Decryption system for encrypted audio

• US 20030165239A1
• Filed: 03/04/2002
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mohindra, Ajay, Mastrianni, Steven J., Chefalas, Thomas E., Karve, Alexei A., Bantz, David F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,174,017 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 1/00 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/60 Digital content management, e.g. content distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0827 involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths network architectures or network communication protocols using different networks H04L63/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/554 using a wireless connection, e.g. between microphone and amplifier or using Tcoils

Abstract

An encrypted audio decryption system for decrypting encrypted audio sound. The system includes a hearing device and a key FOB. The hearing device is adapted to receive the encrypted audio sound, decrypt the encrypted audio sound, and transmit signals corresponding to the decrypted audio sound to a speaker of the hearing device. The key FOB is adapted to transmit a decryption key to the hearing device. The hearing device is adapted not to decrypt the encrypted audio sound without receipt of the decryption key, corresponding to the encrypted audio sound, from the key FOB.

Claims

1. An encrypted audio decryption system for decrypting encrypted audio sound, the system comprising:

a hearing device adapted to receive the encrypted audio sound, decrypt the encrypted audio sound, and transmit signals corresponding to the decrypted audio sound to an acoustic transducer of the hearing device; and

a key FOB adapted to transmit a decryption key to the hearing device,

wherein the hearing device is adapted not to decrypt the encrypted audio sound without receipt of the decryption key, corresponding to the encrypted audio sound, from the key FOB.

2. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 1 wherein the hearing device comprises a memory having the decryption key stored therein when the key FOB transmits the decryption key to the hearing device.

3. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 2 wherein the hearing device comprises means to delete the decryption key stored in the memory after a predetermined period of time.

4. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 2 wherein the hearing device comprises a wireless receiver for receiving a wireless signal comprising the decryption key from the key FOB.

5. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 1 wherein the key FOB comprises a wireless transmitter for transmitting the decryption key to the hearing device.

6. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 5 wherein the key FOB comprises a biometric sensor.

7. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 6 wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint sensor.

8. An encrypted audio decryption system as in claim 5 wherein the key FOB comprises means for transmitting a plurality of different decryption keys, and means for periodically changing the decryption key transmitted to the hearing device.

9. An audio hearing device comprising:

a microphone;

a system for decrypting encrypted audio sounds received at the microphone; and

an acoustic transducer adapted to be placed at a user'"'"'s ear, the acoustic transducer being connected to the decrypting system for transmitting decrypting audio sounds from the acoustic transducer to a user'"'"'s ear,

wherein the decrypting system comprises a memory and a system for receiving and temporarily storing a decryption key in the memory, and wherein the decrypting system requires a predetermined decryption key in the memory in order for the decrypting system to decrypt the encrypted audio sounds.

10. An audio hearing device as in claim 9 wherein the memory is volatile.

11. An audio hearing device as in claim 10 wherein the system for decrypting encrypted audio sounds comprises a wireless receiver for receiving a signal having the decryption key.

12. A method for decrypting encrypted audio sounds comprising steps of:

receiving the encrypted audio sounds at a hearing device having an acoustic transducer at an ear of a user;

receiving a decryption key by the hearing device; and

decrypting the encrypted audio sounds by the hearing device if the decryption key matches a predetermined decryption key for the encrypted audio sounds.

13. A method as in claim 12 wherein the step of receiving a decryption key comprises transmitting the decryption key from a key FOB carried by the user.

14. A method as in claim 13 wherein the step of transmitting the decryption key comprises the user actuating a biometric sensor on the key FOB.

15. A method as in claim 12 further comprising storing the decryption key in a memory of the hearing device.

16. A method as in claim 15 for comprising deleting the decryption key stored in the memory upon a predetermined the event.

17. A method as in claim 16 wherein the step of the deleting the decryption key from the memory occurs periodically.