The present disclosure relates to counter-surveillance. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to jamming voice recording or bugging devices. More specifically and still not exclusively, the present disclosure relates a method for preventing intelligible voice recordings.
Voice recording jammers or audio jammers otherwise known as audio blockers are devices that protect sensitive or confidential conversations in a room from being recorded by an analog or digital recording device such as covert listening devices, bugs, wires and the like. The generally accepted standard range of audible frequencies for humans is 20 Hz to 20 KHz, although the range of frequencies individuals hear is greatly influenced by environmental factors. Ultrasonic sound or ultrasound refers to anything above the frequencies of audible sound, and nominally includes anything over 20 KHz. Infrasound is sound that is lower in frequency than 20 Hz, beneath the limit of human hearing. Various audio jammers can generate frequencies that fall into the normal range, the ultrasonic range and/or the infrasound range.
Audio jammers can generate white noise to distort the voice recording or suppresses the operation of the recorders by radiating noise interference. Most conventional devices suppress audio recording by generating a noise or a speech-similar audible as the interlocutors speak which interferes with the recording of the interlocutors' voice.
Ultrasonic jammers create an inaudible powerful barrier to the microphones in voice recorders including smartphones preventing them from properly recording as the interference from the ultrasonic frequency turns the conversation into unintelligible noise.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for preventing an intelligible voice recording.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for preventing the intelligible recording of a voice, the method comprising: recording the voice of a subject for a given time interval thereby providing a voice recording; segmenting the voice recording into shorter time interval segments thereby providing a set of voice recording segments; mixing the order of the voice recording segments of the set in a randomly rearranged order; splicing the mixed set of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and emitting the randomly mixed voice recording when the subject speaks thereby preventing the intelligible recording of the subject's voice.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for preventing the intelligible recording of a conversation between at least two interlocutors, the method comprising: recording the voice of one of the at least two interlocutors for a given time interval thereby providing a first voice recording; recording the voice of the other of the at least two interlocutors for a given time interval thereby providing a second voice recording; segmenting each of the first and second voice recordings into respective shorter time interval segments thereby providing respective first and second sets of voice recording segments; mixing the first and second sets of voice recording segments together in a randomly rearranged order; splicing the mixed sets of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the conversation of the at least two interlocutors thereby preventing the intelligible recording of the conversation.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device for preventing the intelligible recording the intelligible recording of a voice, the device comprising: a microphone; a processor in operational communication with the microphone being configured for implementing the steps of: recording the voice of a subject via the microphone for a given time interval thereby providing a voice recording; segmenting the voice recording into shorter time interval segments thereby providing a set of voice recording segments; mixing the order of the voice recording segments of the set in a randomly rearranged order; and splicing the mixed set of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker in operational communication with the processor for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the subject's speaking prevents the intelligible recording of the subject's voice.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device for preventing the intelligible recording of a conversation between at least two interlocutors, the device comprising: a microphone; a processor in operational communication with the microphone being configured for implementing the steps of: separately recording each of the voices of the at least two interlocutors via the microphone for a respective given time interval thereby providing a first voice recording for one of the at least two interlocutors and a second voice recording for the other of the at least two interlocutors; segmenting each of the first and second voice recordings into respective shorter time interval segments thereby providing respective first and second sets of voice recording segments; mixing the first and second sets of voice recording segments together in a randomly rearranged order; and splicing the mixed sets of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker in operational communication with the processor for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the conversation of the at least two interlocutors prevents the intelligible recording of the conversation.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device for preventing the intelligible recording of a voice, the device comprising: a microphone; a recorder in operational communication with the microphone for recording the voice of a subject via the microphone for a given time interval thereby providing a voice recording; a processor in operational communication with the recording device and being configured for segmenting the voice recordings into shorter time interval segments thereby providing a set of voice recording segments, mixing the order of the voice recording segments of the set in a randomly rearranged order, and splicing the mixed set of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker in operational communication with the processor for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the subject's speaking prevents the intelligible recording of the subject's voice.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a device for preventing the intelligible recording of a conversation between at least two interlocutors, the device comprising: a microphone; a recorder in operational communication with the microphone for separately recording each of the voices of the at least two interlocutors via the microphone for a respective given time interval thereby providing a first voice recording for one of the at least two interlocutors and a second voice recording for the other of the at least two interlocutors; a processor in operational communication with the recording device and being configured for segmenting each of the first and second voice recordings into respective shorter time interval segments thereby providing respective first and second sets of voice recording segments, mixing the first and second sets of voice recording segments together in a randomly rearranged order, and splicing the mixed sets of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker in operational communication with the processor for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording at an audible level, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the conversation of the at least two interlocutors prevents the intelligible recording of the conversation.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for preventing the intelligible recording of a of a voice, the system comprising: a microphone device; a recording device in operational communication with the microphone device for recording the voice of a subject via the microphone device for a given time interval thereby providing a t voice recording; a processing device in operational communication with the recording device and being configured for segmenting the voice recording into shorter time interval segments thereby providing a set of voice recording segments, mixing the order of the voice recording segments of the set in a randomly rearranged order, and splicing the mixed set of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker device in operational communication with the processing device for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the subject's speaking prevents the intelligible recording of the subject's voice.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system for preventing the intelligible recording of a conversation between at least two interlocutors, the system comprising: a microphone device; a recording device in operational communication with the microphone device for separately recording each of the voices of the at least two interlocutors via the microphone device for a respective given time interval thereby providing a first voice recording for one of the at least two interlocutors and a second voice recording for the other of the at least two interlocutors; a processing device in operational communication with the recording device and being configured for segmenting each of the first and second voice recordings into respective shorter time interval segments thereby providing respective first and second sets of voice recording segments, mixing the first and second sets of voice recording segments together in a randomly rearranged order, and splicing the mixed sets of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker device in operational communication with the processing device for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the conversation of the at least two interlocutors prevents the intelligible recording of the conversation.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kit for preventing the intelligible recording of a voice, the kit comprising: a microphone device; a recording device for operatively communicating with the microphone device for recording the voice of a subject via the microphone device for a respective given time interval thereby providing a voice recording; an interface for prompting the subject to record their voice; a processing device for operatively communicating with the recording device and with the interface and being configured for segmenting the voice recording into shorter time interval segments thereby providing a set of voice recording segments, mixing the first and second sets of voice recording segments together in a randomly rearranged order, and splicing the mixed sets of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker device for operatively communicating with the processing device for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording, wherein emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the subject's speaking prevents the intelligible recording of the subject's voice.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a kit for preventing the intelligible recording of a conversation between at least two interlocutors, the kit comprising: a microphone device; a recording device for operatively communicating with the microphone device for separately recording each of the voices of the at least two interlocutors via the microphone device for a respective given time interval thereby providing a first voice recording for one of the at least two interlocutors and a second voice recording for the other of the at least two interlocutors; an interface for prompting each of the at least two interlocutors of recording their voices; a processing device for operatively communicating with the recording device and with the interface and being configured for segmenting each of the first and second voice recordings into respective shorter time interval segments thereby providing respective first and second sets of voice recording segments, mixing the first and second sets of voice recording segments together in a randomly rearranged order, and splicing the mixed sets of voice recording segments into a single randomly mixed voice recording; and a speaker device for operatively communicating with the processing device for emitting the randomly mixed voice recording at an audible level, wherein playing the randomly mixed voice recording level during the conversation of the at least two interlocutors prevents the intelligible recording of the conversation.
In an embodiment, the randomly mixed voice recording is emitted at an audible level. In an embodiment, the randomly mixed voice recording is emitted at an inaudible level. In an embodiment, the randomly mixed voice recording is emitted at both an audible level and an inaudible level. In an embodiment, the inaudible level is selected from the group consisting of an infrasound and an ultrasound.
In an embodiment, preventing the intelligible recording of the subject's voice comprises emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the real-time audio recording of the subject's causing the real-time audio recording of the randomly mixed voice recording thereby masking the audio recording of the subject's voice.
In an embodiment, preventing the intelligible recording of the conversation comprises emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during the real-time audio recording of the conversation causing the real-time audio recording of the randomly mixed voice recording thereby masking the conversation.
In an embodiment, the steps provided herein are computer implementable and the processor comprises a memory of the computer implementable steps.
In an embodiment, the speaker comprises a tweeter. In an embodiment, the devices and kits herein further comprise a plurality of the microphones. In an embodiment, the devices and kits herein further comprise a plurality of the speakers.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings:
Generally stated and in accordance with an embodiment, there are provided methods, devices, systems and kits for preventing the intelligible voice recording is provided. The voice of a subject or interlocutor is recorded for a given time interval thereby providing a voice recording. The voice recording is cut into shorter time interval segments thereby providing a set of voice recording segments. The set of voice recording segments is mixed in a randomly rearranged order. The mixed set of voice recording segments is spliced into a single randomly mixed voice recording. Emitting the randomly mixed voice recording during speaking of the subject or interlocutor prevents the intelligible recording of the voice of the subject or interlocutor
With reference, to the appended Figures, non-restrictive illustrative embodiments will be herein described so as to further exemplify the disclosure only and by no means limit the scope thereof.
The device 10 includes at least one microphone 12 which is in operational communication with a processor 14 and at least one speaker 16 also in operational communication with the processor 16. It is understood herein, that operational communication includes without limitation wire or wireless connection, or integrated connection as is known in the art. As such the device 10 may be a single unit with integrated microphone 12, processor 14 and speaker 16 or include separate microphone 12, processor 14 and/or speaker 16. The skilled artisan will appreciate that various configurations can be contemplated for providing operational communication between one or more microphones 12, a processor 16 and one or more speakers 16.
The processor 14 includes a recorder 18 for recording the voices of the interlocutors via the microphone 12 as will be discussed herein. The recorder 18 is an integral element of the processor 14. Of course, the recorder 18 may also be a separate element in operational communication with the processor 14. The processor 14 includes a memory 20 of computer implementable steps for modifying the voice recordings as will be discussed herein. The memory 20 is an integral element of the processor 14. Of course, the memory 20 can also be a separate element which is in operational communication with the processor 14 (e.g. chip, USB etc.).
The speaker 16 provides for emitting the modified recording during speaking such as when one person is speaking or during the conversation between the interlocutors as will be discussed herein.
The speaker 16 can be provided in a variety of configurations as is known in the art. In one example, the speaker 16 is a tweeter.
In an embodiment, the sound emitted by the speaker 16 is audible. In an embodiment, the sound emitted by the speaker 16 is inaudible such as infrasound or ultrasound. In an embodiment, the speaker 16 emits both audible and inaudible sound. In an embodiment, the device 10 includes at least two speakers 16 or a plurality of speakers 16 which selectively and/or respectively emit one of or both audible and inaudible sound.
The skilled artisan will easily appreciate that the type of speaker, the number of speakers, the position of the speaker or speakers and the type of sound emission (i.e. audible or inaudible) is a function of the distance of voice recording suppression, the horizontal and vertical beam widths of this suppression and the type of audio surveillance recording device that is being used. It is understood that audio surveillance recording devices include any type covert listening device known in the art utilizing a variety of microphones. These devices include without limitation bugs, wires, smartphones and the like as can be contemplated by the skilled artisan.
The device 10 may also include an interface 22 in operational communication with the processor 14 for providing the users to operate the device 10. For example, the interface 22 may be in the form of a control panel, a touch screen, a voice operated input/output and the like as is known in the art. The interface 22 may communicate a set of instructions to the user or may variously prompt one speaker to record their voice or the at least two interlocutors to record their individual voices as discussed herein by providing them with a set of questions or a text. These instructions are contained within the memory 20 of the processor 14. The interface 22 may be a separate component or integrated to the device 10 or to one of more of the other components thereof as will be contemplated by the skilled artisan.
In another example,
In one non-limiting example, the device 10 is remotely operated.
With reference to the non-limiting illustrative embodiments of
Each interlocutor records their voice separately. In on example, the interface 22 may prompt each interlocutor to read a statement or answer questions into one or more microphones 12 which transmit the sound wave to the processor 14 for recording. In this way, two recordings are provided: the first voice recording 24 (see
Turning now to
Once the predetermined mixture of the randomly rearranged order of segments has been accomplished, the segments are spliced together to form a single randomly mixed voice recording 32 shown in
The devices, methods, systems and kits herein can continue to follow the above steps so as to provide still other single randomly mixed voice recordings that are differently configured than the spliced recording 32. These single randomly mixed recordings can then be spliced together in order to provide a longer single randomly mixed voice recording. Indeed, the single randomly mixed recordings can be further be segmented, mixed together and then spliced. Furthermore, a variety of single randomly mixed voice recording types as provided herein can be layered one on top of the other. This layering process may include offsetting the segments in such a way as for a given segment 28 to be layered with a given segment 30 rather than another given segment 28.
Once the predetermined spliced single mixed voice recording is provided in accordance with the predetermined parameters of the memory 20, the processor 14 can then transmit this resulting spliced recording to the speaker 16 so that it is emitted
The interlocutors can then proceed with their conversation as the speaker emits the resulting spliced recording at an audible level, an inaudible level or a mixture thereby preventing the intelligible recording of the conversation by an audio surveillance recorder as is known in the art.
In an example there are two interlocutors having a conversation, X and Y. If someone has placed an audio surveillance recorder to pick up the conversation of the interlocutors X and Y, the above discussed resulting spliced recording gibberish will be mixed with voices of X and Y during their conversation. The resulting spliced recording described herein contains the voices of both X and Y in mixed gibberish. As the mixed gibberish is emitted at an audible and/or unaudible level during the conversation of X and Y the audio surveillance recorder will record the sound in the room of the conversation including the gibberish masking the voices of X and Y. Since, the resulting spliced recording is a mixture of randomly rearranged recorded segments of the voice of X and Y, a gibberish segment of X will mix with and mask a real-time conversation segment of X and a gibberish segment of Y will mix with mask with a real time conversation segment of Y. The foregoing prevents the intelligible recording of the conversation. Moreover, if this unintelligible surveillance recording is analyzed in order to peel the gibberish masking from the conversation, it will be difficult to distinguish between a layer of a gibberish segment of X's voice on a layer of a voice portion of X's actual real conversation and the same applies for Y, mutatis mutandis. As such, the audio surveillance recording is jammed.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides for preventing the intelligible recording of the voice of a subject. As such, and with reference to the non-limiting illustrative embodiments of
The subject records their voice via one or more microphones 12 which transmit the sound wave to the processor 14 for recording thereby providing a voice recording 24 having a given time length.
Turning now to
As shown in
Once the predetermined spliced single mixed voice recording is provided in accordance with the predetermined parameters of the memory 20, the processor 14 can then transmit this resulting spliced recording to the speaker 16 so that it is emitted
The subject can then proceed to speak as the speaker emits the resulting spliced recording at an audible level, an inaudible level or a mixture thereby preventing the intelligible recording of the subject's voice by a covert audio recorder as is known in the art.
The resulting spliced mixed recoding 34 contains the voice of the subject in mixed gibberish. As the mixed gibberish is emitted during the subject's speaking the audio surveillance recorder will record both the sound of the subject's voice in tandem with the gibberish thereby masking the subject's voice. The foregoing prevents the intelligible recording of the subject's voice. Moreover, if this unintelligible surveillance recording is analyzed in order to peel the gibberish masking from the voice recording of the subject, it will be difficult to distinguish between a layer of a gibberish segment and a layer of an intelligible voice portion of the subject's actual speech.
Turning now to
The skilled artisan will appreciate the present device, method, kit and system can be used in combination with one or more other audio jamming techniques, devices, kits, systems and methods.
The various features described herein can be combined in a variety of ways within the context of the present disclosure so as to provide still other embodiments. As such, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Moreover, the embodiments discussed herein need not include all of the features and elements illustrated and/or described and thus partial combinations of features can also be contemplated. Furthermore, embodiments with less features than those described can also be contemplated. It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present disclosure has been provided hereinabove by way of non-restrictive illustrative embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the scope, spirit and nature thereof and of the appended claims.
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/099,145 filed on Nov. 5, 2018 and being a national phase application of International Application No. PCT/CA2017/000118 filed on May 5, 2017 and claiming on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/332,430 filed on May 5, 2016; all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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7912211 | Lambert | Mar 2011 | B1 |
20170094018 | Ekstrom | Mar 2017 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210050032 A1 | Feb 2021 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62332430 | May 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16099145 | US | |
Child | 17004115 | US |