System and method for cryptographic choice mechanisms
AssigneeEfficient Auctions LLC
InventorsAndrew Komo, Lawrence M. Ausubel
Life of this patent
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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 validating encrypted bid submissions in a clock auction of one or more items in which bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, said computer system comprising at least one computer, comprising:
- receiving means of a first computer of said computer system for receiving an encrypted bid submission in a clock auction of one or more items, wherein said bid submission includes bidding data indicating at least one price or at least one quantity associated with one or more items, wherein bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, and wherein said bidding data is encrypted;
- and
- validating means of said first computer for validating the encrypted bid submission in relation to one or more constraints on said bidding data, wherein said validating occurs while said bidding data is encrypted and without access to an associated encryption key.
A computer system for encrypting bid submissions in a clock auction of one or more items in which bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, said computer system comprising at least one computer, comprising:
- encrypting means of a computer of said computer system for encrypting a bid submission in a clock auction of one or more items, wherein said bid submission includes bidding data indicating at least one price or at least one quantity associated with one or more items, wherein bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, and wherein said bidding data is encrypted so as to permit validating one or more constraints on said bidding data while said bidding data is encrypted and without access to an associated encryption key;
- and
- sending means of said computer for sending said encrypted bid submission to another computer.
A method for validating encrypted bid submissions in a clock auction of one or more items in which bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, said method comprising:
- receiving, on a first computer of said computer system, an encrypted bid submission in a clock auction of one or more items, wherein said bid submission includes bidding data indicating at least one price or at least one quantity associated with one or more items, wherein bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, and wherein said bidding data is encrypted;
- and
- validating, on said first computer, the encrypted bid submission in relation to one or more constraints on said bidding data, wherein said validating occurs while said bidding data is encrypted and without access to an associated encryption key.
A method for encrypting bid submissions in a clock auction of one or more items in which bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, said method comprising:
- encrypting, on a computer of said computer system, a bid submission in a clock auction of one or more items, wherein said bid submission includes bidding data indicating at least one price or at least one quantity associated with one or more items, wherein bids are allowed at price points between clock prices, and wherein said bidding data is encrypted so as to permit validating one or more constraints on said bidding data while said bidding data is encrypted and without access to an associated encryption key;
- and
- sending said encrypted bid submission from said computer to another computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.