Patent US6512840B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6512840B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital encoding of personal signatures
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
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Filing: 1996-05-30
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Granted: 2003-01-28
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Expires: 2016-05-30
Abstract
Abstract The signature comparison process associated with bank approval processes is automated using signature capture devices and a stored database of valid signatures. A signature is captured as part of a normal credit transaction, digitized and compared with entries in a database of known valid signatures. In an automated gas pump environment, the signature is captured, compared and approved before any gas is dispensed.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Tognazzini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:59
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/35
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for comparison of a signature with a stored copy of an authorized signature, comprising: a. a network; b. a central computer, connected to said network, having stored thereon a one or more electronic replicas of respective authorized signatures for at least one account and configured to compare signatures; c. a portable device, having a docking port, containing a touch screen display for displaying information related to said account and serving as a signature pad for capturing an electronic replica of a signature; and d. a computer, having a docking port for receiving said portable device, configured for downloading a captured electronic replica of a signature from said portable device and for sending said electronic replica to said central computer over said network for comparison with an authorized signature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for comparison of a signature with a stored copy of an authorized signature, comprising: a. a network; b. a central computer, connected to said network, having stored thereon a one or more electronic replicas of respective authorized signatures for at least one account and configured to compare signatures; c. a portable device, having a docking port, containing a touch screen display for displaying information related to said account and serving as a signature pad for capturing an electronic replica of a signature; and d. a computer, having a docking port for receiving said portable device, configured for downloading a captured electronic replica of a signature from said portable device and for sending said electronic replica to said central computer over said network for comparison with an authorized signature.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for processing payment information having a signature, comprising: a. a network; b. a central computer, connected to said network, having stored thereon one or more electronic replicas of respective authorized signatures for at least one account and configured to compare signatures; and c. one or more merchant terminals, connected to the network, having a touch screen display for displaying information relating to said account and for capturing an electronic replica of a signature and for obtaining approval of payment information, said payment information including a payment card number; in which said central computer compares a capture electronic replica of a signature with one or more stored authorized signatures for said payment card number and approves payment when replicas of signatures match by more than a threshold amount.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for processing payment information having a signature, comprising: a. a network; b. a central computer, connected to said network, having stored thereon one or more electronic replicas of respective authorized signatures for at least one account and configured to compare signatures; and c. one or more merchant terminals, connected to the network, having a touch screen display for displaying information relating to said account and for capturing an electronic replica of a signature and for obtaining approval of payment information, said payment information including a payment card number; in which said central computer compares a capture electronic replica of a signature with one or more stored authorized signatures for said payment card number and approves payment when replicas of signatures match by more than a threshold amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 2 in which at least one of said merchant terminals is a gas pump equipped with a signature pad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
Vending apparatus for processing payment information comprising: a. a touch screen signature pad for capturing an electronic replica of a signature and for displaying information about an account; b. a card reader; c. a transmitter for sending an electronic replica of a signature from said touch screen display and a card number from said reader to a central computer; and d. a receiver for receiving payment information from said central computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
Vending apparatus for processing payment information comprising: a. a touch screen signature pad for capturing an electronic replica of a signature and for displaying information about an account; b. a card reader; c. a transmitter for sending an electronic replica of a signature from said touch screen display and a card number from said reader to a central computer; and d. a receiver for receiving payment information from said central computer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of comparing signatures, comprising the steps of: a. providing an element for performing the step of capturing a signature in electronic form; b. providing an element for performing the step of sending a replica of said signature to a central computer with a card number; and c. providing an element for performing the step of comparing said replica with stored replicas of authorized signatures for said card number in which the step of capturing a signature in electronic form includes the steps of: providing an element for performing the step of capturing a signature in electronic form on a touch screen of a portable device, docking said portable device with a merchant computer and downloading the signature to the merchant computer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of comparing signatures, comprising the steps of: a. providing an element for performing the step of capturing a signature in electronic form; b. providing an element for performing the step of sending a replica of said signature to a central computer with a card number; and c. providing an element for performing the step of comparing said replica with stored replicas of authorized signatures for said card number in which the step of capturing a signature in electronic form includes the steps of: providing an element for performing the step of capturing a signature in electronic form on a touch screen of a portable device, docking said portable device with a merchant computer and downloading the signature to the merchant computer.
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) | 2006-01-27 | 2006-07-29 | 2007-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-27 | 2010-07-29 | 2011-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-27 | 2014-07-29 | 2015-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |