Generation and verification of a digitized signature
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for authenticating a digitized signature comprising:
- recording at least the position coordinates of points of a first signature and coding the recorded points in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point of the first signature and the time of the points thereof;
recording at least the position coordinates of points of a second signature and coding the recorded points in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point of the second signature and the time of the points thereof;
generating for each of the first and second signatures from the recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof at least two corresponding characteristics of each signature including;
(a) a size and shape of the signature, (b) a number of strokes of the signature, (c) a length of strokes of the signature, (d) a number of closed loops of the signature, (e) an order or sequence of strokes of the signature, (f) a tangent of one or more strokes of the signature, (g) a tangent of one or more segments of the strokes of the signature, (h) a time between the starting point and an ending point of the signature, (i) a time of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (j) a speed of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (k) a derivative of any of characteristics (f) through (j);
comparing the at least two characteristics generated for the first signature to the corresponding at least two characteristics generated for the second signature; and
identifying or authenticating the second signature if the comparison of the at least two characteristics thereof to the corresponding at least two characteristics of the first signature correlate to at least a predetermined value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Digitized signatures are recorded in respective digitized signature records. Each digitized signature record includes at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and time. Digitized signatures are identified, verified or authenticated by comparing characteristics thereof, may be indexed for facilitating comparison, may be utilized for network and Internet transactions, and may be converted to image format.
105 Citations
81 Claims
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1. A method for authenticating a digitized signature comprising:
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recording at least the position coordinates of points of a first signature and coding the recorded points in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point of the first signature and the time of the points thereof;
recording at least the position coordinates of points of a second signature and coding the recorded points in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point of the second signature and the time of the points thereof;
generating for each of the first and second signatures from the recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof at least two corresponding characteristics of each signature including;
(a) a size and shape of the signature, (b) a number of strokes of the signature, (c) a length of strokes of the signature, (d) a number of closed loops of the signature, (e) an order or sequence of strokes of the signature, (f) a tangent of one or more strokes of the signature, (g) a tangent of one or more segments of the strokes of the signature, (h) a time between the starting point and an ending point of the signature, (i) a time of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (j) a speed of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (k) a derivative of any of characteristics (f) through (j);
comparing the at least two characteristics generated for the first signature to the corresponding at least two characteristics generated for the second signature; and
identifying or authenticating the second signature if the comparison of the at least two characteristics thereof to the corresponding at least two characteristics of the first signature correlate to at least a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for authenticating first and second digitized signatures recorded in respective digitized signature records, wherein each digitized signature record includes at least the position of points of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof, and the time of the points thereof, comprising:
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generating from each of the first and second digitized signature records at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics of each signature including;
(a) a ratio of respective sizes and shapes of the first and second signatures, (b) a ratio of respective numbers of strokes of the first and second signatures, (c) a ratio of respective lengths of strokes of the first and second signatures, (d) a ratio of respective numbers of closed loops of the first and second signatures, (e) a ratio of respective orders or sequences of the strokes of the first and second signatures, (f) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more strokes of the first and second signatures, (g) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more segments of the strokes of the first and second signatures, (h) a ratio of respective times between the starting points and ending points of the first and second signatures, (i) a ratio of respective times of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the first and second signatures, (j) a ratio of respective speeds of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (k) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (j) of the first and second signatures;
comparing the respective at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics generated from the first and second signature records; and
providing an indication whether said comparing the respective at least two ratios relating to the first and second signatures exceeds or does not exceed a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for authenticating a transaction digitized signature against a plurality of reference digitized signatures represented by respective reference digitized signature records, wherein each digitized signature record includes at least the position of points of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and the time of the points thereof, comprising:
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generating a transaction digitized signature record for the transaction digitized signature, generating from each of the transaction and reference digitized signature records at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics of the transaction and reference signatures including;
(a) a ratio of respective sizes and shapes of the transaction and reference signatures, (b) a ratio of respective numbers of strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (c) a ratio of respective lengths of strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (d) a ratio of respective numbers of closed loops of the transaction and reference signatures, (e) a ratio of respective orders or sequences of the strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (f) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (g) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more segments of the strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (h) a ratio of respective times between the starting points and ending points of the transaction and reference signatures, (i) a ratio of respective times of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures, (j) a ratio of respective speeds of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures, (k) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (j) of the transaction and reference signatures, comparing the respective at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics generated from the transaction and reference signature records; and
providing an indication whether said comparing the respective at least two ratios relating to the transaction and reference signatures exceeds or does not exceed a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for generating a digitized signature record from a signature signed on a signing surface providing an indication of the location of a stylus on the signing surface comprising:
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(a) recording the location of the stylus when placed on the signing surface for defining a starting point of each stroke of the signature, wherein the starting point of a first stroke of the signature defines the starting point of the signature;
(b) recording point locations of the stylus on the signing surface until the stylus is lifted off the signing surface, thereby defining a stroke of the signature between the starting point and the lift off point;
(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for each subsequent stroke of the signature until the signature is completely signed;
(d) determining a number of bits for storing the point locations of the strokes of the signature and storing the determined number of bits in the digitized signature record;
(e) storing in the digitized signature record a sampling time or rate at which the recorded points are recorded;
(f) storing in the digitized signature record the locations of the starting points of each stroke of the signature; and
(g) coding in the determined number of bits the locations of the points of each stroke of the signature in values relative to a starting point or an immediately previous point thereof and storing same in the digitized signature record; and
whereby the digitized signature record includes at least the positions of points of a signature in coordinates relative to a starting point or an immediately previous point thereof and the timing thereof. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A method for representing in an image format a signature stored in a digitized signature record format wherein the signature is represented in a sequence of strokes each having a starting point and an end mark, and wherein locations of points of each stroke are coded as differences in location from either the starting point or an immediately previous point of the stroke, the method comprising:
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(a) reading a point location from the digitized signature record;
(b) determining whether the read point location is the starting point of a stroke;
(c) if the read point location is the starting point of a stroke, then;
setting a pixel in the image format located at the location of the read point to a display value, storing the pixel location and display value in the image format, and returning to step (a) for reading the next point location until an end mark is reached;
(d) if the read point location is not the starting point of a stroke, then;
setting a line of pixels in the image format located in locations from the read point location of the previous read point to the read point location of the present read point to a display value, storing the pixel locations and display values of the line of pixels in the image format, and returning to step (a) for reading the next point location until an end mark is reached;
(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for all of strokes of the digitized signature record. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A method for initiating a transaction employing a digitized signature comprising:
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accessing an application via a computer coupled to a web site via a server for providing transaction data, wherein the application is enabled for a transaction employing a digitized signature;
generating a digitized transaction signature record including;
signing a transaction signature on an electronic pad coupled to the computer to generate digitized transaction signature data including at least the positions of points of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and the time of the points thereof, and generating a relational check code representative of the value of at least the positions of the points of the digitized transaction signature data, whereby the digitized transaction signature record includes the positions of the points of the digitized transaction signature and the relational check code representative thereof;
communicating via the computer and the server the transaction data and the digitized transaction signature record to the application for initiating the transaction; and
at the application;
retrieving one or more digitized reference signature records relating to the transaction, wherein each digitized reference signature record is representative of a digitized reference signature;
generating from each of the transaction and reference digitized signature records at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics of the transaction and reference signatures including;
(a) a ratio of respective sizes and shapes of the transaction and reference signatures, (b) a ratio of respective numbers of strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (c) a ratio of respective lengths of strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (d) a ratio of respective numbers of closed loops of the transaction and reference signatures, (e) a ratio of respective orders or sequences of the strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (f) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (g) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more segments of the strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (h) a ratio of respective times between the starting points and ending points of the transaction and reference signatures, (i) a ratio of respective times of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures, (j) a ratio of respective speeds of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures, (k) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (j) of the transaction and reference signatures;
comparing the respective at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics generated from the transaction and reference signature records to determine a probability that the digitized transaction and reference signatures are or are not the same; and
communicating to the computer via the server an indication whether the probability determined by said comparing the respective at least two ratios relating to the transaction and reference signatures meets or does not meet at least one predetermined criteria for initiating the transaction. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer instructions for generating a digitized signature record from a signature signed on a signing surface indicating the location of a stylus on the signing surface comprising:
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(a) means for causing a computer to record the location of the stylus when placed on the signing surface for defining a starting point of each stroke of the signature, wherein the starting point of a first stroke of the signature defines the starting point of the signature, (b) means for causing the computer to record point locations of the stylus on the signing surface relative to a previous point until the stylus is lifted off the signing surface, thereby defining a stroke of the signature between the starting point and the lift off point;
(c) means for causing the computer to repeat elements (a) through (b) for each subsequent stroke of the signature until the signature is completely signed; and
(d) means for causing the computer to record directly or indirectly a time at which each recorded point is recorded relative to the time of the starting point of the signature;
(e) means for causing the computer to store the locations of the starting points and subsequent points of each stroke of the signature, and the recorded time, in the digitized signature record, whereby the computer is caused to generate a digitized signature record that includes at least the positions of the starting points and subsequent points of each stroke of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and the time point thereof. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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67. A storage medium encoded with machine-readable computer instructions for authenticating a transaction digitized signature against a plurality of reference digitized signatures represented by respective reference digitized signature records, wherein each digitized signature record includes at least the position of points of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and the time of the points thereof, comprising:
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means for causing a computer to generate a transaction digitized signature record for the transaction digitized signature;
means for causing the computer to generate from each of the transaction and reference digitized signature records at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics of the transaction and reference signatures including;
(a) a ratio of respective sizes and shapes of the transaction and reference signatures, (b) a ratio of respective numbers of strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (c) a ratio of respective lengths of strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (d) a ratio of respective numbers of closed loops of the transaction and reference signatures, (e) a ratio of respective orders or sequences of the strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (f) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (g) a ratio of respective tangents of one or more segments of the strokes of the transaction and reference signatures, (h) a ratio of respective times between the starting points and ending points of the transaction and reference signatures, (i) a ratio of respective times of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures, (j) a ratio of respective speeds of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures, (k) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (j) of the transaction and reference signatures;
means for causing the computer to compare the respective at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics generated from the transaction and reference signature records; and
means for causing the computer to provide an indication whether the causing the computer to compare the respective at least two ratios relating to the transaction and reference signatures exceeds or does not exceed a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
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77. A method for authenticating a transaction digitized signature against a plurality of reference digitized signatures represented by respective reference digitized signature records, wherein each digitized signature record includes at least the position of points of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and the time of the points thereof, comprising:
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generating a transaction digitized signature record for the transaction digitized signature;
generating for each of the transaction and reference digitized signature records at least two corresponding characteristics of each signature including;
(a) a size and shape of the signature, (b) a number of strokes of the signature, (c) a length of strokes of the signature, (d) a number of closed loops of the signature, (e) an order or sequence of strokes of the signature, (f) a tangent of one or more strokes of the signature, (g) a tangent of one or more segments of the strokes of the signature, (h) a time between the starting point and an ending point of the signature, (i) a time of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (j) a speed of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature, (k) a derivative of any of characteristics (f) through (j);
generating for the transaction digitized record signature and for each reference digitized signature record an indexing value representative of values generated in steps (a) through (k);
selecting reference digitized signature records having the same indexing value as the transaction digitized signature record; and
generating at least two ratios of the at least two corresponding characteristics for the transaction digitized signature record and the selected reference digitized signature records;
comparing the respective at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics generated from the transaction and reference signature records; and
providing an indication whether said comparing the respective at least two ratios relating to the transaction and reference signatures exceeds or does not exceed a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81)
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Specification