US5199068A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer-based training system with student verification
Assignee: Professional Achievement Systems Inc
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Filing: 1991-01-22
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Granted: 1993-03-30
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Expires: 2011-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A signature verification system to accompany a computer-based training system to monitor the identity of the training system user. Using a stylus and digitizing pad as a computer input device, the verification system accepts a user's signature made under supervised conditions, and the computer generates various discriminator data associated with the singature, such as time to write signature, signature density and signature size. The verified, supervised signature and associated discriminator data are stored in encrypted format for security against tampering. During sessions on the training system the user is required to enter a signature at random times. Again, corresponding discriminator data for these session signatures is generated by the computer, and the session signature(s) and associated corresponding discriminator data are also likewise encrypted and stored. At a later time, e.g., after the user has completed the training course, the discriminator data corresponding to the verified signature is compared to the discriminator data corresponding to a session signature, and any anomalous session signatures detected are flagged to alert the training course administration personnel to make visual comparison of the respective signatures.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert R. Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:20
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/35; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A signature verification system for use as part of a computer system to ascertain the identity of a user thereof, said verification system comprising: (a) means for registering a machine-readable form a representation of said user's signature; (b) means for requesting said user to register said signature at a random time during a session of computer operation; (c) means for discerning by computer at least one discriminator datum of said signature; (d) means for storing at least two said representations of signatures registered at different times and respectively corresponding discriminator data; and (e) means for comparing discriminator data from two different signatures to determine whether the same person caused the respective signatures to be registered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A signature verification system for use as part of a computer system to ascertain the identity of a user thereof, said verification system comprising: (a) means for registering a machine-readable form a representation of said user's signature; (b) means for requesting said user to register said signature at a random time during a session of computer operation; (c) means for discerning by computer at least one discriminator datum of said signature; (d) means for storing at least two said representations of signatures registered at different times and respectively corresponding discriminator data; and (e) means for comparing discriminator data from two different signatures to determine whether the same person caused the respective signatures to be registered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the means for registering said signature is a digitizing tablet and stylus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said storing means is a computer with data storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said means for comparing said discriminator data comprises a computer and computer program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said storing means includes means for storing encrypted signatures and discriminator data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said discriminator datum is the elapsed time spent by said user in registering said signature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said discriminator datum is the number of times said user has erased a signature before completing the signature's registration to the user's satisfaction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said discriminator datum is an indication of the size of said signature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said discriminator datum is a density ratio defined as a ratio of a predetermined number of discrete data points within a signature area to the number of discrete data points that are associated with a line or lines representing said signature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for registering said signature also includes means for registering the date and time of said signature's registration.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for verifying the identity of a person participating in course sessions on a computer-based training system comprising: (a) registering a machine-readable form a representation of a verified signature of an authorized person; (b) discerning at least one selected discriminator datum of said verified signature; (c) storing said representation of said verified signature and said selected discriminator datum of said verified signature; (d) requesting that a user of said training system register a session signature, said request occurring at a random time during said training session; (e) registering in machine readable form a representation of the session signature; (f) discerning said selected discriminator datum of said session signature; (g) storing said representation of said session signature and said selected discriminator datum of said session signature; and (h) comparing respective selected discriminator data of said verified signature and said session signature.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for verifying the identity of a person participating in course sessions on a computer-based training system comprising: (a) registering a machine-readable form a representation of a verified signature of an authorized person; (b) discerning at least one selected discriminator datum of said verified signature; (c) storing said representation of said verified signature and said selected discriminator datum of said verified signature; (d) requesting that a user of said training system register a session signature, said request occurring at a random time during said training session; (e) registering in machine readable form a representation of the session signature; (f) discerning said selected discriminator datum of said session signature; (g) storing said representation of said session signature and said selected discriminator datum of said session signature; and (h) comparing respective selected discriminator data of said verified signature and said session signature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said selected discriminator datum is the elapsed time for a signature to be registered.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said selected discriminator datum is the number of times said user erases a sample signature before completing the registration thereof to said user's satisfaction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said selected discriminator datum is an indication of the size of said signature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said selected discriminator datum is a density ratio defined as a ratio of a predetermined number of discrete data points within a signature area to the number of discrete data points that are associated with a line or lines representing said signature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 11, including the additional steps of encrypting said representation of a registered signature and said selected discriminator datum before storing, and then decrypting said encrypted stored signature representation and selected discriminator datum before carrying out said comparing step.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, including the additional step of flagging a session signature having a discriminator datum that is anomalous to the corresponding discriminator datum of said verified signature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 17, including the additional step of displaying representations of said verified signature and said flagged session signature for visual comparison.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for verifying signatures of students using a computer-based training system, comprising: (a) registering in machine-readable form a representation of a verified signature of the student; (b) discerning one or more selected discriminator data pertaining to said verified signature; (c) storing said verified signature and associated discriminator data; (d) executing a software program that provides a session of instruction to the student; (e) requesting that the student make a session signature, said request occurring at an interval during the session; (f) registering in machine-readable form a representation of said session signature; (g) discerning one or more discriminator data of said session signature; (h) storing said representation of said session signature and associated discriminator data; and (i) comparing respective selected discriminator data of said verified signature and said session signature so as to determine whether said verified signature and said session signature were made by the same person.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for verifying signatures of students using a computer-based training system, comprising: (a) registering in machine-readable form a representation of a verified signature of the student; (b) discerning one or more selected discriminator data pertaining to said verified signature; (c) storing said verified signature and associated discriminator data; (d) executing a software program that provides a session of instruction to the student; (e) requesting that the student make a session signature, said request occurring at an interval during the session; (f) registering in machine-readable form a representation of said session signature; (g) discerning one or more discriminator data of said session signature; (h) storing said representation of said session signature and associated discriminator data; and (i) comparing respective selected discriminator data of said verified signature and said session signature so as to determine whether said verified signature and said session signature were made by the same person.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said selected discriminator data includes the elapsed time for a signature to be registered.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said discriminator data includes an indication of the size of said signature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said discriminator data includes a density ratio defined as a ratio of a predetermined number of discrete data points within a signature area to a number of discrete data points that are associated with a line or lines representing the signature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the discrete data points correspond to pixels on a visual display device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the discrete data points correspond to X-Y data points on a digitizing tablet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 19 further including the steps of encrypting said representation of a registered signature and associated discriminator data before the step of storing same and then decrypting said encrypted signature representation and associated discriminator data before carrying out said comparing step.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 19 including the additional step of flagging a session signature having discriminator data that is anomalous to the corresponding discriminator data of said verified signature.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 19 including the additional steps of displaying representations of said verified and session signatures on a visual display and further displaying a comparison of said discriminator data.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer based instruction system, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) a software program that operates on said computer and provides a course of instruction to a student; (c) signature input means for requesting a student signature, digitizing said signature and transmitting said signature to said computer; (d) a data storage means; (e) log means for logging from said computer into said storage means signatures that are input by said student; and (f) comparison means, including a display, for accessing two or more of said logged signatures and comparing their respective similarities and differences, whereby the attendance of the student during said instruction course may be verified.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
106 words
A computer based instruction system, comprising: (a) a computer; (b) a software program that operates on said computer and provides a course of instruction to a student; (c) signature input means for requesting a student signature, digitizing said signature and transmitting said signature to said computer; (d) a data storage means; (e) log means for logging from said computer into said storage means signatures that are input by said student; and (f) comparison means, including a display, for accessing two or more of said logged signatures and comparing their respective similarities and differences, whereby the attendance of the student during said instruction course may be verified.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 28 further comprising encryption means for encrypting all signatures prior to logging said signatures into said log means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 29 further comprising a decryption means whereby the encrypted signatures are decrypted prior to comparison by said comparison means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of comparing handwritten signatures, comprising the step of comparing the density ratios associated with a pair of respective signatures, said density ratio being defined as the ratio of a total number of data points within a predetermined area containing a signature to be compared to the number of data points associated with the line or lines that represent said signature.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of comparing handwritten signatures, comprising the step of comparing the density ratios associated with a pair of respective signatures, said density ratio being defined as the ratio of a total number of data points within a predetermined area containing a signature to be compared to the number of data points associated with the line or lines that represent said signature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-03-29 | 1996-09-28 | 1997-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-03-29 | 2000-09-28 | 2001-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-03-29 | 2004-09-28 | 2005-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |