Communication methods

Abstract

This provides a communication method that can promote the widespread use of spatiotemporal stamps by utilizing spatiotemporal information such as packet transmission and reception data. [Solution] In the communication system 1, when the user's terminal 11 and the administrator's terminal 3 communicate, the user's terminal 11 and the administrator's terminal 3 send encrypted processing information, including the processing time, to the spacetime standard station 5. This provides a method for using spacetime timestamps that enables the spacetime standard station 5 to grasp network delays and usage status.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a communication method, and more specifically, to a communication method that facilitates the use of spatiotemporal stamps by having a spatiotemporal standard station utilize the time at which a user transmits processing information. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, new financial services utilizing ICT are being implemented in financial transactions. In order to facilitate the acceptance of new entrants, standards have been set for the quality of financial system construction. Financial regulations and financial industry regulatory bodies such as MiFID II and FINRA serve this purpose, but the millisecond-level time synchronization using the NTP communication protocol, which was used to distribute time information in the past, is insufficient, and at least microsecond accuracy is required. Furthermore, the storage and publication of historical information on transaction prices, quantities, and times, as close to real-time as possible, is mandatory, but the construction of such systems has not progressed in Japan. In other words, one of the reasons is the lack of means to obtain accurate time.

[0003] As a system for sharing accurate time, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-149074 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-93938 describe an encryption key sharing system. On the other hand, it is desirable to perform high-precision time synchronization and prevent tampering in an encryption key sharing system. In these systems, a spacetime standard station provides a reference time (spacetime stamp). Therefore, if spacetime stamps become widespread, services that provide accurate time will become more widespread.

[0004] On the other hand, the absolute amount of communication that truly requires spatiotemporal stamps is still small, and as long as spatiotemporal stamps are paid services, the amount of data related to spatiotemporal stamps used will remain small. For this reason, at present, especially in systems that share time, spatiotemporal information of packets sent and received by users is not being effectively utilized. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023 - 149074 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2023 - 93938 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] An object of this invention is to provide a communication method and the like that can promote the spread of spatio - temporal stamps by utilizing spatio - temporal information such as the transmission and reception time - space information of packets. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0007] Basically, in this method, when the user's terminal 11 transmits information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information is transmitted to the selected relay station 9a, it outputs the information to the spatio - temporal standard station 5. Based on the finding that the spatio - temporal standard station 5 can collect and utilize spatio - temporal information, this communication method includes, as a nominal name for explanation, an encryption key reception step, an encrypted relay station information transmission step, a processing information transmission step, and a processing information transmission step after adding the reception time.

[0008] Encryption Key Reception Step The administrator's terminal 3 receives encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d from the spatio - temporal standard station 5. A plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c connected to the spatio - temporal standard station 5 through a communication network and sharing the standard time with the spatio - temporal standard station 5 receive encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c from the spatio - temporal standard station 5. The user's terminal 11 receives encryption key 7d from the spatio - temporal standard station 5.

[0009] Encrypted Relay Station Information Transmission Step A plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c encrypt the identification information of their respective relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c and the time information based on the standard time with the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c received by their respective relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, and obtain the encrypted relay station information. A plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c transmit the encrypted relay station information to the user's terminal 11.

[0010] Processing Information Transmission Step The user's terminal 11 receives the encrypted relay station information from the plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, adds processing information to the encrypted relay station information, and obtains the processing information after adding the relay station information. The user's terminal 11 encrypts the processing information after adding the relay station information with the encryption key 7d to obtain the encrypted processing information. The user's terminal 11 transmits the encrypted processing information to a selected relay station 9a, which is one of the plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c. The user's terminal 11 outputs information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information is transmitted to the selected relay station 9a to the space-time standard station 5.

[0011] Processing Information Transmission Step after Adding Reception Time The selected relay station 9a receives the encrypted processing information, adds the time when the selected relay station 9a receives the encrypted processing information to the encrypted processing information, and obtains the processing information after adding the reception time. The selected relay station 9a transmits the processing information after adding the reception time to the administrator's terminal 3.

[0012] The administrator's terminal 3 that has received the processing information after adding the reception time, for example, makes a judgment on whether to perform processing and then performs the processing. On the other hand, the space-time standard station 5 that has received the information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information is transmitted to the selected relay station 9a, for example, analyzes the communication network situation by utilizing the received information and also utilizes the information regarding the received time.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] Currently, spatiotemporal stamps are a paid service. However, if spatiotemporal stamps were made free and their use were promoted, the amount of spatiotemporal information data for packet transmission and reception would increase, making it possible to use it as delay data indicating the state of the communication network. In this way, this invention can provide a communication method that promotes the widespread use of spatiotemporal stamps by using spatiotemporal information for packet transmission and reception to analyze the state of the communication network. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a communication system using cryptographic keys. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a chart illustrating a communication method using encryption keys. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the encryption key reception process and the encryption relay station information transmission process. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the transaction information receiving process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but also includes modifications made to the embodiments described below to the extent that is obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0016] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a communication system using cryptographic keys. This system 1 includes an administrator's terminal 3, a spacetime standard station 5, multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, and a user's terminal 11. These preferably have computers, including memory units and processors that store programs. Any or more of these are connected to enable the exchange of information via a communication network. Any or more of these may reside on a quantum cryptography (QKD) network. Cryptographic keys may be distributed via the quantum cryptography (QKD) network, by hand (e.g., by mail), or via the communication network. The quantum cryptography communication device includes, for example, a transmitter and a receiver. Quantum cryptography communication is performed between them using optical signals (laser light). The transmitter may be, for example, a mobile device with a communication satellite. The receiver may be, for example, a fixed station with a ground station (base station).

[0017] System 1 can accurately determine processing time, analyze network congestion in real time, and analyze network communication latency, making it suitable for various communications using quantum keys. For example, System 1 can be used as a financial system for conducting financial transactions. Furthermore, System 1 can be used as a communication system for various processes such as eSports, games, and autonomous driving. The following description will focus primarily on financial systems. However, the applications of this invention are not limited to financial systems.

[0018] Administrator's terminal 3 The administrator's terminal 3 will also be simply referred to as administrator 3. Administrator 3 may be connected to a communication network or have a receiving unit (antenna) that receives wireless signals. Administrator 3 may also have an encryption key receiving unit for receiving encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d from the spacetime standard station 5. Administrator 3 may also have a storage unit for storing the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d. Administrator 3 may also receive time information based on standard time along with the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d from the spacetime standard station 5 and store it in the storage unit. Administrator 3 can be any appropriate administrator or management server depending on the purpose of the communication system. For example, if the purpose of the communication system is financial transactions, Administrator 3 may be a terminal of an organization or group that performs some kind of processing, such as a financial institution, securities company, stock market, e-commerce site, ATM, credit card payment site, or cryptocurrency operation site. Administrator 3 performs various processes based on processing information from User 11, for example. For this reason, Administrator 3 may have a user database that stores various information, such as identification information about User 11 and User 11's account information in relation to the identification information about User 11. When a communication system is used as a financial system, the administrator's terminal may be, for example, a terminal at an exchange. Furthermore, if the communication system is used for eSports or games, administrator 3 may be a game server. If the communication system is used for autonomous driving, administrator 3 may be a management server for autonomous driving.

[0019] Space-time standard station 5 The spacetime standard station 5 is an element that can provide the administrator 3 with a reference time (standard time). An example of the spacetime standard station 5 is the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and its terminals. Preferably, the spacetime standard station 5 can also provide a reference time (standard time) to one or both of the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c and the user's terminal 11. An example of standard time is time using an atomic clock. The spacetime standard station 5 can output the standard time, for example, as radio waves (wireless signals), optical signals, or as information to a quantum cryptography (QKD) network. The spacetime standard station 5 also creates encryption keys and distributes them to the various elements. In this example, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes the standard time and encryption keys. On the other hand, two or more elements may each distribute the standard time and encryption keys.

[0020] Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c are connected to the spacetime standard station 5 via a communication network and are elements that share standard time with the spacetime standard station 5. Examples of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c are nodes in the network or base stations on the ground. Relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c are also called lighthouses. Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c can obtain time information in the form of standard time from the spacetime standard station 5. Standard time may be transmitted by radio waves or provided by wire. Alternatively, the spacetime standard station 5 and the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c may exist on a quantum cryptography (QKD) network, and the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c may receive standard time using the quantum cryptography (QKD) network. Each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c has a predetermined identification information (ID) for each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. 9a ID 9b ID 9c ) is stored. Therefore, each relay station 9a, 9b, and 9c stores identification information (ID). 9a ID 9b ID 9c The data can be read and used for various calculations.

[0021] User's terminal 11 The user's terminal 11 is also simply referred to as user 11. Examples of user 11 include a mobile device owned by the user or a computer operated by the user. For example, if user 11 is a mobile device, then user 11 is a mobile entity.

[0022] A user may be a trader who engages in financial transactions (deposits, stock trading, cryptocurrency trading, futures trading), a game user, or a driver.

[0023] Communication network Administrator 3, spacetime standard station 5, multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, and user 11 are connected to each other so that they can exchange information via a communication network. One or more of these may reside on a quantum cryptography (QKD) network.

[0024] A computer has an input unit, an output unit, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, and a memory unit, and each element is connected by a bus or the like to enable the exchange of information. For example, the memory unit may store a control program or various kinds of information. When predetermined information is input from the input unit, the control unit reads the control program stored in the memory unit. The control unit then reads the information stored in the memory unit as appropriate and transmits it to the arithmetic unit. The control unit also transmits the input information to the arithmetic unit as appropriate. The arithmetic unit performs calculations using the received information and stores it in the memory unit. The control unit reads the calculation results stored in the memory unit and outputs them from the output unit. In this way, various processes and steps are executed. Each unit and each means is responsible for executing these various processes. A computer may have a processor, and the processor may implement various functions and steps. A computer may be standalone. A computer may have some of its functions distributed between a server and terminals. In that case, it is preferable that the server and terminals can exchange information via a network such as the internet or an intranet. A computer may include a processor and memory connected to the processor. The memory may store instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the computer to perform various processes or to function as various components. The computer may build a learning model by providing various training data and perform various calculations through machine learning. In this case, the computer may perform various analyses and interpretations using the learning model created by AI (artificial intelligence) machine learning and deep learning.

[0025] Figure 2 is a chart illustrating a communication method using an encryption key. As shown in Figure 2, the communication method using an encryption key includes an encryption key receiving step (S101), an encrypted relay station information transmission step (S102), a processing information transmission step (S103), and a processing information transmission step after the receipt time has been added (S104). This communication method may further include a processing information receiving step (S105). Furthermore, this notification method may include one or more of the following: a network status analysis step (S106), a network transmission delay amount data analysis step (S107), and a processing information time acquisition step (S108), or it may include various other steps. In this way, processing information from user 11 is transmitted to administrator 3. Various types of information are processed by a computer as digital information that can be processed by a computer. An example of digital information is binary information of 0 or 1. Furthermore, this invention may be modified as appropriate, as long as it includes the step of outputting information regarding the time when the user's terminal 11 transmitted the encrypted processing information to the selected relay station 9a to the spacetime standard station 5, or elements that can implement this step. The following describes each step.

[0026] Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the encryption key reception process and the encryption relay station information transmission process.

[0027] Cryptographic key reception process (S101) In one example, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes all types of encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d to administrator 3. Meanwhile, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes some of the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d that it distributed to administrator 3 to multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. Then, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes the encryption key 7d that was distributed to administrator 3 but not to the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c to user 11. The encryption keys may be distributed via a quantum cryptography (QKD) network, by hand (e.g., by mail), or via a communication network. Methods for creating and distributing encryption keys are publicly known, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-057435, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-149074, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-93938. The spacetime standard station 5 may transmit the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d together with the time information at which the encryption keys were transmitted (or generated). The encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d may include the time information at which the spacetime standard station 5 generated the encryption keys. Administrator 3 then receives encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d from the spacetime standard station 5. Administrator 3 has received time information based on standard time from the spacetime standard station 5. Therefore, Administrator 3 may store the time information in which the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d were received in the memory unit. Furthermore, multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c receive encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c from spacetime standard station 5. Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c receive time information in standard time from spacetime standard station 5. Relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c receive encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c at the time in standard time (T S101 ) may be stored in the memory unit. User 11 receives encryption key 7d from spacetime standard station 5. User 11 has received time information in standard time from spacetime standard station 5. User 11 may store the time in standard time when encryption key 7d was received in the memory unit. The received encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are appropriately stored in the storage unit of the administrator 3, the storage units of the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, and the storage unit of the user 11. The stored encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are read from the storage unit based on the instructions of the program and used for various calculations. Also, the administrator 3, the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, and the user 11 may store the time when the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d were received.

[0028] Encrypted Relay Station Information Transmission Step (S102) A plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c encrypt the identification information (ID 9a , ID 9b , ID 9c ) of their respective relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c and the time information based on the standard time using the encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c. And in this step, the plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c transmit the encrypted relay station information to the user 11. Hereinafter, this step will be described in detail. In the following example, the time information based on the standard time is the time (T S101 ) based on the standard time when the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c received the encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c. However, the time information based on the standard time may also be the time based on the standard time encrypted by the encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c. Each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c receives the time information (S.T) based on the standard time from the space-time standard station 5. Each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c stores the identification information (ID 9a , ID 9b , ID 9c ) of their respective relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c in the storage unit. Also, each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c stores the received encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c from the space-time standard station 5 in the storage unit. The relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c read the identification information (ID 9a , ID 9b , ID 9c ) and the encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c from the storage unit. And the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c encrypt the time information (S.T) and the identification information (ID 9a , ID 9b , ID 9cThe information is encrypted using encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c. In this way, relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c obtain the encrypted relay station information. The encrypted relay station information may be stored in the memory units of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c as appropriate. The multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c then transmit the encrypted relay station information to user 11. For example, the first relay station 9a receives time information (ST) from the air standard station 5. The memory unit of the first relay station 9a stores identification information (ID). 9a ) and the encryption key 7a are stored. The first relay station 9a retrieves identification information (ID) from the storage unit. 9a The first relay station 9a reads out the time information (ST) and the first encryption key 7a. The first relay station 9a then uses the encryption key 7a to read out the time information (ST) and the identification information (ID). 9a The first relay station 9a encrypts the first encrypted relay station information. Then, the first relay station 9a transmits the first encrypted relay station information to the user 11. The identification information (ID) of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c is also included. 9a ID 9b ID 9c In addition to the above, the location information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c may also be encrypted. In this case, the information that includes the location information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, along with the encrypted information, is considered the encrypted relay station information.

[0029] Processing information transmission process (S103) User 11 receives encrypted relay station information from multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. User 11 stores the received encrypted relay station information (for example, the first to third encrypted relay station information) in a memory unit. Processing information (for example, information such as sending a certain amount of money to a certain account or purchasing a certain number of shares of a certain stock) is input to User 11. User 11's memory unit then stores the processing information. User 11 then reads the processing information and the encrypted relay station information from the memory unit and performs a process of adding the processing information to the encrypted relay station information. In this way, User 11 obtains the processing information after the relay station information has been added. The obtained processing information after the relay station information has been added is stored in User 11's memory unit as appropriate. User 11's memory unit stores a fourth encryption key 7d. User 11 reads out the encryption key 7d. Then, User 11 uses the encryption key 7d to encrypt the processing information after the relay station information has been added. In this way, user 11 obtains encrypted processing information (information obtained by encrypting the processing information after relay station information has been added). User 11 transmits the encrypted processing information to a selected relay station 9a, which is one of the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. In the following example, the first relay station 9a becomes the selected relay station 9a. The method for selecting the selected relay station 9a is publicly known. For example, the relay station that sent the encrypted relay station information that user 11 first received may be selected as the selected relay station. In this case, for example, the header portion of the encrypted relay station information contains information indicating the address of the relay station, and user 11 stores the information indicating the address of the relay station in a storage unit. Then, using that address information, the user can transmit the encrypted processing information to the selected relay station 9a. Alternatively, all of the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c may be selected as the selected relay station. User 11 may receive time information in standard time from the spacetime standard station 5 and obtain encrypted processing information, including the time when the processing information was entered (or the time when the processing information was encrypted). In this case, the processing information may include the time when the processing was performed.

[0030] User 11 outputs to the spacetime standard station 5 information regarding the time the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station (9a). The information regarding the time the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station (9a) may be encrypted using encryption key 7d. The encrypted information regarding the time may then be output to the spacetime standard station 5.

[0031] Processing information transmission process after the time of receipt is added (S104) Selected relay station 9a receives the encrypted processing information. The memory unit of selected relay station 9a stores this processing information as appropriate. Selected relay station 9a receives time information based on standard time from spacetime standard station 5 as needed and stores it in its memory unit. Selected relay station 9a then adds the time information that selected relay station 9a received to this processing information. In this way, selected relay station 9a obtains processing information with the reception time added. Selected relay station 9a stores the obtained processing information with the reception time added in its memory unit. Selected relay station 9a reads the processing information with the reception time added from its memory unit. Selected relay station 9a then transmits the processing information with the reception time added to administrator 3. Furthermore, the selected relay station 9a may encrypt the processing information after the time of receipt has been added using the encryption key 7a, and then transmit the encrypted processing information after the time of receipt has been added to the administrator 3. The selected relay station 9a may output to the spacetime standard station 5 either or both of the following: information regarding the time when the selected relay station 9a received the encrypted processing information, and information regarding the time when the selected relay station 9a output the processing information after the time of receipt has been added to the administrator 3.

[0032] Selected relay station 9a and any or more of the other relay stations 9b, 9c may output to the spacetime standard station 5 any or more of the following information to the spacetime standard station 5: information regarding the encrypted time and information regarding the time when the encrypted relay station information was output to user 11.

[0033] Processing information receiving process (S105) Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the process of receiving processing information. Administrator 3 receives processing information after the time of receipt has been added. Administrator 3 receives time information (ST) based on standard time from spacetime standard station 5 and stores it in the memory unit. Administrator 3 receives the processing information after the time of receipt has been added (T S105 ) is stored in the memory unit. Administrator 3 stores the processing information after the time of receipt has been added in Administrator 3's memory unit. Administrator 3 reads the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d from the memory unit. Administrator 3 decrypts the processing information after the time of receipt has been added using the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d. In this way, Administrator 3 obtains the time information based on standard time encrypted by relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c.

[0034] Next, Administrator 3 makes a decision on whether or not to proceed with the process. Administrator 3 receives (or processes) the processing information included in the processing information after the relay station information has been added, if the time information based on standard time is within a predetermined delay time. This can be done by using the time information based on standard time encrypted by relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c and the time information based on standard time received by Administrator 3 after the processing information after the receipt time has been added. For example, Administrator 3 receives the time information based on standard time (T) from the storage unit when relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c received the encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c. S101 ) reads out. Then, administrator 3 reads the time (T S105 ) and time (T S101 The administrator 3 then reads the threshold from the memory unit and calculates the difference with time (T). S105 ) and time (T S101 If the difference with ) is within the threshold, then the processing information included in the processing information after relay station information is added should be received. In the example above, the specific relay station 9a received the encryption key 7a at the standard time (T S101 ) and the time when administrator 3 received the processing information after the receipt time was added (T S105 ) was compared with the above. However, the time difference may be any other time difference. For example, the time difference is time (T S105 ) and the difference between the time when the selected relay station 9a obtained the encrypted relay station information (the time when encryption was performed), or the time (T S105) and the difference between the time when the selected relay station 9a transmitted the encrypted relay station information.

[0035] Administrator 3 may analyze user 11's location information (or location information in the QKD network) to determine whether the time information based on standard time is within a predetermined delay time. Administrator 3 can preferably use the identification information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c to analyze the location information of the relay stations in the QKD network. For example, Administrator 3 can use the identification information (ID) of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. 9a ID 9b ID 9c The location information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c is stored in the memory unit in relation to the above. The administrator 3 then stores the identification information (ID) of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c included in the processing information after the time of receipt has been added. 9a ID 9b ID 9c The administrator 3 reads the location information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c from the memory unit using the above method. The administrator 3 analyzes the location information of user 11 using, for example, information about the time when multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c transmitted encrypted relay station information to user 11, and the time when user 11 received encrypted relay station information from multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. In other words, the administrator 3 can determine the distance between each relay station 9a, 9b, and 9c and user 11, and then analyze the location information of user 11 using the location information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c and the distance between each relay station 9a, 9b, and 9c and user 11. Alternatively, instead of the time when multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c transmitted encrypted relay station information to user 11, time information included in the encrypted relay station information may be used. In this way, the administrator 3 can preferably analyze the location information of user 11 using the location information of the relay stations. Administrator 3 may, for example, determine the time limit (delay time) for receiving processing information from the location information of user 11. Then, if the time information based on standard time is within the predetermined delay time, administrator 3 may receive the processing information included in the processing information after relay station information has been added.

[0036] After administrator 3 receives and approves the processing information, administrator 3 can then perform the processing based on that information.

[0037] Administrator 3 preferably outputs information regarding the time of receipt of the processing information after the receipt time has been added to the spacetime standard station 5.

[0038] Network status analysis process (S106) The spacetime standard station 5 may analyze the usage status of the communication network using either or both of the information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station 9a, and the information regarding the time when the administrator's terminal 3 received the processing information after the reception time was added. In other words, for example, the spacetime standard station 5 can analyze the degree of network congestion using the packet transmission time and the packet reception time. To analyze the degree of network congestion using the packet transmission time and the packet reception time, for example, a numerical value indicating the degree of network congestion corresponding to the difference between the transmission time and the packet reception time may be stored in a memory unit, and the difference between the packet transmission time and the packet reception time may be calculated and the numerical value indicating the degree of network congestion read from the memory unit. Alternatively, a learning model may be constructed using the packet transmission time, the packet reception time and the degree of network congestion as training data, and the degree of network congestion may be calculated by inputting the packet transmission time and the packet reception time into the trained model.

[0039] Network transmission delay data analysis process (S107) The spacetime standard station 5 may analyze transmission delay data related to the communication network using either or both of the following: information regarding the time the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station 9a, and information regarding the time the administrator's terminal 3 received the processing information after the reception time was added. In other words, for example, the spacetime standard station 5 can analyze the communication delay of the network using the packet's transmission time and packet's reception time. To analyze the network's transmission delay data using the packet's transmission time and packet's reception time, for example, a numerical value representing the network's transmission delay data corresponding to the difference between the transmission time and the packet's reception time may be stored in a memory unit, and the difference between the packet's transmission time and reception time may be calculated to read the numerical value representing the network's transmission delay data from the memory unit. Alternatively, a learning model may be constructed using the packet's transmission time, reception time, and network's transmission delay data as training data, and the network's transmission delay data may be obtained by inputting the packet's transmission time and reception time into the trained model.

[0040] Processing information time acquisition process (S108) The administrator's terminal 3 may receive the processing information after the time of receipt has been added, decrypt the processing information after the time of receipt has been added using the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d, obtain the time information based on the standard time encrypted by the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, and obtain the time information related to the processing information. The administrator's terminal 3 may receive various time-related information from the spacetime standard station 5. In this way, the administrator's terminal 3 can receive time information related to processing according to its purpose, so it can accurately remember the time of stock orders and determine the sequence of events, and make accurate judgments in areas such as eSports.

[0041] In addition to the above, Spacetime Standard Station 5 may also use the various time-related information it receives to perform analyses of the network status.

[0042] [Consideration] The spacetime standards office that issues spacetime stamps provides them free of charge to a large number of low-frequency users using standard public-key cryptography. In return, it receives spacetime information on packet transmission and reception from these users. Because it is free, spacetime information from a large number of packets is collected by the spacetime stamp issuing company, which can then be used as latency data indicating the state of the network.

[0043] The spatiotemporal data of packet transmission and reception clearly indicates network failures and packet congestion. Therefore, the spatiotemporal stamp issuing company converts this data into information such as estimated latency, which does not contain any private information. This information can then be obtained and used for a fee by the following businesses that are concerned about network status and latency. 1) Telecommunications carriers can reduce the cost of network monitoring. 2) Users who require latency-sensitive communication will be able to predict latency in near real-time and select the communication provider with the lowest latency, etc.

[0044] On the other hand, general users will be able to use spacetime stamps for free or at a low cost, and the use of spacetime stamps can be recommended or even made mandatory for low-frequency securities trading, creating a safer environment for securities trading. In addition, spacetime stamp issuing companies such as the Spacetime Standard Bureau can monetize the information from the spacetime stamps they issue for free.

[0045] According to this invention, when a user terminal 11 and an administrator 3 communicate, the terminal 11 and the administrator 3 send encrypted processing information, including the processing time, to the spacetime standard station 5, thereby enabling the spacetime standard station 5 to understand network delays and usage status. This provides a method for using spacetime timestamps. [Industrial applicability]

[0046] This invention can be used in the information and communication-related industries. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1. Communication System 3. Administrator's terminal 5 Space-time standard station 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d encryption key 9a, 9b, 9c relay stations 11. User's terminal

Claims

1. The administrator's terminal (3) receives the encryption keys (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) from the spacetime standard station (5), Multiple relay stations (9a, 9b, 9c) connected to the aforementioned spacetime standard station (5) by a communication network and sharing standard time with the spacetime standard station (5) receive the encryption keys (7a, 7b, 7c) from the spacetime standard station (5), The process includes an encryption key receiving step in which the user's terminal (11) receives the encryption key (7d) from the spacetime standard station (5), The process of transmitting encrypted relay station information is a step in which the plurality of relay stations (9a, 9b, 9c) encrypt the identification information of each relay station (9a, 9b, 9c) and the time information according to the standard time using the encryption key (7a, 7b, 7c) received by each relay station (9a, 9b, 9c), obtain encrypted relay station information, and transmit the encrypted relay station information to the user's terminal (11). The process of transmitting processing information includes the steps of the user's terminal (11) receiving the encrypted relay station information from the plurality of relay stations (9a, 9b, 9c), adding processing information to the encrypted relay station information, obtaining the processed information after the relay station information has been added, encrypting the processed information after the relay station information has been added using the encryption key (7d) received by the user's terminal (11), obtaining the encrypted processing information, transmitting the encrypted processing information to a selected relay station (9a) which is one of the plurality of relay stations (9a, 9b, 9c), and outputting information regarding the time when the user's terminal (11) transmitted the encrypted processing information to the selected relay station (9a) to the spacetime standard station (5), and The process of transmitting processing information after the time of receipt is a step in which the selected relay station (9a) receives the encrypted processing information, adds the time at which the selected relay station (9a) received the encrypted processing information to the encrypted processing information, obtains processing information after the time of receipt is added, and transmits the processing information after the time of receipt is added to the administrator's terminal (3), A communication method that includes this.

2. A communication method according to claim 1, The administrator's terminal (3) receives the processing information after the time of receipt has been added, decrypts the processing information after the time of receipt has been added using the encryption keys (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), obtains the time information based on standard time encrypted by the relay station (9a, 9b, 9c), and if the time information based on standard time is within a predetermined delay time, receives the processing information included in the processing information after the relay station information has been added; A communication method that further includes this.

3. A communication method according to claim 2, The aforementioned administrator's terminal (3) is the exchange's terminal (3), The aforementioned processing information is transaction information, A communication method in which the aforementioned user is a trader.

4. A communication method according to claim 1, A communication method further comprising a network status analysis step, in which the spacetime standard station (5) analyzes the usage status of the communication network using information relating to the time the encrypted processed information was transmitted to the selected relay station (9a) and information relating to the time the administrator's terminal (3) received the processed information after the receipt time was added.

5. A communication method according to claim 1, A communication method further comprising a network transmission delay amount data analysis step, which is a step in which the spacetime standard station (5) analyzes transmission delay amount data relating to the communication network using information relating to the time when the encrypted processed information was transmitted to the selected relay station (9a) and information relating to the time when the administrator's terminal (3) received the processed information after the receipt time was added.

6. A communication method according to claim 1, A communication method further comprising a processing information time acquisition step, in which the administrator's terminal (3) receives the processing information after the time of receipt has been added, decrypts the processing information after the time of receipt has been added using the encryption keys (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), obtains the time information based on the standard time encrypted by the relay station (9a, 9b, 9c), and obtains time information related to the processing information.

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