Electronic trusted party
US5117358A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 25, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 26, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08B2001/085
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A portable electronic device for comparing and then destroying information, comprising a keyboard for input of information by two or more users, a microprocessor for comparing the information and then destroying it, and a visual display for revealing the results of the comparison; whereby each user may enjoy the results of the comparison and still be assured that his or her own information remains private, and cannot be extracted from the device either during use or at any later time. In its preferred embodiment the device looks rather like a hand calculator with alphanumeric keyboard, but has a cover with a shield attached, permitting privacy in use of the keyboard. Among the tasks which the device can perform are matching, that is, testing to see if two or more users have input identical information; ranking of users according to numerical input; and tallying of votes. Applications envisioned include password exchange, gossiping, secret ballot voting, boardroom polling, bidding, secret comparison, overcoming shyness, police interrogation and adult games.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.