Acoustic Identification Data Modulation for Secure Voice Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for identifying users or devices in network security are prone to human error and social engineering attacks, especially in large institutions where verifying identities becomes increasingly difficult due to the availability of personal information online, and there is a need for a more robust and secure identification scheme that ensures authenticity of all participants in a call.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that uses a mobile communication device to initiate a call by first identifying the user and modulating identification data onto an audio channel, allowing secure transactions even without a data network connection, using techniques such as frequency or amplitude modulation to mix identification data with the audio stream, ensuring that both the user and device are authenticated before accessing resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional identification methods are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but reliability of identification is compromised due to human error and social engineering attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual identification processes (human verification, password entry) with automated acoustic signal-based identification. The system modulates identification data onto audio frequencies transmitted during the call, enabling automatic verification without human intervention, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary acoustic signal carrying identification data that mediates between the calling device and the receiving system. This intermediary carries encoded identification information through the audio channel, enabling reliable automated identification without requiring direct human verification or complex data exchange protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If data network connection is required for identification, then measurement precision of identification is improved, but availability of identification is reduced in areas with limited connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoididentification availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the identification system universal by enabling it to function through multiple channels - specifically through audio/voice channels that work without data network connectivity. The same acoustic modulation technique can operate over traditional voice calls, making the system adaptable to both connected and disconnected environments while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic signal serves as an intermediary that can transmit identification data through the audio network infrastructure, which is more universally available than data networks. This intermediary enables identification to function reliably even when data connectivity is limited or unavailable, bridging the gap between identification accuracy and system availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If manual verification procedures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time in verification process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification speedVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual verification procedures with automated acoustic signal processing. The system automatically modulates, transmits, and decodes identification data through audio channels, eliminating the need for manual verification steps. This automation significantly increases verification speed while the complexity is managed through integrated software implementations in modern devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a robust and secure identification process that reduces the risk of unauthorized access, ensures authenticity of all participants, and allows secure transactions over voice channels, even in areas with limited data connectivity, by leveraging the processing power of modern communication devices and using various identification schemes like biometrics or pre-shared keys.

Implementation Method 1

using techniques such as frequency or amplitude modulation to mix identification data with the audio stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

using techniques such as frequency or amplitude modulation to mix identification data with the audio stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmplitude modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3162042B1Identification of call participants
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 MCAFEE LLC
  • EP3162042B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162042B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3162042B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In an example, an audio stream such as a voice call or live-streaming service may have mixed therein a user identification, which may identify the user as an authorized participant in the audio stream. For example, a user may identify himself to a smart phone, and then initiate a call with his bank. The smart phone may mix a user identification into the voice stream. A receiving device at the bank may demix the identification, and determine that the user is authorized to call about this account. In another example, identification may be used for DRM purposes, to identify a user as a legitimate participant in an audio stream. When a user is not authorized, an appropriate action may be taken, such as dropping the user, degrading the quality of the audio stream, or providing a notification that the user is not authorized.