Image analysis – Histogram processing – For setting a threshold
Patent
1988-01-14
1989-08-08
Boudreau, Leo H.
Image analysis
Histogram processing
For setting a threshold
382 13, 340708, 235472, G06K 900, G06K 922
Patent
active
048560774
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a method of verifying a signature and to a device therefor.
It is increasingly problematic to correctly identify persons. This applies to a vast number of situations. One example is at examination of passports, another example is at the carrying out of bank errands, and a third example is at authority checks, e.g. at computer terminals.
With few exceptions, the signature of a person is a very characteristic depiction of a person, and therefore it is used widely for documents of value, orders of payment, deeds of agreement etc.
In Swedish Patent Application No. 8303799-4, which corresponds to issued U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,482, a method for signature verification and a device therefor are described.
The invention according to said Swedish patent specification is characterized in that an electric pulse train individual for every person concerned is caused to be produced by allowing said person to move a so-called read pen over a patterned background comprising dark and light portions, and that such a pulse train produced at a definite occasion is caused by means of a computer to be compared with pulse trains produced earlier by the same person and stored in said computer or corresponding device. According to a preferred embodiment, the patterned background consists of a bar code comprising dark bars in parallel with each other separated by lighter bars or areas. In said patent a great number of application fields are set forth, which apply also to the present invention.
A method according to said Swedish patent provides a high level of security. The method, however, has the disadvantage that it requires a patterned background to be available, and that this background must be standardized.
A method according to said Swedish patent, moreover, does not allow a person actually to write down his/her signature, because the intention is that the person moves a read pen over a standardized background, which must not be messed about with a number of signatures. Besides, a person cannot actually write down his/her signature on a document, such as a cheque, a note for a monetary transaction etc. and thereby by writing identify him-/her-self.
The present invention, however, renders possible such an identification and at the same time eliminates the disadvantage that a standardized background must be available.
The present invention, thus, relates to a method of signature verification, where an electric pulse train individual for every person in question is caused to be produced by allowing said person moving a pen, which comprises at its nib a light-emitting member and a light-sensitive member, over a background, whereby an electric pulse train is caused to be emitted from the light-sensitive member in response to the pattern on said background, and said pulse train produced at a definite occasion is caused by means of a computer, processor or corresponding device to be compared with pulse trains produced earlier.
The invention is characterized in that said pen comprises at its nib a writing pen or a ballpoint pen capable to bring about a line upon its movement on a support capable to write on, such as a paper document, and that said pulse train is produced when the person upon writing the signature with the pen nib crosses lines written earlier at the writing down with the pen, and that the signature being written down constitutes said background.
The invention also comprises a device for carrying out the aforesaid method, which device more precisely is of the kind and has substantially the characterizing features as defined in claim 6.
The invention is described in greater detail in the following, partially with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 shows a signature, FIG. 2 shows a pulse train produced at the writing of the signature in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a nib of a pen on an enlarged scale, FIG. 4 shows a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 shows a device according to a second embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 3 and 4
REFERENCES:
patent: 3111646 (1963-11-01), Harmon
patent: 4141073 (1979-02-01), Tan
patent: 4241409 (1980-12-01), Nolf
patent: 4369431 (1983-01-01), Howbrook
patent: 4475240 (1984-10-01), Brogardh et al.
patent: 4581482 (1986-04-01), Rothfjell
patent: 4703511 (1987-10-01), Conoval
Boudreau Leo H.
Daley Donald J.
LandOfFree
Method of signature verification and device for carrying out the does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method of signature verification and device for carrying out the, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method of signature verification and device for carrying out the will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-912205