Audio Signal Authentication for Lower-Maintenance User Terminal Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for authorizing user terminals on platforms are maintenance-intensive due to the need for secure and up-to-date hardware IDs and access tokens.
Innovation Solution
Generating a unique audio signal characteristic of the user terminal, transmitting it to a server for authentication, and enabling access based on a match with stored audio IDs, using a multi-factor authentication approach.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware ID and access token are used for authorization, then terminal identification is achieved, but maintenance complexity increases due to continuous security updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/token-based authorization system with an acoustic field-based system. Instead of using hardware IDs and access tokens that require manual management and security updates, the system generates and transmits audio signals containing authorization data, which are processed by acoustic sensors to verify terminal identity and grant access, thereby eliminating the need for continuous token updates and reducing maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of authorization data from digital tokens stored in memory to acoustic wave signals that can be transmitted through air. By encoding authorization information into audio frequency parameters and transmitting them acoustically, the system transforms the authorization mechanism from a static token-based approach to a dynamic signal-based approach that automatically expires and refreshes, reducing maintenance burden
2Ease of operation
If access tokens are used for service authorization, then terminal authentication is enabled, but security certificate management becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authorization data from the complex certificate management system and embeds it directly into acoustic signals. Instead of managing separate security certificates and tokens, the system extracts essential authorization information and encodes it into audio waveforms that are transmitted and verified directly, eliminating the need for separate certificate storage and management infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic signals as an intermediary carrier for authorization data. Instead of direct digital token exchange requiring certificate management, the system uses audio signals as a mediator to transmit authorization information from the terminal to the server, simplifying the authentication process by replacing complex cryptographic handshakes with acoustic signal transmission and recognition
Data Source
AI summary
A user terminal includes a computer unit for executing algorithms and for controlling the user terminal and a first communication interface for establishing a data connection with a server in a communication network. A method for authorizing the user terminal in connection with using a service operated on the server in the communication network includes: generating an audio signal characteristic of the user terminal in relation to an impending use of the service; acquiring, by the user terminal, the characteristic audio signal; transmitting the characteristic audio signal to the server via the data connection; authenticating, by the server, via one or more signature keys stored in a database, the transmitted characteristic audio signal; and based on successful authentication, authorizing, by the server, the user terminal for the service.