Acoustic Authentication via Virtual Sound Source Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic device locking mechanisms, such as password inputs and combination of touch panel pressing positions and forces, lack sufficient security and usability, as they can be easily imitated or forgotten, leading to insecure and inconvenient access.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device that uses processing circuitry to produce audio sounds from a virtual sound source position and acquires user-input sound position information, controlling the enable or disable of device functions based on the relationship between the virtual and perceived sound source positions, leveraging head-related transfer functions for secure and user-friendly operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If password input is used for locking, then the locking function is implemented, but the security level is low due to potential password leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidpassword leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual/mechanical password input with acoustic-based authentication. The system generates sound waves that interact with the user's head and ear structure, creating a unique acoustic fingerprint that cannot be easily observed or imitated, thereby substituting the vulnerable password input mechanism with a more secure biometric acoustic verification system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces sound waves as an intermediary medium for authentication. Instead of directly inputting passwords that can be observed, the system uses acoustic signals that pass through and interact with the user's physical structure (head and ear), creating an indirect verification method that prevents direct observation and imitation of the authentication process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If touch panel pressing position and force combination is used, then security is improved, but the input can still be viewed and imitated from outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidinput imitation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical touch panel interaction with acoustic-based verification. Instead of detecting pressing positions and forces that can be observed from outside, the system uses sound wave interactions with the user's head and ear structure, creating an authentication method that cannot be visually observed or imitated by external parties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary that interacts with the user's physical structure. The sound waves pass through the head and ear, creating unique acoustic patterns that serve as authentication credentials, replacing the observable mechanical touch interactions with unobservable acoustic verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If password or pressing pattern is used for unlocking, then the locking function works, but usability decreases when user forgets the input pattern

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to automatically capture and verify acoustic characteristics during normal device interaction. Instead of requiring users to memorize and manually input passwords or patterns, the system passively collects acoustic data from the user's head and ear structure during everyday use, automatically verifies it, and unlocks the device, making the authentication process transparent and eliminating the burden of memorization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary acoustic verification during normal device operation before locking is needed. The system continuously or periodically captures acoustic characteristics during typical usage, so when unlocking is required, the verification has already been performed or can be quickly completed, eliminating the need for users to recall specific input patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances security and usability by allowing secure locking and unlocking of electronic device functions based on accurate perception of virtual sound sources, preventing unauthorized access while simplifying the user experience.

Implementation Method 1

processing circuitry configured to produce an audio sound from a virtual sound source position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

acquires from a user-input a sound position information of a perceived sound source position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHead-related transfer function:

Data Source

PatentUS9936326B2Function control apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

An electronic device includes processing circuitry configured to produce an audio sound from a virtual sound source position. The circuitry also acquires from a user-input a sound position information of a perceived sound source position, and then controls an enable or disable of a function of the electronic device based on a relationship between the virtual sound source position and the perceived sound source position.