IP Library Granted Patent US 8,384,516
Granted Patent B2
US 8,384,516 · App. 11/622,630 · Granted Feb 26, 2013

System and method for radio frequency identifier voice signature

Inventors: Gene S. Fein (Lenox, MA); Edward Merritt (Lenox, MA)
Assignee: Voorhuis PLC, Limited Liability Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,384,516
App. No.
11/622,630
Granted
Feb 26, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Conventional techniques for logging and using a user's signature are insecure and inflexible. A system and method are provided which: i) translate a user's first signature, such as a user's voice signature, into a user's second signature, such as a radio frequency identifier signature; and ii) deploy the user's second signature. By translating the user's first signature into the user's second signature and deploying the user's second signature, the provided technique assures the authenticity of the user. Furthermore, the provided system and method enable additional authentication factors, such as a user's personal identification number, to be used with the user's first and second signatures in multiple combinations and sequences to assure the authenticity of the user. As such, the invention provides a security layer offering added security and added flexibility previously unavailable, and which may be applied in a variety of contexts, such as a user device or a retail transaction.

Claims (66)

1. A computer implemented method, comprising:

recording, by a portable communication device, a user's voice as a user's first signature;

receiving, by the portable communication device, a personal identification number (PIN) of a user;

identifying, by the portable communication device, a master copy of the user's voice associated with the PIN;

verifying, by the portable communication device, the user's first signature against the master copy;

determining, by the portable communication device, a computer-generated radio frequency identification (RFID) code associated with the master copy in response to verifying the user's first signature;

creating, by the portable communication device, a user's second signature comprising the RFID code and the user's first signature, wherein the RFID code and the user's first signature are each separately used to authenticate the user in a sequence comprising the user's first signature followed by the RFID code, or the RFID code followed by the user's first signature; and

wirelessly transmitting, by the portable communication device, the user's second signature in an authentication transaction.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the RFID code comprises an Electronic Product Code (EPC).

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein recording the user's voice comprises processing a sound wave representing the user's spoken name to generate the master copy.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the user's second signature further comprises the PIN.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving, by the portable communication device, user information associated with the user in response to transmitting the user's second signature, wherein the user information is received from a remote central processor.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

creating, by the portable communication device, a user's third signature comprising the PIN and the RFID code; and

transmitting, by the portable communication device, the user's third signature to authenticate the user in an event verifying the user's first signature is not successful.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

de-authorizing, by the portable communication device, the user's second signature;

automatically generating, by the portable communication device, a new RFID code associated with the master copy; and

creating, by the portable communication device, a new user's signature comprising the user's first signature and the new RFID code.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the new RFID code is automatically generated in a periodic manner.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the new RFD code is generated when the user's second signature is compromised.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the user's second signature is transmitted from a remote user device to a central server.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 10 , wherein the user's second signature is transmitted as part of a retail transaction or a financial transaction.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein verifying the user's first signature against the master copy comprises:

comparing, by the portable communication device, a number of sampled bits from the user's first signature against corresponding sampled bits of the master copy to determine a first result;

comparing, by the portable communication device, a wave pattern representing the user's first signature against the master copy to determine a second result; and

taking an average of the first and second results to determine a verifiable match of the user's first signature with the master copy.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the RFID code comprises a computer translation of the user's voice.

14. A portable communication device comprising:

a recording device configured to record a user's original voice as a user's voice signature;

an input device configured to receive a personal identification number (PIN);

a database configured to store a master copy of the user's original voice, wherein the master copy is associated with the PIN; and

a processing device configured to:

compare the user's voice signature against the master copy to verify the user's voice signature;

identify a computer-generated radio frequency identification (RFID) code that is associated with a user in the database in response to the user's voice signature being verified, wherein the RFID code is periodically changed;

create a user's second signature comprising the computer-generated identification code and the user's voice signature, wherein the RFID code and the user's voice signature are each separately used to authenticate the user in a sequence comprising the user's voice signature followed by the RFID code, or the RFID code followed by the user's voice signature; and

wirelessly transmit the user's second signature.

15. The portable communication device of claim 14 , wherein the user's original voice is recorded via a phone call from a cell phone or a telephone.

16. The portable communication device of claim 14 , wherein the processing device is further configured to:

generate a radio frequency identifier (RFID) signature derived from a sound wave representing the user's original voice, wherein the master copy comprises the RFID signature.

17. A portable communication device comprising:

means for recording a user's voice as a user's first signature;

means for identifying a master copy of the user's voice associated with the user's first signature;

means for comparing the user's first signature against the master copy to identify the user's first signature;

means for determining a computer-generated radio frequency identification (RFID) code associated with the master copy, wherein the RFID code is periodically changed;

means for creating a user's second signature comprising the RFID code and the user's first signature, wherein the user's second signature is created in response to the user's first signature being identified, and wherein each of the RFID code and the user's first signature are used to individually authenticate the user in a sequence comprising the user's first signature followed by the RFID code, or the RFID code followed by the user's first signature; and

means for wirelessly transmitting the user's second signature.

18. The portable communication device of claim 17 , further comprising means for inputting a personal identification number (PIN) of a user, wherein the user's first signature is authenticated when the PIN matches account information associated with the user's first signature.

19. The portable communication device of claim 17 , further comprising:

means for removing the RFID code from the user's second signature:

means for determining a new computer-generated RFID code associated with the master copy; and

means for creating a new user's second signature comprising the user's first signature and the new RFID code.

20. The portable communication device of claim 19 , wherein both the RFID code and the new RFID code identify a single user.

21. The portable communication device of claim 14 , wherein the portable communication device houses the recording device, and wherein the portable communication device is configured to wirelessly deploy the RFID code during a retail transaction or a financial transaction.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution by a portable communication device, cause the portable communication device to perform operations comprising:

recording a user's voice as a user's first signature;

comparing the user's first signature against a master copy of the user's voice to authenticate the user's first signature;

identifying a computer-generated Electronic Product Code (EPC) associated with the master copy;

creating a user's second signature comprising the EPC and the user's first signature in response to the user's first signature being authenticated, wherein each of the EPC and the user's first signature are used to individually authenticate the user in a sequence comprising the first signature followed by the EPC, or the EPC followed by the user's first signature; and

transmitting the user's second signature in an authentication transaction.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 , wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a personal identification number (PIN) of a user; and

identifying the master copy of the user's voice associated with the PIN, wherein the user's second signature further comprises the PIN.

24. The portable communication device of claim 21 , wherein the portable communication device is configured to wirelessly deploy the computer-generated identification code in response to a voice command.

25. The computer-readable medium, of claim 22 , wherein the EPC is periodically changed, and wherein the portable communication device comprises a cell phone.

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Oct 23, 2015
From: VOORHUIS PLC, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
To: CUFER ASSET LTD. L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 036870/0502 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2007
From: FEIN, GENE, MR.
To: VOORHUIS PLC, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019629/0454 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2007
From: MERRITT, EDWARD, MR.
To: VOORHUIS PLC, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019629/0505 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20080169903A1 · Jul 17, 2008