Voice Authentication for Wireless Media Rendering Setup

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The process of adding wireless media rendering devices to a network is tedious and prone to undesirable auto-configuration, particularly in environments with overlapping wireless local area networks, such as apartment buildings, where devices may join the wrong network.

Innovation Solution

A voice authentication and setup method is employed to configure new media rendering devices within a wireless media rendering system, using biometric voice data to distinguish between devices and ensure proper network integration without stringent user security procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If devices are designed to self-configure to a detected network upon initial start-up, then the configuration process is automated and simplified, but devices may join the wrong network in multi-residence environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauto-configurationVSAvoidnetwork joining accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a provisioning server as an intermediary between the media rendering device and the network. The device does not directly join detected networks but rather receives guided provisioning through the server, which verifies network identity and provides authenticated access credentials. This mediator prevents wrong network joining while maintaining automated configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the provisioning server communicates with the media rendering device to verify network detection results and provide corrective guidance. The server receives feedback about detected networks and responds with authentication requirements or corrections, ensuring the device joins the correct network rather than relying solely on initial auto-detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If manual network configuration is required for each device, then network joining accuracy is improved, but the configuration process becomes tedious and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork joining accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The media rendering device performs self-provisioning by automatically communicating with the provisioning server, detecting available networks, and receiving authentication credentials without requiring manual user input for each configuration step. The device serves itself through automated interactions with the server, combining reliability with ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The provisioning server performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring authentication credentials and network access parameters before the device needs to join. The server prepares the configuration data in advance and delivers it to the device automatically, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex network settings while ensuring accurate network joining.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If voice authentication is implemented for device provisioning, then security is enhanced and wrong network joining is prevented, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidprovisioning system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The provisioning server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex voice authentication processing, keeping the media rendering device itself relatively simple. The server receives voice inputs, performs authentication verification, and manages the complexity of security protocols, while the device only needs to capture and transmit voice data. This distributes complexity to the server rather than burdening each device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3747237B1Voice authentication and setup for wireless media rendering system
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 D & M HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3747237B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3747237B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3747237B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system and method for configuring a media rendering device of a media rendering system in a WLAN is disclosed. A second device is activated, and detected by a first device. The first and second devices establish a communication channel. The first device accesses biometric user data of a first user of the media rendering system, and records an audio voice phrase of a user of the second device. The system analyzes the audio voice phrase of the user of the second device to compare the audio voice phrase of the user of the second device to the biometric user data of the first user of the media rendering system. The system authenticates the audio voice phrase with respect to the biometric user data and configures the second device to render media according to a first user profile of the first user of the media rendering system.