KR100743896B1 - Globally time synchronized systems, devices, and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved system and method capable of fairly and securely supporting time-limited competition on the Internet among millions of competitors, while compensating for various network communication delays caused by client machines used by competitors.

In order to synchronize the initial display of each response sending recommendation (e.g., the stock price to be bought or purchased, a query of the response, or a problem to be solved) on the client machine, the system is an internationally available time-synchronized Internet information server and client machine. In each case, each competitor can respond at substantially the same time to the solicitation, regardless of the client's location on the earth or the type of Internet connection used by the client machine. In addition, by using a global time synchronization client machine, each competitor's response is securely time and space stamped at the client machine to ensure that the competitor's response is determined with microsecond accuracy.

Client machines, competitive acceleration systems, network latency.

Description

Global time synchronized systems, devices, and methods

The present invention generally relates to improvements in the operation and performance of computer systems interconnected in a global range of client-server types such as the Internet. More specifically, time between large crowds in a fundamentally fair and secure manner, using global time-synchronized client subsystems and information servers with resolution of high-precision client events regardless of variable network latency. A new Internet-based information system and method that enables millions of limited competition or transactions.

While the role of cooperation has a stable place in human history, so too has the role of competition. Over time, it cannot be denied that humans have competed in a wide variety of ways for both tangible and intangible objects of need and desire. Objects of such needs and desires have included recreation, recreation such as food, shelter, land, rewards, prizes, natural resources, sexual partners, honor, wealth, sports, and ultimately survival.

Over time, human nature does not seem to have changed fundamentally, while human choice of tools and weapons has changed step by step with the composition of science and technology and knowledge. In the late 1960s, for example, a globally extensive information infrastructure, now called the Internet, was developed by the US government as a tool for national defense and survival in a world of intense competition and military struggle. Ironically, over 30 years later, with the technological advances in HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP), HyperText Markup Language (HTML), and Domain Name System (DNS), a global wide hyperlink called the World Wide Web (WWW). Databases have developed rapidly on the Internet's infrastructure. Thanks to the World Wide Web, billions and even trillions of information resources in millions of computer systems located in different parts of the globe can be stored under the DNS domains of .net, .edu, .gov, .org, .com, .mil, etc. It is a complex connection in serving the needs and desires of users of information resources.

The sudden popularity and success of the WWW can be attributed to the development of GUI-based WWW browser programs, which simply enter a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) into the WWW browser and act as a host. By allowing the HTTP to access the document from the WWW information server and send the document to the WWW browser for display and interaction, virtually anyone has access to certain information resources (e.g., HTML encoded documents) on the WWW. Makes it possible. The development of powerful WWW search engines and directory services has made it simple to find the necessary or desired information resources using WWW browsers supporting a GUI.

Undoubtedly, the direct consequences of the WWW, GUI-based WWW browser, and the underlying Internet infrastructure (eg, high-speed IP hubs, routers, and exchanges) may be a form of human collaboration, collaboration, and competition. It was to provide humans with a set of new informational tools that could be used to scale very much.

In the last few years, numerous applications have been developed that support the WWW, where humans engage in cooperative or competitive activities that are forced or conditioned at variable times. Recent examples of online or web-assisted forms of time-forced competition include: trading of stocks, goods, or currencies of online or Internet-assisted clients by geographically disparate clients in time-varying market conditions. ; Online or internet-assisted property auctions, involving competitive price bidding among numerous bidders at geographically different locations; And online or Internet-assisted competition between multiple competitors who place prizes or goods, answer questions or solve puzzles or problems under time limits.

In each of the Internet-supported applications or processes, there are currently at least six important factors: (1) variable delays in the transmission of data packets over the Internet, depending on the type of connection between each client subsystem and the Internet infrastructure. latency; (2) variable delay of data packet transmission over the Internet, depending on the magnitude of congestion caused by data packets transmitted from a particular client machine; (3) vulnerability of these applications to security breach, tampering, and manipulation by other forms of computer and network hackers; (4) delay of the information display apparatus used in client subsystems connected to the Internet; (5) delays in information input devices used in client subsystems connected to the Internet; (6) There are inherent injustices among competitors due to the delay of the central processing unit (CPU) used in the client machine.

As for the first unfair factor, it is important to point out that network delays over the Internet change over time and depending on network usage. The time that the transmitted data packet goes between the first client computer and a specific information server on the Internet will be different than the time that the transmitted data packet goes between the second client computer and the same information server on the Internet. This time change in network latency on the Internet is necessarily designed as a non-deterministic process governed by the laws and principles of random (eg, stochastic) processing. This has many important conclusions for the Internet-supported form of time-forced competition.

For example, with respect to Internet-supported competitions (eg, games) or competitors requiring multiple competitors, US Pat. No. 5,820,463 measures the average delay between all client machines, so We try to compensate for network delay by inserting an intentional communication delay to make it the same for the communication links. However, even if the system averages communication delays on average, it is entirely impossible to compensate for the random component of the internet network delay (i.e. variable network delay). In conclusion, even when implementing the method disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,820,463, by placing certain competitors in an unfair disadvantage, that is, due to the connection of the client computer to the Internet associated with an information server that supports time-limited competition, Variable network delays in the Internet guide the cause of errors inherent in time-limited competitions.

As for the second unfair factor, if Internet-supported competition involves a small number of competitors (100 or less), network latency is not affected by the competitors themselves, rather than with the competitor's client machines as a whole. It is important to point out that it is more dependent on the types of connections between the Internet, network traffic and congestion. However, while the competition for Internet support involves a very large number of competitors, as there exist during web-based stock and goods trading and web-based auctions involving thousands or even millions of people, everyone is competing at the same time. . Because of the simultaneous start time and distribution of expected responses, the system will be governed by two strong traffic impacts, traffic just before the race starts and traffic at average response time. There is a need for a time-limited competitive system to adequately handle this strong bandwidth.

As more competitors are involved in time-limited competition, there is a greater chance that a draw exists between two or more competitors. In general, it is good to avoid a draw and identify one competitor as a winner. Time-limited competition systems managing an extremely large number of competitors should be able to resolve the time of reactions generated by those competitors to avoid or reduce the occurrence of draws.

Regarding the third injustice factor, each of the above mentioned time-limited forms of Internet support competition is intentionally broken by security breach, tampering, and other forms of computer and network hackers. It is important to point out that it is very vulnerable to disruption. Although the use of a local clock ensures fairness, it will also pose a potential security problem for the system. In theory, unscrupulous competitors can intercept and transform communications between client machines and servers, thereby counterfeiting time-stamps and gaining an unfair advantage over other competitors. Instead, unscrupulous competitors can modify the interface with local clocks or clock synchronization procedures by means of software or hardware, again gaining an unfair advantage over other competitors. The usual encryption / decryption technique proposed in US Pat. No. 5,820,463 is inadequate to avoid circumventing or violating the basic process rules associated with the competition of time-limited forms of Internet support.

As for the fourth unfair factor, it is important to point out that different types of information display devices have faster refresh rates. In the time limited competition described above, the most common information display device used in client subsystems is a cathode ray tube (CRT) display monitor. In a CRT display monitor, images displayed to a user are drawn by an electron beam reaching the screen from top to bottom, one scanline at a time. When the electron beam reaches the bottom, the electron beam returns to the top of the monitor again in preparation for outputting the first scan line. The period in which the beam returns to the top of the screen is known as the retrace period. The frequency of the overall picture reproduction and retrace cycle is determined by the frequency of the vertical synchronization pulses at the video signal output by the computer. This frequency is often called the vertical sync rate. On most monitors, the vertical sync speed ranges from 60 to 150 Hz. If the vertical redraw time is not synchronized with the desired competition start time in time limited competition, then the random error in the start time generated due to the actual time uncertainty of the query, bid, price or other information element is It will be displayed on the display screen of the particular client system used to enter the time limited competition. This information display delay error can be 10 ms or more depending on the vertical sync speed, plus any other errors in start time due to network delay, computer processing time, and other factors.

U. S. Patent No. 5,775, 996 addresses the problem of information display delay by providing a method and apparatus for synchronizing video display playback periods of a plurality of computers connected to an information network. The method involves using methods similar to network timekeeping protocol (NTP) or other clock synchronization algorithms to synchronize both the phase and frequency of the vertical refresh period of each display. First, the monitors are set to the same frequency using standard video mode setting functions available in the operating system. The phase of the cycle is then adjusted by repeatedly switching in and out of the "interlace" mode. Since interlace mode has a different timing than standard boards, a brief switch to interlace mode will affect the phase of the refresh cycle.

The conventional method has the drawback that it may not be desirable to change the screen playback speed depending on the competitor's client machine. This is partly because of personal preferences, usually under user control. It may not be physically possible to operate at the same screen playback speed, especially if all client machine video-driver cards do not operate at the same resolution. In addition, the monitor itself may not be capable of operating at a particular screen playback speed, and may undesirably need to operate at the least common frequency. This problem gets bigger as more users and client machines are involved.

Another problem with this conventional display synchronization method is that interlaced video mode is not possible with all video driver cards. In addition, switching to interlaced mode can temporarily interrupt the display as the monitor adjusts to process new inputs. Many display monitors will generate annoying clicking noise when the video mode changes.

As for the fifth injustice factor, it should be pointed out that other types of information input devices have faster information input speeds. In the time limited competition described above, the most common information input device used in client subsystems these days is a hand operated keyboard. In response to a manual keystroke by a competitor at the client machine, the keyboard produces an ASCII string that is provided as input to the client system bus and eventually read by the client machine's CPU. Only when the desired information string is typed into the client machine and only when the return key on the keyboard is pressed, the entered information string will be sent to the information server associated with the time-limited competition. People with physical disabilities or using low-speed information input devices will have a response, commands to arrive at the information server later, assuming that other factors are transmitted at a greater delay and remain constant for all competitors. In short, depending on the type of input device used, competitors participating in the time-limited competition of Internet support may be at a significant disadvantage compared to competitors using high-speed information input devices and high-speed processors. As currently used in e-based stock and goods trading and e-based auctions, when competing against mechanical competitors (eg, thinking computers), human competitors are very disadvantaged in rapidly changing markets and fast paced auctions. To be executed.

As for the sixth injustice factor, it serves interrupts placed by contention peripherals connected to the client system bus; Execute program instructions at the rate set by the clock rate; It should be pointed out that at any moment there is an additional source of delay due to the fact that a central processing unit (CPU) with limited memory resources is available on time. These factors serve to add a degree of delay when data packets associated with a competitor's response are sent to an information server supporting time-limited competition. Obviously, the longer this processor delay, the later the competitor's response will arrive at the information server supporting time-limited competition.

In conclusion, the six unfair factors discussed above compromise the integrity of time-limited competition that can be supported or exploited over the Internet. Therefore, it must be satisfactorily addressed to ensure the fundamental principles of fairness and fair play that characterize trading, sports, and academic test systems in government, trial, stock, commodity and currency markets in the United States and abroad.

Therefore, improved methods and means in the art to enable fair and safe time-limited competition for high stakes among millions of competitors scattered around the world, while avoiding the drawbacks and obstacles of the prior art. Very necessary.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method that enables fair and safe time-limited competition over the Internet, while avoiding the disadvantages and obstacles of the prior art methods.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide fairness and characterization to characterize trading, sports, and educational test systems in government, trial, securities, goods and currency markets in the United States and abroad in economically feasible ways to improve human societies. In order to ensure the principles of fair play, it is to provide a new system and method for servicing and receiving information over the Internet in relation to time-constrained competitive processes.

A further object of the present invention is to avoid network latency issues, to ensure the accuracy of the microsecond 'istart timei', and to achieve the winners of the competition within the accuracy of the microsecond 'ifinish timei'. It is to provide a new system and method for servicing and receiving information over the Internet in relation to time-limited competitive processes that can be determined.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a time-based competition between numerous competitors while compensating for variable network communication latencies experienced by client machines used by competitors. based system).

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and safe competition of time limited competitions over the internet, with simultaneous start-times for each and all competitors involved in the particular competition defined by the system. Is provided.

Another object of the present invention is to use an Internet information server to synchronize the initial display of response solicitations (e.g., stock orders, queries or problems) on a client machine by changing the phase of the display refresh cycle. It is to provide an Internet-based system that enables fair and secure competition over time.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure time-limited competitions over the Internet, providing a response between a displayed response recommendation (e.g., stock order, inquiry or problem) and a transmitted response. The time delay is accurately measured using the Pentium ™ instruction counter on the client machine.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time-limited competitions over the Internet, and provides a globally-sychronized hardware timing device in each client machine. Client-event timing accuracy by time stamping each competitor's response to an intensive to respond (ITR) displayed on the client machine's display screen. Significantly improve.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an Internet-based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time-limited competitions over the Internet, thereby allowing third parties to gain an unfair advantage over competitors using client machines or over other competitors. It is to protect each client machine deployed in the system from deliberate tampering by some means.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and safe competition of time limited competitions over the internet, which is intended to disrupt the operation of the competition or otherwise disrupt the enjoyment of other competitors or spectators. Adopt a digital signature method to prevent intentional tampering by any competitor or third party by any means.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time limited competitions over the internet, wherein the digital signature method is generated from time-space stamping and data. To generate a signature for both hash values, the private key stored in a global synchronization unit (GSU) at each client machine is used.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time limited competitions over the internet, where the digital signature is altered in data (ie, time-space stamping and hashing of input data). It can be used to prove that it is not, and to prove that it came from the owner of the private key (located in the GSU).

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time limited competitions over the internet, where each client machine employs a GSU, which combines digital data signature technology and GPS. This provides a secure, authenticable time-space stamp on the response of each client machine.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time limited competitions over the internet, the system being scalable and supporting various competitions simultaneously, and substantially unlimited (eg millions). May involve competitors.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition of time limited competitions over the internet, the system using each client machine by comparing and using a plurality of clock systems employed in each client machine. Prevents the clock device from being modulated.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and safe competition of time limited competitions over the internet, in order to improve clock accuracy and precision to improve client-event response characteristics at each client machine. Provide client-based hardware extensions to each client machine in the system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an Internet based system that allows for fair and secure competition over timed competition over the Internet, in which client-based hardware expansion is implemented in each system to improve security through hardware encryption and decryption. Provide it to the client machine.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and safe competition of time limited competitions over the internet, within a few tens of microseconds at a minimum level of precision, and within a few microseconds when all the means provided are used. A variable degree of concurrency can be provided that ensures that the start times are concurrent on all client machines up to.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system that allows for fair and secure time-limited competitions over the internet, wherein one or more global time-synchronized internet-based information servers, simultaneously and securely, It communicates with millions of global time-synchronized client machines participating in supported predetermined competition.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based method that allows for fair and secure competition of time limited competitions over the internet, wherein one or more global time synchronized internet based information servers are simultaneously and securely connected to the internet. It communicates with millions of global time-synchronized client machines participating in supported predetermined competition.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based system, in which time and space stamping of events accurately ensures that events are generated safely only when the time and space criteria are met and also pre-generated time and space provided by the hardware. Provide each client machine with a hardware device that can authenticate the authenticity of the stamp.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new time-space stamping method that can be used to authenticate electronic commerce between merchants, banks and clients with microsecond time accuracy.

Another object of the present invention is to use a http, file transfer protocols (FTP), electronic data interchange (EDI) technology or other file transfer protocols supported over the Internet to obtain a patent application, transfer of property rights, And new systems and methods for electronically submitting legal documents such as litigation papers.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new global time synchronization unit for connection or embedding into any client machine to be used with the inventors' system and method of internet support.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new global time synchronization unit for linking or embedding into any internet information to be used with the inventors' system and method of internet support.

It is yet another object of the present invention to represent real-time or vivid market conditions and to be located worldwide to enable secure on-line e-based securities trading, goods trading, and forex trading in a fundamentally fair way. It is to provide an improved system and method for receiving information from securities (eg, stocks and bonds), goods or foreign exchange information servers while simultaneously delivering such information to a global synchronized client machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronically based on-line oil price in a safe and fair manner, using a globally synchronized client machine corresponding respectively to the Internet-based securities trading server, the goods trading server, and the forex trading server. By providing improved systems and methods for trading securities, goods, and forex, each market competitor is informed about the gradual changes in market conditions at the same time, resulting in fundamental fairness and fair play principles. On the basis of this, it is possible to respond substantially to changes in market conditions (eg, fluctuations in stocks, goods or currency prices).

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for simultaneously delivering securities, goods, or foreign exchange information (eg, real time price quotes) using a global time synchronized information server and client machine.

Another object of the present invention is to use a network of global time synchronized information servers and client machines to use real-time price information delivered to competitors of all services of a given level at substantially the same moment, thereby allowing competitors to obtain securities, It is to provide an internet-based system and method for trading goods or foreign exchange.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based information network wherein competitively supported information servers (e.g., market price advertising servers and order execution servers) provide time and time to trade securities, goods, or foreign exchange. Sending spatial stamped orders is time synchronized with a plurality of globally distributed time synchronized client machines that can be programmed to respond to real time stock prices within microseconds of client event accuracy.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based information network comprising a server and a client computer system, wherein competition promotion / support processes (e.g., bidding processes) between the server and client computer system are performed by individuals via the Internet. And accurate time-stamping operations are performed at the client and server ends of the network so that each individual's response (i.e., bid) is based on the submission time at the client computer system, not at the receipt time at the server computer system. It can be reliably accepted.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an internet based method of supporting a competitive process over the internet using a network of server and client computer systems, wherein a process for facilitating / supporting competition (e.g., bidding) between the server and client computer systems Processes) are executed between individuals over the Internet, and accurate time-stamping is performed at the client and server ends of the competitive support process, with the result that the response (ie, bidding) is not the time of receipt at the server computer system but the client computer. It can be reliably accepted based on the submission time in the system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new method and system for tracking moving and inanimate objects through space-time continuum.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system wherein the objects to be tracked are equipped with or support a wireless GSU-based client network device of various form factors, the device being decrypted. Sends digitally signed data packets to TS-stamping-based tracking servers for tracking and monitoring operations.

Another object of the present invention is to move objects using digital signature technology, global time-synchronized clock, and globally placed subsystems performed with hardware chips embedded in a small wireless network device mounted on the objects being tracked. To provide an internet-based system and method for reliably tracking the time and space trajectories of mobile objects.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a system and method, wherein time and space (TS) coordinate data is generated periodically to eliminate the total time the client network device should be on-line. When downloaded to a stamping-based tracking server, the data is stored on a device abroad.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wireless GSU supported client network device having one or more physiological sensors for remote monitoring of vital signs of a living object being tracked.

Yet another object of the present invention is a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, light level sensor, chemical sensor, and other physical property sensors, CCD image capture device, acoustic detection / pickup and recording device, fingerprint detection / detection To detect tampering of devices and other biometric devices, vibration sensors, radiation sensors, gas / vapor sensors, voice recognition devices, keypad input devices, graphic input devices, GSU-enabled devices, or removal of GSUs from combined objects. It is to provide a GSU-supported client network device having input sensors and input devices selected from the group consisting of devices and the like.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new internet based method and system for securing an area of physical space, in which an image in the field of view of the camera or scanner as well as an audio recording device for recording the sound of the field of view of the camera is provided. A capturing CCD-based digital video camera or scanner is provided to the GSU-supported client network device, where each captured image frame is accurately time and space stamped and recorded on a videotape or other digital recording medium.

Another object of the present invention is TS-stamping only upon generation of a unique time and space stamp by the GSU-chip, which is achieved when the GSU-supported network computing device is physically present at a predetermined location for a particular time interval. A new secured computer communication network by embedding the GSU chip of the present invention within each network computing device such that the tracking server enables secure access of the network computing device to a particular communication / computer network (ie subnetwork) or WWW site. It is to provide an Internet-based method and system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an internet based method and system for securing a computer communication network by embedding a GSU chip, wherein the GSU-supporting network is used to access a particular communication (sub) network or WWW site. The computing device is partially enabled by an enabled TS-stamping tracking server when the GSU-supported network computing device exists outside a predetermined location or a predetermined time interval. As a result, the TS-stamping tracking server can track the exact location of the GSU-enabled computing device, and the authorities can discern the private use of the device without authentication.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new Internet-based method and system capable of enabling "location and time" based decryption messages by using the GSU-enabled client computing device of the present invention. To ensure that only the creator of the message is aware, a TS-stamping tracking server may allow the GSU-capable client computing device to decrypt specific messages stored in a computer network only at a particular time / place (ie TS coordinate data range). Enable it and disable it for other times / places.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new Internet-based method and system that enables the embedding of a message in a transportable GSU-enabled computing device such that the message can only be decrypted at a particular location in a particular time period. It is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new Internet-based method and system that enables the reception of secure wireless communication by using the GSU-supported client computing device of the present invention equipped with wireless communication capability. Stamping-based tracking receivers enable the GSU-enabled client computing device to decrypt certain incoming wireless messages or messages only at certain locations in certain time periods and not at other spaces and times.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new internet based method and system for displaying information clues or commands at a particular moment along a construction continuum, where the GSU support device is present at a particular location for a certain time (i.e. Only when crossing a predetermined area along the continuum, to enable the GSU-capable client network device to display information clues or commands (eg in the form of a watch or other carrying case with an integrated display screen and keypad) A wireless GSU-enabled client network device (as realized) cooperates with a TS-stamping-based tracking server via a global communications network.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new internet based method and system for collecting the time and space coordinates of an athlete or an animal at a specific moment along a construction continuum. To enable the collection of TS coordinate data, athletes (e.g. skiers, runners or swimmers) participating in sports competitions or wireless GSU-enabled client network devices attached to an animal's body may be connected via a global communications network. Work with stamping-based tracking servers. The TS data is collected from a GSU-supported device carried by an athlete in real time as the athlete or animal moves in sequence along a predetermined course. Here, the collected TS data can be analyzed remotely to determine the athlete's ability and winner in the competition.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new Internet-based method and system for enabling the operation of set-top cable television boxes and other digital media content delivery devices, in accordance with a license agreement, wherein the GSU-supported network computing device is a media Embedded in each set-top cable television box and other digital media content delivery devices of a content delivery system, one or more TS-stamping based tracking servers are used to track and control the media content delivery devices. As a result, the media content delivery devices are only used when the media content delivery devices are actually used in accordance with the terms of use established in the license agreement with the client (ie, when used within the specific location and period specified in the license agreement). It becomes possible to operate.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new Internet-based method and system for enabling and controlling the operation of any portable host system or device, wherein the system and devices are used substantially in accordance with the terms of use set forth in the license agreement. Only when, by using one or more TS-stamping-based tracking servers to enable and track the operation of each portable host system or device, and to embed a GSU-enabled device in each portable host system or device. By doing so, the system or apparatus is limited to operate within the constraints of space and time.

Another object of the invention is to use one or more TS-stamping-based tracking servers to track, enable or control specific functions of the host system based on time and spatial coordinates, and each said portable host. By embedding a GSU-enabled device in a system or device, it provides a new Internet-based method and system that enables and controls the operation of any portable host system.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from and after the claims of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In order to better understand the purpose of the present invention, a detailed description of the described embodiments should be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a generalized embodiment of the Internet-based system of the present invention, in which a main server 100 having a built-in global positioning system (GPS) receiver 170, one or more web servers ( 110, a login server 120, a competitor database 30, an invitation to respond / response database 40, one or more competition promotions with embedded GPS receivers 170 Depicts major physical components, including servers (competition-promoting servers) 50 and one or more client machines (160) with built-in Global Synchronization Units (GSU) 175 All components are interconnected to a globally extended network (eg, the Internet) 190.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a contention-based embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which a main server 100 with a built-in GPS receiver 170, one or more web servers 110, a login server ( 120, a competitor database 130, a query / response database 140, one or more game servers 150 with embedded GPS receivers 170, and a built-in GSU 176. A diagram depicting major physical components, including one or more client machines 160, all of which are interconnected to a network 190.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of components directly included in a contested query response portion supported by the system of FIG. 2, between a main server 100 and a set of game servers 150, and FIG. A diagram showing virtual network connections between each game server and an associated set of client machines 160.

FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically illustrating the components used to distribute and display HTML and related web content to competitors using the system of FIG. 2, each of which is connected to a competitor database 130 and a set of client machines 160. A diagram showing each client machine equipped with a plurality of mirrored web servers 110 and a web browser 320 serving each.

2C is a diagram schematically illustrating a connection between login server 120 and client machines 160, where each client machine is provided to a competing client 340, where the login server connects to competitor database 130. The figure which shows what becomes.

FIG. 2D is a diagram illustrating some of the major components of client machine 160 employed in the system of the present invention, including a global positioning subsystem 170 and various hardware and software layers, A diagram that includes a web browser 320, a competitive client application 340, a competitive plug-in 330, and client software such as competitive hooks and drivers 350. FIG.

FIG. 2D1 schematically shows a client machine 160 equipped with a GSU 175 and connected via the Internet to a server equipped with a GPS clock unit 170.

2D2 schematically illustrates a basic Global Synchronization Unit (GUS) 175 employed in the system of the present invention, with a GPS antenna 730, a GPS receiver 700, a central processor 750, and a host computer interface 720. A GPS controlled high-frequency clock 710, encryption and decryption module 740 and non-volatile memory 760.

2D3 schematically illustrates some of the major components of the client machine 160 employed in the system of the present invention, including a global synchronization unit 175 and various hardware and software layers, and competing client application 340. ), Including competing plug-ins 330 and client software such as competing hooks and drivers 350.

2D4 is a schematic illustration of a client machine 160, equipped with an enhanced GSU 177 and connected via the Internet to a server equipped with a GPS clock unit 170, with the input and output devices enhanced. A diagram showing connection to client machine 160 via GSU 177.

2D5 is a schematic illustration of an enhanced Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) 177 employed in the system of the present invention, with a GPS antenna 730, a GPS receiver 700, a central processor 750, and a host computer interface ( 720, GPS controlled high frequency clock 710, encryption and decryption module 740, nonvolatile memory 760, input device monitor and passthrough module 770, and output passthrough and signal generation module A diagram showing the inclusion of 780.

FIG. 2E schematically illustrates some of the major components of a game server employed in the system of the present invention, with various hardware and software layers including a game server daemon 270 and a GPS receiver 170. FIG. To include them.

FIG. 2F is a schematic illustration of some of the main components of web server 110 employed in the system of the present invention, providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies. A diagram that includes a web server software 360 for doing so.

2G schematically illustrates some of the major components of the main server 100 employed in the system of the present invention, wherein the main server daemon 250, the contention management interface 260, a high precision clock or timer a diagram including a clock or timer 200, a high performance network interface 210, and a GPS receiver 170.

2H schematically illustrates some of the major components of a login server 120 employed in the system of the present invention, which includes a login server daemon 370 and a high performance network interface 210. .

3A is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data and messages between a web server 110 and a client machine 160 employed in the system of the present invention, wherein the web site content transmitted from the web server to the client machine, the client machine. A diagram illustrating the data flow, including encrypted registration information sent from a web server to a preliminary competitor username and a password sent from the client machine, and competitive software downloaded from the web server to the client machine.

FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data and messages between the main server 100 and the login server 120 employed in the system of the present invention, which includes items of game servers transmitted from the main server to the login server. A diagram showing a data flow.

FIG. 3C is a diagram schematically showing the flow of data and messages between the game server 150 and the login server 120 employed in the system of the present invention, with the public keys of the login servers for encryption. Showing a data flow comprising a request for game server status by the login server, and also including an encrypted response by the game sub to the login server loading information about the game server and including the status, In addition, it depicts a data flow comprising the public key of the game sub for use of encryption by the login sub and the client machine, and also shows an encrypted competitor login request from the login server to the game sub, and game server access from the game server. A diagram illustrating a data flow including a corresponding encrypted response to a login server containing a code.

FIG. 3D is a diagram schematically illustrating the flow of data and messages between the login server 120 and the client machine 160, an encrypted competitor login request from the client machine to the login server, and sent from the login server to the client machine. Diagram of a flow of data comprising a message containing an encrypted competitor ID and an encrypted message from a login server to a client machine comprising a game server address and an associated game server access code.

3E illustrates a schematic representation of data flows and messages between game server 150 and client machine 160, wherein the data flow includes a competitor ID, a game server access code, and a client machine public key. Messages from the client machine to the game server, additional messages from the game server to the client machine, including the game server public key, additional messages from the game server to the client machine, including encrypted queries and start times, and An additional message from the game server to the client machine containing the query decryption key, and an additional message from the client to the game server including response notification hashing, the game from the client machine including the encrypted response data and complementary confirmation hashing. Additional messages to the server and complement Additional messages from the game server to the client machine containing the request, additional messages from the client machine to the game server containing the encrypted complementary log, and final from the game server to the client machine containing the race results. Drawing containing a message.

FIG. 3F shows a schematic representation of the data flow and messages between the main server 100 and the game server 150, wherein the data flow includes messages from the game server to the main server that include the game server public key. Additional messages from the primary server to the game server, including the primary server public key, and additional encrypted messages from the primary server to the game server, including encrypted queries, encrypted start times, and encrypted responses; Additional messages from the game server to the primary server that contain the encrypted preliminary results for the game, additional messages from the primary server to the game server that contain the encrypted supplemental analysis results, and games containing the encrypted complementary analysis results. Additional messages from the server to the main server and the final message from the main server to the game server containing the encrypted race results. Including, drawings.

FIG. 3G shows a schematic representation of data flows and messages between the main server 100 and the web server 110, wherein the data flow is communicated via ftp from the main server to a web server. A diagram that includes announcements and additional data delivered via ftp from the main server to the web server, including competition results and competitor status.

4 is a flowchart of high level operations performed by the competition based system of FIG. 2 to allow competitors to participate in a race of concurrency, safety, and multiplayer time limit.

4A is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of registering and downloading competing software in the system of FIG.

4B is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how a competitor logs on to the game server of FIG.

4C is a flow chart illustrating in more detail down download of encrypted queries and start times to client machine 160. FIG.

4D1 is a flow illustrating in more detail a method of characterizing a client machine local clock 290 and synchronizing a client machine display update cycle with respect to the system of the present invention including a basic GSU 175 at the client machine 160. Chart.

4D2 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how to characterize a client machine local clock 290 and synchronize a client machine display update cycle with respect to a system including an enhanced GSU 175 at the client machine 160.

4D3 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of characterizing client machine local clock 290 and synchronizing a client machine display update cycle with respect to a system that does not include a clock synchronization unit.

4E1 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how a client machine 160 queries a competitor at a race start time with respect to a system including a basic GSU 175.

4E2 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of querying a competitor at a competition start time with respect to a system including an enhanced GSU 175 at the client machine 160.

4E3 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method of querying a competitor at a competition start time with respect to a system that does not include a global synchronization unit.

4F1 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how a competitor submits a time stamped response to a previously given query in connection with a system including a basic GSU 175 at the client machine 160.

4F2 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how a competitor submits a time stamped response to a previously given query in connection with a system including an enhanced GSU 175 at the client machine 160.

4F3 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how a competitor submits a time stamped response to a given query outlined for a system that does not include a global concurrency unit.

4G is a flowchart illustrating in more detail how to determine a winner fairly out of competition to determine competition.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a fiscal trade basic embodiment of the system of the present invention, with a GPS (Global Geolocation System) receiver 170 as well as between each RTPQ & T server and an associated set of client machines 160. Main server 100, one or more web servers 110, login server 120, trader database 35, real time time status server 45, one or more real time price quotes and trades (Q & A). T) A diagram showing the major physical components comprising servers 55.

5B is a schematic representation showing a connection between login server 120 and client machines 160, each client machine having trade client software 345, wherein the login server also includes a trader database ( Connected with 35).

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of an auction basic embodiment of a system of the present invention (e.g., an auction support system), which includes a main server 100 'having a built-in global positioning system (GPS) receiver 170; One or more auction servers 150 'with one or more web servers 110, login server 120', bidder database 130 ', auction database 140', embedded GPS receivers 170 '. , And predominant physical components including one or more client machines 160 with embedded Global Synchronization Units (GSU) 175, all of which are interconnected with the network 190. drawing.

FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of components directly included in the bid / counter-bid portion of Awe supported by the system of FIG. 6, not only between each auction server and the set associated with client machines 160, A diagram showing virtual network connections between a server 100 'and a set of auction servers 150'.

FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of the components used to distribute and provide web contention and HTML related to competitors using the system of FIG. 2, each connected to a competitor database 130 and a set of client machines 160 respectively. A plurality of reflected web servers 110 serving, each client machine having a web browser 320.

FIG. 6C is a schematic representation of a connection between login server 120 'and client machines 160, each client machine having a bid client 340, which login server is placed in a bidder database 130'. Connected drawings.

6D is a schematic representation of some of the major components of the client machine 160 used in the system of the present invention, with the auction client application 340 ', auction plug-in 330' and auction hook and drivers 350 '. A diagram illustrating the inclusion of global concurrency unit 175 and various hardware and software layers, including client software such as < RTI ID = 0.0 >

6E is a schematic representation of some of the major components of an auction server used in the system of the present invention, showing the inclusion of various hardware and software layers including an auction server daemon 270 'and a GPS receiver 170. Drawing.

6F is a schematic of some of the major components of the web server 110 used in the system of the present invention, including web server software 360 providing support for HTML, Java, and other standard protocols and web technologies. A figure showing a display.

FIG. 6G is used in the system of FIG. 6, including a main server daemon 250, an auction management interface 260 ', a high precision clock or type 200, a high performance network interface 210 and a GPS receiver 170. A diagram showing a schematic representation of some of the major components of the main server 100 '.

FIG. 6H shows a schematic representation of some of the major components of the login server 120 ′ used in the system of FIG. 6, including a login server daemon 370 and a high performance network interface 210.

FIG. 7A shows a schematic representation of data flows and messages between web server 110 and client machine 160 used in the system of FIG. 6, the data flow being transmitted from a web server to a client machine. A list of sites, encrypted registration information announced from the client machine to the web server, preliminary bidder username and password delivered to the client machine, and auction software downloaded from the web server to the client machine.

FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of data flows and messages between the main server 100 and the login server 120 'used in the system of FIG. 6, which shows a list of auction servers delivered from the main server to the login server. Including, drawings.

FIG. 7C is a schematic representation of data flows and messages between the auction server 150 'and the login server 120' used in the system of FIG. 6, wherein the data flow is requested by the login server for auction server status. Wherein the request includes a login server's public key for encryption, and the data flow also contains status and loading information for the auction server as well as the public key of the auction server for encryption used on the login server and the client machine. An encrypted response by the auction server to the containing login server, wherein the data flow also includes an encrypted bidder login request from the login server to the auction server and a corresponding auction server to the login server including an auction server access code. An encrypted response to the message.

FIG. 7D is a schematic flow diagram of messages and data between login server 20 'and client machine 160, which data is encrypted bidder login request from client machine to login server, and from login server to client machine. A message containing the sent encrypted bidder identification and an encrypted message from the login server to the client machine including the associated auction server access code and auction server address.

7E is a schematic flow diagram of messages and data between auction server 150 'and client machine 160, wherein the data flow includes an auction from the client machine, including bidder ID, auction server access code, and client machine public key. A message to the server, an additional message from the auction server to the client machine containing the auction server public key, an additional message from the auction server to the client machine including the encrypted minimum and start time, an encrypted message from the auction server Additional message to client machine containing bidder decryption key, additional message from client machine to auction server containing response notification hash, addition to auction server containing encrypted response data and security confirmation hash from client machine Message, the auction Addition from the beam to the client machine comprising a security log request message, an additional message to the auction server including the encrypted security log, and a final message to the client machine comprising the auction results from the auction server.

7F is a schematic flowchart of messages and data between the main server 100 'and the auction server 150', the data flow being a message from the auction server to the main server containing the auction server public key, the main Additional messages from the server to the auction server containing the primary server public key, additional encrypted messages from the primary server to the auction server containing encrypted start-times, encrypted responses, from the auction server to the Additional message to the main server containing encrypted preliminary results for competition, additional message from the main server to the auction server containing encrypted security analysis request, main server containing the encrypted security analysis request from game server Additional messages up to and including the final message from the main server to the auction server containing the encrypted auction results.

7G is a schematic flowchart of messages and data between the main server 100 'and the web server 110, wherein the data flow includes auction announcements delivered from the main server to the web server via ftp. In addition, additional data passed from the main server to the web server via ftp includes auction results and bidder standings.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing data fields of a login information structure maintained in the auction server of the system of FIG.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing data fields of the auction information structure maintained in the auction server of the system of FIG.

FIG. 8C is a diagram showing data fields of a bid information structure maintained in the auction database of the system of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a high level operation performed by the auction basic system of FIG. 6 so as to be able to relate bidders to a stable multiplayer time limited auction taking place simultaneously.

9A is a flow diagram illustrating in more detail a method of registering and downloading auction software of the system of FIG.

9B1 through 9C2 are flowcharts showing in more detail how the bidder of FIG. 6 logs on to the auction server.

9C1-9C2 are flow diagrams illustrating in more detail a method for downloading encrypted auction information and start-time to client machine 160.

9D is a flow diagram illustrating in more detail a method of characterizing the client machine local clock 290 and connecting to a system that does not include a global synchronization unit (GSU) to synchronize the client machine display update cycle.

9E1-9E2 connect a system incorporating an enhanced GSU 175 to a client machine 160 to provide auction information to the bidder at an auction start-time, and an enhanced GSU 175 to the client 160. Is a flow diagram illustrating in more detail a method for a bidder to connect to a system incorporating a system and submit a time-stamped response in response to preset auction information.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the Internet-based contention-enhancing system of the present invention, wherein one or more remote management business consoles 610, a competition database 660, and a remote management business server 610 are connected to the Internet. It is provided for remotely creating and managing competitions of prizes.

10A shows a remote management service between the main server 100 and the remote management service server 610, between the remote management service server 610 and the competition database 660, between the competitor database 130 and the query response database 140. A schematic illustration of the components shown in FIG. 10 directly involved in a remote management task of competition, representing a virtual network connection between the server 610 and one or more remote management task consoles 600.

10B illustrates the remote management business used in the system of FIG. 10, showing various hardware and software layers, including management business software consisting of a remote management service plug-in 640 and a remote management service client application 650. FIG. A diagram illustrating some of the main components of consoleless 600.

FIG. 10C illustrates the main components of the remote management business server 610 used in the system of FIG. 10, showing various hardware and software layers, including the remote business management daemon 630 and the remote management business web server 620. It is a figure which shows a part of.

11 shows web server 110, video-enabled client machine 900, web-video processor 910, tape video content playback unit 960, live video source (e.g. camera) 950, real time. A diagram illustrating a subsystem for providing a contention promoting system of the present invention with a television-based audience interface showing that it includes a video MFP 920, broadcast equipment 930, and television viewer 940.

11A is a diagram illustrating a general layout for representing competitive live video, competitor images, and live competitive queries, results, scores, and status on a television-based audience interface.

Figure 12 shows a television-basic according to the present invention which includes a set-top client machine 970 connected to a user's television set 990 using a standard NTSC or PAL cable, and a remote control input device 980 for controlling the client machine. A diagram illustrating the basic components of a client machine.

12A shows a GPS tuner 170, clock and timer hardware 290, television tuner with Intercast ^™ decoding capability 997, modem 976, infrared input port 975, NTSC or PAL audio / video output 974. ), The main portion of the set-top box client machine 970 of FIG. 12, which includes an embedded device driver 973 and an embedded operating system with Java performance 972 running on a microprocessor, and a firmware contention client 971. It is a figure which shows a component.

Fig. 13 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an input device that can be connected to the global synchronization unit (GSU) of the present invention for performing time and space stamping.

14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application obtainable from the contents of an embedded global synchronization unit (GSU) in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another configuration example of a global synchronization unit including both internal and external units with a change in interface options.

Figure 16 illustrates the use of an ultra-compact global synchronization unit (GSU) enabled client computing / networking device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention for tracking moving objects, including items and properties of properties, for a globally limited coordinate reference system. A diagram illustrating a time-space (TS) stamping basic system.

FIG. 16A illustrates a wireless GSU of the moving object tracking system of FIG. 16, including a global synchronization unit (GSU) and various hardware and software layers including client hooks such as tracking hook and driver 350 and tracking client application 340 '. A diagram illustrating some of the main components of an enable client network device.

Figure 16A1 is realized in the form of a wireless security-tag / address-label with a spring deflecting surface sensing pin provided on the underside of the casing that contacts the package surface when the tag is attached to the package for tracking of the object. A perspective view of the GSU Enable Client network.

FIG. 16A2 is a perspective view of a shipping package attached to enable the GSU enable client network device of FIG. 16A1 to enable real-time object tracking operations when the package has been shipped to its destination.

FIG. 16B illustrates time-space (TS) stamping basic tracking used in the system of FIG. 16, including various hardware and software layers including GPS receiver 170 and TS-stamping basic tracking server daemon 270 '. A diagram schematically showing the main components of the server.

16C illustrates a web-based owner / object property server 110 'used in the system of FIG. 16, including web server software 360' providing support for HTML, Java and other standard protocols and web technologies. Is a diagram schematically illustrating the main components of the apparatus.

FIG. 16D illustrates the principal of a web-based object trajectory information server 110 'used in the system of FIG. 16, including web server software 360' providing support for HTML, Java and other standard protocols and web technologies. A diagram schematically illustrating components.

FIG. 17A schematically illustrates a trajectory example of construction coordinates collected by a TS stamping scheme tracking server of the system of FIG. 16 during a moving object tracking process performed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 17B schematically shows a trajectory example of construction coordinates collected by a TS stamping scheme tracking server of the system of FIG. 16 during an object movement detection process performed according to the principles of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 18 illustrates construction data generated by a mobile GSU-enabled client network device carried by an object collected and registered by the TS stamping tracking server shown in FIG. 16, and an object occupied or controlled by registered owners. And a database table for storing data relating to the owner of one or more objects.

19A illustrates client software and drivers such as global synchronization unit 175, physiological signal sensors (e.g., pulse sensors, EKG sensors, and / or other physiological signal sensors), and tracking client applications 340 'and tracking hooks. Carried by a living being (eg, a person or beast) being tracked using the construction and physiological stamping (TSB) Based Object Tracking System of FIG. 16 including various hardware and software layers Schematically depicts some of the main components of an alternative embodiment of a GSU enabled client network device.

FIG. 19B is a schematic illustration of a wrist-mounted GSU enabled client network device for use with the TS stamped tracking server shown in FIG. 20 over the network of FIG. 16, from the returned creature (eg, beast or human); The GSU enable client network, in which a physiological signal sensor is embedded in the GSU enable client network device for sensing the generated physiological signals, and a fractal based antenna structure is embedded in the housing of the GSU enable client network device. Figure showing the device.

20 is a TS stamping employed in the GSU enable client network device shown in FIG. 19B including various hardware and software layers, including a TS stamping tracking server daemon 270 'and a GPS receiver 170. FIG. A schematic illustration of some of the main components of a scheme tracking server.

FIG. 21 illustrates the construction and physiological time collected by the TS stamped tracking server shown in FIG. 20 during the process of tracking a creature carrying the GSU Enable Client network device of FIGS. 19A and 19B in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A schematic illustration of an example of the trajectory of space and biophysiological (TSB) coordinates.

FIG. 22 works with the system shown in FIG. 20 and is constructed by the TS stamping tracking server shown in FIG. 20 and generated by the GSU enable client network device shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. A diagram illustrating an owner / object database table maintained in a web enable owner / object RDBMS for storing data.

FIG. 23A is an Internet based method and system for securing an area of physical space, wherein a GSU enabled client network device comprises a CCD digital video camera or scanner for capturing images of a field of view (FOV) of a camera or scanner, and a camera. A sound recording device for recording sound (tracks) for and within the FOV of the camera, wherein each captured image frame is accurately construction stamped and recorded on a videotape or other digital recording medium. A schematic representation of a method and system.

FIG. 23B shows the information fields maintained in an image RDBMS employed in the system of FIG. 23A, and shows a data table in which TS stamped images and associated sound recording tracks are stored for analysis and use in various security operations. drawing.

FIG. 24A illustrates a particular communication / specification for the TS stamping tracking server only upon generation of a unique construction stamp by the GSU chip, which is enabled when the GSU enabled network computing device is physically present at a predetermined location for a particular time interval. A schematic illustration of an Internet based method and system for securing a computer communications network by implementing the GSU chip of the present invention within each network computing device such that access to a computer network (ie, a subnetwork) or a WWW site can be made secure.

24B is a predefined TS area in which a GSU-enabled network computing device is enabled by a TS stamping tracking server to access a predefined communication subnetwork or WWW server in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and the TS of the system of FIG. 24A. Figure schematically shows an example of the trajectories of construction coordinates collected by a stamping scheme tracking server.

FIG. 25A is an Internet based method and system for securing a computer communications network by implementing a GSU chip, wherein the GSU enable network computing device used to access a particular communications (sub) network or WWW site may be at a predetermined location or at a predetermined time. If it is outside the interval, it will be partially enabled by the TS stamping tracking server so that the TS stamping tracking server can track the exact location of the GSU-enabled network computing device and be authorized to use the same without authentication. Schematically depicting the internet based method and system.

25B illustrates a predetermined TS area in which a GSU-enabled network computing device is enabled by a TS stamping tracking server to decrypt and display an encrypted message prestored in the GSU-enabled network computing device in accordance with the principles of the present invention. And schematically illustrating an example of a trajectory of construction coordinates collected by a TS stamping tracking server of the system of FIG. 25A.

Figure 26A illustrates TS stamping tracking to decrypt predetermined messages stored on a computer network only at any time / place (i.e., range of TS coordinate data) and to be impossible to decrypt in other cases because they must be known to the author of those messages. Schematically illustrates an Internet based method and system that enables " location and time " based decryption of messages by using the GSU enabled network computing device of the present invention enabled by a server.

FIG. 26B is a predefined TS area in which a GSU enabled network computing device is enabled by a TS stamping tracking server to decrypt and display encrypted wireless messages received by the GSU enabled network computing device in accordance with the principles of the present invention. FIG. And an example of a trajectory of construction coordinates collected by a TS stamping tracking server of the system of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 27A is an Internet based method and system for displaying information clues or commands at a particular point in time along a construction continuum, comprising a wireless GSU enabled client network device (eg, a watch or other portable case with integrated display screen and keypad) Implemented in the form of a GSU enable client network device to display information clues and / or commands only if the GSU-enabled client network device is in a particular location for a particular time interval (ie, across a predefined area along the construction continuum). A schematic illustration of the Internet based method and apparatus cooperating with a TS stamped tracking server over a global communications network to enable an enabled client network device.

27B illustrates a predetermined TS area in which a GSU-enabled network computing device is enabled by a TS stamping tracking server to decrypt and display encrypted messages pre-stored in memory within the GSU-enabled network computing device in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A schematic illustration of an example of the trajectory of construction coordinates collected by a TS stamping tracking server of the system of FIG. 27A.

FIG. 28A is an Internet-based method and system for enabling the operation of set-top cable TV boxes and other digital media content delivery devices in accordance with a license agreement, wherein the GSU enabled network computing device is configured for each set-top cable in the media content delivery system. Built into TV boxes and other digital media content delivery devices, one or more TS stamped tracking servers may be used (ie, sustained) if the media content delivery device is actually used in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the license agreement with the consumer. A schematic illustration of the internet based method and system used to track and control such media content delivery device to be operatively enabled only for a period of time and only when used within a specific location as defined in a license agreement.

FIG. 28B shows a predefined TS area where a GSU-enabled media content delivery device is enabled by a TS stamped tracking server and construction coordinates collected by the TS stamped tracking server of the system of FIG. 28A in accordance with the principles of the present invention. A schematic illustration of an example.

29A is an Internet-based method and system for enabling / controlling the operation of any portable host system or device, wherein the portable host system or device incorporates a GSU enable device within each such portable host system or device. And a set of construction constraints by using one or more TS stamped tracking servers to track and enable the operation of each such portable host system or device only if such systems and devices are actually used according to the terms of use described in the license agreement. Schematically depicting the internet based method and system limited to operate within.

FIG. 29B illustrates a predetermined TS area in which a GSU-enabled media content delivery device is operated by a TS stamping tracking server in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and a trajectory of construction coordinates collected by the TS stamping tracking server of the system of FIG. 29A. A schematic illustration of an example.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the competitive enabling (ie, competitive promotion) system and method of the present invention will be described in more detail. Identical components will be denoted using the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1, a generalized internetwork-based competition promotion system is shown to enable fair and reliable one or more time-constrained competitions among a plurality of competitors provided with the same data set at the same time, and generally The same data set may be for providing information, or may take the form of a problem to be answered or in the form of a problem, a puzzle, or a riddle to be solved. This data will then be referred to as Invitation-to-Response, or ITR, which is sent to each of the competitors participating in the competition promoted by the system in a normal manner. In general, competitors may be human or be programmed computers, for example as specified in WIPO International Publication No. WO 98/49629, issued November 5, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference; or It may be a sophisticated androidal machines. In response to each ITR provided to competitors, each competitor may respond to the ITR by presenting an appropriate response or initiating a particular action. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the response timing of each competitor is precisely measured, stably recorded and analyzed in a manner that will be described in more detail later, as competitive behavior is strictly guaranteed in the query.

In general, the competition promotion system and method of the present invention can be applied to a variety of other competitive behaviors with only simple modifications required in embodiments of the present invention. Typical applications of the present invention include multi-players time-solved games, puzzles, or competitions; On-line real-time auctions, securities (eg, stocks and bonds), on-line real-time secure trading of commodities, and forex; On-line real-time auctions; On-line educational testing; On-line job test; On-line aptitude test; On-line intelligence index (IQ) testing; And other real-time behaviors, since the simultaneous provision of information to a plurality of competitors or the precise provision of IRQs and collection of responses from one or more humans to the competitors is strict, The fundamental principles of fairness and fair play that participants, audiences, and sponsors likewise require can be assured. As used in the following specification and claims of the invention, the term 'competition' should be understood to encompass the possible actions on all such networks.

As shown in Fig. 1, the competition promotion system of the present invention includes integration of subcomponents, for example: a main server 100; One or more web servers 110; Login server 120; Competitor database 30; Invitation-response (ITR / Response) database 40; One or more competition promotion servers 50; And a plurality of client machines 160. As shown in FIG. 1, each client machine 160 includes a global synchronization unit 175 (GSU), while each competition promotion system server 50 includes a standard GPS receiver 170. . As shown in FIG. 1, the global positioning system used by the competitive-capable system operates in conjunction with an array of GPS satellites 180 that occupy a geodisic orbit in a manner known in the satellite art. GPS receivers 170. All computer and database components of the competitive-capable system are interconnected through some kind of internetwork computer communication network 190, such as the Internet.

The overall definition of competitive behavior possible by the systems and methods of the present invention is performed by a computer or a set of computers, which are collectively referred to herein as 'primary servers'. The primary server may, for example: operate as a source of invitation-response and other competition related data; Providing a master clock to the system; And performing a function or operations including data received from a plurality of client machines connected with the system.

In an exemplary embodiment, a single primary server 100 communicates indirectly with client machines 160 via a series of competition promotion systems 50. These servers relay invitation-response and other data to client machines 60 and receive responses from them. The primary processing and classification of the client machine response is performed by contention promotion servers 50, and these preprocessed results are sent back to the main server 100.

Each competitor interacts with the competition promotion system through the client machine 160. Each competitor uses a single client machine to receive and observe the invitation-response (ITR) and to receive and send the corresponding response. The client machine is typically configured as a standard personal computer, which is augmented by some additional software and hardware components and comprises a global synchronization unit (GSU) 175 configured in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The global synchronization unit 175 is installed in the client machine to accurately provide a time-stamp client-response called client event, which can trace to an internationally standardized reference clock. The GSU in each client machine performs description operations, generates digitally represented time and space stamps of various internal and external events on the client machine, and assists the competitor in describing and providing time of data. do.

As shown in FIG. 1, the final primary computer-based component of the competition promotion system in this document is the login server 120. The primary function of the login server 120 is to accept login requests from each competitor's client machine and assign the appropriate competition promotion server to that client machine. The login server 120 also provides a single, known address to each client machine to use to contact the assigned competition promotion server when initiating a session in competitive behavior. The login server also serves to intelligently distribute processing and communications loads to the competition promotion servers.

As shown in Fig. 1, the competition promotion system of the present invention uses two database systems. The first database is a competitor database 30 that records information about each competitor, such as the competitor's identity, priority, contact information, and any other data deemed necessary in the proper operation of the competition. The second database is an invitation-response database 40, which stores and generates invitation-responses (ITRs) suitable for the particular competition promoted and sends these ITRs to client machines via other servers in the system. The ITR / response database 40 may also include normative responses for comparing actual responses that competitors have encountered, and other information needed to compete.

It is worth mentioning that the final component of the system shown in FIG. 1 is the communication network 190. In general, communications supported by the communication network 190 may be performed using a variety of other communication methods. In general, each computer or device in the system is connected to one or more other computers via network 190. In practice, these connections are "virtual" connections over a common network, such as the Internet, rather than direct point-to-point physical connections. In the example embodiments mentioned in this document, the communication network 190 is a packet-switched data communication network operating a popular transmission control protocol / Internet protocol (TCP / IP). Each server computer connected to the communication network thus has a statistically assigned IP address, while each client machine connected to it has a statistically or dynamically assigned IP address in a manner known in the art.                 

With reference to Figures 2-4G, a contention-assisted (i.e. contention-enabled) system and method in accordance with the principles of the present invention will be described.

In this particular embodiment of the present invention, the primary goal of internet-based systems and methods is to allow thousands to millions of applicants to participate in a multi-player internetwork problem-solving competition controlled in a secure and fundamentally fair manner. It is to be. Generally, the competition involves many popular players or applicants who simultaneously try to solve some or a series of problems in a time-limited manner. Applicants are evaluated and ranked according to the proposed solution and the time it takes to present the solution. Each applicant in the competition will interface with the competition process through a client machine capable of displaying images, text, video, and play audio streams in a globally synchronized manner, or otherwise in a similar manner in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Some other means of providing questions or problems to them. So the queries or problems provided to each competitor are called queries in the more general sense of the invention, although they can be understood as invitation-response (ITR) as mentioned above. Each client machine also accepts a response or solution from the applicant as a previously provided question. In the general sense of the present invention, the applicant's response or solution is called a response. Therefore, in this document, each client machine in a competition-assisted system presents a question (eg, virtually and / or audibly displays) and accepts responses from one enrolled applicant participating in a competition. to be.                 

The competition promotion system of the present invention also includes means for controlling and measuring predetermined time-based competition (eg, competition) elements. For example, such elements have the ability to specify the exact moment when questions are asked to applicants in all or some subset of client machines. This moment of time is hereinafter referred to as 'start-time', similar to 'start-line' in a race, which is the same for each applicant in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In addition, the competition promotion system of the present invention also includes means for accurately determining the length of time between the start-time and the moment each applicant presents its response, which then resembles a 'end-line' in a race, This is called 'final' time. This time-length, then measured between the start-time and the end-time, is referred to as the 'response-time' of a particular applicant or competitor.

In the competition promotion system and method of the present invention, the simultaneous provision of questions (ie, ITRs) for each and every registered client machine can be completed in the near future in the competition. Unlike conventional methods that use a query description key to trigger display processing on each client machine, as described in US Pat. No. 5,695,400, the present invention is directed to the applicant (ie, ITR). It describes the use of the local clock to determine the exact moment for display. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the local clock is included in an implemented or peripheral device known as Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) 175. The GSU at each client machine incorporates a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to provide precise timing criteria that are accurate to within one microsecond of international atomic clock standard time. The GSU can be programmed to decode and provide questions (ie, ITRs) in a secure manner at the exact moment desired. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, similar functionality may be provided to each client machine, but the precision and stability is low by using standard timers, counters, or clocks on the client machine. In this alternative, less accurate timing method, the local clock is characterized and analyzed to determine the functional relationship between the global time and the local clock time as determined by a single master clock in the overall competitive system. Using this function, the global time can be determined by reading the local clock. In addition, by updating the display update cycle on each client machine asymmetrically, the display update can be completed accurately at a predetermined 'start time' which is determined equally for each and every applicant, regardless of their position on the planet. Characterization of the local clock can be performed using the correct clock (GPS-based) connected to the client machine, or it can be NTP, i.e. an improved version of the stability of the methods and algorithms used in the network time protocol. It can also be done using.

The competitive promotion system and method of the present invention also provide extensive stability means for detecting and hindering fraud by dishonest players. Stability is important in many competitions that involve significant rewards for the winners. Reliability is provided for the system by using encryption of key messages between the various computers in the system, and also by monitoring and logging competition-related behaviors in which client machines participate. Additional details relating to the features of the system are described below.

Having provided an overview on the competitive promotion system of the present invention, it is now appropriate to describe in more detail the function and structure of the components of the system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the competitive promotion system of the exemplary embodiment includes integration of components, that is, primary one or more web servers 110; A login server 120; Competitor database 130; Query / response database 140; One or more game servers 150; And a plurality of client machines 160. As shown in FIG. 2, each client machine is equipped with a global synchronization unit 175 (GSU), while the main server 100 and each game server 150 have a standard GPS receiver 170. Is installed. As shown, the competitive promotion system of an exemplary embodiment includes GPS receivers 170 that operate in conjunction with an array of GPS satellites 180 that occupy geodesic orbits in a manner well known in the satellite art. Use a global positioning system. All computer and database components of the system are interconnected through some kind of network 190, such as the Internet, and support networking protocols such as TCP / IP.

Global coordination of competitor activity enabled by the systems and methods of the present invention is performed by a computer or set of computers, which will be collectively referred to as a 'primary server'. The main server may, for example, act as a source of queries and its exact responses, provide a master clock to the system, determine the overall ranking of competitors, select winners of the competition, and It provides some functionality to the system, including informing the competitors and, if possible, the identity of the winning competitor to the general public.

As shown in FIG. 2G, the primary server 100 in the competition promotion system includes a number of software and hardware components. As shown in Fig. 2G, the structure of the main server 100 is described using the layered structure of a standard general purpose computer, with the hardware components being the lowest, with successive layers of software functionality disposed thereon. Are shown at the level. Each layer of components uses and relies on the capabilities and services of the underlying layers, often interfacing directly with the layer directly below it. In the primary server 100, the low level hardware includes a GPS receiver 170 and timing hardware 200 and high precision clock synchronized to a global time reference using the GPS receiver. In addition, high performance network interface hardware 210 is used to connect primary server 100 to communication network 190. These hardware components are standard I / O typically provided on high-end network servers, such as SUN EnterpriseTM servers running the SolarisTM platform by Sun Microsystems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA. O and other hardware 220. Above the hardware level are standard and custom device drivers 230 that communicate and control directly with the hardware. Device drivers are used by operating system 240 and high-level applications so that no direct hardware programming is required. The top level of FIG. 2G has two contention-related applications. The first application is the main server daemon 250. This part of the software not only manages the communication of queries, responses, and other information with game servers, but also manages the sequence of operations for competition as a whole. Another top level operating on the main server 100 is the contention management interface 260. The application provides a user interface to competing human operators. The software allows operators to query new queries and answers to set up schedule competitions, specify qualifications for entering competitions, collect and view usage statistics, and monitor ongoing competitions. To allow). The competitive management interface application communicates with the main server daemon 250 to perform most of the tasks.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a single primary server 100 communicates indirectly with client machines 160 via numerous game servers 150. These game servers relay queries to client machines and receive incoming responses from these client machines. The primary determination and classification of responses is performed by game servers 170, and these pre-processed results are then passed back to main server 100.

As shown in FIG. 2E, game server 150 includes, in addition to standard hardware components 220, hardware components 170 including a GPS receiver, high precision timing hardware 200, and a high performance network interface. It has a layered structure similar to the main server 100, including 210. These hardware components are controlled through the use of a set of standard and custom device drivers 9230. Many such device drivers are provided by hardware manufacturers, and some are specifically recorded or modified to address the precise timing operations required for the competitive promotion system of the present invention. The main application running on game servers is game server daemon 270. The game server daemon 270 receives, processes, and responds to data from the main server 100, the login server 120, and the client machines 160.

Each competitor interacts with the competition system via client machine 160. Each competitor uses a single client machine 160 to receive and view competing queries as well as to put and send the responses containing the answers to these queries. In an exemplary embodiment, each client machine can be realized as a standard personal computer and can be augmented by the addition of some software and hardware components. In FIG. 2D3, the basic components of each client machine 160 are shown. As shown in FIG. 2D3, each client machine 160 initially includes standard hardware and software components typically associated with any personal computer. These components may include an operating system 240 such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc. 300, standard device drivers 280, clock or timer hardware 290, input hardware, video display and / or speakers ( Output hardware such as 310). In addition to this hardware, each client machine also requires some sort of "web browser" 320, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer. Such a web browser is used to contact a “competitive WWW site”, register with a competitive system, and download other software components therefrom. These other components are the primary interface between the competitor and the competitive system. In addition to the client 340, it includes a competitive plug-in 330 that enhances the user's experience on a competitive website. Each competing client not only accepts responses from competitors and sends them to the server, but also as a human competitor. Receives and presents queries of each competing client through drivers 350 and competitive hooks with the input, output, and timing hardware below to handle the timing aspects of the game (ie, competition). The hooks and drivers 350 generate time-stamps associated with various events during the game. In addition, it is responsible for clock and display synchronization The global synchronization unit 175 is installed in the client machine to provide precisely timed events that are traceable to internationally standardized reference clocks. Perform time sampling, decryption operations of machine / competitor responses, and support timingd query presentation.

When not actually playing the game, the competitor interacts with the competing website through a web browser. The competing web site is "served" from one or more web servers 110 to the browser. Web servers handle advertising, support, registration, downloading, and other similar tasks. As shown in FIG. 2F, web server 110 includes a number of major components including standard I / O 220, high performance network interface 210, standard device drivers 280, and operating system 240. Include them. These components work together to support the operation of the web server software 360. The web server software 360 includes an HTTP daemon, along with various scripts and utility programs used to handle user / competitor registration and perform competitive website updates as new competitions or results information becomes available. It consists of

As shown in FIG. 2, the last primary computer based component of the competition promotion system is the login server 120. The function of login server 120 is to accept login requests from each competitor's client machine and assign the appropriate game server to that client. The login server 120 provides a single, well-known address for client machines to connect when initiating a new game. The login server also serves to intelligently distribute the communication load and processing among the game servers. As shown in FIG. 2H, login server 120 includes a number of components, namely standard I / O 220, high performance network interface 210, standard device drivers 280, and operating system 240. It includes. These components cooperate to support the operation of the login server daemon 370, which handles server assignments and login requests within the competition promotion system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the competition promotion system of the exemplary embodiment utilizes two database systems. The first database system is the competitor database 130. The competitor database records the user's identity, preferences, access information, and information about the user, such as competition results and leaderboards. The second database is a query / answer database 140. The question / answer database stores questions and answers for game competitions. These problems and answers are initially created and stored in a database by competing operators. These are then distributed and accessed by the main server 100 to the competitor's client machines 160 during the competition.

As shown in FIG. 2, the last component contention promotion system mentioned is a communication network 190. In general, communications over a network can be performed using a variety of different communication methods. In general, each computer or device will establish a connection or connections to one or more other computers via the network 190. In practice, these connections will be "virtual" connections over a general network, such as the Internet, rather than direct point-to-point physical connections. Topography of primary virtual connections between various competing system components is depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, while the information flows transmitted over these connections are shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3G. It is.

Conventional games played using the competition promotion system of the present invention may include thousands or millions of competitors distributed over and possibly on planet Earth. Because of the large bandwidth required to handle the transmission of queries and responses from all client machines used for contention, the system of the present invention utilizes the hierarchy of servers illustrated in FIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 2A, primary server 100 acts as the root node of the tree-type interconnection of computers. The "leaves" of the tree structure are formed by client machines 160 connected to the system. Between these devices lies a layer of game servers 150 that act as intermediaries (or 'branch structures') between the main server 100 and the client machines 160. Each game server communicates directly with a set of client machines associated with a particular game server 150 and the main server 100. In a big competition involving thousands of competitors, there may be hundreds or thousands of game servers deployed in the system, each handling hundreds or thousands of client machines. These game servers can be distributed across countries or worlds, with each game server handling client machines in a certain area, thereby greatly reducing the loading of communications on central "trunk" network links. As shown in FIG. 2A, there is also a communication link between the main server 100 and the competitor database 130 and the query / answer database 140. In this exemplary embodiment of the competition promotion system, each game server 150, client machine 160, and main server 100 synchronize a local clock with the display of each client machine participating in the competition promotion system. Equipped with a GPS receiver.

The network traffic bandwidth associated with higher level servers in the hierarchical configuration shown in FIG. 2 is reduced by performing some data processing on game servers 150 itself, rather than performing all calculations on primary server 100. do. For example, if a single win competition, or any number of winners (e.g. n) are selected in each competition, then each game server 150 will only have n best responses to the top level server following each response. You can compare each response, which you send and receive. In addition, managing time-synchronized messaging with each client machine may be performed by the game server 150 associated with the client machine rather than by the main server 100. Such techniques will serve to reduce loading on the primary server 100. Once all competitors' performance is rated and classified, each game server 150 may classify competitors playing on the client machines connected to that game server 150. Thereafter, such sorted lists of client machines can be easily and efficiently sorted by the main server 100 using an insert classification or method using a group of pre-classified competitors.

Real world competition was recognized to include more of the actual query and to be responsible for constructing the central elements of the game. Many other steps and processes are necessary or desirable from the point of competition, as well as from the point of view of the individual and company's execution of the competition. From the point of view of competition, the purpose of competition from the point of view of the competition operator is to achieve different goals, while the purpose of competition is to enjoy, learn and win prizes. For example, these goals include: selling goods; Collect marketing information and other statistical information; Promote their company or institution; Educate groups of people; And so on. While other activities referenced above are referred to as non-competitive activities, the basic query, response, and judgment of the activity constitutes the competition itself. These non-competitive activities include two categories of activities that directly support the behavior of competition; And competition-assisted activities.

Non-competitive activities that directly support the operation of the competition include activities that must be performed immediately before or after each competition as well as activities that are single or rarely performed. One-time activities include registration of a competition contestant, downloading of system testing and qualification plug-ins, or other client machine based components. These periodic activities performed before or after each competition include login, server assignments, and observation of competition results.

The reservation is especially used to collect and store information about each competition that desires a scheduled competition (eg, listed on the competition WWW site). This information includes name, address, phone number (s), e-mail, and other required and desired information of each competition by the competition organizer and / or sponsor (s). The contestant selects or registers an identification number and password. Upon registration, multiple tests will be performed on the competition applicant's system. These tests are selected by the competition applicants to approve the client machine to be used by determining whether they meet specific requirements that are subsequently involved in the competition. In addition, the data generated as a result of these tests will be stored on one of the client machines or servers. This data may be used along with other information collected during and / or after the competition to help determine whether the competition applicant has participated fairly in the competition. Other activities that are also performed before the competition download programs, installable components and plug-ins as well as the data required by them. Such programs, components, and plug-ins accompanying the browser or other programs are not only present in the advertisement and other information, content of the competing applicant. Allows you to perform all competing actions on the client machine

As shown in FIG. 2B, a plurality of system components are used to distribute and present HTML (or XML) encoded documents (with or without a Java or Active-X applet) and are combined with web content of competing applicants. As shown, these system components include a plurality of mirrored web servers 110, each web server 110 being connected to a competitive applicant database 130 and each having a web-enabled client with a web browser 320. Send a set of machines 160. The master web server 110 stores and serves web site content as a set of client machines using HTTP, FTP and other Internet protocols. In order to avoid overloading a single server with tens of thousands of connections, multiple Miller web servers 110 are used. The master web server sends copies of the entire competing web site to the mirror web servers and then makes a large number of client machines 160 available. As shown, each web server 110 shares a commonly networked competition participant database including registration and other information. In addition to providing a competitive “web site”, the web server also distributes the competitive client software 340 using HTTP or FTP protocols. Before downloading the competing client software, each competing participant / user is required to be registered on the web server. The registration was filled out in a web-based form containing the necessary dog and client machine information and submitted to the web server. Client machine authorization will be tested by following a test program downloaded from a browser plug-in or web server.

In an overly large multiplayer competition, it becomes clear that multiple game servers are necessary to handle communication with all client machines during the competition. When the client machine is first connected with the competition-promoting system of the present invention, this will be done via a login-in server 120 located at a well-known Internet address. This login server selects a game server to be used by this competing client machine. This selection is based on a variety of information, including the location of the client machine, the nature of the number of pre-assigned connections, or the estimates assigned to game servers in the system. A loading balance algorithm is used to distribute the connections to the game servers, thus minimizing the chance of any one server being overloaded and ensuring a constant connection of all game clients.

2 illustrates a connection between client machine 160, login server 120, and competition applicant database 130. Except for too large a configuration, a single login server is required and all client machines receive their game server assignments from that server. If a single login server is insufficient, a hierarchical configuration similar to that shown in the game server of FIG. 2B can be used. As shown in Figure 2C, each client machine runs a competing client 340, which is the software of the competing interface when logging in through the login-in server. To check the password and state of the database, the login server accesses the competition applicant database 130.

In an optional component of the competitive promotion system described above, when the global synchronization unit (GSU) 175 is used within each client machine 160, it further enhances the precision and security of the overall system. In general, GSU 175 is a standalone system with significant capabilities, and many potential applications go beyond the competitive promoter system of the system of the present invention as disclosed herein. The basic purpose of the GSU 175 is to (i) perform an operation in response to precise time and space conditions, or (ii) generate a safe and verifiable time, and other events captured by the device Attached or connected to the GSU of the present invention.

In general, GSU 175 has the ability to generate or trigger an event at a specific time instant or at a specific time interval. This event can display an image or run a program on a host machine. The purpose of this capability is to allow synchronization of multiple client machines, each with its own GSU. In situations where high complementarity is required, the data used in the occurrence of the event will be downloaded to GSu in encrypted form. This data will then be decrypted by the GSU and the event triggered at the exact moment desired.

In addition to triggering events based on time or lag conditions, the GSU of the present invention can be triggered from any combination of time, space and speed conditions or client machines based on the location or speed of the GSU. In all these cases, the GSU is configured through the host computer interface to perform specific actions when these conditions are met.

Another major function of the GSU is to perform temporal and spatial sampling of external events. These events are as simple as the communication line claimed on the GSU input, or as complex as the input patterns on the plurality of other inputs. Triggers for temporal and spatial sampling operations can be forced by the timing, position, and velocity states of the GSU. In fact, space and time stamp generation can be triggered alone, for example, by difference information that generates a time / space stamp upon arrival of the GSU at a specified location or at a specified time. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a time / space stamp generated by the GSU 175 may include, but is not limited to, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value derived from input data associated with a hash or event. Contains information. The hash value is verified to ensure that the data does not change because a time / space stamp was generated at a future time. The time / space stamp will also have an associated CRC value or digital signature to ensure that the time / space stamp itself is genuine and unmodulated.

The GSU of the present invention also authenticates the data related to the pre-generated digitally signed time and space stamps, and the data related to the unmodulated time and space stamps since the stamp was generated.

GSU's applications include, but are not limited to, geographically distributed race-based (i.e., time-forced) management and evaluation, notarization of data, time-space stamping of executed legal documents (e.g., Contracts, asset processing, patent applications, security rights, etc.) and the same transmission as a centralized server for public record; Management, distribution, approval of lottery etc .; And timing of the event. Later, this record is used to test the data present before or at the time recorded in the time-stamp.

2D1 illustrates one context of operation for a basic GSU. This figure shows a client machine with attached input and output devices. This client machine is connected (using a direct hardware connection or an infrared or radio frequency link) to the global synchronization unit (GSU) 175. In addition, the client machine 160 is connected to a server with a GPS clock 170 via the Internet or other communication means 190. In such a situation, the server may issue an encrypted request to the client machine 160 to perform an action (eg, displaying an image) at a particular time, as required by the competitive promotion system described above. Can be sent to This encrypted request is then loaded into the GSU 175 where it is decrypted, and the desired event time is recorded. At the desired display time, or before some predetermined time, GSU 175 decodes the image to be displayed and downloads the decoded image back onto client machine 160 for display. This method prevents access to the image data before the time allotted by the client machine or its operator.

An alternative function performed by the GSU in the context of FIG. 2D1 would be the ability to time and space stamp the input or event captured or generated by the client machine. In this case, data associated with the client input or client event data will be uploaded to the GSU 175. The GSU uses digital signature techniques to generate (ie, calculate) a digital signature for the client input event data and a set of data including the time and location data of the GSU at the time of the data upload. In particular, the time of the client input or client event will be represented by a comprehensive time-synchronized time measurement, while the location of the client input or client event will be represented by a comprehensively referenced spatial / position measurement. The set of data and the calculated digital signature applied to it create a digitally signed data package. The digitally signed data package is then sent over the network to a server that supplies as a record of the events that occur. At a later time, this recording can be used to experiment with the data present at or before the time recorded in the time-stamp, and the location of the GSU where the recording occurred.

As shown in FIG. 2D2, the basic global synchronization unit (GSU) 175 includes some required optional components. The required components include an antenna 730 coupled with the GPS receiver 700. The GPS receiver 700 stores events and desired trigger times / locations, performs encryption and decryption functions, and authenticates data including, for example, time and spatial information provided by the GPS receiver 700. It is connected to a central processor 750 that can calculate digital signatures to verify. Access to the central processor 750 is provided through a host computer interface 720 that can use standard or proprietary hardware and communication protocols to provide such access. Standard interface specifications that can be used internally are bus-based connections such as ISA, SCSI, or PCI, port-based connections such as USB, RS232, or PCMCIA, or infrared or radio frequency. Other communication methods such as links. In addition to these core components, the GSU of the present invention is a high-frequency GPS trained clock 710 interfaced with the central processor 750 to provide even higher resolution time-stamps, Standalone encryption and decryption module 740 interfaced with central processor 750 to provide improved speed and security, and / or central processor 750 for recording time-stamps for later comparison and verification purposes. It may also include many optional components, such as interfaced non-volatile memory 760. As mentioned above, FIG. 2D3 is against others as in the case of competition, or against itself under the force of the clock as in the case of testing, or as in the case of real-time security, commodities or distribution trades. GSU in the context of client machines, or other forms of real-time and non-real-time auction transactions, for use in time-constrained competition against changing supply and demand conditions in the market Shows.

2D4 shows one operating background for an improved version of the GSU. As shown, client machine 160 is connected to GSU 177 using either a direct hardware connection or an infrared or radio frequency link known in the art. Instead of being connected directly to the client machine, input and output hardware for the client machine is sent through the GSU 177. As shown, client machine 160 is connected to an information server with GPS clock 170 via the Internet or other communication means. In this regard, the server may send an encrypted request to the client machine 160 to perform an action (eg, displaying an image) at a particular moment. This encrypted request is then loaded into the GSU 177 from which it was decrypted and the desired event time recorded. At the desired display time, the GSU 177 can directly override the video output from the client machine 160 and replace it or overlay it with a decrypted picture. The improved GSU 177 can provide much more accurate output event timing by directly controlling the client machine display. Moreover, since the decrypted image data is never actually transmitted to the client machine 177, stability is improved.

2D4, an alternative function that may be performed by the improved GSU 177 of the present invention is that the GSU (without the delays and safety risks caused by passing data inputs to the client machine 160 for the first time) 177 will be the ability to time and space to capture the input or event that is captured and generated by the input devices. Therefore, the improved GSU 177 provides a much higher precision of data event timing to the client machine because the data inputs are fed directly through the GSU 177 and monitored directly by the GSU 177.

As shown in Figure 2D5, the improved GSU 177 of the present invention includes a variety of required and optional components. As shown, the required components include a GPS receiver 700 and associated antenna 730. The GPS receiver 700 stores events and desired trigger times / locations, performs encryption and decryption functions, and for example, certainty of data with time and spatial information provided by the GPS receiver 700. It is connected to a central processor 750 capable of computing digital signatures proving authenticity. Access to central processor 750 is provided through host computer interface 720, which may use standard or proprietary hardware and communication protocols to provide such access. Standard interface features that can be used include bus-based connections such as ISA, SCSI, or PCI, port-based connections such as USB, RS232, or PCMCIA, or infrared or wireless. Other communication methods such as frequency links.

Unlike the basic GSU 175 described above, the improved GSU 177 also has the following two configurations, an input device passthrough monitoring module (shown in FIG. 2D5). 770, and at least one of an output passthrough and signal generation module 780.

The function of the input device passthrough monitoring (IPM) module 770 is to provide a "passthrough" for a particular input device or types of input devices. The IPM module 770 will monitor data passing through and generate CRC values of digital signals and data when required by the central processing unit 750. Moreover, the IPM module 770 can be programmed by the central processing unit 750 to trigger acquisition of a time / space stamp or other event when receiving a specific input or input pattern of data to the IPM module 770. . The IPM module 770 is intended to interface with any form of input device including a mouse, keyboard, microphone, video camera, scanner, barcode reader, pressure table, speech recognition system, or any other analog or digital data input device. Can be prepared.

The function of the output passthrough and signal generation (OPSG) module 789 is to provide passthrough (eg, input and output ports) for a particular output device or type of output devices. The OPSG module 780 blocks the signals from the host computer passing through the GSU 177 and has the ability to insert or overlay its own signals for presentation to the output device. For example, the OPSG module 780 can be used for a video display device. The host computer video output will be connected to the GSU 177 and another cable connected from the GSU 177 to the display device. The GSU may then "take over" the display device and display its own pictures and videos on the display device. Typically, this capability will be activated in response to a time event to simultaneously display the output on multiple GSUs with client machines (e.g., operating within the contention-supporting system of the present invention). The OPSG modules 780 can be caused to interface to a plurality of other output devices with video displays, speakers, or printers.

In addition to these required core components, the improved GSU 177 also improves, for example, the high frequency GPS training clock 710, which interfaces with the central processor 750 to provide even higher resolution time-stamps. Non-volatile interfaced with decryption module 740 interfaced with central processor 750 to provide enhanced speed and stability and / or centralized processor 780 for recording time stamps for later comparison and verification purposes. It may include a plurality of optional components, such as memory 760.                 

Processes involved in the operation of the competition promotion system of the present invention

In FIG. 4, high level operations performed by the competition promotion system of FIG. 2 are described. Collectively, these operations may allow any competitor to compete with many other competitors in a secure and fundamentally fair time-limited competition, where each competitor is provided with the type of interconnect provided to it (eg, a POTS line). , IDN-frame-relay or Tl line) is provided with the usual istart-timei to the infrastructure of the Internet, regardless of the location of their (his or her) client machines. The flow chart of FIG. 4 describes seven basic steps or operations performed by the competition promotion system of FIG. 2. These operations are indicated in blocks A through G of FIG. As an overview of the method of the present invention, these operations will first be briefly described below, and then each operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 4A-3G respectively.

As indicated in block A of FIG. 4, the first major operation performed by the competition promotion system of the present invention is the competition as a competitor and each user participates in a competition in a time-limited questioning and answering manner. On the other hand, the creation of a global synchronous, secure network client machine capable of competing against a large number of other competitors for potentially high stakes.

As indicated in block B of FIG. 4, the second major operation performed by the competition promotion system of the present invention is to use the competitive client software of the client machine to log on to the game server 150. Including establishing a competitor and a communication channel therewith.                 

As indicated in block C of FIG. 4, a third major operation performed by the contention promotion system of the present invention includes sending a query and start time from the primary server to the client machine.

As indicated in block D of FIG. 4, the fourth main operation performed by the contention promotion system of the present invention is a client having the characteristics of the local clock of the client machine having the master clock on the main server and the desired start time of the contention. Includes concurrency of machine display update cycles.

As indicated in block E of FIG. 4, the fifth major operation performed by the competition promotion system of the present invention starts exactly as determined by the local clock characterized with respect to the global master clock located in the main server. Presenting the query to the competitor in time.

As indicated in block F of FIG. 4, the sixth main operation performed by the competition promotion system of the present invention is to accept a response from a competitor, attach a time stamp to the response, and a response and a time. Sending the stamp to the servers.

As indicated in block G of FIG. 4, the seventh main operation performed by the competition promotion system of the present invention includes judging responses from all competitors and determining a winner. In addition, the standing and ranking of each competitor is determined for that competition.

Detailed description of the operating characteristics in block A of FIG.

In FIG. 4A, the suboperations are shown for executing the method of registering and downloading competing software indicated in block A of FIG.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4A, a potential competitor browses a competing WWW site (* competitive web site *). In general, a competitive website includes descriptions of competitive client software, competitor qualities, competition rules, descriptions of how to play, information about various other competitions, lists of prizes and rewards awarded, It will have information about the competition advertising the lists of sponsors, the list of previous winners, and the positions or rankings of other competitors. 3A illustrates the flow of information between a user's client machine 160 and a web server 110 including HTML (and / or XML) encoded documents including a competing web site. In this figure as well as in FIGS. 3B-3G, the large arrows extending from one computer to another include a message or group of messages containing related information. Messages indicated as 400 in FIG. 3A include web contention carried from web server 110 to client machine 160.

In addition to the competition of information on competing websites, provisions will also be made for users to register to become competitors. As indicated in block B of FIG. 4A, when determined to enter the competition, the user is prompted to use standard HTML (or XML) forms, or Java or Active-X applets, or the art. Fill out the on-line registration form, using one of the forms generated by the CGI script of known methods. During the registration process indicated in block B of FIG. 4A, there may also be a qualification procedure, in which the user performs some tests of their own capabilities and / or the capabilities of their computing system. These tests may be managed through forms in accordance with the registration process, or may include ordered plug-in modules or a user downloading and running standalone applications of a user or computing system. Message 405 in FIG. 3A includes registration information sent from client machine 160 to web server 110. This information is encrypted using standard stable HTTP methods known in the art.

As indicated in block C of FIG. 4A, when the web server 110 has finished receiving registration information therefrom, it generates a record in the competitor database 130 for this user. This registration information is stored in this record and identifies the user as a competitor who is allowed to participate in one or more on-line multi-player competitions in which the system of the present invention is facilitated (allowed).

As indicated in block D of FIG. 4A, the competitor ID is then assigned to a new competitor. This ID code uniquely proves the username, password, e-mail address or other information that may be changed in the future by this player / competitor. The competitor ID is recorded in the competitor database 130 and used internally by the competition software of the system.

As indicated in block E of FIG. 4A, when a competitor plays a competition, a competitor is assigned a username and temporary password for use. The username may be assigned by the system and may be selected by the user as part of the registration procedure. The password will be randomly generated and after the first login, it will be changed by its competitor. The username and password are stored in the competitor database 130.

As indicated in block F of FIG. 4A, an e-mail message containing the username and temporary password is sent to the competitor. This e-mail message from web server 110 to client machine 160 is described as message 410 in the data flow processing shown in FIG. 3A.

As indicated in block G of FIG. 4A, competitors log onto the members-only area of a secure competition website using their (his or her) username and temporary password. This area allows competitors to view and update their personal information (e.g. username, password, email address, residential address and phone number, etc.).

As shown in block H in FIG. 4A, the contestant downloads the competing software from the web server 110, that is, from the area of members only of the competing website to its client machine 160. This competing software download is accomplished using HTTP, FTP, or other file transfer protocol, as indicated by message 415 shown in the information flow results of FIG. 3A.

As shown in block I of Figure 4A, competitors install client software on their machines. This procedure will involve running the downloaded installation file or initially reducing the downloaded file, followed by running the setup application contained in the compressed archive. The installation procedure will install the competitive client 340 application as well as one or more customized device drivers 350 required by the competitor's client machine. Device drivers will be used to communicate directly with the local clock and any timing hardware (GPS, etc.) used on the client machine. As soon as the client software is successfully installed, the competitor's computing system will be a fully functional client machine, thus participating in the included competition in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Details related to the operation specified in block B in FIG. 4

In FIG. 4B, the suboperations illustrate executing a method of logging a competitor on game server 150 shown in block B in FIG. In general, this procedure involves a plurality of "behind-the-scenes" activities by various server systems, and also involves substantial log on processing. Initially, all servers and clients in the system provide the login server's password as well as the password "public key" of the login server, which is used to send secure messages to the login server.

As shown in block A in FIG. 4B, the main server 100 sends a list of all participating game servers to the login server 120. This message, shown at 420 in FIG. 3B, is encrypted using the public key of the login server. Login server 120 uses its public key to decrypt and store this message.                 

As shown in block B in FIG. 4B, the login server sends a status request message to each of the game servers. In FIG. 3C, this status request message is indicated by message 425.

As shown by block C in FIG. 4B, each game server 150 responds to a status request message (ie, message 425) with current loading, indications for maximum server capacity, geographically valid area, and Send a response containing information about the state of the game server, including other information. This response also includes the public encryption key of the game server. The overall response, indicated by message 430 in FIG. 3C, is encrypted using the public key of the login server. Status request message 425 and response message 430 periodically occur throughout the operation of each competition enabled by the system and during initialization of the competition system.

As shown in block D in FIG. 4B, the competitor must log on to the system using the competitive client application when determining that the competitor is participating in a particular competition. During the processing of this step, the competing client machine 160 requests a username and password from the competitor for the convenience of the competitor. These usernames and passwords can be stored locally on the client machine to avoid competitors having to re-enter usernames and / or passwords all the time and they play games or participate in competitions.

As shown by block E in FIG. 4B, the contention client software 340 sends the username and password to the login server 120. The username, password, and public key of the client machine are first encrypted using the login server's public key, and the resulting login request, indicated by message 435 in FIG. 3D, is logged from client machine 160. Up to server 120.

As shown in block F in FIG. 4B, the login server 120 obtains the user name and password to decrypt the login request. The username and password are obtained by performing a lookup operation on the competitor database 130, resulting in a competitor ID.

As shown in block G in FIG. 4B, the competitor ID is sent to the client machine 160 in the message 440 shown in FIG. 3D. Client machine 160 stores this ID for last use.

As shown in block H in FIG. 4B, the login server 120 selects the appropriate game server 150 for this competitor based on loading, geographic location, and other factors.

As shown in block I of FIG. 4B, as soon as the game server is selected, login server 120 selects the login request for the selected game, indicated by message 445 in FIG. 3C, including the competitor ID and the client machine address. Send to server This message 445 is encrypted using the game server's public key. If the login request is approved, game server 150 generates a message containing the game server access code encrypted using the login server's public key, indicated by message 450 in FIG. 3C.

As shown by block J in FIG. 4B, this message is sent from game server 150 (including game server access code) to login server 120. In particular, the game server access code is a key generated using the competitor ID and the client machine address. This code will just use that code to allow certain competitors to log in.

The login server decrypts the message 450 and then generates a new message, containing the address of the game server and the game server access code, indicated by message 455 in FIG. 3D. As shown in block K in FIG. 4B, the message 455 is encrypted using the public key of the client machine and transmitted from the login server 120 to the client machine 160.

The client machine uses the secret decryption key to decrypt message 455 containing the game server address and game server access code. The client machine then generates a message that includes the competitor ID, the game server access code, and the client machine public encryption key, indicated by message 460 in FIG. 3D. As shown in block L in FIG. 4B, a message 460 is sent from the client machine 160 to the game server 150 specified by the game server address received from the login server 120. Game server 150 responds to message 463 containing a game server public key. In this regard, client machine 160 is continuously logged on to game server 1500 selected for client machine by login server 120.

Detailed description relating to the operation specified in block C in FIG.

In FIG. 4C, the suboperation illustrates for executing a method of downloading an encrypted query and start time to the client machine shown in block C in FIG.

All competition queries and responses are typically devised by game / competition designers who are human, although not required for all types of time limited competitions.

As shown in block A in FIG. 4C, human operators write queries and associated responses related to a particular competition to query / response database 140.

As indicated by block B in FIG. 4C, at some point before the competition begins, game server 150 sends the message to the primary server (including its public encryption key), indicated by message 465 in FIG. 3F. 100). Similarly, as indicated by block C in FIG. 4C, the primary server sends a message to game server 150, including its public cryptographic key, indicated by message 470 in FIG. 3F.

As shown by block E in FIG. 4C, when a particular competition is created, human operators accessing the system through the competition management interface 260 select queries from a database to be used for competition. For each query, the operators assign the desired start time. Selecting queries and assigning start times can be done automatically by the competition management interface software.

As shown by block E in FIG. 4C, during each query and start time, the primary server generates a single set of query encryption and decryption keys.                 

As shown by block F in FIG. 4C, using the query encryption key, the main server 100 encrypts the query.

As shown in block G in FIG. 4C, the main server 100 generates a message, including the encrypted query, query decryption key, and desired start time, indicated by message 475 in FIG. 3F.

As shown by block H in FIG. 4C, the entire message 475 is encrypted using the game server's public encryption key.

As shown by block I in FIG. 4C, the entire message 475 is sent from the main server 100 to the game server 150.

As shown by block J in FIG. 4C, upon receiving message 475 from main server 100, game server 150 decrypts message 475 and appears as message 480 in FIG. 3F. Create

As shown in block K in FIG. 4C, this new message 480 is encrypted by the game server using the public key of the client machine.

As shown in block L in FIG. 4C, the resulting encrypted message 480 is sent to the client machine.

As shown in block M in FIG. 4C, the client machine decrypts the message 480 and stores the included decrypted query with the start time on the client machine 160.

At this point, client machine 160 begins to create and append data to the security certificate log file. This encrypted file will contain various information about the timing of the query / response process. Among other data, the security evidence log will record the arrival time (in local time) of the encrypted query from game server 150.

Detailed description relating to the operation specified in block D in FIG. 4 when using the basic GSU of the present invention

In FIG. 4D, the suboperations illustrate executing a method of synthesizing the client machine display update cycle shown in block D in FIG. 4 for a system featuring the local clock of the client machine and using the base GSU 175. When using a GSU, you do not need to feature a local clock, only the necessary procedure is to adjust the display refresh cycle so that the cycle completes exactly at the desired start time.

The GSU of the present invention is used to measure the video refresh rate of a video display adapter. Almost all video display adapters used in personal computers have a set of registers used to control and monitor scanning and refresh periods and rates. One standard feature is the ability to query the adapter to determine whether it is currently within the vertical retrace period. By using this function for a period and by recording the local clock time every hour, the display writes a vertical retrace, and the duration and phase of the display update cycle is determined with respect to the local clock time. By reading the display adapter registers, it is simple to determine the difference between the time when the last line of the displayed image is drawn and the start time of the next vertical retrace. The moment at which the last line of the display is pulled into any display update period will be referred to as the display time t _d . Using this calculated period and phase, the display times are extrapolated forward in time to find the display time closest to the desired start time. As shown in block A in FIG. 4D1, the error E _d between the display time t _d and the desired local clock start time t _s1 is calculated. Throughout this process, the times associated with each vertical retrace are appended to the safety certificate log.

Since we want to have a client machine displaying the query simultaneously on all client machines (ie at a common start time), the error period E _d is minimized by shifting the phase of the display update cycle. A value of 0 for E _d indicates that the display finishes drawing the given image at the exact moment of the start time. The phase of the display update cycle is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the display update period through a plurality of update cycles. This period is typically determined by several registers on the display adapter that control the so-called "vertical totals", "horizontal totals" and "dot clocks". The vertical total is the total count of lines displayed and not displayed (within the vertical blanking and retrace period) forming in one display update cycle. Similarly, the horizontal total measures the number of pixels displayed within the horizontal blanking and retrace period. The dot clock frequency determines the number of pixels per second made for the display. By temporarily adjusting any one of these three values, the duration of the display update cycle can again be temporarily changed. Although it is possible to arrange t _d and t _sl in a line within a single update cycle, this can cause monitor clicking and can temporarily disrupt the displayed image, so during the display update period this large Making a change is probably undesirable. Instead, the display update period is only slightly changed (perhaps adjusting the vertical sum by one or two lines), and this period remains adjusted until the phase shift is sufficient to reduce E _d to near zero, At time, the display update period is restored to its original value. As shown in block B of FIG. 4D1, the client machine adjusts the display update cycle through a plurality of cycles to minimize E _d and display the desired start time.

Note that it is necessary to repeat the alignment procedure to reduce these errors, based on the accuracy of the clocks, the drift frequency and refresh update cycles of the clocks, and the future distance at which the display time is extrapolated. The display time adjustment procedure should be considered an ongoing process, possibly executed concurrently with other phases in the competitive process. Usually, information about this process is recorded in the safety certification log and provides a continuous trace of the actions occurring and the timing of those actions.

In FIG. 4D, sub-operations for executing a method of synchronizing the client machine play update cycle shown in block D of FIG. 4 for a system using the enhanced GSU 177 are shown. When using the enhanced GSU 177, there is no need to characterize the local clock. In addition, the display monitor is directly connected to the GSU 177, and video signals from the client machine are passed through the GSU. The enhanced GSU overrides the signal from the client machine with its own video signal, which is automatically synchronized to the GSU clock. As shown in block A of FIG. 4D2, there are no phases needed to achieve this synchronization by the client machine.

In FIG. 4D, for systems not using the global synchronization unit, sub-operations are shown for performing a method of characterizing the client machine local clock and synchronizing the client machine display update cycle shown in block D of FIG. 4.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4D3, the local clock is characterized. The process of D characterization can be understood as follows. Idealized Concepts "Universal Clock Time" t, Local Clock t ₁ = f (t) (e.g., System Clock, Real Time Clock, or CPU Clock Cycle Counter for Larger Decisions), Maintain on Global Clock Main Server Given t _g = g (t), the local clock is characterized when represented as a function of the global clock value, t ₁ = f (g ⁻¹ (t _g )). The characterization of the local clock relative to the global clock will be defined as determining some function h (x) = f (g ⁻¹ (x)). Beyond suitable time periods and assuming very high quality timing hardware, h (x) will be well approached by a linear function. The simplest way to determine this function is to use the curve-fitting techniques of the standard. If the global clock on the main server 100 is a GPS based time reference, the local clock can be characterized very accurately by also using the GPS reference at the client machine. GPS hardware can easily generate a very accurate and stable 1 Hz signal. This signal is connected to one of the CPU IRQ lines. This causes the CPU to enter the interrupt service routine every second. At the moment the interrupt is triggered, the CPU can write a read of the local clock (CPU cycle counter register). After collecting such a plurality of samples, the function h (x) can approach high accuracy.

The collected statistical information is added to the safety certification log to determine the clock characterization function.

As shown in block B of FIG. 4D3, after determining h (x), the client machine computes this function to calculate a local clock time t _s1 corresponding to the desired global clock start time t _sg for competition. Use

Next, the video display update cycle is measured using the local clock. Most all video display adapters used in personal computers have a set of registers used to control and monitor the scanning and refresh periods and rates. One standard function is the ability to request an adapter to determine whether it is currently in the vertical retrace period. By using this function over a time period and recording the local clock time each time the display enters a vertical retrace, this phase and the phase of the display update cycle are determined according to the local clock time. By reading the display adapter registers, it is simple to determine the difference between the time the last line of the displayed image was drawn and the start of the next vertical retrace. The moment when the last line of the display is drawn in any display update period will be called the display time t _d . Using this calculated period and phase of display times is extrapolated forward in time to find the display time closest to the desired start time.

As shown in block C of FIG. 4D3, the client machine calculates an error E _d between the desired local clock start time t s ₁ and the closest display update cycle (ie, display time t _d ). Through this process, the times associated with each vertical retrace are added to the safety certification log.

Since the client machine preferably displays the query on all client machines at the same time, the error E _d is minimized by shifting the phase of the display update cycle. A value of 0 for E _d indicates that the display will end drawing. The phase of the display update cycle is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the display update period over a plurality of update cycles. This period is typically determined by several registers on the display adapter, controlling the so-called "vertical total", "horizontal total", "dot clock". The vertical total is the total count of displayed and non-displayed lines (within the vertical blanking and retrace period), creating one display update cycle. Similarly, the horizontal total measures a plurality of pixels, both displayed within the horizontal blanking and retrace periods. The dot clock frequency determines the number of pixels per hour displayed on the display. By temporarily adjusting any of these three values, the duration of the display update cycle can be temporarily changed again. Although it is possible to align t _d with t _s1 within a single update cycle, this can cause monitor clicking and temporarily disrupt the displayed image, so such a large amount in the display update period Making a change is probably undesirable. Instead, the display update period is only slightly changed (perhaps the vertical total adjustment by one or two lines), and the period is adjusted until the phase shift is accumulated to reduce E _d to approach zero, The display update period at time is restored to its original value. The adjustment of this display update cycle with the desired start time meets the standard shown in block D of FIG. 4D3.

Note that it may be necessary to repeat the alignment procedure to reduce these errors, depending on the precision of the clocks, the frequency drift of the clocks and the refresh update cycle and the future distance from which the display time is extrapolated. The display time alignment procedure should be considered for the ongoing process, and possibly executed concurrently with other steps in the competitive process. Usually, information about this process is recorded in the safety certification log and provides a continuous trace of the actions occurring and the timing of those actions.                 

In FIG. 4E1, sub-operations for performing a method for displaying a query to a competitor at a competition start time indicated in block E of FIG. 4 for a system using the basic GSU 175 are shown. At this point, the encrypted query and start time were stored on the client machine, and the display time was aligned with the desired start time.

As indicated by block A of FIG. 4E1, the client machine uploads the encrypted query and start time to GSU 175.

As indicated by block B of FIG. 4E1, at a short time before the desired start time, GSU 175 decodes the query. This query is then downloaded to the client machine.

As indicated by block C of FIG. 4E1, the query is then sent to the off screen memory area in preparation for display on the screen.

As indicated by block D of FIG. 4E1, during the vertical retrace period, one cycle before the display time, the off-screen image uses hardware page flipping techniques or blits the image on the screen during the retrace period. By flipping the display at a short time before the desired start time.

As indicated by block E of FIG. 4E1, with the query image now present in the currently displayed video memory, the client machine display touches the display button at the start time for the competition, drawing the query to the screen.

Finally, the client machine records the local time at the moment the vertical retrace begins, which must happen at the same time as the desired start time. This time is also stored in the safety certification log.

After the image is displayed, the client machine mainly waits for competitors to enter their response or response to the existing query. However, during this time, the client machine does not rest but rather continues to monitor various clocks and timing systems (e.g., system timer, real time clock, CPU cycle counter, vertical retrace signal, etc.) for the client machine. . Information about the clocks is stored in the safety certification log.

In FIG. 4E2, sub-operations for executing a method for displaying a query to a competitor at a competition start time indicated in block E of FIG. 4 for a system using the enhanced GSU 177 are shown. At this point, the encrypted query and start time were stored on the client machine.

As indicated by block A of FIG. 4E1, the client machine uploads the encrypted query and start time to GSU 177.

As indicated by block B of FIG. 4E2, the GSU decodes the query immediately before the desired start time. The query is then sent by the GSU to its own display memory.

As shown in block C of FIG. 4E2, the GSU uses its own synchronized refresh rate to override the display and correctly ask the desired start time.                 

FIG. 4E3 illustrates side actions for performing a method for asking a competitor at a contest start time shown in block E of FIG. 4 for a system that does not use a global synchronization unit. At this point, the encrypted question is stored on the client machine, the start time is known as the local clock, and the display time is aligned with the desired start time.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4E3, the game server sends the query decryption key to the client machine. This question decryption key is shown as message 485 in FIG. 3E. The timing of these messages is important. This is because it must be sent fast enough to decode the client machine time before the start time and display the desired message. On the other hand, if the question decryption key is sent too quickly, it compromises the security of the system, as unscrupulous users can use the key to decrypt the question and show it before the initiation time, which can benefit other users. . Extensive testing will be used to determine the best timing for this message.

As shown in block B of FIG. 4E3, the client machine decrypts the query upon receipt of the query decryption key. In addition, the local clock time of receipt of the decryption key is recorded in the security authentication log.

As shown in block C of Figure 4E3, the next question is given to the off-screen memory area, in preparation for the display on the screen.

As shown in block D of FIG. 4E, the off-screen image is displayed on the display by blitting (ie copying) the image to the screen during the hardware page flipping technique or the retrace period during the vertical retrace period, one cycle before the display time. Flips.

As shown in block E of FIG. 4E3, for the question image now remaining in the currently displayed video memory, the client machine display draws a question on the screen that reaches the bottom of the display at the start time for the contest. Finally, the client machine records the local time at the beginning of the vertical retrace, which coincides with the desired start time. This time is also stored in the security certificate log.

After the image is displayed, the client machine first enters their answers and waits for competitors to answer the displayed questions. However, during this time, the client machine is not idle and continues to operate to monitor various clocks and timing systems on the computer (system timer, real time clock, CPU cycle counter, vertical retrace signal, etc.).

4F shows a side operation for performing a method for submitting a time stamp competitor response to a previously displayed question displayed in the block of FIG. 4 for a system using the Basic GSU 175. FIG.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4F1, the response is entered into a client machine using any of several different methods and the like, depending on the particular contest being managed. For example, the response may consist of a single character typed on a keyboard, a mouse click, a typed sentence, a recorded audio segment or other input. However, for timing purposes, the client machine needs to have a clear indication of when the competitor submits this response. Submitting a response is typically indicated by clicking the mouse at a specific location, or by a specific key press (eg enter key).

As indicated by block B of FIG. 4F, the response submission and response are immediately sent to the GSU, which generates a digitally signed time and space stamp for the response. These time and space stamps are attached to the security certificate log.

As shown in block C of FIG. 4F1, the time and space stamps are sent from the client machine 160 to the game server 150.

As shown in block D of FIG. 4F1, game server 150 is requested by sending a response request message from the client machine, as indicated by message 495 in FIG. 3E. In many cases, the response time included in the response notification message can greatly reduce bandwidth requirements for this phase of the contest, since disqualifying the competitor from any chance at winning does not require a complete response at this time.

As shown in block E of FIG. F, there is a request, and the client machine encrypts the hash values of the response, response time stamp, and security authentication log to generate the message, as indicated by message 500 of FIG. 3E. .

As shown in block F of FIG. 4F1, the message 500 is then sent to the game server 150 and the security authentication log is closed and protected.                 

In FIG. 4F2, for a system using enhanced global synchronization unit 177, side actions are shown that perform a method in which a competitor submits a time stamp response in response to a previously given question indicated in block F of FIG. 4. have. In the enhanced GSU 177, the input device is directly connected to the GSU 177.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4F2, the competitor uses the input device to input a response to the client machine 160 via a GSU passthrough connection.

As shown in block B of FIG. 4F2, GSU 177 automatically generates a digitally signed time and space stamp for response. These time and space stamps are attached to the security certificate log.

As shown in block C of FIG. 4F2D, the time and space stamps are at game server 150 at the client machine.

As shown in block D of FIG. 4F2, game server 150 requests the actual response from client machine 160 by sending a response request message, as indicated by message 9495 in FIG. 3E. In many cases, if the response time contained in the response notification message disqualifies the competitor from any chance at winning, there is no need to require a complete response, thus greatly reducing the bandwidth requirement for this state of the contest.

As shown in block E of FIG. 4F2, upon request, the client machine encrypts the hash value of the response, response time stamp, and security authentication log to generate the message, as shown as message 500 in FIG. 3E.                 

As shown in block F of FIG. 4F2, the message 500 is sent to the game server 150 and the security authentication log is closed and protected.

FIG. 4F illustrates a sub-operation for a system that does not use a global synchronization unit (GSU) to perform a method in which a competitor submits a time stamp response to a previously given question indicated in block F of FIG. 4.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4F3, the competitor enters the response using one of several different methods depending on the particular contest being managed on the client machine. The response submission is detected by the customized low level device driver, preferably by "hooking" the interrupt caused by the device.

As shown in block B of FIG. 4F3, the interrupt handler of the client machine records the local time “time stamp” corresponding to the moment when the response is submitted. This local time is attached to the security certificate log.

Immediately after receipt of the response submission, after recording the time stamp, the client machine uses the competitor's response and time stamp to calculate a hash or cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value. The hash value is attached to the security certificate log.

As indicated by block C of FIG. 4F3, as indicated by message 490 in FIG. 3E, a message including the hash value and the response time is immediately sent from the client machine 160 to the game server 150. This "response notification hash" message is particularly useful when a large response, for example a response generated from a microphone, is obtained since the small packet size is less subject to delay due to the bandwidth of the network. The reception time of the response notification hash by game server 150 serves as an estimate of the actual response time for later security authentication.

As shown in block D of FIG. 4F3, game server 1750 requests a real (ie complete) response from the client machine by sending a response request message, shown as message 495 in FIG. 3E. In many cases, if the response time included in the response notification message disqualifies the competitor from any chance at the time of winning, there will be no need to require a complete response, which will greatly reduce the bandwidth requirements for such conditions of content.

As shown in block E of FIG. 4F3, upon request, the client machine encrypts the hash values of the response, response time stamp, and security authentication log to generate the message, shown as message 500 in FIG. 3E.

As shown in block F of FIG. 4F3, the message 500 is then sent to the game server and the security authentication log is closed and protected.

In FIG. 4G, the side actions of performing the method of determining the winner of the contest shown in block G of FIG. 4 and judging the contest legitimately are shown.

As shown in block A of FIG. 4G, since the response is received by each game server from its client machine, the response is compared to the correct answers in database 140. Of those responses that include the correct answer, the time-stamp is compared for the machine to rank the response from the earliest to the latest.

As indicated by block B of Figure 4G, the stored preliminary results are then encrypted using the public key of the primary server.

As indicated by block C of Figure 4G, the encrypted preliminary result (i.e., rating) is sent from the game server 150 to the main server 100 as indicated by message 505 of Figure 3F.

As indicated by block D of Figure 4G, the encrypted preliminary results from each game server are decrypted by the main server 100. Using insert sorting or other similar methods, the pre-sorted preliminary ratings from the game server are merged into a single sorted list of responses.

As indicated by block E of Figure 4G, from the sorted list, the main server 100 calculates the overall rating of the competitors and identifies the winners of the competition.

As indicated by block F in FIG. 4G, for each winning response, the primary server 100 connects the safety analysis request, indicated as message 510 in FIG. 3F, to the corresponding client machine of the competitor who submitted the response. Send to game server

As indicated by block G of Figure 4G, in response, each game server sends a safety log, indicated as message 515 of Figure 3E, to the corresponding client machine.

As indicated by block H of FIG. 4G, the client machine sends the security credentials log, indicated as message 520 of FIG. 3E, encrypted to the game server using the game server's public key.

As indicated by block I of Figure 4G, the game server decrypts and verifies the integrity of the safety credentials log using the hash-values of the safety credentials log.

As indicated by block J in FIG. 4G, the game server uses the contents of the security evidence log to attempt to detect fraudulent activity. The response notification hash is used to ensure that the response sent matches the response entered at the response notification time. In addition, various timing measurements can all be analyzed for consistency by the game server and compared with the corresponding transmission and receipt times of the message.

As indicated by block K of FIG. 4G, the game server collects the results from all requested safety logs for the client machine and sends this message, indicated as message 525 of FIG. 3F, to the main server 100. FIG.

As indicated by block L of FIG. 4G, upon receiving the results collected from all game servers, the primary server accepts, rejects or flags the winning response for further analysis by other means.

As indicated by block M of Figure 4G, an updated list of winners is generated by the main server based on this change.

As indicated by block N in FIG. 4G, this updated list is encrypted using the public key of the game server and the resulting message indicated as message 530 of FIG. 3F, and sent back to game server 150.

As indicated by block O in FIG. 4G, each game server this time transmits to the client machine 160 each of the competition results indicated as message 535 in FIG.

As indicated by block P of FIG. 4G, a message containing a race result, indicated as message 540 of FIG. 3G, may be sent from main server 100 to web server 110 for posting on a competing web site. Lose.                 

In an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention, the global time reference is accessed through the use of a global location system (GPS) receiver located inside both the client machine (in the GSU) and the main server 100 (client By each machine). The GPS system receives time signals from the GPS satellites 180, and the GPS satellites 180 then receive their time signals from an atomic clock. The GPS receiver provides the most precisely synchronized time signal available for this type of distributed system.

However, in certain applications, it may not be economically feasible to mount a GSU on every client machine. In such cases, when characterizing the local clock on the client machine or synchronizing the client machine display refresh cycle, another method of distributing the master clock time to the client must be used.

The solution to this problem is to send a master clock time signal from the main server 100 to the client machine 160 over the network 190. There is a standard method for distributing time signals over the Internet implemented in network time protocols well known in the art. Network time protocol, or NTP, performs statistical analysis of network latency between computers, and then network latency when distributing time signals by considering network latency when transferring time from one machine to another. Reward your sex. Instead of using GPS to characterize the local clock of the client machine, the techniques used in NTP can be easily adapted. The characterized local clock can then be used to synchronize the display and display the query at the desired start time. Although the generic NTP protocol can be used, in the case of competing systems, additional encryption and other safety measures should be taken to minimize the chance of tampering with the system in order to consider safety.

Another method that provides a much more accurate start-time than that achieved using the method proposed in US Pat. No. 5,820,463 uses NTP to characterize the local clock and then its local clock to trigger the display of query results. Is to use This is because the prior art method of US Pat. No. 5,820,463 is based on the timing and latency of a single message containing the start-time encryption key, whereas the improved method of the present invention uses many repeated messages for the start-time. Based on the local clock characterized, thus minimizing the effect of random variation of individual message latency. A preferred embodiment of the present invention incorporating GPS completely eliminates the effect of (variable) network latency by bypassing the Internet through the use of satellite transmission, where the latency caused by distance to the satellite is automatically compensated for. do.

In summary, the systems and methods of the present invention described herein include various measures to ensure legitimacy of competition and safety of competition for dishonest competitors and malicious third parties. Encryption is widely used for most messages passing between machines. Secret message protocols combined with encryption prevent hackers from intercepting and modifying messages to disrupt competition or give any competitor an unfair advantage. In addition, extensive logging of all features of the timing procedure allows post hardwood analysis to detect any inconsistencies that may indicate tampering. Client software can generate self-checking. The trick will be greatly reduced by knowing that any mismatches in this log may cause competitors to lose their qualifications.

In addition, the systems and methods of the present invention may also demonstrate that the original unmodified client software is running during each competition. The system and method of the present invention may also use a challenge-response proof method, in which the game server sends a series of messages to the client machine software, demonstrating that the response to the message is as expected. do. Challenges and responses will involve several methods that change over time to prevent hackers from recording "right" answers to queries. The response may include pseudo-random numbers generated using a method known to both client and server, in which it is extremely difficult to predict the next number or to reverse the algorithm used to generate such a number. . The challenge-response proof message can be used at any point during the competition, for example, during the time the system waits for a query or a response from a competitor, or after submission of a response.

An extremely interested hacker would be able to eliminate some of the defenses provided above by completely disassembling the client software and understanding the encryption and obscuration used. Thus, the systems and methods of the present invention also provide another layer through the use of code fragments downloaded just-in-time or through the use of encrypted code fragments with decryption keys downloaded at the correct time. May include the safety of the layer. Significant portions of the client software, particularly those used for secure communication (encryption and decryption), those used for clock adjustment and monitoring, and those used to perform self-checking of programs follow this method.

Clearly, the embodiment incorporating the GSU 175, particularly the enhanced GSU 175, has much stronger security because encryption and decryption on the client machine can be performed entirely within the GSU hardware. In addition, because time-stamping and query indication timing is performed in hardware, many of the opportunities to cheat the system are avoided. For a higher level of safety, the GSU itself will be physically sealed with a tamper-proving device, and in the case of a large prize event, the GSU will be examined as part of the requirements when claiming the prize.

The competition promotion system of FIG. 2 described above uses a centralized competition creation and management subsystem, where competition management interface software 260 located on the primary server 100 queries and answers the database 140. It is used by the competition manager to enter the information, design and define the competition, schedule the competition, and monitor and control the competition.

In order to provide great flexibility for competition managers in competition initiation, management and performance, the competition promotion system of FIG. 2 is aggregated from any number of remote management consoles 600 located anywhere around the globe. It may be modified to further include the additional components and processes shown in FIGS. 6-6C to allow for competition to be generated and managed. This feature of the invention has several important advantages. For example, remote competition creation and administration creates additional opportunities and potential business models. In particular, the management of quizzes and tests in educational settings is an ideal application for remotely managed time-limited competitions or tests performed using the present competition-promoting system. Frequently, teachers, professors, and other educators want to control the format and content of the test and evaluation tools they provide. Using the competition-promoting system shown in FIG. 10, educators can easily set up the remote management console 600 and then use this console to design, test, plan, and manage tests for their students.

As shown in FIG. 10, the remotely-managed contention-promoting system herein is similar to the centrally-managed contention-promoting system of FIG. Client machines 160; Game server 150; Login server 120; Web server 110; Competitor database 130; Login server 120; And network 190. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 10A, the remotely managed contention-promoting system of the present invention includes a remote management server 610; Remote management console 600; And a competition database 660.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the remote management console 600 includes, for example, an operating system 240; Device driver 280; Network interface 215; Standard I / O hardware 220; And a general purpose personal computer (PC) using standard components such as clock and timer hardware 290. In addition, the remote management console 600 is provided with a number of software applications, such as a web browser 320, a remote management plug-in 640, and a remote management client application 650. The remote management software, which consists of the remote management plug-in 640 and the remote management client 650, is downloaded and installed following a similar procedure used to obtain competitive client software for client machines. Users must register on the website to gain permission to manage competitions using the system. This procedure follows a profile similar to that shown in Figure 4A. In this case, however, the accessed website is a remote management website serviced by the remote management server 610.

Remote management client software 650 includes designing and entering queries and responses, testing competition, planning competition time, identifying eligible competitors to compete, and submitting completed competition to the remote management server. An application or group of applications that performs numerous other tasks. The remote management plug-in 640 is connected to the web browser 320 and can be used to monitor the competition, view and download the competition results.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the remote management server 610 performs a high performance using a standard operating system 240, a device driver 230, standard I / O hardware 220, and a high performance network interface 210. Server. In this system, two primary applications run. That is, the remote management web server 620 and the remote management daemon 630. The remote management web server 620 supports a competition management website, which provides information to users who wish to create and run their own competitions or tests. The remote management daemon 630 communicates with remote management client software 650 running on any number of remote management consoles 600. The remote management daemon 630 collects information about requested competitions and their plans. Information about plans, participants, and query and response references is stored in the competition database 660 for later use by the primary server 100. The remote management server also connects to the competitor database 130 to identify competitors and records performance data about competitors or test participants. Actual queries and responses are stored in the query / response database 140. Virtual network connections between remote management configurations are shown in FIG. 10A.

In virtually all competitions, sports, and public play events, there are some forms of production and / or service advertisements aimed at audiences who are not competitors. Therefore, in economic terms, the competition-promoting system of the present invention also includes some facilities that allow as many audiences as possible to view the competition and advertisements associated therewith. Although the Internet is growing at an alarming rate, the number of participants is still small compared to the enormous number of people who have television sets and watch television regularly. In order to reach this additional viewer, in particular the competition-enhancing system of the present invention enables the audience to watch television broadcasts of the Internet-based competition enabled by its system.

As shown in Fig. 11, the competitive-enhancing system of the present application shown in Figs. 2-4G and 6-6C includes a number of system components that are configured to provide live video, tape video program content, and real-time information and results. It can be combined and distributed on the fly to audiences watching one or more competitions on a standard television set around the world. As shown in FIG. 11, these additional system configurations include a web server 110; Client enabled 900 video; Web-video processor 910; Real-time video configurator 920; Tape video content playback unit 960; Live video source 950 (e.g. camera); Broadcast equipment 930 and television viewer 940.

Live video images are captured by each of the client machines 900 that are video enabled, to intensify and dramatize competition for viewers. In general, each video enable client machine 900 is equivalent to client machine 160 with the addition of video compression and transmission software associated with the video camera. Video cameras and software are readily available as part of commercially available video conferencing systems known to those skilled in the art.

In addition to distributing the participant's video image, the system also allows both live video source 950 and tape video content 960 to be integrated into a complete video broadcast. This content may include announcements, competition related information, as well as a live MC or host for the competition.

The function of the web-video processor 910 is in the format and (i) the data generated by the primary server 100 and the data distributed through the web server 110 and (ii) the client machine 900 which is video enabled. Rendering of data sent by Competition creators or managers can create specially designed "web pages" that contain all the information that appears in a live broadcast. This page may include dynamic elements such as Java® or ActiveX® components for continuously updating and refreshing queries, responses, scores, competitor information, and other data. The web-video processor 910 is provided with HTML (or XML) rendering engine along with the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and other dynamic web technologies.

As shown in FIG. 11, the video streams from the live video camera 950, the tape video content playback unit 960, and the web-video processor 910 are combined and laid out by the real-time video configurator 920. lay out) and have the result of one single view representing various aspects of the ongoing competition. 11A shows only one possible video display layout for a competition between two teams of three, where live video is displayed at the top center of the display screen, and the formatted output of the web server 100 is at the bottom of the display screen. Is displayed along.

During the operation of the competition, real-time video configurator 920 delivers the final video signal to broadcast equipment 930, which transmits the video signal to the audience television set 940 via cable, satellite, and / or radio waves.

The system components shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 7A and described above allow the audience to passively observe Internet-based competitions while watching a conventional television set 940. In an alternative embodiment of the present application shown in FIG. 12, additional system components are provided to allow competitors to actively participate in competition via television-based client machines. As shown in Figures 8 and 8A, a television based client machine 970 in accordance with the present invention includes a set top client machine 970; IR based remote control input device 980; It includes the components of a standard television set 990. As shown, the set top client machine 970 is connected to the user's television set 990 using a standard NTSC or PAL cable. In addition, the set-top client machine 970 has a connection to a cable, or antenna, as well as the Internet using a modem 976 via a telephone line to an Internet service provider.

Set-top client machine 970 receives and processes contention data including queries via input video signals as well as modems. The video signal may contain live video in a standard format and may optionally contain additional data broadcasts during the virtual blanking period, perhaps using an intercast® format.

As shown in FIG. 12A, set-top client machine 970 includes a number of major components: GSU 175 or advanced GSU 17; Clock and timer hardware 290; A television tuner 997 with intercast® decode capability; modem 976; infrared input port 975; NTSC or PAL audio / video output 974; An embedded device driver 973; And a built-in operating system 972 and firmware contention client 971 with Java capabilities running on a microprocessor. Like the computer-based client machine 160, the set-top client machine 970 uses a GPS receiver in the GSU to train the local clock of the client machine. This clock is used to trigger the display of the query on the television screen as well as to measure the elapsed time taken by the user when responding to the query (or submitting a response to the ITRs).

Television-based client machine 970 has numerous advantages over computer-based client machine 160. First, bandwidth requirements on current Internet connections are significantly reduced because much content is distributed through the television signal. Second, set-top client machine 970 can be made much cheaper than a general purpose computer. For the end user, the set top box 970 may be provided by their cable television provider for free or at a reduced fee. This is because the set-top box also functions as a tuner. An additional advantage of the set-top box configuration is that it is easy to make system security. Unlike general purpose computers, programming and development tools and interfaces can be owned, limiting the ability of heckers to develop programs for compromise with the system. In addition, programs are stored in tamper-resistant EPROMs that make it nearly impossible for hackers to break down programs to learn their vulnerabilities.

One disadvantage of the set-top based version is the difficulty in achieving precise tuning of microseconds. Generally in television systems, the display refresh timing is determined by the incoming NTSC or PAL signal. In order to accurately tune, the refresh rate requires at least one frame of video memory storage used to buffer incoming data. The television signal will be tuned very well due to the real-time nature of the television broadcast as opposed to the full store-and-forward architecture of the Internet, so almost all of it requires only one frame of storage.

The Global Tuning Unit (GSU) of the present invention clearly has numerous applications beyond that of critical performance and online content and games, financial and daily trade operations, and other forms of time-limited competition on the Internet. As mentioned above, the GSU enables many functions beyond those provided by a standard clock or GPS device. These functions include three basic categories, namely the time- and spatial-tuned generation of output events; Temporal and spatial stamping of input events; And verification of previously generated time and space stamps.

The first category of functionality is the occurrence of output events in response to specific time and space conditions. The GSU core processor 750 may receive instructions to set time and space restrictions along with associated actions performed when the time and space limits are satisfied through an internal connection to a local user interface or other device or computer. have. In the case of a competing application, the limit would be to act on that sequence of requested start-times. The action performed in this case was the display of the decryption and competition queries. GSU 175 may be programmed to produce a number of different output operations in response to time-space conditions. However, using the security and encryption of the GSU, the nature of these operations can be canceled until the operation is actually performed. Applications for this performance range from important things, such as sensitive delivery of sensitive messages or data that can only be revealed at any time and location, until the player reaches each sub-goal point. It extends to a scavenger hint game that reveals additional clues.

The second category of functionality is the generation of time and space stamps that record and authenticate input events. The GSU core processor is again commanded via a connection to a local operator interface or other device and computer for generating time and space stamps. This stamp may or may not be associated with additional input device data. When associated with additional input data, GSU encryption capabilities can be used to combine digital time, location, and digital signature on input data. This digital signature can later be used to verify that the data was actually present at time and location and that the data has not changed since that time. Of course, this method cannot be used to prove whether the data existed before a certain time or whether the data existed in other locations, but this sets the upper-bound on the creation period and the data Certify that it was available.

Finally, the primary performance of GSU hardware is the ability to authenticate and verify digitally signed time and space stamps made in the past. Depending on the specific of the digital signature and the time and space-spamming method used, it is possible to verify time and space stamps using other GSU systems or other hardware or software systems. Essentially, the GSU can function as a notary public as well as the required evidence regarding the time and location of events.

FIG. 13 shows only a few potential inputs to the GSU 175 or 177 that may benefit from time and space stamping capabilities. These inputs have a wide range of applications, such as still image and video cameras, microphones, and chemical “sniffers” in areas of very special purposes such as water level sensors, anti-theft alarms, and police radars. Ranges from very general purpose inputs with ranges. Other possible inputs include bar code readers, document scanners, fingerprint readers, iris scanners, automotive counters, optical sensors for race finish lines, temperature sensors, and signature capture devices. Include. Applications for GSU with these inputs are indeed infinite, and the illustrated input devices are merely representative samples of possible inputs.

14 shows examples of devices incorporating the GSP components of the present invention to enhance beneficial results.

Web-enabled portable computers with built-in GSP and possibly wireless Internet access are carried by time and space stamping package deliverers. By attaching a digital on-time camera to the input of the GSP, the image of the person receiving the package is taken and integrated into the recorder of the transaction. GSU-equipped digital cameras with tamper-resistant and tamper-proof mechanical seals are used to provide legitimate documentation of any number of transactions or events. Employees of insurance companies use these devices for accidental damage to documents. Similarly, barcode scanners, document scanners, and police radar units are all integrated with the GSU system to provide improved safety and authentication.

As shown in FIG. 15, the basic GSU unit 175 and the enhanced GSU 177 may be installed in a number of different configurations for use as peripherals for general purpose personal or business computers. These devices connect to high color computers using PCMCIA slots, ISA / PCI or SCSI interfaces, or through serial or parallel port connections. Alternatively, the GSTs 175 and 177 can also be realized as single Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) devices, with analog digital circuits embedded in a manner known in the ASIC chip fabrication art.

As mentioned above, the present invention enables simultaneous provision of data to a plurality of users connected via networks to a central computer or computers. Alternatively, the present invention also allows for the safe and accurate calculation of time and space stamps for events occurring at the client's machine. These stamps are digitally signed to certify and resist the authenticity of the forgery document. Based on these characteristics, the present invention can be used to buy and sell other valuable items on the Internet, including items and items that are auctioned between financial collateral, commodities, and online auctions of the WWW.

In particular, the present invention provides traders with the ability to lead financial firms in a manner that provides greater fairness and collateral than the immediate effort (purchasing and selling financial collateral and changing the value of these collateral) related to gaining other benefits from fluctuation).

One important aspect of collateral sale is the ability to view and monitor information about the sale and other transactions involving these collaterals. Depending on the level of service they will purchase and the quotes will be delivered with some delay (from "real time" to 20 minutes). Conventional real-time trading or auction systems do not compensate for network latency when this delay mention or bidding proceeds, and therefore the trader (or bidder) will actually receive some random total time after a certain delay. . Using similar elements, protocols, and procedures provided for the competitive system described above, the principles of the present invention provide that any given delay is greater than the worst case latency expected for these competitors' client machines. With regard to delay, it can be used to manufacture competitive promotion systems that enable the simultaneous presentation of valuable references to millions of competitors around the world.

In addition, the Internet competitor promotion system of the present invention provides a safe time for client machine activity, such as not only bidding to purchase an auctioned item at an online auction site, but also requesting an offer to buy and sell collaterals, options, and the like. Enable space stamping. Here, when using a hardware GSU, each client machine in the system is enabled to generate a digitally signed time and space stamp for each transaction, so that the client's transactions are processed (ie, executed in a stable and essentially fair manner). To be cleared.

As shown in FIG. 5, the financial collateral / daily commodity price mention / sales system of an exemplary embodiment includes a number of secondary components, namely, a main server 100, one or more web servers 110, a login server ( 120, a trader database 35, a real-time market state server 45, one or more real-time price-listing and trading servers 55, and a plurality of client machines 160. In many respects, the system of FIG. 5 is similar to the system of FIG. 2 except that any components are suitably modified to the characteristics of the collateral, daily necessities, or related current market (s). Like numbers refer to like components in the system.

The overall operation of the price mention / sale system is controlled or commanded by a computer or set of computers, or devices, collectively referred to as the main server 100. The primary server communicates with the real-time market state server 45, distributes the mention and other market data due to the real-time price-listing and trading servers 55, provides a master clock for the system, It provides arbitrary functionality to the system that integrates and performs the primary processing on the trading request.

The main server 100 is substantially similar to that provided for the competitive embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 2G. However, the competition management interface 260 will be replaced by the financial securities transaction management interface, which may be used for this application, such as the ability to assign specific rights to traders and change trader market delays and other such operations. Have the appropriate capacity.

The single primary server 100 communicates indirectly with the client machine via a plurality of real-time quotes and transaction servers 55. These servers deliver quotes and other financial data to client machine 160 and receive transaction requests from the client machine. The preliminary authentication and classification of the transactions is performed by the real time ticker and transaction server 55, and these preprocessed results are passed back to the preliminary server 100. The hardware and software structure of the real time price and transaction server 55 is similar to the game servers 150 shown in FIG. 2E. In this figure, a layer structure similar to the main server 100 is shown, wherein the hardware components are not only the standard hardware components 220, but also the GPS receiver 170, the high precision timing hardware 200, and the high performance network interface ( 210). These hardware components are controlled through the use of a set of standard and custom device drivers 230. A plurality of these device drivers are provided by the hardware manufacturer, some of which are specifically written or modified to handle the exact timing operations required by the financial transaction system. The main application running on real-time tickers and trading servers is the financial trading system daemon. The software receives, processes, and responds to data from the main server, login server, and client machine.

The trader communicates with the system through the client machine 160. Each trader uses a single client machine to receive and observe securities prices and other financial data, as well as input and send requests (ie, orders or offers) to buy or sell securities or options. Each client machine 160 consists of a standard personal computer that is augmented by the addition of various software and hardware components. The reference hardware component on the trader's client machine is a global synchronization unit (GSU) 175. The GSU decodes and displays the quote at a specified delay, and also time and space stamps the trader's request (ie, order) to buy and sell securities, options, and the like. These time and space stamps are digitally signed to provide a secure record of the requested transaction.

When the transactions are not actually carried out, the trader communicates with the financial information presenting the website via a web browser. The competing web site is "provided" to the browser from one or more web servers 110. The web servers handle advertisements, support, registration, downloads, and similar tasks.

Another important component of the price / trade system shown in FIG. 5 is the login server 120. The login server receives a login request from a trader's client machine and assigns the appropriate real-time quote and trading server to the client machine. The login server provides a single well-known address to the client machine for contact when initiating a new transaction session. The login server also serves to distribute the processing and communication load information among the real-time ticker and transaction servers. 5B shows a virtual network connection between the login server and the trader's client machine.

5 also shows a trader database 35. The trader database records information about the user, such as identification information, preferences, contact information, and past transaction records.

The real-time market state server 45 provides the trading system of the present invention and the actual stock trading (or commodity trading or trading) that provides the price and processing orders for trading (e.g., to execute an order by matching a buy and sell order). Currency transactions) act as an interface between computers. The server 45 collects the requested information, converts the information into an appropriate form for transmission to the main server 100, reformats the information in an appropriate protocol, and executes appropriate stock trading (or commodity trading or Currency transactions) to the computer. Finally, the results of the transactions are collected and sent to the main server 100 for distribution to the client machine via the real time ticker and transaction server 55. By executing accurate time stamping on the client and server side of transaction processing, each transaction order (ie, buy or sell) gets two time stamps (that is, a time stamp generated on the client machine and a time stamp generated on the server). And thus can be reliably received and executed based on the submission time of the order at the client machine rather than at the server. Thus, theoretically and practically, the order execution subsystem may execute a trading order based on the time of receipt of the order at the client machine, i.e., the time that the orders are later delivered to the order execution subsystem rather than the time the orders are received at the server. have.

In addition, the client machine generating the trading order (ie, message) will receive a time stamp when the trading order is actually received at the server. In addition, the time stamp of a trading order at the server (e.g., maintained at a stock exchange) may prevent the sending of such an order message to an order execution subsystem (e.g., an electronic communication network ECN), An order to buy certain securities on the subsystem corresponds to an order to sell certain securities, which often occurs when the market starts with a loss in value, and the stock brokerage company places an order for a consumer / client transaction. Before running, he will attempt to sell or buy positions on his account.

As in the case of other preferred embodiments, the components of FIG. 5 are interconnected via the Internet or other network indicated by network 190.

In particular, the general operation shown in FIG. 4 and executed by the system of FIG. 2 is also performed by the quote / trade system of FIG. Where various course modifications are included to perform different applications in the near future. Collectively, these actions allow one competitor (ie, market participant or trader) to participate against millions of competitors in a safe and basically fair time constraint competition to buy and sell limited economic resources in a typical free market. Here, quotes are set by the forces of supply and demand, not government orders or regulations. In accordance with the present invention, each competitor connected to the online access price / transaction system established by the client machine receives the updated price schedule at a common start time, regardless of the basic structure of the Internet or the location of the client machine on the planet. Thus, traders / competitors in Tokyo, Japan, and New York, USA, receive real-time tickers for market activity at the same globally synchronized time. In addition, the GSU of each trader's client machine places a time and space stamp on each trader's transaction, such that such geographically distributed and differently-connected traders can compete under fundamentally fair and network-secured conditions. Grant safely Further, as a server, by performing accurate time stamping at the client end and the server end of the bidding process, the bidding can be reliably accepted based on the submission time rather than the reception time.

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block A of FIG. 4 is modified such that each trader or competitor registers as a trader with the system and downloads the ticker / trade software to create a fully synchronized and secure networked client machine. .

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block B of FIG. 4 is modified such that each trader logs on to the ticker / trade server 55 to establish a communication channel.

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block C of FIG. 4 is modified such that the system periodically sends the timetable update and start time from the main server 100 to each client machine 160.

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block D of FIG. 4 allows the system to characterize the local clock of the client machine with the master clock on the main server 100 (ie, no improved GSU 177 is provided). Case), a modification is made to characterize the synchronization of the client machine update cycle with the desired start time for the ticker update.

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block E of FIG. 4 is performed at the same synchronized start time as a whole, the system being determined by a local clock characterized for example with respect to the global master clock located at the main server 100. It will be modified to correctly provide each trader with a ticker update.

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block F of FIG. 4 is such that the GSU enabled client machine buys and / or buys a trader's response (eg, a certain amount of stock, commodity, or currency for a particular price). Order), attach a time and space stamp to the response, and send the response and time stamp to the server 55 of the system.

In the system of FIG. 5, the operation indicated in block G of FIG. 4 is modified such that the real-time market state server 45 receives information about orders during past ticker / trade cycles and updates this information.

During the next subsequent ticker display time (i.e. next start time) in the market competition, the updated tickers are displayed and presented simultaneously to each online trader in a manner that is time-synchronized as a whole. In response, each trader can respond to such changing market conditions by placing time and space stamped trading orders on the original client machine in a totally time synchronized manner. By the system of the present invention, such orders are executed fairly and securely (ie, in the market, corresponding to unsatisfied corresponding orders) in accordance with the market's general time priority procedures and practices.

Systems similar to those described above can be configured and deployed to improve the operation of online real-time auctions in a fundamentally fair and secure manner, thus eliminating the superior benefits of bidders with high speed computers and / or internet access. .

6-9E, an online auction support system and method will now be described in accordance with the principles of the present invention.                 

In this particular embodiment of the present invention, the primary purpose of the Internet-based systems and methods is to enable thousands of millions of bidders to participate in a multiple bidder, time-sensitive, Internet-driven real-time auction that is controlled in a secure and basically fair manner. In general, an auction includes a plurality of bidders who simultaneously attempt to bid on a product breakdown, trading product, antique or other product provided in a “auction block” in a time-limited manner.

Generally, the auction consists of a plurality of bidders who are willing to bid on a commodity item supplied for sale. Each bidder of the auction will interface with the auction via client machine 160. The client machine uses other means to display images, text, video, play audio, and display auction information about items of goods being supplied for sale. The client machine also accepts bids from the bidder based on previously presented information. Thus, the client machine is a device that presents auction information and accepts bids from one bidder participating in the auction.

The auction support system has a function of controlling and measuring specific time-based elements of the auction. These elements include the ability to indicate the exact moment when the auction is started and the bidders are allowed to submit a bid, called the "start time", the ability to indicate the exact moment when the bid is submitted, and the "receipt time". Includes the ability to indicate the exact moment at which the server receives a bid. The system can also accurately determine the length of time between the submission time and the reception time, referred to as the "response time".

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the system ensures that the submission time of each bid is accurately time stamped at the client machine and the reception time of each bid is accurately time stamped at the main server 100. The system allows network latency, measured by response time, to be varied based on a number of factors, including, for example, client machine hardware, network connectivity, traffic on the network, and the like. By performing accurate time-stamping on both the client and server sides of the bidding process, bids are reliably accepted based on submission-time but not on submission-time. Thus, the system and method of the present invention compensate (at the same level) any differences between the network wait times of competing bidders, and no bidders are disadvantaged depending on the response-time of the client machine used during the auction processing. To ensure that Each client machine formed in the system of the present invention also receives confirmation of bid initiation, which includes both submission-time and admission-time. If the GSU-allowed client machine does not receive a bid confirmation, it will automatically resubmit the bid. In particular, the measured response-times of the clients also provide a measure of network latency, and after the "close of bidding" for a time period longer than the measured longest network latency, the server accepts the acceptance of bids. Allow to continue The submission-time of any bid received after the end of the bid is ascertained to ensure the bid submitted before the end of the bid.

In a preferred embodiment, the local clock associated with each client machine is characterized by using a GPS receiver installed on the client machine. GPS receivers can provide clock readings as well as very precise and accurate 1kHz signals. This signal is sampled and the local clock is read repeatedly. By analyzing the relationship between the local clock and the 1 ms signal over time, the relationship between the two clocks can be determined using standard curve-fitting methods.

Preferably, each client machine is provided with a GSU comprising a GPS receiver module as described above. However, when there is no GPS receiver module on the client machine, other techniques can be used to characterize the local clock on the client machine. In particular, methods and algorithms based on standard network time protocol (NTP) can be used. As discussed above, these algorithms are typically used to synchronize clocks across networks and automatically measure and compensate for network latency. NTP can be used directly or will be further modified to increase accuracy.

The auction-assisted system of the present invention also uses extensive security measures to detect and abandon cheating by fraudulent bidders. Security is critical in large auctions involving items of significant value. Security for the system is provided by not only monitoring and recording auction related operations on each client machine, but also encrypting a plurality of messages between the various computers of the system. Security is also provided by unique identification for each client machine. The login for each bidder is associated with a unique identity selected from a limited number of client machines. This feature of the system only allows registered bidders to bid from client machines and provides a way to determine if someone else is using the bidder's login. Security measures also include the ability to prequalify bidders based on the bidder's credit rating and available credit limit. This feature of the system will prevent bidders who are unable to pay for the item more than they can afford or destroy the auction processing supported by the system.

In a preferred embodiment, cryptographic countermeasures in the system are made possible by cryptographic hardware installed on the client machine. The advantage of the encryption hardware is that it has the ability to quickly encrypt and decrypt messages to and from the server working with each client machine. In addition, the cryptographic hardware may be encoded with a unique identity number. In the absence of cryptographic hardware, other techniques can be used to encrypt and decrypt messages between clients and servers of the system. In particular, methods and algorithms of standard secure socket layer (SSL) can be used. These algorithms are typically used to encrypt and decrypt messages between web browsers and web servers over the Internet. With respect to unique identities, the identities can be created and stored on the client machine in encrypted form as an alternative.

The auction support system of the present invention can replicate the features of a live auction unlike current online auctions. The present invention can also be used for auctions that have a set end time like current online auctions, but with the added benefit of correcting the waiting delay and confirming bid entry. In addition, the present invention has the ability to prequalify bidders in accordance with financial capabilities.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, the cryptographic hardware and the GPS receiver are connected together on a single ASIC in a tamper-resistant and tamper-evident package called a global synchronization unit (GSU). do. The advantage of this design is the enhanced security that a single GSU will provide. A single ASIC is quite difficult to reprogram or avoid problems due to the integrated design. In addition, the GSU's encryption capabilities can control software updates running on its own unit and can prevent fraudulent bidders from tampering with time stamps or tampering with a unique identity.

In a preferred embodiment of the system, the cryptographic hardware, GPS receiver and fractal antenna are integrated into a single ASIC in tamper-resident and tamper-evidence packages. As is known in the antenna art, fractal antennas use a recursive design. In addition, a single ASIC design is inherently more resistant to attempts to escape security features. Preferably, the GSU may realize a plurality of forms of factors including, for example, computer mouse, keyboard, and advertising product designs such as known product forms such as Coke bottles and Pepsi cans.

In connection with an overview of the auction support / advancing system of the present invention, the more detailed structure and function of its components are described below.

As shown in FIG. 6, the auction support system of the exemplary embodiment incorporates integrated components, namely, primary server 100 ', one or more web servers 110', login server 120 ', bidders. Database 130 ', auction database 140', one or more auction servers 150 ', and a plurality of client machines 160. As shown in FIG. 6, a global synchronization unit (GSU) 175 is installed in each client machine, but a standard GPS receiver 17 is installed in the main server 100 'and each auction server 150'. Is installed. As shown in FIG. 6, the auction support system of the exemplary embodiment is GPS receivers 170 that operate with an array of GPS satellites 180 that occupy the shortest orbit in the same manner as is known in the satellite art. Use a global positioning system that includes. All computer and database components of the system are interconnected via some kind of communication network 190, such as the Internet, which supports networking protocols such as TCP / IP.

주 서버

로서 총괄적으로 참조되는 컴퓨터 또는 컴퓨터들의 세트에 의해 수행된다. 주 서버는, 예를 들어, 이 기술분야에 공지된 경매 처리들로 판매될 제품들 및 물건들에 대한 설명서대로 동작하고, 시스템에 대한 마스터 클럭을 제공하고, 입찰자들의 전체 등급을 결정하고, 경매(즉, 경쟁)에서 최고의 입찰자를 선택하며, 입찰자들(즉, 경쟁자들)과 일반 대중에게 경매에서 승리한 입찰자들의 신원을 알려주는 것을 포함하는 시스템에 대한 어떤 기능들을 제공한다.The overall regulation of auction activity allowed by the systems and methods of the present invention is indicated below by reference numeral 100 '.

Primary server

It is performed by a computer or set of computers, referred to collectively as. The main server, for example, acts as a description of products and goods to be sold with auction processes known in the art, provides a master clock for the system, determines the overall rating of bidders, and auctions It selects the best bidder in the competition (ie, competition) and provides some features for the system, including informing the bidders (ie, competitors) and the general public of the identity of the bidders who have won the auction.

As shown in Fig. 6G, the main server 100 'of the auction proceeding system includes a plurality of software and hardware components. As shown in FIG. 6G, the structure of the main server 100 is shown using the hierarchical structure of a standard general purpose computer, with the hardware components shown at the lowest level with successive layers of software functionality disposed thereon. have. Each layer of components is used and configured according to the services and capabilities of the lower layers, which only directly interface with the adjacent layer very frequently directly below it. In the main server 100 ', the low level hardware includes a GPS receiver 170, and a high precision clock and timing hardware 200 that is synchronized with a global time reference using the GPS receiver. In addition, high performance network interface hardware 210 is used to connect the main server 100 'to the communication network 190. These hardware components are standard I / O and high-end networks, such as the SUN Enterprise ™ server running the Solaris ™ platform, running Sun Microsystems' Sun Microsystems ™ platform in Palo Alto, California. Another hardware 220 installed in the server. The hardware level is standard on-demand device drivers 230 that communicate and control directly with the hardware. Device drivers are used by operating system 240 and high-level applications, eliminating the need for direct hardware programming. At the top level of FIG. 6G there are two auction related applications. The first application is the main server daemon 250 '. This piece of software not only manages the communication of quality, response, and other information with game servers, but also manages a sequence of actions for an auction (ie, competition) as a whole. Another high level application running on the main server 100 is the auction management interface 260 '. This application provides a user interface to auction operators. The software allows operators to insert new auctions into the auction database 140 ', auction and schedule them, set bid levels (e.g., start bidding on specific items scheduled for auctions) ), Specifying qualifications for participating in specific auctions (eg, financial qualifications), collecting and reviewing custom statistics, and monitoring ongoing auctions. The auction management interface application 260 'communicates with a primary server daemon 250' that performs most of the work.

As shown in FIG. 6A, one primary server 100 ′ communicates directly with client machines 160 via a plurality of auction servers 150 ′. These auction servers 150 'relay current bids for client machines and receive responses (eg counter bids) from the client machines. Analysis and storage of response bids is performed at auction servers 150, after which these pre-processed results are returned to the main server 100 '.

As shown in FIG. 6E, auction server 150 ′ includes hardware components including GPS receiver 170, high precision timing hardware 200, high performance network interface 210, standard hardware components 220. It includes, and has a hierarchical structure similar to the main server (100 '). These hardware components are controlled by using a standard set of custom device drivers 230. Many of these device drivers are provided by hardware manufacturers, but some are clearly written or modified to handle the precise timing operations required by the auction support system of the present invention. The primary application running on auction servers is auction server daemon 270 '. The auction server daemon 270 'receives, processes and responds to data from the main server 100, the login server 120, and its client machines 160.

경매 WWW 사이트(Auction WWW Site)

와 접촉한다. 이 다른 구성 성분들은 입찰자와 경매 시스템간의 주 인터페이스인 경매 클라이언트(340) 외에 경매 웹사이트에서 사용자의 경험을 강화하도록 하는 경매 플러그인(330)을 포함할 수도 있다. 각 경매 클라이언트 머신은 입찰자의 응답들(즉, 역 입찰들)을 수락하여 서버들에 전송할 뿐만 아니라, 입찰자에 대한 입찰들을 수신하여 표시한다. 각 경매 클라이언트 머신은 경매(즉, 경쟁)의 타이밍 특성들을 처리하기 위해, 경매 훅들(hooks) 및 드라이버들(350')을 통해 기본적인 입력, 출력 및 타이밍 하드웨어와 통신한다. 훅들과 드라이버들(350')은 경매 동안의 다양한 이벤트들과 관련된 시간 탬프들을 생성할 뿐만 아니라, 클럭과 디스플레이 동기화에 대한 책임이 있다. 지구 동기화 유닛(GSU)(175)은 국제적으로 표준화된 기준 클럭들에 트레이스할 수 있는, 정확하게 알맞은 이벤트들(timed events)을 제공하기 위해 클라이언트 머신에 설치된다. 각 클라이언트 머신의 GSU(175)는 해독 동작들, 클라이언트 머신/상대방의 응답들의 시간 스탬프를 실행하고, 적절한 쿼리 프리젠테이션(timed query presentation)을 지원한다. Each bidder communicates with the auction support system through the client machine 160. Each bidder uses one client machine 160 to submit and send back-bids for current bids, as well as to receive and review a starting / minimum bid (current bids). In an embodiment, each client machine can be realized as an enhanced standard personal computer by adding several software and hardware components. 6D shows the basic components of each client machine 160. As shown in FIG. 6D, each client machine 160 will initially include standard hardware and software components typically associated with any personal computer. These components may include operating system 240, standard device drivers 280, clock or timer hardware 290, input hardware such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, etc. 300, video display and / or speakers 310. Include output hardware such as: In addition to this hardware, each client machine may require some sort of "web browser" 320, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer. This web browser registers with the auction support system and downloads other software components.

Auction WWW Site

Contact with. These other components may include an auction plug-in 330 that enhances the user's experience at the auction website in addition to the auction client 340, which is the main interface between the bidder and the auction system. Each auction client machine accepts and sends bidder responses (ie, reverse bids) to the servers, as well as receives and displays bids for the bidder. Each auction client machine communicates with basic input, output, and timing hardware through auction hooks and drivers 350 'to handle the timing characteristics of the auction (ie, competition). The hooks and drivers 350 'are responsible for clock and display synchronization as well as generating time stamps associated with various events during the auction. A Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) 175 is installed on the client machine to provide precisely timed events that can be traced to internationally standardized reference clocks. The GSU 175 of each client machine executes decryption operations, time stamps of the client machine's / relative's responses, and supports appropriate timed query presentation.

When not actually participating in the auction, the bidder communicates with the auction website through a web browser. The auction web site is "served" in the browser from one or more web servers 110. Web servers handle advertisements, support, registration, downloads, and other similar tasks. As shown in FIG. 6F, web server 110 includes standard I / O 220; High performance network interface 210; Standard device drivers 280; And a plurality of main components including an operating system 240. These components communicate to support the operation of the web server software 360. The web server software 360 handles the HTTP daemon and user / bidder registration according to various scripts, and is a utility program used to execute auction website updates when new bidder or auction results information is available. It consists of

As shown in FIG. 6, the final primary computer based on the components of the auction promotion system is the login server 120. The function of the login server 120 'is to allow login requests from each bidder's client machine and assign the appropriate auction server 150' to that client machine. The login server 120 'is provided alone and provides an already known address for the client machine to communicate when to start a new auction. The login server also serves to intelligently distribute the processing and communication load among the auction servers 150 '. As shown in FIG. 6H, login server 120 ′ includes a plurality of main components, namely standard I / O 220, high performance network interface 210, standard device drivers 280, and operating system 240. It includes. These components interact to support the server assignment function in the auction facilitation system and the operation of the login server daemon 370 to handle login requests.

As shown in FIG. 6, the auction promotion system of the illustrated embodiment utilizes two database systems. The first database system is a bidder database 130 '. The bidder database records information about the user, such as user identification, preferences, access information, and auction results and ranking. The second database is an auction database 140 '. The auction database 140 'stores a plurality of bids made by bidders during the auction. The start / minimum bids for each bid are initially set and stored in the database by the auction operators (and / or owners of the item to be auctioned). They are accessed and distributed to the bidder's client machines 160 by the main server 100 during auction processing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the final component of the auction assistance system mentioned is the communication network 190. Typically, communication over a network may be performed using various other communication methods. Typically, each computer or device will establish a connection or connections to one or more other computers via the network 190. In practice, these connections are "virtual" connections over a conventional network, such as the Internet, rather than direct point-to-point physical connections. Topography of the main virtual connections between the various auction system components is shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, and the flow of information transmitted over those connections is detailed in FIGS. 7A-7G.

분기 구조

)로서 동작하는 경매 서버들(150') 층은 이러한 장치들간에 위치한다. 각각의 경매 서버는 특정 경매 서버(150')의 셋트와 연관된 클라이언트 머신들의 셋트 및 주 서버(100')와 직접적으로 통신한다. 수천명의 입찰자들을 수반한 대규모 경매에서, 그 시스템에는 배치된 수백 또는 수천 개의 경매 서버들이 있고, 각각은 수백 또는 수천 개의 클라이언트 머신들을 처리한다. 이러한 경매 서버들은 국제적으로 또는 글로벌하게 분배되고, 각각의 경매 서버는 임의의 영역에서 클라이언트 머신들을 처리하여, "트렁크(trunk)" 네트워크 링크들 상에 로드하는 통신들을 크게 감소시킬 수 있다. 도 6A에 도시된 바와 같이, 주 서버(100')와 입찰자 데이타베이스(130) 및 경매 데이타베이스(140)간에 통신 링크들이 또한 있다. 이에 대한 경매 보조 시스템의 실시예에서, 각 게임 서버(150'), 클라이언트 머신(160), 및 주 서버(100')는 경매 보조 시스템에 참여한 각 클라이언트 머신의 디스플레이 및 로컬 클럭을 동기화하도록 사용되는 GPS 수신기를 장착된다. Typical auctions conducted using the auction assistance system of the present invention may involve thousands or millions of bidders distributed on Earth and possibly throughout the Earth. Because of the large bandwidth required to handle the transmission of responses and queries from all client machines used for the auction, the system of the present invention uses the hierarchy of servers shown in FIG. 6A. As shown in Figure 6A, the primary server 100 'acts as the root node of the tree-type interconnection of the computers. The "leaves" of the tree structure are formed by the client machine 160 connected to the system. Intermediary between the primary server 100 'and the client machines 160 (or

Branch structure

The auction servers 150 'layer, acting as), is located between these devices. Each auction server communicates directly with the main server 100 'and the set of client machines associated with a particular set of auction server 150'. In large auctions involving thousands of bidders, the system has hundreds or thousands of auction servers deployed, each handling hundreds or thousands of client machines. These auction servers are distributed internationally or globally, and each auction server can process client machines in any area, greatly reducing the loads that load on "trunk" network links. As shown in FIG. 6A, there are also communication links between the primary server 100 'and the bidder database 130 and the auction database 140. In an embodiment of this auction assistance system, each game server 150 ', client machine 160, and main server 100' are used to synchronize the local clock and the display of each client machine participating in the auction assistance system. GPS receiver is equipped.

n

최상의 입찰가(즉, 가격들)를 전송할 수 있다. 또한, 각 클라이언트 머신과 통신하여 동기화된 시간의 관리는 클라이언트 머신에 연관된 경매 서버(150')보다 주 서버(100')에 의해 실행될 수 있다. 그러한 기술들은 주 서버(100')상에 로딩(loading)을 감소시키는 역할을 한다. 모든 입찰자들의 성능은 평가되어 분류 되면, 각 경매 서버(150')는 경매 서버(150')에 접속된 클라이언트 머신들상에 활동하는 입찰자들을 분류할 수 있다. 그 후에, 클라이언트 머신들의 이러한 분류된 리스트들은 사전 분류된 경쟁자들의 그룹의 장점을 취하는 삽입 분류 또는 방법을 사용하는 주 서버(100)에 의해 용이하고 효과적으로 분류될 수 있다. The network traffic bandwidth associated with the higher level servers in the hierarchy shown in FIG. 6 does not perform some data processing on the auction servers 150 'itself, but rather all operations on the primary server 100'. It is reduced by running. In order for a single winning bidder, or some plurality of bidders (e.g., n) to be selected for each auction, each auction server 150 'compares each received bid and also on the next higher level server.

n

Send the best bid (ie, prices). In addition, the management of the synchronized time in communication with each client machine may be performed by the main server 100 'rather than the auction server 150' associated with the client machine. Such techniques serve to reduce loading on primary server 100 '. Once the performance of all bidders is evaluated and classified, each auction server 150 'can classify bidders operating on client machines connected to the auction server 150'. Thereafter, these sorted lists of client machines can be easily and effectively sorted by the main server 100 using an insert sort or method that takes advantage of a group of presorted competitors.

It is recognized that real world auctions involve much more of the actual bidding process, which forms the core elements of the auction. Many other steps and procedures are desirable or necessary from both the company or person managing the auction. Although the purpose of the auction is to purchase valuable goods from the bidder's point of view, the purpose of the auction from the auction operator's point of view may include other purposes. For example, such purposes may include the sale of other products and services, the collection of advertising, marketing information or other statistical information, the promotion of the sale of the company and its facilities, the training of a group of people, and the like. Basic bidding activities constitute the auction itself, and the other activities referenced above are referred to as non-auction activities. These non-auction activities can be divided into two main categories, those activities that directly support the auction operation, and incidental activities for the auction.

Non-auction activities that directly support an auction operation include activities that have been performed once or rarely, and those that must be executed immediately before or after each auction. One activity includes bidding for registration, system testing, and certification, and includes other client machines and plugins based on the components. Such periodic activities that must be performed before or after each auction include login, server assignment, and viewing of the auction results.

처리(handle)

) 및 암호를 선택하거나 또는 할당된다. 등록 시간에서, 복수의 테스트들이 입찰자의 시스템상에서 실행될 수 있다. 이러한 테스트들은 경매에 성공적으로 참여하기 위해 필요한 어떤 요구를 만족하는 지를 결정함으로써, 입찰자에 의해 사용되도록 클라이언트 머신을 한정하는데 사용될 수 있다. 또한, 이러한 테스트들의 결과로서 생성된 데이타는 클라이언트 머신 또는 서버들 중 한 서버에 기록될 수 있다. 경매 후 및/또는 경매 동안 수집된 다른 정보와 함께, 경매가 경쟁에서 공정하게 참여되는지의 여부를 결정하는 것을 돕는데 이러한 데이타가 사용될 수 있다. 경쟁 전에 실행되는 또다른 활동은 임의의 프로그램들, 설치된 구성 성분들, 플러그인들뿐만 아니라 그러한 것들에 의해 요구되는 임의의 데이타를 다운로드하는 것이다. 입찰자의 시스템상에 이미 존재하는 브라우저 또는 다른 프로그램들을 따라 이러한 프로그램들, 구성 성분들, 및 플러그인들은 광고 및 다른 정보와 경매에 대한 콘텐츠를 나타내는데 사용되고, 또한 클라이언트 머신에 경매의 모든 동작을 실행하는데 사용된다. Registration is used to collect and record information about each competitor who wishes to participate in a scheduled competition (eg, described on the competition WWW site). Such information may include name, address, telephone number (s), email address, and any other information desired or required of each competitor. The competitor may use an identification number (or

Handle

) And a password is selected or assigned. At registration time, a plurality of tests can be run on the bidder's system. These tests can be used to limit the client machine to be used by the bidder by determining what requirements are needed to successfully participate in the auction. In addition, the data generated as a result of these tests can be recorded on one of the client machines or servers. This data can be used to help determine whether the auction is fair in competition, along with other information collected after the auction and / or during the auction. Another activity performed before the competition is to download any programs, installed components, plug-ins as well as any data required by those. These programs, components, and plug-ins, along with browsers or other programs already present on the bidder's system, are used to display advertisements and other information and content for the auction, and also to execute all the actions of the auction on the client machine. do.

As shown in FIG. 6B, a plurality of system components distribute HTML (or XML) encoded documents (with or without Java or Active-X applets) and related web content to bidders. It is used to represent. As shown, such a system includes a plurality of mirrored web servers 110, each web server 110 connected to an auction database 130 ′, each of which is a web browser 320. It is served by a set of Web-enabled client machines (160). The master web server 110 stores and serves web site content on a set of client machines using HTTP, FTP, and other standard Internet protocols. In order to avoid overloading a single web server with hundreds or millions of connections, multiple mirror web servers 110 are used. The master web server sends copies of the entire auction web site to mirror web servers, each of which can serve a plurality of client machines 160. As shown, each web servers 110 distribute a common network auction database 130 'containing registration and other information. In addition to providing an auction "web site", web servers also distribute auction client software 340 using HTTP or FTP protocols. Prior to downloading the auction client software, each bidder / user is required to register on the web server 110. Registration involves filling out a web-based (eg, HTML encoded or XML encoded) form containing the necessary personal and client machine information and submitting the form to a web server. Client credentials can be tested using standalone test programs or browser plug-ins downloaded from a web server.

In large multi-bidder auctions, multiple auctions need to handle communication with all client machines involved during the auction. When the client machine is first connected to the auction assistance system of the present invention, it is done via a login server 120 'located at some already known internet address. The login server selects whether the game server should be used by this bidder's client machine. This selection is based on the plurality of information, including the location of the client machine, the connection characteristic for the client machine, and the number and characteristic of connections already or expected to be assigned to auction servers in the system. Load balancing algorithms are used to distribute connections to auction servers to minimize the possibility of overturning any one server and to ensure consistent connections for all auction client machines.

6C shows a connection between client machines 160, login server 120 ′, and bidder database 130 ′. Except in very large structures, only a single login server is needed, and all client machines may receive the auction server assignment from that server. If a single login server is insufficient, a hierarchy similar to that shown for the auction servers of FIG. 6B can be used. As shown in Fig. 6C, each auction machine is software that runs the auction client 340 'and coordinates with the bidder at the same time as logging in via the login server. To check the bidder's status and password, the login server accesses the bidder database 130 '.

FIG. 7 describes the high level work performed by the auction assistance system of FIG. 6. Collectively, this task allows bidders to compete with many other bidders in a secure, basically fair, time-limited auction. Here each bidder is provided a common initiation time for the provided interconnect type (e.g. POTS line, ISDN, frame relay or T1 line) regardless of the bidder device (his or her client machine) on the infrastructure of the Internet. . The flowchart of FIG. 9 illustrates eight basic steps or tasks performed by the auction assistance system of FIG. This operation is indicated by blocks A through H of FIG. As an overview of the method, this operation is first described briefly below, and then each operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A to 3G respectively.

As indicated in block A of FIG. 9, the first major task performed by the auction assistance system involves the user registering as a bidder and downloading the auction software to give comprehensive generation of concurrency and Safely, the machine allows bidders to participate in time-limited auctions, competing against many different bidders.

 As indicated by block B of FIG. 9, a second main task performed by the auction assistance system is for a bidder using the auction client software on the client machine to log on to the auction server 150 'and establish a communication channel.

As indicated by block C of FIG. 9, the third main task performed by the auction assistance system is to deliver the encoded auction information and start time from the main server to the client machine.

As indicated by block D of FIG. 9, the fourth major task performed by the auction assistant system is to make the characteristic of the local clock of the client machine the master clock of the main server, and display the client machine. The concurrency of the update cycle is the predetermined start time for the auction.

 As indicated in block E of FIG. 9, the fifth major task performed by the auction assistant system is to initiate bidding (and other bidding information) as determined by the local clock characterized by a comprehensive master clock located at the primary server. ) Is provided to the bidder exactly at the start time.

As indicated in block F of FIG. 9, the sixth main task performed by the auction assistance system is to accept an auction response (i.e. reverse auction), assign a time stamp to the response, and deliver the response and time stamp to the server. will be.

As indicated by block G of FIG. 9, the seventh main task performed by the auction assistance system is to determine bids from all bidders and determine the bidder who has made the highest bid on the auction item. In addition, the order of each bidder is determined for the auction.

(Details related to work specified in block A of FIG. 9)

In FIG. 9A, the method of registering and downloading the auction software indicated by block A of FIG. 9 is shown.

As indicated by block A of FIG. 9A, the potential bidder browses the competing WWW site (auction website). Auction websites typically contain a description of the auction client software, instructions for auction behavior, information about various other auctions, a list of products offered, an advertisement, a list of auction sponsors, a list of previous auction winners, and a list of other bidders. Include relevant information. FIG. 7A shows the flow of information between a user's client machine 160 and a web server 110 containing an HTML (and / or XML) encoded document containing an auction web site. 7B-7G also show large arrows extending from one computer to another to indicate a message or group of messages containing relevant information. The message indicated at 400 in FIG. 7A includes a web auction delivered from web server 110 to client machine 160.

In addition to the information competition on the auction website, the user is registered as a bidder. When deciding to enter an auction as indicated in block B of FIG. 9A, a user may register online using a standard HTML (or XML) form, or a form generated by a Java or ActiveX applet or a known CGI script. Enter. There is a qualification procedure during the registration process indicated by block B in FIG. 9A, and the user performs a test of his or her ability and / or the possibility of a computer system. This test may be run through a form according to the registration process or may include a user download and specialized plug-in module or standalone or computer system. The message 405 of FIG. 7A includes registration information delivered from the client machine 160 to the web server 110. This information is encoded using known standard protected HTTP methods.

As indicated by block C of FIG. 9A, the web server 110 generates a record of the auction database 130 'for the user upon completion of receipt of the registration information. The registration information is stored as this record and is set up as a bidder who is allowed to participate in one or more online majority bidder auctions that will facilitate the system of the present invention.

As indicated in block D of FIG. 9A, the bidder identity (ie, ID) is selected for a new auction. This unique ID code identifies a bidder's username, password, email address, or other information that may be changed in the future by the bidder each time. The bidder ID is recorded in the bidder database 130 'and used essentially by the auction software of the system.

As indicated by block E of FIG. 9A, a username and temporary password are set for use when the bidder enters the auction. The user name may be determined by the system or may be selected by the user as part of the registration process. Passwords are random and can change most of the time after the first login to the auction.

As indicated in block F of FIG. 9A, an e-mail message containing a username and a temporary password is sent to the bidder. The email message from the web server 110 to the client machine 160 is described as a message 410 in the data flow process shown in FIG. 7A.

As indicated in block G of FIG. 9A, the bidder is logged in the secure members only area of the auction website using the username and temporary password. This area allows bidders to view and update personal information (e.g. username, password, email address, address and phone number).

As indicated by block H of FIG. 9A, the bidder downloads the auction software from the web server 110 to the client machine 160, i.e., from the member only area of the auction website. The auction software download is performed using HTTP, FTP or other file transfer protocols as indicated by message 415 shown in the information flow procedure of FIG. 7A.

As indicated in block I of FIG. 9A, the bidder installs the client software on his machine. This procedure includes performing a downloaded installation file or first unpacking the downloaded file and performing a setup application contained within the compressed document. The installation procedure installs one or more client device drivers 350 required by the bidder's client machine as well as applying the auction client 340 '. Device drivers are used to communicate directly with the local clock and timing hardware (GPS, etc.) used on client machines. Upon successful installation of the client software, the bidder's computer system becomes a fully enabled client machine and therefore seeks to participate in the inherent competition in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

(Details related to work embodied in block B of FIG. 9)

In FIG. 7B, a subtask is shown that performs a method for a bidder to log to the auction server 150 'indicated by block B of FIG. In general, this procedure involves a number of behind-the-scenes by various server systems in addition to the actual logon method. Initially all servers and clients in the system are provided with the address of the login server 12 as well as the encryption public key of the login server used to securely send messages to the login server.

As indicated by block A of FIG. 9B1, the primary server 100 delivers a list of all participating auction servers to the login server 120. This message, shown at 420 in FIG. 7B, is encoded using the login server public key. The login server 120 decrypts and stores the message using the public key.

As indicated by block B of FIG. 9B1, the login server sends a status request message to each auction server. In FIG. 7C this status request message is indicated by message 425.

 As indicated in block C of FIG. 9B1, each auction server 150 'displays the response of the response, current loading, indication of maximum server capacity, information about the status of the auction server, including geographic area of coverage, and other information. Is sent in the status request message (ie, message 425). In addition, the response includes the public encryption key of the auction server. The entire response indicated by message 430 of FIG. 7C is encoded using the public key of the login server. Status request message 425 and response message 430 are generated periodically throughout the operation of each auction given by the system, as well as the initial time of the auction system.

As indicated in block D of FIG. 9B1, the bidder must log on to the system using auction client application when attempting to participate in a particular auction. At the stage of this process, the auction client machine 160 requests a username and password from the bidder for convenience. The username and password may be stored locally on the client machine to prevent bidders entering the auction from re-entering the username and / or password each time.

 As indicated in block E of FIG. 9B1, the auction client software 340 'passes the username and password to the login server 120'. The user name, password, and public key of the client machine are first encoded using the public key of the login server, and the accompanying login request indicated by message 435 in FIG. 7D is sent from client machine 160 to login server 120 '. Is sent to.

As shown in block F of FIG. 9B1, the login server 120 ′ decrypts the login request by obtaining a username and password. The username and password are obtained by performing a lookup operation in the bidder database 130 'to obtain the bidder ID.

As shown in block G of FIG. 9B1, the bidder ID is sent to the client machine 160 as message 440 shown in FIG. 7D. The client machine 160 stores this ID for later use.

As shown in block H of FIG. 9B1, the login server 120 selects a suitable game server 150 for this competitor based on load, geographic location and other factors.

As shown in block I of FIG. 9B2, upon selecting an auction server, login server 120 ′ sends a login request to the selected auction server, including the bidder ID and the client machine address, shown as message 445 in FIG. 3C. This message 445 is encoded using the public key of the auction server. If the login request is approved, the auction server 150 'then generates a message containing the auction server access code, indicated by message 450 in FIG. 7C encoded using the auction server's public key.

As shown in block J of Fig. 9C2, this message (including the auction server access code) is sent from the auction server 150 'to the login server 120'. In particular, the auction server access code is a key generated using the bidder ID and the client machine address. This code allows only specific bidders to log in using the code.

The login server decrypts the message 450 and then generates a new message that includes the address of the game server and the auction server access code, indicated by message 455 in FIG. 7D.

As shown in block K of FIG. 9B2, the message 455 is encoded using the public key of the client machine and sent from the login server 120 to the client machine 160.

The client machine uses its private decryption key to decrypt a message 455 containing the game server address and auction server access code. The client machine then generates a message that includes the bidder ID, the auction server access code, and the client machine public encoding key, shown as message 460 in FIG. 7D. As shown in block L of FIG. 9B2, a message 460 is sent from the client machine 160 to the auction server 150 ′ designated by the auction server address received from the login server 120 ′. The auction server 150 'responds to a message 463 containing the auction server public key. At this point, client machine 160 is successfully logged on to login server 120 to auction server 150 'selected for the client machine.

Description of the operation described in block C of FIG. 9

9C1 and 9C3, subtasks for performing the start time shown in block C of FIG. 9 and the method of downloading the encoded auction information to the client machine are shown.

As shown in block A of FIG. 9C1, sellers of the item to be auctioned enter auction information (eg, description of the auction item, minimum starting bid, etc.) into the auction database 140.

As shown in block B of FIG. 9C1, shortly before the auction begins, the auction server 150 ′ may transmit a message containing the auction server public encoding key, indicated by message 465 of FIG. 7F. Send to).

Similarly, as shown in block C of FIG. 9C1, the primary server sends a message to the auction server 150 ′ that includes the primary server public encoding key, indicated by message 470 in FIG. 7F.

As shown in block D of FIG. 9C1, when a particular auction is created, the auction start time from the auction database for use by the main server software accessing the system via the auction manager or auction management interface 260 'is used for the auction. Select. The selection of auction start time can also be made automatically by the auction management interface software.

As shown in block E of Fig. 9C1, for each auction, the main server generates a unique set of encoding and decryption keys.

As shown in block F of Fig. 9C1, using the auction encoding key, the main server 100 'encodes the auction information.

As shown in block G of FIG. 9C1, the main server 100 ′ generates a message M1 containing the encoded auction information, the auction decryption key, and the auction start time, indicated by message 475 in FIG. 7F. .

As shown in block H of FIG. 9C1, the entire message M1 475 is encoded using the public encoding key of the auction server.

As shown in block I of FIG. 9C2, the entire message M1 475 is sent from the main server 100 'to the auction server 150'.

As shown in block J of FIG. 9C2, upon receiving message M1 475 from primary server 100 ′, auction server 150 ′ decrypts message M1 475 and message in FIG. 7F. A new message M2 is generated that includes the encoded auction information (eg, bidding) and its start time, shown at 480.

As shown in block K of Fig. 9C2, this new message (M2) 480 is encoded by the auction server using the public key of the auction client machine.

As shown in block L of FIG. 9C2, the resulting coded message M2 480 is sent to the client machine.

As shown in block M of FIG. 9C2, the client machine decodes message M2 480 and stores the encoded auction information (eg, bidding) and start time contained therein in client machine 160. .

At this point, client machine 160 generates a security authentication log file and begins adding data to the security authentication log file. This encoded file may contain various information about the timing of the bidding / response process. Among other data, the security authentication log records the arrival time (local time) of the encoded query from the auction server 150 '.

Description of the operations described in block D of FIG. 9 without using the GSU of the present invention

Certain embodiments of the GSU described above may be used in conjunction with the auction support system of the present invention. However, in FIG. 9D, a method of characterizing the client machine local clock and synchronizing the client machine display update cycle shown in block D of FIG. 9 without using a global synchronization unit (GSU) as described above is shown. .

As shown in block A of FIG. 9D, the local clock uses statistical sampling and curve-fitting techniques to determine a functional relationship between the local clock t _l and the global clock t _g . Characterized by each client machine. This characterization process can be understood as follows. The idealized "universal clock time" is t, local clock t _l = f (t) (eg system timer, real time clock or CPU clock cycle counter for greater precision), global clock managed on the main server t _g = g (t), the local clock can be said to be characterized when it is expressed as a function of the global clock value (t _l = f (g ^-1 (t _g ))). The characterization of the local clock relative to the global clock may be defined as determining a predetermined function h (x) = f (g ⁻¹ (x)). Over a sufficient period of time, and when using good quality timing hardware, h (x) is well approximated by a linear function. The simplest way to determine this function is to use standard curve fitting techniques. If the global clock on the main server 100 'is a GPS-based time reference, the local clock can be characterized very precisely by using the GPS reference even on the client machine. GPS hardware can easily produce very precise and stable 1Hz signals. At the moment the interrupt is triggered, the CPU can write a read of the local clock (CPU cycle counter register). After collecting a number of such samples, the function h (x) can be approximated with high precision.

Statistical information collected to determine the clock characterization function may be added to a security authentication log.

As shown in block B of FIG. 9D, after determining h (x), the client machine uses this function to determine the local clock start time t _sl corresponding to the required global clock start time t _sg for the auction. ) Is calculated.

Next, the video display update cycle is measured using the local clock. Almost all video display adapters used in personal computers have a set of registers used to monitor and control scanning and refresh cycles and rates. One standard feature is the ability to query the adapter to determine whether it is currently within the vertical retrace period. By using this function over a period of time, and by recording the local clock time each time the display enters the vertical retrace, the period and phase of the display update cycle can be determined relative to the local clock time. By reading the display adapter register, one can simply determine the deviation between the time the last line of the displayed image is drawn and the time the next vertical retrace starts. The moment at which the last line of the display is drawn in a given display update period will be referred to as display time t _d . Using this calculated period and phase, the display times can be estimated by extrapolation to determine the display time closest to a given start time.

As shown in block C of FIG. 9D, the client machine calculates an error E _d between the desired local clock start time t _sl and the closest display update cycle (ie, display time t _d ). Throughout this process, the times associated with each vertical retrace are added to the security credential log.

Since it is desirable for the client machine to display bidding information on all client machines at the same time, the error period E _d is minimized by changing the phase of the display update cycle. A value of 0 for E _d means that the display completely draws the given image at the precise start. The phase of the display update cycle is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the display update period over multiple update cycles. This period is generally determined by a plurality of registers on the display adapter and determined by controlling so-called "vertical totals", "horizontal totals" and "dot clocks". The vertical sum is the total number of lines both displayed and non-displayed (during the vertical blanking and retrace period), which constitutes one display update cycle. Similarly, the horizontal total of pixels measures the number of pixels of the displayed pixels and the pixels in the horizontal gap and tracks the period. The dot clock frequency determines the number of pixels per second displayed on the display. By temporarily adjusting any one of the three values, the period of the display update cycle can also be temporarily changed. It is possible to align t _d and t _sl in a single update cycle, but it may not be desirable to make these large changes in the display update cycle, which may cause monitor clicking and temporarily disrupt the displayed image. Because you can. Instead, the display update period is only slightly changed (by adjusting the vertical sum of one or two lines), and the period is enough phase shift to reduce E _d to nearly zero, when the display update period is restored to its original value. It remains regulated until the phase shift accumulates. This display update cycle and the alignment of the predetermined start-time satisfy the criteria described in block D of FIG. 9D.

Depending on the accuracy of the clocks, the frequency deviation of the clocks, the refresh update cycle and the display time until the future time point estimated by extrapolation, it may be necessary to repeat the alignment process to reduce the errors. The display time alignment process should be considered as an ongoing process and may be performed concurrently with other steps in other competing processes. At all times, information about these processes is recorded in the security verification log, providing a continuous trace of the tasks that occur and the timing of these tasks.

Details related to the operations described in block E of FIG. 9 when not using the GSU of the present invention

9E1 and 9E2 illustrate subtasks for performing a method of providing auction information to bidders at the auction start time shown in block E of FIG. 9, for example in a system that does not use a global synchronization unit. At this point, the symbolic bidding information is stored on the client machine, the start time is known by the local clock, and the display time is aligned with the predetermined start time.

As shown in block A of FIG. 9E1, the auction server initiates bidding for item A (eg, the product to be auctioned) at time t ₁ .

As shown in block B of FIG. 9E1, the auction server may win a bid for item A time stamped after t ₁ .

As shown in block C of FIG. 9E1, the client machine sends a bid for item A to the auction server at time t ₂ , and times the transfer time using a local clock characterized using GPS as described above. Stamp.

As shown in block D of FIG. 9E1, the auction server accepts bids from the client machine at time t ₃ , and timestamps its receipt time using a local clock characterized using GPS as described above.

As shown in block E of FIG. 9E1, the auction server sends a confirmation of the bid acceptance including the time stamp to the client machine.

As shown in block F of FIG. 9E1, the auction server updates all competing client machines (ie, bidders) with the highest bidding information for item A.

As shown in block G of FIG. 9E1, the system continues the operations described in blocks C and D until the auction server no longer accepts any bids for a predetermined time (eg, x seconds).

As shown in block H of FIG. 9E1, the auction server sends a final bid notice at time t ₄ to all participating client machines.

As shown in block I of FIG. 9E2, the auction server waits for a second predetermined time (eg y seconds) for a new bid from any client machine participating in the auction.

As shown in block J of FIG. 9E2, at t ₄ + y seconds, the auction server ends the bidding process.

As shown in block K of FIG. 9E2, the auction server waits z seconds for any time stamped bid before t ₄ = y seconds.

As shown in block L of FIG. 9E2, the auction server determines whether a new high bid has been received, and if so, returns to block F of the process loop.

As shown in block M of FIG. 9E2, if the auction server determines that a higher bid is no longer received at block L, the auction server determines that item A has been sold to the highest bidder, and the auction server determines all client machines for the item. Update to the final selling price sold.

By performing accurate time stamping on both the client and server sides of the auction process, each bid message has two time stamps (ie, originating at the client machine and originating at the auction server) and thus receiving at the auction server. It can be received reliably based on the bid order time at the client machine and not based on time. Thus, it is possible for the auction server to accept the highest bid provided at the bid order time at the client machine included in the predetermined bid window, not at the time received at the server. In fast-paced real-time auctions, this feature of the present invention is fundamentally an important factor in achieving a fair auction process.

The high level bidding process described above has been described in conjunction with an auction-assisted system having a GSP-enabled client machine as shown in FIG. 2D. However, it will be appreciated that other types of client machines as described in FIGS. 2D1-2D5 may be used to implement the auction-supporting system and method of the present invention. Such modifications have been described above in connection with the general competition-promoting system of the present invention.

In general, the auction-assisted system of the present invention is for example licensed to use real estate, intangible assets including condominiums, as well as antiques, commodities, consumer goods, private property and real estate, land (e.g. Bands, patents, etc.), transferable club membership and permits, and the like.

Although the auction-supporting system of the present invention has been described in connection with an internet-based process involving multiple bidders simultaneously bidding on a single auction item, these bidders are not only applicable to multiple items of a multi-item combination auction, but also to variations thereof. You will understand that you can bid.                 

In many applications, bidders will be humans using GSU-enabled client machines. However, it is understood that in many current and future applications, bidders can be intelligent software embedded robots (commonly referred to as "BOTS") that are programmatically coupled to real-time, time-limited competition of valuable assets over the Internet. There will be. In this embodiment of the present invention, the client machine may provide a host environment for the robots to participate in time-limited competition and other forms of competitive behavior for approval and / or maintenance in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The auction-assisted system of the present invention may be used to support a number of other forms of auction processes, including, for example, securities (eg, stocks, bonds), options, futures, commodities, foreign currency, etc. Here a group of competitors or contenders (eg bidders) is required to compete for the acquisition (eg, purchase or lease) of a valued item on a time-limited basis via the Internet or other information network.

Modifications and Supplements to the System of Example Embodiments

While an exemplary embodiment of a global synchronization unit (GSU) uses a global positioning system (GPS) receiver as a source of temporal and spatial data, the present invention provides for the presence and possibility of current and other alternative means for obtaining temporal and spatial information. Considered.

For example, Loran-C systems are widely used to determine ocean position and time information, and it is also possible to use land-based systems in many parts of the world. This type of system is used in the same way as the GSP receiver, but with somewhat lower precision and accuracy.                 

The time signals are generated from a cyclic synchronous free acting clock (range from standard crystal oscillator based clock to atomic clock). Of course the accuracy of the signals depends on the stability of the clock and frequency when the clock is synchronized by a given global clock.

Time signals may use standard radio receivers from NIST WWV and WWVH time and frequency service broadcast stations. Since the time signals are transmitted by radio waves from one or more fixed transmission towers, there is a time delay due to the propagation speed of the radio waves. This delay is influenced not only by the straight line distance to the sender, but also by the actual path to the sender by radio waves, which may include reflections from natural or man-made obstructions. This delay can be compensated to some extent using the physical location of the receiver unit. After the location of the unit is determined using portable telephone data, user participation location information or other means, the estimated delay for that location may be determined using a lookup table or other means. The expected delay can then be compensated for to reach a more accurate time value.

Due to the great popularity of the GPS system, it is certain that more advanced time and space determination systems will be developed in the future. It is certain that the basic GSU concept will benefit from the advances in performance and convenience provided by this expected development of the system.

Any attempt to synchronize the processing of data at a distributed location, where the data originates at a single central location, is basically limited by the delay and bandwidth of the connection between the distributed location and the central location. The delay of the communication channel is a measure of the time delay between the moment the fragment information is sent from the sender and the moment the information is received by the receiver. The delay is expressed in units of time, for example a one second delay. Bandwidth is a measure of the rate of information from a sender to a receiver in the representation of an information unit per unit time, for example, bits per second. As in the case of stock ticker information, assuming a one-way flow of information from the sender to the set of recipients, where the information is distributed in discrete units (packets, messages, files, etc.), the time for the units to be available to the receivers It is desirable to synchronize. In other words, for a given unit sent from the sender to all recipients, it is desirable that the unit be made available to all recipients at the same time, despite the different delays of the various connections. This object is achieved by considering the maximum expected delay value of all connections. In order for a unit to be received at each recipient before a predetermined synchronization time (or start time), the unit must be sent to each recipient at a time that is fast enough to at least compensate for the delay for that recipient. Indeed, the data unit must be sent as soon as possible to allow stochastic communication delay characteristics, as well as to allow time for the receiving GSU to process and decrypt the information.

Thus, in the "ticker-tape" sector of the stock market, stock values are effectively determined at that time as a function of various trading orders (and other factors). Stock values are available at these central locations. This is then sent to all remote GSU-equipment terminals to display the stock value ("start-time") according to a predetermined time indication, which is then transmitted from the central location during network latency and GSU processing time. If this worst-case latency is 500 ms and the processing time is 100 ms, then the display time should be at least 600 ms after it is transmitted, however, these stock values are generated at the central location and are remote GSU-equipment. Only one of the stock value flows distributed to the terminals.The maximum speed of the display (stock value per second) Is defined by the First, we are limited by the GSU processing time. Since in the case of this assumption, GSU processing time is 100ms, the maximum display speed is displayed price 10 times per second.

In addition, the bandwidth of the communication channel is a factor in observing the display speed continuously for a long time. The size and bandwidth of the message, including the stock-value, limits the rate (goods-value per second) of the message transmitted over the link. In particular, the GSU processing time depends on whether the information is actually displayed on the monitor or simply decrypted and given to the CPU. If the information is to be displayed at the correct moment, on the order of several milliseconds or less, this display must be synchronized with a relatively time consuming process (a few milliseconds to several seconds). This requirement will be avoided if the start-time is selected to synchronize with the display update rate. For example, if all displays are synchronized at a common frequency of 100 Hz and the start-time is selected as an integer multiple of 10 ms, then run the full monitor synchronization procedure immediately after the stock value is updated at a very fast rate (accessing the bandwidth of the communication channel). There is only a need. In practical situations, multiple stock values may be sent to a single unit to reduce some GSU processing overhead.                 

In each client machine of the present invention, a GSU is provided that digitally combines an encryption machine for signature data and a GPS to provide a reliable and verifiable time-stamp in each response from each competitor. This security measure can be compromised in two ways. That is, it can be processed by a computer attack to (1) physically analyze the GSU to extract a secret key, or (2) determine the secret key (many time consuming processing depending on the number of bits used in the algorithm). .

In order to prevent physical analysis of the GSP associated with each client machine, the present invention provides the use of a tamper evident seal on the GSU and the automatic suspend or disable of the GSU during tampering. Consider technology.

In order to make it very difficult to perform computation-based attacks on the GSU using conventional computational means, the present invention is sufficient to ensure that the time associated with decrypting a key is very long, in accordance with standard security practice. Consider using long keys for the GSU.

The GSU may be used to detect the ability to perform a particular task, i.e., to test the motor function of the subject's human body to determine whether the motor skill has been impaired by lack of sleep, drinking or drugs. have. For example, truck drivers are tested regularly and remotely. In combination with a secure camera, testing ensures accuracy.

As mentioned above, the Internet-based competition and contest promotion systems and methods of the present invention can be used in the security trading industry to achieve true real-time price quotations and order execution, thereby allowing anyone in a financial position in the market to enter the level playing field. Can be generated. The field of the invention for the real-time auction process will also create a level playing field for all bidders participating in the online auction.

The systems and methods of the present invention can be applied to patent and trademark applications with respect to any local patent office, as well as any local filing process, where the timing of application becomes important for the rights of the parties concerned. By providing a truly accurate time-space stamp on local documents, membership rights in our society can compete more fairly regardless of whether the parties are physically or electronically located.

In addition to the Internet-based games, security trading, and auction processing described above in detail, the Internet-based competition and contest promotion systems and methods of the present invention may be used in connection with various other forms of business application models. For example, a market management model in which competitors compete for goods by answering questions about products and / or services, and competitors participate in games (ie, question-based games) or puzzles (ie, crossword puzzles). The game / puzzle / management model that competes for prizes, the model that competitors compete for prizes by answering questions about education topics, and the competitors as members who complete the team in the recreation league Models for competing for products by responding to questions from recreational activities, etc.) or responding to responses to invitations (ITRs) displayed simultaneously to a large number of competing teams, one or more designated representatives involved in the competition, Competitor as a competitive cooperative member responds to a specific subject question about their business or The model competing by responding to the ITRs displayed simultaneously in a large number of cooperative competitions, which are one or more designated representatives, and the competitors as members of the competing teams in the sports league, Includes a competing model by answering a question or by responding to ITRs displayed simultaneously to a large number of competing teams that are one or more designated representatives involved in the competition.

In general, the GSU technology of the present invention can be used in a variety of applications, including collecting time and / or spatial coordinate information with respect to objects and specific reference frames. 16-22, several applications will be described for the time-space coordinates of an object (e.g., living and non-living, etc.) to track the location of the object and determine its movement within construction continuity. , Collection, recording and analysis. As discussed below, such basic functions enabled by the present invention may enable a wide array of novel service applications that can be broadcast over the Internet and other global networks.

In FIG. 16, for example, to track a mobile property for a movable and non-living object, including, for example, a person, an animal (eg, a pet, a livestock, etc.) and a movable property for a coordinate reference system defined globally by internal or external forces. A stamping foundation system of space-time (TS) basis is shown. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, each item to be tracked is a miniature client type computing / network device that implements the Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) or the Extended GSU of the present invention and the alternatives shown in FIGS. 19-22. As described in connection, it is carried as another data acquisition / sensing device.                 

As shown in FIG. 16, the TS-stamping-based article tracking system of the present invention is a multi-wireless client having a micro structure that implements the GSU 175 shown in FIG. 2D2 or the GSU 175 shown in FIG. 2D5. Computing device (ie, a machine), each of which is operatively connected to the infrastructure of the Internet (or other globally extensive packet switching digital communication network) and that is to be tracked using appropriate mounting mechanisms and devices known in the art. A wireless client-computing device adapted to be embodied in or supported on the object; The object record and owner is accessed by a web-enabled RDBMS owner / article 1001 accessed by any Web-enabled client machine 1010 for each object to be tracked by the object tracking system. A web-based owner / article property information server 1003 operatively connected to an infrastructure of the Internet to generate a record; (i) Spatio-temporal (TS) coordinate data when the underlying tracked object moves relative to the planet as shown in FIG. 17A (during mobile tracking application) or as shown in FIG. 17b (during fixed object movement detection operation). (Ii) store the TS coordinate data thus collected in the owner / article RDBMS 1001 (where each item, its owner and other information is stored using a simple web-enabled client machine 1010). Pre-registered during the object / owner registration process over the Internet), (i) analyzing collected TS coordinate data on a real-time basis, and (1) using homogeneous transformation from the global coordinate reference system or this global coordinate reference system. Always determine the exact position of the object immediately for the local coordinate reference system to be derived, and (2) over the given time frame, Tracking server 1001 that determines if the device has been moved from the device; Registered owners are being tracked by the system by reviewing TS data tables, maps, graphs, images and / or speech-composite reports displayed on the GUI web-browser of the web-enabled client machine for analysis and subsequent actions. It includes a web-based object tracking monitoring server 1002 operatively connected to the infrastructure of the Internet to monitor in real time the location (and other essential characteristics) of its own object.

As shown in FIG. 16A, each wireless client-computing device used in the mobile object tracking system of FIG. 16 includes a micro-computing platform having hardware and software components; A full synchronization unit 175; Client computing platforms that support various hardware and software layers, including client software such as tracking client applications 340 ', tracking hooks and drivers 350', wireless communication network interfaces 215 ', and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, each client computing platform may be realized as a standard farm-computer that is augmented by the addition of several software and hardware components, or by a Java virtual machine (JVM) that is augmented by the GSU of the present invention. Can be. In general, each client computing platform will have an operating system 240, standard device driver 280, clock or timer hardware 290. Each client computing device communicates with a wireless communications network through a hook and driver 350 having underlying output and timing hardware. Each GSU-enabled client network device can be uniquely identified among millions of such devices, and each GSU-enabled client network device is programmed with a unique identification code (UIC) at or after manufacture. Typically, such UICs are written into ROM chips on GSU chips at the time of manufacture. As described below, this UIC will be used in conjunction with generating a digitally signed space-time (TS) stamp from the GSU-enabled client network during its trajectory through space-time continuity.

As shown in Figure 2D, the Basic Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) for use within the GSU-enabled client network device of the present invention stores the UIC of the GSU and the desired trigger time / location, for example, Compute the time and spatial information provided by the GPS receiver 700, the GSU input data from the input sources and sensors, the UIC of the GSU, execute the symbolization and decryption functions on the selected item of collected data, and the other described above. In order to carry out the function, it is realized in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) chip comprising a GPS receiver 700 connected to the antenna 730 and a central processor 750 connected to the GPS receiver 700.

Embedded in the GSU-enabled client network device, the GSU chip 175 samples the input ports for client input data in time (i.e., samples the biological state or other state data of the object or its surrounding environment data). . If no data is received at the input port, the GSU chip can be designed to automatically generate UIC (or default) data immediately at each input sampling, then the data elements for time-space stamping operations at the next sampling. Use immediately. In particular, the use of UIC presentation data elements in each case serves to distinguish the corresponding GSU chips in a timely manner according to time-space continuity. In this embodiment, the UIC may be encoded for added complementary measures. The GSU chip 175 then generates a time and space stamp at each input sampling instant. The GSU chip digitally encodes (calculates) a data set containing UIC-indicated (or default) data elements generated at each GSU sampling instant and the time and position data of the GSU chip at the time of the input data sampled within the GSU chip. Use digital sign technology. In particular, the time of GSU input data sampling is expressed in terms of the overall time-synchronization time measurement obtained by the GSU chip, and the position of the GSU at the instant of GSU input sampling is expressed in terms of time / position measurement obtained with the GSU chip. The data set and calculated digital symbols applied to it produce a digitally signed data package. The digitally signed data package is transported against the network to the TS-stamping base tracking server to act to record the time-space trajectory of the distinctly identified GSU chip and the relevant object at a particular time. The record then resides in the space-time coordinates indicated by the time-stamp that the GSU chip (and related object) contained in the digitally signed data received at the TS-stamping-based tracking server 1000.

As shown in FIG. 16C, the web-based owner / object registration information server 1003 includes a standard I / O 220, a high function network interface 210, a standard device driver 280, and an operating system 240. . The elements cooperate to support the operation of the web server software 360. The web server software 360 consists of an HTTP daemon along with various scripts and utility programs used to process owner / object registrations and to execute object tracking service updates when information is available. Typically, web server software 360 supports HTML, Java and other standard protocols and web technologies.

As shown in FIG. 16C, a number of system elements are used to provide and distribute HTML (or XML) encoded documents and related web content to the owner (with or without a Java or Active-X applet). The web-based owner / object registration server 1003 shares a common network owner / object RDBMS 1001 that accepts registration and other information. Also, in order to provide an owner / object registration WWW site, the owner / object registration web server 1003 manages owner / object information management in a web-enabled client machine 1010 used by the owner to monitor the registered object. OOIM). The shutdown loading operation can be executed using the HTTP or FTP protocol. Prior to downloading the OOIM client software, each owner is required to register with the web-based owner / object registration server 1003. The registration includes filling in a web base (i.e., HTML-encoding or XML-encoding) that accepts the necessary personal and client machine information and submits the submeeting to form a web server.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the TS-stamping base tracking server 1000 used in the system of FIG. 16 includes a number of software and hardware elements. As shown in FIG. 16B, the structure of the tracking server 1000 is described using the lateral structure of a standard general purpose computer, where hardware elements are shown at the bottom level and a continuous layer of software functionality is placed thereon. Each layer of elements is built on top of the service and utilizes the lower layer and most often directly contacts the middle layer below it. In the server, the low level hardware includes a GPS receiver 170 and timing hardware 200 matched to a global time reference using a high precision clock and GPS receiver. In addition, the high performance network interface hardware 210 is used to connect the server 1000 to the communication network 190. The hardware elements are other hardware 220 that is typically provided in high-end network servers, such as SUN Enterprise ^™ servers running Solaris ^™ by Sun Microsystems Inc. of Palo Alto, California, in addition to standard I / O. Above the hardware level is a standard custom device driver 230 that communicates directly with the hardware. Device drivers are used by operating system 240 and high level applications such that no direct hardware programming is required. At the top level of FIG. 16B is supported an object-tracking association application called TS-tracking server daemon 242. The piece of software not only manages the communication of aggregated time-space (TS) coordinate data between tracking servers 1000, but also TS- as a whole to the owner / object registration RDBMS 1001 in which the data is stored. Manage the stamping base object tracking process.

In FIG. 18, a database table is provided for the purpose of storing Warner records, object property records and object trajectory records. The owner record and object property record are generated during the owner / object registration process described above by using the web-enabled client machine 1010 accessing the owner / object registration information server 1003. In general, the record can be changed at any time by the owner using the password assigned thereto at the time of initial registration. Owner records generally receive information identifying the owner of one or more objects tracked by the system of the present invention, his or her address, and other contact information. In some cases, in order to keep the owner anonymous or to manage the privacy of the owner, it is preferable to use the numerical or alphabetic code assigned thereto by another web base information server or to register it under an alias. Various sorting techniques can be used to protect the identity of the owner in connection with the tracking of special objects in various applications. As shown in Fig. 18, each object property record is uniquely linked or associated with a particular owner record in the RDBMS 1001. The object identification can be done through a title assigned to the object by the owner or by a unique bar code symbol or other code assigned to the object by the owner or system administrator. The object property record may record the characteristics and unique properties of the object for reasons of protection, proof of ownership, and the like. Each object tracking record is uniquely linked to or associated with an object property record maintained within the RDBMS 1001, and in an exemplary embodiment, a mobile GSU-enabled client-calculating machine executed by an object tracked by the system. Accept the time-space coordinates generated by During the object tracking process, the TS-stamping data collected by the object tracking information server 1002 is automatically stored in the linked RDBMS 1001 in association with the associated object record, as shown schematically in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 16D, the Web-Based Object Trajectory Monitoring Information Server 1002 includes a standard I / O 220; High performance network interface 210; Standard device drivers 280; And operating system 240. These components cooperate to support the operation of the web server software 360 used for the object trajectory monitoring WWW site accessible to registered owners using the web enabled client machine 1010. As shown in Fig. 16D, the web server software 360 " is configured with an HTTP daemon, and also as a trajectory (i.e. function of time) of an object registered over time periods as shown in Figs. 17A and 17B. And various scripts and utility programs used to process object trajectory monitoring operations executed in response to a request by the owner with respect to the location of a registered object drawn as. The web-based object trajectory monitoring information server 1002 typically has network access to the owner / object RDBMS 1001 via a common gateway interface (CGI) or to the RDBMS 1001 via a Java split based interface. , Web server software 360 " Provide support for

As shown in FIG. 16D, a number of system components may be used for the owner of an HTML (or XML) encoded document (with or without Java or ActiveX-X applications) and with the owner or caretaker of the objects registered in the system. Used to distribute and display related web content. The web-based object trajectory monitoring information server 1002 communicates with an over / object RDBMS 1001 of a common network that contains not only owner and object registration information but also other object trajectory information (e.g. TS data). In addition, at the Object Orbit Monitoring Web site, owners of authorized managers can download the Object Orbit Monitoring (OTM) client software using the HTTP or FTP protocol. Before downloading the OTM client software, each owner will have to register with the web-based object trajectory monitoring information server 1002. Registration includes writing the form into a web-based (eg HTML-encoded or XML-encoded) form that contains the necessary personal and client machine information and sends the form to a web server.

The final component of the system shown in FIG. 16 worth mentioning is the communication network 190. In general, the communications supported by the communication network 190 may be implemented using a variety of different communication methods. In general, in this system each computer or device will be connected to one or more other computers via the network 190. In practice, these connections will be "virtual" connections over a common network such as the Internet, rather than by direct point-to-point physical connections. In the embodiment described herein, the communication network 190 is a packet-switched data communication network that runs the popular Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP). Thus, each server computer connected to the communication network 190 will have a statistically assigned IP address, while each client machine connected thereto will have a statistically or dynamically assigned IP address in a manner known in the art. Will have

In general, the object tracking system of the present invention comprises three basic modes of operation; The owner / object registration mode; It has an object tracking mode and an object trajectory monitoring mode. Each of these modes of operation will be described below.

In owner / object registration mode, the owner of the object that the system wishes to track will first obtain a GSU-enabled client network device suitable for the special TS-stamping based object trajectory service that it wishes to use in the case. In practice, each GSU-enabled client network device can be realized as the size of a conventional beeper or pager, but ideally smaller and smaller to attach to different types of objects without causing inconvenience. You can make it lighter. The form factor for realizing the housing of the device will depend on the manual application.

For example, in the transportation industry, once a GSU-enabled client network device is attached to a package and registered with the web-based object tracking system, the GSU-enabled device automatically "seeks and removes the device from the package." Is generated at the input of the GSU chip 175, which is received at the TS-stamping foundation tracking server 1000 and causes a warning message to be generated regarding the object / owner associated with the package being carried. It was desirable to be realized as a wireless ultra-low profile safety tag attached to a package. It will be appreciated that such confirmation may be handled to manage the web-based object tracking service (s) of the present invention even if the carrier who attached the wireless GSU tracking device to the package is not the owner of the package.

In general, there are a variety of ways to generate data input at an input port of a GSU indicating that "the device is modulated into or removed from that package." Such message generation methods may be based on electrical, mechanical-electrical, acoustical-electrical, and opto-electrical principles well known in security techniques. One such mechanism may include a technique for casing a GSU chip and supporting the platform in a device package having a spring sloped surface-sensing pin that protrudes from the mounting surface of the device. The surface-sensing pin contracts when the GSU-enabled device is pressed against the surface of the package to be mounted, automatically protrudes therefrom when the device is removed from the mounting surface of the package, and the inlet of the GSU chip. It can be configured to automatically generate a binary signal at the port.

During the write process, the GSU-enabled device can be fixed to the package and the surface-sensitive pin can be set in the device at a suitable time. At this time, when the device is removed from the package by an authorized or unauthorized person, the tracking system automatically detects the event and notifies the package owner or shipowner based on the particular application / service being carried. Preferably, such GSU-enabled tags can be applied in various ways across a variety of industries requiring the information collection / detection of the present invention.

When having a captured GSU-enabled client network device, its owner or agent may have a web-enabled client machine and object trajectory tracking information server for logging on to the owner / object record information server 1003 and the register itself. Use one or more objects to be tracked by 1002. The recording process typically includes writing an HTML-encoded format and sending them back to the server for the processing. During such completed form processing, the owner / object record information server 1003 is created in the owner / object record database (ie, RDBMS) 1001, and the data is stored on the GSU chip to be used for tracking. It is recorded not only for each object, but also for the owner of the object to be recorded in the system, including the assigned UIC, and monitors the time and space trajectories.

Once the GSU-enabled client network device is attached to the recorded object, and the recording process is completed, the TS-stamping object tracking server 1000 performs wireless GSU-in via the system's wireless IP-based packet switching network. It will communicate with the enabled client network device. Once the connection is established, the TS-stamping object tracking server 1000 will perform all sorts of diagnostic tests to see if the wireless GSU-enabled network device is operating properly. Such inspections typically include (i) TS data collection and transmission by the GSU chip, (ii) battery-power level monitoring using battery-power level monitoring module 305, and (i) wireless network devices. Other diagnostic tests within. Typically, the results of such diagnostic tests will be supplied for review by the owner at the object trajectory monitoring WWW site provided by the web-enabled object trajectory monitoring information server 1002. In particular, the owner can log on to the site with a password, or can immediately switch over from the owner / object record WWW site provided by the web-enabled owner / object record information server 1003 through it.                 

Once all systems are determined to work properly, the time and space coordinates of the GSU-enabled client network device carried in the owner's item will automatically track all input sampling periods in its GSU chip as described above. . Periodically, the GSU-enabled client network device will monitor the battery power level of the battery power supply and send information representative of the system status to the TS-stamping tracking server 1000.

During the moving object tracking process, the time-space coordinates of the GSU-enabled client network device are automatically collected by the TS-stamping tracking server 1000. 17A shows an exemplary location of TS data collected by the system while the tracked object is transmitted through space.

While the object movement detection process is in progress, the TS-stamping tracking server 1000 will collect TS data samples having substantially the same spatial coordinates, from the location of the object recorded in the system {ie, owner / Object through the data stored in the RDBMS 1001). When the object is moved from such a recording position, by an authorized or unauthorized person, the TS-stamping system tracking server 1000 has TS data having spatial coordinates that deviate from the recording position as shown in FIG. 17B. You will collect a sample. Data processing algorithms may be used to process TS data in the owner / object RDBMS 1001 to detect the behavior or movement of such objects. Further, using information about the data input sampling rate T _{s in} each GSU chip, the instantaneous velocity v _x of the object between the pairs of positions x1 and x2 along the x-axis of the coordinate is given by the formula v _x Can be calculated quickly using = [x1-x2] T _s . Likewise, the instantaneous velocity of the object along the y and z axes can also be calculated with similar formulas known in the art. Such calculated velocity measurements may be stored in the owner / object RDBMS 1001 and may also be visually displayed on a web-based object trajectory monitoring WWW site for the owner of a logged object using a protected password to observe. Can be displayed.

Each object owner can log on to the object trajectory monitoring WWW site and monitor the trajectory of any of the recorded objects. Such monitoring may be performed using any web-enabled client machine 1010 pointing to the URL where the object trajectory monitoring WWW site is located. While a trajectory monitoring operation is in progress, the object trajectory monitoring server 1002 accesses information stored in the owner / object RDBMS 1001. While the TS-stamping tracking server 1000 tracks the GSU chip for the assigned UIC, each owner can track its object using the name / title assigned to the object.

The object tracking system described above can be modified to perform biometric data collection and TS data collection. Such system modifications are useful for applications in which the vital properties of a living body (eg, human or animal) are monitored in real time and track their time and space coordinates. This system is accomplished by replacing the GSU-enabled client network device shown in FIG. 16A with the GSU-enabled client network device shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B. As shown, the GSU-enabled client network device 160 includes a biometric data sensor 309 (e.g., an EKG sensor, or other biometric sensor) and the GSU-enabled client network shown in FIG. 16A. Includes all other accessories included in the device. Further, the system shown in FIG. 16 can also be modified by replacing the TS stamping tracking server 1000 shown in FIG. 16B with the TSB stamping tracking server 1007 shown in FIG. The tracking server 1007 can receive and decrypt the biological data and TS data contained in each digitally encrypted data package sent by the GSU-enabled client network device 175 ". The owner / object RDBMS 1001 specified as a table at 18 is replaced by the owner / object RDBMS 1001 specified as a table in FIG.

Owner and object registration with such a modified system may be based on the time, space and biometric (TSB) shown in FIG. 16 during the biometric tracking process using the GSU-enabled client neglect of FIGS. 19A and 19B in accordance with the principles of the present invention. ) May be performed in substantially the same manner as performed in the system of FIG. 16, which schematically illustrates exemplary locations of time, space, and biological coordinates collected by a stamping-based tracking server.

During the biometric tracking process using the GSU-enabled client device of FIGS. 19A and 19B, the digitally encrypted TSB data package is tracked by the GSU-enabled client network device 160 ″ based on the TSB stamping-based tracking server 1007. Are tracked by the system and show an exemplary TSB trajectory section of the monitored object from a web-based object trajectory monitoring WWW site TSB data associated with the TSB trajectory section is the owner shown in Fig. 22. It is stored in the object RDBMS.

Data processing algorithms can be used to analyze the TSB data table to automatically detect changes in the biometric data stream that indicate changes in the vital signs of the tracked / monitored living body. The change in the biometric data can be plotted and shown by the owner / manager of the corresponding object using a web-enabled client machine pointing to a web-based object trajectory monitoring WWW site.

The Internet-based TS stamping object tracking system and method described in detail above can be modified to provide a wide range of useful systems that can support a wide range of novel services that can be delivered on the Internet. Downloading of service specific client software and service registration and monitoring tasks is performed using conventional web browser technology in a manner similar to that described above. With reference to Figures 23A-29B, seven different Internet-based systems and methods are described below.

In FIG. 23A, a schematic illustration of an internet based method and apparatus for ensuring the physical space area indicated in the TS trajectory diagram of FIG. 23B is provided. In such a system, the GSU-enabled client network device 160 'includes a CCD-based digital video camera or scanner and a camera within and around the camera's field of view (FOV) for capturing an image of the field of view (FOV) of the camera or scanner. A sound recording apparatus for recording sound (track) is provided. Each captured image frame is precisely time-stamped and recorded on a videotape or other digital recording medium associated with the image RDBMS 1001 '. The web-based owner / device registration server 1003 'is provided for registering the owner (or administrator) of the GSU-enabled device 160' in the RDBMS 1001 'with other data therein. A web-based image surveillance server 1002 'is provided for the user to view the image / sound frame captured and stored in the RDBMS 1001'. Web-enabled client machine 1010 'is provided to perform the user related tasks.

FIG. 23B shows a data table describing the information fields maintained in the image RDBMS used in the system of FIG. 23A, where TS stamped images and associated sound record tracks are stored for analysis and use in various security tasks.

In FIG. 24A, a schematic description is provided of an Internet-based method and apparatus for ensuring a computer communications network by mounting a GSU chip 175 into each network computing device 160 ′, and a specific communications / computer network ( That is, access to the WWW site (subnetwork) or the WWW site can be safely made by the TS stamping tracking server 1001 'only when the only time-spatial stamping occurs by the GSU chip 175. This is accomplished when the GSU-enabled network computing device appears physically over a certain location over a certain time interval. A web-based owner / device registration server 1003 'is provided to register the owner (or manager) of the GSU-enabled device 160' in the RDBMS 1001 '. Web-based network access monitoring server 1002 'is provided to allow the owner to monitor network access made by the system. A web based client machine 1010 'is provided to perform the owner related tasks.

24B shows that a TS stamping-based tracking server and a GSU-enabled network computing device of the system of FIG. 24A are accessed by a TS stamping-based tracking server to a pre-written communication subnetwork or WWW server according to the principles of the present invention. Provides a schematic representation of an exemplary location of time-space coordinates collected by a given TS area.

In FIG. 25A, a schematic description of an internet based method and apparatus for ensuring a computer communications network by mounting a GSU chip 175 is provided, where a GSU-in used for a particular communications (sub) network or WWW site. The enabled network computing device 160 'is used in part by the TS stamping tracking server 1001' when the GSU-enabled network computing device 160 'appears outside a predetermined location, or a predetermined time interval, The TS stamping tracking server can track the exact location of the GSU-enabled computing device 160 'and authentication can identify the user using it without being given the same authority. A web-based GSU-enabled client computing device / owner registration server 1003 'is provided to register the owner (or administrator) of the GSU-enabled device 160' in the RDBMS 1001 '. The web-based device trajectory monitoring server 1002 'enables the owner to monitor the TS trajectory of each registered network computing device 160' and indicates when and where the encrypted message is decrypted and displayed by the device. Is provided to help determine this. A web-enabled client machine 1010 'is provided to perform the owner related work.

FIG. 25B shows a TS stamping-based tracking server and a GSU-enabled network computing device of the system of FIG. 25A previously stored in a GSU-enabled network computing device by a TS stamping-based tracking server in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Provides a schematic representation of an exemplary location of time-space coordinates collected by a given TS area that can decrypt and display an encrypted message.

In FIG. 26A, since only the person who recorded the message needs to be known, the TS stamping tracking server 1001 'can decode any message stored in the computer network only at an arbitrary time / location (i.e., the range of TS coordinate data). A schematic description of an internet based method and system for performing " location and time " based message decryption is provided by using a GSU-enabled client computing device 160 '. A web-based GSU-enabled client computing device / owner registration server 1003 'is provided to register the owner (or administrator) of the GSU-enabled device 160' in the RDBMS 1001 '. The web-based device trajectory monitoring server 1002 'allows the user to monitor the TS trajectory of each registered network computing device 160' and the encrypted radio message is decrypted by the device to be visually or acoustically It is provided for the user to determine when and where it is displayed. Web-based client machine 1010 'is provided to perform the owner related tasks.

FIG. 26B schematically illustrates the trajectory of the time-space coordinates collected by the TS-stamping-based tracking server of the system of FIG. 26A, with the GSU (Global Synchronization Unit) -enabled network computing device TS A predetermined TS-area capable of decrypting and displaying encrypted radio messages received by the GSU-enabled network computing device in accordance with the principles of the invention by a stamping-based tracking server 1001 '. Indicates.                 

In FIG. 27A, a schematic depiction of an internet based system and method of displaying a specific on-demand indication or information clue along a space-time continuum is depicted. In this system, the wireless GSU-enabled client network device 160 '(implemented in the form of a watch or other carrying case with an integrated display screen and keypad, for example) is a global communication network (ie, the Internet). In conjunction with the TS-stamping-based tracking server 1001 ', the GSU-enabled client network device is located within a specific location over a specific time interval (i.e., construction continuity Therefore, the summary of information and / or instructions can only be displayed when crossing a predetermined area. A web-based GSU-enabled client computing device / owner registration server 1003 'provides for registering the owner (or occupant) of the GSU-enabled device 160' with the RDBMS 1001 '. do. Web-based display monitoring server to allow the owner access to the display of each registered network computing device and to determine when and where received encrypted messages will be decrypted and displayed by the device visually or acoustically. 1002 'is provided. A web-enabled client device 1010 ′ is provided to perform tasks with this owner.

In FIG. 27B, an example trajectory of time-space coordinates collected by the TS-stamping-based tracking server of the system of FIG. 27A is shown, wherein the GSU-enabled network computing device is a TS-stamping-based tracking server 1001 ′. Denotes a predetermined TS-area capable of decrypting and displaying an encrypted radio message that is pre-determined in the memory of the GSU-enabled network computing device in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 28A schematically illustrates an Internet based system and method that enables the operation of a set-top cable television box (160 ') and other digital media content delivery devices in accordance with a license agreement. GSU-enabled network computing device 160 'is embedded in each set-top cable television box and other digital media content delivery devices of the media content delivery system, and includes one or more TS-stamping-based tracking. The server 1001 'is used to track and control such media content delivery devices such that when the media content delivery device is actually used in accordance with the terms of the proposed use in the license agreement with the purchaser (ie, the specific location and time specified in the license agreement) Can only be used). A web-based GSU-enabled client computing device / owner registration server 1003 'is provided to register the owner (or occupant) of the GSU-enabled device 160' with the RDBMS 1001 '. A web-based device trajectory monitoring server 1002 'to allow a user to monitor the TS trajectory of each registered media content delivery device and to determine when and where each registered device will be enabled; A web-based device trajectory monitoring server is provided.

FIG. 28B illustrates an example trajectory of time-space coordinates collected by the TS-stamping-based tracking server of the system of FIG. 28A, wherein the GSU-enabled media content delivery device is TS-stamping-based in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Represents a predetermined TS-area that will be enabled by the tracking server of.

In FIG. 29A, a GSU-enabled device 160 'is embedded within each such portable host system or device, and when such system and device are actually used in accordance with the terms of the proposed use in the license agreement (ie, license agreement). A set that uses one or more TS-stamping-based tracking servers 1001 'such that each of these portable host systems or devices can only operate and track these operations (only when used for a specific time and location). An internet based system or method for schematically authorizing / controlling the operation of any portable host system or device that is restricted to operate within the space-time constraints of is illustrated.

FIG. 29B illustrates an exemplary trajectory of time-space coordinates collected by the TS-stamping-based tracking server of the system of FIG. 29A, wherein the GSU-enabled media content delivery device is TS-stamping based according to the principles of the present invention. Represents a predetermined TS-area that will be enabled by the tracking server of.

Many settings are possible to retrieve and use the information produced by the GSU of the present invention. In the above-described real-time target tracking system, each GSU-enabled device includes each TS coordinate implemented in a GSU chip in the GSU-enabled device with a data package containing a digitally-signed TS (and TSB). After the sampling is completed, the data is transmitted to the TS-stamping (and TSB-stamping) based tracking servers 1000 and 1007. However, in certain applications, a large or small set of TS coordinate data is buffered in the device, and then the same downloaded data is periodically stored in the tracking server, so that the client network device has to be on-line. Remove the amount. In some applications, the entire trajectory of the client network device during a particular time period (e.g., hour, day, week, or month) is intermediate to data storage within the GSU-enabled client device for processing and consequently displaying. It can be stored and downloaded to a tracking server or other computer at a scheduled time.

Although a wireless communication link has been described linking a TS-stamping-based tracking server with each mobile GSU-enabled client network device 160, in another application of the present invention, local access ( Communication links and protocols such as the "BlueTooth" protocol for access can be used or remote access via a physical connector, wired or wireless network.

While it is desirable to integrate the GSU, CPU, and data storage structures into a single integrated circuit (IC) chip within a GSU-enabled client network device, the GSU-enabled client network device is interfaced with its associated client computer. It may also be implemented as a separate GSU.

Although the GSU-enabled client network device of the illustrated embodiment is equipped with one or more biophysiological sensors to remotely monitor vital signs of living objects being tracked, additional functionality Other types of sensors and input devices may be provided in the GSU of such devices to accomplish this. Such sensors and inputs may include, for example, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, light level sensors, chemical sensors and other physically characteristic sensors, CCD image acquisition devices, acoustic detection / pickup and recording devices, fingerprint detection / detection devices. And interference from other biometric sensing devices, vibration sensors, radiation sensors, gas / vapor sensors, speech recognition devices, keypad input devices, graphics input devices, GSU-enabled devices, and / or related objects. Apparatus for detecting that the GSU is removed from the.

Another use of the GSU of the present invention is to apply it to security applications. In this contemplated application, the GSU-enabled client network device is a CCD-based digital video camera or scanner and camera in and around the field of view for acquiring an image of the field of view of the camera or scanner. It includes a recording device for recording. Each acquired image frame is accurately space-time stamped and recorded on a videotape or other digital recording medium. The accuracy of the acquired image data is ensured by tamper-proof manufacturing the GSU-enabled digital camera. Any unique serial number is encrypted in bash on a videotape or digital document. Any sampling rate for video tape and audio can be used to ensure that live actions are recorded.

The GSU-enabled client network device of the present invention requires such a GSU-enabled network device to generate a unique time-space stamp for advancing to a particular communication network, thereby ensuring the security of the computer communication network. It can be used to In this application, the user accesses the network using GSU-enabled client computing / networking devices (with keyboard and mouse inputs and display screens) at physically spatially specific locations and at specific time intervals. Can only access a specific communication network. In such applications, an audit trail may be generated that indicates the location and time of the GSU-enabled computing device. In addition, a lost GSU-enabled device may not be available, or if desired, access to the network may be limited to tracking the exact location of the device and the thief may be arrested using a lost or authorized computing device.

Another application for the GSU-enabled client computing device of the present invention is to enable the decryption of messages based on " location and time, " such that a particular message stored on a computer network can cause a particular time / It can only be decoded at location.

Another application for the GSU-enabled client computing device of the present invention is that it can embed a message within a transportable GSU-enabled computing device so that the message can only be decrypted at a particular location in a particular time period. will be.

Another application of the GSU-enabled client computing device of the present invention is that only a particular GSU-enabled client device with wireless communication capability can decode a particular wireless message at a specific location at a specific time period, thereby limiting wireless It is to secure communication security.

 Another application for the GSU-enabled client computing device of the present invention is a wireless GSU-enabled in the form of a watch with a display screen and keypad capable of playing a game such as a scavenger-hunt. To provide a client network device. In this contemplated application, the device user can get clues from the GSU-enabled wristwatch only when the user is in a particular location. Depending on the time the user arrives at the clue location, there may be variable paths, multiple starting positions, and multiple paths to complete.

Similarly, such wireless GSU-enabled network devices that do not have a display screen or keypad input device may be attached to the body of a human athlete (eg, a skier, runner, or swimmer) or animal that participated in a sporting event ( That is, strapped). During a match, as the player moves from point to point along a predetermined route, TD data may be collected on a real time basis (using a TS-stamping-based tracking server) from the GSU-enabled device that the player is carrying. . The collected TS data can be analyzed remotely to determine the performance of the player during the race and to determine the winner.

Another application for the GSU-enabled client computing device of the present invention is to embed the GSU-enabled device in each set-top cable television box or other digital media content delivery device of the media content delivery system. Then, using one or more TS-stamping-based tracking servers, when these devices are actually used only in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the license agreement with the purchaser (i.e., during a specified time period and only at a specific location in the license agreement). The GSU-enabled digital content media delivery device may operate. According to the present invention, it is possible to strictly comply with the license agreement regarding the use of the media content delivery device and the service related to using the device.

Another application for the GSU-enabled network device of the present invention is to embed the GSU-enabled device in any portable host system or device that is limited to operate within a set of space-time constraints. In such a case, in addition to tracing the TS data, the TS-stamping-based tracking server of such a system makes available or otherwise controls specific functions within the host system or device based on its time-space coordinates.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with the Internet, the systems and methods of the present invention are large and small companies or social organizations on a national or international scale, with members distributed throughout the world. May be practiced in a public as well as private intranet that is owned, managed or used.

The Internet-based systems and subsystems and components of the present invention can be modified in various ways as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art having read the teachings disclosed herein. All such modifications and variations of the exemplary embodiments of the invention are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims of the invention appended below.

Claims (374)

In the Global Synchronization Unit (GSU) for time and space (TS) stamping of input data elements, The GSU, Receive GPS signals from signal sources coupled with a GPS system symbolically embedded within a global reference system, and process the received GPS signals to generate each generated within the GSU. A GPS receiver and coupled antenna for automatically generating a time and space (TS) stamp data element representing the time and space coordinates of the GSU with respect to the global reference system at a data sampling moment of; A central processor operably connected to the GPS receiver; A data input port, operatively connected to a data input device and the central processor, for receiving an input data element from the data input device at each instant of data sampling; The central processor may (i) connect the input data element received at the data input port at each data sampling instant with the TS-stamp data element generated at the sampling instant to generate TS-stamped input data. Create an element, and (ii) store each said TS-stamped input data element in a memory. The GSU of claim 1, wherein the memory is disposed in the GSU. delete delete delete 2. The GSU of claim 1, further comprising the data output port for outputting the TS-stamped input data elements stored within the memory to a data output device operably connected to a data output port. 7. The GSU of claim 6 wherein the data output port includes hardware and communication protocols that enable communication between the central processor and the data output device. The system of claim 1, wherein the central processor is further configured to (iii) access the TS-stamped input data elements from the memory and output the data through the data output port to the accessed TS-stamped input data elements. GSU for transmitting to the device. 2. The GSU of claim 1 wherein each said input data element represents an event occurring outside of said GSU. 2. The GSU of claim 1 wherein the central processor further performs cryptographic functions on each of the input data elements contained within the TS-stamped input data element. 2. The GSU of claim 1 wherein the central processor further performs cryptographic functions on each of the TS-stamped input data elements. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the central processor also calculates a digital signature for each of the TS-stamped input data elements, and connects the digital signature to the TS-stamped input data elements, thereby providing some distance. And generate a digitally signed TS-stamped input data element enabling a verification of authenticity of the data contained in the TS-stamped input data element at a location. 13. The GSU of claim 12 wherein the central processor further performs cryptographic functions on the digitally signed TS-stamped input data element. delete delete The GSU of claim 1, wherein the GSU is implemented in the form of an integrated circuit (IC) chip. The GSU of claim 1, wherein the IC chip is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) device. A global synchronization unit (GSU) for decrypting an encrypted data element into a decrypted input data element and performing a predetermined function thereon in response to the occurrence of time and space (TS) triggering coordinates in the GSU, wherein the GSU is : Receive GPS signals from signal sources coupled with a GPS system symbolically embedded within a global reference system, process the received GPS signals, and process within the global reference system at each instant of data sampling within the GSU. A GPS receiver and coupled antenna for automatically generating a time and space (TS) stamp data element representing the time and space coordinates of the GSU; A central processor operably connected to the GPS receiver; Operatively connected to a data input device and the central processor to receive encrypted input data elements and function triggering data from the data input device and to decode the encrypted input data elements and the function triggering data. A data input port for storing in memory; The function triggering data specifies TS-triggering coordinates at which the central processor should (i) decrypt the encrypted data element into a decrypted input data element, and (ii) perform a predetermined function on the decrypted input data element. , As soon as the GPS receiver generates a TS-stamp data element representing the TS triggering coordinates, the central processor automatically (i) decrypts the encrypted data element into a decrypted input data element, and (ii) the decrypted And perform the predetermined function on an input data element. 19. The GSU of claim 18 wherein the nonvolatile memory is disposed within the GSU. delete delete delete 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising the data output port for outputting the TS-stamped input data elements stored in the nonvolatile memory to a data output device operably connected to a data output port. GSU. 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 23, wherein the central processor is further configured to (iii) access the TS-stamped input data elements from the nonvolatile memory, and access the accessed TS-stamped input data elements through the data output port. GSU for transmitting to a data output device. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the encrypted input data element is an encrypted image data set displayed by the data output device, wherein the function triggering data is (i) an image in which the central processor decrypts the encrypted input image. Deciphering the data set, and (ii) designating the TS-triggering suppositories to be transmitted to the data output device via the data output port for display. As soon as the GPS receiver generates a TS-stamp data element representing the TS triggering coordinates, the central processor automatically (i) decrypts the encrypted image data set into the decrypted image data set, and (ii) the And transmit the decoded image data set to the data output device through the data output port for display. 19. The GSU of claim 18 wherein the data input port comprises hardware and communication protocols that enable communication between the central processor and the data input device. 24. The GSU of claim 23 wherein the data output port includes hardware and communication protocols that enable communication between the central processor and the data output device. delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete

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