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I heard a report on tv while waiting at the bank, about a new solution to prevent identity theft. This new machine would be able to check several characteristics of a person's signature on a check down to the pressure applied while writing.

The main questions are, would you use this technology for a $5.00 purchase or wait until it is much more substantial? If the pressure used to write the check doesn't match do you still take the check?

The report didn't go in depth on the subject, but I still thought it was an interesting topic to have some discussion on. There are obvious problems with the system, but I can see some advantages as well. Anyway, what do you guys think?

Do you have a URL where I can learn more about that?

The pressure I apply when writing and many other characteristics of my signatures vary on too many things for me to think that this will work...The surface, how well the pen works, and my mood at the time are three factors that would seem to make this sort of identification difficult.

I did some research and came up with some links that are on topic with the news report. Unfortunately, this was a quick segment while I was making a deposit at the bank for work. The links I found are:

http://www.almaden.ibm.com/software/projects/signature/

I am pretty sure this what the report was about.

http://www.jiskha.com/science/biology/biometrics.html

The second article is kind of long and deals with all aspects of biometrics. The part of interest is :

"Signature dynamics: Signature identification, also known as Dynamic Signature Verification (DSV), analyses the way a user signs his name. It analyses two different areas of an individual's signature: the specific features of the signature and specific features of the process of signing like speed, pen pressure, directions, stroke length, and the points in time when the pen is lifted from the paper. Signature identification devices can also analyse the "static" image of one's signature. In this case the device captures the image of one's signature and saves it for future comparisons to the stored template. To account for the change in one's signature over time, signature identification systems adapt to any slight variances over time. The way a dynamic signature identification system accomplishes this is by recording the time, history of pressure, velocity, location and acceleration of a pen each time a person uses the system.

Signature verification enjoys a synergy with existing processes that other biometrics do not. It is a natural fit in the world of biometrics since identification through one's signature occurs during everyday transactions. People are used to signatures as a means of transaction-related identity verification, and most would see nothing unusual in extending this to encompass biometrics. The major technological hurdle for signature identification involves the method of trying to differentiate between the parts of the signature that are habitual (consistent) and those that alter with each signing (behavioural). With a good amount of practice, a person might be able to duplicate the visual image of someone else's signature but it is difficult if not impossible to duplicate "how" that person signs their name. The healthcare industry is aggressively adopting signature identification for the submission of new drug applications."

There are many many more articles like this plus some pdf files from reputable sources like:

http://computerscience.nl/people/ javier/docs/EULAT-biometrics.PDF

This is a very lengthy and indepth article on the principles behind this technology.

Entering, identity theft+dsv, on google will return 500+ sites on this topic.

I tend to agree with you Pantero Blanco. If I am writing a check or signing on an electronic machine for a large amount, my signature will vary as well. If it is a small amount like a soda, my signature will be quick and careless. Error checking on this will have to be somewhat lax for these variations.

In that case: no. I use secure passwords, so I don't need an additional "security" check, that in fact locks me out, just because it fails at proper recognition, or because I broke my right hand.