Voice print identification portal

Abstract

Systems and methods providing for secure voice print authentication over a network are disclosed herein. During an enrollment stage, a client's voice is recorded and characteristics of the recording are used to create and store a voice print. When an enrolled client seeks access to secure information over a network, a sample voice recording is created. The sample voice recording is compared to at least one voice print. If a match is found, the client is authenticated and granted access to secure information. Systems and methods providing for a dual use voice analysis system are disclosed herein. Speech recognition is achieved by comparing characteristics of words spoken by a speaker to one or more templates of human language words. Speaker identification is achieved by comparing characteristics of a speaker's speech to one or more templates, or voice prints. The system is adapted to increase or decrease matching constraints depending on whether speaker identification or speaker recognition is desired.

1 . A method of securely authenticating a client seeking access to secure information available through a network, comprising:
 receiving, at a server, an enrollment request;   receiving, at the server, a voice recording;   processing, at the server, the voice recording to determine identifying characteristics of the speaker's voice;   creating, based on the identifying characteristics, a voice print identification of the speaker;   storing, at the server, the voice print identification;   receiving, at the server, a request for authentication of a client with an existing voice print identification;   receiving, at the server, a sample recording of the client's voice;   processing, at the server, the sample recording of the client's voice;   comparing characteristics of the sample recording to at least one voice print identification;   determining, based at least in part on the comparing, that the client is authenticated; and   communicating, over the network, an indication that the client is authenticated.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communicating an indication that the client is authenticated comprises:
 communicating only non-critical information.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the communicating an indication that the client is authenticated comprises:
 communicating only a positive or negative indication that the client is authenticated.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving, at the server, a sample recording of the client's voice further comprises:
 receiving an indication of the client's identity.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining, based at least in part on the comparing, that the client is authenticated further comprises:
 comparing the sample recording of the client's voice to at least one stored indication of characteristics of sample recordings that were previously used to authenticate the client; and   if the sample recording has been previously used to authenticate, not providing an indication that the client is authenticated.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein receiving, at the server, a sample recording of the client's voice is the only information received from the client used to authenticate the client. 
   
   
       7 . A method of securely authenticating a client who seeks access to secure information available through a network, comprising:
 sending, to a server, an enrollment request;   recording the voice of a client;   sending, to a server, the voice recording;   receiving, from the server, an indication that a voice print for the client has been created and stored based on the voice recording;   sending, to the server, a request to authenticate the client;   sending, to the server, a sample voice recording of the client;   receiving, from the server, an indication that the client is authenticated; and   permitting the client access to secure information over the network based on the indication that the client is authenticated.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the receiving an indication that the client is authenticated comprises:
 receiving only non-critical information.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the receiving an indication that the client is authenticated comprises:
 receiving only a positive or negative indication that the client is authenticated.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein sending, to the server, a sample voice recording of the client further comprises:
 sending an indication of the client's identity.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein sending, to the server, a sample voice recording of the client is the only information originating from the client that is used to authenticate the client. 
   
   
       12 . A system for securely authenticating a client seeking access to secure information available through a network, comprising:
 a back-end computer system adapted to manage and control access to secure information;   a front-end interface, adapted to provide the client with access to the back-end computer system;   a voice analysis computer system, adapted to verify a client's identity based on a voice sample;   wherein the front-end interface is adapted to provide the client with the ability to record a client voice sample and communicate the client's voice sample to the voice analysis computer system;   wherein the voice analysis computer system is adapted to compare the received client's voice sample to at least one voice print and authenticate the client based at least in part on the comparison; and   wherein the voice analysis computer system is adapted to communicates an indication of authentication.   
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the voice analysis computer system is adapted to communicate the indication of authentication to the front-end interface, and wherein the front-end interface is adapted to allow the client access to secure information. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the voice analysis computer system is adapted to communicate the indication of authentication to the back-end computer system, and wherein the back-end computer system is adapted to allow the client access to secure information. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the voice analysis computer system is adapted to allow the client access to secure information. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the front-end interface is adapted to provide the client with the ability to record a client voice sample and communicate the clients voice sample to the voice analysis computer system along with an indication of the client's identity. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the sample voice recording of the client is the only information originating from the client that is used to authenticate the client. 
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a voice analysis system, comprising:
 receiving, by a voice analysis system, at least one parameter indicating whether the system is to operate in a first mode or a second mode;   receiving, by the voice analysis system, a voice recording;   setting voice analysis constraints to a first level if the parameter indicates the first mode, or setting the voice analysis constraints to a second level if the parameter indicates the second mode; and   comparing the voice recording to at least one template, wherein the comparison is based at least in part on the constraints, wherein the first mode indicates that the voice analysis system is to perform speaker identification, wherein the second mode indicates that the voice analysis system is to perform word recognition; and   wherein if the parameter indicates the first mode, providing an indication of authentication, and wherein the if the parameter indicates the second mode, providing an indication of the textual value of the voice recording.