Headset with voice scrambling for private conversations
An electronic device may be configurable to operate in a scrambling mode and a non-scrambling mode while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a first player participating in an online multiplayer game. While operating in the non-scrambling mode, the electronic device may be configured to transmit the microphone audio without scrambling the microphone audio. While operating in the scrambling mode, the electronic device may be configured to scramble the microphone audio and transmit the scrambled microphone audio. The electronic device may be operable to select a scrambling key used to scramble the microphone audio based on a signal received by the electronic device that indicates a role of the player in the online multiplayer game. The role of the player may correspond to which of two or more opposing teams the first player is a member of in the online multiplayer game.
1. A headset, comprising:
circuitry to:
operate in a scrambling mode or a non-scrambling mode,
process a first audio signal from a microphone and a second audio signal from a secondary device,
determine whether a key for descrambling the second audio signal is available according to an identification signal that comprises an identity of the secondary device and the headset;
mute the second audio signal if the key for descrambling is unavailable; and
descramble the second audio signal according to the key for descrambling, if the key for descrambling is available.
2. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the headset comprises: the microphone for receiving the first audio signal.
3. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the identification signal indicates a role of a user of the headset in an online multiuser game.
4. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the identification signal indicates a team of a user of the headset in an online multiuser game.
5. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the secondary device is a mobile communication device.
6. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the secondary device is a video game counsel.
7. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry of the headset is operable to scramble the first audio signal using a scrambling key.
8. The headset of claim 1 , wherein:
while operating in the scrambling mode, the circuitry of the headset is operable to:
scramble the first audio signal using a scrambling key, and
transmit an associated identification signal with the scrambled first audio signal; and
the associated identification signal enables circuitry of the secondary device to determine which descrambling key to use for descrambling the scrambled first audio signal.
9. The headset of claim 1 , wherein while operating in the scrambling mode, the circuitry of the headset is operable to:
transmit a begin-scrambling indicator before a scrambled first audio signal, and
transmit an end-scrambling indicator after the scrambled first audio signal.
10. The headset of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry of the headset is operable to toggle between the scrambling mode and the non-scrambling mode in response to a press of a button of the headset.
11. A method, comprising:
in circuitry of a headset:
operating in a scrambling mode or a non-scrambling mode,
processing a first audio signal from a microphone and a second audio signal from a secondary device,
determining whether a key for descrambling the second audio signal is available according to an identification signal that comprises an identity of the secondary device and the headset;
muting the second audio signal if the key for descrambling is unavailable; and
descrambling the second audio signal according to the key for descrambling, if the key for descrambling is available.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises:
receiving the first audio signal via the microphone.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the identification signal indicates a role of a user of the headset in an online multiuser game.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the identification signal indicates a team of a user of the headset in an online multiuser game.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the secondary device is a mobile communication device.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the secondary device is a video game counsel.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises scrambling the first audio signal using a scrambling key.
18. The method of claim 11 , wherein:
while operating in the scrambling mode, the method comprises:
scrambling the first audio signal using a scrambling key, and
transmitting an associated identification signal with the scrambled first audio signal; and
the associated identification signal enables circuitry of the secondary device to determine which descrambling key to use for descrambling the scrambled first audio signal.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein while operating in the scrambling mode, the method comprises:
transmitting a begin-scrambling indicator before a scrambled first audio signal, and transmitting an end-scrambling indicator after the scrambled first audio signal.
20. The method of claim 11 , wherein the method comprises:
toggling between the scrambling mode and the non-scrambling mode in response to a press of a button of the handset.