Signature capture via interface surface

• US 7,106,888 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 09/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Jingge
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hesseltine, Ryan J.
• Application Number:
  US09/575,171
• Time in Patent Office: 2,303 Days
• Field of Search: 382/119, 382/120, 382/121, 382/122, 382/123, 382/186, 382/187, 382/188, 382/313, 382/314, 382/100, 283/45, 283/72, 283/74, 283/75, 283/85, 283/93, 283/113, 178/18.01, 178/18.09, 178/19.01, 178/19.05, 235/454, 235/470, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/494, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/173, 345/175, 345/179, 345/180, 345/700, 715/505, 715/507, 713/182, 713/185, 713/186, 710/73, 358/1.18, 358/473, 358/478, 341/1, 341/5, 341/13
• US Class Current: 382/119
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/106 for the sheet output section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17556 Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17563 Ink filters
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/2114 Ejecting transparent or white coloured liquids, e.g. processing liquids B41J2/211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 19/02 starting with single sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0006 by applying adhesive to a stack of sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B42C 9/0081 applying adhesive to individual sheets for binding them together by fusing, welding B42C9/0093
• CPC Class Codes: B42P 2261/04 Producing books by printing sheets in following order, e.g. for ordering via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 29/34 from supports slid from under the articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 37/04 for securing together articles or webs, e.g. by adhesive, stitching or stapling adhering replacement to expiring web during change of web roll B65H19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/608 Secure printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2153 Using hardware token as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 : Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03546 : using a rotatable ball at the tip as position detecting member
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 : Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 : for light pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 : resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1265 : Printing by reference, e.g. retrieving document/image data for a job from a source mentioned in the job
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1284 : Local printer device
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 : Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 : Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1423 : the instrument generating sequences of position coordinates corresponding to handwriting preprocessing or recognising digital ink G06V30/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1444 : Selective acquisition, locating or processing of specific regions, e.g. highlighted text, fiducial marks or predetermined fields
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 : Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/603 : Digital right managament [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 : Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3263 : involving certificates, e.g. public key certificate [PKC] or attribute certificate [AC]; Public key infrastructure [PKI] arrangements network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 : with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 : with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00326 : with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00358 : Type of the scanned marks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00376 : Means for identifying a mark sheet or area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00567 : Handling of original or reproduction media, e.g. cutting, separating, stacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 : by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32101 : Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 : in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32128 : attached to the image data, e.g. file header, transmitted message header, information on the same page or in the same computer file as the image for information embedded in the image H04N1/32144
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32771 : in response to a request, e.g. for a particular document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32778 : using a mark-sheet or machine-readable code request
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3207 : of an address
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3242 : of processing required or performed, e.g. for reproduction or before recording H04N2201/3256 and subgroups take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3247 : Data linking a set of images to one another, e.g. sequence, burst or continuous capture mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3249 : data relating to a linked page or object, e.g. hyperlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/327 : which are undetectable to the naked eye, e.g. embedded codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 : Printing or stamping
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 : Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via an interface surface and a sensing device. The interface surface contains information relating to the computer software and coded data indicative of a signature field relating to the computer software. When the sensing device is placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, it senses indicating data indicative of the signature field. The sensing device also generates movement data indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement. The indicating data and the movement data are received from the sensing device, and the signature field is identified. Once the signature has been identified, the computer software is operated in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the signature field.

Claims

1. A method of enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system via:

an interface surface displaying information relating to the computer software including a visible signature region corresponding to a signature field relating to the computer software, the interface surface having coded data disposed thereon both inside and outside the signature region, wherein all of the coded data is indicative of its own position relative to the interface surface and wherein the coded data located inside the signature region is further indicative of the signature field; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and generates indicating data indicative of the signature field using at least some of the sensed coded data, and generates movement data indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement, and wherein the sensing device is linked, during a registration process, to an authorized user using a secret key-exchange key and first digital ink consisting of the authorized user'"'"'s handwritten signature;

the method including the steps of, in the computer system;

(a) receiving the indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) receiving the movement data from the sensing device, the movement data representing second digital ink consisting of a user'"'"'s handwritten signature;

(c) identifying the signature field on the basis of the indicating data;

(d) verifying the user'"'"'s handwritten signature by comparing the second digital ink with the first digital ink;

(e) generating, in the computer system and using a signature key of the user that is a private key, a digital signature of digital content related to the computer software; and

(f) operating the computer software at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the signature field.

2. A method according to claim 1, including the step of identifying the user.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of identifying the user includes using the movement data.

4. A method according to claim 2, further including the step of receiving, in the computer system, data indicative of the identity of the user.

5. A method according to claim 2, further including the step of receiving, in the computer system, data from storage means of the sensing device, the data being indicative of the identify of the user.

6. A method according to claim 1, further including the steps of generating a fixed length hash based on the digital content and encrypting the hash in accordance with the signature key after the signature has been verified, thereby generating the digital signature.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the digital content is provided by the user.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the digital content is based on data input by the user via the sensing device and interface surface.

9. A method according to claim 1, further including the step of associating, in the computer system, the digital signature with the signature field.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including the step of sending, in the computer system, data to the computer software indicative of at least the signature field.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the signature field is associated with a visible signature zone defined on the interface surface.

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensing device includes at least one acceleration measuring device for measuring acceleration of the sensing device as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface, the movement data being generated by periodically sampling the acceleration of the sensing device as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface.

13. A method according to claim 12, further including the step of generating movement data in the form of a locus of the sensing device in relation to the surface, the locus being determined by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the relative displacement is obtained by doubly integrating the acceleration with respect to time.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the acceleration measuring device includes one or more accelerometers configured to measure at least two orthogonal components of acceleration.

16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein position elements are disposed on the interface surface, the sensing device being configured to periodically sense position elements as it is used to draw onto the surface, the method including the step of generating the movement data by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device over time with respect to at least one of the position elements.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the position elements are disposed on the surface as a regular array of dots, lines or other formations.

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the position elements are disposed on the surface stochastically.

19. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the movement data is generated by ascertaining relative rotation of one more motion sensing elements rotatably mounted to the sensing device for contact with the surface while the sensing device is used to sign the signature thereon.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the motion sensing elements include one or more rollerballs mounted for rotation within a constraining housing disposed substantially within the sensing device.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein components of rotation of the rollerball, due to movement of the sensing device when signing the signature onto the surface, are periodically measured.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the components of rotation of the rollerball due to movement of the sensing device by the user when signing the signature onto the surface are measured by means of:

rollers disposed within the constraining housing for rotation, the rollers being configured to be driven by contact with the rotating rollerball;

or

optical sensing of rotation of the rollerball with respect to the constraining housing.

23. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the coded data includes at least one tag, each tag being indicative of the signature field.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the tags are also indicative of points within the signature field.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein each of the tags includes:

first identity data defining a relative position of that tag; and

second identity data identifying the signature field.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to the signature field.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to a plurality of the other tags.

28. A method according to claim 25, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to the interface surface.

29. A method according to claim 25, wherein the first identity data identifies stored information defining the relative position, the stored information not being stored on the interface surface.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the first identify data and the second identity data together identify stored information defining the relative position.

36. A system according to claim 30, wherein the computer system is configured to generate a fixed length hash based on the digital content and to encrypt the hash in accordance with the signature key after the signature has been verified, thereby to generate the digital signature.

37. A system according to claim 30, wherein the digital content is provided by the user.

38. A system according to claim 37, wherein the digital content is based on data input by the user via the sensing device and interface surface.

39. A system according to claim 30, wherein the computer system is configured to associate the digital signature with the signature field.

40. A system according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the computer system is configured to send data to the computer software indicative of at least the signature field.

41. A system according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the sensing device includes at least one acceleration measuring device for measuring acceleration of the sensing device as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface, the movement data being generated by periodically sampling the acceleration of the sensing device as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface.

42. A system according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the signature field is associated with a visible signature zone defined on the interface surface.

43. A system according to claim 42, further including the step of generating movement data in the form of a locus of the sensing device in relation to the surface, the locus being determined by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device.

44. A method according to claim 43, wherein the relative displacement is obtained by doubly integrating the acceleration with respect to time.

45. A system according to claim 43, wherein the acceleration measuring device includes one or more accelerometers configured to measure at least two orthogonal components of acceleration.

46. A system according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein position elements are disposed on the interface surface, the sensing device being configured to periodically sense position elements as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface, the movement data being generated by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device over time with respect to at least one of the position elements.

47. A system according to claim 46, wherein the position elements are disposed on the surface as a regular array of dots, lines or other formations.

48. A system according to claim 46, wherein the position elements are disposed on the surface stochastically.

49. A system according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the movement data is generated by ascertaining relative movement of one or more motion sensing elements rotatably mounted to the sensing device for contact with the surface while the sensing device is used to sign the signature thereon.

50. A system according to claim 49, wherein the motion sensing elements include one or more rollerballs mounted for rotation within a constraining housing disposed substantially within the sensing device.

51. A system according to claim 50, wherein components of rotation of the rollerball, due to movement of the sensing device when signing the signature onto the surface, are periodically measured.

52. A system according to claim 51, wherein the components of rotation of the rollerball due to movement of the sensing device by the user when signing the signature onto the surface are measured by means of:

rollers disposed within the constraining housing for rotation, the rollers being configured to be driven by contact with the rotating rollerball;

or

optical sensing of rotation of the rollerball with respect to the constraining housing.

53. A system according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the coded data includes at least one tag, each tag being indicative of the signature field.

54. A system according to claim 53, wherein the tags are also indicative of points within the signature field.

55. A system according to claim 54, wherein each of the tags includes:

first identity data defining a relative position of that tag; and

second identity data identifying the signature field.

56. A system according to claim 55, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to the signature field.

57. A system according to claim 55, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to a plurality of the other tags.

58. A system according to claim 55, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to the interface surface.

59. A system according to claim 55, wherein the first identity data identifies stored information defining the relative position, the stored information not being stored on the interface surface.

60. A system according to claim 57, wherein the first identity data and the second identity data together identify stored information defining the relative position.

31. A system for enabling user intersection with computer software running in a computer system, the system including:

an interface surface displaying information relating to the computer software including a visible signature region corresponding to a signature field relating to the computer software, the interface surface having coded data disposed thereon both inside and outside the signature region, wherein all of the coded data is indicative of its own position relative to the interface surface and wherein the coded data located inside the signature region is further indicative of the signature field; and

a sensing device which, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and generates indicating data indicative of the signature field using at least some of the coded data, and generates movement data indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement, and wherein the sensing device is linked, during a registration process, to an authorized user using a secret key-exchange key and first digital ink consisting of the authorized user'"'"'s handwritten signature;

the computer system being configured to;

(a) receive the indicating data from the sensing device;

(b) receive the movement data from the sensing device, the movement data representing second digital ink consisting of a user'"'"'s handwritten signature;

(c) identify the signature field on the basis of the indicating data;

(d) verify the user'"'"'s handwritten signature by comparing the second digital ink with the first digital ink;

(e) generate, in the computer system and using a signature key of the user that is a private key, a digital signature of digital content related to the computer software; and

(f) operate the computer software at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the signature field.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein the computer system is configured to identify the user.

33. A system according to claim 32, wherein the computer system is configured to identify the user by using the movement data.

34. A system according to claim 32, wherein the computer system is configured to receive data indicative of the identity of the user.

35. A system according to claim 32, wherein the computer system is configured to receive data from storage means of the sensing device, the data being indicative of the identity of the user.

61. A system for enabling user interaction with computer software running in a computer system, the system including:

an interface surface displaying information relating to the computer software including a visible signature region corresponding to a signature field relating to the computer software, the interface surface having coded data disposed thereon both inside and outside the signature region, wherein all of the coded data is indicative of its own position relative to the interface surface and wherein the coded data located inside the signature region is further indicative of the signature field;

the computer system being configured to;

(a) receive indicating data from a sensing device, the indicating data being indicative of the signature field, wherein the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the interface surface, senses at least some of the coded data and generates the indicating data using at least some of the coded data, and generate movement data indicative of the sensing device'"'"'s movement relative to the interface surface, and wherein the sensing device is linked, during a registration process, to an authorized user using a secret key-exchange key and first digital ink consisting of the authorized user'"'"'s handwritten signature;

(b) receive the movement data from the sensing device, the movement data representing second digital ink consisting of a user'"'"'s handwritten signature;

(c) identify the signature field on the basis of the indicating data;

(d) verify the user'"'"'s handwritten signature by comparing the second digital ink with the first digital ink;

(e) generate, in the computer system and using a signature key of the user that is a private key, a digital signature of digital content related to the computer software; and

(e) operate the computer software at least partly in reliance on the movement data, and in accordance with instructions associated with the signature field.

62. A system according to claim 61, wherein the computer system is configured to identify the user to using the movement data.

63. A system according to claim 61, wherein the computer system is configured to receive data indicative of the identity of the user.

64. A system according to claim 61, wherein the computer system is configured to receive data from storage means of the sensing device, the data being indicative of the identity of the user.

65. A system according to claim 61, wherein the computer system is configured to associate the digital signature with the signature field.

66. A system according to any one of claims 61 or 62, wherein the signature field is associated with a visible signature zone defined on the interface surface.

67. A system according to any one of claims 61 or 62, wherein the sensing device includes at least one acceleration measuring device for measuring acceleration of the sensing device as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface, the movement data being generated by periodically sampling the acceleration of the sensing device as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface.

68. A system according to claim 67, wherein a relative displacement of the sensing device is obtained by doubly integrating the acceleration with respect to time.

69. A system according to claim 67, wherein the acceleration measuring device includes one or more accelerometers configured to measure at least two orthogonal components of acceleration.

70. A system according to claim 69, wherein the tags are also indicative of points within the signature field.

71. A system according to claim 69, wherein each of the tags includes:

first identity data defining a relative position of that tag; and

second identity data identifying the signature field.

72. A system according to claim 71, wherein the relative position is defined in relation to the signature field, a plurality of the other tags, or the interface surface.

73. A system according to any one of claims 61 to 62, wherein position elements are disposed on the interface surface, the sensing device being configured to periodically sense position elements as it is used to sign the signature onto the surface, the movement data being generated in the form of a locus of the sensing device in relation to the surface by ascertaining relative displacement of the sensing device with respect to the least one of the position elements.

74. A system according to claim 61 to 62, wherein the movement data is generated by ascertaining relative movement of one or more motion sensing elements rotatably mounted to the sensing device for contact with the surface while the sensing device is used to sign the signature thereon.

75. A system according to any one of claims 61 to 62, wherein the coded data includes at least one tag, each tag being ndicative of the signature field.