Metadata-Based Personal Data Discovery Without Database Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current information-security processes and machines are unable to efficiently identify, manage, and utilize personal data within structured data sources or software applications without risking data exposure, often requiring database access and encountering compliance issues, and are not proactive in handling changing data environments.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing artificial-intelligence processes and machines that predict personal data presence based on metadata fields through natural language processing, embedding characters into vectors, and employing bidirectional LSTM algorithms to generate contextualizations without accessing the data content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual processes are used to identify and classify personal data, then application owners can maintain information about their applications, but the process is laborious and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of personal data identificationVSAvoidtime required for manual maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service identification and classification of personal data through machine learning models that automatically scan metadata, predict personal data presence, and classify data types without requiring manual application owner intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated computational systems including natural language processing, bidirectional LSTM algorithms, and neural networks that analyze metadata and predict personal data presence automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If database access is required to identify personal data, then complete data analysis can be performed, but permissible-use issues and security risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of personal data detectionVSAvoidsecurity risks and permissible-use issues
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and analyzes only the metadata portion of database structures, separating the identification process from the actual data content. This allows personal data detection without accessing or exposing the sensitive data itself, eliminating security risks associated with data access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses metadata as an intermediary layer between the detection system and the actual personal data. The machine learning models analyze metadata fields to predict personal data presence without directly accessing the sensitive information, serving as a secure intermediary that prevents harmful exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual processes are used to keep application information up to date, then application owners can maintain accuracy, but the frequency of updates is limited due to labor requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrency of application data informationVSAvoidfrequency of data updates
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated machine learning system enables continuous monitoring and updating of personal data identification as applications are developed, deployed, and modified. The system can operate continuously without interruption, automatically adapting to new data formats and regulatory requirements without the frequency limitations of manual processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If current security processes are used to manage personal data, then data can be secured, but the processes are inefficient and cannot keep pace with constantly changing data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidefficiency of data management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic system using machine learning models that continuously adapt to changing data formats, new personal data types, and evolving regulatory requirements. The bidirectional LSTM and neural network architectures can learn from new data patterns, making the security process dynamic rather than static, enabling it to keep pace with constantly changing data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12632645B2Personal data discovery
Publication Date: 2026.05.19 BANK OF AMERICA CORP
  • US12632645B2 patent drawing
  • US12632645B2 patent drawing
  • US12632645B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Artificial-intelligence computer-implemented processes and machines predict whether personal data may be present in structured software based on metadata field(s) contained therein. Natural language processing preprocesses input strings corresponding to the metadata field(s) into normalized input sequence(s). Individual characters in the sequence(s) are embedded into fixed-dimension vectors of real numbers. Bidirectional LSTM(s) or other machine-learning algorithm(s) are utilized to generate forward and backward contextualization(s). Neural network output(s) are provided based on element-wise averaging or feed forwarding based on the contextualization(s) in order to predict whether one or more value fields corresponding to the metadata field(s) may contain personal data.