Hybrid Voice Biometric Authentication System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current authentication methods for accessing financial resources and protected data systems, particularly in telecommunications and VoIP, face challenges in balancing user acceptance and security, with existing biometric voice authentication solutions requiring extensive organization, user effort, and limited initial security during the enrolment process.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid process combining text-dependent and text-independent voice biometry, where active text-dependent enrolment is linked with passive text-independent enrolment, allowing for variable weighting based on the user's voice profile history, and incorporating substitute authentication methods using personalized data for enhanced security and user acceptance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If text-dependent voice authentication is used during enrolment, then less voice material is required for recognition, but the user must repeat specific terms which appears artificial and reduces user acceptance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice recognition accuracyVSAvoiduser acceptance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines text-dependent and text-independent voice biometry methods into a hybrid authentication system. The text-dependent method provides accurate voice profile matching by analyzing acoustic characteristics during enrolment and authentication, while the text-independent method allows users to speak naturally without repeating specific terms. This merging resolves the contradiction by achieving both recognition accuracy and user acceptance through the complementary strengths of both methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication system uses a composite approach by integrating multiple voice analysis techniques (text-dependent and text-independent) rather than relying on a single method. This composite strategy allows the system to leverage the precision of text-dependent analysis while maintaining the natural interaction of text-independent speech, thereby resolving the trade-off between accuracy and user acceptance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If text-independent voice authentication is used, then users can speak naturally without repeating terms, but more voice material (30-90 seconds) is required which extends enrolment time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser acceptanceVSAvoidenrolment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid system merges text-dependent and text-independent methods to resolve the time-acceptance contradiction. The text-dependent component requires minimal voice material for quick enrolment, while the text-independent component allows natural speech patterns. By combining both, the system achieves user acceptance through natural speech while reducing overall enrolment time through the efficiency of text-dependent processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by using text-dependent methods for the essential enrolment phase requiring minimal voice material, and text-independent methods for enhancement and ongoing authentication. This partial application of each method optimizes the balance between enrolment time and user acceptance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If passive enrolment is used where users speak normally, then less user effort is required, but authentication cannot be performed independently until sufficient voice material is collected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser effortVSAvoidauthentication availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges passive and active enrolment approaches within a hybrid framework. The text-independent component enables passive enrolment where users speak naturally with minimal effort, accumulating voice material over time. Simultaneously, the text-dependent component provides active enrolment capability that can establish initial authentication with minimal voice material. This merging resolves the contradiction by allowing passive enrolment for convenience while maintaining authentication availability through text-dependent methods during the enrolment period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If voice biometric authentication is implemented, then security is enhanced through unique biometric features, but organization costs and operational complexity increase for service providers

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidorganizational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid voice biometric system serves multiple functions: it provides high-security authentication when voice profiles are established, enables quick enrolment through text-dependent methods, and maintains natural user interaction through text-independent methods. This multi-functionality resolves the security-complexity contradiction by creating a versatile system that adapts to different operational contexts, reducing organizational burden through automated processing and flexible deployment options.

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

Data Source

PatentUS8095372B2Digital process and arrangement for authenticating a user of a database
Publication Date: 2012.01.10 AI SOFTWARE LLC
  • US8095372B2 patent drawing
  • US8095372B2 patent drawing
  • US8095372B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Digital process for authentication of a user of a database for access to protected data or a service reserved for a defined circle of users or for the use of data currently entered by the user, wherein a voice sample currently enunciated during an access attempt by the user is routed to a voice analysis unit and, herein, a current voice profile is computed and this is compared in a voice profile comparison unit against a previously stored initial voice profile and, in response to a positive comparison result, the user is authenticated and a first control signal enabling access, but in response to a negative comparison result a second control signal disabling access or triggering a substitute authentication procedure is generated.