Data processing: speech signal processing – linguistics – language – Speech signal processing – Application
Reexamination Certificate
1996-08-06
2001-07-24
Dorvil, Richemond (Department: 2641)
Data processing: speech signal processing, linguistics, language
Speech signal processing
Application
C704S246000, C235S380000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266640
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to data authentication, and more particularly, to an improved technique of verifying the identity of a user of a data network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of electronic mail, data networks, and other electronic communications has become widespread over the past several years. More and more businesses and individuals are becoming connected to data networks, such as the internet, in order to communicate information in a paperless manner.
The growth in data network use has recently led to a wide variety of goods and services being offered to consumers who use such data networks. For example, many magazines are now available on line, airline tickets can be booked electronically, etc.
One general category of available online services is consumer transactions. Consumers may purchase items by entering an account number to be billed, credit card, etc. The consumer can thus place an order for an item to be delivered to a specified location.
One issue of concern is security, and more particularly, authentication. Specifically, the widespread use of data networks leaves open the possibility of theft of credit card numbers, passwords, and other information which a dishonest individual can use to charge purchases to the account numbers of others.
While numerous technologies for encryption and cryptographic authentication exist, these technologies include several drawbacks. One such drawback is that the encryption usually involves a cryptographic key, and management and record keeping with respect to all of the different keys is not a simple task. Moreover, some sophisticated mathematical algorithms exist which can decipher the cryptographic information, even without advance knowledge of the cryptographic key. Finally, a clever thief may have a technique to steal the cryptographic key, just as he may have a technique to steal the password previously utilized with a particular user, account number, etc. Accordingly, the encryption technique is not completely reliable.
In view of the above, it can be appreciated that there exists a need in the art for an improved technique of verifying a particular user's identity before accepting payment from that user or dispatching any goods or services to that user, in order to ensure that the payment is not being sent from a stolen credit card number or other account number.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above and other problems of the prior art are overcome in accordance with the present invention which relates to a technique of verifying the user's identity by use of a voice print before allowing the user to engage in commercial transactions over the data network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a voice verification unit is connected to the data network. The user's ID is ascertained by means of, for example, his data network address, and his stored voice print is retrieved from a voice print bank. The user is then asked to speak a few words, in order to verify the user's identity. The verification of the user's speech pattern may take place with the aid of a separate telephone call initiated by either the voice verification unit or the user's computer and/or telephone, or by the computer accepting and processing the transaction. The verification may take place by transmitting the voice in digital form over the data network.
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Dialogic Corporation
Dorvil Richemond
Kaplan & Gilman, L.L.P.
Wieland Susan
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