Voice Command Verification Using Audio Fingerprint Markers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Voice command devices are vulnerable to replay attacks where a recorded voice command is played back to gain unauthorized access, compromising security.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a verification signal marker, such as an audio watermark, embedded in voice commands to authenticate the user's proximity and prevent replay attacks by comparing the detected signal marker with a generated verification signal marker.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If voice command devices are operated in a hands-free manner using audio inputs, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to vulnerability to replay attacks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehands-free operationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by embedding an inaudible signal marker in the audio environment before the voice command is executed. This signal marker serves as a preliminary verification that the device is physically present and actively listening, preventing replay attacks where recorded commands are played back without the actual device being present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism - the inaudible signal marker - that mediates between the user's voice command and the device's execution. This intermediary element (signal marker) provides additional security verification without interfering with the hands-free operation, as it operates in the audio spectrum below human hearing range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If audio watermarking is used to verify voice commands, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidverification system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical or procedural security verification systems with an acoustic field-based verification using inaudible signal markers. Instead of requiring complex authentication protocols or physical presence verification mechanisms, the system uses acoustic signaling below human hearing range to verify device presence and active listening state, simplifying the overall verification architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12562159B2Localizing and verifying utterances by audio fingerprinting

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 COMCAST CABLE COMM LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed for enhancing the security of a user device such as a voice command device. A computing device associated with the user device may be configured to receive an indication of a trigger, such as a predetermined word or passcode. In response to receiving the indication of the trigger, the computing device may be configured to determine a verification signal marker and to cause transmission of the verification signal marker. The computing device may receive an audio input comprising a voice command and a detected signal marker and verify the voice command based on a comparison of the detected signal marker and the verification signal marker. In response to the verifying the voice command, the computing device may be configured to cause execution of an operation associated with the voice command such as tuning to a specific channel on a nearby set-top box.