International Business Machines Corporation

Michael Robert McCullough

Jan Leonard Camenisch

Michael Waidner

Charles Campbell Palmer

Steven B Adler

Arthur Miles Gilbert

Nigel Howard Julian Brown

Michael Schnyder

Endre Felix Bangerter

Dogan Kesdogan

Adam Charles Nelson

Xuan Liu

Matthias Schunter

Guenter Karjoth

Edith Gail Schonberg

Kathryn Ann Bohrer

Calvin Stacy Powers

Elsie A Van Herreweghen

Martin Joseph Clayton Presler-Marshall

Elsie Van Herreweghen

Matthew P Leonard

In a computer, a first set of object classes are provided representing active entities in an information-handling process and a second set of object classes are provided representing data and rules in the information-handling process. At least one object class has rules associated with data. The above-mentioned objects are used in constructing a model of an information-handling process, and to provide an output that identifies at least one way in which the information-handling process could be improved. One aspect is a method for handling personally identifiable information. Another aspect is a system for executing the method of the present invention. A third aspect is as a set of instructions on a computer-usable medium, or resident in a computer system, for executing the method of the present invention.

Using an object model to improve handling of personally identifiable information

The present invention is a system and method for handling personally identifiable information, using a rules model. The invention involves defining a limited number of privacy-related actions regarding personally identifiable information; constructing a rule for each circumstance in which one of said privacy-related actions may be taken or must be taken; allowing for the input of dynamic contextual information to precisely specify the condition for evaluation of a rule; creating a programming object containing at least one of said rules; associating the programming object with personally identifiable information; processing a request; and providing an output. The invention does not merely give a 'yes-or-no answer. The invention has the advantage of being able to specify additional actions that must be taken. The invention may use a computer system and network. One aspect of the present invention is a method for handling personally identifiable information. Another aspect of the present invention is a system for executing the method of the present invention. A third aspect of the present invention is as a set of instructions on a computer-usable medium, or resident in a computer system, for executing the method of the present invention.

Using a rules model to improve handling of personally identifiable information

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Washington, DC, United States of America

Michael Robert McCullough