APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING INFORMATION AND PRODUCING A SIGNED DOCUMENT

Abstract: At least one data entry device such as a business card scanner for entering personal and/or company information, at least one monitor such as a touch-screen monitor for displaying the information and interactively acquiring additional information, at least oen digital signature pad for receiving a handwritten signature impression from the user and converting it to a digital signature, and at least one computer electronically connected to the data entry device, the monitor, and the signature pad. The computer is preferably programmed to receive and electronically store the information from the data entry device, receive and electronically store the digital signature from said signature pad, and associate the signature with said information. A housing can be provided for the computer, data entry device, monitor, and signature pad.

Description: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ACQUIRING INFORMATION AND PRODUCING A SIGNED DOCUMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to collecting and storing information in an electronic record for registration and/or audit purposes, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for interactively acquiring personal and/or company information, storing the information in an electronic record, and acquiring, storing, and associating an electronic signature with the record, for producing a signed document meeting the audit requirements of the publishing or another industry and/or for producing a badge, security pass, or the like for trade shows, conventions, exhibitions, seminars, secure facilities, or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART There are many business situations where it is desirable to quickly and accurately acquire and ••støie. personal, company, and/or other information from customers or visitors for registration purposes. In some situations it is also desired or required to obtain a signature from the customer or visitor to produce a signed document containing at least a portion of such information. For example, publishers of trade magazines and the like typically attend events related to their industry such as trade shows, conventions, exhibitions, seminars, and the like. A "reader registration" process is required for the publishers of trade magazines to comply with the strict audit rales of the magazine auditing companies such as the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) and Business Publishing Auditing (BPA). The audit rules require that subscribers of a publication must provide certain personal and/or company information which must be authenticated by a signature from the person supplying the information. The purpose of the reader registration process is to verify by documentation the publication's circulation, and the purpose of the signature requirement of the audit rules is to prevent document fraud. Publishers are therefore required to retain signed documents containing the required information for submission for auditing purposes, and unsigned and/or incomplete documents are rejected in the auditing process. Currently, the reader registration process is performed manually by preparing paper documents containing the relevant personal and/or company information, which paper documents are signed by the person or company and stored in physical files by the publisher. Also, attendees of such events typically register on-site or pre-register by telephone or facsimile by manually completing a paper form or by verbally providing their relevant personal and/or company information. The information is then submitted to a data entry clerk for input. The data input process is subject to data entry errors by the input clerk, which can result in the collection and storage of inaccurate information. A similar registration process is typically required for facilities where security is a significant concern, such as government, research, and other buildings. Furthermore, for such events or secure facilities, it is common to require badges, security passes, or the like, which are typically produced by traditional manual printing methods based on the information provided. The typical registration and badging process is thus very time-consuming and subject to third party data entry error, particularly for large events. There are known in the art several devices and/or methods for personal and/or company information collection and storage for registration at trade shows and like events. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,233,661 to Bolton et al. discloses a computer controlled registration and inquiry system for conventions or the like. The relevant personal information of attendees is manually typed into the system by use of a keyboard or the like at one of a plurality of terminals, the information may be edited to correct misspellings or the like, and embossed identification and inquiry cards are printed for use at the convention. Also, U.S. Patent No. 4,654,793 to Elrod discloses a system and method for registering and keeping track of the activities of attendees at a trade show, convention, or the like. The attendees have their relevant information manually typed into the system using a keyboard for registration purposes, the information and a unique registration number are bar-coded onto a printed identification badge, and the exhibitor booths have bar-code scanners for tracking the attendees who visit their booths. There are also know in the art several devices utilizing optical character recognition (OCR) software and a touch screen for interactively collecting and storing information from a business card. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,845,261 to McAbian discloses an interactive multi-media presentation and marketing apparatus comprising a computer, a touch-screen monitor, a business card scanner, a printer, and a speaker, all incorporated into a housing. The device also provides for manually typing in the information using a keyboard in lieu of scanning from a business card. The data is stored in a retrievable file associated with the user. The touch-screen allows the user to select options such as viewing a video or placing an order for a product. None of these devices or methods, however, provide for the storage and/or printing of a signed document meeting the aforementioned strict audit requirements of the publishing and exhibition industries. For these devices and methods to be used to satisfy the audit requirements, all the information would have to be printed onto physical documents and signed, which signed documents would have to be stored for later reference. Also, none of these devices or methods satisfactorily provide for the quick and accurate acquisition of personal and company information and production of a badge, security pass, or the like containing such information. Accordingly, what is needed but not found in the prior art is an apparatus and method for quickly and accurately acquiring personal and/or company information at an event such as a trade show, convention, seminar, or the like, or at a secure facility, without the need for a data entry clerk, for electronically storing the information in a record, and for acquiring, storing, and associating an electronic signature with the record for producing a signed document meeting the auditing requirements of the publishing or another industry or for producing a signed badge, security pass, or the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally described, the present invention comprises an apparatus for acquiring and storing information comprising at least one data entry device for entering information, at least one monitor for displaying the information, at least one digital signature pad for receiving a handwritten signature impression from the user and converting it to a digital signature, and at least one computer electronically connected to the data entry device, the monitor, and the signature pad. The data entry device can be provided by a business card scanner programmed to read and store the information printed or otherwise associated with a business card. The monitor can be provided by a touch-screen monitor for interactively entering the information in addition to or as an alternative to using the card scanner. The computer is preferably programmed to receive and electronically store the information from the data entry device, receive and electronically store the digital signature from said signature pad, and associate the signature with said information. A housing can be provided for the computer, data entry device, monitor, and signature pad. In a first preferred embodiment, the computer is programmed to associate the digital signature with the information such that the information is invalidated if the signature is altered or deleted. The information and signature files can be retrieved from the computer for producing a signed document for audit purposes. This embodiment is preferred for the reader registration process used at trade shows and other events. In a second preferred embodiment, the computer is programmed to display a designated area on the monitor screen wherein the user may touch the area to instruct the computer to print a document or name tag. This embodiment is preferred for general registration purposes at events, secure facilities, and the like. A first preferred method of the present invention comprises providing a business card scanner, a touch-screen monitor, and a digital signature pad electronically connected to a computer, acquiring at least a portion of the information by scanning a business card through the business card scanner, electronically storing the acquired information in the computer, displaying the acquired information on said touch-screen monitor, displaying on the monitor a series of questions relating to the acquired information, displaying on the monitor at least one designated area for the user to touch to provide responses to the questions, requiring user responses to all of the questions before permitting advancing to and displaying a signature screen on the monitor, displaying the signature screen on the monitor wherein the signature screen displays at least a portion of the acquired information and a signature box capable of displaying the user's signature as the user signs the signature pad, electronically receiving and storing in the computer the digital signature from the signature pad, and associating the signature with the information such that the information is invalidated if the signature is altered or deleted. The method can further comprise retrieving the acquired information and the signature from the computer; and printing a signed document containing at least a portion of the acquired information for audit submission purposes. A second preferred method of the present invention comprises providing a business card scanner and a touch-screen monitor electronically connected to a computer, acquiring at least a portion of the information by scanning a business card through the business card scanner, electronically storing the acquired information in the computer, displaying the acquired information on the touch-screen monitor, and printing a badge or name tag containing at least a portion of the acquired information. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for quickly and accurately acquiring personal and/or company information at an event such as a trade show, convention, seminar, or the like, or at a secure facility for immediate use at the event or facility. It is another object to provide an apparatus and method for electronically storing the information in a record, and acquiring, storing, and associating an electronic signature with the record. It is still another object to provide an apparatus and method for producing a signed paper document or electronic record containing the personal and/or company information that meets the strict auditing requirements of the publishing or another industry. It is yet another object to provide an apparatus and method for producing a signed badge, security pass, or the like for trade shows, conventions, seminars, secure facilities, or the like. It is a further object to provide an apparatus and method providing for self-registration at trade shows, conventions, seminars, secure facilities, or the like without the need for a data entry clerk. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are discussed or apparent in the following detailed description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the attached drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures, and in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; Fig.2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of Fig. 1 in a housing; Fig. 2A is a perspective view of an alternative first embodiment in an alternative housing; Fig. 3 is a top level flow diagram illustrating the first preferred method and the function of the first preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a drawing of a "welcome" screen displayed on the monitor of the first embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a drawing of a "card scanning screen" screen displayed on the monitor of the first embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a drawing of a "verification" screen displayed on the monitor of the first embodiment of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 7 is a drawing of a "question" screen displayed on the monitor of the first embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a drawing of a "signature" screen displayed on the monitor of the first embodiment of Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating the second preferred method and the function of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a drawing of a "signature" screen displayed on the monitor of the second embodiment of Fig. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, referred to generally as the apparatus 10. In the first preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 is well suited for uses such as a publisher's reader registration device for acquiring subscriber or reader information and storing signed electronic documents and/or printing signed hard copy documents meeting the strict requirements of the magazine auditing companies. As used herein, "information" means personal and/or company details such a user's personal name, position in her company, company name, and contact information such as company address, telephone number, facsimile number, email address, and the like. The apparatus 10 has a conventional computer 12 which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 13, input/output (I/O) interfaces 14, and a data storage device 15 such as a hard drive. The computer 12 is programmed to control the operation of the below-described components of the apparatus 10 by an operating system 16, a main program 17, a relational database 18, an administrator module 19, a report module 20, and a management module 21, which computer programs are stored on the storage device 15. These programs can be written in an open platform language such as Microsoft® Visual Basic®, C++®, and Active X®. A business card scanner 24 with OCR software, a touch-screen monitor 26, and a digital signature pad 28 are electronically connected to the computer 12. The business card scanner 24 provides for scanning personal and/or company information from business cards and converting the information into digital format. A suitable business card scanner 24 with modifiable programming is manufactured by Corex Technologies® of Massachusetts, U.S.A.. The touch-screen monitor 26 provides for viewing screens of information and interactively entering information by touching specific icons or other graphical items on the screen. Also, an on-screen keyboard can be displayed on the touch screen monitor 26 for manually correcting misspellings and other mistakes by the card scanner, and for optionally entering personal and/or company information directly instead of using the card scanner 24. Additionally or alternatively, an external keyboard can be provided as an integral component of the apparatus 10 or separately provided and electronically connected to the apparatus 10 for additionally providing for programming modifications, maintenance, data retrieval, and other operations. It will be understood that other data entry devices may be suitably employed as an addition or alternative to the card scanner 24 and/or keyboard data entry devices. For example, there may be electronically connected to the computer a voice recognition device into which the user can speak her personal and company information, an IR port for receiving business card data IR beamed from a Palm Pilot® or other PDA, a conventional flatbed, handheld, or other scanner, or other data entry devices as are known in the art. The digital signature pad 28 provides for receiving a handwritten signature impression by the user and converting the impression into digital format. The signature pad 28 can use signature software such as that provided under the PenOp® brand name. The digital signature is linked to the information entered by the card scanner 24, monitor 26, and/or keyboard and stored in the database, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. Additionally, a printer 32 may be provided for printing standard sized document pages and/or badges, name tags, security passes, or the like with the information entered by the scanner 24, signature pad 28, and/or keyboard. The printer 32 can be provided as an integral component of the apparatus 10 and electronically connected to the computer 12, can be provided separately and connected to the computer 12 on site, or can ' simply not be included, as may be desired in a particular application. There is thus provided the flexibility for using one printer for each apparatus 10, one printer serving multiple apparatus 10, or other configurations. Also, a backup storage device 34 such as a zip drive or the like may be provided for backing up data from the storage device 16 or for storing additional data. The backup storage device 34 and/or other components can be electronically connected to the computer 12 directly or via a universal serial bus (USB) hub and ports as necessary or desired. Referring now to Fig. 2, the apparatus 10 comprises a housing 36 containing the computer 12 and other selected components. For example, the card scanner 24, monitor 26, signature pad 28, , and printer 32 can be disposed within or mounted onto the housing 36, or they can be provided separately and electronically connected to the computer 12 in the housing 36. With the housing 36, the apparatus 12 can be portable and modular for use in a variety of applications. It will be understood that the housing 36 shown in Fig. 2 is included for illustrative purposes only, and is but one of a variety of possible housings that may be suitably employed. For example, the housing 36 can be configured for wall mounting in standard exhibition booth panels for trade shows and other events, for mounting in a desktop for registration applications, or it can be configured, shaped, and sized in various other arrangements as may be desired. In the representative housing 36 shown in Fig. 2, the housing 36a has a slot 38a for exiting a business card from the card scanner, a window 40 for viewing and accessing therethrough a touch-screen 42 of the monitor 26a, and an opening 44 for viewing and accessing the impression pad 46 of the signature pad 28a. The card scanner is disposed under the signature pad 28 which is hingedly coupled to the housing 36 for swinging up to expose the card scanner. The user thus lifts the signature pad 28 to insert her business card into the card scanner. As shown in Fig. 2A, in an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 10a, the housing 36a has a slot 38a for receiving a business card into the card scanner 24a, a window 40a for viewing and accessing therethrough a touch-screen 42a of the monitor 26a, an opening 44a for viewing and accessing the impression pad 46a of the signature pad 28a, and an opening 48a for viewing and accessing the keys 50a of an external keyboard 30a. Additional openings can be provided in the housing 36 as necessary for I/O ports, storage devices such as CD-ROMs and diskettes, printers, and other components. Alternatively, the housing 36 can be provided with recesses in a top face thereof for receiving a modular card scanner or signature pad separately provided by others. Referring now to Figs. 3 - 8, there is generally illustrated the operation and function of the apparatus 10 and the method 50 of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention during one session for self-registering a user. It will be understood that the screen shots depicted in Figs. 4 - 8 are provided for illustrative purposes only, and other screen layouts, graphics, and text may be suitably employed. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 collectively, the computer is preferably programmed by the main program to begin each session at step 52 by displaying a "welcome" screen 54 on the monitor. The welcome screen 54 can display a graphic 56 such as the logo of the publication (for example, the Plastic and Rubber Asia® (PRA) logo shown in Fig. 4), or another message or graphic as may be desired. The administrator's module preferably provides for programming the computer to display the desired graphic 56. The screen 54 includes a message 58 requesting that the user touch the graphic 56 or another designated area to begin the session. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5 collectively, at step 60 the computer is preferably programmed to continue the session by displaying a "card scanning" screen 62 on the monitor. The user can be instructed to insert her business card into the business card scanner and touch a designated area 64 of the screen 62 when she has done so, thereby commencing the scanning operation. The card is returned at step 65 after the scanner has completed its scanning operation. The user also can be instructed to touch a different designated area 66 if she does not presently have a business card, and at step 68 the user may then manually enter her name and company information using the on-screen or external keyboard. The card scanner reads the business card to acquire selected information from the card. Typical business cards have printed thereon information including the person's name and position, the company's name and address, and the telephone number and facsimile number for the user and/or company. Under the magazine audit rules, publishers are required to retain this same information for submission to the audit companies. Additional information on the card can be scanned therefrom as desired, such as email addresses and/or other contact information. In particular, to satisfy the minimum audit requirements of ABC and BPA, the publisher of a particular publication is required to obtain the following infromation from the user, i.e., the reader: 1. Confirmation that the reader is in the industry defined by the industry statement in the audit report filed for the publication. 2. Confirmation that the reader wants to receive a free copy of the publication. 3. The full name of the reader. 4. The job title of the reader. 5. The name of the reader's company. 6. The full postal address of the company. 7. The telephone and/or facsimile number of the company. 8. The signature of the reader. 9. The date of the signature. The publisher is required to acquire all this information, and store it on a form, and provide it to the auditor on request. The information may be provided on a paper form or in an electronic data format. All the information must be legible. Forms that do not meet all of these requirements are not accepted for audit purposes. The scanner reads the information from the data fields printed on the card, converts the information into digital format, and recognizes information in the data fields as a personal name, company name, address, etc. The computer is programmed to import (for example, as a CSV file) the information into a data file using a pre-determined template (for example, as shown in Fig. 6), generate a file name (for example, based on the company name), and store the data file under the file name on the computer. Referring to Figs. 3 and 6 collectively, at step 70 the computer is preferably programmed to continue the session by displaying a "verification" screen 72 on the monitor. The verification screen 72 includes data fields such as 74 displaying the personal and company information required for audit purposes that was imported from the scanner. The administrator module provides the publisher the flexibility to select and label the data fields to acquire various information as may be required by various audit companies. The user can be instructed to verify the accuracy and completeness of the information displayed on the screen 72. Using the keyboard, the user can correct any misspellings or other mistakes made in the scanning process and add any information as necessary. The computer is programmed to prevent advancing to subsequent screens until all of the data fields are completed. The user then touches a designated area 76 to advance to the next screen. Referring to Figs. 3 and 7 collectively, at step 78 the computer is preferably programmed to continue the session by sequentially displaying one or more "question" screens 80 on the monitor. Each question screen 80 includes one or more questions requiring the user's response by touching one or more designated areas 82. For example, the question screen 80 can display a request for the user to indicate whether the company address scanned or keyed in is the company's main office location. The administrator module provides the publisher the flexibility to select the content, quantity, and sequence of the questions to be displayed by the monitor and answered by the user to ensure acquisition of the information that may be required by various audit companies. The user can add or correct information by touching designated areas 84 on the screen to display the previous or next screen for moving back and forth to reach the verification or other screens, and by using the on-screen or external keyboard to add or correct information on the verification or other screens as necessary. When each data entry screen is completed, the user touches a designated area 86 to advance to the next screen. When all of the screens have been answered, the computer is programmed to update and store the data file with all the information acquired to this point. Referring to Figs. 3 and 8 collectively, at step 88 the computer is preferably programmed to continue the session by displaying a "signature" screen 90 on the monitor. The signature screen preferably displays all the information acquired during the session in a designated area 92 so that the user can view the information that she is authenticating by her signature. The user is requested to provide her signature using the digital signature pad, and her signature preferably appears in a signature box 94 on the screen as the user signs her name on the pad. The digital signature pad converts the signature impression thereon into a bitmap or other digital format. The computer is preferably programmed at step 96 to encrypt the signature bitmap for security purposes and store the signature bitmap on the computer as a signature file. The signature file can be attached to or otherwise associated with the data file so as to invalidate or void the data file if the signature file is thereafter altered or deleted. For example, the data file and the signature file can be dynamically bound together using an encryption technique that can be provided as a part of the signature software of the signature pad, and the bound files stored in the database under the previously generated file name. Also, the computer may automatically or manually store a backup copy of the data and signature files on the backup storage device, as may be desired for additional security. The publisher has now acquired and stored all the information and authentication thereof that is required for audit purposes, and can count the user's company as a "registered reader." The user concludes the session by touching a designated area 98 on the screen 90, and the user is exited from the program at step 100. The welcome screen 54 of the welcome step 52 then reappears on the monitor ready for the next user. The publisher can then produce as needed a signed document suitable for audit purposes by retrieving and printing the stored data and signature files from the computer storage device using the file name. As discussed hereinabove, the printer can be integrally provided in the apparatus of the present invention or separately provided and electronically connected to the I/O or USB ports of the apparatus by the publisher. The printed auditable document is preferably identical or similar to the signature screen 90. The publisher can thereby store electronically the information and signatures required for audit purposes, instead of physically storing volumes of signed paper documents. Also, the report module can be provided for producing a variety of reports by the publisher after the event and/or in real time. The report module provides for collecting information from any number of apparatus for central pooling and analysis. For example, the module can provide for analyzing the number of users during a selected period and producing on-screen and printed reports based of demographic queries such as by country, position, company, etc. Additionally, when the publisher returns from a trade show with data gathered from a single or multiple apparatus, there is a need to interface and integrate this new data with a master reader database acquired from previous events. Traditionally, this is a manual process involving laboriously typing in the necessary data. The management module provides for interacting with the master database to integrate and update registered reader information to reduce manual key typing. The management module can function to interrogate the master database to determine which records being introduced from the data collected by the various apparatus are new records and which are updates to readers already present in the master database. These updating and integrating procedures all comply with the aforementioned audit standards. It will be understood that the apparatus 10 and method 50 of the first embodiment of the present invention also can be provided for simple registration and other applications. For such uses, the administrator module provides for modifying the main program to turn off the signature requirement, to eliminate or vary the questions presented in the question step, and/or to print on-site badges or the like with at least a portion of the information (for example, the user's name and company). In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method having and using generally the same components as provided in the first embodiment except with programming modifications as described hereinbelow. While the first preferred embodiment provides a preferred reader registration system as required of publishers of trade magazines or the like, the second preferred embodiment provides a preferred registration and badging system for general use at trade shows and other events. Additionally, the apparatus can include a digital camera mounted to the housing or separately provided and electronically connected to the computer for taking a digital photograph of the user. The photograph can be printed on the badge for producing a photo ID card such as that used by universities, departments of motor vehicles (for driver's licenses), credit card issuers, secure facilities, and others. Referring now to Fig. 9, the second preferred method 150 of the present invention is illustrated which is accomplished using the same apparatus as the first embodiment. Similar to the first preferred method, the second preferred method 150 includes programming the computer to provide the functionality of displaying on the monitor a welcome screen at step 152, displaying a card scanning screen at step 154, returning the card at step 156 after scanning, keying in the required information at step 158 where the user does not have a card, displaying a verification screen at step 160, displaying one or more question screens at step 162, displaying a signature screen at step 164, storing the data and signature files at step 166, and exiting the program at step 168. The verification screen step 160, the question screen step or steps 162, the signature screen step 164, and/or other screens, however, can be eliminated for the simple registration process, as may be desired in a given application. Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10 collectively, at step 164 the computer is programmed to provide on the signature screen 170 a designated print area 172 by which the user can touch to print by step 174 a badge, name tag, or the like containing at least a portion of the information (for example, the user's name and company). A large number of users can by use of the apparatus quickly and accurately completely self-register themselves one after another during numerous sessions using a single apparatus 10, and a plurality of the apparatus 10 can be located in the event facility and networked using, for example, a twisted pair or infrared networking systems. Accordingly, there are a number of advantages provided by the present invention. There is provided the advantage of quickly and accurately acquiring personal and/or company information at an event such as a trade show, convention, seminar, or the like, or at a secure facility for immediate use at the event or facility. There is also provided the advantage of electronically storing the information in a record, and acquiring, storing, and associating an electronic signature with the record. Also, there is provided the advantage of producing a signed paper document or electronic record containing the personal and/or company information that meets the strict auditing requirements of the publishing or another industry. Additionally, there is provided the advantage of producing a signed badge, security pass, or the like for trade shows, conventions, seminars, secure facilities, or the like. Furthermore, there is provided the advantage of self-registration at trade shows, conventions, seminars, secure facilities, or the like without the need for a data entry clerk. Various modifications to the embodiment described are possible and will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the hardware of all the embodiments may be supplemented by a stamping device which stamps a database number onto the card. This is conveniently performed once the card has been scanned by the business card scanner and the information thereon stored. This modification has the advantage that data can be double-checked. Where the system is used by a customer, the stamped business cards are retained and not returned to the system users. While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. All patents, applications and publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims: CLAIMS CLAIMED IS: 1. An apparatus for acquiring and storing information, comprising: a) at least one data entry device for entering said information; b) at least one monitor for displaying said information; c) at least one digital signature pad for receiving a handwritten signature impression from said user and converting said signature to a digital signature; and d) at least one computer electronically connected to said data entry device, said monitor, and said signature pad, said computer programmed to receive and electronically store said information from said data entry device, receive and electronically store said digital signature from said signature pad, and associate said signature with said information. 2. The apparatus of Claim 1 , wherein said at least one data entry device comprises a business card scanner for electronically acquiring at least a portion of said information from a business card, said computer programmed to import and electronically store said information therein and to display said information on said monitor. 3. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said monitor comprises a touchscreen monitor and said computer is programmed to display on said monitor a series of questions relating to said information and to display at least one designated area for said user to touch to provide responses to said questions. 4. The apparatus of Claim 3, wherein said computer is programmed to require user responses to all of said questions before permitting advancing to and displaying a signature screen on said monitor. 5. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said computer is programmed to display a signature screen on said monitor, wherein said signature screen displays at least a portion of said information and a signature box, and wherein said signature box is capable of displaying said user's signature as said user signs said signature pad. 6. The apparatus of Claim 4, wherein said signature screen displays at least a portion of said information and a signature box, and wherein said signature box is capable of displaying said user's signature as said user signs said signature pad. 7. The apparatus of Claim 1, wherein said computer is programmed to associate said digital signature with said information such that said information is invalidated if said signature is altered or deleted. 8. The apparatus of Claim 6, wherein said computer is programmed to associate said digital signature with said information such that said information is invalidated if said signature is altered or deleted. 9. The apparatus of Claim 1, further comprising a housing containing said computer, wherein said data entry device, said monitor, and said signature pad are disposed within or mounted to said housing. 10. An apparatus for acquiring and storing information, comprising: a) at least one business card scanner for electronically . acquiring at least a portion of said information from a business card; b) at least one a touch-screen monitor for displaying said information; c) at least one digital signature pad for receiving a handwritten signature impression from said user and converting said signature to a digital signature; d) at least one computer electronically connected to said business card scanner, said monitor, and said signature pad; e) at least one housing containing said computer, wherein said business card scanner, said momtor, and said signature pad are disposed within or mounted to said housing; f) said computer programmed to receive and electronically store said information from said business card scanner; g) said computer further programmed to display on said momtor an on-screen keyboard for entering information; h) said computer further programmed to display on said monitor a series of questions relating to said information, display at least one designated area for said user to touch to provide responses to said questions, and require user responses to all of said questions before permitting advancing to and displaying a signature screen on said monitor; i) said computer further programmed to display said signature screen on said momtor, wherein said signature screen displays at least a portion of said information and a signature box capable of displaying said user's signature as said user signs said signature pad; and j) said computer further programmed to electronically receive and store said digital signature from said signature pad and associate said signature with said information such that said information is invalidated if said signature is altered or deleted. 11. The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said housing has at least one slot for receiving and exiting a business card from said card scanner, a window for viewing and accessing therethrough a touch- screen of said monitor, and an opening for viewing and accessing an impression pad of said signature pad,. 12. The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said computer further comprises at least one interface capable of electronic connection to a printer for printing documents containing at least a portion of said information and said signature. 13. The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said computer is programmed to electronically store said information in an information file in said computer, electronically store said signature in a signature file in said computer, and associate said information and said signature files together such that said information and signature files can be retrieved from said computer for producing a signed document for audit purposes. 14. The apparatus of Claim 10, wherein said computer is further programmed to display a designated area on said signature screen wherein said user may touch said area to instruct the computer to print a document or name tag. 15. An apparatus for acquiring and storing information, comprising: a) at least one business card scanner for electronically acquiring at least a portion of said information from a business card; b) at least one a touch-screen monitor for displaying said information; c) at least one computer electronically connected to said business card scanner, and said monitor; d) said computer having at least one interface capable of electronic connection to a printer for printing documents containing at least a portion of said information. e) at least one housing containing said computer, wherein said business card scanner, and said monitor are disposed within or mounted to said housing; f) said computer programmed to receive and electronically store said information from said business card scanner and said keyboard; g) said computer further programmed to display on said monitor an on-screen keyboard for entering information; h) said computer further programmed to display on said monitor a series of questions relating to said information and to display at least one designated area for said user to touch to provide responses to said questions; and i) said computer further programmed to display a designated area on said monitor wherein said user may touch said area to instruct said computer to print a document. 16. The apparatus of Claim 15, wherein said housing has at least one slot for receiving and exiting a business card from said card scanner, a window for viewing and accessing therethrough a touchscreen of said monitor, and an opening for viewing and accessing an impression pad of said signature pad. 17. The apparatus of Claim 15, further comprising a printer electronically connected to said computer interface. 18. The apparatus of Claim 17, wherein said printer is capable of printing a badge or name tag. 19. The apparatus of Claim 15, further comprising: a) at least one digital signature pad for receiving a handwritten signature impression from said user and converting said signature to a digital signature, and wherein: b) said computer is further programmed to display a signature screen on said monitor, wherein said signature screen displays at least a portion of said information and a signature box capable of displaying said user's signature as said user signs said signature pad; and c) said computer is further programmed to electronically receive and store said digital signature from said signature pad and associate said signature with said information such that said information is invalidated if said signature is altered or deleted. 0. A method for acquiring and storing information, comprising: a) providing a business card scanner, a touch-screen monitor, and a digital signature pad electronically connected to a computer; b) acquiring at least a portion of said information by scanning a business card through said business card scanner; c) electronically storing said acquired information in said computer; d) displaying said acquired information on said touch-screen monitor; e) displaying on said monitor a series of questions relating to said acquired information; f) displaying on said monitor at least one designated area for said user to touch to provide responses to said questions; g) requiring user responses to all of said questions before permitting advancing to and displaying a signature screen on said momtor; h) displaying said signature screen on said monitor, wherein said signature screen displays at least a portion of said acquired information and a signature box capable of displaying said user's signature as said user signs said signature pad; i) electronically receiving and storing in said computer said digital signature from said signature pad; and j) associating said signature with said information such that said information is invalidated if said signature is altered or deleted. 21. The method of Claim 20, further comprising: k) retrieving said acquired information and said signature from said computer; and 1) printing a signed document containing at least a portion of said acquired information for audit submission purposes. 22. The method of Claim 20, further comprising printing a badge or name tag containing at least a portion of said acquired information. 23. A method for acquiring and storing information, comprising: a) providing a business card scanner and a touch-screen monitor electronically connected to a computer; b) acquiring at least a portion of said information by scanning a business card through said business card scanner; c) electronically storing said acquired information in said computer; d) displaying said acquired information on said touch-screen monitor; and e) printing a badge or name tag containing at least a portion of said acquired information. 24. The method of Claim 23, further comprising: f) displaying on said monitor a series of questions relating to said acquired information; g) displaying on said monitor at least one designated area for said user to touch to provide responses to said questions; h) requiring user responses to all of said questions before permitting advancing to and displaying a signature screen on said monitor; i) displaying said signature screen on said momtor, wherein said signature screen displays at least a portion of said acquired information and a signature box capable of displaying said user's signature as said user signs said signature pad; j) electronically receiving and storing in said computer said digital signature from said signature pad; and k) associating said signature with said information such that said information is invalidated if said signature is altered or deleted. 25. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 19, comprising means for applying a reference to a business card scanned by the business card scanner. 26. A method according to any of claims 20 to 24 comprising applying a reference to a scanned business card.

Inventors: NGERN ANG LEE, ORNELLAS TIMOTHY STUART, NGERN, ANG, LEE, ORNELLAS, TIMOTHY, STUART
Applicants: ELECTRONIC BUSINESS PUBLISHING, NGERN ANG LEE, ORNELLAS TIMOTHY STUART, ELECTRONIC BUSINESS PUBLISHING LIMITED, NGERN, ANG, LEE, ORNELLAS, TIMOTHY, STUART
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: G06F1, G06F3