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.
Claims45
A computer system for encrypting submissions that express one or more choices selected from a plurality of possible choices, said computer system comprising at least one computer, comprising:
- encrypting means of a first computer of said computer system for encrypting a submission, wherein said submission expresses one or more choices selected from a plurality of possible choices, and wherein the encrypted submission is capable of validation in relation to one or more constraints on the choices expressed within the encrypted submission without knowledge of the choices expressed within the encrypted submission;
- and
- sending means of said first computer for sending the encrypted submission to another computer.
A method for encrypting submissions that express one or more choices selected from a plurality of possible choices, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, comprising:
- encrypting a submission on a first computer of said computer system, wherein said submission expresses one or more choices selected from a plurality of possible choices, and wherein the encrypted submission is capable of validation in relation to one or more constraints on the choices expressed within the encrypted submission without knowledge of the choices expressed within the encrypted submission;
- and
- sending the encrypted submission from said first computer to another computer.
A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer system, implements a method for encrypting submissions that express one or more choices selected from a plurality of possible choices, said method implemented on a computer system comprising at least one computer, said method comprising:
- encrypting a submission on a first computer of said computer system, wherein said submission expresses one or more choices selected from a plurality of possible choices, and wherein the encrypted submission is capable of validation in relation to one or more constraints on the choices expressed within the encrypted submission without knowledge of the choices expressed within the encrypted submission;
- and
- sending the encrypted submission from said first computer to another computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.