US6246751B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and methods for user identification to deny access or service to unauthorized users
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-08-11
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Granted: 2001-06-12
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Expires: 2017-08-11
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a voice dialing system and, particularly, a call forwarding feature associated with the system whereby system users may forward a telephone number respectively associated therewith to a remote location in order to receive phone calls at the remote location, comprises: a database for pre-storing telephone numbers of system users and for pre-storing acoustic models respectively representative of speech associated with each system user, the acoustic models respectively corresponding to the telephone numbers; and a speaker identification module operatively coupled to the database for obtaining and decoding a speech sample from a potential system user during the potential users' attempt to make a telephone call, the speaker identification module comparing the decoded speech sample obtained with the pre-stored acoustic model associated with the telephone number dialed by the potential user; whereby if the decoded speech sample substantially matches the pre-stored acoustic model, then the phone call attempted by the potential user is terminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Vladimir Bergl
- 👤 Kenneth Davies
- 👤 Abraham Poovakunnel Ittycheriah
- 👤 Stephane Herman Maes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; H04M3/42; H04M3/42204; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for preventing unauthorized use of a service in a system providing a plurality of services, the method comprising the steps of: (a) pre-storing a biometric model for each enrolled user of the system; (b) associating the biometric model of an enrolled user with a system service, if the enrolled user is not authorized to access the system service; (c) obtaining biometric data from an enrolled user requesting access to a system service; and (d) performing biometric identification by comparing the obtained biometric data with each biometric model associated with the requested system service; wherein if the obtained biometric data substantially matches one of the biometric models associated with the requested system service, the enrolled user is denied access to the requested system service.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for preventing unauthorized use of a service in a system providing a plurality of services, the method comprising the steps of: (a) pre-storing a biometric model for each enrolled user of the system; (b) associating the biometric model of an enrolled user with a system service, if the enrolled user is not authorized to access the system service; (c) obtaining biometric data from an enrolled user requesting access to a system service; and (d) performing biometric identification by comparing the obtained biometric data with each biometric model associated with the requested system service; wherein if the obtained biometric data substantially matches one of the biometric models associated with the requested system service, the enrolled user is denied access to the requested system service.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the biometric data is speech and wherein the biometric identification is speaker identification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the speaker identification is text-independent speaker identification.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of services are associated with a voice dialing system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the pre-storing step is performed by a database.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a service in a system providing a plurality of services, the apparatus comprising: a database for storing a biometric model for each enrolled user of the system and for storing a black list associated with at least one of the system services, the black list comprising the biometric model of each enrolled user that is not authorized to access the at least one system service; a biometric extractor for obtaining biometric data from an enrolled user requesting a system service; and a biometric identification system for comparing the biometric data with each biometric model in the black list associated with the requested system service, wherein if the biometric data substantially matches any one of the biometric models in the black list, the enrolled user requesting the system service is denied access to the requested system service.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a service in a system providing a plurality of services, the apparatus comprising: a database for storing a biometric model for each enrolled user of the system and for storing a black list associated with at least one of the system services, the black list comprising the biometric model of each enrolled user that is not authorized to access the at least one system service; a biometric extractor for obtaining biometric data from an enrolled user requesting a system service; and a biometric identification system for comparing the biometric data with each biometric model in the black list associated with the requested system service, wherein if the biometric data substantially matches any one of the biometric models in the black list, the enrolled user requesting the system service is denied access to the requested system service.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the biometric identification system is a speaker identification system and the biometric models are voiceprints.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the speaker identification system is a text-independent speaker identification system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the biometric identification system is one of a fingerprint recognition system, a face recognition system, an iris recognition system, and a signature recognition system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the system services are associated with a voice dialing system.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a call forwarding service of a voice dialing system, the apparatus comprising: a database for storing a voiceprint of an enrolled user and an internal telephone number of the enrolled user of the voice dialing system, wherein the voiceprint of the enrolled user and the internal telephone number of the enrolled user are logically associated with each other; and a speaker identification system for (i) obtaining and decoding a voice sample from a person placing a phone call to an internal telephone number of the voice dialing system and (ii) comparing the decoded voice sample with the voiceprint of the enrolled user in the database corresponding to the internal telephone number dialed by the person, wherein if the decoded voice sample substantially matches the voiceprint, the phone call is prevented from being call forwarded.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for preventing unauthorized use of a call forwarding service of a voice dialing system, the apparatus comprising: a database for storing a voiceprint of an enrolled user and an internal telephone number of the enrolled user of the voice dialing system, wherein the voiceprint of the enrolled user and the internal telephone number of the enrolled user are logically associated with each other; and a speaker identification system for (i) obtaining and decoding a voice sample from a person placing a phone call to an internal telephone number of the voice dialing system and (ii) comparing the decoded voice sample with the voiceprint of the enrolled user in the database corresponding to the internal telephone number dialed by the person, wherein if the decoded voice sample substantially matches the voiceprint, the phone call is prevented from being call forwarded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the speaker identification system is a text-independent speaker identification system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the voice print of the enrolled user comprises an acoustic model representing a class of individuals having similar voice characteristics.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-11 | 2004-12-11 | 2005-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-11 | 2008-12-11 | 2009-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-12-11 | 2013-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |