Internal signal diversion with camera shuttering for mobile communication devices

Abstract

A mobile communications device includes a display, one or more sources comprising at least one microphone and at least one camera, a wireless communications module, a main processor, and a secured processor inaccessible by the main processor. A housing supports components of the device and is configured for hand-held manipulation. A shutter is supported by the housing, and comprises a lens shutter situated within the housing and configured to obscure a lens of the at least one camera when activated. A user actuatable switch is coupled to at least the one or more sources, the main processor, the secured processor, and the shutter. The switch is configured to selectively activate and deactivate the lens shutter. The switch is also configured to divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor when activated, and couple signals produced by the sources to the main processor when deactivated.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile communications device, comprising:
 a display;   a plurality of sources comprising at least one microphone and at least one camera;   a wireless communications module;   a main processor;   a secured processor inaccessible by the main processor;   a housing configured for hand-held manipulation and to support the display, sources, communications module, main processor, and secured processor;   a shutter supported by the housing, the shutter comprising a lens shutter situated within the housing and configured to obscure a lens of the at least one camera when activated; and   a switch actuatable by a user of the device and coupled to at least the sources, main processor, secured processor, and the shutter, the switch configured to activate and deactivate the lens shutter, divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor when the switch is activated, and couple signals produced by the sources to the main processor when the switch is deactivated.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is configured to activate the shutter and divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor in response to selection of an idle privacy mode. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an opaque coating or material. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an electro-optical element. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shutter comprising the lens shutter is movable within the housing between an engaged position and a non-engaged position relative to the lens of the at least one camera. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the switch is configured for movement between an activation position and a deactivation position in response to a manually applied force;   the switch is coupled to at least the portion of the shutter comprising the lens shutter; and   at least the portion of the shutter comprising the lens shutter is movable between the engaged and non-engaged positions in response to the manual force applied to the switch.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the shutter comprises a second lens shutter situated within the housing and configured to obscure a lens of a second camera when activated, the shutter and respective lens shutters defining a unitary structure. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the switch is configured to:
 divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor and to the secured processor with the shutter in a non-engaged position when activated;   couple signals produced by the sources away from the secured processor and to the main processor with the shutter in a non-engaged position when deactivated.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the secured processor is configured to encrypt the diverted signals, and to decrypt signals received from an external location when the switch is activated. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 one or more sensors;   wherein the switch is configured to:
 divert signals produced by the one or more sensors away from the main processor when activated; and 
 couple signals produced by the one or more sensors to the main processor when deactivated. 
   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein device is a mobile phone, a tablet or a laptop. 
     
     
         12 . A mobile communications device, comprising:
 a display;   a plurality of sources comprising at least one microphone and at least one camera;   a wireless communications module;   a main processor;   a housing configured for hand-held manipulation and to support the display, sources, communications module, and main processor;   a shutter supported by the housing, the shutter comprising a lens shutter situated within the housing and configured to obscure a lens of the at least one camera when activated; and   a switch actuatable by a user of the device and coupled to at least the sources, main processor, and the shutter, the switch configured to activate and deactivate the lens shutter, divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor when the switch is activated, and couple signals produced by the sources to the main processor when the switch is deactivated.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the switch is configured to activate the shutter and divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor in response to selection of an idle privacy mode. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an opaque coating or material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an electro-optical element. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of the shutter comprising the lens shutter is movable within the housing between an engaged position and a non-engaged position relative to the lens of the at least one camera. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the switch is configured for movement between an activation position and a deactivation position in response to a manually applied force;   the switch is coupled to at least the portion of the shutter comprising the lens shutter; and   at least the portion of the shutter comprising the lens shutter is movable between the engaged and non-engaged positions in response to the manual force applied to the switch.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the shutter comprises a second lens shutter situated within the housing and configured to obscure a lens of a second camera when activated, the shutter and respective lens shutters defining a unitary structure. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the switch is configured to:
 when activated, activate the lens shutter and divert signals produced by the sources away from the main processor and to a termination load or an open circuit; and   when deactivated, deactivate the lens shutter and couple signals produced by the sources away from the termination load or the open circuit and to the main processor.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , comprising:
 one or more sensors;   wherein the switch is configured to:
 divert signals produced by the one or more sensors away from the main processor and to a termination load or an open circuit when activated; and