Voice over IP based biometric authentication

• US 7,254,383 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interactions, LLC
• Original Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Novack, Brian M., Thompson, Timothy R., Madsen, Daniel Larry
• Primary Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US10/902,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20060034287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/414.1, 379/88.01, 379/88.02, 379/88.03, 379/265.04, 704/208, 704/209, 704/246, 704/270, 704/273, 704/274, 370/395.2, 370/328, 370/389, 713/168
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40145 Biometric identity checks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/41 using speaker recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0078 Security; Fraud detection; Fraud prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security

Abstract

A system is provided for verifying an identity of a calling party. The system includes a storage that stores voice sample information in association with information that identifies an individual. The system also includes a receiver that receives, from a communications platform called by the calling party, a request to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual, using a digital audio sample packetized according to voice over internet protocol and obtained from the calling party during the call. Additionally, the system includes a processor that compares the digital audio sample to the voice sample information to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual.

Claims

1. A system for verifying an identity of a calling party, comprising:

a storage that stores voice sample information in association with information that identifies an individual;

a receiver that receives, from a communications platform called by the calling party, a request to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual, using a digital audio sample packetized according to voice over internet protocol, obtained from the calling party by the communications platform during the call, and forwarded from the communications platform to the system for verifying an identity of a calling party; and

a processor that compares the digital audio sample to the voice sample information to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual.

2. The system for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 1, in which the processor de-packetizes the packetized digital audio sample to compare the digital audio sample to the voice sample information.

3. The system for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 1, in which the receiver receives the request from the communications platform over the internet.

4. The system for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 1, the communications platform comprising an intelligent peripheral that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party to the receiver.

5. The system for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 1, the communications platform comprising a voice mail system that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party to the receiver.

6. The system for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 1, the communications platform comprising a wireless network platform that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party to the receiver.

7. The system for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 1, further comprising:

a log generator that generates a record of information relating to the authentication request.

8. A method for verifying an identity of a calling party, comprising:

storing voice sample information in association with information that identifies an individual;

receiving, from a communications platform called hy the calling party, a request to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual, using a digital audio sample packetized according to voice over internet protocol, obtained from the calling party by the communications platform during the call, and forwarded from the communications platform to a system for verifying an identity of a calling party; and

comparing the digital audio sample to the voice sample information to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual.

9. The method for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 8, further comprising:

de-packetizing the packetized digital audio sample to compare the digital audio sample to the voice sample information.

10. The method for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 8, wherein the request to authenticate is received from the communications platform over the internet.

11. The method for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 8, wherein the communications platform comprises an intelligent peripheral that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party.

12. The method for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 8, wherein the communications platform comprises a voice mail system that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party.

13. The method for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 8, wherein the communications platform comprises a wireless network platform that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party.

14. The method for verifying the identity of the calling party of claim 8, further comprising:

generating a record of information relating to the authentication request.

15. A computer readable medium storing a program that verifies the identity of a calling party, the computer readable medium comprising:

a sample storing code segment that stores voice sample information in association with information that identifies an individual;

a receiving code segment that receives, from a communications platform called by the calling party, a request to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual, using a digital audio sample packetized according to voice over internet protocol, obtained from the calling party by the communications platform during the call, and forwarded from the communications platform to a system for verifying an identity of a calling party; and

a comparing code segment that compares the digital audio sample to the voice sample information to authenticate the identity of the calling party as the individual.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:

a de-packetizing code segment that de-packetizes the packetized digital audio sample to compare the digital audio sample to the voice sample information.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the request to authenticate is received from the communications platform over the internet.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the communications platform comprises an intelligent peripheral that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the communications platform comprises a voice mail system that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the communications platform comprises a wireless network platform that forwards the request to authenticate the identity of the calling party.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:

a log generating code segment that generates a record of information relating to the authentication request.