Cryptographic Microphone Signing for Audio Source Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently authenticating audio signals, particularly in verifying the source and integrity of audio signals, which is crucial in the context of deepfake audio and video manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A microphone equipped with an analog-to-digital converter, block generator, and cryptographic signing capabilities to divide audio signals into blocks, generate signatures or hash values, and embed watermarks, allowing for robust authentication of audio signals using private and public key pairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual research methods are used to verify audio signals, then authentication accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding cryptographic signatures and watermarks into the audio signal at the source (microphone or software entity) during the recording process. This allows the audio signal to carry authentication information inherently, enabling rapid verification without time-consuming manual research later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries (signatures, hashes, and watermarks) that mediate between the audio signal and the verification process. These intermediaries carry authentication information that can be quickly checked, replacing the need for manual research while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If cryptographic signatures are embedded in every audio block, then authentication reliability is improved, but data transmission volume and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential authentication information (signatures of hash values or audio features) and embeds it as watermarks in the audio signal. This selective extraction reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed and transmitted compared to embedding complete cryptographic signatures in every audio block.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by embedding authentication watermarks only in certain audio blocks rather than all blocks. This reduces processing complexity and data volume while maintaining sufficient authentication reliability through strategic placement of verification information.
3Measurement precision
If audio signals are divided into multiple blocks for processing, then authentication precision is improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and embedding authentication watermarks in audio blocks during the recording phase. This allows the divided blocks to carry their authentication information in advance, enabling fast verification without requiring complex real-time processing of each individual block.
4Reliability
If watermarks are embedded in audio blocks, then authentication capability is enhanced, but audio signal quality and clarity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by embedding watermarks in specific localized regions of the audio signal spectrum or time domain, rather than uniformly across the entire signal. This allows authentication information to be embedded in less critical areas, minimizing impact on overall audio quality while maintaining authentication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A microphone is provided comprising a microphone capsule adapted to capture an audio signal, an AD converter configured to convert the captured audio signal into a digital signal, a block generator configured to divide the digital audio signal into a plurality of audio blocks, a private key signature unit configured to generate at least one signature based on at least one of the plurality of audio blocks with a private key associated to the microphone and an audio output configured to output the at least one audio block and the generated at least one signature.