SQUASH
Tom Phillips - An Independent Computer Consultant
Solving problems with computers since 1972
An
ID number schema (to replace the SSN?)
by Tom Phillips (July 1979)
The
purpose of this unique identification schema is to provide a means to assign an
ID number to every person who is alive, who has ever lived, and with enough
expansion for those not yet born.
I have titled this schema:
The schema contains the following components:
A:
Numbering Schema code - to allow for future schemas
B:
Calendar code – which world calendar used
C:
Date of birth - yyyyy mm dd ( Yes
- a 5 digit year - depending on the calendar )
D:
Latitude - degrees, minutes, seconds - of place of birth
E:
Longitude - degrees, minutes, seconds - of place of birth
F:
Planet code (future expansion - think long term)
G:
Sequence counter for duplicates within b, c, d, e, & f.
H:
Sex at birth or a Species code or an Item code
(if one wanted to number non-human items)
I:
Check sum digits
This ID code has many digits, and as such would be too large for general
usage. If the number is
reduced to a base 36 number (using numbers and letters) the physical size of the
code can be reduced. Using
upper and lower case letters (base 62) would further reduce the size.
This ID number can be assigned to any person (or thing) where their date
and place of birth is known.
If we are going to go to a National ID, then we had better start to consider a schema. This one will not only serve to number people, but will contain useful information for tracking them as well (read immigration and visas).
Page last updated: February
15, 2008 