Microphone and camera disruption apparatus and method

1. An apparatus for use with an electronic device having a microphone and at least one camera, the apparatus comprising:

a structure configured to detachably couple to the device;

a shutter supported by the structure and operable between an activated state and a deactivated state, the shutter comprising a lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the camera when in the activated state;

a channel configured to fluidically couple to the microphone; and

a generator supported by the structure and fluidically coupled to the channel, the generator configured to deliver a modulated flow of air to the channel that acts on a diaphragm of the microphone and renders the microphone unresponsive to voice sounds.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an opaque coating or material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an electro-optical element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shutter supports the channel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shutter supports the generator.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shutter supports the channel and the generator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the shutter is connected to a switch configured to be manually actuated in a non-engaged position and an engaged position;

with the switch in the engaged position, the channel is fluidically coupled to the microphone and the lens shutter is in the activated state; and

with the switch in the non-engaged position, the channel is fluidically decoupled from the microphone and the lens shutter is in the deactivated state.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein:

the switch is configured to concurrently activate the lens shutter and the generator when in the engaged position; and

the switch is configured to concurrently deactivate the lens shutter and the generator when in the disengaged position.

9. The apparatus claim 1 , comprising a power source supported by the structure and coupled to at least the generator.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shutter comprises:

a first plenum having a first channel configured to fluidically couple to a first microphone of the device, the first plenum comprising a first lens shutter configured to align with a first camera of the device in the activated state; and

a second plenum having a second channel configured to fluidically couple to a second microphone of the device, the second plenum comprising a second lens shutter configured to align with a second camera of the device in the activated state;

wherein the first and second channels are fluidically coupled to the generator.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the shutter comprises:

a first plenum having a first channel configured to fluidically couple to a first microphone of the device, the first plenum comprising a first lens shutter configured to align with a first camera of the device in the activated state;

a first generator fluidically coupled to the first channel;

a second plenum having a second channel configured to fluidically couple to a second microphone of the device, the second plenum comprising a second lens shutter configured to align with a second camera of the device in the activated state; and

a second generator fluidically coupled to the second channel.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the structure comprises a cover or a sleeve configured to detachably couple to the device.

13. An apparatus for use with an electronic device having a microphone and at least one camera, the apparatus comprising:

a structure configured to detachably couple to the device;

a shutter supported by the structure and operable between an activated state and a deactivated state, the shutter comprising a lens shutter configured to obscure a lens of the camera when in the activated state;

a channel configured to fluidically couple to the microphone; and

a generator supported by the structure and fluidically coupled to the channel, the generator comprising:

an electromagnet coil; and

a piston comprising a permanent magnet and configured to translate axially in an oscillatory manner in response to an electromagnetic field produced by the electromagnetic coil;

wherein oscillatory movement of the piston produces a modulated flow of air delivered to the channel that acts on a diaphragm of the microphone and renders the microphone unresponsive to voice sounds.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an opaque coating or material.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the lens shutter comprises an electro-optical element.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the shutter supports the channel.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the shutter supports the generator.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the shutter supports the channel and the generator.

19. A method involving a microphone and a camera of an electronic device, the method comprising:

generating, at a cover or a sleeve detachably coupled to an external surface of the device, a modulated flow of air that is directed at the microphone;

rendering the microphone unresponsive to voice sounds by the modulated flow of air acting on the microphone; and

obscuring a lens of the camera while rendering the microphone unresponsive to voice sounds.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein generating, rendering, and obscuring are implemented at a shutter of the cover or sleeve.

21. The method of claim 19 , further comprising moving a switch coupled to a shutter of the cover or sleeve between a non-engaged position and an engaged position;

wherein generating, rendering, and obscuring are implemented at the shutter when in the engaged position.