APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING PRIVACY

1 . An apparatus for enhancing privacy during operation of a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a privacy shield for blocking sound from a mouth of a user;

a sound guide disposed on the privacy shield, the sound guide for directing sound to from the mouth to a microphone of the portable electronic device; and

an attachment mechanism configured to attach the privacy shield to the portable electronic device.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a moveable element connecting the privacy shield to the attachment mechanism, the moveable element configured to move the privacy shield from a blocking position to a storage position.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the moveable element comprises a track for the privacy shield to slide thereon.

4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the moveable element comprises a hinge to provide pivotal movement of the privacy shield relative to the attachment mechanism.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sound guide comprises a surface configured to reflect sound.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the privacy shield is collapsible for storage.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the privacy shield covers lips of the user to obstruct lip reading.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a hook and pile system.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an attachment magnet configured to interact with a device magnet.

10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a screw configured to be secured to the portable electronic device.

11 . An apparatus for enhancing privacy during operation of a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a privacy shield for blocking sound from a mouth of a user;

an attachment mechanism configured to attach to the portable electronic device; and

a hinge connecting the privacy shield and the attachment mechanism, the hinge configured to provide pivotal movement of the privacy shield between a first position and a second position.

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the hinge is a flexible material.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the flexible material is one of a plastic, rubber, or silicone.

14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first position is for storing the privacy shield.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first position stores the privacy shield against a touchscreen of the portable electronic device.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the privacy shield is configured to allow for operation of the touchscreen when in the first position.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the hinge is further configured to provide pivotal movement of the privacy shield to a third position, the third position for storing the privacy shield against a back of the portable electronic device.

18 . An apparatus for enhancing privacy during operation of a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a phone holder configured to hold a phone;

a phone holder track disposed on the phone holder;

a privacy shield;

a shield track disposed in a channel on the privacy shield, wherein the shield track is configured to slidably engage the phone holder track, wherein the phone holder is configured to slide between a storage position and a use position; and

a hinge disposed within the privacy shield, the hinge configured to provide pivotal movement of a portion of the privacy shield between a first position and a second position.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the privacy shield can be engaged from both a first end and a second end of the phone holder, the first end opposite the second end.

20 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising clips disposed on the privacy shield for storing items.