H04K3/43

Methods and apparatus for masking speech in a private environment

A speech masking apparatus includes a microphone and a speaker. The microphone can detect a human voice. The speaker can output a masking language which can include phonemes resembling human speech. At least one component of the masking language can have a pitch, a volume, a theme, and/or a phonetic content substantially matching a pitch, a volume, a theme, and/or a phonetic content of the voice.

Speech intelligibility measurement and open space noise masking

Methods and apparatuses for addressing open space noise are disclosed. In one example, a method for masking open space noise includes outputting a test signal from a speaker, the test signal operable to measure a speech transmission quality of a transmission channel. The method includes receiving the test signal at a microphone, outputting a detected test signal, and processing the detected test signal to determine the speech transmission quality of the transmission channel. The method further includes adjusting an output level of a noise masking signal from the speaker responsive to the speech transmission quality.

Method, device and system for detecting a jamming transmitter
09614640 · 2017-04-04 · ·

A base station in a cellular radio network and user equipment assigned to a cell are linked by an air interface for communication on a respective communication channel in a communication band. The same communication band is common to at least one of the cells and to the user equipment on the respective communication channel of a cell. A jamming transmitter is detected by decoding a cell, by way of successful reading of control information of the cell, detecting a wideband power parameter representative of the communication band, and detecting a channel power parameter representative for a part of the communication band that is a communication channel. A narrowband jamming transmitter is indicated in the case that decoding of the cell failed, the wideband power parameter is not above a first threshold, and the channel power parameter is above a second threshold.

Directional sound masking

The invention relates to a system for masking a sound incident on a person. The system comprises a microphone sub-system for capturing the sound. The system further comprises a spectrum-analyzer for determining a power attribute of the sound captured by the multiple microphone sub-system, and a spatial analyzer for determining a directional attribute of the captured sound representative of a direction of incidence on the person. The system further comprises a generator sub-system for generating a masking sound under combined control of the power attribute and the spatial attribute, for masking the incident sound.

Steerable Loudspeaker System for Individualized Sound Masking

Apparatus having corresponding computer-readable media and methods comprise a steerable loudspeaker system configured to produce sound based on audio delivered to the steerable loudspeaker system; a masking audio source configured to generate individualized masking audio based on preferences of a listener, and to deliver the individualized masking audio to the steerable loudspeaker system; and a controller configured to steer the steerable loudspeaker system based on a position of a listener.

Inhibiting unauthorised contactless reading of a contactless readable object

A jamming device for inhibiting unauthorized contactless reading of a contactless readable object is disclosed. In one embodiment, the jamming device includes: an antenna for receiving an interrogation signal from a reader device; a touch sensitive interface; and a circuit electrically connected to the antenna and the touch sensitive interface, wherein the circuit is configured to: operate in a first mode to generate and emit a jamming signal, via the antenna, in response to receiving the interrogation signal while the touch sensitive interface fails to indicate a touch event; and operate in a second mode while the touch sensitive interface indicates a touch event, wherein the jamming signal is not emitted via the antenna in response to receiving the interrogation signal while operating in the second mode. A card carrying object, system and method is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for beamforming
09590744 · 2017-03-07 · ·

An example method of tactical communication is provided. The method includes receiving information indicating a tactical situation associated with a target area. The tactical situation is one of a missile in-flight, an eavesdropper, a signal jammer, and a transceiver located in a zone of interest. The method further includes performing a beamforming process including instructing transmission of a plurality of signaling beams from one or more transmitters toward the target area. The tactical situation may be associated with a foe and the plurality of signaling beams generate interference inhibiting communication with by the foe. The tactical situation may be associated with a friend and the plurality of signaling beams generate decodable signal for enhancing communication with the friend.

Biometrics-Based Dynamic Sound Masking
20170061950 · 2017-03-02 · ·

Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprises: a speaker configured to provide a masking sound to an individual; a biometric sensor configured to collect biometric data from the individual; and a controller configured to modify the masking sound based on the biometric data.

Directional high-energy radio frequency weapon

Systems, methods and apparatus are described for a HERF weapon that may emit high-energy radio waves at a target based on locational information and a frequency associated with the target. The HERF weapon may receive the frequency and locational information from a sensing system. The HERF weapon may emit a high energy pulse toward the target and on the frequency associated with the target to disable or destroy the target without affecting nearby devices. The HERF weapon may allow the user to avoid detection by using a frequency that corresponds to the target's operating frequency.

Electromagnetic spectrum management system

A system for transmitting a wireless countermeasure signal to disrupt third party communications is disclosed that include an antenna configured to receive wireless signals and transmit wireless counter measure signals such that the wireless countermeasure signals are responsive to the received wireless signals. A receiver processes the received wireless signals to create processed received signal data while a spectrum control module subtracts known source signal data from the processed received signal data to generate unknown source signal data. The unknown source signal data is based on unknown wireless signals, such as enemy signals. A transmitter is configured to process the unknown source signal data to create countermeasure signals and transmit a wireless countermeasure signal over the first antenna or a second antenna to thereby interfere with the unknown wireless signals.