An investigation into biometric signature capture device performance and user acceptance

The human signature provides a natural and publically-accepted legally-admissible method for providing authentication to a process. Automatic biometric signature systems assess both the drawn image and the temporal aspects of signature construction, providing enhanced verification rates over and above conventional outcome assessment. To enable the capture of these constructional data requires the use of specialist `tablet' devices. In this paper we explore the enrolment performance using a range of common signature capture devices and investigate the reasons behind user preference. The results show that writing feedback and familiarity with conventional `paper and pen' donation configurations are the primary motivation for user preference. These results inform the choice of signature device from both technical performance and user acceptance viewpoints.