Traditionally the approach used to analyse technological innovation focused on the application of the techno-economic paradigm with the production function as its foundation. This thesis explores the rise of the evolutionary paradigm as a more suitable conceptual approach to investigating complex innovations like automatic identification (auto-ID) devices. Collecting and analysing data for five auto-ID case studies, (bar codes, magnetic-stripe cards, smart cards, biometrics and RF/ID transponders), it became evident that a process of migration, integration and convergence is happening within the auto-ID technology system (TS). The evolution of auto-ID is characterised by a new cluster of innovations, primarily emerging through the recombination of existing knowledge. Using the systems of innovation (SI) framework this study explores the dynamics of auto-ID innovation, including organisational, institutional, economic, regulatory, social and technical dimensions. The results indicate that for a given auto-ID innovation to be successful there must be interaction between the various stakeholders within each dimension. The findings also suggest, that the popular idea that several technologies are superseded by one dominant technology in a given selection environment, does not hold true in the auto-ID industry. Each device studied has a significant role to fulfil in the marketplace, sharing in the same technological trajectory. Trends captured from the embedded case studies provide evidence for the continued growth in the requirement for auto-ID; they also point to an ever-increasing pervasiveness in auto-ID exemplified in the quest for the human electrophorus. Finally, as new auto-ID innovations are introduced, it is important to ensure that the adequate safeguards are put in place to protect citizens against accidental or intentional misuse. This is especially true of wireless applications that make use of wearable computing and microchip implants for tracking and monitoring purposes. Engineers therefore, should act in a socially responsible manner when inventing or patenting, viewing ethical discourse as an integral component of the innovation process, despite the competitive pressures for stakeholders to be first-to-market with new solutions.

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The technological trajectory of the automatic identification industry: the application of the systems of innovation (SI) framework for the characterisation and prediction of the auto-ID industry

A system and method for verifying the identity of an individual for check cashing and other financial purposes is disclosed. A client, such as a bank or other financial institution, obtains a biometric identifier from a customer and can either try to match it in a local database or send it to a central database to be matched. Either database can be filtered according to a tag or location of the institution to speed up the matching process. The central database transmits information associated with the matched individual to determine whether or not to complete the transaction.

System and method for preventing identity fraud

A device for secure access to digital media contents, the device comprising an access means for accessing digital media contents from a data source and a reader for authenticating a user, the authentication being performed by checking some authentication data. An internal communication path between the access means and the reader is not directly accessible from outside the device.

Device for secure access to digital media contents, virtual multi-interface driver and system for secure access to digital media contents

An identification access control mechanism applied in healthcare information systems is proposed to provide users' confidentiality and non-repudiation for any entry. User's confidentiality could be achieved by encrypting users' private identity codes (IDs) such as their social security number or national health insurance code into readable encrypted IDs. The non-repudiation could be achieved by using a challenge-response identification scheme with a healthcare authentication server (HAS) and random numbers. Approximately eight million Taiwanese social security numbers were tested in this study. The experimental results show that the encrypted IDs could support the use of unique characteristics for healthcare researchers' or investigators' statistical analysis.

A secure identification access control scheme for accessing healthcare information systems

The rapid growth in network heterogeneity, applications complexity, services and size due to increase number of users, have introduced more challenges in access control management in traditional networks. The emerging nature of Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) and its design assumptions like long delay, intermittent connectivity, asymmetric data rates etc make access control management even more challenging. The conflict of these assumptions with that of the Internet means the existing access control management systems can either not be implemented or implemented with modifications. The reference DTN environment includes but not limited to wireless, deep space and sensor-based networks. In this paper, our focus is on access control in DTN taking into consideration the long/variable delay, frequent disruption and heterogeneity. We proposed a framework that allows participating entities in the DTN environment to act as policy enforcers and also make independent access control decisions in the absence of connectivity. We present our proposed framework with description and analysis, and give direction for future work.

Managing Access Control in Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN) Environment

The need to control access to physical facilities or computer databases is increasing each year. Identity verification is implicit in this control, i.e. one must be able to confirm the identity of the individual at the door before access can be granted. In the past, automated identity verification was difficult. Early access control systems either relied on manual means of identity verification (e.g. a security guard recognizing each face), or they simplified the problem to verifying the identity of some physical object (e.g. an access card) rather than the individual. The first technique was expensive. The second carried with it the assumptions that this object was always attached to its owner. This was a poor assumption, and the loss or sharing of access cards represents the biggest weakness in access control systems today. In the last decade, the technology has become available to allow true verification of individual identities. This technology is based on a field called "biometrics", in which distinctive biological features are measured for each individual. These features can later be checked against the individual requesting access, and that individual's identity can be accurately confirmed. This paper will introduce and compare biometric access control systems based on centralized or distributed architectures. It will compare these two architectural approaches, outline their relative strengths and weaknesses, and discuss applications where one or the other is more appropriate. The need to control access to physical facilities or computer databases is increasing each year. Identity verification is implicit in this control, i.e. one must be able to confirm the identity of the individual at the door before access can be granted. In the past, automated identity verification was difficult. Early access control systems either relied on manual means of identity verification (e.g. a security guard recognizing each face), or they simplified the problem to verifying the identity of some physical object (e.g. an access card) rather than the individual. The first technique was expensive. The second carried with it the assump tions that this object was always attached to its owner. This was a poor assumption, and the loss or sharing of access cards represents the biggest weakness in access control systems today. In the last decade, the technology has become available to allow true verification of individual identities. This technology is based on a field called "biometrics", in which distinctive biological features are measured for each individual. These features can later be checked against the individual requesting access, and that individual's identity can be accurately confirmed. This paper will introduce and compare biometric access control systems based on centralized or distributed architectures. It will compare these two architectural approaches, outline their relative strengths and weaknesses, and discuss applications where one or the other is more appropriate.

R.C. Fowler

Papers

A comparison of centralized versus distributed architectures in biometric access control systems