Audio Earbud User Identification via Head Acoustic Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user identification methods for small devices like headsets or wireless earbuds are ineffective due to the inability to enter passwords or PINs and the lack of necessary biometric hardware.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the audio filtering capabilities of a user's head to differentiate between users by emitting a broadband sound and capturing the filtered sound with one earbud while the other earbud receives it, analyzing the unique head characteristics for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional user identification methods (passwords/PINs) are used, then security can be provided, but small devices lack the interface to enter credentials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input methods (keyboard, touchscreen) with an acoustic field-based identification system. Audio signals are emitted through the device, transmitted through the user's head, and captured by sensors to create a spectral fingerprint for identification, eliminating the need for physical input interfaces.
2Reliability
If biometric hardware (fingerprints, retinal scanners) is added, then identification accuracy improves, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the audio earbuds perform multiple functions: audio playback and user identification. The existing audio emission and reception capabilities are repurposed to create spectral fingerprints for identification, eliminating the need for dedicated biometric hardware while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The user's head acts as the filtering medium that creates the unique spectral fingerprint. The identification system uses the user's own physiological characteristics (head anatomy affecting sound transmission) without requiring external biometric sensors, making the user themselves part of the identification mechanism.
3Device complexity
If audio signals are used for identification, then no additional hardware is needed, but the method must differentiate unique head characteristics among users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the audio signal from the time domain to the frequency domain through spectral analysis. This dimensional transformation reveals unique spectral fingerprints that differentiate users based on how their head anatomy filters sound frequencies, making the identification characteristics measurable and distinguishable.
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 reliable and unique user identification system that does not require additional hardware, enhancing security and personalization for small devices.
Implementation Method 1
a wearer's head filters an audio signal, and the audio filtering capabilities of a user's head are used as a biometric feature
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided herein for identifying the user of audio earbuds. In particular, a wearer's head filters an audio signal, and the audio filtering capabilities of a user's head are used as a biometric feature. One earbud can be used as an audio emitter and the other earbud as an audio receiver. A broadband sound can be generated by the speaker in one earbud and received at the microphone of the other earbud. The received sound is filtered by the user's head and the head characterization of the received filtered sound can be used to identify the user. In particular, the material properties of the user's head change the signal, such that the received signal at the microphone of the other earbud is different from the transmitted signal. The differences are unique to the user's head due to physiological variances among people, and can be used to identify the user.