Abstract: Electronic devices are adapted to generate cryptographic keys from one or more biometrics. According to one examples, an electronic device can obtain a non-encoded bit string associated with biometric information for an individual. The non-encoded bit string can be treated as if it were encoded and a decoding operation may be applied to the bit string, resulting in a modified bit string. One or more cryptographic keys can then be generated based at least in part on the modified bit string. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

Abstract: Electronic devices are adapted to generate cryptographic keys from one or more biometrics. According to one examples, an electronic device can obtain a non-encoded bit string associated with biometric information for an individual. The non-encoded bit string can be treated as if it were encoded and a decoding operation may be applied to the bit string, resulting in a modified bit string. One or more cryptographic keys can then be generated based at least in part on the modified bit string. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also included.

Abstract: A puzzle-based protocol is provided that allows a token and verifier to agree on a secure symmetric key for authentication between the token and verifier. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The verifier independently obtains a plurality of puzzles associated with the token, pseudorandomly selects at least one of the puzzles, and solves it to obtain a puzzle secret and a puzzle identifier. The verifier generates a verifier key based on the puzzle secret. The verifier sends the puzzle identifier and an encoded version of the verifier key to the token. The token regenerates the puzzle secret using its puzzle-generating algorithms and the puzzle identifier. The token sends an encoded response to the verifier indicating that it knows the verifier key. The token and verifier may use the verifier key as a symmetric key for subsequent authentications.

Abstract: A virtual environment and real world environment are combined into a framework that facilitates large-scale social interaction in multi-player fantasy games played in both the real world and/or a virtual world. Such combination of real and virtual world features may blend geo-caching, orienteering, and other virtual gaming features to enable players to interact across the real and virtual environments. A real world player is also mapped into the virtual environment, thereby inserting the player's movements and actions into the virtual environment. Additionally, this feature enables interaction between players located in a real environment with characters found in a virtual environment. A player may use a mobile device that is configured to recognize the geo-location and orientation of the player and display a corresponding view of the virtual environment gaming landscape for the player.

Abstract: A network helper is provided that assists verifiers in executing a puzzle-based protocol for authentication of a token. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The helper stores a plurality of puzzles associated with a particular token. When requested to do so by a verifier, the helper provides a plurality of pseudorandomly selected puzzles for the token to a verifier. The puzzles are encoded with information that is used between the verifier and token to establish a secured symmetric key. The verifier selects one or a few of the encoded puzzles and breaks them by a brute force attack. Because the helper does not know which puzzles have been selected, it has to break all puzzles to attempt to figure out the symmetric key. However, if a large number of puzzles are utilized, say millions, then breaking all of them becomes a computationally prohibitive task.

Abstract: A network helper is provided that assists verifiers in executing a puzzle-based protocol for authentication of a token. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The helper stores a plurality of puzzles associated with a particular token. When requested to do so by a verifier, the helper provides a plurality of pseudorandomly selected puzzles for the token to a verifier. The puzzles are encoded with information that is used between the verifier and token to establish a secured symmetric key. The verifier selects one or a few of the encoded puzzles and breaks them by a brute force attack. Because the helper does not know which puzzles have been selected, it has to break all puzzles to attempt to figure out the symmetric key. However, if a large number of puzzles are utilized, say millions, then breaking all of them becomes a computationally prohibitive task.

Abstract: A puzzle-based protocol is provided that allows a token and verifier to agree on a secure symmetric key for authentication between the token and verifier. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The verifier independently obtains a plurality of puzzles associated with the token, pseudorandomly selects at least one of the puzzles, and solves it to obtain a puzzle secret and a puzzle identifier. The verifier generates a verifier key based on the puzzle secret. The verifier sends the puzzle identifier and an encoded version of the verifier key to the token. The token regenerates the puzzle secret using its puzzle-generating algorithms and the puzzle identifier. The token sends an encoded response to the verifier indicating that it knows the verifier key. The token and verifier may use the verifier key as a symmetric key for subsequent authentications.

Abstract: A virtual environment and real world environment are combined into a framework that facilitates large-scale social interaction in multi-player fantasy games played in both the real world and/or a virtual world. Such combination of real and virtual world features may blend geo-caching, orienteering, and other virtual gaming features to enable players to interact across the real and virtual environments. A real world player is also mapped into the virtual environment, thereby inserting the player's movements and actions into the virtual environment. Additionally, this feature enables interaction between players located in a real environment with characters found in a virtual environment. A player may use a mobile device that is configured to recognize the geo-location and orientation of the player and display a corresponding view of the virtual environment gaming landscape for the player.