ELECTRONIC LOTTERY SYSTEM AND ITS OPERATING METHOD AND COMPUTER- READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH THE ELECTRONIC LOTTERY PROGRAM CODE IS STORED

• US 20010053714A1
• Filed: 01/21/1998
• Published: 12/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: SAKO, KAZUE
• Granted Patent: US 6,595,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically

Abstract

Using a sealing function the parent system seals the random number x which is generated by a random number generation means, and it, along with both the sealing function and the result calculation function, is made public by a setting publication means. Each of the subsystems (i) which will participate in the lottery sends the random number, which is a response, generated by its random number generation means. The result calculation means of the parent system calculates a lottery result by applying the response ri and the initial value x to the result calculation function, and makes public the lottery result, the initial value x and the response ri. Each of the child subsystems (i) receives this information, and the result verification means determines whether the sealed initial value equals to the value calculated by applying the initial value to the sealing function, and whether the response of each of the child subsystems is recorded, and whether the lottery result equals the value calculated by applying the result calculation function to the initial value x and the response ri.

Claims

1. An electronic lottery method using a parent system and a plurality of child subsystems, comprising steps of:

generating a random number by the parent system, sealing the random number via a function which makes the sealing process relatively easy to perform but also makes the seal-breaking process very difficult to accomplish, and making known the generated random number for to child subsystems;

generating and sending a random number by each child subsystem to the parent system;

obtaining a lottery result in the parent system by using a function by which a lottery result is calculated dependent upon the random number generated by the parent system and the random number received from each child subsystem; and

making public for all the child subsystems by the parent system the lottery result, the random number generated by the parent system, and the random numbers received from each child subsystem.

4. The electronic lottery method according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3, wherein the parent system uses a hash function to seal random numbers.

2. An electronic lottery method using a parent system and a plurality of child subsystems, comprising steps of:

generating a random number by the parent system, sealing the random number via a function which makes the sealing process relatively easy to perform but also makes the seal-breaking process very difficult to accomplish, and making known the generated random number to all child subsystems;

generating a random number, and then sealing the random number by each child subsystem via a function which makes the sealing process relatively easy to perform but also makes the seal-breaking process very difficult to accomplish, and then sending the random number to the parent system;

informing all the child subsystems by the parent system that the sealed random numbers coming from all of the child subsystems have been received;

sending by each child subsystem the pre-sealed random number to the parent system after the child subsystem has been informed;

calculating a lottery result by the parent system by using a function by which the lottery result is calculated dependent upon the random number generated by the parent system and the pre-sealed random number which has been received from each child subsystem; and

making known for each child subsystem by the parent system the lottery result, the random number generated by the parent system, and the pre-sealed random number received from each child subsystem.

5. The electronic lottery method according to one of claims 2, 3 and 4, wherein each of child subsystems uses a hash function to seal random numbers.

3. An electronic lottery method using a parent system and a first and second plurality of child subsystems, comprising steps of:

generating a random number by the parent system, sealing the random number via a function which makes the sealing process relatively easy to perform but also makes the seal-breaking process very difficult to accomplish, and making known the random number to all child subsystems;

generating and sending a random number to the parent system by each of the first plurality of child subsystems, generating and sealing a random number using a function which makes a sealing process relatively easy to perform but also makes the seal-breaking process very difficult to accomplish, and sending the number to the parent system by each of the second plurality of child subsystems,

informing all of the second plurality of child subsystems that the sealed random numbers coming from all of the second plurality of child subsystems have been received by the parent system;

sending by each of the second plurality of child subsystems the pre-sealed random number to the parent system after each of the second plurality of child subsystems has been informed;

obtaining a lottery result by the parent system by using a function by which the lottery result is calculated dependent upon the random number generated by the parent system, the random numbers received from each of the first plurality of child subsystems, and the pre-sealed random number which has been received from each of the second plurality of child subsystems; and

making public for all child subsystems by the parent system the lottery result, the generated random number by the parent system, the random number received from each of the first plurality of child subsystems, and the pre-sealed random number which has been received from each of the second plurality of child subsystems.

6. An electronic lottery system having a parent system and a plurality of child subsystems, wherein the parent system comprises:

random number generation means for generating a random number;

initial setting means for setting an initial value by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

initial value sealing means for sealing the initial value set by the initial setting means;

setting publication means for making public an initial setting information including the initial value sealed by the initial value sealing means;

response reception means for receiving a response coming from each of the plurality of child subsystems;

response normalizing means for normalizing the response received by the response reception means;

result calculation means for calculating a lottery result by using the normalized response by the response normalizing means and the initial value set by the initial setting means; and

result publication means for making public the lottery result calculated by the result calculating means, the initial value set by the initial setting means, and the response received by the response reception means; and

each of the plurality of child subsystems comprises;

setting reception means for receiving the initial setting information made public by the setting publication means of the parent system;

random number generation means for generating a random number;

response generation means for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

response sending means for sending the response generated by the response generation means;

result reception means for receiving the result published by the result publication means of the parent system;

result verification means for verifying the result received by the result reception means.

9. The electronic lottery method according to one of claims 6, 7 and 8, wherein the initial value sealing means of the parent system uses a hash function to seal an initial value.

10. The electronic lottery method according to one of claims 6, 7, 8 and 9, wherein the result calculation means of the parent system uses a hash function to obtain a lottery result.

11. The electronic lottery method according to one of claims 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, wherein the response sealing means of each of child subsystems uses a hash function to seal a response.

12. The electronic lottery method according to one of claims 6, 7 and 8, wherein the response normalizing means of the parent system uses a prescribed value for a response of each of the child subsystems which has not responded within a designated time period.

7. An electronic lottery system having a parent system and a plurality of child subsystems, wherein the parent system comprises:

random number generation means for generating a random number;

initial setting means for setting an initial value by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

initial value sealing means for sealing the initial value set by the initial setting means;

setting publication means for making public an initial setting information including the initial value sealed by the initial value sealing means;

sealed response reception means for receiving a sealed response coming from each of the plurality of child subsystems;

contact-signal publication means for making public the fact that the sealed response has been received;

broken-seal response reception means for receiving a broken-seal response coming from each of the plurality of child subsystems, and verifying the received broken-seal response;

broken-seal response normalizing means for normalizing a broken-seal response verified by the broken-seal response reception means;

result calculation means for calculating a lottery result by using the broken-seal response normalized by the broken-seal response normalizing means and the initial value set by the initial setting means; and

result publication means for making public the result including the lottery result calculated by the result calculation means, the initial value set by the initial setting means, and the broken-seal response received by the broken-seal response reception means; and

each of the plurality of child subsystems comprises;

setting reception means for receiving the initial setting information which has been made public by the setting publication means of the parent system;

random number generation means for generating a random number;

response generation means for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

response sealing means for sealing the response generated by the response generation means;

sealed response sending means for sending the sealed response generated by the response sealing means;

contact-signal reception means for receiving the sealed response which has been made public by the contact-signal publication means of the parent system;

contact-signal verification means for verifying the sealed response received by the contact-signal reception means;

broken-seal response sending means for sending the broken-seal response since the contact-signal verification means can verify the sealed response;

result reception means for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication means of the parent system; and

result verification means for verifying the result received by the result reception means.

8. An electronic lottery system having a parent system and a first and second plurality of child subsystems, wherein the parent system comprises:

random number generation means for generating a random number;

initial setting means for setting an initial value by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

initial value sealing means for sealing a initial value set by the initial setting means;

setting publication means for making public an initial setting information including the initial value sealed by the initial value sealing means;

response reception means for receiving a response coming from each of the first plurality of child subsystems;

sealed response reception means for receiving a sealed response coming from each of the second plurality of child subsystems;

contact-signal publication means for making public the fact that the response and sealed response have both been received;

broken-seal response reception means for receiving a broken-seal response coming from each of the second plurality of child subsystems, and verifying the received broken-seal response;

broken-seal response normalizing means for normalizing the broken-seal response verified by the broken-seal response reception means;

response normalizing means for normalizing the response received by the response reception means;

result calculation means for calculating a lottery result by using the broken-seal response normalized by the broken-seal response normalizing means, the response normalized by the response normalizing means, and the initial value set by the initial setting means; and

result publication means for making public a result including the lottery result calculated by the result calculation means, the initial value set by the initial setting means, the broken-seal response received by the broken-seal response reception means, and the response received by the response reception means; and

each of the first plurality of child subsystems comprises;

setting reception means for receiving the initial setting information which has been made public by the setting publication means of the parent system;

random number generation means for generating a random number;

response generation means for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

response sending means for sending the response generated by the response generation means;

result reception means for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication means of the parent system;

result verification means for verifying the result received by the result reception means; and

each of the second plurality of child subsystems comprises;

setting reception means for receiving the initial setting information which has made public by the setting publication means of the parent system;

random number generation means for generating a random number;

response generation means for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation means;

response sealing means for sealing the response generated by the response generation means;

sealed response sending means for sending the sealed response generated by the response sealing means;

contact-signal reception means for receiving the sealed response which has been made public by the contact-signal publication means of the parent system;

contact-signal verification means for verifying the sealed response received by the contact-signal reception means;

broken-seal response sending means for sending the broken-seal response since the contact-signal verification means can verify the sealed response;

result reception means for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication means of the parent system; and

result verification means for verifying the result received by the result reception means.

13. A computer usable medium with a computer readable program code means embodied therein, which corresponds to the computer processes of an electronic lottery system which has a parent system and a plurality of child subsystems, wherein the computer processes that are performed by the computer of the parent system comprises:

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

an initial setting process for setting an initial value by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

an initial value sealing process for sealing the initial value set by the initial setting process;

a setting publication process for making public an initial setting information including the initial value sealed by the initial value sealing process;

a response reception process for receiving a response coming from each of the plurality of child subsystems;

a response normalizing process for normalizing the response received by the response reception process;

a result calculation process for calculating a lottery result by using the response normalized by the response normalizing process and the initial value set by the initial setting process; and

a result publication process for making public the lottery result calculated by the result calculation process, the initial value set by the initial setting process, and the response received by the response reception process; and

the computer processes, that are performed by the computer of each of the child subsystems, comprises;

a setting reception process for receiving the initial setting information which has been made public by the setting publication process;

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

a response generation process for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

a response sending process for sending the response generated by the response generation process;

a result reception process for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication process of the parent system;

a result verification process for verifying the result received by the result reception process.

16. The computer usable medium according to one of claims 13, 14 and 15, wherein the initial value sealing process of the parent system uses a hash function to seal the initial value;

and the result calculation process of the parent system uses a hash function to obtain the lottery result.

14. A computer usable medium with a computer readable program code means embodied therein, which corresponds to the computer processes of an electronic lottery system which has a parent system and a plurality of child subsystems, wherein the computer processes that are performed by the computer of the parent system comprises:

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

an initial setting process for setting an initial value by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

an initial value sealing process for sealing the initial value set by the initial setting process;

a setting publication process for making public an initial setting information including the initial value sealed by the initial value sealing process;

a sealed response reception process for receiving a sealed response coming from each of the plurality of child subsystems;

a contact-signal publication process for making public the fact that the sealed response has been received;

a broken-seal response reception process for receiving a broken-seal response coming from each of the plurality of child subsystems, and verifying the received broken-seal response;

a broken-seal response normalizing process for normalizing a broken-seal response verified by the broken-seal response reception process;

a result calculation process for calculating a lottery result by using the broken-seal response normalized by the broken-seal response normalizing process and the initial value set by the initial setting process; and

a result publication process for making public the result including the lottery result calculated by the result calculation process, the initial value set by the initial setting process, and the broken-seal response received by the broken-seal response reception process; and

the computer processes, that are performed by the computer of each of the plurality of child subsystems, comprises;

a setting reception process for receiving the initial setting information which has been made public by the setting publication process of the parent system;

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

a response generation process for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

a response sealing process for sealing the response generated by the response generation process;

a sealed response sending process for sending the sealed response generated by the response sealing process;

a contact-signal reception process for receiving the sealed response which has been made public by the contact-signal publication process of the parent system;

a contact-signal verification process for verifying the sealed response received by the contact-signal reception process;

a broken-seal response sending process for sending the broken-seal response since the contact-signal verification process can verify the sealed response;

a result reception process for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication process of the parent system; and

a result verification process for verifying the result received by the result reception process.

17. The computer usable medium according to one of claims 14, 15 and 16, wherein the response sealing process of each of the child subsystems uses a hash function to seal the response.

15. A computer usable medium with a computer readable program code means embodied therein, which corresponds to the computer processes of an electronic lottery system which has a parent system and a first and second plurality of child subsystems, wherein the computer processes that are performed by the computer of the parent system comprises:

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

an initial setting process for setting an initial value by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

an initial value sealing process for sealing the initial value set by the initial setting process;

a setting publication process for making public an initial setting information including the initial value sealed by the initial value sealing process;

a response reception process for receiving a response coming from each of the first plurality of child subsystems;

a sealed response reception process for receiving a sealed response coming from each of the second plurality of child subsystems;

a contact-signal publication process for making public the fact that the response and sealed response have both been received;

a broken-seal response reception process for receiving a broken-seal response coming from each of the second plurality of child subsystems, and verifying the received broken-seal response;

a broken-seal response normalizing process for normalizing the broken-seal response verified by the broken-seal response reception process;

a response normalizing process for normalizing the response received by the response reception process;

a result calculation process for calculating a lottery result by using the broken-seal response normalized by the broken-seal response normalizing process, the response normalized by the response normalizing process and the initial value set by the initial setting process; and

a result publication process for making public a result including the lottery result calculated by the result calculation process, the initial value set by the initial setting process, the broken-seal response received by the broken-seal response reception process, and the response received by the response reception process; and

the computer processes that are performed by the computer of each of the first plurality of subsystems comprises;

a setting reception process for receiving the initial setting information which has been made public by the setting publication process of the parent system;

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

a response generation process for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

a response sending process for sending the response generated by the response generation process;

a result reception process for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication process of the parent system;

a result verification process for verifying the result received by the result reception process; and

the computer processes that are performed by the computer of each of the second plurality of subsystems comprises;

a setting reception process for receiving the initial setting information which has been made public by the setting publication process of the parent system;

a random number generation process for generating a random number;

a response generation process for generating a response by using the random number generated by the random number generation process;

a response sealing process for sealing the response generated by the response generation process;

a sealed response sending process for sending the sealed response generated by the response sealing process;

a contact-signal reception process for receiving the sealed response which has been made public by the contact-signal publication process of the parent system;

a contact-signal verification process for verifying the sealed response received by the contact-signal reception process;

a broken-seal response sending process for sending the broken-seal response since the contact-signal verification process can verify the sealed response;

a result reception process for receiving the result which has been made public by the result publication process of the parent system; and

a result verification process for verifying the result received by the result reception process.