Converting plaintext values to pseudonyms using a hash function
AssigneeEntit Software LLC
InventorsLuther Martin, Timothy Roake
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Abstract
A technique includes accessing data, which represents a plurality of plaintext values and converting the plaintext values to pseudonym values, which are associated with a predetermined statistical distribution. Converting the plaintext values includes, for a given plaintext value, repeatedly applying a hash function to provide corresponding hash values based on the given plaintext value; and combining the hash values to provide a pseudonym value, which corresponds to the given plaintext value.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- accessing data representing a plurality of plaintext values;
- and
- converting the plaintext values to pseudonym values associated with a predetermined statistical distribution, wherein converting the plaintext values comprises, for a given plaintext value of the plurality of plaintext values:
- based on the given plaintext value, repeatedly applying a hash function to provide corresponding hash values;
- and
- combining the hash values to provide a pseudonym value corresponding to the given plaintext value.
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one processor;
- and
- a memory to store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
- convert a first dataset representing plaintext data and having a first statistical property to a second dataset representing pseudonyms and having the first statistical property, wherein the conversion comprises, for a first plaintext value represented by the plaintext data:
- generating a plurality of hashes based on the first plaintext value;
- and
- determining a pseudonym corresponding to the first plaintext value based on the plurality of hashes.
A non-transitory machine readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to:
- access first data representing a plurality of personal data values;
- process the first data to provide second data representing pseudonym values in place of the personal data values, wherein processing the first data comprises, for a first personal data value of the plurality of personal data values:
- applying a one way conversion function multiple times based on the first personal data value to determine a plurality of intermediate outputs;
- and
- combining the intermediate outputs to determine the pseudonym value corresponding to the first personal data value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.