Gaming headset with voice scrambling for private in-game conversations

A method comprising:

• in a headset that comprises a microphone and circuitry that is configurable to operate in a scrambling mode or a non-scrambling mode while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a first player participating in an online multiplayer game:
• while operating in said non-scrambling mode, transmitting said microphone audio without scrambling said microphone audio;
• while operating in said scrambling mode, scrambling said microphone audio and transmit said scrambled microphone audio;
• determining whether a key for descrambling said chat audio is available to said circuitry of said headset based on an identification signal received from a second player of said online multiplayer game, said identification signal comprising an identity of the sending device and intended recipient;
• and
• applying a descrambling process to or muting said chat audio based, at least in part, on said availability of said key for descrambling.

A headset that comprises a microphone and circuitry that is configurable to operate in a scrambling mode or a non-scrambling mode while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a first player participating in an online multiplayer game, wherein:

• while operating in said non-scrambling mode, said circuitry of said headset is configured to transmit said microphone audio without scrambling said microphone audio;
• while operating in said scrambling mode, said circuitry of said headset is configured to scramble said microphone audio and transmit said scrambled microphone audio;
• and
• said circuitry of said headset is operable to:
• determine whether a key for descrambling said chat audio is available to said circuitry of said headset based on an identification signal received from a second player of said online multiplayer game, said identification signal comprising an identity of the sending device and intended recipient;
• and
• apply a descrambling process to or muting said chat audio depending at least in part on said availability of said key for descrambling.

A method comprising:

• in a headset that comprises a microphone and circuitry that is configurable to operate in a scrambling mode or a non-scrambling mode while processing chat audio and microphone audio for a first player participating in an online multiplayer game:
• while operating in said non-scrambling mode, transmitting said microphone audio without scrambling said microphone audio;
• while operating in said scrambling mode, scrambling said microphone audio and transmit said scrambled microphone audio;
• determining whether a key for descrambling said chat audio is available to said circuitry of said headset based on an identification signal received from a second player of said online multiplayer game, said identification signal comprising an identity of the sending device and intended recipient;
• and
• applying a descrambling process to or muting said chat audio depending at least in part on said availability of said key for descrambling.