Digital Value Imprinted Instruments (DVIIS) is a patent pending invention of Na.Vijayashankar having wide application in several areas of E-Governance. The utility of DVIIS for certain E-Governance applications for which Smart Cards are used and its cost effectiveness is explained in this brief note. DVIIS is available for implementation within a short notice and Naavi is also open to IT Companies to work as implementation partners for delivering the solutions. 

Limitations of  Smart Card Solution: 

Smart Cards are popular instruments in many applications involving authentication and reference to information related to the Smart Card owner.

The cost of using Smart Cards for different solutions is directly related to the memory capacity of the embedded chip.

Presently, one of the areas in E-Governance where Smart Cards are being used successfully is for RC book and Driver’s License.

The limitations of the smart cards are the memory capacity of the embedded chip and the need for a smart card reader at the usage point. The smart card based system can work efficiently in an environment where the access is limited to certain designated offices. If however the system is to be accessed at filed level by a large number of people, the cost of providing smart card readers becomes uneconomically high.

 Secondly, many of the smart card applications are limited to accessing static data and does not involve processing as in the case of say a debit card used in an ATM where the data has to be dynamically altered at the usage point. In such cases also the use of Smart Cards is an over use of technology and therefore uneconomical. 

Thirdly, at one point of time, Smart Cards were considered very secure but this has been proved to be untrue since hackers have found a way of breaking into Smart cards also.  

Considering all these aspects, when Smart cards are used for very large requirements such as the Citizen’s ID card, the wastage factor in the overuse of technology becomes a national concern. 

 We need to therefore look for alternatives where “Appropriate Technology” is used for building cost effective solutions to replace Smart Cards where feasible.    DVIIS is one such alternative.  

DVIIS Solution in Brief: 

DVIIS is based on the principle of an “I-Card” in the physical world which is a low cost paper based card which can be used as an Identity card with intelligent hook up to a master database. The I-Card itself can be developed on different security levels including a bar code mechanism even though this is also redundant in most cases. 

The I-Card is linked to the master data base through an identity embedded in the physical instrument. The data however is stored on a server which is accessible both through an Internet access device as well as a telephone device.  

The telephone device which is the most widely available low cost access device is sufficient to extract information from the database through a voice recognition system. Printer attachments to the telephone device can also be worked out where required though in some applications, use of pre-printed stationery obviates the need to use a printer device at the user’s end.  

Where the access is through Internet, the data can be processed under appropriate authentication so that all the functions that a Smart Card can achieve can be achieved without a special smart card reader at the user’s end, and without any limitation on the memory or processing capacity of the chip.  

Thus if the R.C. records of vehicles or Driver’s license records are contained in a centralized database, any Policeman on the street can invoke the system through the ID contained on the DVIIS card and listen the details being read out to him. The access is through a normal telephone or a mobile.  

The user’s cards cost less than a rupee to produce and can be replaced as often as required.

 The cost of the total system is therefore a fraction of the smart card system and is more versatile. It can be used in any remote place accessible by telephone.  

All the systems support  “Pay as you Use” principle and hence the capital cost of introducing the system is minimal for any Government. 

The security concerns are related to the maintenance of a secure server accessible on the Internet and not different from the systems that control Banking transactions and Payment Gateways. Hence the risks inherent in such systems are manageable.  

Applications: 

Apart from the applications described above for RC Book and Driver’s license, the DVIIS is a system that can be used for “Digital Stamps”, “Collection of Road tax” and “Collection of Utility Payments”.  

More Information: 

The system can be elaborated with reference to individual applications on request by Naavi available at naavi@vsnl.com  or 98410-30123.

                                                                             Naavi

September 4, 2003

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