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Patent idea
Computer science student's inspiration leads to IBM.
- When Mike Rothschild graduates from Iowa State, his resume will include a couple lines unmatched by most undergrads. One will state, "developed idea for IBM computer security patent," and the other will indicate, "president, ISU Parkour and Free Running Club."
Both may take some explanation.
A computer science student, Rothschild had an idea while he was in a co-op work experience program at computer giant IBM in his hometown, Rochester, Minn.
He suggested taking relational data in a database, encrypting them as is the norm, but then scrambling them into new cells anywhere in the table of data so that they are no longer relational. The leader of his work team, which was looking at improved database design, liked the idea. After tweaking the concept, Rothschild's brainchild eventually led to an IBM patent application with the U.S. Patent Office.
Relational data, for example, is a person's first name, last name, social security number and credit card number. In Rothschild's concept not only are the names and numbers encrypted with random letters and numerals, hackers also will have a tough time knowing which card numbers correspond with which names.
It's the method used to encrypt the data that's key to the patent, and something he is not allowed to discuss.
A senior who expects to graduate in December 2008, Rothschild says the idea is relatively simple "But sometimes the most secure procedures are simple," adding that the "encryption is extremely secure."
His inspiration came in fall 2006 following a meeting. "IBM loves patents," he said. "They really push patents and review patent submissions monthly."
So he and his team leader developed the idea into a patent proposal. After getting through IBM's patent gatekeepers, it was sent to attorneys to ensure its patentability and process the application, which was filed in summer 2007.
While Rothschild waits for the patent to be granted, he can fill his spare time with the Parkour and Free Running club on campus. Near the beginning of the 2006 film "Casino Royale," James Bond pursued an agile, acrobatic man leaping and bounding from structure to structure. The man was doing parkour. It can include running, jumping, climbing and even crawling - whatever is the most suitable movement for the situation.
"Parkour is a discipline in which you try to move around in an environment, such as an urban area, using only your body and the surroundings," Rothschild said. "Parkour is the perfection and efficiency of movement in an environment."
He explained free running is similar, but is more aesthetically pleasing and might involve back flips. The two activities (or sports, depending upon one's viewpoint) are melding more and more into one. The popularity has grown enough that K-Swiss now even sells a free running shoe.
Parkour, which originated in France, demands participants to be strong, coordinated and mentally disciplined. Rothschild works out by doing a challenging regimen of gymnastics and bodyweight exercises.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps a parkour video comes in at a million: see the website www.americanparkour.com to view parkour in action.
Leaps and bounds aside, it will be computers that are in Rothschild's employment future. Upon graduation, he may chase a graduate degree or go to work. Either way, his resume will jump out.
Michael Rothschild
Around LAS
February 11-24, 2008
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