Generation and verification of a digitized signature

• US 6,694,045 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avante International Technology
• Original Assignee: Amerasia International Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Chung, Kevin Kwong-Tai, Shi, Xiaoming
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Jayanti K.
• Application Number:
  US10/127,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20030138135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 382/115-123, 382/187, 382/188, 382/189, 382/218, 235/380, 345/156, 345/179, 348/161
• US Class Current: 382/119
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 13/00 Voting apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1221 onto a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32

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.

Claims

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 pressure of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature,

(l) a derivative of any of characteristics (f) through (k);

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.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said comparing comprises for each of the at least two characteristics generated for the first and second signatures:

generating a ratio of a value of a characteristic generated for the first signature and a value of the corresponding characteristic generated for the second signature.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

weighting each of the ratios of the values of each of the at least two characteristics; and

multiplying the weighted ratios of the values.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said authenticating comprises comparing the value of the multiplied weighted ratios to the predetermined value.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said generating a ratio comprises:

dividing a value of a given characteristic of one of the first and second signatures by the value of the given characteristic of the other of the first and second signatures,

wherein the one of the first and second signatures has a value of the given characteristic that is less than or equal to the value of the given characteristic of the other of the first and second signatures,

whereby the ratio has a value between zero and unity.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each said recording comprises:

signing a signature on a signing surface providing an indication of the location of a stylus on the signing surface;

(a) recording and coding 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 and coding 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) recording a sampling time or rate at which each recorded point location is recorded; and

(d) repeating steps (a) through (b) for each subsequent stroke of the signature until the signature is completely signed.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein each said recording further comprises:

determining a maximum number of bits for coding the differences in location of any point location of the stylus relative to the immediately previous point location thereof, and

coding an indication of the determined maximum number of bits,

wherein the location of the starting point of each stroke is coded in no more than two bytes and the point locations of each stroke are each coded in no more than one byte.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said identifying or authenticating further comprises:

providing an indication of a non-authentication and a possible forgery when the at least two characteristics of the first and second signatures correlate to a value less than a first threshold value, wherein the first threshold value is less than the predetermined value; and

/

providing an indication of electronic copying when the at least two characteristics of the first and second signatures correlate to a value greater than a second threshold value, wherein the second threshold value is greater than the predetermined value.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the first threshold value is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.45 on a scale of zero to one, and wherein the second threshold value is about 0.8 or greater on the scale of zero to one.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the previous point is the point immediately previous to the point of a stroke of a signature then being recorded.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein, in each said recording step, the time of the points thereof is represented by a sampling time or rate at which each recorded point location is recorded.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said identifying or authenticating comprises:

displaying the first and second signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates thereof; and

/or

displaying the first and second signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof in a movie format; and

/or

displaying a value generated in said comparing the at least two characteristics of the first and second signatures.

13. 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:

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 pressures of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature,

(l) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (k) 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.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

weighting each of the at least two ratios; and

multiplying the weighted at least two ratios.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said providing an indication comprises comparing the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios to the predetermined value.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said providing an indication comprises:

providing an indication of a possible forgery or a non-authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is less than a first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of a questionable authentication or an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the second threshold value and a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of electronic copying when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is greater than the third threshold value.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first threshold value is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.45 on a scale of zero to one, wherein the second threshold value is in a range of about 0.45 to about 0.8 on the scale of zero to one, and wherein the third threshold value is about 0.8 or greater on the scale of zero to one.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein each digitized signature record includes at least one of date/time data and a relational check code generated from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof,

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

separating the at least one of the date/time data and the relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein each digitized signature record includes at least a relational check code generated from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof,

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

verifying the relational check code against the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said verifying includes:

regenerating a relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof of the digitized signature record; and

comparing the regenerated relational check value to the relational check code of the digitized signature record.

21. The method of claim 13 wherein the previous point is the point immediately previous to each point other than a starting point of a stroke of a signature.

22. The method of claim 13 wherein, in each digitized signature record, the time of the points thereof is represented by a sampling time or rate at which the point positions are recorded.

23. The method of claim 13 wherein said providing an indication comprises:

displaying the first and second digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates thereof; and

/or

displaying the first and second digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof in a movie format; and

/or

displaying a value generated in said comparing the at least two characteristics of the first and second digitized signatures.

24. 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:

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 pressures of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures,

(l) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (k) 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.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising:

weighting each of the at least two ratios; and

multiplying the weighted at least two ratios.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said providing an indication comprises comparing the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios to the predetermined value.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein said providing an indication comprises:

providing an indication of a possible forgery or a non-authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is less than a first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of a questionable authentication or an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the second threshold value and a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of electronic copying when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is greater than the third threshold value.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein the first threshold value is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.45 on a scale of zero to one, wherein the second threshold value is in a range of about 0.45 to about 0.8 on the scale of zero to one, and wherein the third threshold value is about 0.8 or greater on the scale of zero to one.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein each digitized signature record includes at least one of date/time data and a relational check code generated from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof,

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

separating the at least one of the date/time data and the relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein each digitized signature record includes at least a relational check code generated from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof,

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

verifying the relational check code against the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said verifying includes:

regenerating a relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof; and

comparing the regenerated relational check value to the relational check code of the digitized signature record.

32. The method of claim 24 further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

generating for the transaction digitized record signature and for each reference digitized signature record an indexing value representative of values utilized in elements (a) through (1) of said generating at least two ratios;

then selecting reference digitized signature records having the same indexing value as the transaction digitized signature record; and

then said generating at least two ratios for the transaction digitized signature record and the selected reference digitized signature records.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein said generating an indexing value includes generating an ordered set of values representative of quantized portions of the values utilized for said generating at least two ratios.

34. The method of claim 24 wherein the previous point is the point immediately previous to each point other than a starting point of a stroke of a signature.

35. The method of claim 24 wherein, in each digitized signature record, the time of the points thereof is represented by a sampling time or rate at which the point positions are recorded.

36. The method of claim 24 wherein said providing an indication comprises:

displaying the transaction and reference digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates thereof; and

/or

displaying the transaction and reference digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof in a movie format; and

/or

displaying a value generated in said comparing the respective at least two ratios of the transaction and reference digitized signatures.

37. 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:

(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.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein said recording recited in steps (a) and (b) each comprises recording the x and y coordinates of the position of the stylus on the signing surface.

39. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

generating a relational check code from the locations of the starting points and points of each stroke of the signature stored in the digitized signature record; and

associating the relational check code with the digitized signature record.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

associating date and time data with the digitized signature record;

generating a relational check code from the date and time data and from the locations of the starting points and points of each stroke of the signature stored in the digitized signature record,

associating the relational check code with the digitized signature record.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said associating date and time data includes:

communicating the digitized signature record via a server; and

associating date and time data from the server with the digitized signature record.

42. The method of claim 37 further comprising:

communicating the digitized signature record via a server; and

associating date and time data from the server with the digitized signature record.

43. The method of claim 37 wherein step (d) comprises:

determining a number of bits for storing the x and y coordinates of point locations of the strokes of the signature; and

storing the determined number of bits for storing the x coordinates and the determined number of bits for storing the y coordinates in one byte of the digitized signature record.

44. The method of claim 37 wherein steps (f) and (g) comprise:

storing in the digitized signature record the x and y coordinates of the starting point of a stroke of the signature in respective first and second bytes thereof representative of the stroke;

coding in the number of bits determined in step (d) the differences of the x and y coordinates of the points of the stroke of the signature relative to a starting point or to an immediately previous point, and storing same in the digitized signature record;

storing in the digitized signature record an end mark value representative of the end of a stroke; and

repeating each of the foregoing three steps for each stroke of the digitized signature.

45. The method of claim 37 further comprising representing the signature stored in the digitized signature record in an image format, wherein said representing comprises:

(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) hereof for reading the next point location;

(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) hereof for reading the next point location;

(e) repeating steps (a) through (d) for all of strokes of the digitized signature record.

46. The method of claim 37 wherein the signing surface provides an indication of the pressure of the stylus on the signing surface,

said recording set forth in steps (a) and (b) further comprising recording the pressure of the stylus on the signing surface;

and

said method further comprising storing in the digitized signature record the pressure of the stylus on the signing surface.

47. The method of claim 37 further comprising comparing the digitized signature record with a reference digitized signature record for authenticating the signature, and/or verifying the signature, and/or identifying the signer of the signature.

48. A method for initiating a transaction employing a digitized signature comprising:

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 pressures of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures,

(l) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (k) 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.

49. The method of claim 48:

wherein said retrieving comprises retrieving a digitized reference signature record corresponding to particular data of the transaction data, and

wherein the predetermined criteria includes that the determined probability that the digitized transaction and reference signatures are the same is greater than a predetermined probability.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein the predetermined probability is one of about 0.45, about 0.5, about 0.6, about 0.7, about 0.75 and about 0.8, on a scale of zero to one.

51. The method of claim 48:

wherein said retrieving comprises retrieving the digitized reference signature records corresponding to all transactions initiated during a given time period, and

wherein the predetermined criteria includes that the determined probability that the digitized transaction and reference signatures are the same is less than a predetermined probability.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the predetermined probability is one of about 0.45, about 0.4, about 0.3, about 0.25 and about 0.2, on a scale of zero to one.

53. The method of claim 48 further comprising:

weighting each of the at least two ratios;

multiplying the weighted at least two ratios; and

wherein said providing an indication comprises comparing the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios to the predetermined value.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein said providing an indication includes:

providing an indication of a possible forgery or a non-authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is less than a first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of a questionable authentication or an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the second threshold value and a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of electronic copying when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is greater than the third threshold value.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein the first threshold value is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.45 on a scale of zero to one, wherein the second threshold value is in a range of about 0.45 to about 0.8 on the scale of zero to one, and wherein the third threshold value is about 0.8 or greater, on the scale of zero to one.

56. The method of claim 48 wherein said generating a relational check code comprises:

associating date and time data with the digitized transaction signature record; and

generating the relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof and from the date and time data; and

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios;

separating the date and time data and the relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

57. The method of claim 48 further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

verifying the relational check code against the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein said verifying the relational check code comprises:

regenerating a relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof of the digitized signature record; and

comparing the regenerated relational check value to the relational check code of the digitized signature record.

59. The method of claim 48 further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

generating for the digitized transaction signature record and for each digitized reference signature record an indexing value representative of values utilized in ones of elements (a) through (1) of said generating at least two ratios;

then selecting digitized reference signature records having the same indexing value as the digitized transaction signature record; and

then said generating at least two ratios for the digitized transaction signature record and the selected digitized reference signature records.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein said generating an indexing value includes generating an ordered set of values representative of quantized portions of the values utilized for said generating at least two ratios.

61. The method of claim 48 wherein the transaction comprises at least one of:

voting, registering to vote, verifying eligibility to vote, purchasing of goods and/or services, a banking transaction, a debit and/or credit card transaction, a financial transaction, an insurance transaction, an Internet transaction, an “

e-commerce”

transaction, physical security, information security, access control, military, defense and government, manufacturing, wholesaling, distributing and retailing, medical treatment and pharmacy, and dispensing medication and/or a medical device.

62. The method of claim 48 wherein said comparing is for authenticating the transaction signature, and/or verifying the transaction signature, and/or identifying a signer of the transaction signature.

63. The method of claim 48 wherein said communicating to the computer via the server an indication comprises:

displaying at the computer an image of the transaction and/or reference digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates thereof and/or

displaying at the computer an image of the transaction and reference digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof in a movie format; and

/or

displaying at the computer a value generated in said comparing the respective at least two ratios of the transaction and reference digitized signatures.

64. 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:

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 pressures of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the transaction and reference signatures,

(l) a ratio of respective derivatives of any of characteristics of ratios (f) through (k) 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.

65. The storage medium of claim 64 further comprising:

means for causing the computer to weight each of the at least two ratios; and

means for causing the computer to multiply the weighted at least two ratios.

66. The storage medium of claim 65 wherein said means for causing the computer to provide an indication comprises means for causing the computer to compare the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios to the predetermined value.

67. The storage medium of claim 65 wherein said means for causing the computer to provide an indication comprises:

means for causing the computer to provide an indication of a possible forgery or a non-authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is less than a first threshold value; and

/or

means for causing the computer to provide an indication of a questionable authentication or an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value; and

/or

means for causing the computer to provide an indication of an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the second threshold value and a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value; and

/or

means for causing the computer to provide an indication of electronic copying when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is greater than the third threshold value.

68. The storage medium of claim 67 wherein the first threshold value is in a range of about 0.2 to about 0.45 on a scale of zero to one, wherein the second threshold value is in a range of about 0.45 to about 0.8 on the scale of zero to one, and wherein the third threshold value is about 0.8 or greater on the scale of zero to one.

69. The storage medium of claim 64 wherein each digitized signature record includes at least one of date/time data and a relational check code generated from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof,

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

means for causing the computer to separate the at least one of the date/time data and the relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

70. The storage medium of claim 64 wherein each digitized signature record includes at least a relational check code generated from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof,

further comprising, prior to said generating at least two ratios:

means for causing the computer to verify the relational check code against the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof.

71. The storage medium of claim 70 wherein said means for causing the computer to verify includes:

means for causing the computer to regenerate a relational check code from the values of the at least the position of each point of a signature in coordinates relative to a coordinate of a previous point thereof; and

means for causing the computer to compare the regenerated relational check code to the relational check code of the digitized signature record.

72. The storage medium of claim 64 further comprising, prior to causing a computer to generate at least two ratios:

means for causing the computer to generate for the transaction digitized record signature and for each reference digitized signature record an indexing value representative of values utilized in elements (a) through (1) of the means for causing the computer to generate at least two ratios;

means for causing the computer to then select reference digitized signature records having the same indexing value as the transaction digitized signature record; and

said means for causing the computer to generate at least two ratios then generating at least two ratios for the transaction digitized signature record and the selected reference digitized signature records.

73. The storage medium of claim 72 wherein said means for causing the computer to generate an indexing value includes means for causing the computer to generate an ordered set of values representative of quantized portions of the values utilized for said generating at least two ratios.

74. The storage medium of claim 64 wherein said means for causing the computer to provide an indication comprises:

means for causing the computer to display the first and second digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates thereof; and

/or

means for causing the computer to display the first and second digitized signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof in a movie format; and

/or

means for causing the computer to display a value generated in said comparing the at least two characteristics of the first and second digitized signatures.

75. 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:

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 pressure of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature,

(l) a derivative of any of characteristics (f) through (k);

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.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein said generating an indexing value includes generating an ordered set of values representative of quantized portions of the values utilized for said generating at least two ratios.

77. The method of claim 75 further comprising:

weighting each of the at least two ratios; and

multiplying the weighted at least two ratios.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein said providing an indication comprises comparing the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios to the predetermined value.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein said providing an indication comprises:

providing an indication of a possible forgery or a non-authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is less than a first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of a questionable authentication or an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the first threshold value and a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of an authentication when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is between the second threshold value and a third threshold value that is greater than the second threshold value; and

/or

providing an indication of electronic copying when the value of the multiplied weighted at least two ratios is greater than the third threshold value.

80. The method of claim 75 wherein said comparing is for authenticating the transaction signature, and/or verifying the transaction signature, and/or identifying a signer of the transaction signature.

81. The method of claim 75 wherein said providing an indication comprises:

displaying the transaction and reference signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates thereof; and

/or

displaying the transaction and reference signatures from the respective recorded coded point coordinates and times thereof in a movie format; and

/or

displaying a value generated in said comparing the respective at least two ratios of the transaction and reference signatures.

82. A method for identifying a signer of a transaction digitized signature against a plurality of reference digitized signatures represented by respective reference digitized signature records each including identifying information of a respective signer thereof, , 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:

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 pressure of a stroke or of a segment of a stroke of the signature,

(l) a derivative of any of characteristics (f) through (k);

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 (1);

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 digitized signature records;

selecting each of the compared reference digitized signature records for which said comparing the respective at least two ratios relating to the transaction and reference digitized signatures is within a predetermined range of values; and

providing the identifying information of each selected compared reference digitized signature within the predetermined range of values.

83. The method of claim 82 wherein said generating an indexing value includes generating an ordered set of values representative of quantized portions of the values utilized for said generating at least two ratios.

84. The method of claim 82 further comprising:

weighting each of the at least two ratios; and

multiplying the weighted at least two ratios.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein said selecting each of the compared reference digitized signature records comprises selecting the multiplied weighted at least two ratios within the predetermined range of values.

86. The method of claim 82 further comprising:

displaying the transaction digitized signature and/or the refeence digitized signature of the selected compared reference digitized signature record; and

/or

displaying the transaction digitized signature and/or the reference digitized signature of the selected compared reference digitized signature record in a movie format; and

/or

displaying for the transaction digitized signature and/or for the reference digitized signature of the selected compared reference digitized signature record a value generated in said comparing the respective at least two ratios of respective corresponding characteristics generated from the transaction and reference digitized signature records.