System and Method for Anonymously Indexing Electronic Record Systems
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Abstract
A method for issuing Anonymous Public Key Certificates to Registered Persons in an electronic record system, where pointers for indexing the record system are stored within the Anonymous Public Key Certificates, and where associated Private Keys are controlled by smartcards or similar devices. Electronic records may be identifiably indexed when the smartcard has been activated by its holder correctly entering their secret pass-phrase, or anonymously indexed when only the value of a pointer is known. The only direct linkage between each Anonymous Public Key Certificate and the associated Registered Person is through the associated Private Key as controlled by a smartcard or similar device. Using this invention the retrieval of identifiable records pertaining to a given Registered Person from an electronic record system is normally only possible with the agency of the Person'"'"'s smartcard or similar device, and therefore normally only possible with the Person'"'"'s consent.
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Citations
115 Claims
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1-95. -95. (canceled)
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96. A method for anonymously indexing an electronic record system, the method comprising:
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storing an asymmetric cryptographic private key under the control of a portable storage device of a registered user;
storing an anonymous public key certificate, the anonymous public key certificate being associated with an asymmetric cryptographic public key matching the asymmetric cryptographic private key;
providing the portable storage device with information for associating the registered user with the portable storage device; and
indexing within an electronic record system personal information of the registered user, whereby association of the information with the registered user is anonymously verifiable by use of the anonymous public key certificate. - View Dependent Claims (97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102)
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103. An anonymously indexed electronic record system comprising:
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a portable storage device for a registered user, an asymmetric cryptographic private key being under the control of the portable storage device, the portable storage device being provided with information for associating the registered user with the portable storage device;
a stored anonymous public key certificate associated with an asymmetric cryptographic public key matching the asymmetric cryptographic private key, an electronic storage indexing personal information of the registered user, whereby association of the information with the registered user is anonymously verifiable by use of the anonymous public key certificate. - View Dependent Claims (104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114)
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115. A portable storage device for a registered user of an anonymously indexed electronic record system, the portable storage device being provided with information for associating the registered user with the portable storage device, wherein an asymmetric cryptographic private key is under the control of the portable storage device, wherein an anonymous public key certificate is associated with an asymmetric cryptographic public key matching the asymmetric cryptographic private key, and wherein association of anonymously indexed personal information with the user is anonymously verifiable by use of the anonymous public key certificate.
Specification