A Novel framework of EEG-based user identification by analyzing music-listening behavior

This paper introduces a novel framework for user identification by analyzing neuro-signals. Studies regarding Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed that such bio-signals are sensitive, hard to forge, confidential, and unique which the conventional biometric systems like face, speaker, signature and voice lack. Traditionally, researchers investigated the neuro-signal patterns by asking users to perform various imaginary, visual or calculative tasks. In this work, we have analyzed this neuro-signal pattern using audio as stimuli. The EEG signals are recorded simultaneously while user is listening to music. Four different genres of music are considered as users have their own preference and accordingly they respond with different emotions and interests. The users are also asked to provide music preference which acts as a personal identification mechanism. The framework offers the benefit of uniqueness in neuro-signal pattern even with the same music preference by different users. We used two different classifiers i.e. Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based temporal classifier and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for user identification system. A dataset of 2400 EEG signals while listening to music was collected from 60 users. User identification performance of 97.50 % and 93.83 % have been recorded with HMM and SVM classifiers, respectively. Finally, the performance of the system is also evaluated on various emotional states after showing different emotional videos to users.