Augmented Reality Signature Capture via Optical Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for capturing electronic signatures require a touchscreen or touchpad input device, which is impractical for devices like head-mounted displays or wristwatch smartphones that lack such interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method using an image-processing device with a camera and light-emitting device to capture signature information by projecting light movements, allowing signatures to be handwritten in the air and processed into a compiled image without the need for tactile input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a touchscreen or touchpad input device is used to capture electronic signatures, then signature capture accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and impracticality increase for miniaturized or wearable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen/touchpad input system with an optical imaging system. Instead of requiring physical contact with a display surface, the system uses a camera to capture images of a signature being written on any surface within the camera's field of view. This substitution eliminates the need for complex touch input hardware while maintaining signature capture reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the signature capture system universal by allowing signatures to be captured on any surface (paper, table, wall, or virtual surface) within the camera's field of view, rather than requiring a specific touchscreen interface. The system can function with any mobile device that has a camera, making it applicable to smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even miniaturized or wearable devices without specialized input hardware.
2Ease of operation
If mobile computing devices are miniaturized or made wearable (e.g., HMD, wristwatch), then device portability and user convenience are improved, but suitability for receiving signatures via touchscreen is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the signature capture interface from a two-dimensional touchscreen surface to a three-dimensional space-based interface. The camera captures the signature from above, allowing the signing surface to be any plane within the camera's field of view. This dimensional change enables signature capture on miniaturized or wearable devices without requiring a touchscreen, as the signature is captured optically from the user's hand movements in space.
3Ease of operation
If a clipboard with signature sheet is used, then simplicity and ease of use are improved, but storage efficiency and access speed are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the traditional paper signature process. Instead of physically signing a paper clipboard, the user signs on any surface while the camera captures the signature as an electronic image. This digital copy maintains the simplicity of the traditional method while enabling instant storage and access, eliminating the need to physically store and retrieve paper clipboards.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables signature capture on devices without touchscreens, providing real-time display and storage of signatures, and allowing for verification through image processing and augmented reality techniques.
Implementation Method 1
A signature is handwritten by projecting movements of light
Implementation Method 2
capturing positional information of the projected light movements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for acquiring a person's signature includes handwriting a signature by projecting movements of light. Signature information with respect to the projected light movements is concurrently acquired. The signature information is compiled to create a signature image.