SECURE AUDIO PERIPHERAL DEVICE

• US 20130219525A1
• Filed: 02/16/2012
• Published: 08/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: High Sec Labs Ltd
• Original Assignee: Aviv Soffer
• Inventors: SOFFER, Aviv
• Granted Patent: US 9,158,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs

Abstract

A secure audio peripheral device, coupled to a computer, capable of enabling a user to use audio devices such as a microphone, speakers or headset when the device is in operational state, while giving to the user a clear visual indication that the audio devices are enabled. The device simultaneously disables the microphone; and turns off the visual indication when the device is in secure state. The operational state is activated by the user by pressing a momentary push-button switch. A timer resets the device to a secure state after a short preset time. The device has anti-tempering functionality and becomes permanently disabled if tempered with. Optionally the device is coupled to the computer via a USB port that powers a USB CODEC chip and a LED used as the visual indicator.

Claims

1. A secure computer audio peripheral device comprising:

a microphone;

at least one lighted indicator capable of providing visual user indication when said microphone is active;

a computer interface, cable connecting the secure computer audio peripheral device to a coupled computer; and

;

a switch, controllable by the user, and capable of setting said device in a secured state by simultaneously;

disabling said microphone; and

turning off said lighted indicator; and

said switch is capable of setting said device in a operational state by simultaneously;

enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and

turning on said lighted indicator.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein:

said coupled computer comprises a USB port;

said computer interface cable is USB type cable connected to said USB port;

said device is further comprising of a USB CODEC to interface between said switch and said coupled computer;

and wherein power to said device is supplied from said coupled computer through said USB port.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said switch is further coupled to the said USB CODEC mute input, to mute said microphone input when said device is in a secured state.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein illumination intensity of said lighted indicator is controlled by the user within a range of illumination levels.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein illumination intensity of said lighted indicator is automatically controlled by the ambient light sensor within a range of illumination levels.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said disabling said microphone comprises electrically disconnecting said microphone from said computer interface cable.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch is activated by a momentary push-button operable as push-to-talk switch activated by the user to set said device in said operational state while said push-button is pressed, and automatically sets said device in said secured state when said push-button is released.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch wherein said switch is activated by the user through a momentary push-button, and wherein said switch is controlled by a time delay, activated by the user to set said device in said operational state, and automatically sets said device in said secured state after predefined time duration to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said time delay is adjustable by the user.

10. The device of claim 8, and comprising a timer preventing inadvertent prolonged microphone activation when said momentary push-button is inadvertently or advertently stayed pressed for prolonged time duration.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein said push-button comprises an internal lighted element providing user indication when microphone is active.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said switch is controlled by a VOX function, activated by the user to set said device in said operational state, and automatically sets said device in said secured state after predefined time duration in which sound level detected by said microphone is below a threshold.

13. The device of claim 1, and comprising a mode selector, used by the user to select the operation mode of said device, wherein said device may operate in at least two of the modes selected from a group consisting of:

a. PPT mode, wherein said switch is activated by a momentary push-button operable as push-to-talk switch activated by the user to set said device in said operational state while said push-button is pressed, and automatically sets said device in said secured state when said push-button is released;

b. Timer mode, wherein said switch is controlled by a time delay, activated by the user to set said device in said operational state, and automatically sets said device in said secured state after predefined time duration to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation; and

c. VOX mode wherein said switch is controlled by a VOX function, activated by the user to set said device in said operational state, and automatically sets said device in said secured state after predefined time duration in which sound level detected by said microphone is below a threshold.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein device further comprises an anti-tampering circuitry capable of detecting mechanical intrusion attempt, and to permanently disable said device once such attempt is detected.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said device further comprises a power source for powering said active anti-tampering circuitry when the device is unpowered, wherein said power source is selected from a group consisting of:

battery; and

super-capacitor.

16. The device of claim 1, and comprising at least one audio output transducer selected from a group consisting of:

a speaker; and

an earphone, wherein said audio output transducer is active when said device is in said operational state and disabled when said device is in said secured state.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said at least one audio output transducer is an earphone, and wherein said microphone and said earphone are integrated in a headset.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said headset is connected to said device via a connector.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein said device is integrated into said headset.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein said switch is located in a box located on a cable leading from said coupled computer to said headset.

21. A method for securing a computer audio peripheral device comprising:

a) coupling a to a computer, a secured computer audio peripheral device comprising;

a microphone; and

at least one visual indicator to provide visual user indication when said microphone is active;

b) setting said device in a operational state by simultaneously;

enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and

turning on said visual indicator; and

c) setting said device in a secured state by simultaneously;

disabling said microphone; and

turning off said visual indicator.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein:

said visual indicator is a lighted indicator; and

said turning on said visual indicator comprises causing said visual indicator to emit visible light.