Abstract: A biometric trait capture device includes a biometric trait capture sensor contained in a housing and configured to capture biometric data, such as a handwritten signature or other biometric trait(s) of a signor, in digitized form. A memory is provided in the housing and is not electronically accessible from outside of the housing. A value, such as an encryption key, is stored in the memory. A memory-erasure device erases or overwrites the value in response to an opening of the housing, thereby providing information indicating that the biometric trait capture device has possibly been tampered with by an unauthorized person.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encrypting an electronic document involves a computer having a first monitor and a signature capture apparatus configured to capture a handwritten signature on a second monitor. A hash sum of the electronic document generated in the computer is transmitted to the signature capture apparatus. The electronic document and the first hash sum thereof are displayed on the first monitor. The first hash sum is also displayed on the second monitor. After electronically capturing the handwritten signature, the signature data and the first hash sum are encrypted in the signature capture apparatus and then transmitted to the computer. The encrypted signature data, the first hash sum and the signed document are stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encrypting an electronic document involves a computer having a first monitor and a signature capture apparatus configured to capture a handwritten signature on a second monitor. A hash sum of the electronic document generated in the computer is transmitted to the signature capture apparatus. The electronic document and the first hash sum thereof are displayed on the first monitor. The first hash sum is also displayed on the second monitor. After electronically capturing the handwritten signature, the signature data are encrypted using the first hash sum. A digital signature image is generated in the signature capture apparatus and the first hash sum is embedded therein. The embedded first hash sum is then extracted in the computer. If the extracted hash sum is identical to the first hash sum generated in the computer apparatus, the encrypted signature data and the signed document are stored.

Abstract: An electronic signature method uses a signature generation unit with a memory that is spatially separated from a data processing device. At least one biometric trait of a person who will electronically sign an electronic dataset is captured, and an electronic biometric dataset is generated based thereon. The biometric dataset is encrypted using a randomly generated value. Subsequently, the encrypted biometric dataset is transmitted to the data processing device, a first checksum is generated in the data processing device for the encrypted biometric dataset and the electronic dataset, and the first checksum is transmitted from the data processing device to the signature generation unit. The random value is encrypted using the first checksum, and the encryption result is further encrypted using the stored key. The result of this is then transmitted to the data processing device.

Abstract: A stylus barrel includes a barrel tip configured to input handwritten user data into or on an electronic input field. A chamber is defined within the stylus barrel and is configured to accommodate and retain a stylus that is also configured to input handwritten user data into or on an electronic input field. The stylus and/or the stylus barrel may include a fastener that detachably fastens the stylus within the chamber of the stylus barrel.

Abstract: A biometric trait capture device includes a biometric trait capture sensor contained in a housing and configured to capture biometric data, such as a handwritten signature or other biometric trait(s) of a signor, in digitized form. A memory is provided in the housing and is not electronically accessible from outside of the housing. A value, such as an encryption key, is stored in the memory. A memory-erasure device erases or overwrites the value in response to an opening of the housing, thereby providing information indicating that the biometric trait capture device has possibly been tampered with by an unauthorized person.

Abstract: A device configured to electronically capture a handwritten user input includes an input field asymmetrically disposed on a housing in order to provide a sufficient surface for resting a right-hand on the housing when a right-handed person makes an input on the input field. The device is rotatable by 180° and the input field is re-configurable, so that a left-handed person can comfortably make an input on the input field with the left-hand resting in a natural posture on the same hand-resting surface of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic signature method uses a signature generation unit with a memory that is spatially separated from a data processing device. At least one biometric trait of a person who will electronically sign an electronic dataset is captured, and an electronic biometric dataset is generated based thereon. The biometric dataset is encrypted using a randomly generated value. Subsequently, the encrypted biometric data are transmitted to the data processing device, a first checksum is generated in the data processing device for the encrypted biometric data and the electronic dataset, and the first checksum is transmitted from the data processing device to the signature generation unit. The random value is encrypted using the first checksum, and the encryption result is further encrypted using the stored key. The result of this is then transmitted to the data processing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encrypting an electronic document involves a computer having a first monitor and a signature capture apparatus configured to capture a handwritten signature on a second monitor. A hash sum of the electronic document generated in the computer is transmitted to the signature capture apparatus. The electronic document and the first hash sum thereof are displayed on the first monitor. The first hash sum is also displayed on the second monitor. After electronically capturing the handwritten signature, the signature data and the first hash sum are encrypted in the signature capture apparatus and then transmitted to the computer. The encrypted signature data, the first hash sum and the signed document are stored on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encrypting an electronic document involves a computer having a first monitor and a signature capture apparatus configured to capture a handwritten signature on a second monitor. A hash sum of the electronic document generated in the computer is transmitted to the signature capture apparatus. The electronic document and the first hash sum thereof are displayed on the first monitor. The first hash sum is also displayed on the second monitor. After electronically capturing the handwritten signature, the signature data are encrypted using the first hash sum. A digital signature image is generated in the signature capture apparatus and the first hash sum is embedded therein. The embedded first hash sum is then extracted in the computer. If the extracted hash sum is identical to the first hash sum generated in the computer apparatus, the encrypted signature data and the signed document are stored.

Abstract: A method for safeguarding an electronic document includes inserting at least one digital signature image into the electronic document and generating a first check sum for the electronic document, with or without optionally-inserted biometric signature data, using a first hash function. A second check sum is then generated using a second hash function. The first check sum and the biometric data, if provided, are then symmetrically encrypted using a key that is the sum of the second check sum and a generated random value. The symmetrically-encrypted first check sum is attached to the document. The random value is then asymmetrically encrypted using a first public key of a first key pair and the asymmetrically-encrypted random value is added to the document.