Method and apparatus for generating location independent unique identifiers
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for use in a computer having a processor and a memory that generates location independent unique identifiers in the memory and comprises:
- (a) controlling the processor with a generator algorithm to generate a relative identifier that is unique relative to that algorithm;
(b) generating a generator algorithm identifier that probabilistically uniquely identifies the generator algorithm that is used in step (a), wherein when the generator algorithm is an unregistered generator algorithm, generating the generator algorithm identifier includes hashing a class name of the generator algorithm and using the resulting hash as the generator algorithm identifier; and
(c) controlling the processor to form a probabilistically unique identifier in the memory from the relative identifier and the generator algorithm identifier;
wherein step (a) comprises selecting as the generator algorithm, an algorithm that is used in a medical system to identify patients.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Universal Unique Identifiers (UUIDs) are generated using a variety of algorithms and these algorithms are themselves encoded into the UUID. Each UUID includes two parts: a first part that is an identifier, which is unique to the second part. The second part identifies the algorithm that was used to generate the identifier. Thus, the uniqueness of the identifier is based on how the identifier was created not the entity that created it. The identity of two UUIDs is determined by comparing both the generator algorithm ID and the relative ID.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A method for use in a computer having a processor and a memory that generates location independent unique identifiers in the memory and comprises:
-
(a) controlling the processor with a generator algorithm to generate a relative identifier that is unique relative to that algorithm; (b) generating a generator algorithm identifier that probabilistically uniquely identifies the generator algorithm that is used in step (a), wherein when the generator algorithm is an unregistered generator algorithm, generating the generator algorithm identifier includes hashing a class name of the generator algorithm and using the resulting hash as the generator algorithm identifier; and (c) controlling the processor to form a probabilistically unique identifier in the memory from the relative identifier and the generator algorithm identifier; wherein step (a) comprises selecting as the generator algorithm, an algorithm that is used in a medical system to identify patients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A tangible non-transitory computer-usable medium for storing data for access by a program executing on a data processing system, comprising a data structure that acts as a UUID including:
-
a relative identifier that is generated by a generator algorithm and is unique relative to that generator algorithm; and a generator algorithm identifier that probabilistically uniquely identifies the generator algorithm, wherein when the generator algorithm is an unregistered generator algorithm, the generator algorithm identifier includes a resulting hash from hashing a class name of the generator algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A computer program product for use in a computer having a processor and a memory that generates location independent unique identifiers in the memory and comprises a computer usable non-transitory tangible medium having computer readable program code fixed thereon, including:
-
generator algorithm code that generates a relative identifier that is unique relative to that algorithm; program code for providing a generator algorithm identifier that probabilistically uniquely identifies the generator algorithm used by the generator algorithm code, wherein when the generator algorithm is an unregistered generator algorithm, providing the generator algorithm identifier includes hashing a class name of the generator algorithm and using the resulting hash as the generator algorithm identifier; and program code for forming a probabilistically unique identifier in the memory from the relative identifier and the generator algorithm identifier.
-
Specification