GB2582258A

GB2582258A - Portable device isolation system, device and method

Info

Publication number: GB2582258A
Application number: GB1902563.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harer Felicity
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2019-02-26
Filing date: 2019-02-26
Publication date: 2020-09-23
Also published as: GB201902563D0

Abstract

An isolation system 400 for portable devices comprises an isolation region 414 for receiving a portable device 402 (e.g. a mobile phone) and anisolation means 412 associated with the isolation region, the isolation means configured to obscure data or information collectable by one or more sensor components of the device (e.g. a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer etc.). The isolation means may produce a sound effect (e.g. white noise) so as to prevent the device from being able to eavesdrop on a conversation between occupants of a vehicle. The isolation means may produce a light to over-expose a camera sensor of the device. The invention prevents any potential surveillance by a compromised or hacked device while still preserving the usability of other features of the device. For example, the device is still able to receive an incoming call and the user is still able to hear the device ringing. The isolation system may be incorporated into the glove box of a vehicle.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1902563.4 RTM Date:28 June 2019 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth Wi-Fi Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo PORTABLE DEVICE ISOLATION SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to portable device isolation systems, methods and devices for vehicles. Aspects of the invention relate to a portable device isolation system, an isolation device for the system, a vehicle comprising the system, and a method of isolating a portable device.

BACKGROUND

Portable user devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptop computers and wearable electronic and telecommunications-enabled devices are known to the art. These devices commonly have various receptor, sensor and telecommunications components built-in to enable or enhance their functions. As part of their function, such components can (passively) receive signals from and collect data on or related to features of their surroundings or environment. For example, many such devices will include a microphone, to enable voice-calling, sound recording, and other such applications. The microphone receives sound waves produced by sound sources in the vicinity of the device. Other such components are camera sensors, accelerometers, and antennas (which, alongside their main function can also interact with electromagnetic fields in their vicinity, and receive/collect information propagated by electromagnetic radiation, such as radio frequency signals).

Since such portable user devices have become more ubiquitous and more powerful, they have also become targets for hacking and otherwise compromising activities. Once compromised, the receptor and sensor components of such a device can be used to collect information or data via the device, without the user being aware.

Vehicles, such as automobiles, are a possible venue for such activity, as portable user devices are typically brought into a vehicle's cabin with the user, and could then be used (if compromised) to collect data from the cabin environment. For example, a compromised smartphone could have its microphone activated, which could then be used to eavesdrop on a conversation being held between occupants of the vehicle.

One solution would be to turn off the portable user device whenever a user is concerned about (confidential) information present in the environment of the device. For example, a user could power-off the device whenever in the vehicle, or before having a conversation in the vehicle.

However, powering-off the device renders all features of the device inactive, and therefore not even the normal basic functions, such as telephone calls, can be used because of the possibility of other features (microphones, cameras and the like) being compromised.

It is an aim of the present invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a portable device isolation system, an isolation device for the system, a vehicle comprising the system, and a method of isolating a portable device as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable device isolation system, the system comprising: an isolation region for receiving a portable device comprising one or more receptor components (422, 424, 426, 428) operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment; and an isolation means associated with the isolation region, the isolation means configured to obscure data collectable from the environment by the one or more receptor components.

This system allows for any potential surveillance or interception by a compromised portable (user) device to be obstructed, defeated or obfuscated while still preserving the usability of other features of the device, such as telephony. For example, a portable device will still be able to receive an incoming call, and the user will nevertheless be able to hear the device ringing, while the isolation system is being used.

This is because the isolation system does not seek to de-activate components of the device, or indeed to turn-off the device entirely, rather to allow these components to work receiving, sensing or collecting data in the usual manner, but to obscure any feature, quality, attribute or characteristic of the environment (ambient sound, visual features observable by a camera sensor, movement of the vehicle) on which the components may be able to receive and/or collect data. The components will thus operate as normal receiving signals or gathering information, but with the aspect of the environment itself (on which the information is collected) being obscured by the isolation means (for example by producing an artificial environmental effect), the information received will be useless to a third party.

The isolation system may be used for an anti-surveillance capability of the system, or for a vehicle containing the system. The isolation system may be operable when or in case the portable device has been compromised or hacked. The isolation means may be configurable to obfuscate, confuse or obstruct data collection from the environment of the portable device, thereby defeating attempted surveillance, snooping, monitoring, spoofing or interception via the portable device. The collection of data obscured may be gathering of data or information, generation of data based on information or data from the environment, or interaction with (a feature of) the environment of the portable device.

The isolation means may obscure the data collection by obscuring a feature, quality, attribute or characteristic of the environment. The isolation may comprise means for producing an artificial environmental effect for the isolation region, the environmental effect obscuring a feature of the environment on which data is collectable by the one or more receptor components of the portable device.

Optionally, the one or more receptor components comprise a sensor operable to collect sensor data from the environment, and the isolation means is configured to stimulate the sensor. The isolation means may be configured to stimulate the sensor to a level greater than that receivable from the environment, or to a level greater than that of any data collectable from the environment. The isolations means may be configured to saturate the sensor.

In embodiments, the isolation means is configured to produce obscuration localised to the portable device.

Optionally, the isolation means comprises an audio output means. The audio output means may be configured to produce a sound effect for obscuring audible sound within the environment. The sound effect may be any one of a white noise effect, a pink noise effect, a Brownian noise effect, a grey noise effect, a violet noise effect or a blue noise effect. The audio output means may be configured to produce the sound effect at a predetermined loudness, the predetermined loudness corresponding to a loudness of speech at the isolation region.

Optionally, the isolation region comprises an isolation enclosure, container, vessel or compartment.

In some embodiments, the portable device is one or more of: a mobile phone; an e-reader; a smartphone; a wearable electronic user device; a tablet; and a laptop computer.

Optionally, the portable device comprises a communications means, the isolation system being permeable to a communications channel for the communications means. The communications channel may be a communications medium, or transmission channel or medium, or carrier medium or signal.

This allows a communications feature of the portable device to be useable, even though the isolation system is obscuring (features of) the environment, or data collectable from the environment. For example, a telecommunications capability of the portable device may be useable, so that a call can be connected to the device while the isolation means produces the obscuring effect.

In embodiments, the isolation system may be permeable to acoustic waves, so that an incoming call alert or tone can be heard, whilst the obscuration occurs. This may allow the obscuration of acoustic waves receivable by the portable device (for example, by a microphone) by the isolation means, whilst still allowing the call alert to be heard.

Optionally, the communications channel comprises a wireless communications channel. In an embodiment, the communications channel comprises a cellular communications channel. Optionally, the communications channel comprises a data connection to a vehicle infotainment system. Optionally, the data connection comprises any one of a Bluetooth connection, a radio frequency (RF) connection, and a wired connection.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an isolation device for a system according to any of the above described aspects and embodiments.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a system according to any of the above described aspects and embodiments.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an isolation enclosure for a vehicle, comprising an isolation device according to the above described aspects and embodiments.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of isolating a portable device, wherein the portable device and comprises one or more receptor components operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment, the method comprising: positioning the portable user device in an isolation region; and obscuring, by an isolation means associated with the isolation region, data collectable by the one or more receptor components.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a user device anti-surveillance system for a vehicle, wherein the user device is portable and comprises one or more receptor components operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment, the system comprising: an anti-surveillance region for the vehicle, for receiving the portable user device; and an anti-surveillance device disposed within the anti-surveillance region, the anti-surveillance device comprising means for producing an artificial environmental effect for the anti-surveillance region, the environmental effect obscuring a feature of the environment on which data is collectable by the one or more receptor components of the portable user device.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of preventing surveillance by a user device in a vehicle, wherein the user device is portable and comprises one or more receptor components operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment, the method comprising: positioning the portable user device in an anti-surveillance region for the vehicle; and producing, by an anti-surveillance device disposed within the anti-surveillance region, an artificial environmental effect for the anti-surveillance region, the environmental effect obscuring a feature of the environment on which data is collectable by the one or more receptor components of the portable user device.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a portable device isolation system, wherein the portable device comprises one or more receptor components operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment, the system comprising: an isolation region for receiving the portable device; and an isolation means associated with the isolation region, the isolation means configured to obscure data collectable from the environment by the one or more receptor components, the isolation means comprising: an electronic processor having an electrical input for receiving signals indicative of said data collectable from the environment; and an electronic memory device electrically coupled to the electronic processor and having instructions stored therein, the processor being configured to access the memory device and execute the instructions stored therein such that it is operable to generate a signal to prompt the isolation means to obscure the collectable data.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle comprising a portable device isolation system according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a method according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating components of a portable device isolation system according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention enable the prevention of surveillance by compromised portable devices in vehicles, by obscuring or distorting features of the environment of the device (and/or features of the ambient environment of the cabin of the vehicle), so that any data or information received or collected by compromised components of the portable device will be insufficient or useless.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle 100 having a portable device isolation system according to an embodiment of the invention. User device isolation systems of embodiments of the invention are applicable to vehicles of any sort, but in particular examples herein relate to land vehicles, such as automobiles. One such vehicle, a car 100, is illustrated in Figure 1. In general, the isolation measures provided by isolation devices and means of the invention are applied inside the cabin of the vehicle, as this is the location where the portable device is likely to be located. The effective region of the isolation device will usually be localised, as the effect produced may in some cases be distracting for occupants of the vehicle. In some embodiments described below, the localisation is in part provided by the isolation device being placed inside an isolation enclosure within the vehicle cabin. However, in other embodiments, it may be that the effect produced itself is made to be limited or localised -these embodiments are described later.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 100 is shown with four possible locations for an isolation enclosure 110, 112, 114 or 116. The first location 110 is made part of or incorporated into the glove box of the vehicle 100. The isolation device (see description of Figure 4 below), may simply be located inside the glove box, so that the glove box acts as the isolation enclosure.

The second example location is an enclosure 112 on the driver's side of the vehicle 100.

Advantageously, the driver can easily and quickly insert a device into the enclosure 112 whilst seated in the driver's seat. The enclosure in this or other embodiments may be an enclosure already sited in the vehicle (such as a glove box) into which an isolation means is installed, or a feature already present which may be converted into an enclosure, such as a tray or shelf on the driver's side as in this example, for example by converting a shelf into a partial or sealed enclosure. The enclosure may also be a complete unit, comprising the enclosure and the isolation device, which is able to be retro-fitted into a vehicle.

Other examples shown here are isolation regions 114 and 116, which may be fixtures or enclosures inserted into or incorporated into rear passenger areas, such as armrests and the like.

It is notable here that the device may be any sort of portable user device which has features which would allow it to gather information on aspects of its environment, but which is also vulnerable to that information being intercepted, or the device being compromised or hacked. For example, the device may be a portable device with telecommunications capability, such as a mobile phone. Such devices may be interceptable or hackable via this telecommunications capability. However, devices without such a telecommunications capability may also be compromised. For example, a digital voice recorder, whose only capability may be essentially a microphone and a recording means, may simply be stolen or modified and replaced, in order to obtain the recording of (for example) a conversation inside the vehicle.

The portable user devices in question will have one or more receptor or sensor components which in normal use allow the device to perform its normal functions, and provide additional capabilities to a main function of the device, but which if compromised could collect data or information from the surroundings of the device. For example, a smartphone may have a microphone, a camera, an accelerometer, and an antenna, amongst other components. Each of these is able to receive signals or information from its environment. The microphone receives and converts acoustic or sound waves propagated through the air in its environment. The sound recordable by the device could be for example a confidential conversation between passengers.

The camera sensor is stimulated by electromagnetic radiation, usually in the form of visible light, which may be present in its environment. The information received in the form of images on the camera sensor may be used to capture images of an item in the interior of the vehicle, such as a confidential document. The accelerometer receives as its input movement of its environment (assuming the movement of the environment also produces movement of the device), and thus can collect information on the movement, acceleration and orientation of the vehicle. This information if intercepted could be used to track the vehicle. The antenna can receive radio frequency signals (electromagnetic radiation) from its environment, for example to intercept local area networks such as wireless networks. These could be used if compromised to receive information from those networks, which may themselves be linked to other devices. The antenna may in any case also be able to provide a telecommunications capability for the portable device, via a telecommunications channel (for example, via radio frequency signals which can be propagated through and in/out of the isolation region. The antenna may also allow communication with an infotainment system 122 of the vehicle 100.

It may be noted here that the isolation region or enclosure may if necessary include a plurality of isolation devices, each addressed to producing different artificial environmental effects to obscure the otherwise collectable information available to the different types of receptors or sensors on the portable device.

Referring to Figure 2, an embodiment of use of the portable device isolation system can proceed as follows. The portable user device is brought inside the cabin of the vehicle, for example a mobile phone or smartphone may be brought in with a driver or passenger. In order to maintain confidential something inside the cabin (such as a conversation between passengers), the device is placed 200 in the isolation region of the vehicle, such as a glove box equipped with an isolation device according to an embodiment.

The isolation device then produces 204 the artificial environmental effect for the isolation region, which obscures the feature of the environment which the user wishes to keep confidential. For example, the user may wish to prevent potential eavesdropping of a conversation inside the vehicle; the microphone of the portable device is the component which may be able to collect that sound data. In an embodiment of the invention, the isolation device is an audio output means, for example a speaker, which produces a sound effect to obscure any sound inside the vehicle which may be audible by the microphone of the portable device. In this embodiment, the sound effect is to emit white noise from the speaker. This white noise is received by the microphone of the portable device, and therefore obscures any other sounds which might otherwise be receivable.

The speaker must of course produce a sufficient volume of white noise in order to be sufficiently loud to cover or drown out the maximum volume of the audible sound inside the vehicle. In embodiments, the speaker and its associated sound generative device are configured to produce the sound effect at a predetermined volume level, this level having been determined to be sufficiently high for this purpose. This level may be determined for example by calibrating the speaker inside the enclosure, with a microphone of a similar sort to that of a portable device, and a sound source inside the vehicle cabin mimicking that of a maximum conversational volume.

In this way, the artificial effect produced by the isolation device renders useless to a third party 206 any data which is collected on the portable device, as it is obscured by the artificial effect.

An extension of this embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 3. As before, the phone is placed in the isolation area, here a storage area 302, containing the isolation device, here a speaker for producing white noise. The secure storage area is then activated 304. In embodiments, it may be able to maintain the isolation device 'on' at all times, or for example for all times when the vehicle is in the key-on state; for example a very low power speaker may be able to achieve this. In other embodiments such as that in Figure 3, the device is positively activated. This activation may be undertaken by pressing a button or activating a relevant function from the car's user interface or infotainment system 122.

It is notable here that the car's infotainment system and speakers will generally be inappropriate for use in providing the artificial effect (e.g. white noise) itself, usually because the speakers will not be located in the isolation enclosure. It may also be that in some circumstances a car's infotainment system itself may be compromised by a third party, and therefore the white noise intended to be produced by the isolation speaker could be modified or removed by the third party.

In other embodiments, the activation of the secure enclosure's isolation feature(s) may simply be done by closing a door of the enclosure, which will prompt the activation.

One of the advantages of embodiments of the invention is that the other functions of the portable device will still be available for use in spite of the isolation device effect. This is because the effect is aimed at obscuring the feature of the environment (such as sound within the vehicle) rather than interrupting or disabling the component for receiving the information or signals (such as the microphone). For example, a portable device will still be able to receive an incoming call, and the user will nevertheless be able to hear the device ringing, while the isolation system is being used. In this embodiment, the phone is called 306 while it is inside the secure area. The ring tone of the device is still audible by the user, because the white noise is (a) localised to the secure area and (b) not loud enough to obscure the ring tone, but only sufficiently loud to prevent the portable device's microphone from picking up the conversation clearly. The user can then answer the call by taking the phone out of the secure area.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating components of a portable device isolation system 400 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the isolation region is an enclosure into whose inner compartment 414 can be placed a portable device, here a smartphone 402. The enclosure can then be sealed by closing the door 410.

The isolation device, here a speaker 412, is disposed inside the enclosure. The speaker, as described above, produces a sound effect 430 in order to obscure the otherwise potentially audible sound which the microphone 428 of the smartphone would be able to pick up.

The smartphone also contains other common features, such as a camera 422, an accelerometer 424 and an antenna 426. The isolation region or area (such as an enclosure 410, 414 in embodiments may contain additional isolation devices addressed individually to these potential surveillance modes.

For example, the isolation device (or set of devices) may include a light source. This light source can be configured to produce sufficient light to over-expose the camera sensor 422 element, so that although the camera sensor is operational, the information it gathers is useless. For instance, if the isolation area is not completely enclosed, the camera sensor might otherwise be able to receive visible light reflected from an item inside the vehicle, which item could be a confidential document. The light source (sufficiently well directed, if the area is not enclosed) can therefore obscure the information receivable by the camera sensor (light from the document), rendering it useless.

In order to obscure information gathered by the accelerometer 424 the isolation device may include a device for mounting the portable device, which moves in contrast to the movement of the vehicle, for example a gyroscopic or otherwise movable cradle or platform. This will mean that the accelerometer will nevertheless be operational, but the information it collects will be obscured by the movement of the cradle, and therefore precise information on movement, acceleration and orientation of the vehicle will be obscured. In order to obscure information collectable by the antenna 426, the enclosure may for example include or be lined with material, creating a form of Faraday cage, which may selectively interfere with given higher bands of radio frequency, for example those used by Wi-Fi and other local area networks, and by GPS signals, whilst permitting the receipt or transmission of (lower frequency) mobile telecommunications signals.

In embodiments in which the isolation area is not an enclosure or enclosed, the isolation device may be required to be sufficiently localised, so as not to interfere with or disturb or distract the driver or passengers of the vehicle. In the example of the speaker used to obscure sound, this may be achieved by placing the microphone of the portable device in front of a highly directional speaker producing the white noise, so that the white noise is not otherwise audible in the cabin. In the example of using a light source, similarly the camera of the portable device can be placed in front of a directional light source to overexpose the camera element.

Many modifications may be made to the above examples without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A portable device isolation system, the system comprising: an isolation region for receiving a portable device comprising one or more receptor components operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment; and an isolation means associated with the isolation region, the isolation means configured to obscure data collectable from the environment by the one or more receptor components.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more receptor components comprise a sensor operable to collect sensor data from the environment, and wherein the isolation means is configured to stimulate the sensor.
3. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the isolation means is configured to produce obscuration localised to the portable device.
4. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the isolation means comprises an audio output means.
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the audio output means is configured to produce a sound effect for obscuring audible sound within the environment.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the sound effect is any one of a white noise effect, a pink noise effect, a Brownian noise effect, a grey noise effect, a violet noise effect or a blue noise effect.
7. A system according to claim 4, 5 or claim 6, wherein the audio output means is configured to produce the sound effect at a predetermined loudness, the predetermined loudness corresponding to a loudness of speech at the isolation region.
8. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the isolation region comprises an isolation enclosure.
9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable device is one or more of: a mobile phone; an e-reader; a smartphone; a wearable electronic user device; a tablet; and a laptop computer.
10. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the portable device comprises a communications means, the isolation system being permeable to a communications channel for the communications means.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the communications channel comprises a wireless communications channel.
12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the communications channel comprises a cellular communications channel.
13. A system according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the communications channel comprises a Bluetooth connection to a vehicle infotainment system.
14. An isolation device for a system according to any preceding claim.
15. A vehicle comprising a system according to any of the Claims 1 to 13.
16. An isolation enclosure for a vehicle, comprising an isolation device according to claim 14.
17. A method of isolating a portable device, wherein the portable device comprises one or more receptor components operable to collect data on one or more features of its environment; the method comprising: positioning the portable user device in an isolation region; and obscuring, by an isolation means associated with the isolation region, data collectable by the one or more receptor components.