Journal of Information Security, 2010, 1, 23-28
doi:10.4236/jis.2010.11003 Published Online July 2010 (http://www.SciRP.org/journal/jis)
Copyright © 2010 SciRes. JIS
Eliminating Forgers Based on Intra Trial Variability in
Online Signature Verification Using Handglove and
Photometric Signals
Andrews Samraj
1
, Shohel Sayeed
1
, Loo Chu Kiong
1
, Nikos E. Mastorokis
2
1
Faculty of Information Science and Technology, Multimedia University, Malacca, Malaysia
2
Faculty of Engineering, Industrial Engineering Department, Technical University of Sofia, Sofia, Bulgaria
E-mail: andrews.samraj@mmu.edu.my
Received March 5, 2010; revised June 9, 2010; accepted July 15, 2010
Abstract
The novel reinforcement to the data glove based dynamic signature verification system, using the Photomet-
ric measurement values collected simultaneously from photo plethysmography (PPG) during the signing
process is the emerging technology. Skilled forgers try to attempt the genuine signatures in many numbers of
trials. The wide gap in the Euclidian distances between forgers and the genuine template features prohibits
them from successful forging. This has been proved by our repeated experiments on various subjects using
the above combinational features. In addition the intra trial features captured during the forge attempts also
differs widely in the case of forgers and are not consistent that of a genuine signature. This is caused by the
pulse characteristics and degree of bilateral hand dimensional similarity, and the degrees of pulse delay.
Since this economical and simple optical-based technology is offering an improved biometric security, it is
essential to look for other reinforcements such the variability factor considerations which we proved of worth
considering.
Keywords: Photo Plethysmography, Data Glove, Signature Verification, Multimodal Biometrics
1. Introduction
Enhancements to the signature verification systems has
been suggested by many researchers [1-3] and bio signal
based security features are also considered as a unique
alternatives for applications that require some document
evidence like signing cheques and security documents.
The signal based biometrics in the only applicable means
for people with physical disability [4].
Making use of multimodal biometric technology which
provides unique and robust identification features for
every individual is in great demand in security environ-
ments that require high quality authentication methods.
Using PPG wave forms to distinguish individuals using
their biometric component was suggested by researchers
in 2007 [5] and is employed in protected applications like
e-transactions and access control mechanisms.
As a fortification to the current signal based dynamic
signature verification system, we have used a new me-
thod by using the combination of the plethysmographic
component along with the data glove signals to make the
authentication process more robust and distinctive.
The possibility of skilled forging is reduced by the
PPG feature that brings in the hand and heart dimensions
of an individual into the signature feature vector. In order
to further reinforce the effectiveness of the system here
in this research work we have considered the intra trial
variation approach to further validate the signature proc-
ess. This method assures the elimination of skilled forg-
ing by a multi level authentication.
2. The Equipment
The plethysmographic system, a simple equipment that
functions on the intensity of light reflected from the
skin’s surface. The red cells count below the skin is con-
sidered to determine the volume of blood in the particu-
lar area. The recorded signal posses the measurement of
changes in venous blood volume and the arterial blood
pulsation in the arterioles, hence representing the heart
rate. There are two values supplied by the system and are
the measurements of transmission and reflectance. A sam-