Abstract: Techniques for sanitizing personally identifiable information (PII) from audio and visual data are provided. For example, in a scenario where the data comprises an audio signal with speech uttered by a speaker S, these techniques can include removing, obfuscating, or transforming speech related and non-speech related audio cues in the audio signal that can be used to trace the identity of S, while allowing the content of S's speech to remain recognizable. As another example, in a scenario where the data comprises an image or video in which a person P appears, these techniques can include removing, obfuscating, or transforming P's visible biological features and visual indicators of P's location, belongings, or personal data in the image/video, while allowing the general nature of the footage to remain discernable. Through this PII sanitization process, the privacy of individuals portrayed in the audio or visual data can be preserved.

Abstract: Techniques for sanitizing personally identifiable information (PII) from audio and visual data are provided. For instance, in a scenario where the data comprises an audio signal with speech uttered by a person P, these techniques can include removing/obfuscating/transforming speech-related PII in the audio signal such as pitch and acoustic cues associated with P's vocal tract shape and/or vocal actuators (e.g., lips, nasal air bypass, teeth, tongue, etc.) while allowing the content of the speech to remain recognizable. Further, in a scenario where the data comprises a still image or video in which a person P appears, these techniques can include removing/obfuscating/transforming visual PII in the image or video such as P's biological features and indicators of P's location/belongings/data while allowing the general nature of the image or video to remain discernable. Through this PII sanitization process, the privacy of individuals portrayed in the audio or visual data can be preserved.

Abstract: The present invention includes a client-server security system. The client-server security system includes a client system receiving first biometric data and having a first level security authorization procedure. In one embodiment, the first biometric data is speech data and the first level security authorization procedure includes a first speaker recognition algorithm. A server system is provided for receiving second biometric data. The server system includes a second level security authorization procedure. In one embodiment, the second biometric data is speech data and the second level security authorization procedure includes a second speaker recognition algorithm. In one embodiment, the first level security authorization procedure and the second level security authorization procedure comprise distinct biometric algorithms.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a biometric information recognizer and a shape memory material. The biometric information recognizer recognizes biometric information (such as speech) and signals the shape memory material with a current. The current causes the shape memory material to change shape, thereby reconfiguring a mechanical device. Such mechanical device may include a lock. In such manner, the lock may be isolated from external tampering (such as physical stressing) yet receptive to biometric information for controlling access.