U.S. patent application number 10/751460 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for individual authentication method, individual authentication apparatus, information communication apparatus equipped with the apparatus, and individual authentication system including the apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Hashimoto, Masahiko, Kato, Makoto.
Application Number | 20040141416 10/751460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18814987 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040141416 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kato, Makoto ; et
al. |
July 22, 2004 |
Individual authentication method, individual authentication
apparatus, information communication apparatus equipped with the
apparatus, and individual authentication system including the
apparatus
Abstract
The object of the present invention is to provide an individual
authentication method and apparatus that use no bulky apparatuses,
are insusceptible to forgery, and use an auditory organ which is
almost independent of health condition and aging, is little subject
to physiological rejection, and exists in everyone. To achieve this
object, the present invention comprises a sound receiving/sending
part, a signal processing part for performing signal processing for
information of sound to be received and sent, a storing part for
storing acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ,
and a signal processing part that controls sound receiving and
sending, and saves, compares and identifies acoustic characteristic
information, whereby whether an authentication examinee is one of
authentication subjects can be determined by comparing acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ collected in
advance and acoustic characteristic information of an auditory
organ measured in the authentication examinee.
Inventors: |
Kato, Makoto; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Hashimoto, Masahiko; (Osaka, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWDY AND NEIMARK, P.L.L.C.
624 NINTH STREET, NW
SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-5303
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD
|
Family ID: |
18814987 |
Appl. No.: |
10/751460 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10751460 |
Jan 6, 2004 |
|
|
|
09985935 |
Nov 6, 2001 |
|
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|
6697299 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
367/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06V 40/10 20220101;
G06K 9/00 20130101; G07C 9/37 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
367/087 |
International
Class: |
G01S 015/00; H04R
029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 8, 2000 |
JP |
2000-340007 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An individual authentication system in which: an authentication
examinee has a means for measuring acoustic characteristic
information of an auditory organ wherein the means include a sound
sending part and a signal processing part for sound; an
authentication executor has acoustic characteristic information of
an auditory organ of authentication subjects collected in advance;
and the authentication executor authenticates individuals by
comparing acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ
of the authentication examinee measured by using the means for
measuring acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ,
and the acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ of
the authentication subjects collected in advance.
2. The individual authentication system according to claim 1
wherein the signal processing part for performing signal processing
for sound information measures a difference of electrical
characteristics of the sound sending part between one occasion that
the sound sending part sends the sound to an open space and another
occasion that the sound sending part sends the sound to a closed
space in a manner that the sound sending part and the auditory
organ of an authentication examinee are close to each other, as an
acoustic characteristic information of the auditory organ.
3. The individual authentication system according to claim 1,
wherein the acoustic characteristic information is acoustic
impedance.
4. The individual authentication system according to claim 1,
wherein the acoustic characteristic information is reflected wave
characteristic information.
5. The individual authentication system according to claim 1,
wherein the sound sending part is piezoelectric element.
6. The individual authentication system according to claim 1,
wherein the sound sending part is voice coil.
7. The individual authentication system according to claim 1
wherein the authentication examinee further has a transmitting
means; the transmitting means transmits the measured acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ of the
authentication examinee after the authentication executor compares
acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ of the
authentication examinee measured by using the means for measuring
acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ, and the
acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ of the
authentication subjects collected in advance.
8. The individual authentication system according to claim 7,
wherein the transmitting means is cellular phone.
9. The individual authentication system according to claim 7,
wherein the transmitting means is personal computer connected with
internet.
10. The individual authentication system according to claim 7,
wherein the transmitting means is desk phone.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of copending parent application Ser.
No. 09/985,935 filed Nov. 6, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an individual
authentication method and an individual authentication apparatus,
and an information communication apparatus equipped with the
apparatus and an individual authentication system including the
apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Conventionally, as a method of authenticating an individual,
physical characteristics specific to the individual such as, e.g.,
fingerprints, retina pattern, iris, handwriting, face image, and
voice have been used. In JP-A No. H10-283472, an individual
authentication system is disclosed which extracts the
characteristics of a human face image from human face image data
and uses it for individual authentication.
[0006] However, the invention described in the patent application
has a problem in that an apparatus becomes bulky because of a
camera used to capture a face image and a calculating apparatus for
binarizing the captured image. Also, individual authentication
using fingerprints or handwriting has a problem in that the
possibility of forgery cannot be eliminated. Individual
authentication using face images or voice has a problem in that
authentication accuracy depends greatly on individual health
condition and aging. Individual authentication using retina
patterns or iris has a problem in that it involves act
physiologically undesirable to human, such as eyes that must be
brought close to a measuring apparatus.
[0007] Recently, illegal use of information communication
apparatuses by other than owners thereof has become conspicuous.
Conventional illegal use by other than owners has been such that
phone rates not chargeable on owners are chargeable on the owners.
However, in the future, online shopping and online banking through
information communication apparatuses are expected to come into
wider use, in which case authentication is required to see if a
current talker or operator matches the owner of the information
communication apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above
circumstances and provides an individual authentication method and
apparatus that use no bulky apparatuses, are insusceptible to
forgery, and use an auditory organ which is almost independent of
health condition and aging, is little subject to physiological
rejection, and exists in everyone, an information communication
apparatus that can effectively use the information communication
apparatus, and an individual authentication system that can easily
authenticate a current talker or operator to see if he (or she) is
the owner of the information communication apparatus.
[0009] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the
present invention, there is provided an individual authentication
method that uses acoustic characteristics of an auditory organ;
preferably, authentication is performed by comparing acoustic
characteristic information collected in advance and measured
acoustic characteristic information, and particularly, the acoustic
characteristic information is preferably acoustic impedance or
reflected wave characteristic information.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an individual authentication apparatus, comprising: a
means for measuring acoustic characteristic information of an
auditory organ wherein the means includes a sound receiving/sending
part and a signal processing part for performing signal processing
for information of sound to be received and sent; and a means for
authenticating individuals by using a storing part for storing
acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ collected
in advance, and a signal processing part that compares the stored
acoustic characteristic information and measured acoustic
characteristic information. The sound receiving/sending part may
comprise separate members as a sound sending part and a sound
receiving part. The acoustic characteristic information may be
acoustic impedance, and further the sound receiving/sending part,
and the sound sending part and/or the sound receiving part may be
piezoelectric elements or voice coils.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an individual authentication apparatus, comprising: a
means for measuring acoustic characteristic information of an
auditory organ wherein the means includes a sound sending part and
a signal processing part for performing signal processing for sound
information; and a means for authenticating individuals wherein the
means comprises a storing part for storing acoustic characteristic
information of an auditory organ collected in advance, and a signal
processing part that compares the stored acoustic characteristic
information and measured acoustic characteristic information. The
acoustic characteristic information may be acoustic impedance, and
further the sound sending part may be piezoelectric elements or
voice coils.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an information communication apparatus equipped with an
individual authentication apparatus, the individual authentication
apparatus comprising: a means for measuring acoustic characteristic
information of an auditory organ wherein the means includes a
loudspeaker for receiving and sending sound and a signal processing
part for performing signal processing for information of sound to
be received and sent; and a means for authenticating individuals
wherein the means includes a storing part for storing acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ collected in
advance, and a signal processing part that compares the stored
acoustic characteristic information and measured acoustic
characteristic information. According to another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided an information communication
apparatus equipped with an individual authentication apparatus, the
individual authentication apparatus comprising: a means for
measuring acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ
wherein the means includes a loudspeaker for sending sound, a
microphone for receiving sound, and a signal processing part for
performing signal processing for information of sound to be
received and sent; and a means for authenticating individuals
wherein the means includes a storing part for storing acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ collected in
advance, and a signal processing part that compares the stored
acoustic characteristic information and measured acoustic
characteristic information. According to another aspect of the
present invention, there is provided The information communication
apparatus equipped with an individual authentication apparatus, the
individual authentication apparatus comprising: a means for
measuring acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ
wherein the means includes a loudspeaker for sending sound, and a
signal processing part for performing signal processing for sound
information; and a means for authenticating individuals wherein the
means includes a storing part for storing acoustic characteristic
information of an auditory organ collected in advance, and a signal
processing part that compares the stored acoustic characteristic
information and measured acoustic characteristic information. The
acoustic characteristics may be acoustic impedance, the loudspeaker
and/or microphone may employ piezoelectric elements or voice coils,
and furthermore, sound sent from the loudspeaker may be voice, a
ringing tone used to call individuals, or a special tone used to
authenticate individuals.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided an individual authentication system in which: an
authentication examinee has a means for measuring acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ wherein the means
include a sound sending function, a sound receiving function, and a
signal processing part for sound to be received and sent; an
authentication executor has acoustic characteristic information of
an auditory organ of authentication subjects collected in advance;
and the authentication executor authenticates individuals by
comparing acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ
of the authentication examinee measured using the means for
measuring acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ,
and the acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ of
the authentication subjects collected in advance. According to
another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
individual authentication system in which: an authentication
examinee has a means for measuring acoustic characteristic
information of an auditory organ wherein the means include a sound
sending function and a signal processing part for sound; an
authentication executor has acoustic characteristic information of
an auditory organ of authentication subjects collected in advance;
and the authentication executor authenticates individuals by
comparing acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ
of the authentication examinee measured using the means for
measuring acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ,
and the acoustic characteristic information of an auditory organ of
the authentication subjects collected in advance.
[0014] By the invention, there are obtained a simple individual
authentication method, an individual authentication apparatus, and
an information communication apparatus equipped with the apparatus,
and an individual authentication system including the
apparatus.
[0015] As has been described above, by using acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ, there can be
provided a simple individual authentication method that uses no
bulky apparatuses, is insusceptible to forgery, and uses an
auditory organ which is almost independent of health condition and
aging, is little subject to physiological rejection, and exists in
everyone.
[0016] These objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent from embodiments that will be described
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an auditory organ of one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is schematic diagrams showing measurement of acoustic
characteristics of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing individual
authentication of one embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is schematic diagrams showing changes of electrical
impedance of a sound sending part of one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is equivalent circuit diagrams of an electrical
system and an acoustic system of one embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of changes of
electrical impedances of a given loudspeaker when sounds from 100
Hz to 500 Hz in frequency are sent from the loudspeaker in one
embodiment of the present invention; the impedance data is obtained
for each of four cases, "the sounds sent to an open space",
"examinee 1", "examinee 2", and "examinee 3".
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
[0024] A schematic diagram of a human auditory organ is shown in
FIG. 1. In the drawing, the reference numeral 1 designates an
external ear; 2, a middle ear; 3, an internal ear; 4, an eardrum;
5, auditory ossicles; 6, semicircular canal; and 7, cochlea. The
auditory organ comprises the external ear 1, the middle ear 2, and
the internal ear 3, and their auditory characteristic information
exhibits characteristics specific to individuals. The use of such
characteristics specific to individuals enables individuals to be
authenticated.
[0025] As a concrete example, acoustic characteristic information
of an auditory organ of individuals to be authenticated, that is,
authentication subjects, is collected in advance, acoustic
characteristic information of an auditory organ of an
authentication examinee is actually measured at a place where
authentication is required, and the acoustic characteristic
information collected in advance and the acoustic characteristic
information of the auditory organ of the authentication examinee
actually measured are compared to determine whether the
authentication examinee is an authentication subject.
[0026] Therefore, if an appropriate measuring means is provided for
acoustic characteristic information to be collected and measured,
and a means for comparing and identifying the obtained information
is provided, it can be judged whether the authentication examinee
is an authentication subject.
[0027] A method of authenticating individuals by comparing and
identifying acoustic characteristic information may be implemented
by a software program, the program may be saved in recording media
and read into comparing and judging means for execution as
required, or it may be downloaded from the outside by some
communication means such as wireless communications and the
Internet as required and be read into the comparing and judging
means.
[0028] Sounds used to obtain acoustic characteristic information
maybe audible sound waves of relatively low frequencies or
nonaudible sound waves of relatively high frequencies such as
ultrasound.
[0029] As acoustic characteristic information used for
identification, it is preferable to use acoustic impedance or
reflected wave characteristic information because they are easy to
actually collect and measure, and contribute to the fabrication of
a compact and lightweight measuring means. That is, the acoustic
impedance can be easily obtained using electrical impedance
obtained by measuring circuit voltages and currents, and as the
reflected wave characteristic information, for example, the
positions and amplitudes of reflected waves reflected in different
places within the auditory organ on a time axis can be used.
Second Embodiment
[0030] In the present embodiment, the authentication method
described in the first embodiment will be described in more
detail.
[0031] Schematic diagrams showing measurement of acoustic
characteristic information are shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2A is a
schematic diagram showing when sound is sent. FIG. 2B is a
schematic diagram showing when sound is received. In FIG. 2A, the
reference numeral 11 designates a sound sending part; 12, auditory
organ of an authentication examinee; 13, sent sound; and 14, a
signal processing part. In FIG. 2B, 15 designates a sound receiving
part; 16, reflected sound; 17, acoustic characteristic information
of the authentication examinee; and 18, a storing part to store the
acoustic characteristic information.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2A, under control of the signal processing
part 14, sound 13 sent from the sound sending part 11 travels
through the auditory organ 12. The sent sound is absorbed in part
in the auditory organ 12 and the remainder is reflected indifferent
places within the auditory organ 12 as shown in FIG. 2B, and
reflected sound 16 is received by the sound receiving part 15.
[0033] The received sound is converted to an electrical signal and
subjected to operations, with the result acoustic characteristic
information 17 of the authentication examinee is output ed and
stored in the storing part 18.
[0034] A schematic diagram showing individual authentication is
shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 19 designates
acoustic characteristic information of the authentication examinee
collected in advance. The storing part 18 is stored with the
acoustic characteristic information 19 of the authentication
examinee collected in advance, and acoustic characteristic
information 17 of the authentication examinee measured immediately
before, and the signal processing part 14 reads the two pieces of
information from the storing part 18 to compare them. If the
comparison gives an equal result, it is determined that the
authentication examinee is the principal to be authenticated, and
if the comparison gives an unequal result, it is determined that
the authentication examinee is not the principal to be
authenticated, and individual authentication is thus completed.
[0035] Where the reflected sound (reflected wave) 16 is used as
described above, preferably a high-frequency sound wave is used to
increase resolution. Concretely, estimation will be made using
values. For example, where sound of 1 MHz is used, if sound speed
in the air is assumed as 300 m/s, wavelength is about 0.3 mm, and
if the reciprocation distance from an external ear 1 to an eardrum
4 is 6 cm, time required for reciprocation is 200 .mu.s. Since the
cycle of sound of 1 MHz is 1 .mu.s, if the length of sound sent is
from several cycles to tens of cycles, a reflected wave from the
eardrum 4, a reflected wave from auditory ossicles 5, and a
reflected wave from a cochlea 7 can be received individually on a
time axis.
[0036] Since the positions and sizes of members within the auditory
organ depend on individuals, and reflected wave characteristics
from different members also depend on individuals; the above
described time characteristics of reflected waves can be used for
individual authentication. The use of the magnitudes (reception
intensity) of the reflected waves in addition to the above
described time characteristics of the reflected waves would
contribute to an increase in authentication accuracy.
[0037] In FIG. 2, the sound sending part 11 and the sound receiving
part 15 are described as parts different from each other. However,
these may be implemented as different roles of an identical part
having both a sound sending function and a sound receiving
function.
[0038] Although the sound sending part 11, the sound receiving part
15, and a part (not shown) having a sound sending/receiving
function are preferably piezoelectric elements typified by PZT,
they may be electrodynamic elements typified by voice coils or
electrostatic elements typified by capacitors.
[0039] In FIG. 3, acoustic characteristic information 17 of an
authentication examinee and acoustic characteristic information 19
of authentication subjects are read from the storing part 18.
However, the different pieces of information maybe stored in
separate means so that they are read from a pertinent means as
required.
[0040] A method of authenticating individuals by comparing and
identifying acoustic characteristic information maybe implemented
by a software program, the program may be saved in recording media
and read into comparing and judging means for execution as
required, or it may be downloaded from the outside by some
communication means such as wireless communications and the
Internet as required and be read into the comparing and judging
means.
Third Embodiment
[0041] In this embodiment, a description will be made in detail of
individual authentication when the individual authentication
apparatus described in the second embodiment does not have the
sound receiving part 15.
[0042] Schematic diagrams showing changes of electrical impedance
of a sound sending part are shown in FIG. 4. The reference numeral
21 designates power; 22, a sound sending part; and 23, auditory
organ.
[0043] FIG. 4A shows a state in which the sound is sent to an open
space. FIG. 4B shows a state in which sound is sent to a closed
space when the sound sending part 22 and the auditory organ 23 are
close to each other.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4A, assumedly, the electrical impedance of
the sound sending part 22 when it sends sound to an open space is
Z. As shown in FIG. 4B, if the auditory organ 23 is brought close
to the sound sending part 22, the electrical impedance of the sound
sending part 22 changes from Z to Z' by acoustic impedance of the
auditory organ 23.
[0045] The acoustic impedance of the auditory organ 23 depends on
individuals and electrical impedance also changes according to the
acoustic impedance, with the result that electrical impedance Z'
also depends on individuals. That is, individual authentication can
be implemented by using electrical impedance, which is acoustic
characteristic information.
[0046] Equivalent circuits are used to give a more detailed
description.
[0047] FIG. 5A shows an equivalent circuit of an electrical system
and an acoustic system when the sound sending part 22 sends sound
to an open space as shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5B shows an equivalent
circuit of an electrical system and an acoustic system when the
sound sending part 22 sends sound in a state in which it is close
to the auditory organ 23, as shown in FIG. 4B. The reference
numeral 21 designates power; 24, electrical impedance having the
value of z1; 25, a transformer (mainly formed by air) connecting
the electrical system and the acoustic system; 26, acoustic
impedance constantly having the value of z2; and 27, acoustic
impedance having the value of z3 developing when the auditory organ
23 is brought close to the sound sending part 22.
[0048] The equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 5 has an electrical
system circuit as a primary circuit at the left of a transformer
25, and an acoustic system circuit as a secondary circuit at the
right of the transformer 25.
[0049] In the equivalent circuit of FIG. 5A, the acoustic impedance
26 of the secondary circuit is recognized as electrical impedance
zt through the transformer 25 when viewed from the primary circuit
side, and if the transformer 25 has a transformation ratio of 1 to
q between the primary side and the secondary side, a relation of
zt=z2/(q.times.q) is satisfied. That is, electrical composite
impedance Z to the right of the line A-A' in the equivalent circuit
is represented by the sum of the value z1 of the electrical
impedance 24 and the zt, as shown below.
Z=z1+zt=z1+z2/(q.times.q)
[0050] The value z is the electrical impedance of the sound sending
part 22 shown in FIG. 4A.
[0051] On the other hand, the acoustic impedances 26 and 27 of the
secondary circuit are recognized as zt'=(z2+z3)/(q.times.q) when
viewed from the primary circuit side. That is, electrical composite
impedance Z' to the right of the line B-B' is represented as shown
below.
Z'=z1+zt'=z1+(z2+z3)/(q.times.q)
[0052] Like the case of FIG. 5A, the value Z' is the electrical
impedance of the sound sending part 22 shown in FIG. 4B.
[0053] Next, changes of the electrical impedance will be examined.
An electrical impedance difference .DELTA.Z developing when the
auditory organ 23 is brought close to the sound sending part 22 is
represented by .DELTA.Z=Z'-Z, and it will be understood from the
forgoing description that .DELTA.z=z3/(q.times.q) is satisfied. z3
is the acoustic impedance 27 developing when the auditory organ 23
is brought close to the sound sending part 22, and its value
depends on individuals. That is, the difference can be used to
implement individual authentication.
[0054] Concretely, an example showing differences among individuals
will be described below. FIG. 6 is a graph showing differences
among individuals of electrical impedance when the sound sending
part 22 is brought close to the auditory organ 23. FIG. 6 is a
graphical representation of changes of electrical impedances of a
given loudspeaker when sounds from 100 Hz to 500 Hz in frequency
are sent from the loudspeaker; the impedance data is obtained for
each of four cases, "the sounds sent to an open space", "examinee
1", "examinee 2", and "examinee 3". Data of an examinee was
obtained using a headphone so that a loudspeaker was fixed in
identical conditions in the vicinity of an ear of the examinee.
Obtained impedances are indicated by the absolute values and phases
thereof and are plotted on coordinates with real numbers on a
horizontal axis and imaginary numbers on a vertical axis, as shown
in FIG. 6.
[0055] It will be appreciated from FIG. 6 that electrical
impedances are different among examinees. In the range from 100 Hz
to 500 Hz, lower frequencies make the differences more conspicuous,
indicating that the use of low-frequency regions is suitable for
individual authentication under this apparatus configuration.
[0056] Electrical impedances are easily obtained by measuring
circuit voltages and currents, and are usually represented by the
absolute values and phases of the impedances. Herein, assumedly,
both the absolute values and phases of the impedances have the
respective measurement resolutions of 256. In this case, a
theoretical maximum number of persons that can be authenticated is
256.times.256 or 65,536. The maximum number of persons that can be
authenticated can be further increased by increasing the types of
frequencies of sounds sent from the sound sending part 22. For
example, if 11 types of frequencies are used up to 1000 Hz in
increments of 100 Hz from 100 Hz, a theoretical maximum number of
persons that can be authenticated is 65536.times.11 or 720,896.
[0057] It is of course that the use of a large number of
frequencies advantageously not only increases a maximum number of
persons that can be authenticated, but also increases
authentication accuracy.
Fourth Embodiment
[0058] In this embodiment, a description will be made of an
information communication apparatus provided with the individual
authentication apparatus described in the second embodiment.
Herein, a cellular phone is used as a typical example of
information communication apparatuses. However, a microcellular
phone, a desk phone handset, and a headphone and earphone connected
to a portable terminal equipment having a communication function
such as PDA and notebook size personal computers are also suitably
used.
[0059] A loudspeaker for sound is incorporated in a cellular phone.
The loudspeaker is used as the sound sending part 11 in FIG. 2A.
Although, as the sound receiving part 15, a microphone may be
installed in the vicinity of the loudspeaker of the cellular phone,
it is very convenient that the loudspeaker converting an electrical
signal to sound is used as the sound sending part 11 and the sound
receiving part 15 because it can also generally convert sound to an
electrical signal.
[0060] Furthermore, the cellular phone, which is provided with the
signal processing part 14 and the storing part 18, is very suitable
for implementing the individual authentication means described in
the second embodiment.
[0061] Next, a description will be made in detail of an example
that an owner of a cellular phone actually activates an individual
authentication apparatus to prevent other than the owner of the
cellular phone from illegal use.
[0062] The owner of the cellular phone in advance measures the
acoustic characteristics of the auditory organ of his own, that is,
the authentication subject and stores the information 19 in the
storing part 18. When a call arrives, if individual authentication
is not passed, that is, if acoustic characteristic information 17
of an authentication examinee and the acoustic characteristic
information 19 do not match, a line is not opened.
[0063] In this case, although it is natural that human voice is
used as the sent sound 13 used for individual authentication
because the sound sending part 11 is a loudspeaker, a ringing tone
for indicating call arrival or a special tone for individual
authentication is also suitable. By using individual authentication
in this way, illegal use by other than the owner of the cellular
phone can be prevented. For desk phone handsets not incorporating
the signal processing part 14 and the storing part 18, it is of
course that the same individual authentication as with cellular
phones and microcellular phones can be carried out by sending the
measured acoustic characteristic information of the authentication
examinee to a server or the like over a fixed line to perform
storing and signal processing.
[0064] A method of authenticating individuals by comparing and
identifying acoustic characteristic information may be implemented
by a software program, the program may be saved in recording media
and read into comparing and judging means for execution as
required, or it may be downloaded from the outside by some
communication means such as wireless communications and the
Internet as required and be read into the comparing and judging
means.
[0065] It is of course that the individual authentication apparatus
using changes of electrical impedances as described in the third
embodiment may be mounted.
Fifth Embodiment
[0066] In this embodiment, a description will be made of an
individual authentication system in which an authentication
examinee has the function typified by FIG. 2 describing a means for
measuring acoustic characteristics, and an authentication executor
has the function typified by FIG. 3 describing a means for
authenticating individuals, whereby individual authentication can
be carried out.
[0067] Assumedly, an individual uses online shopping performing
individual authentication over a cellular phone and a means for
measuring acoustic characteristics as shown in FIG. 2 is
incorporated in the cellular phone.
[0068] As a preparatory step, the individual measures acoustic
characteristic information 19 of his own, that is, the
authentication subject, using the means for measuring acoustic
characteristics of the cellular phone, and presents the information
to a shopping sponsor.
[0069] The sponsor stores the acoustic characteristic information
17 in the storing part 18 of a server or the like.
[0070] Next, a settlement of actual shopping by the individual is
arranged in advance. The individual delivers the will to purchase a
certain product over phone, facsimile, the Internet, etc., and the
sponsor obtains reconfirmation of the purchase will from the
individual by voice or electronic mail to a cellular phone of the
individual.
[0071] Herein, as a proof of reconfirmation of the purchase will,
the individual sends the acoustic characteristic information 17 of
his own, that is, the authentication examinee measured at that
place to the sponsor. The sponsor compares acoustic characteristic
information 19 of authentication subjects registered in advance,
and the acoustic characteristic information 17 of the
authentication examinee sent as a proof of reconfirmation of the
purchase will, and if they match, the sponsor starts arrangements
for delivering the product to the individual.
[0072] By using such an authentication system, illegal use by other
than the owner of the cellular phone can be prevented.
[0073] Although the present invention has been described based on
preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, it is apparent that
those skilled in the art can easily change or modify the present
invention, and such modifications are also included in the scope of
the invention.
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