WO2019009880A1

WO2019009880A1 - Electronically operated shutter to secure an input device

Info

Publication number: WO2019009880A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/040586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chung-Hua KU; Chi-Hao Chang; Kuan-Ting Wu
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 2017-07-03
Filing date: 2017-07-03
Publication date: 2019-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-03

Abstract

An electronic device including an input device is provided. The electronic device has an opening in a case of the electronic device over the input device. A shutter is disposed within the case to close the opening in the case, wherein the shutter is electronically operated.

Description

ELECTRONICALLY OPERATED SHUTTER TO SECURE AN INPUT DEVICE

BACKGROUND

[0001] Cameras and microphones on smartphones and laptops can be on without a user knowing. Applications may show when the microphone and camera are active, but displays of the states of the camera and microphone may be bypassed. Further, in the case the microphone, many systems do not have a status LED to display if the microphone is listening or not, so there is no way for the user to know if they are being recorded. Although system-level applications may exist that may purport to disable the microphone, camera, or both, malware programs may be used to bypass these applications and place the camera or microphone back in service.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Certain examples are described in the following detailed description and in reference to the drawings, in which:

[0003] Fig. 1 is a drawing of an example of an input device obtaining input through an opening in a front cover of an electronic device;

[0004] Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) are schematic drawings of an example of an electronic device with a shutter between an opening in a case of the electronic device and the input device;

[0005] Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) are schematic drawings of an example of an electronic device with a shutter between an opening in a case of the electronic device and the input device;

[0006] Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) are schematic drawings of an example of an electronic device with a shutter between an opening in a case of the electronic device and an input device;

[0007] Fig. 5 is a process flow diagram of an example of a method for securing an input device by blocking an opening over the input device using an electronically operated shutter;

[0008] Fig. 6 is a simplified process flow diagram of an example of a method for electronically moving a shutter over an opening in the case of an electronic device; and [0009] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an example of components that may be present in a computing system that includes an electronically operated shutter to block an opening in a case above an input device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Examples described herein provide electronic devices that have input devices that are integrated into the electronic devices, such as microphones and cameras. The electronic devices may include personal computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, all-in-one computers, or smart phones, among others. An opening in a case of an electronic device over an input device may be sealed by a shutter that is electronically operated to prevent the input device from receiving input. The shutter may be located inside the case between the opening in the case and the input device.

[0011] The shutter may be moved between positions by a variety of systems, including shape memory alloy actuators, solenoid actuators, latching solenoid actuators, or artificial muscle actuators, among others. Further, the shutter may be visible to a user, allowing the user to confirm that the input device is blocked from receiving input. The shutter may have a reflective or colored surface, so that when it is moved to a closed position, it may be visible. This may provide a positive feedback that the integrated input device is blocked from receiving input.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a drawing of an example of an input device 102 obtaining input 104 through an opening 1 06 in a case 108 of an electronic device. The input device 102, such as a microphone or camera, among others, may be directly mounted on a printed circuit board 1 1 0 in the electronic device. A boot 1 12, for example, made of a sound absorbing material for a microphone or light absorbing material for a camera, may be mounted around the input device 102 to lower interference from other sources.

[0013] As described herein, the input device 102 may be activated without the user's knowledge, for example, by a malware program installed on the electronic device. Further, the input device 102 may remain active when the user has specifically attempted to deactivate the input device 102, such as by pressing a mute button.

[0014] Figs. 2(A) and 2(B) are schematic drawings of an example of an electronic device 200 with a shutter 202 between an opening 106 in a case 108 of the electronic device 200 and the input device 102. Like numbered items are as described with respect to Fig. 1 . In this example, the shutter 202 may be attached to a shape-memory alloy actuator (SMAA) 204.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2(A), SMAA 204 is mounted inside the case 108 in a position to slide the shutter 202 between the input device 1 02 and the opening 106 in the case 108. The SMAA 204 may be activated by heater that is incorporated into the SMAA 204, and is coupled to a power supply 208. In this example, the power supply 208 is off, allowing the SMAA 204 to retract to, or remain in, an initial position in which the shutter 202 does not block the opening 106.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2(B), when the power supply 208 is energized, the SMAA 204 may be heated, which causes it to extend to an open position. In the open position, the shutter 202 may block the opening 106, preventing the input device 1 02 from detecting the input.

[0017] To increase the efficiency of the shutter 202, it may include a blocking region 206. The blocking region 206 may be made from a sound deadening material, for example, if the input device 1 02 is a microphone. Similarly, the blocking region 206 may include dark opaque material if the input device 1 02 is a camera. In either case, the blocking region 206 may have a brightly colored or reflective top surface 208. This may allow the blocking region 206 to be visible through the opening 106 in the case 108.

[0018] Other types of actuators may be used to move the shutter 202. Examples are discussed with respect to Figs. 3 and 4.

[0019] Figs. 3(A) and 3(B) are schematic drawings of an example of an electronic device 300 with a shutter 302 between an opening 106 in a case 108 of the electronic device 300 and the input device 102. Like numbered items are as described with respect to Figs. 1 and 2. In this example, the shutter 302 is actuated by a solenoid 304. The solenoid 304 is coupled to a power supply 306. A spring 308 may be used to pull the shutter 302 to a different position when the solenoid 304 is deactivated. The spring 308 may be a very small, standard spring, or may be any number of other devices, such as an elastomeric material that stretches under force.

[0020] As the shutter 302 may extend across the top surface of the boot 1 12 over the input device 102, a hole 310 in the shutter 302 may be configured to align with the opening 1 06 to allow input 104 to reach the input device 102. In the example shown in Fig. 3(A), the power supply 306 is on, energizing the solenoid 304 which pulls the hole 310 in the shutter 302 into alignment with the opening 106 to allow input 1 04 to reach the input device 102. During the time that the solenoid 304 is energized, the spring 308 is extended.

[0021] In the example shown in Fig. 3(B), the power supply 306 is off.

Accordingly, the solenoid 304 is no longer exerting a force on the shutter 302, and the spring 308 retracts. As the spring 308 retracts, the shutter 302 is moved to a different position, and the hole 310 is pulled out of alignment with the opening 106, blocking input 104 from reaching the input device 102.

[0022] In the examples described with respect to Figs. 2 and 3, the actuator is a single-sided device that holds a shutter 202 or 302 in position at the opening 106, either closed or open, when power is applied from the power supply 208 or 306. When power is removed, the shutter 202 or 302 may return to an initial, or unpowered, position. Other systems may be used to move a shutter only while power is applied, leaving the shutter in position when power is removed, for example as described with respect to Figs. 4(A) and 4(B).

[0023] The solenoid 304 may be replaced with other kinds of actuators, such as artificial muscles. For example, an artificial muscle may include a cord made of twisted nylon monofilament that includes a heating element, such as a nichrome wire that is twisted with, or around, the nylon monofilament cord. In some examples, the nichrome wire may be made from an 80/20 combination of nickel and chromium. However, any number of other heating elements may be used. When power is applied to the artificial muscle from the power supply 306, the heating element increases in temperature. As the temperature increases, the artificial muscle may retract, which may pull the hole 310 in the shutter 302 into alignment with the opening. When the power is removed, and the artificial muscle cools, it may expand, allowing the spring to pull the hole 310 in the shutter 302 out of alignment with the opening 106.

[0024] In any of these examples, the configuration of the spring 308 and actuator may be changed to open or close the opening when power is applied. Accordingly, there may a default state of open or closed when no power is applied to the device.

[0025] Figs. 4(A) and 4(B) are schematic drawings of an example of an electronic device 400 with a shutter 402 between an opening 106 in a case 108 of the electronic device 400 and an input device 102. Like numbered items are as described with respect to Fig. 1 . In this example, the shutter 402 is moved by a latching solenoid 404. The latching solenoid 404 is only in motion when power is applied from the power supply 406.

[0026] Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 4(A), a first application of power from the power supply 406 to the latching solenoid 404 may position the shutter 402 with a hole 408 aligned with the opening 106 in the case 108, allowing input 104 to reach the input device 102. When power is removed from the latching solenoid 404, the shutter may remain in position with the hole 408 aligned with the opening 106.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 4(B), another application of power from the power supply 406 will cause the latching solenoid 404 to move to a second position. In this position, the hole 408 in the shutter 402 may not align with the opening 106 in the case 108, blocking input 104 from reaching the input device 1 02. Each application of power from the power supply 406 will trigger the latching solenoid to move back and forth between positions.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a process flow diagram of an example of a method 500 for securing an input device by blocking an opening over the input device using an electronically operated shutter. The method may begin at block 502, when an input on a shutter status is obtained, for example, from a user. The input may direct the electronic device to open the shutter and allow input, or close the shutter to block input.

[0029] At block 504, the system may determine the current status of the shutter. This may be performed, for example, by operating the input device to see if it is detecting any input, such as a camera detecting light or a microphone detecting sound. The system may not need to determine the status of the shutter, such as when shutters are actuated by continuously power devices. In these systems, if power is not applied to the actuator the shutter will be in a starting or initial position. The determination of the status of the shutter may be used to provide warnings or other alerts to a user, for example, letting the user know that the shutter is closed when the user attempts to access that input device.

[0030] At block 506, an actuator may be energized to move the shutter. For shutters that return to an initial position in an unpowered state, the actuation may be used to hold the shutter in a new position. The shutter may have either a default open position or a default closed position, depending on the design. For shutters that may stay in either position when power is removed, such as those actuated by latching solenoids, each actuation may move the shutter between positions. [0031] At block 508, the system may change a display to show the status of the shutter. For example, an application may have input blocks for a microphone, camera, or other devices, wherein an input block shows as green when the opening allows input and red when the opening is closed. Tapping an input block may switch the status.

[0032] Not every block shown in the method 500 may be used. In some examples, such as when an actuator the returns to a base position when the powered is used, fewer blocks may be desired.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a simplified process flow diagram of an example of a method 600 for electronically moving a shutter over an opening in the case of an electronic device. Like numbered items are as described with respect to Fig. 5. In this example, at block 502, a device may obtain input from a user to change a shutter status, and at block 506, the device may energize an actuator to move the shutter.

[0034] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an example of components that may be present in an electronic device 700 that uses a shutter to block an opening to an input device. The computing device 700 may be a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone, or any number of other devices. The computing device 700 may include a processor 702, which may be a microprocessor, a single core processor, a multi-core processor, a multithreaded processor, an ultra-low voltage processor, an embedded processor, or any other type of processors. The processor 702 may be a part of a system-on-a-chip in which the processor 702 and other components are formed into a single integrated circuit or on a single circuit board.

[0035] The input device may include microphones, cameras, or any combinations thereof. Other input devices may be included as well, such as fingerprint readers, and the like.

[0036] The processor 702 may communicate with a system memory 704 over a bus 706. Any number of memory devices may be used to provide for a given amount of system memory, including random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic RAM, and the like.

[0037] A mass storage 708 may also be coupled to the processor 702 via the bus 706. The mass storage 708 may be included to provide for persistent storage of information and data. The mass storage 708 may be implemented via a solid-state drive (SSD). Other devices that may be used for the mass storage 708 include read only memory (ROM), flash memory, micro hard drives, hard drives, and the like. [0038] The components may communicate over the bus 706. The bus 706 may include any number of technologies, including industry standard architecture (ISA), extended ISA (EISA), peripheral component interconnect (PCI), peripheral component interconnect extended (PCIx), PCI express (PCIe), or any number of other technologies. The bus 706 may be a proprietary bus, for example, used in a SoC based system, such as in a smart phone, tablet computer, and the like. Other bus systems may be included, such as point-to-point interfaces and a power bus, among others.

[0039] The bus 706 may couple the processor 702 to a transceiver 71 0, for communications with a cloud 712, such as a local network, a wide area network or the Internet. The transceiver 710 may use any number of frequencies and protocols, such as 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) transmissions under the IEEE 802.1 5.4 standard, using the Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) standard, as defined by the Bluetooth® Special Interest Group. The transceiver 71 0 may include a WLAN unit that may be used to implement Wi-Fi™ communications in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 1 standard. In addition, wireless wide area communications, for example, according to a cellular or other wireless wide area protocol, can occur via a WWAN unit.

[0040] A network interface controller (NIC) 714 may be included to provide a wired communication link to a network 712. The wired communication link may provide an Ethernet protocol connection, or may provide a wired communication link that is based on other types of network and interface protocols.

[0041] A battery 71 6 may power the computing device 700, although the computing device 700 may use a power supply that is directly coupled to an electric power grid. The battery 716 may be a lithium ion battery, a metal-air battery, or nickel cadmium battery, among others. A battery monitor / charger 718 may be included in the computing device 700 to charge the battery 716, monitor the charging of the battery 716, and monitor the status of the charge on the battery 716.

[0042] A power block 720 may be coupled with the battery monitor / charger 718 to charge the battery 716. In some examples, the power block 720 may be replaced with a wireless power receiver to provide the power wirelessly, for example, through a loop antenna in the computing device 700.

[0043] The bus 706 may couple the processor 702 to a display device 722. The display device 722 may be built into the computing device 700, such as an integrated display in a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone. In other examples, the display device 722 may be an external device coupled to the computing device 700 through an interface.

[0044] An input device 724 may be coupled to the processor 702 through the bus 706. The input device 724 may be a touchscreen panel associated with the display device 722, a keyboard built into the computing device 700, a touchpad built into the computing device 700, an external pointing device, such as a keyboard or a mouse connected to the computing device 700, or any combinations thereof.

[0045] A camera interface 726 may be coupled to the processor 702 through the bus 706. The camera interface 726 may couple to a camera 728 that obtains input through a hole 730 in a case, as described herein. A shutter activator 732 may be coupled to the processor 702 through the bus 706. The shutter activator 732 may move a shutter 734 into a position that blocks the camera 728 from obtaining input through the hole 730.

[0046] A microphone interface 734 may be coupled to the processor 702 through the bus 706. The microphone interface 734 may couple to a microphone 736 that obtains input through a hole 738 in a case, as described herein. A shutter activator 740 may be coupled to the processor 702 through the bus 706. The shutter activator 740 may move a shutter 742 into a position that blocks the microphone 736 from obtaining input through the hole 738.

[0047] The mass storage 708 may include code modules to implement functionality. A booting module 744 may include start up code to boot the processor 702. An operating system 746 may be included to provide an interface between the user and the computing device 700, and to provide basic operations within the computing device 700.

[0048] A graphical user interface (GUI) 748 may be used to obtain a user input to open or close a shutter over an input device. The GUI 748 may also display the status of the input device shutters. The status may be based on the last change made to the input device, the energization of a shutter actuator, or a measurement of input detected from an input device, among others.

[0049] An actuator activator 750 may be used to energize shutter actuators 732 and 734. The actuator activator 750 may be used with the GUI 748 to determine the status of a shutter, for example, providing information on the energization of a shutter actuator. [0050] While the present techniques may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, the examples discussed above have been shown only by way of example. It is to be understood that the technique is not intended to be limited to the particular examples disclosed herein. Indeed, the present techniques include all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents falling within the scope of the present techniques.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . An electronic device, comprising:

an input device for the electronic device

an opening in a case of the electronic device over the input device; and a shutter disposed within the case to close the opening in the case, wherein the shutter is electronically operated.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or an all-in-one computer.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises a microphone or a camera, or both.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising a shape memory alloy actuator to move the shutter.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising:

a solenoid attached to one side of the shutter; and

a spring attached to an opposite side of the shutter, wherein the solenoid moves the shutter to a new position when energized, and wherein the spring returns the shutter to an original position when the solenoid is de-energized.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising a latching solenoid attached to a side of the shutter, wherein when the latching solenoid is actuated it moves the shutter to a new position, and when the latching solenoid is actuated a second time it returns the shutter to an original position.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising:

an artificial muscle attached to one side of the shutter; and a spring attached to an opposite side of the shutter, wherein the artificial muscle moves the shutter to a new position when energized, and wherein the spring returns the shutter to an original position when the artificial muscle is de-energized.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising activation circuitry to power an actuator to move the shutter under control of a processor.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 , comprising a user interface to accept an input from a user to move the shutter.

10. An electronically operated shutter, comprising:

a panel disposed between an opening in an outer case of an electronic device and an input device to accept input for the electronic device; and an actuator to move the panel to close the opening.

1 1 . The electronically operated shutter of claim 10, wherein the panel comprises a sound deadening portion that is positioned between the opening and the input device when the panel has closed the opening.

12. The electronically operated shutter of claim 10, wherein the panel comprises a reflective surface configured to be visible when they panel has closed the opening.

13. The electronically operated shutter of claim 10, wherein the actuator comprises a shape memory alloy, a solenoid, a bidirectional solenoid, or an artificial muscle, or any combinations thereof.

14. A method for blocking an input device on an electronic device, comprising:

obtaining input to change a status of a shutter; and

energizing an actuator to move the shutter.

15. The method of claim 14, comprising:

determining the status of the shutter using the input device changing a display to show the status of the shutter.