Voice Authentication for Restricted Device Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic devices require multiple authentication steps for accessing restricted features, which can be cumbersome and insecure, especially when using voice commands, as they often necessitate separate passphrase or word utterances.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a text-independent voice authentication system that generates a voiceprint based on speech inputs, allowing users to access restricted features without additional authentication steps by comparing the voiceprint to authorized user data, either locally or through a network service, and executing voice commands simultaneously with authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate authentication steps are required for voice commands, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the authentication process with voice command processing into a single unified operation. The speech recognition system simultaneously performs both authentication verification and command interpretation, eliminating the need for separate authentication steps while maintaining security through voiceprint comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple authentication steps are required, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines authentication and command execution into a single simultaneous process. By integrating voiceprint analysis with speech recognition, the device can authenticate users and process commands in one operation, significantly reducing the time required for access while maintaining security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate authentication steps are required, then reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speech recognition system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both an authentication mechanism through voiceprint comparison and a command processing system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate authentication interfaces and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining security.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3699908B1Device access using voice authentication
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 APPLE INC
  • EP3699908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3699908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3699908B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device can be configured to receive speech input from a user. The speech input can include a command for accessing a restricted feature of the device. The speech input can be compared to a voiceprint (e.g., text-independent voiceprint) of the user's voice to authenticate the user to the device. Responsive to successful authentication of the user to the device, the user is allowed access to the restricted feature without the user having to perform additional authentication steps or speaking the command again. If the user is not successfully authenticated to the device, additional authentication steps can be request by the device (e.g., request a password).