Softpro Joins Wacom Components' Dynamic Signature Initiative to Deliver Secure Mobile Commerce

Agreement to ease integration of biometric signature verification into mobile phones

[CAMBRIDGE / BOEBLINGEN] - 2004-11-08: Wacom today announced that Softpro, the leading vendor of verification systems for handwritten signatures, has joined its Dynamic Signature Initiative, which aims to deliver secure, signature-based mobile commerce. The mobile payments market is estimated to be worth USD$20 billion by 2005 (source Arc Group, March 2003).

By combining Wacom's Penabled pen-based interface technology and Softpro's handwriting verification mobile handset manufacturers and operators will benefit from a complete solution for capturing and automatically authenticating a biometric signature to enable the secure authorisation of mobile transactions.

Penabled technology allows the capture of not only the static but also the dynamic parameters of signatures such as the speed of writing, pressure applied, letter shape and the rhythm of the writing process. This allows the creation of a 3D representation of a signature that is unique to each user.

This signature is then analysed by Softpro's unique verification technology in order to eliminate the risk of forgery and therefore fraudulent transactions. The technology is already being used by major companies, including banks, for creating biometric signatures using Wacom graphics tablets and Tablet PCs. Softpro has recently won Microsoft's Tablet PC Challenge in Germany.

"Using your signature to secure mobile commerce is straightforward, simple and popular with consumers," said Masahiko Yamada, President and CEO Wacom. "Working with Softpro as part of the Dynamic Signature Initiative enables us to create legally binding digital biometric signatures that will cut fraud and accelerate the adoption of m-commerce."

"We are delighted to continue our partnership with Wacom by joining the Dynamic Signature Initiative," said Frank Fuchs, Managing Director and CTO of Softpro. "The combination of Wacom's Penabled technology and our unique verification and authentication technology delivers an all in one biometric signature solution for both operators and handset manufacturers with a proven record in the Tablet PC environment."

Globally, governments are increasingly introducing new measures to combat fraud. For example, European Union laws concerning advanced electronic signatures require the 'unique' identification of a user. This can best be achieved through biometric features - such as a signature, rather than PIN codes, which fail to guarantee security as they can be stolen or verbally transferred. Biometric signature systems also offer a higher security and convenience level than those based on physiological features such as eye, face or fingerprints.

Softpro has defined a set of quality criteria for capturing signatures with digitizing instruments. A proper comparison of static signature characteristics and dynamic signature signals requires a digitizing instrument that is taking a sufficient amount of time signals. It also has to be able to differentiate between various pressure levels and to provide an appropriate resolution rate. Wacom's Penabled technology fulfils all these requirements., which are also reflected in the upcoming standard for the interchange of biometric signature data which is currently in draft stage (ISO/IEC WD 19794-7).

Dynamic signature recognition is an integral part of Wacom's Penabled technology, which provides mobile phone users with the capability to write personalised messages, make drawings, access two levels of zooming and perform faster navigation without having to scroll multiple menus. Additionally Penabled devices are more durable, offer better colour transmission, pressure sensitivity, increased input area, precise input control than existing resistive touch systems.

About WACOM Components

WACOM Components Europe Ltd is a subsidiary of WACOM Europe GmbH. Based in Cambridge, UK, Wacom Components provides a complete OEM pen interface solution for mobile digital devices such as Smartphones, PDAs and the Microsoft Tablet PC. Wacom Components is already a Symbian Platinum Partner and is working closely with Symbian on the development of small form factor sizes for all Symbian platforms including Series 60.

Wacom is a registered trademark and Penabled a trademark of Wacom Company. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

For more information about Wacom Components please contact:
Chris Measures/Alia Ilyas
Rainier PR
Tel. +44 (0) 207 4946570
cmeasures@rainierpr.co.uk
ailyas@rainierpr.co.uk

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ID: 000 description Capturing signatures on pressure sensitive writing tablet download size and type 250 KB / ZIP >> Download

ID: 010 description Signing of a transaction form with on-line capturing of static and dynamic (biometric) characteristics of a signature download size and type 348 KB / ZIP >> Download

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