Electronic Signature Software

The Topaz approach to electronic documents and contracts with signatures is to mimic the tried-and-true methods of ink-on-paper contracts, documents, and authentication.  This is good news because all current state and federal digital handwritten signature regulations are based on the same approach.   Our developments in this area are patent pending.  One of the things that this means is that Topaz .sig data contains the original signature data and little else.  A Topaz e-signature is original signature data encrypted in such a way that the signature can only be verified in the context of the original document.  Encrypted, verifiable signature data cannot be viewed or printed by itself.  We have designed the software so that document data including meaning and the identity of the signer stay as originally authored in the document.    This allows compliance with FDA regulation 21 code, Part 11, section 11.50, and state regulations such as CA 220002(b)(4)(A) and (B).  Systems which display and store meaning and identity information separately from the document appear to violate various government requirements.   By keeping traditional pen-and-paper document data where it belongs - in the document, the Topaz system avoids potential security and refutability problems that may plaque other electronic signature systems.  In addition, the Topaz system is the only one on the market which allows the signer of the document to take high-tech receipts of what has been signed - a major step forward in providing the traditional benefits of pen-on-paper signed documents.  For more information on security read about Topaz robust signature capture systems.

What kind of field support is necessary for your application ?

At Topaz Systems, our commitment is to keep you up and running, and to keep your investment in signature-capture paying off for years to come. Topaz's Signature Support Program is the best in the industry and comes at no extra charge with every unit that we sell.  A Topaz business card provided with every tablet makes it easy for the end user to contact customer service if field support is needed. Customer support programs include:

Field Hot-Swap (end-user program): If there is a tablet problem in the field, Topaz can ship a replacement even before the problem unit is returned to the factory. This saves valuable time for those critical enrollment dates.

48-Hour turnaround (reseller program). Units returned to the factory under RMA authority are repaired or replaced within 48 hours of receipt. Topaz will match the return freight to the freight-in. Resellers can manage safety-stock inventory with confidence based on this commitment.

Perpetual-warranty / Factory refurbishment: Out-of-warranty units are given a new lease on life with the Topaz perpetual warranty program. For a nominal fixed fee, Topaz will renew your tablet with all-new plastics and a fresh new warranty. There should never be a need to pay for a new tablet just because the old one is getting a little bit worn or even if the tablet has become damaged.

Compliance with State and Federal Digital Signature Regulations:

Topaz analysis shows that:

• Topaz SigPlus signature capture software with proper use and without modification, is compliant with  Federal and state handwritten digital signature regulations.  

• Topaz forensic and biometric verification meets both the letter and the spirit of the regulations, especially the CA regulations which specifically require the time-consuming process of traditional forensic verification to authenticate a signature.

• The Topaz SigPlus system specifically avoids problems that may plague other systems.
  - The signature data is bound to only a single message instead of up to three as in other systems, thus staying compatible with the state regulations on single-message binding. 
  - There is no "secret" key bound to the signature, which would jeopardize all records if the secret were to become known.
  - The Topaz system uses both traditional forensic and computerized biometric verification of signatures.
  - The CA regs require forensic, not biometric verification.  See section 220003(b)(3)(B) of the CA regulations.

Links to eSignature Regulations

California:  http://www.ss.ca.gov/digsig/regulations.htm

Nebraska:  http://www.sos.state.ne.us/business/digi_sig/digital_act.html

US FDA:  http://www.fda.gov/cder/esig

Important Notice:

This software or any or all additional documentation, guidelines, or examples do not constitute a warranty about the performance, security, or legal acceptability of the SigPlus control in any specific use or implementation. To the extent that SigPlus is used to achieve regulatory or other specific objectives within an industry, you must consult competent experts or regulatory officials together with your own plan to achieve your desired business objectives using the Topaz tools.

Statement regarding patents, and warning against modification of Topaz products:

Topaz products are covered under US patents 5,120,908 5,122,623 6,307,955 - "Electronic Signature Management System".  Patent work is ongoing.   Use of Topaz's products in accordance with our instructions, to the best of our knowledge, does not infringe any patents. However, be aware that there are many patents out there, and modification of our products, or use of our products for other than their intended purpose, could run afoul of these patents.  It is the responsibility of Topaz customers to honor relevant patents.  U. S. Patent Nos. 5,120,906; 5,195,133; 5,227,590; 5,297,202; 5,322,978; 5,544,255; 5,647,017; 5,818,955; 6,064,751; 6,539,363, and others are patents that users of Topaz products should consider if modifications are to be made to our products or if our products are to be used for other than their intended purpose.  These patents may be obtained at http://www.uspto.gov/.

Only as examples, without first considering these patents, you should refrain from storing within the signature information (sig file or sig data):

1.  A reason for signing or a statement of importance of the signature together with a set of measurements relating to the handwritten signature and either an indication of the signatory or means for comparing said measurements with a set of statistics of a genuine signature to obtain a similarity score.

2.  A visual representation of a signature together with a document checksum, hash, or receipt, and the claimed identity of the signatory. 

3.  A set of measurements relating to biometric information together with a document checksum, hash, or receipt, and the claimed identity of the user.

The foregoing statement is not intended to be an interpretation of the patents or their application to any particular product or implementation.

Please contact the factory if you have any additional questions or would like more information about your rights concerning patents as a customer or developer using Topaz products.

SOFTWARE LICENSING:

SigPlus Tools are either bundled as driver tools with the tablet, or are licensed separately (not individually bundled with tablets) for applications developed and rolled out by third-party software providers, resellers, systems integrators, and end-users.  These parties may download SigPlus and it's associated tools and applications from the Topaz website and all updates and support are free of charge. SigPlus software includes licenses to US patents 5,120,908, 5,122,623, and 6,307,955