Document distribution and interaction

An electronic signature system that comprises:

• a document repository storing a document comprising a plurality of document terms;
• an authentication data repository storing a plurality of reference ocular image datasets for a corresponding plurality of users, wherein each reference ocular image dataset is associated with user identification information that identifies one of the users;
• a configuration module adapted to generate instructions for processing an ocular image in accordance with an ocular recognition technology, and to associate the instructions with the document;
• an interactivity module configured to (a) receive, from a document recipient, an assent to the document terms and an ocular image dataset that is acquired in accordance with the instructions, and (b) authenticate the assent by matching the received ocular image dataset with one of the reference ocular image datasets stored in the authentication data repository;
• and
• a document status module configured to (a) update audit data associated with the document to indicate that the document recipient has assented to the document terms, and (b) add a visual indicium to the document in response to authentication of the asset, wherein the visual indicium comprises a link to the audit data and a graphical representation of the received ocular image dataset.

A computer program product encoded with instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, causes a document workflow process to be carried out, the process comprising:

• receiving, from a document originator, metadata that identifies a document that is to be distributed to a document recipient as part of a workflow, wherein the document includes a plurality of document terms;
• designating a protocol for authenticating an assent to the document terms that is provided by the document recipient, wherein the protocol establishes an ocular recognition technology;
• providing, to the document recipient in response to a received request, instructions for processing an ocular image in accordance with the protocol;
• receiving, from the document recipient, the assent and a processed ocular image acquired from the document recipient in accordance with the protocol;
• comparing the processed ocular image with a reference ocular image stored in an authentication data repository;
• and
• in response to determining that the processed ocular image and the reference ocular image were derived from the document recipient, (a) updating status data associated with the document to indicate that the document recipient has assented to the document terms, and (b) adding a visual indicium to the document in response to determining that the processed ocular image and the reference ocular image were derived from the document recipient,
• wherein the visual indicium comprises a link to the status data and a graphical representation of the processed ocular image.