Method for deterring forgeries and authenticating signatures

Abstract

A method for deterring forgeries and authenticating signatures placed on any document or other object (collectively “Item”) is disclosed. A first two dimensional bar code or forgery-proof diffraction grating pattern or similar information bearing medium (Electronic Fingerprint or “EF”) is issued to a person whose signature is being protected (“Principal”) by a central registrar (“CR”). A personal identification number (“PIN”) which has been assigned by the CR to the Principal is encoded on the EF. The PIN remains constant and is encoded on all EFs distributed to the Principal.

I claim:  
     
       1. A forgery deterrent and authentication method for signatures, comprising the steps of: 
       a. registering the  a principal with a central registrar that issues to the principal an information bearing medium that includes an encoded personal identification number and a second numbered code and facsimile signature;  
       b. placing the information bearing medium on an item by the principal next to the principal's signature with a tamper proof adhesive;  
       c. reading of the principal's information bearing medium placed on the item using the central registrar;  
       d. identifying the principal through the principal's personal identification number by the central registrar;  
       e. identifying of the item through the second numbered code by the central registrar;  
       f. identifying of the item through the facsimile signature by the central registrar;  
       g. providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon a second information bearing medium with an identical personal identification number and second numbered code; and  
       h. maintaining a database that identifies principals, items, the current known holder of an item and the date of issuance of a certificate of authenticity.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step c is performed by an agent. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step d is performed by an agent. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step e is at least one of the items include a signature and performed by an agent. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step a includes the information bearing medium having a facsimile signature. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein step e includes the step of identifying the items through the facsimile signature by the central registrar. 
     
     
       7. A forgery and authentication method for a signature on an item, comprising the steps of: 
       
         a. signing the item by a principal;  
       
       
         b. registering with a central registrar a facsimile signature of the principal; and  
       
       
         c. placing an information bearing medium having at least one numbered code on the item with a tamper proof adhesive. 
       
     
     
       8. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 7 , wherein the information bearing medium having at least one numbered code is placed on the item prior to the item being signed by the principal. 
     
     
       9. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 7 , wherein the information bearing medium having at least one numbered code is placed on the item prior to the item being registered with the central registrar. 
     
     
       10. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of maintaining a database that identifies the principal and the item. 
     
     
       11. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 10 , wherein the database identifies a current known holder of the item. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further including the step of providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon the facsimile signature. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , further including the step of providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon the facsimile signature. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 7 , further including the step of providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon the facsimile signature. 
     
     
       15. A forgery deterrent and authentication method for a signature on an item, comprising the steps of: 
       
         a. signing the item by a principal;  
       
       
         b. registering with a central registrar a facsimile signature of the principal;  
       
       
         c. placing an information bearing medium having at least one numbered code on the item with a tamper proof adhesive;  
       
       
         d. registering the at least one numbered code with the central registrar;  
       
       
         e. reading the at least one numbered code using the central registrar;  
       
       
         f. identifying the principal through the at least one numbered code by the central registrar;  
       
       
         g. identifying the item through the at least one numbered code by the central registrar; and  
       
       
         h. maintaining a database by the central registrar that identifies the principal and the item. 
       
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon the facsimile signature. 
     
     
       17. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 15 , wherein the information bearing medium having at least one numbered code is placed on the item prior to the item being signed by the principal. 
     
     
       18. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 15 , wherein the information bearing medium having at least one numbered code is placed on the item prior to the item being registered with the central registrar. 
     
     
       19. The forgery deterrent and authentication method of  claim 15 , wherein the database identifies a current known holder of the item. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , further including the step of providing a certificate of authenticity by the central registrar including thereon the facsimile signature.