Dynamic Voice Authentication Thresholds for Mobile Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile site security and automation systems face challenges in balancing ease of use with security, as conventional voice authentication technologies are not sufficiently secure and increasing security levels can compromise user experience, making them vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

A site monitoring system that employs dynamically adjustable voice authentication thresholds based on factors like Internet Protocol address, login enforcement, and background acoustic environment, combined with multi-factor authentication methods such as knowledge-based, security token-based, user device-based, and biometric authentication, to enhance security while maintaining usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional voice authentication technology is used for mobile site security access, then ease of use is improved, but security is insufficient and vulnerable to unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of useVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment for voice authentication based on multiple factors including device location (home, work, unknown), time of day, and acoustic environment characteristics. The system adapts authentication stringency in real-time, making thresholds more stringent in high-risk contexts and more lenient in trusted environments, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of use and security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the authentication parameter (voice match threshold) dynamically based on contextual factors. When the device is in unknown locations or at unusual times, the threshold for voice authentication is increased to require higher confidence matches. Conversely, in trusted environments like home during normal hours, the threshold is lowered for faster authentication, thus balancing security and usability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multi-factor authentication is implemented to enhance security, then security is improved, but device complexity and usability are negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidauthentication process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies multi-factor authentication selectively rather than universally. It uses voice authentication alone in low-risk contexts (trusted locations, normal hours) and adds secondary factors (device passcode, biometric verification) only when risk indicators are present (unknown locations, unusual times, suspicious acoustic environments). This partial application of multi-factor authentication maintains security while avoiding unnecessary complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication process is segmented into multiple stages based on risk assessment. The system first evaluates contextual factors, then applies appropriate authentication methods: simple voice recognition for low-risk scenarios, and layered authentication (voice plus device passcode or biometric) for high-risk scenarios. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high security standards while keeping the user experience simple in most cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If voice authentication threshold is increased to reduce false acceptance, then security is improved, but false rejection rate increases and usability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefalse acceptance rateVSAvoidfalse rejection rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication threshold is dynamically adjusted based on contextual risk factors rather than being static. In high-risk situations (unknown locations, unusual times), the threshold is increased to minimize false acceptance. In low-risk situations (trusted home environment, normal hours), the threshold is lowered to reduce false rejections and improve user experience. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting to context

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If static authentication threshold is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different security contexts is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to security contexts
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static to dynamic threshold adjustment based on multiple contextual factors including geographic location, time of day, and acoustic environment characteristics. The processor automatically evaluates these factors and adjusts the voice authentication threshold accordingly, providing adaptability to different security contexts while maintaining system simplicity through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3077999B1Voice activated application for mobile devices
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 THE ADT SECURITY CORPORATION
  • EP3077999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3077999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3077999B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and methods for performing authentication to enable a user to access a site monitoring system are provided. The authentication includes voice authentication having at least one threshold that may be dynamically adjustable between false-rejection and false-acceptance. The system includes a processor configured to adjust the at least one threshold for the voice authentication based on at least one factor associated with the site monitoring system. The processor may be configured to perform voice authentication based on the adjusted at least one threshold to authenticate the user.