privacy by preventing audio-activated devices from eavesdropping on conversations.
- Protecting sensitive information from being captured by audio-activated devices.
- Creating secure environments where audio surveillance is not possible.
Problems Solved:
- Prevents audio-activated devices from deciphering speech and other sounds in the ambient noise.
- Protects privacy by ensuring conversations cannot be captured by audio-activated devices.
- Reduces the risk of sensitive information being leaked through audio surveillance.
Benefits:
- Enhanced privacy and security in environments where audio-activated devices are present.
- Ability to have confidential conversations without the fear of being recorded.
- Increased control over personal information and data.
Original Abstract Submitted
systems and devices may receive an ambient noise signal and use that ambient noise signal to generate a distorted ambient noise signal that may be provided to a speaker that is proximate to a microphone of the audio-activated device so that the speaker may project sound corresponding to the distorted ambient noise into the microphone of the audio-activated device so that, for example, that the audio-activated device cannot decipher speech and other sounds in the ambient noise of an environment. while the distorted ambient noise is being projected into the microphone of the audio-activated device, it may be scanned and/or analyzed to determine whether an audio trigger (e.g., an audio trigger or phrase) is included therein and, if so, an undistorted ambient noise signal may be communicated to the speaker of the audio-activated device so that the audio-activated device may respond to a command included in the ambient noise.
