Linear Voltage Regulator Noise Signal Generation for Microphone Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound receiving devices, such as smartphones and computers, face privacy issues due to microphone privacy problems that are inadequately addressed by either hardware or software solutions, with hardware modifications being cumbersome and software solutions being vulnerable to hacking, and simply reducing microphone volume can confuse users about the device's usage state.
Innovation Solution
A sound receiving device comprising a power supply end, a linear voltage regulator module, a microphone, a digital modulation module, and a current limiting resistor, which generates a noise signal by stopping the normal current supply to the digital modulation module, allowing it to output a noise signal when an insufficient current is provided, thereby protecting privacy without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a switch unit or extra sound module is added to replace microphone output, then privacy protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linear voltage regulator module automatically generates noise signals when it receives the control signal, eliminating the need for external switch units or additional sound modules. The regulator module serves dual functions: normal power regulation and noise signal generation, achieving privacy protection without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The linear voltage regulator module is designed to perform multiple functions: it normally regulates power to the digital modulation module, but when receiving a control signal, it transforms into a noise signal generator. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require separate hardware components
2Reliability
If microphone volume is turned down to minimum or mute, then privacy protection is improved, but user confusion increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of silently reducing volume, the system changes the acoustic output characteristics by generating audible noise signals. This visible (audible) change clearly indicates to users that the microphone is in a protected state, eliminating confusion about the device's usage state while maintaining privacy protection
3Device complexity
If software solutions are used to address microphone privacy, then device complexity is reduced, but security reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based privacy protection with a hardware-based solution using the linear voltage regulator module's electrical characteristics to generate noise signals. This hardware-level implementation is inherently more secure against hacking attempts while maintaining simplicity in the overall system architecture
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device effectively generates a noise signal to protect privacy without requiring extra hardware switches and ensures that the noise signal cannot be restored to the original digital audio signal, thus maintaining user privacy.
Implementation Method 1
The linear voltage regulator module is electrically connected to the power supply end, and is used for receiving the power signal for converting into a first current signal
Implementation Method 2
The current limiting resistor is electrically connected to the power supply end and connected in parallel to the linear voltage regulator module, wherein after the linear voltage regulator module receives a control signal, the first current signal is stopped, and the power signal of the power supply end is transmitted through the current limiting resistor to generate a second current signal
Data Source
AI summary
A sound receiving device and a noise signal generating method thereof are disclosed. A linear voltage regulator module of the sound receiving device receives a power signal for converting into a first current signal. A microphone is used to receive an external audio signal. A digital modulation module receives the first current signal so as to process the external audio signal to become a digital audio signal. After the linear voltage regulator module receives a control signal, the first current signal is stopped, and the power signal is transmitted through a current limiting resistor to generate a second current signal to the digital modulation module, so that the digital modulation module generates and output a noise signal, wherein an amperage of the second current signal is less than an amperage of the first current signal and is not enough to normally drive the digital modulation module.