Patent ID: 7685516

Claim:
A method of automatically generating and processing signature files ( 48 ) for an electronic signature list ( 50 ), comprising the steps of: periodically searching data records ( 16 ) contained in a first database ( 14 ) for signature-relevant status changes; providing, in response to detecting signature-relevant status changes, a multiplicity of documents ( 8 ) in paper form, each document ( 8 ) containing a predefined blank region for receiving a personal signature ( 34 ) and also control information items ( 30 ) assigned to the signature ( 34 ), the control information items ( 30 ) containing a data record identifier ( 38 ), wherein one of the data records ( 16 ) with associated data record identifier ( 38 ) is assigned to each document ( 8 ); scanning-in, in a batch processing operation, the multiplicity of documents ( 8 ) that have received the personal signatures, at least one signature file ( 48 ) being generated for each document ( 8 ), which signature file contains the personal signature ( 38 ) in electronically processable form and also a representation of the assigned control information items ( 30 ), wherein the assigned control information items ( 30 ) of each document ( 8 ) are independent of their corresponding personal signature ( 38 ) in its electronically processable form; document-wise interpretation of the content of the control information items ( 30 ) contained in a representation, including the document-wise determination of the assigned data record ( 16 ) based on the data record identifier ( 38 ) contained in the control information item ( 30 ); and document-wise processing of the signature file ( 48 ) depending on the content of the assigned control information items ( 30 ), including the steps of: i. augmenting the signature files corresponding to the signature ( 34 ) with information taken from the determined assigned data record ( 16 ); and ii. transferring of the signature files in combination with the augmenting information to the electronic signature list ( 50 ).