Secure audio peripheral device
First Claim
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
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a switch capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state by simultaneously;
disabling said microphone; and
turning off said lighted indicator; and
said switch is capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in an operational state by simultaneously;
enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and
turning on said lighted indicator,wherein said switch is activated by a user through a momentary push-button, andwherein said switch is controlled by a first timer determining a time delay of a predefined time duration, said first timer is activated by said momentary push-button to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and said switch automatically sets the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after expiration of the time delay to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation, andfurther comprising a second timer, said second timer operative to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation when said momentary push-button undesirably stays pressed for a prolonged time duration by causing the secure computer audio peripheral device to be switched to said secure state.
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Accused Products
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.
56 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A secure computer audio peripheral device comprising:
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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 capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state by simultaneously; disabling said microphone; and turning off said lighted indicator; and said switch is capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in an operational state by simultaneously; enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and turning on said lighted indicator, wherein said switch is activated by a user through a momentary push-button, and wherein said switch is controlled by a first timer determining a time delay of a predefined time duration, said first timer is activated by said momentary push-button to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and said switch automatically sets the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after expiration of the time delay to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation, and further comprising a second timer, said second timer operative to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation when said momentary push-button undesirably stays pressed for a prolonged time duration by causing the secure computer audio peripheral device to be switched to said secure state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A secure computer audio peripheral device comprising:
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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 capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state by simultaneously; disabling said microphone; and turning off said lighted indicator; and said switch is capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in an operational state by simultaneously; enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and turning on said lighted indicator, wherein said switch is activated by a user through a momentary push-button, wherein said switch is controlled by a first timer determining a time delay of a predefined time duration, said first timer is activated by said momentary push-button to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and said switch automatically sets the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after expiration of the time delay to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation, and wherein said switch is further controlled by a second timer, said second timer operative to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation when said momentary push-button undesirably stays pressed for a prolonged time duration by causing the secure computer audio peripheral device to be switched to said secure state, and wherein said switch is further controlled by a Voice Activated switching (VOX) function, activated by the user to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and automatically sets the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after predefined time duration in which sound level detected by said microphone is below a threshold.
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16. A secure computer audio peripheral device comprising:
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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 a user, and capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state by simultaneously; disabling said microphone; and turning off said lighted indicator; and said switch is capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in an operational state by simultaneously; enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and turning on said lighted indicator; a mode selector, used by a user to select an operation mode of said device, wherein the secure computer audio peripheral device may operate in the modes consisting of; Push-To-Talk (PTT) mode, wherein said switch is activated by a momentary push-button operable as push-to-talk switch activated by the user to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state while said push-button is pressed, and automatically set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state when said push-button is released; Timer mode, wherein said switch is controlled by a time delay, activated by the user to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and automatically set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after predefined time duration to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation; and Voice Activated switching (VOX) mode wherein said switch is controlled by a VOX function, activated by the user to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and automatically set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after predefined time duration in which sound level detected by said microphone is below a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A secure computer audio peripheral device comprising:
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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 capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state by simultaneously; disabling said microphone; and turning off said lighted indicator; and said switch is capable of setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in an operational state by simultaneously; enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and turning on said lighted indicator, wherein said switch is activated by a user through a momentary push-button, and wherein said switch is controlled by a first timer determining a time delay of a predefined time duration, said first timer is activated by said momentary push-button to set the secure computer audio peripheral device in said operational state, and said switch automatically sets the secure computer audio peripheral device in said secure state after expiration of the time delay to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation, and wherein said switch is further controlled by a second timer, said second timer operative to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation when said momentary push-button undesirably stays pressed for a prolonged time duration by causing the secure computer audio peripheral device to be switched to said secure state, and said device further comprising an anti-tampering circuitry capable of detecting mechanical intrusion attempt, and to disable said device once such attempt is detected. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for securing a computer audio peripheral device comprising:
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coupling to a computer, a secure computer audio peripheral device comprising; a microphone; and at least one visual indicator to provide visual user indication when said microphone is active; pressing a momentary push-button for setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in an operational state by simultaneously; enabling transfer of audio data from said microphone to said coupled computer; and turning on said visual indicator; if desired, pressing the momentary push-button for setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state by simultaneously; disabling said microphone; and turning off said lighted indicator; and after a preset time as determined by a first timer, automatically setting the secure computer audio peripheral device in a secure state to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation by simultaneously; disabling said microphone; and turning off said visual indicator; and setting a second timer, detecting when said momentary push-button undesirably stays pressed for a prolonged time duration, and causing the secure computer audio peripheral device to be switched to said secure state to prevent inadvertent prolonged microphone activation in response to expiration of the prolonged time duration. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification