A method for secured access to data in a network has the effect that data protection rights are respected, especially personal data present in a network with distributed memories. The method is based on the granting of access rights, with the possibility of revocation, to the data available in the network, and the storage of data within the network only after authorization by the owner of the rights to the data. When certain data are requested, only the references of those data records to which the requesting party also has the access rights can be given. Identification of the data is not possible without access rights. Should certain data be accessed, the access rights may be verified before data access is permitted.

A method and system for obtaining information items associated with the generation of subpoena documents using time-dependent data bases is presented. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the names and contact information of telephone companies that were assigned designated telephone numbers during designated time periods may be obtained using data bases formulated to include time-dependent telephone company assignment information items. From the information items, subpoenas are then generated which compel the selected telephone companies to reveal subscriber information items, such as name and address, associated with the designated telephone number during the designated time period. Further, the subpoenas containing the user's name can be generated to compel the subscriber to appear be a court or agency competent jurisdiction or disclose additional information.

The present disclosure relates to a method for completing forms. In one arrangement, the method comprises the steps of receiving location information for user information to be added to a form, retrieving the user information, configuring the user information for merging with the form, and printing a form that contains at least a portion of the user information. This method can be practice, for example, through use of a printing device comprising printing hardware with which hardcopy documents can be generated, a card reader that is adapted to read data from a user data card, a network interface device that is adapted to transmit and receive data via a network, and device memory that stores forms data.

An algorithm (such as the MD5 hash function) is applied to a file to produce an intrinsic unique identifier (IUI) for the file (or message digest). The file is encrypted using its IUI as the key for the encryption algorithm. An algorithm is then applied to the encrypted file to produce an IUI for the encrypted file. The encrypted file is safely stored or transferred within a network and is uniquely identifiable by its IUI. The encrypted file is decrypted using the IUI of the plaintext file as the key. The IUI serves as both a key to decrypt the file and also as verification that the integrity of the plaintext file has not been compromised. IUIs for any number of such encrypted files may be assembled into a descriptor file that includes meta data for each file, the IUI of the plaintext file and the IUI of the encrypted file. An algorithm is applied to the descriptor file to produce an IUI for the descriptor file. The plaintext descriptor file is then encrypted using the descriptor file IUI as a key for the encryption algorithm. An algorithm is applied to the encrypted descriptor file to produce an IUI for the encrypted descriptor file. The IUI of the encrypted descriptor file is a location-independent identifier to locate the encrypted descriptor file. A flattened descriptor file includes the IUIs of encrypted data files and the IUI of the encrypted descriptor file. An algorithm is applied to the flattened descriptor file to produce its own IUI.

An Internet-based, or Web-based, customizable clinical (patients' records and care) information system ("CIS") is provided. More specifically, the clinical information system is Web/Internet based, whether it utilizes a browser-type user interface or a distributed application-type user interface; the clinical information system may include automatic disease staging and associated treatment planning and/or scheduling; the clinical information system may track certain events/submissions and sort such events/submissions into a physician's in-box for on-line approval by the physician, where such approval causes the event/submission to become an addendum to the patient's record; the clinical information system may be customizable by an administrator; the clinical information system may establish, and make available for on-line review and approval, patient care or standing orders over a weekend; the clinical information system may utilize patients' photographs to ensure accurate identification and proper treatment; and the clinical information system may create and store an audit trail record for all significant events.