How Wearable Devices Use Location and Biometrics to Know Who You Are
This patent describes how a computer system can figure out who is using a wearable device by combining its location data with biometric information like a face scan or voice recording.
Original patent title: “Speech based user recognition”
This patent describes how a computer system can figure out who is using a wearable device by combining its location data with biometric information like a face scan or voice recording. Owned by Amazon Technologies with 24 claims and 1 forward citation, and it is expected to expire in 2042.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a computer-implemented method (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 21) for identifying a user of a wearable device. It works by receiving two types of data: first, location data for the wearable device (Claim 21), and second, biometric data such as image data of a face or audio data of a voice (Claim 21). The system then processes both the location data and the biometric data together to determine the user's identity (Claim 21). For example, if a smartwatch (wearable device) is detected in a specific room in a house (location data) and then records a voice command (audio data), the system can use both pieces of information to confirm if the voice belongs to the known owner of that smartwatch, especially if that owner is typically in that room. The system can also use a known user's profile to compare the biometric data (Claim 22, 23) and consider the type of wearable device (Claim 29) to improve accuracy.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover user identification solely based on biometric data (e.g., just a fingerprint scan) without also using location data or device type.
- Does not cover systems that identify users without involving a "wearable device" as defined by the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →.
- Does not cover identification methods that rely only on a user's password or PIN without any biometric or location input.
- Does not cover systems that determine identity without combining at least two distinct data types: location data and biometric data (image or audio).
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in combining location data (like being inside a specific room or a geographic coordinate) with biometric data (face or voice) to determine a user's identity, especially in the context of a wearable device. This multi-factor approach makes identification more robust than relying on biometrics or location alone.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Smartwatches unlocking features when worn by the owner in a specific location.
Smart glasses authenticating the wearer based on their face and GPS data.
Fitness trackers confirming user identity for secure health data access.
Voice assistants on earbuds recognizing the user only when in a trusted location.
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is important for making wearable devices more secure and personalized. By combining location and biometric data, devices can offer more reliable user authentication, which is crucial for accessing sensitive information or making payments. This approach helps prevent unauthorized use and enables seamless, context-aware experiences.
Filed
January 26, 2022
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Amazon Technologies Inc., the assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, is actively developing and deploying technologies related to user recognition and wearable devices, particularly with products like Echo devices, Alexa, and potentially future smart glasses or other wearables. Other major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung also invest heavily in multi-factor authentication and context-aware security for their wearable ecosystems.
Market impact
This type of multi-factor authentication for wearables enhances security and user experience, which is critical for the growing market of smart devices. It enables more seamless access to personalized services and secure transactions directly from a wearable, potentially reducing reliance on traditional passwords or PINs and fostering greater trust in these devices for sensitive tasks.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a computer-implemented method (Claim 21) for identifying a user of a wearable device. It works by receiving two types of data: first, location data for the wearable device (Claim 21), and second, biometric data such as image data of a face or audio data of a voice (Claim 21). The system then processes both the location data and the biometric data together to determine the user's identity (Claim 21). For example, if a smartwatch (wearable device) is detected in a specific room in a house (location data) and then records a voice command (audio data), the system can use both pieces of information to confirm if the voice belongs to the known owner of that smartwatch, especially if that owner is typically in that room. The system can also use a known user's profile to compare the biometric data (Claim 22, 23) and consider the type of wearable device (Claim 29) to improve accuracy.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in combining location data (like being inside a specific room or a geographic coordinate) with biometric data (face or voice) to determine a user's identity, especially in the context of a wearable device. This multi-factor approach makes identification more robust than relying on biometrics or location alone.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover user identification solely based on biometric data (e.g., just a fingerprint scan) without also using location data or device type.
- Does not cover systems that identify users without involving a "wearable device" as defined by the claims.
- Does not cover identification methods that rely only on a user's password or PIN without any biometric or location input.
- Does not cover systems that determine identity without combining at least two distinct data types: location data and biometric data (image or audio).
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
6/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
16/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$59K – $187K
Midpoint $117K · 15.4 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
24 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Khare, A., Matsoukas, S., Somashekar, S., Krishnamoorthy, V., & Mandal, A. How Wearable Devices Use Location and Biometrics to Know Who You Are (U.S. Patent No. 20,220,189,458). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20220189458/speech-based-user-recognition
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Wearable Devices Use Location and Biometrics to Know Who You Are cover?
This patent describes how a computer system can figure out who is using a wearable device by combining its location data with biometric information like a face scan or voice recording.
Who owns patent US 20220189458?
This patent is owned by Amazon Technologies.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on January 26, 2042, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 20220189458 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is important for making wearable devices more secure and personalized. By combining location and biometric data, devices can offer more reliable user authentication, which is crucial for accessing sensitive information or making payments. This approach helps prevent unauthorized use and enables seamless, context-aware experiences.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover user identification solely based on biometric data (e.g., just a fingerprint scan) without also using location data or device type.
Same assignee
More from Amazon Technologies
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