Audio Verification Signal Parameter Modification for Bot Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio captchas are ineffective in distinguishing between human and bot inputs, as bots can recognize audio verification codes, leading to frustration for users and potential account creation abuse.

Innovation Solution

Generating a verification audio signal by altering pitch, volume, and speaking rate of an audio signal to match a secondary audio signal, creating a captcha that is recognizable to humans but not to bots, utilizing techniques such as layering and randomization of audio segments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a simple audio captcha is used, then it is easy for users to complete, but bots can easily recognize and bypass it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaptcha effectiveness against botsVSAvoiduser completion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying multiple audio signal parameters including pitch, volume, speaking rate, and amplitude. These parameter transformations create audio captchas that maintain human recognizability while becoming unrecognizable to bot audio recognition systems, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness against bots and ease of user completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite audio signals by layering multiple audio segments together. The verification code is combined with additional audio layers that confuse bot recognition systems while remaining perceptible to human users. This composite approach enhances captcha effectiveness without significantly impacting user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a complex audio captcha is used, then it is more effective against bots, but users become frustrated and may forgo account creation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaptcha effectiveness against botsVSAvoidcaptcha complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By making controlled parameter changes to audio characteristics rather than adding complex structural elements, the patent achieves bot resistance while maintaining relative simplicity. The transformations are systematic and consistent, allowing users to adapt quickly without becoming frustrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing qualities to different parts of the audio signal. The verification code portions are preserved with higher fidelity while additional layers and transformations are applied to other portions. This local differentiation maintains usability while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If audio parameters are significantly altered, then bot recognition is prevented, but user recognition becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebot resistanceVSAvoidcode recognizability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully selects and applies parameter changes within optimal ranges. Pitch, volume, speaking rate, and amplitude are modified by amounts sufficient to confuse bot recognition algorithms but small enough to preserve human recognizability. This balanced approach resolves the contradiction between bot resistance and code recognizability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial transformations to the audio signal rather than complete or excessive alterations. By applying transformations to specific parameters and portions of the audio while preserving other characteristics, the system achieves adequate bot resistance while maintaining sufficient recognizability for users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10855676B2Audio verification
Publication Date: 2020.12.01 YAHOO ASSETS LLC
  • US10855676B2 patent drawing
  • US10855676B2 patent drawing
  • US10855676B2 patent drawing

AI summary

One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for audio verification. An audio signal, comprising a code for user verification, may be identified. A second audio signal is created comprising speech. The audio signal and the second audio signal may be altered to comprise a same or similar volume, pitch, amplitude, and/or speech rate. The audio signal and the second audio signal may be combined to generate a verification audio signal. The verification audio signal may be presented to a user for the user verification. Verification may be performed to determine whether the user has access to content or a service based upon user input, obtained in response to the user verification audio signal, matching the code within the user verification audio signal. In an example, the user verification may comprise verifying that the user is human.