Code Reader Voice Authentication for Secure Function Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing code reading devices face challenges with easy but secure access and unauthorized configuration changes, particularly in applications where physical access is limited, such as on conveyor belts or in logistics high-bay warehouses.

Innovation Solution

A code reading device equipped with a voice recognition system that learns and recognizes an authorized user's voice, allowing secure access and function execution through personalized voice commands, utilizing artificial intelligence for voice learning and differentiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical access to the code reading device is required for configuration changes, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted access locations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical access method (physical access to the device) with an acoustic field-based authentication system. The audio unit captures voice commands, and the evaluation unit processes these acoustic signals to identify authorized users, eliminating the need for physical access while maintaining security through voice recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces voice recognition as an intermediary between the user and the device configuration system. Instead of direct physical access, users provide voice commands that serve as a mediator for authentication, allowing authorized users to access configuration functions remotely without physical contact with the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If voice recognition system is added to enable easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidcomplexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation unit performs multiple functions: it processes acoustic signals from the audio unit, executes voice recognition to identify authorized users, and controls access to configuration functions. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional unit, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving easy voice-based access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If voice learning process is implemented to personalize voice recognition, then security is improved through user identification, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs voice learning and voice print generation in advance during initial setup or periodic updates. The evaluation unit stores the learned voice characteristics and compares incoming acoustic signals against these pre-learned patterns, enabling rapid authentication without requiring time-consuming real-time learning processes during actual access requests.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4428745B1Code reading device and computer-implemented method for operating the code reading device
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SICK AG
  • EP4428745B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4428745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide a code-reading device for reading an optical code, which allows easy access to functions and secure modification of the functions of the code-reading device, it comprises a lighting unit for illuminating a reading area of ​​the code-reading device, a receiving unit for capturing the code from the reading area, an evaluation unit for determining information from the code, and an audio unit for capturing acoustic signals of a user's voice, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to perform a voice-learning process to learn and store a captured voice as the individual voice of an authorized user, so that the voice is stored as the personalized voice of the authorized user, and wherein the evaluation unit is further configured to perform a voice recognition process in which the personalized voice is recognized as the voice of the authorized user, and is further configuredThe code-reading device will only execute defined functions if a function call has been recognized by the personalized voice of the authorized user.