Private Data Comparison via Eigenvalue Computation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current biometric and cryptographic approaches for data protection have limitations, such as reliance on hardware and software for biometrics and vulnerability to key compromise in cryptography, which hinder secure comparison and protection of sensitive data.

Innovation Solution

A method that computes eigenvalues and eigenvectors of private data matrices to determine similarity without revealing the data, allowing for secure comparison and reconstruction of data sets without data exchange, using protocols like Secure Linear System Solution Protocol (SLSSP) and Privacy-preserving cooperative scientific computation (PPCSC).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If biometric approach is used for authentication and data protection, then convenience and non-repudiation security are improved, but additional hardware and complex software are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity strengthVSAvoidhardware and software complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential comparison functionality from complex biometric systems by using cryptographic protocols to compare encrypted biometric templates without requiring full biometric processing pipelines, hardware scanners, or complex feature extraction software

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cryptographic primitives (encryption schemes, hash functions, and comparison protocols) as intermediaries that enable secure biometric template comparison without direct exposure of raw biometric data, thereby reducing the need for complex security infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If cryptographic approach is used for data protection, then complete control over personal information is improved, but vulnerability to key compromise occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata controlVSAvoidsecurity vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the secret key into multiple shares distributed among different parties or stored in different locations, so that no single party holds the complete key, thereby maintaining data control while reducing vulnerability to key compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cryptographic protocols and trusted third-party mediators to facilitate secure key management and comparison operations, reducing the risk of key compromise while preserving user control over their data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If secret key is kept confidential for data protection, then data confidentiality is improved, but risk of information leakage increases if key is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata confidentialityVSAvoidinformation leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements proactive key management strategies including key rotation, key backup with multiple parties, and secure key distribution protocols that cushion against potential key compromise before it occurs, thereby maintaining confidentiality while reducing information leakage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces cryptographic intermediaries and protocols that enable secure key management and facilitate recovery procedures, reducing the impact of potential key compromise while maintaining data confidentiality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9197637B2Method of comparing private data without revealing the data

Publication Date: 2015.11.24 RES FOUND THE CITY UNIV OF NEW YORK

AI summary

Disclosed in this specification is a method and program storage device for comparing two sets of private data without revealing those private data. If the comparison deems the two data sets sufficiently similar, helper data may be provided to permit reconstruction of one of the private data sets without transmission of that private data set.