Kind of a silly personal anecdote, but growing up, my father had a unique "strained" nostril breathing pattern and bad sleep apnea + COPD. I became 'hyper aware' of people's breathing patterns - to the point where people at work had fun with it - standing behind me breathing normally. I could identify who it was > 90% of the time (they were not trying to breathe quietly or differently). I often thought of people's breathing signature as sort of factor to identify them by. I certainly didn't think I was the first person to note this.
More interestingly, I'm also able to pick out people who have early signs of "decreased health" based on their breathing pattern at rest - I don't think it's overly difficult.
This study appears to cover both aspects - creating a breathing fingerprint and estimating BMI. I certainly wasn't aware of breathing differences associated with cognitive state. Bravo to the researchers for formalizing all of this - hope some positive interventional techniques are driven by these findings.
Your thoughtful question is definitely along the lines where the research could change health outcomes. Apple Health currently tracks trends over time and can alert if any disconcerting trends are identified. If Apple were able to capture a breathing signature at rest, say once a month, trends could be identified (via training data, as you mention) and data optionally provided to healthcare providers.
Some people who are alone (including my father) have no idea that they have sleep apnea or 'odd' breathing - for apnea, they're obviously asleep, and for other breathing factors, it's usually a slow and unnoticeable progression.
Modern security recommends two form factor authentication. Still need the finger print or heartbeat tracker to login.
Apple recommends using the piss test sensor that will sequence your DNA for the security enclave decryption key. Holding the finger print while delivering the data stream maximizes security. Someone might of too the piss out if you without knowing.
iOS 20 will come with matching dissolving air-tablets you swallow every other Monday, ID nanoprobes are then slowly secreted by the kidneys. The Genius Bar will corroborate your identity and watch you swallow the pill.
Today it requires wearing a mask to effectively capture the data. I wonder if we will see this done acoustically or via some other non-intrusive, remote method.
I once went to see a doctor because of anxiety, and they had me try some simple breathing exercises. That was when I first noticed how much my breathing pattern changes depending on my state. Now whenever I feel tense, I consciously slow down my breathing and it actually helps me feel more in control. After reading this article, the idea of a breathing fingerprint makes a lot of sense to me. It probably reflects not just physical traits but also your current state.
Not very practical when they have to record the sample for several hours with a mask. I'm sure in 10 years they'll be able to do it with a 10 second sample as you walk by, though.
In the future, US citizens wanting to exercise their 4th amendment right against unlawful seziure of their biometrics will do so by ceasing to breathe.
Because you can't require a warrant for biometrics that you impart to the (public) environment around you, like fingerprints on a door handle, saliva on a discarded cigarette, or in this case... air.
You can make illegal the possession, transport, sale or use of dossiers collecting that and similar data, though. We won't, because the people who own our governments wouldn't like it. But it is a choice.
Kind of a silly personal anecdote, but growing up, my father had a unique "strained" nostril breathing pattern and bad sleep apnea + COPD. I became 'hyper aware' of people's breathing patterns - to the point where people at work had fun with it - standing behind me breathing normally. I could identify who it was > 90% of the time (they were not trying to breathe quietly or differently). I often thought of people's breathing signature as sort of factor to identify them by. I certainly didn't think I was the first person to note this.
More interestingly, I'm also able to pick out people who have early signs of "decreased health" based on their breathing pattern at rest - I don't think it's overly difficult.
This study appears to cover both aspects - creating a breathing fingerprint and estimating BMI. I certainly wasn't aware of breathing differences associated with cognitive state. Bravo to the researchers for formalizing all of this - hope some positive interventional techniques are driven by these findings.
is there any sensor data from stuff like apple health care that could be put into an ML to detect such changes on breathing fingerprint?
Your thoughtful question is definitely along the lines where the research could change health outcomes. Apple Health currently tracks trends over time and can alert if any disconcerting trends are identified. If Apple were able to capture a breathing signature at rest, say once a month, trends could be identified (via training data, as you mention) and data optionally provided to healthcare providers.
Some people who are alone (including my father) have no idea that they have sleep apnea or 'odd' breathing - for apnea, they're obviously asleep, and for other breathing factors, it's usually a slow and unnoticeable progression.
> is there any sensor data from stuff like apple health care that could be put into an ML to detect such changes on breathing fingerprint?
Pixel (all of android?) devices have some sleep-time snoring/breath interruption detection built in.
As far as I know, they do this with just microphone so the apple watch should be able to do this, too.
Plotting the measurements over time would be really cool!
Recommend reading "Breath" by James Nestor. A surprisingly readable book on the topic
https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/B082FP...
Did not know this existed; thanks very much for posting that - even the comments are insightful. Added to my next order!
Can't wait for my phone to identify me by making an impulse response recording of my nose so I can convince it that I'm me at 6 in the morning.
Modern security recommends two form factor authentication. Still need the finger print or heartbeat tracker to login.
Apple recommends using the piss test sensor that will sequence your DNA for the security enclave decryption key. Holding the finger print while delivering the data stream maximizes security. Someone might of too the piss out if you without knowing.
iOS 20 will come with matching dissolving air-tablets you swallow every other Monday, ID nanoprobes are then slowly secreted by the kidneys. The Genius Bar will corroborate your identity and watch you swallow the pill.
They demonstrated it on a 24h recording, not likely applicable for phone unlock...
TOO MANY ID FAILURES. PLEASE ESKIMO KISS YOUR PHONE FOR 24 HOURS TO CONFIRM IDENTITY.
Dogs approve but demand apps of VR chasing squirrels and treat delivery apps.
You’re going to have to, though..
Today it requires wearing a mask to effectively capture the data. I wonder if we will see this done acoustically or via some other non-intrusive, remote method.
> I wonder if we will see this done acoustically or via some other non-intrusive, remote method.
Would be interesting if this could be used to reliably diagnose sinus issues.
I once went to see a doctor because of anxiety, and they had me try some simple breathing exercises. That was when I first noticed how much my breathing pattern changes depending on my state. Now whenever I feel tense, I consciously slow down my breathing and it actually helps me feel more in control. After reading this article, the idea of a breathing fingerprint makes a lot of sense to me. It probably reflects not just physical traits but also your current state.
Not very practical when they have to record the sample for several hours with a mask. I'm sure in 10 years they'll be able to do it with a 10 second sample as you walk by, though.
It appears like you need a rather long sample (hours) to have a good chance of identifying someone.
Wasn't there an app for recording and analyzing coughs for the early detection of cancer or similar?
I guess I'll just have to Wim Hof Breathe all day so they can't catch me!
Is a fingerprint only workable as an identifier in 94 out of 97 people? (I assume no because ex. Apple shipped touch ID)
In the future, US citizens wanting to exercise their 4th amendment right against unlawful seziure of their biometrics will do so by ceasing to breathe.
Because you can't require a warrant for biometrics that you impart to the (public) environment around you, like fingerprints on a door handle, saliva on a discarded cigarette, or in this case... air.
Better wear clean suits while they are at it:
"DNA captured from the air could track wildlife, invasive species—and humans. Technology could be a boon for science, but raises ethical concerns"
https://www.science.org/content/article/dna-captured-air-cou...
Unlawful sneezure
You can make illegal the possession, transport, sale or use of dossiers collecting that and similar data, though. We won't, because the people who own our governments wouldn't like it. But it is a choice.
Maybe in some other countries where the people get to influence the laws in a process called Democracy and Free Press.
LOL ...
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