Communication method

Abstract

The present invention provides, inter alia, a communication method capable of promoting the spread of a spaciotemporal stamp by utilizing, inter alia, space-time information of transmission and reception of a packet.　The present invention makes it possible to provide a spaciotemporal stamp utilization method in which, when a user terminal 11 and a manager 3 communicate with each other, the terminal 11 and the manager 3 send processing information, which includes a processing time, to a space-time standard station 5 in an encrypted form, thereby making it possible for the spaciotemporal standard station 5 to grasp the delay and the usage state of a network.

Description

Communication methods

[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.

[0002] Currently, new financial services utilizing ICT are being implemented in financial transactions. To facilitate the acceptance of new entrants, standards have been established for the quality of financial system construction. Financial regulations and regulatory bodies such as MiFi II and FINRA serve this purpose. However, the millisecond-level time synchronization provided by the NTP communication protocol used previously is insufficient; 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 progress in building such systems in Japan has been slow. In other words, one contributing factor is the lack of a 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 highly accurate 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.

[0005] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-149074 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-93938

[0006] This invention aims to provide a communication method that can promote the widespread use of spatiotemporal stamps by utilizing spatiotemporal information of packet transmission and reception.

[0007] This method is based on the understanding that the user's terminal 11 outputs information regarding the time it transmitted the encrypted processing information to the selected relay station 9a to the spatiotemporal standard station 5, which can then collect and utilize spatiotemporal information. For explanatory purposes, this communication method includes, in name only, an encryption key reception step, an encryption relay station information transmission step, a processing information transmission step, and a processing information transmission step after the reception time has been added.

[0008] Terminal 3, the administrator of the encryption key receiving process, receives encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d from the spacetime standard station 5. Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, which are connected to the spacetime standard station 5 via a communication network and share standard time with the spacetime standard station 5, receive encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c from the spacetime standard station 5. The user's terminal 11 receives encryption key 7d from the spacetime standard station 5.

[0009] In the encrypted relay station information transmission process, multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c encrypt their respective identification information and time information based on standard time using the encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c received by each relay station 9a, 9b, and 9c, and obtain encrypted relay station information. The multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c then transmit the encrypted relay station information to the user's terminal 11.

[0010] In the processing information transmission process, the user's terminal 11 receives encrypted relay station information from multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, adds processing information to the encrypted relay station information, and obtains the processed information after the relay station information has been added. The user's terminal 11 encrypts the processed information after the relay station information has been added using the encryption key 7d, and obtains the encrypted processed information. The user's terminal 11 transmits the encrypted processed information to a selected relay station 9a, which is one of the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. The user's terminal 11 outputs information regarding the time when it transmitted the encrypted processed information to the selected relay station 9a to the spacetime standard station 5.

[0011] The selected relay station 9a receives the encrypted processing information, adds the time that the selected relay station 9a received the encrypted processing information to it, and obtains the processing information after the receipt time has been added. The selected relay station 9a transmits the processing information after the receipt time has been added to the administrator's terminal 3.

[0012] The administrator's terminal 3, upon receiving the processing information after the time of receipt has been added, for example, makes a decision on whether or not to process it, and then processes it. Meanwhile, the spacetime standard station 5, upon receiving information regarding the time the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station 9a, for example, uses the received information to analyze the status of the communication network, and also uses the information regarding the time of receipt.

[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.

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

[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 following embodiments 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 a communication network. A 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 grasp processing time, analyze network congestion in real time, and analyze network communication latency, making it suitable for various communications using quantum keys. System 1 can be used, for example, as a financial system for conducting financial transactions. Furthermore, System 1 can be used as a communication system for various processes such as e-sports, 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 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 may be any appropriate administrator or management server depending on the use of the communication system. For example, if the use 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, and crypto asset management site. Administrator 3 performs various processes based on processing information from user 11, for example. Therefore, administrator 3 may have a user database that stores various information, such as identification information about user 11 and account information of user 11 in relation to the identification information about user 11. If the communication system is used as a financial system, the administrator's terminal may be, for example, a terminal at an exchange. Also, 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] Spacetime Standard Station 5 The Spacetime Standard Station 5 is an element that can provide a reference time (standard time) to the administrator 3. An example of Spacetime Standard Station 5 is the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology and its terminals. Preferably, Spacetime Standard Station 5 can provide a reference time (standard time) to any 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. 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. Also, Spacetime Standard Station 5 creates encryption keys and distributes them to the various elements. In this example, 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 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, 9c are nodes in the network or base stations on the ground. Relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c are also called lighthouses. Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, 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, 9c may exist on a quantum cryptography (QKD) network, and the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c may receive standard time using the quantum cryptography (QKD) network. Each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c has a predetermined identification information (ID) for each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, 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] 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] The user may be a trader who conducts financial transactions (savings deposits, stock transactions, cryptocurrency transactions, futures transactions), a game user, or a driver.

[0023] Any one or two or more of the communication network administrator 3, the space-time standard bureau 5, the plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, and the user 11 are connected so that information can be exchanged through the communication network. And one or two or more of them may exist on the quantum key distribution (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, and when executed by the processor, these instructions may 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] Encryption Key Receipt Process (S101) In one example, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes all types of encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d to the administrator 3. Meanwhile, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes some of the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d that it distributed to the administrator 3 to multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. Then, the spacetime standard station 5 distributes to the user 11 the encryption keys 7d that were distributed to the administrator 3 but not to the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c. 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 Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2023-149074, and Japanese Unexamined 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. Then, the administrator 3 receives the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d from the spacetime standard station 5. The administrator 3 has received time information based on standard time from the spacetime standard station 5. For this reason, the administrator 3 may store the time information at which the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d were received in the storage unit. Furthermore, multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c receive encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c from the spacetime standard station 5. Multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c receive time information in standard time from the 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)(0) may be stored in the storage unit. User 11 receives the encryption key 7d from the space-time standard bureau 5. User 11 has received time information based on the standard time from the space-time standard bureau 5. User 11 may store the time based on the standard time when the encryption key 7d is received in the storage unit. The received encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are appropriately stored in the storage units of the administrator 3, the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, and 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 operations. In addition, the administrator 3, the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c, and the user 11 may store the time when the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d are received.

[0028] Encrypted relay station information transmission process (S102) A plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c encrypt the identification information (ID ９ａ , ID ９ｂ , ID ９ｃ ) of their respective relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c and the time information based on the standard time using the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c. In this process, the plurality of relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c transmit the encrypted relay station information to the user 11. Hereinafter, this process 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, 9c receive the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c. However, the time information based on the standard time may be the time based on the standard time encrypted by the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c. Each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c receives the time information (S.T) based on the standard time from the space-time standard bureau 5. Each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c stores the identification information (ID ９ａ , ID ９ｂ , ID ９ｃ ) of their respective relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c in the storage unit. In addition, each of the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c stores the received encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c in the storage unit. The relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c read the identification information (ID ９ａ , ID ９ｂ , ID ９ｃ ) and the encryption keys 7a, 7b, 7c from the storage unit. Then, the relay stations 9a, 9b, 9c use the time information (S.T) and the identification information (ID９ａ ID ９ｂ ID ９ｃ ) and are encrypted using encryption keys 7a, 7b, and 7c. In this way, relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c obtain 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. Then, multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c transmit the encrypted relay station information to user 11. For example, the first relay station 9a receives time information (S.T) from the air standard station 5. The memory unit of the first relay station 9a stores identification information (ID). ９ａ The first relay station 9a stores identification information (ID) and encryption key 7a from the storage unit. ９ａ The first relay station 9a reads out the time information (S.T) and the first encryption key 7a. Then, the first relay station 9a uses the encryption key 7a to read out the time information (S.T) and the identification information (ID). ９ａ The information is encrypted. In this way, the first relay station 9a obtains the first encrypted relay station information. The first relay station 9a then transmits the first encrypted relay station information to the user 11. The identification information (ID) of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c is also encrypted. 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, which has been encrypted together, is referred to as 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 to add 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. User 11 then 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 transmitted the encrypted relay station information that user 11 first received may be designated 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 designated as the selected relay stations. User 11 may also obtain encrypted processing information by receiving time information based on standard time from the spacetime standard station 5 and including the time when the processing information was input (or the time when the processing information was encrypted). In this case, the processing information may include the time the processing was performed.

[0030] User 11 outputs to the spacetime standard station 5 information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station (9a). The information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station (9a) may be encrypted using the 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 Receipt Time Addition (S104) The selected relay station 9a receives the encrypted processing information. The memory unit of the selected relay station 9a stores this processing information as appropriate. The selected relay station 9a receives time information based on standard time from the spacetime standard station 5 as needed and stores it in its memory unit. The selected relay station 9a then adds the time information that the selected relay station 9a received to this processing information. In this way, the selected relay station 9a obtains processing information after the receipt time has been added. The selected relay station 9a stores the obtained processing information after the receipt time has been added in its memory unit. The selected relay station 9a reads the processing information after the receipt time has been added from the memory unit. The selected relay station 9a then transmits the processing information after the receipt time has been added to the administrator 3. Alternatively, the selected relay station 9a may encrypt the processing information after the receipt time has been added using the encryption key 7a, and then transmit the encrypted processing information after the receipt time 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 receipt time was 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 relating to the encrypted time and information relating to the time when the encrypted relay station information was output to the user 11.

[0033] Processing Information Receiving Process (S105) Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the processing information receiving process. Administrator 3 receives processing information after the time of receipt has been added. Administrator 3 receives time information (S.T) based on standard time from the 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 out 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 perform the processing. If the time information in standard time is within a predetermined delay time, administrator 3 receives (or performs) the processing information included in the processing information after the relay station information has been added. This can be done by using the time information in standard time encrypted by relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c and the time information in standard time from which administrator 3 received the processing information after the receipt time has been added to determine the delay time. For example, administrator 3 retrieves from the memory the time in standard time (T) at which 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 the time (T). Ｓ１０５ ) and time (T Ｓ１０１ If the difference with ) is within the threshold, the system should receive the processing information included in the processing information after the relay station information has been added. 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 the location information of user 11 (or location information in the QKD network) to determine whether the time information in standard time is within a predetermined delay time. Preferably, Administrator 3 can 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 may 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 Using this method, the location information of relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c is read from the memory unit. The administrator 3 analyzes the location information of user 11 using, for example, information on the time when the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c transmitted the encrypted relay station information to user 11, and the time when user 11 received the encrypted relay station information from the 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 the multiple relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c transmitted the 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. The administrator 3 may, for example, determine the time limit (delay time) for receiving processing information from the location information of user 11. Furthermore, if the time information based on standard time is within a 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 following: information regarding the time when the encrypted processing information was transmitted to the selected relay station 9a, and information regarding the time when the administrator's terminal 3 received the processing information after the receipt 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 the transmission delay data related to 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 communication delay of the network using the packet transmission time and the packet reception time. In order to analyze the network transmission delay data using the packet transmission time and the packet reception time, for example, a numerical value indicating the network transmission delay data 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 reception time may be calculated and the numerical value indicating the network transmission delay data may be read from the memory unit. Alternatively, a learning model may be constructed using the packet transmission time, reception time and the network transmission delay data as training data, and the network transmission delay data may be obtained by inputting the packet transmission time and reception time into the trained model.

[0040] Processing Information Time Acquisition Step (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, and obtain time information based on the standard time encrypted by the relay stations 9a, 9b, and 9c, thereby obtaining time information related to the processing information. The administrator's terminal 3 may also receive various time-related information received by the time-space standard station 5 from the time-space 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 store stock order times and determine the sequence of events, and make accurate judgments on eSports, etc.

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

[0042] [Discussion] The spacetime standards office that issues spacetime stamps provides spacetime stamps to a large number of low-frequency users free of charge using the standard public-key cryptography method. In return, it receives spacetime information of packet transmission and reception from these users. Since 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, spatiotemporal stamp issuing companies convert this data into information such as estimated latency, free from privacy information. This information can then be obtained and used for a fee by the following businesses concerned with network status and latency. This allows: 1) Telecommunications carriers to reduce network monitoring costs; and 2) Users requiring latency-sensitive communication can predict latency in near real-time, enabling them to select the communication provider with the lowest latency.

[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.

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

[0047] 1. Communication system 3. Administrator's terminal 5. Spacetime standard station 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d. Encryption keys 9a, 9b, 9c. Relay station 11. User's terminal

Claims

1. The process includes an encryption key receiving step in which the administrator's terminal (3) receives encryption keys (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) from the spacetime standard station (5), and multiple relay stations (9a, 9b, 9c) connected to the spacetime standard station (5) via 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), and 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 A communication method comprising: a process of transmitting processing information after receipt time is added, which is a process 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 receipt time is added, and transmits the processing information after the receipt time is added to the administrator's terminal (3).

2. A communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: a processing information receiving step in which the administrator's terminal (3) receives 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 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.

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

4. A communication method according to claim 1, 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, 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, further comprising a processing information time acquisition step, wherein 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 time information based on the standard time encrypted by the relay station (9a, 9b, 9c), and obtains time information relating to the processing information.

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