Biometric authentication device and method

1. An assurance system, comprising:

a biometric sensor capable of providing an initial static biometric indication and capable of providing a subsequent static biometric indication;

an adhesive capable of fixing the sensor on an organism at a location from which the static biometric indications will be obtained, and capable of fixing the sensor for a period of time extending between taking the initial and subsequent static biometric indications;

a computer in communication with the sensor, and having software running thereon for:

(a) causing the computer to determine whether there is a match between the subsequent static biometric indication and the initial static biometric indication, and

(b) in response to a determination that the initial static biometric indication does not match the subsequent static biometric indication, causing the computer to send a signal indicating that the location of the sensor has changed.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an array of pressure-sensitive devices.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the sensor includes a thin-film transistor array.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes an array of conductivity-sensitive devices.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a patch having the adhesive thereon.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the adhesive is a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the adhesive attaches the sensor to the patch, and a different portion of the adhesive attaches the patch to the organism.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver and a transmitter, and wherein the computer is in communication with the sensor via a wireless communication system established between the receiver and the transmitter.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer is in communication with the sensor via a wired communication system.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the software instructs the computer to send an alarm signal when the subsequent static biometric indication does not match the initial static biometric indication.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is a human being.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is an animal other than a human being.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is dead.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the organism is a plant.

15. An assurance method, comprising:

providing a biometric sensor;

fixing a position of the sensor relative to an organism's body at a location where static biometric indications will be obtained from the organism's body using the sensor, and the position being fixed for a period of time extending between taking an initial static biometric indication of the location and a subsequent static biometric indication;

using the sensor to obtain the initial static biometric indication of the location;

storing the initial static biometric indication;

using the sensor to obtain the subsequent static biometric indication;

comparing the subsequent static biometric indication to the initial static biometric indication;

determining whether the subsequent static biometric indication matches the initial static biometric indication;

in response to a determination that the initial static biometric indication does not match the subsequent static biometric indication providing a signal indicating that the location of the sensor has changed.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein fixing the position of the sensor includes providing an adhesive patch so that the sensor resides between the patch and the organism's body.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the organism is a human being.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the organism is an animal other than a human being.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the organism is dead.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the organism is a plant.

21. An assurance method of authorizing an activity, comprising:

providing a biometric sensor;

fixing a position of the sensor relative to an organism's body at a location where static biometric indications will be obtained from the organism's body using the sensor, and the position being fixed for a period of time extending between taking an initial static biometric indication of the location and a subsequent static biometric indication of the location;

using the sensor to obtain the initial static biometric indication of the location;

storing the initial static biometric indication;

using the sensor to obtain the subsequent static biometric indication;

comparing the subsequent static biometric indication to the initial static biometric indication;

determining whether the subsequent static biometric indication matches the initial static biometric indication;

in response to a determination that the initial static biometric indication does not match the subsequent static biometric indication providing a signal indicating that the location of the sensor has changed; and

preventing the activity if the signal indicates that the location of the sensor has changed.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the activity is the use of a machine by the organism.

23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the activity is receipt of medical treatment provided to the organism.

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the activity is a procedure performed on the organism.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the organism is a human being.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the organism is an animal other than a human being.

27. The method of claim 21 , wherein the organism is dead.

28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the organism is a plant.