Time-Efficient Stroke Extraction Method for Handwritten Signatures

Off-line signature verification methods have to tackle with a number of high resolution images, therefore it is vital to use efficient image processing algorithms. This paper proposes a heuristic stroke extraction algorithm to create a compact representation of the signature whilst minimizing the loss of semantic information and the computational needs. Some issues of the algorithm are highlighted and – as far as possible – also eliminated. Finally an experimental validation of the algorithm is presented and evaluated. This algorithm could be used to refine existing signature verification methods, and also to create new ones. Key-Words: signature verification; off-line; stroke extraction;