Audio Signal Based Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current identity and access management systems face challenges in securely managing access to resources and services via mobile devices, particularly in environments where traditional landline infrastructure is limited, requiring innovative methods to authenticate and control access effectively.

Innovation Solution

The technology employs audio signals collected by user devices to build a risk profile, which is used to control access to target devices, incorporating factors like pairing frequency, location, and transaction history to determine authentication levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional landline-based IAM systems are used, then access control is manageable in infrastructure-rich environments, but the system becomes inapplicable or less effective in environments where landline infrastructure is limited or unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to environments without landline infrastructureVSAvoidreliability of access control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional landline-based authentication mechanisms with audio signal-based authentication. The system captures audio signals from the device's microphone during pairing attempts and uses these audio characteristics to identify and authenticate the device, eliminating dependence on landline infrastructure while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the authentication parameter from landline connection status to audio signal characteristics. By analyzing properties of audio signals (frequency, amplitude, timing patterns) generated during device pairing, the system creates a new basis for authentication that works independently of traditional telecommunication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If audio signals are collected and analyzed to build user profiles, then security and access control are enhanced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity and access controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically capturing audio signals during normal device pairing operations and autonomously building user profiles without requiring additional user actions or manual configuration. The audio processing and profile generation happen automatically in the background.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The audio signal collection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it authenticates the device, builds user profiles for future recognition, and provides security verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and components, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11570174B2Audio signal based identification

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

Controlling wireless access to target devices by initiating, by a user device, wireless pairing with a target device. The user device collects, concurrent with the initiating, a wireless signal of at least the target device. One or more computing devices builds a profile for the user device based on the collected wireless signal. The one or more computing devices controls access of the user device to functionality of the target device based on the profile.