US-12620247-B2 - Coding data into a handwritten sample

Abstract

Teachings of the present disclosure include systems and/or methods for encoding digital data into a handwritten sample. An example method includes: accessing a predetermined vibration pattern stored in a memory corresponding to defined data; and vibrating a stylus based on the predetermined vibration pattern during creation of the handwritten sample to encode the defined data into the handwriting sample.

Inventors

• Valentin Stoia

Assignees

• MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230519

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An apparatus comprising: a stylus operable to dispense ink on a paper; an accelerometer operable to detect motion of a handwriting sample; a mass; and a control circuit to: actuate the mass to vibrate the stylus; access a predetermined vibration pattern; vibrate the mass to vibrate the stylus according to the predetermined vibration pattern; sense, via the accelerometer, a movement of the stylus; and adjust the predetermined vibration pattern based on the movement of the stylus.
2. 2 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a lock to block operation of the control circuit.
3. 3 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: an ink dispenser; and a lock to control a locked status of the ink dispenser.
4. 4 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control circuit operates to decrypt a signal to access the predetermined vibration pattern.
5. 5 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined vibration pattern includes frequency and amplitude variations.
6. 6 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a direct current motor to actuate the vibrating mass.
7. 7 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a piezoelectric actuator to actuate the vibrating mass.
8. 8 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a communication interface to receive or transmit the predetermined vibration pattern.
9. 9 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control circuit includes a system on chip, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, a microcontroller, analog circuitry, or digital circuitry.
10. 10 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is external to the stylus.
11. 11 . A method, comprising: actuating, by a control circuit, a mass of an apparatus to vibrate a stylus of the apparatus; accessing, by the control circuit, a predetermined vibration pattern; vibrating, by the control circuit, the mass to vibrate the stylus according to the predetermined vibration pattern; sensing, by the control circuit via an accelerometer of the stylus, a movement of the stylus; and adjusting, by the control circuit, the predetermined vibration pattern based on the movement of the stylus.
12. 12 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: decrypting, by the control circuit, a signal to access the predetermined vibration pattern.
13. 13 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: blocking, by a lock of the apparatus, operation of the control circuit.
14. 14 . The method according to claim 11 , further comprising: controlling, by a lock, a locked status of an ink dispenser of the apparatus.
15. 15 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the predetermined vibration pattern includes frequency and amplitude variations.
16. 16 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the vibrating, by the control circuit, the mass to vibrate the stylus according to the predetermined vibration pattern includes vibrating the mass to vibrate the stylus according to the predetermined vibration pattern by a direct current motor.
17. 17 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the vibrating, by the control circuit, the mass to vibrate the stylus according to the predetermined vibration pattern includes vibrating the mass to vibrate the stylus according to the predetermined vibration pattern by a piezoelectric actuator.
18. 18 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the accessing, by the control circuit, the predetermined vibration pattern includes receiving, via a communication interface of the apparatus, the predetermined vibration pattern.
19. 19 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuit includes a system on chip, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, a microcontroller, analog circuitry, or digital circuitry.
20. 20 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein the control circuit is external to the stylus.

Description

PRIORITY This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/404,886 filed Sep. 8, 2022, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to coding data into a handwritten sample. Various examples of the teachings herein include vibration-based certification of handwriting and signatures. BACKGROUND Typically, it is assumed one can authenticate handwriting or signatures through graphology and handwriting analysis. Given the proliferation of scanning and access to high resolution photography, it is increasingly simple to replicate a signature or larger samples of handwriting. This renders such assumptions unviable. SUMMARY The teachings of the present disclosure include systems and/or methods for coding data into a handwritten sample. The digital data may increase the security or credibility of the sample. The extra level of authenticity can be digitally verified, without reference to handwriting experts or other specialized resources. Further, use of such a sample may reduce the need for stamps or reference numbers. For example, an apparatus incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include: a stylus; a vibrating mass; and a control circuit to actuate the vibrating mass to vibrate the stylus according to a predetermined pattern. As another example, an apparatus incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a wearable device comprising: a housing attachable to a user; a vibrating mass; and a control circuit to actuate the vibrate mass to vibrate the housing according to a predetermined pattern. As another example, a method for encoding data into a handwritten sample may include: accessing a predetermined vibration pattern stored in a memory corresponding to defined digital data; and vibrating a stylus based on the predetermined vibration pattern during creation of the handwritten sample to encode the defined digital data into the handwriting sample. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The teachings of the present disclosure include systems and/or methods for coding digital data into a handwritten sample. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing the use of an example system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing showing an example control circuit for use with the system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the use of another example apparatus incorporating teachings of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing some details of the example apparatus of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing an example control circuit for use with the apparatus of FIG. 4; and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The teachings of the present disclosure include hand-held or wearable devices used to make a writing hand, or the object or stylus itself, vibrate while writing, in order to incorporate a second layer of information stored in a handwritten sample. The applied vibration pattern (e.g., a predetermined set of frequency and amplitude variations) may encode a set of data (e.g., digital or otherwise) used as proof of authenticity of the handwriting sample and/or signature. The vibration pattern may be applied by haptic or electromechanical methods, such as those used on smartphones for example using a miniature direct current motor or a piezoelectric actuator. The vibrations of the device cause variations within the signature or handwriting that may be used as a second layer of information. For example, segments of a drawn line may be shaky or not shaky, based upon vibrations applied by the device. In some examples, the shaky part of the drawn line can be interpreted as a digital 1 and a non-shaky can be interpreted as a digital 0. Vibration encoded data may further be encrypted as a hash to interfere with replication efforts. The vibrating device can be implemented on, for example, a smart wearable device, such as a ring, a smart watch, a bracelet, or a glove, without limitation, in which case the vibration is sent through the hand down to an ordinary writing implement, such as a pen, a pencil, or a stylus, without limitation, while writing. The vibrating device may be implemented on a pencil, a pen, or a stylus, without limitation, which for security reasons may also be fitted with a user lock or unlock mechanism, such as biometric (fingerprint scan) or input (seed) for generating a hash (such as digit buttons). The input seed may be used to generate particular vibrations or frequencies or amplitudes. Data encoded in the handwritten sample may be analyzed in any suitable manner, with any suitable device (e.g., devices fitted with a camera and imaging processing software) that can identify and decode the vibration-based data encoded in the sample. Vibration-based encrypted/hashed data can be decrypted or checked for validity through pre-