IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,506,556
Granted Patent B2
US 12,506,556 · App. 17/915,234 · Granted Dec 23, 2025

Wearable microphone jammer

Inventors: Haitao Zheng (Chicago, IL); Ben Zhao (Chicago, IL); Pedro Lopes (Chicago, IL); Yuxin Chen (Chicago, IL); Huiying Li (Chicago, IL); Shan-Yuan Teng (Chicago, IL)
Assignee: The University of Chicago
H04K3/42H04K2203/12
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,506,556
App. No.
17/915,234
Granted
Dec 23, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A microphone jammer includes a base and a signal generator mounted to the base. The signal generator is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal. The jammer also includes one or more transducers mounted to the base and configured to transmit the ultrasonic signal. The one or more transducers are mounted in a curved layout about the base.

Claims (30)

1 . A microphone jammer comprising:

a base;

a signal generator mounted to the base and configured to generate a plurality of ultrasonic signals;

one or more transducers mounted to the base and configured to transmit the plurality of ultrasonic signals, wherein the one or more transducers are mounted in a curved layout about the base; and

a processor configured to control the signal generator, wherein the processor causes the signal generator to randomly sweep a frequency of a sine wave in increments of 1 Hertz to generate the plurality of ultrasonic signals.

2 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ultrasonic signals have variable frequency or amplitude.

3 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , wherein the processor controls the signal generator to change the frequency once per period of time.

4 . The microphone jammer of claim 3 , wherein the period of time comprises 0.45 milliseconds.

5 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , further comprising an indicator light mounted to the base and configured to indicate whether the microphone jammer is activated or deactivated.

6 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , further comprising a control mounted to the base and configured to activate and deactivate the microphone jammer.

7 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ultrasonic signals include a cadence pattern corresponding to a human voice.

8 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , further comprising a mount attached to the base, wherein the mount is configured to attach to a user.

9 . The microphone jammer of claim 8 , wherein the mount comprises a pin, an adhesive, an article of clothing, or jewelry.

10 . The microphone jammer of claim 1 , wherein the one or more transducers is mounted in a first ring layout and a second ring layout.

11 . The microphone jammer of claim 10 , wherein transducers in the first ring layout are staggered relative to transducers in the second ring layout.

12 . A method of forming a microphone jammer, the method comprising:

forming a base;

mounting a signal generator to the base, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate a plurality of ultrasonic signals;

mounting one or more transducers to the base, wherein the one or more transducers are configured to transmit the plurality of ultrasonic signals, and wherein one or more transducers are mounted in a curved layout about the base; and

controlling, by a processor, the signal generator to randomly sweep a frequency of a sine wave in increments of 1 Hertz to generate the plurality of ultrasonic signals.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising mounting the base to a mount that is configured to attach to a user.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising mounting an intensity control to the base, wherein the intensity control is configured to control an intensity of the plurality of ultrasonic signals.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein mounting the one or more transducers in a curved layout comprises mounting the one or more transducers in a first curved layout and a second curved layout about the base.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising mounting the transducers of the first curved layout such that they are staggered relative to the transducers of the second curved layout.

17 . A wearable microphone jammer comprising:

a base that is configured to attach to a user, an article of clothing, or an accessory;

a signal generator mounted to the base and configured to generate a plurality of ultrasonic signals;

one or more transducers mounted to the base and configured to transmit the plurality of ultrasonic signals; and

a processor configured to control the signal generator, wherein the processor causes the signal generator to randomly sweep a frequency of a sine wave in increments of 1 Hertz to generate the plurality of ultrasonic signals.

18 . The wearable microphone jammer of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of ultrasonic signals have variable frequency or amplitude.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2024
From: LOPES, PEDRO; ZHENG, HAITAO; ZHAO, BEN; CHEN, YUXIN; LI, HUIYING; TENG, SHAN-YUAN
To: THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Reel/Frame 068554/0799 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63004229 · Apr 2, 2020
Related Publication 20230131816A1 · Apr 27, 2023
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