Biometric Authentication via Bone Conduction Signal Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biometric authentication devices face issues with low usability due to limited design freedom, susceptibility to ambient noise, and low tolerance to wiretapping, particularly in non-contact methods using acoustic signals and bone conduction techniques.
Innovation Solution
A biometric authentication device that generates a signal pattern, transmits it to the body, and receives a response signal to calculate transfer features, which are then used to extract and collate feature amounts for secure and accurate authentication, enhancing usability and resistance to wiretapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic signals are transmitted to the ear canal for biometric authentication, then personal identification can be performed using transfer function, but the acoustic signal is susceptible to ambient noise which degrades authentication accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone conduction as an intermediary transmission path between the speaker and the user's auditory system. Instead of transmitting acoustic signals through air to the ear canal, the signal is transmitted through the skull bones directly to the inner ear, bypassing the external ear canal and eardrum. This mediator (bone conduction path) isolates the authentication signal from ambient acoustic noise in the environment, thereby maintaining measurement precision while avoiding the harmful effect of noise susceptibility.
2Ease of operation
If non-contact acoustic signal method is used, then authentication can be performed, but the device design freedom is limited and usability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs bone conduction technology that can be integrated into various device form factors including headsets, headphones, and portable electronic devices. The bone conduction speaker and microphone components can be incorporated into different device types (earphones, headsets, integrated phone components), allowing the authentication system to work across multiple device platforms. This universal approach enables flexible device design while maintaining ease of operation, as users can authenticate using their existing bone conduction-capable devices without being constrained to a single device type.
3Reliability
If bone conduction sound is used for authentication, then signal transmission through living body is achieved, but the method is vulnerable to wiretapping which reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the unique physiological characteristics of the user's bone conduction path as the authentication basis. By measuring the transfer function specific to the user's skull structure and bone conduction properties, the system creates a biometric signature that is inherent to the user's physiology. This extracted biometric feature cannot be easily replicated or intercepted by wiretapping, as it requires physical access to the user's bone conduction path. The authentication relies on taking out and utilizing this unique physiological characteristic rather than relying on external acoustic signals that could be wiretapped.
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 solution improves authentication accuracy by reducing noise interference and enhances usability by allowing the device to be applied to various body parts, while also increasing tolerance to wiretapping and false authentication attempts.
Implementation Method 1
transmits the synthesized sound to a bone conduction speaker. The signal transmitted from the bone conduction speaker is received by the bone conduction microphone through a human body (skeleton)
Implementation Method 2
The signal transmitted from the bone conduction speaker is received by the bone conduction microphone through a human body (skeleton) of the person to be authenticated
Implementation Method 3
The biometric authentication system extracts the personal feature by performing frequency analysis of the bone conduction sound in the feature extraction unit from the received signal
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a biometric authentication device that can enhance usability, suppress deterioration of authentication accuracy due to ambient noise, and increase tolerance to wiretapping. A biometric authentication device generates a signal pattern toward a living body by using a signal pattern generating means 11, and transmits the signal pattern to the living body in accordance with the signal pattern by a signal transmitting means 12. Further, the device receives a response signal transmitted through the living body by a signal receiving means 13. The device then calculates transfer feature in accordance with the signal pattern and the response signal by a transfer feature calculating means 14. Further, the device extracts and collates a feature amount in accordance with the transfer features.