MALWARE-PROOF PRIVACY INDICATOR
First Claim
1. A voice command device with privacy protection, the voice command device comprising:
- a processor;
first and second input devices;
at least one data line to couple the first and second input devices to the processor;
a power supply;
a sensor power line to couple the first and second input devices to the power supply;
a manually operated mechanical switch on the sensor power line to divide the sensor power line into a first leg comprising the power supply and a second leg comprising the first and second input devices; and
an active sensor indicator light on the second leg of the sensor power line with the first and second input devices, wherein the active sensor indicator light is configured to indicate whether any of the first and second input devices are operational, based on a power level of the second leg of the sensor power line.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voice command device (VCD) has privacy protection. The VCD comprises a processor, first and second input devices, at least one data line to couple the first and second input devices to the processor, a power supply, and a sensor power line to couple the first and second input devices to the power supply. The VCD also comprises a manually operated mechanical switch on the sensor power line, to divide the sensor power line into a first leg comprising the power supply and a second leg comprising the input devices. The VCD also comprises an active sensor indicator light on the second leg of the sensor power line. The indicator light is configured to indicate whether the input devices are operational, based on a power level of the second leg of the sensor power line. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
62 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A voice command device with privacy protection, the voice command device comprising:
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a processor; first and second input devices; at least one data line to couple the first and second input devices to the processor; a power supply; a sensor power line to couple the first and second input devices to the power supply; a manually operated mechanical switch on the sensor power line to divide the sensor power line into a first leg comprising the power supply and a second leg comprising the first and second input devices; and an active sensor indicator light on the second leg of the sensor power line with the first and second input devices, wherein the active sensor indicator light is configured to indicate whether any of the first and second input devices are operational, based on a power level of the second leg of the sensor power line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A voice command device with privacy protection, the voice command device comprising:
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a processor; an input device that requires power to process input; a data bus to couple the input device to the processor; a power supply; a sensor power line to couple the input device to the power supply; a manually operated mechanical switch on the sensor power line to divide the sensor power line into a first leg comprising the power supply and a second leg comprising the input device; an active sensor indicator light on the second leg of the sensor power line, wherein the active sensor indicator light is configured to indicate whether the input device is operational; and an active sensor indicator module (ASIM) coupled to the data bus, to the second leg of the sensor power line, and to the active sensor indicator light, wherein the ASIM is permanently configured to; (a) detect whether the sensor power line carries enough power to enable the input device; (b) detect whether the data bus has an active clock signal; (c) put the active sensor indicator light in a first state in response to detecting that (i) the sensor power line carries enough power to enable the input device, while (ii) the data bus has an active clock signal; and (d) put the active sensor indicator light in a second state in response to detecting that (iii) the sensor power line carries enough power to enable the input device, while (iv) the data bus does not have an active clock signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method to provide privacy protection for a voice command device, the method comprising:
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in a voice command device (VCD) comprising a processor, a power supply, first and second input devices, a sensor power line to couple the first and second input devices to the power supply, at least one data line to couple the first and second input devices to the processor, a manually operated mechanical switch on the sensor power line to divide the sensor power line into a first leg comprising the power supply and a second leg comprising the first and second input devices, a relay coupled to the second leg of the sensor power line, and an active sensor indicator light responsive to the relay, detecting, at the relay, whether the second leg of the sensor power line is carrying enough power to enable at least one of the input devices; in response to detecting that the second leg of the sensor power line does not carry enough power to enable at least one of the input devices, automatically causing the active sensor indicator light to emit light; and in response to detecting that the second leg of the sensor power line is carrying enough power to enable at least one of the input devices, automatically preventing the active sensor indicator light from emitting light. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method to provide privacy protection for a voice command device, the method comprising:
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in a voice command device (VCD) comprising a processor, a power supply, an input device, a sensor power line to connect the input device to the power supply, a data bus to connect the input device to the power supply, a mechanical switch on the sensor power line to divide the sensor power line into a first leg comprising the power supply and a second leg comprising the input device, an active sensor indicator module (ASIM), and an active sensor indicator light responsive to the ASIM, automatically detecting, at the ASIM, whether the second leg of the sensor power line carries enough power to enable the input device; automatically detecting, at the ASIM, whether the data bus has an active clock signal; automatically putting the active sensor indicator light in a first state in response to detecting that (i) the sensor power line carries enough power to enable the input device, while (ii) the data bus has an active clock signal; and automatically putting the active sensor indicator light in a second state in response to detecting that (iii) the sensor power line carries enough power to enable the input device, while (iv) the data bus does not have an active clock signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification