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 a submission in an auction of one or more items, said computer system comprising at least one computer, comprising:
- receiving means of a first computer of said computer system for receiving a submission, wherein said submission includes bidding limits for one or more quantities of one or more items in the auction;
- and
- encrypting means of said first computer for transforming said submission into an encrypted submission, said encrypted submission enabling validation of one or more constraints on the bidding limits included within said submission without revealing the bidding limits.
A computer system for securing submissions in an auction of one or more items while simultaneously validating the submissions, said computer system comprising at least one computer, comprising:
- receiving means of a computer of said computer system for receiving a submission, wherein said submission includes bidding limits for one or more quantities of one or more items in the auction and wherein the bidding limits included within said submission are encrypted;
- and
- validating means of said computer for validating said submission in relation to one or more constraints on the bidding limits included within said submission, wherein said validating occurs while the bidding limits are encrypted.
A method for securing a submission in an auction of one or more items, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, said method comprising:
- receiving a submission on a first computer of said computer system, wherein said submission includes bidding limits for one or more quantities of one or more items in the auction;
- and
- transforming said submission into an encrypted submission on said first computer, said encrypted submission enabling validation of one or more constraints on the bidding limits included within said submission without revealing the bidding limits.
A method for securing submissions in an auction of one or more items while simultaneously validating the submissions, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, said method comprising:
- receiving a submission on a computer of said computer system, wherein said submission includes bidding limits for one or more quantities of one or more items in the auction and wherein the bidding limits included within said submission are encrypted;
- and
- validating said submission on said computer in relation to one or more constraints on the bidding limits included within said submission, wherein said validating occurs while the bidding limits are encrypted.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.