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Method and apparatus for private information retrieval from a single electronic storage device

  • US 6,167,392 A
  • Filed: 06/01/1998
  • Issued: 12/26/2000
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of privately retrieving selected information from a database that contains the selected information, without requiring replication of said database, said method comprising the steps of:

  • a) selecting, at an inquiring processor from a set of known data addresses, the addresses of information to be retrieved from said database;

    b) encoding, at said inquiring processor, said addresses into a mathematical function that does not reveal to said database the addresses of information to be retrieved;

    c) communicating said mathematical function containing encoded addresses to said database;

    d) executing said mathematical function against the entirety of said database, and transmitting the results of said execution to said inquiring processor; and

    e) decoding said results at said inquiring processor, wherein the total amount of information exchanged between said database and said inquiring processor is less than the total amount of information stored in said database.

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