Electronic Document Digital Signature with User-Drawn Image
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital signing methods are not intuitive and do not allow users to easily incorporate a user-entered signature image into electronic documents, as they require selecting from a list of signing certificates and lack the ability to verify signatures in foreign environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables users to sign electronic documents using a tablet PC or graphics tablet, allowing real-time inking of signatures which are then converted into digital representations, integrated with the signing process, and associated with the document for authenticity verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional digital signing methods are used, then signing certificates can be obtained from signing authorities, but the process is not intuitive and requires selecting from a list of certificates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures the user's actual signature as an image (copy of the physical signing action) and uses this captured signature as the digital signature representation, replacing the need to select from certificate lists with an intuitive drawing interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of selecting certificates from a list with a digital drawing interface where users directly write their signature on the screen, substituting the manual selection process with a more intuitive graphical input method
2Ease of operation
If canned signature representations are used, then digital signatures can be displayed, but they are very different from the intuitive practice of actually writing a signature
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the user to create their own signature representation by directly writing on the screen, making the signature creation self-service and highly intuitive while maintaining authenticity through the unique capture of the user's actual writing pattern
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of signature representation from static canned images to dynamic captured handwriting, transforming the signature from a pre-defined graphic to a unique record of the user's actual writing action, thereby improving both intuitiveness and authenticity
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital signatures are implemented, then documents can be signed electronically, but signature verification capability in foreign environments may not be possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal signature representation that works across different environments by capturing the signature as a standardized image format that can be displayed and verified in any system, making the signature portable and verifiable in foreign environments
Solution Approach 2:
The captured signature image acts as an intermediary between the signing system and verification systems in foreign environments, providing a universal representation that can be processed and verified across different platforms without losing verification capability
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products digitally sign an electronic entity, such as an electronic document, with a user-entered signature image. The method involves rendering the document and rendering a sign dialog. Rendering the sign dialog includes prompting the signer to write a signature to sign the document. The method also involves receiving and inking the signature from the signer, creating a digital representation incorporating an image of the signature; creating a unique value of the image of the signature and of the document, and saving the unique value in association with the document thereby digitally signing the document. The unique value saved in association with the document is verifiable for authenticity by users of the document. Additionally, the method may also involve automatically selecting a signing certificate appropriate for the signer based on selection criteria.