Voice Biometrics Basics - Enrollment

Enrollment is the process of creating a “base” voiceprint for a person. Typically, the person (after their identity is verified) will be prompted to repeat a pass phrase three times. For example, “my voice is my password.” The voice biometrics system captures the person’s data and converts it to a “base” voiceprint. The “base” voiceprint is stored in a database for future use (i.e., identity verification).

Voice Biometrics Basics: Voiceprints

A voiceprint is a mathematical representation of the physical characteristics of a person’s vocal tract (shape and motion patterns). A voiceprint is not an audio recording of a person’s voice.

Components of a Vocal Tract

• Nasal cavity
• Palate
• Soft palate vellum
• Uvula
• Tonsils
• Tongue
• Pharynx
• Epiglottis
• Vocal cords (glottis)
• Larynx
• Esophagus
• Thyroid cartilage
• Hyoid
• Lower jaw
• Lips
• Teeth
• Alveolar ridge
• Upper gums (alveolus)

Voiceprints are unique to each person (similar to fingerprints). A person's identity can be verified by matching a “sample” voiceprint with a “base” voiceprint.