Bone Conduction Speaker and Microphone for Skull-Based Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current authentication methods for wearable computing devices often require users to input additional data, which can be inconvenient and may not provide robust security, especially in highly secure environments.
Innovation Solution
A wearable computing device using bone conduction technology, where a bone conduction speaker and microphone are used to 'fingerprint' the user's skull by transmitting acoustic signals and analyzing the frequency response characteristics, allowing authentication without the need for additional data input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional authentication methods (username/password, patterns, codes) are used, then authentication can be performed, but the user must input additional data which is inconvenient and may not provide robust security
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's own skull as the authentication medium. The skull naturally transmits and modifies acoustic signals based on its unique shape, eliminating the need for the user to manually input authentication data. The skull itself performs the authentication function passively while the user simply wears the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual input mechanisms (typing passwords, drawing patterns) with an acoustic field-based system. Acoustic signals are transmitted through the skull and the resulting modifications to these signals are analyzed for authentication, substituting mechanical user actions with acoustic field interactions.
2Reliability
If retinal or iris-based authentication is used, then high security is achieved, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The skull serves multiple functions: it is both the bone conduction medium for audio output and the authentication credential. The same anatomical structure used for sound transmission also provides the unique acoustic fingerprint for identification, eliminating the need for separate authentication hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic signals serve as an intermediary to interact with the skull's unique properties. Rather than directly scanning or imaging the skull, the system uses sound waves to probe and characterize the skull's acoustic properties, which then serve as the authentication basis.
3Reliability
If the device requires calibration and authentication processes, then security is improved, but the authentication time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration process is performed in advance during device setup. The system pre-characterizes the user's skull acoustic properties and stores this information for rapid comparison during subsequent authentication events, eliminating the need for time-consuming analysis during actual authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic acoustic signals (such as swept-frequency or impulse signals) to efficiently characterize the skull's acoustic properties. These periodic signals allow for rapid measurement of the skull transfer function, reducing the time required for both calibration and authentication.
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
This method provides a secure and user-friendly authentication process by uniquely identifying users based on the shape of their skull, ensuring only authorized users can access the device.
Implementation Method 1
The speaker and the microphone are provided on the device such that when a user wears the eyeglasses, both the speaker and the microphone contact the user's head at positions proximate the user's skull or other bones in the user's head
Implementation Method 2
Some of the signals become attenuated and a delay occurs when the signals are transmitted across the skull
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable computing device is authenticated using bone conduction. When a user wears the device, a bone conduction speaker and a bone conduction microphone on the device contact the user's head at positions proximate the user's skull. A calibration process is performed by transmitting a signal from the speaker through the skull and receiving a calibration signal at the microphone. An authentication process is subsequently performed by transmitting another signal from the speaker through the skull and an authentication signal is received at the microphone. In the event that frequency response characteristics of the authentication signal match the frequency response characteristics of the calibration signal, the user is authenticated and the device is enabled for user interaction without requiring the user to input any additional data.