Apple, patent application for user authentication in the inside of the ear-Measure the shape of holes with ultrasound --cnet Japan

　Devices like smartphones use biometric authentication techniques such as fingerprint authentication and face authentication to enhance some security and increase convenience.However, depending on the situation, the existing authentication method is troublesome, such as using it in combination with other devices.

　Apple, on the other hand, devised a technique to authenticate user from the inside of the ear measured with earphones.When the technology was filed with the US Patent Trading Agency (USPTO), it was released on January 27, USA, as the "User ISer Identification Using Headphones" (public patent number "US 2022/0030345 A1").The application date is August 13, 2020.

　This patent describes a technology that enables both devices to be used by the second device attached to the ears when using two devices.The second device quantifies the shape inside the ear from the reflected sound of the sound wave sent inside the ear, and checks if the worn user is a regular user.If you decide to be the right user, you can play the voice message that reaches the first device on the second device, or start a voice communication through the first device with the second device.

　The second device does not matter if it is possible to measure the inside of the ear by attaching it to the ear.However, from the usage and explanation of the embodiment, it seems that devices like earphones are assumed.In addition, the first device describes the first device as a tablet, but the patent can be applied to smartphones and PCs.

　The sound waves in which the second device captures the characteristics inside the ear can be an ultrasound, not a hearing sound.He also mentions the idea of using a voice crest from the user's voice and measuring how to walk from acceleration.

　It also mentions a mechanism that can register the characteristics inside the ear if the first device is in an unlocked state.

　Patent is a public document aimed at protecting the rights of technical ideas.Even if it is registered and established, it is not always used in actual products and services.In addition, there are many applications that are applied for the purpose of making the existence of the idea be known, and will not be registered and will be discontinued.