SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE DEVICE - Patent application

Abstract

An electronic stamp device embodied in a physical object can provide a secure and verifiable electronic signature. The electronic stamp device includes touch point detection technology, whether electronic or physical, for detecting multiple touch points when the device is applied to a document. The touch point detection technology includes, for example, but is not limited to, any suitable sensor or sensors, or accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers or IMUs (inertial measurement units), pressure sensors, or combinations thereof. The accelerometers may include 3D accelerometers. The gyroscopes may include 3D gyroscopes. IMUs include accelerometers and gyroscopes. Multiple such sensors may also be provided.

Description

FIELD OF THEINVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for electronic signatures, and more particularly to systems and methods for performing electronic signatures using a physical device. [Background technology]

[0002] Physical signatures, for example to indicate authorization or consent to a document and / or action, can take a variety of forms. In many countries, handwritten signatures have traditionally been used to indicate binding authorization or consent, whether by individuals or businesses. In the case of businesses, the handwritten signature is provided by an individual authorized to sign on behalf of the business.

[0003] In some other countries, the use of a stamped physical device is traditionally used in place of a handwritten signature. A physical device may be, for example, a "sein" or "hanko." A stamped physical device may be used to indicate an individual's or a company's permission or consent. In the case of a company, a further complication arises in that if an individual holds the company's physical signature device(s), it may be difficult or impossible to revoke the individual's authority to bind the company.

[0004] Various solutions have been considered for using electronic devices instead of physical devices, but these solutions have various drawbacks. In particular, these solutions generally require a special electronic device to act as a surface for receiving the signature in addition to the physical signature device, such as an electronic stamp or "in" / "hanko." Summary of the Invention

[0005] The Background Art does not teach or suggest an electronic stamp device embodied in a physical object that is secure and capable of providing an electronic signature without the need for an additional electronic device, nor does the Background Art teach or suggest an electronic stamp device that uses touch point detection to provide additional security to an electronic signature, for example.

[0006] The present invention, in at least some embodiments, provides an electronic stamp device embedded in a physical object that is secure yet capable of providing a verifiable electronic signature. The electronic stamp device includes touch point detection technology, whether electronic or physical, for detecting multiple touch points when the device is applied to a document. The touch point detection technology includes, for example, but is not limited to, any suitable sensor or sensors, or accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers or IMUs (inertial measurement units), pressure sensors, or combinations thereof. The accelerometers may include 3D accelerometers. The gyroscopes may include 3D gyroscopes. IMUs include accelerometers and gyroscopes. Multiple such sensors may also be provided.

[0007] According to at least some embodiments, an electronic signature device for applying an electronic signature based on a signing user's authorization is provided, the electronic signature device comprising: a touch point detection technique; a memory storing a plurality of instructions; and a processor for executing the instructions, the instructions comprising instructions for electronic signature, the signing user physically manipulating the device to physically contact a document for signing, the touch point detection technique detecting physical contact with the document at a plurality of touch points, and the processor executing the instructions for electronic signature based on detection of the touch points. Optionally, the document comprises an electronically stored document, and the touch point detection technique detects physical contact with a representation of the document. Optionally, the document comprises a physical medium, and the touch point detection technique detects physical contact with the physical medium. Optionally, the touch point detection technique comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer or an IMU (inertial measurement unit), a pressure sensor, or a combination thereof, and the processor receives touch point detection data from the sensor or combination of sensors. Optionally, the accelerometer comprises a 3D accelerometer. Optionally, the gyroscope comprises a 3D gyroscope. Optionally, the touch point detection technique comprises an IMU and a pressure sensor. Optionally, the touchpoint detection technique detects the order and / or relative location of touch points and / or the relative speed at which touch points are created when the device contacts the document to be signed. Optionally, the touchpoint detection technique provides data to a processor which executes instructions stored in the memory to detect the order and / or relative location of touch points and / or the relative speed at which touch points are created when the device contacts the document to be signed.

[0008] Optionally, the memory is configured to store a native instruction set of the defined code, and the processor is configured to execute the defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined code stored in the memory, and the memory stores a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving touch point detection data from a sensor or combination of sensors in accordance with the touch point detection data, and a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for analyzing the plurality of touch points. Optionally, the memory stores a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving a signature user's authorization, and a fourth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for applying an electronic signature.

[0009] According to at least some embodiments, a system for applying an electronic signature to a document based on authorization of a signing user includes a device according to any embodiment described herein and further includes a user computing device, the document being accessible via the user computing device, and the application of the electronic signature being transmitted from the device to the user computing device according to any embodiment described herein. Optionally, the user computing device includes a mobile communications device.

[0010] Optionally, the user computing device comprises a second memory and a second processor, the second memory configured to store a native instruction set of the defined code, and the second processor configured to execute the defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined code stored in the second memory, and the second memory stores a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving touch point detection data from the device and a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for analyzing the plurality of touch points in accordance with any embodiment described in the present invention.

[0011] Optionally, the second memory stores a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving authorization of a signing user, and if authorization is not received, no electronic signature is applied to said document. Optionally, the user computing device further comprises a user application interface, and the second memory stores a fourth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for operating the user application interface and a fifth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving document information from a user via the user application interface.

[0012] Optionally, the system further comprises a server gateway and a computer network, the user computing device in communication with the server gateway via the computer network, the second memory storing a sixth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for sending information about the document for signing to the server gateway. Optionally, the server gateway comprises a third processor and a third memory, the third memory configured to store a native instruction set of defined code, the third processor configured to execute a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined code stored in the third memory, the third memory storing a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving document information from the user computing device, a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving signature information from the device according to any embodiment described in the present invention, and a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for performing, directly or indirectly, an analysis function to determine signature authorization and application for a particular document. Optionally, the user computing device is in wireless or wired communication with the device according to any embodiment described herein. Optionally, the user computing device is connected to a device according to any embodiment described herein or is integrally formed with a device according to any embodiment described herein.

[0013] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following detailed description, and will be apparent from the detailed description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

[0014] The embodiments of the method and system of the present invention include performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, according to the actual instrumentation and equipment of the preferred embodiments of the method and system of the present invention, some selected steps may be implemented by hardware, or by software on any operating system of any firmware, or by a combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the present invention may be implemented as a chip or circuit. As software, selected steps of the present invention may be implemented as a plurality of software instructions executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the present invention may be described as being executed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.

[0015] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples disclosed herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

[0016] An algorithm described herein may refer to a sequence of functions, steps, method(s), or process(es), for performing, for example, data analysis.

[0017] The embodiments of the apparatus, device, method, and system of the present disclosure include performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or a combination thereof. In particular, some selected steps can be implemented by software, firmware, and / or a combination thereof on hardware or an operating system. For example, in the case of hardware, selected steps of at least some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as a chip or circuit (e.g., ASIC). In the case of software, selected steps of at least some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as a number of software instructions executed by a computer (e.g., a processor of a computer) using an operating system. In either case, selected steps of at least some embodiments of the present disclosure can be described as being executed by a processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. The processor is configured to perform a predefined set of operations in response to receiving corresponding instructions selected from a native instruction set of the predefined code.

[0018] Software (e.g., applications, computer instructions) configured to perform (or cause to be performed) a particular function may be referred to as a "module" for performing that function, or as a "processor" for performing those functions. Thus, a processor may be a hardware component according to some embodiments, and may be a software component according to some embodiments.

[0019] Further to this end, in some embodiments a processor may be referred to as a module, and in some embodiments a processor may comprise one or more modules, where a module may be a set of instructions, applications, software operable on a computing device (e.g., a processor) that causes the computing device to perform and / or accomplish one or more particular functions.

[0020] In some embodiments, the description is made in terms of a "computer," a "computer network," and / or a "computer operating on a computer network." It is noted that a processor (sometimes called a "data processor," a "preprocessor," or a "processor") and a device capable of executing one or more instructions may be described as a computer, computing device, and processor (e.g., see above), including, but not limited to, a personal computer (PC), a server, a cellular phone, an IP phone, a smart phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a thin client, a mobile communication device, a smart watch, a head mounted display, or other wearables capable of external communication with virtual or cloud-based processors, pagers, and / or similar devices. Two or more such devices in communication with each other may be a "computer network."

[0021] The specification is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and are for the purpose of illustrative discussion only of preferred embodiments of the invention, presented for the purpose of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood explanation of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention.

[0022] In this regard, no attempt has been made to show structural details of the invention more than are necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, and the description provided with the drawings will make apparent to those skilled in the art how various forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, the appended claims, and the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1A] 1 illustrates a system for an electronic signature device in accordance with at least some embodiments. [Figure 1B] 1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a system in accordance with at least some embodiments. [Figure 1C] 1 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a system in accordance with at least some embodiments. [Figure 2A] 2 illustrates the non-limiting exemplary electronic signature device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 2B] 1B illustrates an additional non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the electronic signature device shown in FIG. 1A. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates a non-limiting exemplary flow for a user to authenticate to an electronic signature device and enable signing of a document. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] In describing novel systems and methods for secure electronic signature devices, the examples provided should not be considered exhaustive: while one embodiment is described herein, it will be understood that further modifications are possible without departing from the scope and nature of the invention.

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, there are shown at least some example embodiments of systems and methods for electronic signature devices capable of signing documents on a variety of media, including but not limited to paper or other solid media and digital media.

[0026] 1A illustrates a system for electronic signature devices according to at least some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1A, the system 100 includes a user computing device 102, a server gateway 112, and an electronic signature device 136. The user computing device 102 and the server gateway 120 preferably communicate over a computer network 116.

[0027] The user computing device 102 includes electronic storage 108 for storing information and data, including, but not limited to, one or more programs or computer information. The user computing device 102 also includes a user input device 104, a user display device 106, a processor 110, and computer readable instructions 111. The computer readable instructions 111 include instructions for operating the user computing device 102, including, but not limited to, a user app interface 112. When the user computing device 102 is in communication with the electronic signature device 136, such communication may be direct wired communication or wireless communication.

[0028] The electronic signature device 136 allows a user to sign a document, whether on a solid medium, a physical medium such as paper, or on a digital medium. When a user signs a document via the electronic signature device 136, the electronic signature device 136 communicates information to the user computing device 102, including, but not limited to, the location of the signature, user authentication, and, optionally, a pressure or other sensor indication of when the document was actually signed.

[0029] The electronic signature device 136 may, for example, operate in the form of a seal or stamp, and the action of a user imprinting the electronic signature device 136 on a document, whether on a physical medium, a solid medium such as paper, or a digital medium, indicates that the document has actually been signed. Optionally, the electronic signature device 136 may request user authentication, whether such authentication is via the device itself or via the user computing device 102. Optionally, the user may choose to download a representation of the stamp or seal signature to the electronic signature device 136 via the user computing device 102.

[0030] Alternatively, the electronic signature device 136 may come with one or more stamps or seals preloaded for operation by the user, although such authorization must be updated, if necessary, before a signature is accepted. For example, if a user is not already authorized to use a particular stamp or seal imprint, the electronic signature device 136 will not have that authorization either, and will not function, at least with respect to the particular style of stamp or seal. Information from the electronic signature device 136 is communicated to the user computer device 102 and then to the server gateway 120 via the computer network 116.

[0031] The server gateway 120 comprises electronic storage 122, a processor 130, and machine-readable instructions 131. The machine-readable instructions 131 include a server app interface 132 for communicating with and receiving information from the user computing device 102. The machine-readable instructions 131 also include instructions for operating an analysis engine 134, for example, to support authentication of a user and / or an electronic signature device 136.

[0032] The functionality of the processor 110 preferably relates to functions performed by any suitable computing processor, and generally refers to a device or combination of devices having circuitry used to implement a particular system's communication and / or logic functions. For example, the processor may include digital signal processor devices, microprocessor devices, and various analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and other support circuits and / or combinations of the foregoing. The control and signal processing functions of the system are allocated among these processing devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor may further include functionality to operate one or more software programs based on computer-executable program code, which may be stored in a memory, such as the memory 111 in this non-limiting example. As used herein, a processor may be "configured" to perform a particular function in various ways, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuits that perform that function by executing particular computer-executable program code embodied in a computer-readable medium, and / or by having one or more application-specific circuits that perform that function.

[0033] Also, if desired, the memory 111 is configured to store a defined set of native instructions consisting of a plurality of codes. The processor 110 is configured to execute a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined codes stored in the memory 111. For example, but not limited to, the memory 111 may store a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving document information from a user via the user app interface 112 for a document to be signed, and a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for transmitting such document information to the server gateway 120. If desired, the electronic device 136 communicates with the user computing device 102 such that the memory 111 stores a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for transmitting an electronic signature authorization for a particular document to be signed.

[0034] Optionally and preferably, the memory 111 stores a fourth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving touch point detection data from the electronic device 136 and a fifth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for transmitting such touch point detection data to the server gateway 120.

[0035] With regard to touch point detection data, the electronic device 136 is preferably equipped with suitable touch point detection technology for detecting multiple touch points. The touch point detection technology may comprise any suitable sensor or combination thereof, including, for example, but not limited to, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer or an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), a pressure sensor, or a combination thereof. The accelerometer may comprise a 3D accelerometer. The gyroscope may comprise a 3D gyroscope. The IMU includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope. Multiple such sensors may also be provided. The touch point detection technology is preferably capable of detecting the order and / or relative position of touch points and / or the relative speed at which the touch points are created when the electronic device 136 contacts the document to be signed.

[0036] Similarly, the server gateway 120 preferably comprises a processor 130, including but not limited to the functionality of the server gateway 120 described herein, and a memory with machine readable instructions 131 having related or at least similar functionality. For example, but not limited to, the memory 131 may store a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving document information from the user computing device 102, including but not limited to determining signature authorization and application to a particular document, a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving signature information from the electronic signature device 136, and a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for directly or indirectly performing the functions of the analysis engine 134. The signature information preferably includes touchpoint detection data from touchpoint detection technology, which is later analyzed by the analysis engine 134 as part of the authorization process.

[0037] 1B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a system in accordance with at least some embodiments. System 100B features an electronic signature device 138 that is integrally formed with or physically connected to user computing device 102. Electronic signature device 138 may otherwise operate similarly to that of electronic signature device 136 shown in FIG. 1A, but may form part of a mobile phone, for example, or may be attached to a mobile phone, for example, as a dongle or other direct attachment.

[0038] The electronic signature device 138 may also be connected to or integral with the user computing device 102, which may be, for example, a laptop or iPad.

[0039] The electronic signature device 138 preferably features the same or similar technology as described with respect to Figure 1A with respect to touch point detection technology, such as, for example, a sensor. The aforementioned instructions stored in the memory 111 preferably also include instructions for transmitting data, including, but not limited to, authentication data and / or touch point detection data, to the server gateway 120.

[0040] 1C illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a system as system 100C. As shown in system 100C, a standalone signing device 140 communicates directly with server gateway 120 over computer network 116. Standalone signing device 140 includes many of the previously described components of user computing device 102, such as electronic storage 148, processor 150, and computer readable instructions stored in memory 141. The computer readable instructions in memory 141 currently support authentication 156 for authenticating a user and / or authenticating the signature or representation itself. The instructions preferably also include instructions for communicating the authentication to server gateway 120.

[0041] Authentication 156 may serve to authorize the standalone signature device 142 to the server gateway 120 so that the signature or other indicia is indeed accepted as legitimate. The standalone signature device 140 also preferably includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 152 and / or a pressure sensor 154, which are non-limiting examples of touch point detection technologies, as discussed above. The IMU 152 provides readings from, for example, an accelerometer, gyroscope, etc., which may also be used to indicate the orientation of the standalone signature device 140 and to indicate that the signature actually appeared.

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, pressure sensor 154 may indicate that standalone signature device 140 has actually been pressed against the document, whether the document is in a solid or physical form such as paper, or in digital form. In either case, if desired, the user may be required to perform authentication via user computing device 102, either because the electronic document is stored on user computing device 102, or because the user must provide authentication via standalone signature device 140 and authentication module 156, thereby authenticating the user and accepting the signature or other indicia as genuine. Document information may be sent directly from user computing device 102 to server gateway 120 (not shown), or may be sent to standalone signature device 140 and then to server gateway 120.

[0043] Preferably, the standalone signing device 140 comprises instructions stored in memory 141 for touch point detection by processing data from the aforementioned IMU 152 and / or pressure sensor 154. As previously mentioned, touch point detection may comprise detecting the sequence of touch points, the amount of pressure, the rate of occurrence of touch points, etc. Such information may then be processed through authentication 156 before being transmitted to the server gateway 120.

[0044] Figure 2A illustrates a non-limiting example of the electronic signature device shown in Figure 1. The electronic signature device 136 is shown to include a communications module 200 that enables communication with the user computing device 102. Additionally, the electronic signature device 136 preferably includes a processor 202 and a memory 204.

[0045] The memory 200 provides instructions 208, which may be provided as rewritable firmware or may be written once and read multiple times. The instructions 208 preferably include instructions for analyzing touchpoint detection data and providing authentication. If desired, the electronic storage 206 includes additional instructions or additional data, for example, for storing one or more indicia or signatures associated with the electronic signature device 136.

[0046] In this embodiment, the electronic signature device 136 functions with an IMU 210 which, as previously described, provides information regarding orientation and acceleration to indicate that a signature has indeed been executed. Such information is preferably analyzed according to instructions 208 to provide touch point detection data. The fact that a signature has been registered and executed is then analyzed via instructions 208 via processor 202 and this information may be sent via communications module 200 to a user computing device, not shown.

[0047] 2B illustrates an additional non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the electronic signature device 136 shown in FIG. 1A. As shown, in FIG. 2B, an IMU is replaced with pressure sensor 212A and pressure sensor 212B, and a selectable number of pressure sensors 212 are shown. At least two pressure sensors 212 are preferably included, and three or more are optionally included. Each pressure sensor indicates that a signing act has occurred by recording the pressure with which the electronic signature device 136 is pressed against a document, whether the document is in a solid physical form, such as a piece of paper, or in an electronic form, such as an electronic document.

[0048] 3 illustrates an exemplary, non-limiting flow for a user to authenticate to an electronic signature device 136 so that a document can be signed. As shown in flow 300, the flow begins when a user authenticates the device at 302. The user may authenticate the device directly as a standalone electronic signature device 142, as shown in connection with FIG. 1, or indirectly, for example, via a user computing device.

[0049] After authentication, the device is calibrated at 304. This may include performing one or more actions on the device, such as placing the signature in different orientations so that the device can register the sensor, or pressing the signature against a solid substrate, such as a pressure sensor, to ensure the sensor is working properly and to calibrate the sensor functionality for subsequent measurement accuracy.

[0050] If desired, at 306 the signature is downloaded, for example as a file. This may occur, for example, if the standalone electronic signature device 142 is capable of storing multiple signatures, and such signatures may be saved events, but for security reasons, if desired, the signature may be downloaded only immediately prior to use and may be deleted from the memory of the electronic signature device 136, requiring re-authentication and reconnection to the authentication source via another remote device. Even if the signature has been pre-downloaded, authentication may be required each time.

[0051] The device is placed in the signature area of ​​the document at 308, and if the document is to be signed, the signature is placed at 310. For example, in the case of a seal or stamp, the device is pressed against a physical substrate such as a solid medium including but not limited to paper or an electronic document, as appropriate, and in the case of an electronic document, pressure is applied against a screen. The signature is then validated at 312. It should be understood that this signature, along with other information, is placed and validated regardless of whether the authentication combination is genuine. The document is then stored as signed at 314.

[0052] It is understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0053] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents or patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, citation or identification of any reference in this application should not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. An electronic signature device for applying an electronic signature to a document based on authorization of a signing user, the device comprising: touchpoint detection technology; a memory storing a plurality of instructions; and a processor for executing the instructions, the instructions comprising electronic signature instructions, the signing user physically interacting with the device to physically contact the document to sign, the touchpoint detection technology detecting physical contact with the document at a plurality of touchpoints, the processor executing the electronic signature instructions based on detection of the plurality of touchpoints, the document comprising an electronically stored document, the touchpoint detection technology detecting physical contact with a representation of the document, or the document comprising a physical medium, the touchpoint detection technology detecting physical contact with the physical medium, The touch point detection technology includes an IMU (inertial measurement unit) and a pressure sensor, and the processor receives touch point detection data from the sensor or combination of sensors; the touchpoint detection technique detects the order and / or relative location of the touchpoints and / or the relative speed at which the touchpoints are created when the device contacts the document to be signed; the touch point detection technique provides data to the processor, which executes instructions stored in the memory to detect the order and / or relative location of the touch points and / or the relative speed at which the touch points are created when the device contacts the document to be signed; The memory is configured to store a native instruction set of defined code, and the processor is configured to execute a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined code stored in the memory, and the memory stores a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving touch point detection data from the sensor or combination of sensors according to the touch point detection data, and a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for analyzing a plurality of touch points; The device, wherein the memory stores a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving authorization of the signing user and a fourth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for applying the electronic signature, the third set of machine code determining that the signing user is authorized to apply the electronic signature.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the touch point detection technology comprises a sensor selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer, or a gyroscope, or a combination thereof.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the accelerometer comprises a 3D accelerometer.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the gyroscope comprises a 3D gyroscope.

5. A system for applying an electronic signature to a document based on a signing user's authorization, comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and further comprising a user computer device, the document being accessible via the user computer device, and the application of the electronic signature being transmitted from the device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to the user computer device.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the user computing device comprises a mobile communications device.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the user computing device comprises a second memory and a second processor, the second memory configured to store a native instruction set of a defined code, and the second processor configured to execute a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined code stored in the second memory, and the second memory stores a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving touch point detection data from a device described in any one of claims 1 to 4 and a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for analyzing a plurality of touch points according to the touch point detection data.

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the second memory stores a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set to receive authorization of the signing user, and if authorization is not received, the electronic signature is not applied to the document.

9. 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the user computing device further comprises a user application interface, and the second memory stores a fourth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for operating the user application interface, and a fifth set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving document information from the user via the user application interface.

10. The system described in claim 9, further comprising a server gateway and a computer network, wherein the user computer device communicates with the server gateway via the computer network, and the second memory stores a sixth machine code set selected from the native instruction set for sending information regarding a document for signing to the server gateway.

11. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the server gateway comprises a third processor and a third memory, the third memory configured to store a native instruction set of a defined code, the third processor configured to execute a defined set of basic operations in response to receiving corresponding basic instructions selected from the native instruction set of the defined code stored in the third memory, the third memory storing a first set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving document information from the user computing device, a second set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for receiving signature information from a device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a third set of machine code selected from the native instruction set for performing, directly or indirectly, an analysis function to determine signature authorization and application for a particular document.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the user computing device is in wireless or wired communication with the device of any one of claims 1 to 4.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the user computing device is connected to or integrally formed with a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

14. A method for verifying an electronic signature using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising: receiving data from an IMU sensor and a pressure sensor of the device when the device is in physical contact with a document; Detecting a plurality of touch points based on the received IMU sensor data and pressure sensor data, the detecting including: determining an order of the plurality of touch points; determining relative positions of the plurality of touch points; determining a relative speed at which the plurality of touch points are created; and The detected multiple touch points are processing the IMU sensor data to verify the orientation and acceleration of the device during signature creation; processing the pressure sensor data to verify physical contact with the document at each touch point; and analyzing by verifying that the order, relative positions, and relative velocities of the touch points conform to signature parameters; Validating the electronic signature based on the analyzed touchpoint data, the validating comprising: verifying proper device operation via the IMU sensor data; and determining physical contact through said pressure sensor data; Ensuring proper touchpoint sequencing through sequence, location and timing data; and A method comprising:

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising being implemented by a system according to any one of claims 5 to 13, and further comprising authenticating the device by the user.

16. The method of claim 14 or 15, further comprising calibrating the device by having the user perform one or more actions with the device in which the device is oriented in multiple directions, or by pressing the device against a solid substrate for a pressure sensor, or both, so that the device registers the sensor, ensures that the sensor is operating properly, and calibrates sensor function for subsequent measurement accuracy.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or 16, comprising downloading a number of signatures by the device so that the signatures may be applied by the user.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein authentication is required before each signature is applied.

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