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E-Wallet

Secure pocketable electronic document storage
  (+3, -1)
(+3, -1)
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A small electronic screen device, using a low-power display like e-ink, to store and view important documents including but not limited to: Drivers license, birth certificate, student ID, military ID, CCW permit(s), etc.

The device would not respond to outside signals, and is not readable like RFID. The only way to access the contents is for the user to activate the card (fingerprint, PIN, password, etc.), and can then transfer selected documents at the owner's discretion... handy for business cards or coupons, for instance. Marketed as a way to make carrying important documents more convenient, as well as secure. The average thief can't steal your e-wallet and use the information inside to commit identity theft, for instance.

There can be a range of models, from the basic e-ink E-Wallet for basic document storage/display, to fancier models with more features, like credit/debit card transactions, all the way up to actual smartphones.

If your E-wallet is lost or stolen, the hardware itself is meant to be cheap and easily replaceable. Buy one off the rack and take it home. Download your docs, and you're ready to rock and roll.

No calling around to get your credit cards replaced, no begging the County to replace a birth certificate, and no waiting at the DMV for a new drivers license. As long as the number and reader code on your electronic version matches what the officer has on his system, it doesn't matter that it isn't on plastic. Not really. (though they'll sure tell you it does nowadays!)

An app on your computer can keep up with expiration dates when you plug it in at night, so you don't get caught out with an expired DL, CCW, or debit card.

spacer, Feb 03 2015

Not entirely unbaked http://www.icao.int...AG-MRTD-22_WP06.pdf
Visas and rubber stamps stored electronically [hippo, Feb 05 2015]


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Annotation:







       Gets my vote, although there's obvious reasons to implement this into the ubiquitous smart phone, isn't there?
Custardguts, Feb 03 2015
  

       //The device would not respond to outside signals   

       //Download your docs, and you're ready to rock and roll.   

       What can go in, can also come out, no? How do you stop the download port from being re-purposed?
the porpoise, Feb 03 2015
  

       For several years now the health insurance companies in Germany try to implement a smart card with the most basic patient data to avoid inefficiencies in diagnostics and health management. Up to now they spent 1 billion € without getting more than the patients name and address on the card. I assume the E-wallet will not happen in our lifetime. Also it would be a worthwhile target for the not-so-average thief - hack those cards and have access to all the sensible data you ever wanted to steal. So: [-]
Toto Anders, Feb 04 2015
  

       I like it but there's a whole lot of potential for abuse. Imagine "papers please" when each person has their whole life's story on them.
Voice, Feb 04 2015
  

       I just this minute read up on google wallet and raced here to tell you it's baked.
dentworth, Feb 04 2015
  

       //The average thief can't steal your e-wallet and use the information inside to commit identity theft, for instance.//   

       Ha ha ha hee hee hee... sorry, as you were...
pocmloc, Feb 04 2015
  

       Apple Pay? The only thing to do is update laws to allow for digital driver's and pilot's licenses.
DIYMatt, Feb 04 2015
  

       I once rented a car by showing them a scan of my driving license on my laptop computer screen (I accidentally left the paper license at the house)
pocmloc, Feb 05 2015
  

       Like the Dr Who hypnotizing paper thing.
FlyingToaster, Feb 05 2015
  

       (waves to [dentworth]!) Haven't seen you in halfbaker's ages.
xandram, Feb 05 2015
  

       With physical access and enough skill/tools, anything is hackable, I agree. There's still some responsibility on the owner to maintain some level of physical security. This isn't a payment card. That was listed as a potential future/premium function. The "Papers, Please!" argument is always valid, no matter what form of ID you use. However, your current wallet can be taken from your pocket and read by any lowbrow (badged or otherwise), while an encrypted viewer would show them nothing more than you've chosen for your lock screen. ("Got a Warrant?" could be a good message)   

       In its more secure form, there's no NFC. It's merely a way to display documents selected by the owner. Part of the reason it isn't a smartphone app. That and battery life.   

       As for security, yeah, it's fun to laugh and roll one's eyes, but my crackhead cousin won't be able to do anything with it. With your wallet, she could probably do some damage.   

       The other high point of this is the ability to replace it if lost or destroyed, and reloading the device from a secure home PC (yeah, I know.... "secure" -rolleyes-), beats the everlovin' heck out of having to beg the DMV, County Clerk, Sociable Security office, and the folks who administer any number of other documents you're carrying around every day for fresh copies.   

       If there are specific problems with the idea, there are probably solutions, if one is willing to think 'em up. Isn't that the idea behind this website?
spacer, Feb 10 2015
  


 

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