US Patent 10164966 Decoupling identity from devices in the internet of things

This invention provides for data generated by intelligent devices exchanging information about their operation and performance over the so-called “Internet of Things” to be unidentified. Where particulars about an individual associated with a networked device are relevant to the operation and performance of the device, this invention provides for said particulars to be made available in digital certificates bound to the device. Data records generated by the device when operating with a certain individual are digitally signed at the time and later verified using said certificates, thus reliably conveying those particulars with the data. The identity of the individual is decoupled from the device and the data generated by the device.