Abstract:
Improved confidential information sharing systems, including a first plurality of data collection units ( 108 ), each collecting confidential data regarding a second plurality of individual entities, a third plurality of data consumer units which intermittently require confidential data collected by ones of the first plurality of data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities ( 108  &amp;  110 ); and at least one confidential data sharing interface ( 102  &amp;  106 ), responsive to a requirement from one of the third plurality of data consumer units for confidential data from one of the first plurality of data collection units ( 100 ) regarding one of the second plurality of individual entities ( 110 ), to pull confidential data from an appropriate one of the first plurality of data collection units ( 100 ) regarding a specific individual entity ( 110 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to information systems generally, and more particularly to information sharing systems.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,311,169 and 6,249,775 are believed to represent the current state of the art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention seeks to provide improved confidential information sharing systems.  
         [0004]     There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a confidential information sharing system including a first plurality of data collection units, each collecting confidential data regarding a second plurality of individual entities, a third plurality of data consumer units which intermittently require confidential data collected by ones of the first plurality of data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities; and at least one confidential data sharing interface, responsive to a requirement from one of the third plurality of data consumer units for confidential data from one of the first plurality of data collection units regarding one of the second plurality of individual entities, to pull confidential data from an appropriate one of the fist plurality of data collection units regarding a specific individual entity.  
         [0005]     There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a confidential information sharing system including a first plurality of confidential data collection units, each collecting confidential information regarding a second plurality of individual entities, a third plurality of confidential data consumer units which intermittently require confidential data collected by ones of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities and at least one confidential data sharing interface, operative on line to provide confidential data to one of the third plurality of confidential data consumer units from one of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding one of the second plurality of individual entities regarding a specific individual entity.  
         [0006]     There is further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a confidential information sharing system including a first plurality of confidential data collection units, each collecting confidential information regarding a second plurality of individual entities, a third plurality of confidential data consumer units which intermittently require confidential data collected by ones of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities and at least one confidential data sharing interface, operative on line to provide confidential data from one of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding a specific individual entity.  
         [0007]     There is still further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a confidential information sharing system including a first plurality of confidential data collection units, each collecting confidential information regarding a second plurality of individual entities, a third plurality of confidential data consumer units which intermittently require confidential data collected by ones of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities and at least one confidential data sharing interface, operative on line to provide confidential data from one of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding one of the second plurality of individual entities.  
         [0008]     There is yet further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a commercial system including a first plurality of credit confidential data collection units, each collecting confidential credit information regarding a second plurality of individual entities and at least one credit confidential data receiver, receiving credit confidential data from ones of the first plurality of confidential data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities and for directing offers to the ones of the second plurality of individual entities based on said credit confidential data specific to each of said ones of the second plurality of individual entities.  
         [0009]     There is also provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a loan securitizing system including a first plurality of confidential data collection units, each collecting confidential information regarding a second plurality of loans to individual entities and at least one loan securitizing system receiving on line information from the first plurality of confidential data collection units and being operative to provide consolidated information regarding at least one collection of loans within the second pluralities of loans and being operative, based on the consolidated information to enable enhanced ease of securitizing the at least one collection of loans.  
         [0010]     There is further provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for sharing confidential information including collecting confidential data regarding a first plurality of individual entities from a second plurality of data collection units, storing the confidential data and sharing the confidential data, via at least one confidential data sharing interface, the sharing including receiving a request from one of a third plurality of data consumer units, for individual entity specific confidential data regarding one of the first plurality of individual entities from at least one of the second plurality of data collection units, collecting the individual entity specific confidential data from appropriate ones of the second plurality of data collection units and transmitting the individual entity specific confidential data to the one data consumer unit.  
         [0011]     There is still further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for sharing confidential information including collecting confidential data regarding a first plurality of individual entities from a second plurality of data collection units, storing the confidential data and sharing the confidential data, via at least one confidential data sharing interface, the sharing including receiving an on-line request, from one of a third plurality of data consumer units, for individual entity specific confidential data regarding one of the first plurality of individual entities from at least one of the second plurality of data collection units collecting the individual entity specific confidential data from appropriate ones of the second plurality of data collection units and transmitting the individual entity specific confidential data on-line to the one data consumer unit.  
         [0012]     There is yet further provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for sharing confidential information including collecting confidential data regarding a first plurality of individual entities from a second plurality of data collection units, storing the confidential data and sharing the confidential data, via at least one confidential data sharing interface, the sharing including receiving an on-line request for individual entity specific confidential data regarding one of the first plurality of individual entities from at least one of the second plurality of data collection units, collecting the individual entity specific confidential data from appropriate ones of the second plurality of data collection units and transmitting the individual entity specific confidential data on-line.  
         [0013]     There is still further provided in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention a commercial method including collecting confidential credit data regarding a first plurality of individual entities from a second plurality of credit confidential data collection units, storing the confidential credit data and receiving the confidential credit data, at least one credit confidential data receiver, the receiving including collecting the confidential credit data from appropriate ones of the second plurality of data collection units regarding ones of the second plurality of individual entities and directing offers to the ones of the second plurality of individual entities based on the credit confidential data specific to each of the ones.  
         [0014]     There is yet further provided in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention a method for loan securitizing including collecting confidential data, from a first plurality of confidential data collection units, regarding a second plurality of loans to individual entities, storing the confidential data, receiving, on line, from the first plurality of confidential data collection units, a portion of the confidential data regarding at least one collection of loans within the second pluralities of loans, consolidating the portion of the confidential data, enabling enhanced ease of securitizing the at least one collection of loans, based on the consolidated information.  
         [0015]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention the at least one data sharing interface is operative to pull confidential data only following completion of privacy waiver functionality. Preferably, the privacy waiver functionality is individual entity specific. Alternatively or additionally, the privacy waiver functionality is data consumer unit specific.  
         [0016]     Preferably, the confidential data is credit rating relevant confidential data.  
         [0017]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention the at least one confidential data sharing interface comprises payment functionality. Preferably, the payment functionality includes functionality for processing payments to the first plurality of confidential data collection units in respect of confidential data collected therefrom. Additionally or alternatively, the payment functionality includes functionality for processing payments from the third plurality of confidential data consumer units in respect of confidential data provided thereto.  
         [0018]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the current invention the payment functionality includes a cash payment functionality. Alternatively, the payment functionality includes a barter functionality.  
         [0019]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention the at least one confidential data sharing interface includes advertising functionality. Preferably, the advertising functionality includes automatic targeted advertising functionality for targeting ones of the third plurality of confidential data consumer units in accordance with at least one characteristic thereof.  
         [0020]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the current invention the at least one confidential data sharing interface includes automatic profiling functionality. Preferably, the profiling functionality includes individual entity profiling functionality. Additionally, the profiling functionality also includes automatic individual entity classification functionality employing the individual entity profiling functionality for classifying individual entities according to the confidential data.  
         [0021]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention the first plurality of confidential data collection units includes at least one of banks, credit unions, finance companies, credit card companies, installment loan companies, mortgage lenders and lessors. Additionally or alternatively, the second plurality of individual entities includes at least one of individual persons, unincorporated business entities and incorporated entities. Additionally or alternatively, the third plurality of confidential data consumer units includes at least one of individual persons belonging to said second plurality, individual persons not belonging to said second plurality, banks, credit unions, finance companies, credit card companies, installment loan companies, mortgage lenders, potential employers and lessors.  
         [0022]     In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the current invention the confidential information sharing system also includes an individual entity interface enabling individual ones of the second plurality of individual entities to obtain access to confidential data relating to themselves.  
         [0023]     Preferably, the individual entity interface includes an individual entity annotation input functionality, enabling individual ones of the second plurality of individual entities to enter annotations to the confidential data relating to themselves. Additionally, the individual entity interface may include an individual entity confidential data tracing functionality, enabling individual ones of the second plurality of individual entities to trace the confidential data relating to themselves. Alternatively, the individual entity confidential data tracing functionality enables individual ones of the second plurality of individual entities to determine the origin of the confidential data relating to themselves.  
         [0024]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention the individual entity annotation input functionality enables individual ones of the first plurality of data collection units to view the annotations. Additionally, the individual entity annotation input functionality may also enable individual ones of the first plurality of data collection units to view the annotations together with the related confidential data. Additionally or alternatively, the individual entity annotation input functionality may enable individual ones of the first plurality of data collection units to respond to the annotations.  
         [0025]     In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the current invention the individual entity annotation input functionality enables individual ones of the second plurality of individual entities to interact with the first plurality of data collection units in relation to the annotations.  
         [0026]     In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the current invention the individual entity annotation input functionality enables individual ones of the second plurality of individual entities to store information relating to themselves, which information may be made available together with the confidential data.  
         [0027]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the current invention the system is implemented on a distributed network. Additionally, the distributed network may comprise remote databases as well as segmented databases. Alternatively, the distributed network may comprise multiple databases resident on a single computer.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]     The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a simplified pictorial illustration showing various functionalities forming part of a confidential information sharing system and method constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are simplified flow charts showing the operation of a data collection unit interface constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of a confidential information sharing system and method, including privacy functionality, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of a payment functionality that forms part of a confidential information sharing system and method constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of a profiling functionality that forms part of a confidential information sharing system and method constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0034]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are simplified flow charts showing the operation of an advertising functionality that forms part of a confidential information sharing system and method constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified pictorial illustration showing various functionalities forming part of a confidential information sharing system and method constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of confidential data collection units  100 , such as banks, credit card companies, and other data collectors, collect confidential data relating to individual entities, such as consumers and businesses. The confidential data, typically credit rating related confidential data, may include bank loan transaction records, utility payment records, credit card payment records or any other suitable data. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of data collection unit interfaces  102  are operative to collect and store the data received from the data collection units  100 .  
         [0036]     The data collection unit interfaces  102  may include data collection nodes  104 , typically dedicated to a single data collection unit  100 , or data collection racks  105 , typically shared among multiple data collection units  100 . The data collection racks  105  may aggregate data from one or more data collection nodes  104 , or may include data collection controllers controlling a multiplicity of other suitable data collectors.  
         [0037]     The confidential information sharing system also includes a data sharing interface  106 , through which a plurality of confidential data consumer units  108  are able to request confidential data. The data sharing interface  106  communicates with the data collection unit interfaces  102 , as described in reference to  FIG. 3  hereinbelow, to retrieve the relevant confidential data stored therein. The data sharing interface  106  may be embodied in a conventional system or as a software agent. The data collection unit interfaces  102  may include conventional data storage and retrieval devices, which may be co-located with the data collection unit  100  data facility or the data sharing interface  106 , or may be embodied as a software functionality incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0038]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of confidential data consumer units  108  typically comprises individual entities  110 , such as consumers or small business entities, typically requesting data relating to their own credit rating, and other data consumers  112 , such as loan underwriters or credit granting entities, typically requesting data relating to a specific individual entity  110 .  
         [0039]     Thus, as seen in  FIG. 1 , an individual consumer  110  may access the confidential information sharing system through the data sharing interface  106  to request their personal credit information. The data sharing interface  106  then communicates with the plurality of data collection unit interfaces  102 , as described hereinbelow in reference to  FIG. 3 , to generate a response to the personal credit information request.  
         [0040]     In another preferred embodiment seen in  FIG. 1 , a loan underwriter  112  may access the confidential information sharing system through the data sharing interface  106  to request credit information concerning an individual loan applicant. The data sharing interface  106  then communicates with the plurality of data collection unit interfaces  102 , as described hereinbelow in reference to  FIG. 3 , to generate the requested credit information.  
         [0041]     In accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data sharing interface  106  may collect and store data from the individual entities  110 , typically annotations relating to specific entries in their own confidential data, as well as from the data collection units  100 , typically responses to the data consumer unit annotations. The annotations and responses may be linked to the specific confidential data entries to which they relate, which may allow for the annotations to then be accessed together with the entries. In a further embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  may also facilitate interaction between an individual entity  110  and an individual data collection unit  100  in relation to the above annotations and responses.  
         [0042]     The data structure which supports the flow of data described in  FIG. 1  may be implemented via conventional data networking technology, such as the internet or other conventional data networking systems. Alternatively, the data structure may be embodied using a distributed network, which may include remote databases, segmented databases and/or multiple databases resident on a single computer. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the confidential information sharing system may be accessed on-line. In yet another embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  may be a software agent enabling peer-to-peer interaction between the data consumer unit  108  and the data collection unit interfaces  102 .  
         [0043]     It is appreciated, that, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the data collection unit interfaces  102  control the data which flows from the data collection units  100  to the data sharing interface  106  and that access to the data collection unit interfaces  102  is controlled by the data sharing interface  106 , which transmits the data consumer unit data requests to the data collection unit interfaces  102 . The data sharing interface  106  may also aggregate the data and/or perform other suitable operations on the data to appropriately respond to the data consumer data requests.  
         [0044]     In another preferred embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  may also communicate with additional functionality managers, such as a payment manager, as described hereinbelow in reference to  FIG. 4 , a profiling manager, as described hereinbelow in reference to  FIG. 5 , or an advertising manager, as described hereinbelow in reference to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Alternatively, these functionalities may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0045]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2A , which is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of a data collection functionality of a data collection unit interface  102  constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is appreciated that the content and the format of the data to be provided, from the data collection unit  100 , to the data collection unit interface  102 , for access by the data sharing interface  106 , as well as the frequency of its provision, have been agreed upon prior to the operation of the data collection functionality. It is also appreciated that the frequency of the operation of the data collection functionality is, preferably, a function of the volume of data generated by the data collection unit and may vary from data collection unit to data collection unit. It is further appreciated that the content and format of the data being provided may vary from data collection unit to data collection unit.  
         [0046]     As seen in  FIG. 2A , in block  200 , the data collection unit  100  generates a data extract according to the agreed upon specifications. The data extract is then transmitted, as shown in block  202 , to the data collection unit interface  102 . The data collection unit interface  102  then verifies the accuracy of the data, in block  204 , using conventional verification techniques, and prepares the data for storage, typically including compression and encryption of the data, as seen in block  206 .  
         [0047]     Preferably, the data collection unit interface  102  then creates a log record, typically including appropriate data extract tracking information, recording the receipt of the extract, and saves the log record together with data extract, as shown in block  208 . Additionally, as indicated in block  210 , the data collection unit interface  102  preferably creates a back-up copy of the log record and the data extract to provide for recovery in the event of a system emergency.  
         [0048]     All of the above referenced functions may be performed employing conventional systems and methodologies.  
         [0049]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2B , which is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of a data query response function of a data collection unit interface  102  constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In block  220 , the data sharing interface  106  receives a data query pertaining to a specific individual entity  110  from an authorized data consumer unit  108 . The data sharing interface  106  then generates a data collection unit query which is transmitted in block  222  to the data collection unit interface  102 . In block  224 , the data collection unit interface  102  verifies the identity of the data sharing interface  106  making the request.  
         [0050]     In block  226 , the data collection unit interface  102  searches for data records pertaining to the individual entity  110  requested. If no records are found in the search, the process continues in block  228 , where the data collection unit interface  102  generates an ‘entity not found’ response. Control then proceeds to block  230 , where the data collection unit interface  102  transmits the ‘entity not found’ response to the data sharing interface  106  and creates a log record of the transmission of the query response.  
         [0051]     If records are found in the search in block  226 , the process continues in block  232 , where the data collection unit interface  102  retrieves the relevant data. The data is then compressed and encrypted in block  234 . In block  230 , the data collection unit interface  102  transmits the query response to the data sharing interface  106  and creates a log record of the transmission of the query response.  
         [0052]     All of the above referenced functions may be performed employing conventional systems. Additionally, the data collection unit interfaces  102  preferably include ‘firewall’ and/or other appropriate security protection to ensure that the data collection unit confidential data is accessed only by authorized users, requesting data through the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0053]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , which is a simplified flow chart showing the operation of a confidential information sharing system, including privacy functionality, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In block  300 , a confidential data consumer unit  108 , such as a loan underwriter  112  or other credit granting agency  112 , requests confidential data relative to a specific individual entity  110  from the data sharing interface  106 , after receiving authorization from the individual entity  110 . Preferably, the individual entity authorization includes a machine readable identification, such as a driver&#39;s license, which is also transmitted to the data sharing interface  106 . In addition, the confidential data consumer unit  108  also transmits identification information, preferably, by providing a machine readable identification, to the data sharing interface  106  along with the data request to be processed.  
         [0054]     In block  302 , the data sharing interface  106  receives the request and verifies the authenticity of the data consumer unit  108 , as well as the authenticity of the individual entity  110  whose confidential data is being requested. The data sharing interface  106  generates a unique query number in block  304  and, in block  306 , creates a log record of the request including date and time stamp, the data consumer unit  108 , the individual entity  110  whose confidential data is being requested, and the unique query number generated in block  304 . In block  308 , the data sharing interface  106  communicates the request to the data collection unit interfaces  102 . In block  310 , the data collection unit interfaces  102  process the query as described in  FIG. 2B  hereinabove. In block  312 , the data sharing interface  106  performs the required operations, such as aggregation and data manipulation, based on the responses from the data collection unit interfaces  102 , to generate the data consumer unit response.  
         [0055]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the confidential data consumer unit  108 , referenced above in block  300 , is an authorized individual entity  110  requesting confidential information relative to itself, where the authorization may also include a conventional identification recognition methodology, such as user name and password recognition, and/or biometric identification.  
         [0056]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which is a simplified flow chart of a payment function, which forms part of a confidential information sharing system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  communicates with a payment manager, which is operative to debit accounts of the confidential data consumers  108  and credit accounts of the confidential data collection units  100 , based on the data supplied in response to queries. Alternatively, the functionality of the payment manager may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0057]     As described hereinabove in  FIG. 3 , a confidential data consumer unit  108  requests confidential data relative to a specific individual entity  110 . In block  400 , the data sharing interface  106  processes a request by receiving responses from the data collection unit interfaces  102 . Each data collection unit  100 , in the plurality of data collection units, either provides data relative to the specific individual entity  110  or responds with an ‘entity not found’ response. In block  402 , the data sharing interface  106  is operative to create a transaction record for each data collection unit  100  that provides data in response to the query. These transaction records are then transmitted, in block  404 , to the payment manager, which, in block  406 , creates the debit and credit entries in the accounts of the data consumer unit  108  and the data collection unit  100 , respectively. The balances in these accounts may be settled by any appropriate method, such as through cash payment or barter arrangement, based on agreement with the confidential information sharing system provider.  
         [0058]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the payment manager may be operative to debit and credit the data consumer unit  108  and the individual entity  110 , respectively, for access to the data, or to process any other authorized payments.  
         [0059]     Additionally, the payment manager may also transmit information relative to payment accounts, such as account balances, to the data collection units  100  or the data consumer units  108  through the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0060]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which is a simplified flow chart of a profiling function, which forms part of a confidential information sharing system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  communicates with a profiling manager, which utilizes at least one of a multiplicity of profiling agents to generate profile based information targeted to the individual entities  110  relative to themselves, based on the data supplied in response to individual entity specific queries. Alternatively, the functionality of the profiling manager may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0061]     As described hereinabove in  FIG. 3 , a confidential data consumer unit  108  requests confidential data relative to a specific individual entity  110 . In this instance, the data consumer unit  108  is the individual entity  110 , requesting data relative to itself, in block  500 . In block  502 , the data sharing interface  106  processes the request by receiving responses from the data collection unit interfaces  102 . The data sharing interface  106  then transmits the data to the profiling manager, in block  504 . In block  506 , the profiling manager processes the data, preferably using an expert/decision system or other suitable method, to generate an individual entity profile. In block  508 , the individual entity profile is then transmitted to the data sharing interface  106 , which then utilizes the individual entity profile to generate content specific to the individual entity  110  based on its confidential data. This individual entity specific content may be provided to the individual entity  110  by the data sharing interface  106  in the form of on-line links to information that might be of specific interest to the individual entity  110 , where the individual entity  110  would preferably remain anonymous until those links were activated.  
         [0062]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6A , which is a simplified flow chart of an embodiment of an advertising function, which forms part of a confidential information sharing system constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  communicates with an advertising manager, which utilizes at least one of a multiplicity of advertising agents to generate advertising targeted to specific individual entities  110 , based on the data supplied in response to individual entity specific queries. Alternatively, the functionality of the advertising manager may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0063]     As described hereinabove in  FIG. 3 , a confidential data consumer unit  108  requests confidential data relative to a specific individual entity  110 . In this instance, the data consumer unit  108  is the individual entity  110 , requesting data relative to itself in block  600 . In block  602 , the data sharing interface  106  processes the request by receiving responses from the data collection unit interfaces  102 . The data sharing interface  106  then transmits the individual entity data to the advertising manager, in block  604 . In block  606 , the advertising manager processes the data using an expert/decision system or other suitable method to generate individual entity specific advertising, such as product and/or service offers based on prior purchasing trends.  
         [0064]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the advertising manager communicates with the profile manager, described hereinabove in reference to  FIG. 5 , to generate an individual entity profile prior to generating the individual entity specific advertising. Alternatively, the functionality of the advertising manager and the profiling manager may be incorporated into one advertising and profiling manager, which may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0065]     In block  608 , the individual entity specific advertising is then transmitted to the data sharing interface  106 , which then transmits the individual entity specific advertising to the individual entity  110 . This individual entity specific advertising may be provided to the individual entity  110  by the data sharing interface  106  in the form of on-line links to specific offers from advertisers that might be of interest to the individual entity  110  or in any other suitable format.  
         [0066]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6B , which is a simplified flow chart of another embodiment of an advertising function, forming part of a confidential information sharing system. In this embodiment, the data sharing interface  106  communicates with an advertising manager, which utilizes at least one of a multiplicity of advertising agents to generate advertising targeted to confidential data consumer units  108  relative to a specific individual entity  110 , with the permission of the individual entity  110 , based on the data supplied in response to individual entity specific queries. Alternatively, the functionality of the advertising manager may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0067]     As described hereinabove in  FIG. 3 , a confidential data consumer unit  108  requests confidential data relative to a specific individual entity  110 , with the permission of specific individual entity  110 , in block  620 . In block  622 , the data sharing interface  106  processes a request by receiving responses from the data collection unit interfaces  102 . The data sharing interface  106  then transmits the individual entity data to the advertising manager, in block  624 , with a request for data consumer unit advertising relative to specific individual entity  110 . In block  626 , the advertising manager processes the data using an expert/decision system or other suitable method to generate advertising targeted to the data consumer unit  108  relative to specific individual entity  110 , such as product and/or service offers they could provide to the specific individual entity based on their prior purchasing trends or credit history.  
         [0068]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the advertising manager communicates with the profile manager, described hereinabove in reference to  FIG. 5 , to generate an individual entity profile prior to generating the data consumer unit advertising. Alternatively, the functionality of the advertising manager and the profiling manager may be incorporated into one advertising and profiling manager, which may be incorporated into the data sharing interface  106 .  
         [0069]     In block  628 , the data consumer unit advertising is then transmitted to the data sharing interface  106 , which then transmits the data consumer unit advertising to the data consumer unit  108 . This data consumer unit specific advertising may be provided in the form of on-line links to specific offers that the data consumer unit  108  might offer to the individual entity  110  or in any other suitable format.  
         [0070]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the advertising manager would communicate with the payment manager, which would then process payments from advertisers for each advertisement generated.  
         [0071]     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specification and which are not in the prior art.