Authentication Apparatus Using Combined Air and Bone Conduction Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication technologies that use sound for personal authentication are limited in accuracy and efficiency, particularly when environmental noise or physical barriers affect the air conduction sound signal.
Innovation Solution
An authentication apparatus that calculates air conduction and bone conduction feature quantities from sound signals and combines them to create a target feature quantity for more accurate authentication, or alternatively, uses a difference feature quantity derived from the frequency spectra of air and bone conduction sounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If only air conduction sound signal is used for authentication, then the system is simple, but authentication accuracy deteriorates when environmental noise or physical barriers affect the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air conduction sound signals and bone conduction sound signals into a unified authentication system. The calculation unit processes both signal types to generate feature quantities, which are then integrated for authentication decisions. This merging approach improves reliability by providing redundant authentication paths while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic signal processing architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feature quantity calculation as an intermediary processing layer between the sound signals and authentication decision. The calculation unit extracts characteristic features from both air conduction and bone conduction signals, serving as a mediator that transforms raw signals into usable authentication data. This intermediary step enables robust authentication while organizing system complexity into manageable modules.
2Reliability
If both air conduction and bone conduction sound signals are processed separately, then authentication accuracy improves, but processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing into distinct functional units: air conduction signal processing, bone conduction signal processing, and feature quantity combination. Each signal type is processed separately through dedicated calculation units, allowing independent optimization and parallel execution. This segmentation improves authentication accuracy by thoroughly analyzing both signal types while managing processing load through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial processing by extracting only the necessary feature quantities from each signal type rather than processing every aspect of the signals. The calculation units identify and compute only the critical acoustic features needed for authentication, avoiding unnecessary processing steps. This partial action approach maintains high authentication accuracy while significantly improving processing efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air conduction sound signal is used, then the system is simple, but authentication fails when physical barriers block the sound path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the purely acoustic air conduction mechanism with a bone conduction mechanism that bypasses air gaps and physical barriers. By using bone conduction sound signals that travel through the skull and jawbones, the system can authenticate users even when air conduction paths are blocked by masks, headphones, or environmental noise. This substitution maintains system manageability while dramatically improving adaptability to various physical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental transmission parameter of sound from air conduction to bone conduction. This parameter change enables the authentication system to function in previously inaccessible scenarios where physical barriers block air transmission. The calculation unit processes bone conduction signals with different characteristic parameters, allowing the system to adapt to varied physical conditions without requiring complete system redesign.
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
The proposed solution enhances authentication accuracy by utilizing both air conduction and bone conduction sound features, reducing processing load, and improving robustness against environmental noise and physical barriers.
Implementation Method 1
an air conduction sound signal indicating an air conduction sound of a voice of a target person
Implementation Method 2
a bone conduction sound signal indicating a bone conduction sound of the voice of the target person
Data Source
AI summary
An authentication apparatus includes: a calculation unit that calculates, from an air conduction sound signal indicating an air conduction sound of a voice of a target person and a bone conduction sound signal indicating a bone conduction sound of the voice of the target person, an air conduction feature quantity that is a feature quantity of the air conduction sound signal and a bone conduction feature quantity that is a feature quantity of the bone conduction sound signal, and that calculates a target feature quantity that is a feature quantity of the voice of the target person by combining the air conduction feature quantity and the bone conduction feature quantity; and an authentication unit that authenticates the target person on the basis of the target feature quantity.