Abstract:
Methods, processes, systems and devices for allowing a computer user to sign and execute a document over the interne using a pointer device such as a mouse to generate a digital signature by an cursive signature (handwritten). The invention allows for vector points in the digital signature to be encoded/encrypted, stored and later be retrieved so that it can be verified where it came from, and what specific document it was on. If necessary, the invention allows for a newly executed signature to be forensically verified against a signature sample.

Description:
This invention claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/689,448 filed Jun. 10, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF USE 
     This invention relates to digital graphic signatures, in particular to methods, processes, systems and devices for allowing a computer user to sign and execute a document over the internet using a handwritten signature with a pointer device such as a mouse, allowing for the digital graphic signature to be later retrieved to verify where it came from, identify the document the signature was applied to, and, if necessary, allow for a new signature to be forensically verified against a signature sample. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Digital signatures have been growing in popularity. With a computer user a computer mouse can be used as a pen to write a digitizable signature. Freeware programs enable computer users to create their signatures using the computer mouse. Computer generated graphic signatures are rapidly gaining acceptance for the execution of legally binding contracts. 
     Contracts can be signed using a mouse or another pointer device where the user moves the device in pen-like manner using either a JAVA programming language applet or an ActiveX component installed on a user&#39;s computer. At least two problems are associated with this approach. 
     Once the user finishes the digital signature, the JAVA program applet creates an image of the completed signature and stores it like a photo. The image is a does not allow for forensic examination of the digital signature. For example both, the spacing between the different curves of the signature becomes lost, and the exact sizing of each of the elements of the signature is lost. The precise location of curves of parts of the signature relative to other curves in the signature, and the size of the actual signature are lost. 
     The Windows operating system does not support JAVA unless the computer is specifically configured for JAVA. This means that most people using new Windows operating systems cannot use the JAVA system. Internet Explorer no longer comes with the JAVA Virtual Machine (JVM) installed on their newly purchased machines. Unless the user is technically savvy and able to install additional software, the user will be unable to use the current JAVA based application. 
     ActiveX component installation requires modification to the computer system registry and hence the user must have administrative privileges and skill in order to install it on a computer. 
     Both the JAVA programming applet and the ActiveX component are plug-ins that are downloaded to a user&#39;s computer. This renders the user&#39;s computer susceptible to from viruses and malicious code. Consequently, many corporate information technology organizations do not allow ActiveX controls to be downloaded and installed on corporate personal computers and have set browsers on the corporate computers to not run JAVA applets. 
     There is no encoding or serialization to associate the actual signature being checked with execution of a particular document. The current JAVA system does not distinguish if the signature being evaluated was executed on the correct document or a phony document. Clearly, neither fraud nor forgery can be detected using current systems. 
     Various systems have been proposed over the years for authenticating signatures. See for example, U.S. Published Patent Application 2005/0223234 to McOwan; U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,772 to Kashi; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,390 to Avni et al. None of the references known to the inventors solve all the problems of the prior art. For example, Avni &#39;390 stores “position vectors” which are not used for the purposes of comparing the signature with a known sample to verify authenticity of a signature placed on a document. There is encoding and encrypting of any “position vectors” for verification of the documents. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes and systems for allowing a person to sign a document over the internet and worldwide web using a handwritten signature that can be executed with a pointer device such as a computer mouse. 
     A second objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes and systems for allowing a person to sign a document over the internet and worldwide web using only standard browser capabilities on the user&#39;s computer. 
     A third objective of the present invention is to provide methods, process and systems for storing a digital cursive signature that can later be retrieved to verify where it came from, and confirm what specific document was executed. 
     A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide methods, processes and systems for storing a digital cursive signature that can be forensically verified against a signature sample. 
     A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide methods, process, and systems for encoding unique vector positions of a signature for signature verification on documents. 
     The invention allows for verification of signatures on documents where a computer user is using a mouse to write out a signature. The invention includes a validation process, a method and a system that makes sure and guarantees the signer is the person whose signature is on file. 
     A preferred method and process of storing digital graphic signatures for verification can include the steps of forming a handwritten signature with a computer pointing device, generating a plurality of vector points from the cursive signature over a time period, encoding/encrypting the vector points, and storing the generated vector points, wherein the vector points provide an identical replica of the cursive signature. The forming step can include using a computer mouse to form the cursive signature. 
     The method and process can also include appending a graphic watermark to the digital graphic signature, and creating an identification code from the digital graphic signature, wherein the digital graphic signature is linked to the signed document. 
     The method and process can also include retrieving the stored vector points, and recreating the original cursive signature from the stored vector points, as well as verifying a specific document for which the signature was formed. 
     The method and process can also include generating a first digital graphic signature from the stored vector points, and forensically verifying the newly generated digital graphic signature based on a second digital graphic signature. 
     A novel system for storing digital graphic signatures can include a source for forming a signature such as a computer pointing device, a generator for generating a plurality of vector points from the signature over a time period, an encoder/encrypter for encoding and encrypting the vector points, and storage for storing the generated vector points, wherein the vector points provide an identical replica of the signature. The source can be a computer mouse. 
     The system can further include an appender for appending a graphic watermark to the digital graphic signature, and a creator for creating an identification code from the digital graphic signature, wherein the digital graphic signature is linked to the signed document. 
     The system can further include a retriever for retrieving the stored vector points and a recreator for recreating the original cursive signature from the stored vector points. 
     The invention verifies whether a person created signature on document at a specific time at a specific place. 
     Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments that are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  describes a method steps according to the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a signature capture process. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a process for the creation of a signature vector map. 
         FIG. 4  describes an exemplary sequence of steps in the dynamic recreation of a signature; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a server-based system suitable for use in conjunction with methods according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     The novel invention can utilize a server-based JAVA script application to capture a customer&#39;s signature on a document, watermark the document, create a unique serial number relating the signature to the document, and encrypt and encode this information for storage.  FIG. 5  illustrates a server system  10  suitable for use in conjunction with methods according to the invention. The server system  10  includes a computer  12  comprising storage  14  containing the following server-based applications which run on the system  10 : a vector point generation application  16 , an encoder  18 , and an encrypter  20 . When these applications are run on the computer  12 , the system  10  creates, encodes and encrypts vector point positions descriptive of the signature, based on data that has been generated with a pointing device. Also shown in  FIG. 5  are a customer/user personal computer  30  connected to access the server system  10  via the Internet  34 . The computer  30  includes a computer pointing device (not shown). 
       FIG. 1  provides an overview  100  of the novel invention. A client provides the document to be signed and contact information for the customer  105 . The customer is contacted and given the information on how to access the novel system via a personal computer requiring no other software than a standard internet browser  110 . The customer can connect to the novel system via the Internet  115 . The customer reviews the document to be signed and proceeds to sign the document in a designated space on the document using the mouse or other pointing device on his computer  120 . The mouse or pointing device can be used to simulate the action of a pen on a pad and capture the signature of the user. 
     After the customer has submitted his signature, the signature received a unique serial number or numbers, and watermarked. Then the serial number and watermark are encrypted together with the signature  125 . The signed document with the encrypted signature is stored electronically by the novel system  130 . In the event that the validity of the signature is questioned, the signature file is decrypted and the signature is dynamically recreated for matching with an original signature  135 . The signature can be authenticated by existing forensic techniques  140 . Such techniques can include but are not limited to common handwriting analysis where a human reviewer can visually compare individual letters and aspects of the signature (height of letters, spacing between letters, point where signature ends, and the like). 
     The signature capture process  200  is shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 . A customer connects to the novel system, via the internet (world wide web), on a personal computer  205 . The customer reviews the document to be signed and proceeds to sign his name in the space indicated by using the mouse or other pointing device of the personal computer  210 . As the customer signs his name, the application software of the novel system captures the signature as vector points  215  that are compiled into a vector map. 
     The resulting vector map can be “3PVwatermarked” both visible on the computer display and internally when save  220 . Watermarking comprises placing an artificial symbol behind the signature to verify where it came from, for example: the phrase “3PV” maybe placed behind the signature. The symbol, “3PV” shows that a particular company is associated with capturing the digital graphic signature on file. 
     In addition to watermarking, the signed document is assigned a unique identification number (ID)  225 . Where this number is saved as part of the signature data and is not visible to the end users. The “3PV” watermark and the corresponding serial number displayed with the signature ensures that the signature is locked to the specific document signed by the customer. One could not “cut-and-paste” the signature onto another document as it would defy the locked mapping of the serial number to the document on file. 
     The vector points are redistributed  230 , converted to a Unicode string containing header information  235 , and encrypted to ensure that they can not be tampered with  240 . Vector points are stored in a hexadecimal representation which assists in minimizing storage of a signature representation. The redistribution is applied so that no other party is able to take the data and recreate the signature. The redistribution redistributes the HEX (hexidecimal) values of the vectors using a pre-determined pattern whereby the individual HEX values of the vectors are shifted within the save field. For example, x, y coordinates are combined with other data, such as but not limited to date and time to create a unique document serial number. 
     Since the novel system runs as an ASP (Application Service Provider) model and no software is loaded onto the customer&#39;s computer, the signed document will be electronically stored  245  at a remote facility for any future requirement. 
     The creation of the signature vector map is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The customer begins by signing the document electronically using a mouse or other pointing device  305 . The application software captures the vector points for every mouse-move  310  at timed intervals of approximately 25 milliseconds as the signature is being handwritten. Instead of storing a single photo image of a completed signature, the invention stores each recorded point, and the signature can be redrawn by connecting the points. After the signature is complete a vector map is created with the captured points in a set of x 1 , x 2 , y 1 , y 2  coordinates  320 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the process to recreate the customer&#39;s signature from the stored electronic file  400 . After the file is retrieved  405 , it is decrypted  410 . The vector points are redistributed to match the original distribution of points  415 . Then the vector points are connected and optimized (smoothed) based on a vector smoothing routine  420 . The signature is then ready for comparison and analysis  425 . Upon display it is possible to view the signature image with the watermark and with a unique “serial number” to identify the date and time, applicable content (eg., Contract Number, Order Number) and other information about the source of the signature to assure it has been processed and authenticated by the novel system. 
     The present invention provides benefits not available in the prior art. The application software resides only on the novel computer system and is accessed by users through a web browser such as Internet Explorer. No additional hardware or software is required. 
     The signature is watermarked, an identification code is produced that links the signature to the document being signed, and the information is then encrypted to provide security. The present invention provides for a paperless process and is UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) complaint. 
     While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the invention is not limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.