System and method for cryptographic choice mechanisms
AssigneeEfficient Auctions LLC
InventorsAndrew Komo, Lawrence M Ausubel
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Abstract
The present invention provides an improved system and method for using cryptography to secure computer-implemented choice mechanisms. In several preferred embodiments, a process is provided for securing participants' submissions while simultaneously providing the capability of validating their submissions. This is referred to as a random permutation. In several other preferred embodiments, a process is provided for securing participants' advance instructions while simultaneously providing the capability of validating their advance instructions. This is referred to as a secure advance instruction. Applications include voting mechanisms, school choice mechanisms, and auction mechanisms.
Claims30
A computer system for securing submissions in a choice mechanism while simultaneously validating the submissions, said system comprising at least one computer, said choice mechanism using submissions that express choices taken from a plurality of possible choices, comprising:
- receiving means of a first computer of said computer system for receiving a submission, wherein said submission expresses choices and wherein the choices expressed within the submission are encrypted;
- and
- validating means of said first computer for validating the submission in relation to one or more constraints on the encrypted choices expressed within said submission, wherein said validating occurs while said choices are encrypted.
A method for securing submissions in a choice mechanism while simultaneously validating the submissions, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, said choice mechanism using submissions that express choices taken from a plurality of possible choices, said method comprising:
- receiving a submission on a first computer of said computer system, wherein said submission expresses choices and wherein the choices expressed within the submission are encrypted;
- and
- validating said submission on said first computer in relation to one or more constraints on the encrypted choices expressed within said submission, wherein said validating occurs while said choices are encrypted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.