Audio Device Echo Wave Authentication for Secure Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable electronic devices face challenges in securely authenticating users to protect personal data, particularly in educational and learning contexts, where traditional authentication methods may not provide sufficient security and convenience.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device and audio device system that uses an audio device with sound emission and reception sections to output and capture echo waves, allowing the electronic device to acquire unique authentication information based on biological characteristics, enabling secure user authentication without the need for additional components or complex operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional authentication methods (password, pattern, biological information) are used, then personal data security is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonal data securityVSAvoidauthentication system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio device is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a standard audio output device and an authentication sensor. The same sound emission and sound reception sections used for audio playback are repurposed to emit authentication sounds and capture echo waves for vein pattern detection, eliminating the need for separate authentication hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication process leverages the user's own body (vein pattern in the finger) as the authentication element. The system uses the user's biological characteristics inherently present in their body to authenticate them, rather than requiring external authentication objects or complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional authentication methods (password, pattern, biological information) are used, then personal data security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonal data securityVSAvoidauthentication operation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication process leverages the user's own body (vein pattern in the finger) as the authentication element. The system uses the user's biological characteristics inherently present in their body to authenticate them, rather than requiring external authentication objects or complex procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The audio device is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a standard audio output device and an authentication sensor. The same sound emission and sound reception sections used for audio playback are repurposed to emit authentication sounds and capture echo waves for vein pattern detection, eliminating the need for separate authentication hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If additional authentication components are added to the electronic device, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoiddevice manufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The audio device is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a standard audio output device and an authentication sensor. The same sound emission and sound reception sections used for audio playback are repurposed to emit authentication sounds and capture echo waves for vein pattern detection, eliminating the need for separate authentication hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or optical authentication sensors with an acoustic-based authentication system. Instead of using fingerprints scanners, facial recognition cameras, or other specialized sensors, the system uses sound waves to detect vein patterns through the finger, substituting a complex sensing mechanism with a simpler acoustic measurement approach

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 solution provides a simple and effective method for personal authentication, ensuring secure access to personal data while enhancing user convenience and security in educational and learning applications, particularly in language learning devices.

Implementation Method 1

acquire unique authentication information based on an echo wave of a sound outputted from the audio device to the user wearing the audio device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEcho wave: Echo

Data Source

PatentUS11501028B2Electronic device, audio device, electronic device control method and storage medium

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

An audio device includes a sound emission section which outputs a sound, and a sound reception section to which a sound is inputted. The audio device outputs an acoustic wave into the earhole of the user and authenticates the user based on echo waves created by the earhole. The audio device, when an electronic device is connected thereto, outputs to the electronic device unique authentication information acquired according to an instruction received from the electronic device.