Software initiated camera and microphone indicator
US12182319B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 3, 2021 |
| Grant date | Dec 31, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 3, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2141
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments described herein provide a software-based privacy indicator for a camera and microphone that focuses not purely on hardware status (e.g., on or off), but on whether potentially private data is flowing to the system or an application. If based purely on hardware status, the indicator for an electronic device may be shown in scenarios where no data actually flows to the system or applications. The privacy indicator will be enabled if any camera or microphone data is relayed to the operating system or an application that is executed via the operating system. When the device uses the microphone and camera to capture environmental metadata about the surroundings of the device without providing any audio samples, images, or video frames to the system or an application, the privacy indicator will not be enabled.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.