SignAlyze - Signature Analysis Tool

Signalyze is an optional add-on to Softpro's Software development kit SignWare. (SignWare is also basis of the popular e-signing solution SignDoc)

This video is an educational "hands-on" eduction on the sophisticated toolbox which visualizes the various aspects of dynamic (biometric) signature characteristics. It explains some of the security features provided in SignWare and SignDoc.

Not targeting the newbie but rather the expert working for fraud departments, in forensic analysis and everyone interested into the "science of signing".

Softpro has defined a set of quality criteria for capturing signatures with digitizing instruments. A proper comparison of static signature characteristics and dynamic signature signals requires a digitizing instrument that is taking a sufficient amount of time signals. It also has to be able to differentiate between various pressure levels and to provide an appropriate resolution rate. These requirements are also reflected in the standard for the interchange of biometric signature data (ISO/IEC FDIS 19794-7). At the time when this paper was compiled there was also a discussion about implementing a standard for a "signature feature set". The author hopes that this will not be pursued as it would limit the options for further enhancements to the verification algorithms and in parallel specify certain technological approaches that only reflect an "as is"-scenario.

The Japanese hardware manufacturer Wacom and the German software specialist Softpro teamed up to provide the market with a best-of-breed solution. Its aim is to fully satisfy forensic experts when asked to analyze the signals captured. This specific Signature LCD tablet was first demonstrated at CeBIT 2007. The tablet has the capability to capture all distinct behavioural characteristics of an individual's signature - including shape, speed, stroke, pen pressure and timing information. When assessing the products that are on the market today the development partners received the feedback from forensic experts that today's capturing devices may offer "some sort of interpretation option" but they typically do not fulfil all of the aspects listed below:
- Forensic experts require precise information on the relation of force applied and pressure levels. Manufactures must make available this sort of "pressure curve chart" to vendors of signature verification software and to the forensic experts.
- A reliable capturing device has to record the same pressure levels in all segments of the capturing area with the same precision when the same force is being applied.
- When capturing signatures on different tablets of the same type from the same manufacturer signal data must not exceed a certain tolerance level, otherwise an analysis or verification would have to be adjusted to each device.
- The ergonomics of the writing tablet must reflect the typical signing situation and ideally provide for a "paper-like" surface (which imitates the writing feeling on paper as close as possible).
- The capturing technology must exclude the capturing of unwanted "overspill" information such as signals from a thumb ball that touched the capturing surface while signing.
- In addition, for non-repudiation, security and auditing purposes, the capturing device must provide a unique serial number, a device id number and secured communication between device (firmware) and device driver (operating system).




Additional information about trustworthy signature capturing and verification see http://www.signplus.com/signdoc

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• signature
• analysis
• verification
• unterschrift

[signaturespecialists]

Up until today still quite a lot of people tend to know little about how to use so-called dynamic (or biometric) signatures in digital processes. Their experience derives from a crappy signature capturing on devices that courier services are using and which offer no trustworthiness at all. However the technology has reached a mature stage and is being used by several customers in banking, insurance, government, education, retail and in the automotive industry.

[signaturespecialists]

Well first of all.. It already flies worldwide - including the US. As a matter of fact there is a huge need to authenticate signatures - especially in the finacial industry.

Despite a general trend towards process automation a lot of people want to continue in relying on signatures and they seek options to use them in electronic processes, too. It is easy to understand why, as they are unique to a signer and offer a clear proof of his intent.

[Mindraker1]

This is utter nonsense.  This goes back to the days of computers telling people that their voices did not match the people.

All it takes is an injury, a sprain, a broken bone... this would never fly in the USA.