US5787187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Systems and methods for biometric identification using the acoustic properties of the ear canal
Assignee: National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC
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Filing: 1996-04-01
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Granted: 1998-07-28
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Expires: 2016-04-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention teaches systems and methods for verifying or recognizing a person's identity based on measurements of the acoustic response of the individual's ear canal. The system comprises an acoustic emission device, which emits an acoustic source signal s(t), designated by a computer, into the ear canal of an individual, and an acoustic response detection device, which detects the acoustic response signal f(t). A computer digitizes the response (detected) signal f(t) and stores the data. Computer-implemented algorithms analyze the response signal f(t) to produce ear-canal feature data. The ear-canal feature data obtained during enrollment is stored on the computer, or some other recording medium, to compare the enrollment data with ear-canal feature data produced in a subsequent access attempt, to determine if the individual has previously been enrolled. The system can also be adapted for remote access applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Ann Marie Bouchard
- 👤 Gordon Cecil Osbourn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/12; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; G10; G10L; G10L17/00; G10L17/02; A61B5/72; A61B5/7235; A61B5/7253; A61B5/7257
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for verifying/recognizing the identity of an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said system comprising: enrollment means for enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual; and verification means for verifying the identity of the individual by determining whether the individual has previously been enrolled during said step of enrolling the individual.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A system for verifying/recognizing the identity of an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said system comprising: enrollment means for enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual; and verification means for verifying the identity of the individual by determining whether the individual has previously been enrolled during said step of enrolling the individual.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said enrollment means comprises: data acquisition means for acquiring reference data from the ear canal of the individual; extraction means for extracting reference feature vector data; and storage means for storing the reference feature vector data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the data acquisition means comprises: source means for emitting a source signal s(t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual; and detection means for detecting a response signal f(t) as a function of time in response to the source signal s(t).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 3, further comprising: means for digitizing the response signal f(t); and sampling means for sampling the response signal f(t) at a high sampling rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 4, further comprising storage means for storing the response signal f(t) once it has been digitized by said digitizing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 2, wherein data acquisition means for acquiring data from the ear canal of the individual comprises capture means for capturing frequency and intensity information contained in the response signal f(t).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the source signal s(t) emitted from said source means is controlled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the source signal s(t) emitted from said source means is broad-band noise.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said verification means comprises: data acquisition means for acquiring newly-acquired data from the ear canal of the individual; extraction means for extracting newly-extracted feature vector data; and pattern recognition means for recognizing a pattern to determine if the individual has previously been enrolled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises: comparison means for comparing the newly-extracted feature vector data against the reference feature vector data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said pattern recognition means comprises a computer-implemented pattern recognition algorithm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 9, further comprising authorization means for authorizing access if the individual has been previously enrolled and for denying access if the individual has not been previously enrolled.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 9, wherein the data acquisition means for acquiring newly acquired-data comprises: source means for emitting a source signal s(t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual; and detection means for detecting a response signal f(t) as a function of time in response to the source signal s(t).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 13, wherein the source signal s(t) is emitted in a series of pure-frequency tones until a steady state is reached in the response signal f(t) for each frequency in the series.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said enrollment means comprises: a hand-held apparatus for emitting a source signal s(t) into the ear canal of the individual; and a computer adapted to incorporate analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog capability running a computer program that instructs the computer to acquire data from the ear canal of the individual; extract reference feature vector data; and store the reference feature vector data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 15, wherein said hand-held apparatus comprises: a source signal emitter for emitting a source signal s(t) into the ear canal of the individual, the ear canal responding with a response signal f(t); and a signal response detector for detecting the response signal f(t).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16, wherein said source signal emitter is a speaker, and wherein said signal response detector is a microphone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 16, wherein the computer digitizes and samples the response signal f(t), and wherein the response signal f(t) is stored in the computer after it is digitized.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the response signal f(t) is analyzed via a computer-implemented method by a computer to extract feature vector data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 18, wherein the series of frequency tones is the range of zero kHz to fifty kHz.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 20, wherein the range is advanced in increments of 100 Hz.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 15, further comprising calibration means for calibrating the hand-held apparatus.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for verifying/recognizing the identity of an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said method comprising the steps of: enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual a first time; and verifying the identity of the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal of the individual a second time and by determining whether the individual has previously been enrolled during said step of enrolling the individual.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for verifying/recognizing the identity of an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said method comprising the steps of: enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual a first time; and verifying the identity of the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal of the individual a second time and by determining whether the individual has previously been enrolled during said step of enrolling the individual.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said enrolling step comprises the steps of: acquiring reference data from the ear canal of the individual; extracting reference feature vector data from the reference data; and storing the reference feature vector data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the step of acquiring reference data comprises the steps of: emitting source signals s 1 (t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual; and detecting response signals f 1 (t) as a function of time in response to the step of emitting source signals s 1 (t).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of: digitizing the response signals f 1 (t); and sampling the response signals f 1 (t) at a predetermined sampling rate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of storing the response signals f 1 (t) after said step of digitizing the response signals f 1 (t).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said step of acquiring reference data from the ear canal of the individual comprises the step of capturing frequency and intensity information contained in response signals f(t), the response signals f(t) being generated in response to the source signals s(t) emitted in the ear canal of the individual.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said verifying step comprises the steps of: acquiring newly-acquired data from the ear canal of the individual; extracting newly-extracted feature vector data from the newly-acquired data; and recognizing a pattern in the newly-extracted feature vector data to determine if the individual has previously been enrolled.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said step of recognizing a pattern comprises the step of comparing the newly-extracted feature vector data against the reference feature vector data obtained during said step of enrolling an individual.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said step of recognizing a pattern is performed using a computer-implemented pattern recognition algorithm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of authorizing access if the individual has been previously enrolled.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of denying access if the individual has not been previously enrolled.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of acquiring newly-acquired data comprises the steps of: emitting source signals s 2 (t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual; and detecting response signals f 2 (t) as a function of time in response to the step of emitting source signals s 2 (t).
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said step of enrolling an individual uses reference feature vector data to characterize the individual, and wherein said step of verifying the identity of the individual uses newly-acquired feature vector to characterize the individual.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the reference feature vector data and the newly-acquired feature vector data are extracted from response signals f(t), the response signals f(t) being generated in response to source signals s(t) emitted in the ear canal of the individual, the response signals f(t) being described as a convolution of the source signals s(t) with an effective impulse response function of the ear canal h(t).
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the reference feature vector data and the newly-acquired feature vector data are extracted from a discrete Fast Fourier Transform F(ω) of response signals f(t), where ω is natural frequency and t is time, the response signals f(t) being generated in response to the source signals s(t) emitted in the ear canal of the individual.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the reference feature vector data and the newly-acquired feature vector data are directly extracted from source signals s(t) emitted in the ear canal of the individual.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the reference feature vector data and the newly-acquired feature vector data are described as a discretized log |H|(ω) 2 , where is the natural frequency and H(ω) is the Fourier transform of an effective impulse response function of the ear canal h(t).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the reference feature vector data and the newly-acquired feature vector data are described by a discretized function H(ω) as a function of natural frequency ω, where ω is the natural frequency and H(ω) is the Fourier transform of an effective impulse response function of the ear canal h(t).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 35, wherein the reference feature vector data and the newly-acquired feature vector data are described by a discretized function h(t) as a function of time t, where h(t) is an effective impulse response function of the ear canal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for biometric identification, said system comprising means for determining the identification of an individual by analyzing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual, said means comprising a computer adapted to incorporate analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog capability running a computer program that instructs the computer to acquire data from the ear canal of the individual; extract reference features; store the reference features in a storage medium, and read the reference features from the storage medium to determine the identity of the individual.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
85 words
A system for biometric identification, said system comprising means for determining the identification of an individual by analyzing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual, said means comprising a computer adapted to incorporate analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog capability running a computer program that instructs the computer to acquire data from the ear canal of the individual; extract reference features; store the reference features in a storage medium, and read the reference features from the storage medium to determine the identity of the individual.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for biometric identification, said method comprising the steps of: enrolling an individual to obtain reference data; transmitting signals s(t) into an ear canal of the individual; detecting response signals f(t) from the ear canal of the individual in response to the transmitting signals step; and comparing the response signals f(t) with the previously obtained signals emitted from the ear canal of the individual to verify the identity of the individual.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for biometric identification, said method comprising the steps of: enrolling an individual to obtain reference data; transmitting signals s(t) into an ear canal of the individual; detecting response signals f(t) from the ear canal of the individual in response to the transmitting signals step; and comparing the response signals f(t) with the previously obtained signals emitted from the ear canal of the individual to verify the identity of the individual.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 43, wherein said enrolling step comprises the steps of: acquiring data; extracting feature data; and storing the feature data.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 43, wherein said comparing step comprises the step of reading the reference data from a storage means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 43, wherein the response signals represent acoustic properties of the ear canal of the individual.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for biometric identification, said system comprising: acquisition means for storing biometric information from an ear canal of an individual; source means for transmitting source signals into an ear canal of the individual; recording means for recording response signals emitted from the ear canal of the individual; and verification means for verifying that the response signals match the biometric information from the ear canal of the individual to verify the identity of the individual.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for biometric identification, said system comprising: acquisition means for storing biometric information from an ear canal of an individual; source means for transmitting source signals into an ear canal of the individual; recording means for recording response signals emitted from the ear canal of the individual; and verification means for verifying that the response signals match the biometric information from the ear canal of the individual to verify the identity of the individual.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 47, wherein said verification means comprises a pattern recognition algorithm.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 47, wherein said pattern recognition algorithm is computer implemented.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
231 words
A method for verifying/recognizing the identity of an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said method comprising the steps of: enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual, wherein said enrolling step comprises the steps of: acquiring reference data from the ear canal of the individual by emitting source signals s 1 (t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual and detecting response signals f 1 (t) as a function of time that are generated in response to the source signals s(t); extracting reference feature vector data from the reference data; and storing the reference feature vector data; and verifying the identity of the individual by determining whether the individual has previously been enrolled during said step of enrolling the individual, wherein said verifying step comprises the steps of: acquiring newly-acquired data from the ear canal of the individual by emitting source signals s 2 (t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual and detecting response signals f 2 (t) as a function of time that are generated in response to the source signals s 2 (t); extracting newly-extracted feature vector data from the newly-acquired data; and recognizing a pattern in the newly-extracted feature vector data to determine if the individual has previously been enrolled.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
231 words
A method for verifying/recognizing the identity of an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said method comprising the steps of: enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual, wherein said enrolling step comprises the steps of: acquiring reference data from the ear canal of the individual by emitting source signals s 1 (t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual and detecting response signals f 1 (t) as a function of time that are generated in response to the source signals s(t); extracting reference feature vector data from the reference data; and storing the reference feature vector data; and verifying the identity of the individual by determining whether the individual has previously been enrolled during said step of enrolling the individual, wherein said verifying step comprises the steps of: acquiring newly-acquired data from the ear canal of the individual by emitting source signals s 2 (t) as a function of time t into the ear canal of the individual and detecting response signals f 2 (t) as a function of time that are generated in response to the source signals s 2 (t); extracting newly-extracted feature vector data from the newly-acquired data; and recognizing a pattern in the newly-extracted feature vector data to determine if the individual has previously been enrolled.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said step of recognizing a pattern comprises the step of comparing the reference feature vector data against the newly-acquired feature vector data.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for characterizing an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said system comprising: transmitting means for transmitting a first signal into the ear canal of the individual; receiving means for receiving a second signal characteristic of an individual in response to the first signal; and means for characterizing the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric based on the second signal.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
75 words
A system for characterizing an individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric, said system comprising: transmitting means for transmitting a first signal into the ear canal of the individual; receiving means for receiving a second signal characteristic of an individual in response to the first signal; and means for characterizing the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of the ear canal as a biometric based on the second signal.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 52, wherein said transmitting means and said receiving means is a transceiver.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 52, wherein said transmitting means is a speaker and wherein said receiving means is a microphone.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for remote access biometric identification, said system comprising: enrollment means, located at a first location, for enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual and for generating and transmitting source signals s(t) into an ear canal of an individual; receiving means, located at a second location, for receiving said source signals s(t) and for detecting and transmitting response signals f(t) to the first location, the response signals f('t) being generated in response to source signals s(t); and verifying means, located at the first location, for receiving response signals f(t) and for verifying the identity of the individual.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for remote access biometric identification, said system comprising: enrollment means, located at a first location, for enrolling the individual by characterizing the acoustic properties of an ear canal of the individual and for generating and transmitting source signals s(t) into an ear canal of an individual; receiving means, located at a second location, for receiving said source signals s(t) and for detecting and transmitting response signals f(t) to the first location, the response signals f('t) being generated in response to source signals s(t); and verifying means, located at the first location, for receiving response signals f(t) and for verifying the identity of the individual.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 55, wherein: said enrollments means is a computer adapted to incorporate analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog capability and running a computer program that instructs the computer to acquire data from the ear canal of the individual; extract reference feature vector data; and store the reference feature vector data; said receiving means is a transceiver; and said verifying means is the computer.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for remote access biometric identification, said system comprising: source means, located at a first location, for emitting source signals s(t) into an ear canal of an individual, the ear canal generating response signals f(t) in response to source signals s(t); detecting means, located at the first location, for detecting the response signals f(t); extracting means, located at the first location, for extracting features from the response signals f(t); transmitting means, located at the first location, for transmitting the features to a second location; and comparing means, located at the second location, for receiving the features and for comparing the features against reference features that characterize the individual.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
109 words
A system for remote access biometric identification, said system comprising: source means, located at a first location, for emitting source signals s(t) into an ear canal of an individual, the ear canal generating response signals f(t) in response to source signals s(t); detecting means, located at the first location, for detecting the response signals f(t); extracting means, located at the first location, for extracting features from the response signals f(t); transmitting means, located at the first location, for transmitting the features to a second location; and comparing means, located at the second location, for receiving the features and for comparing the features against reference features that characterize the individual.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-27 | 2006-01-26 | 2006-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | 2010-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |