IP3 2025 – Data Eraser (Lot 16554)

This lot is generally related to a technique that allows users to attach absolute or relative expiration dates to data records, which are automatically deleted when expired, either with or without user confirmation, so that the data is kept until it is useful, reducing manual clutter and providing enhanced privacy by removing sensitive or time-limited information securely. Disclosed is a microprocessor-based device that manages self-expiring data through a user-created database having data and an associated expiration time. Users can manually set, modify, or remove the expiration time for each record. The system periodically checks groups of records with the same expiration time against the current time or a specified interval and deletes expired records. If no expiration time is provided, the system assigns a default expiration time that may include no expiration before saving the record to provide flexible, automated data lifecycle management based on user preferences or system defaults. The technology may be implemented in secure messaging apps, IoT devices, healthcare systems, calendar apps, etc.