PURPOSE: To detect the signing state of a user even after the end of signing is detected by means of a signing stage which is moved by the writing pressure and then to confirm the end of signing in an entire signable range covering up to the end of closing of a shutter.

CONSTITUTION: When the signing action of a user is over and a signing end confirming signal is supplied, a signing stage is once fixed upward for a prescribed minute time and then unfixed upward. If the output of a signing stage detecting means shows a light state for a prescribed time under such conditions (i.e., when the signing stage is kept upward and no signing action is carried out), a signing end state is decided and a shutter is closed. If the output of the signing stage detecting means shows a dark state for a prescribed time (i.e., when the signing stage is kept downward and the signing action is started again), an unfinished state of the signing action is decided and the input of the signing end confirming signal is waited for. If the output of the signing stage detecting means shows a dark state during a closing action of the shutter after the end of the signing action, a singing unfinished state is decided and the shutter is opened. Then the input of the signing end confirming signal is waited for.