Non-deterministic clock

Abstract

A non-deterministic time value (NDT) is generated as a function of a calendar value created at time intervals as a root hash value of a distributed, hash-tree document authentication infrastructure. A clock displays the NDT value, which it may derive from a sub-set of the calendar value, and presents the NDT to a user in either visual or audible form, or both. may be presented to is presented may also be generated simply for display by a clock, for example as an NDT time zone.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A clock that displays non-deterministic time (NDT) values. 
     
     
         2 . The clock as in  claim 1 , in which the NDT values are each computed as a function of a corresponding calendar value computed at a respective physical calendar time as a root hash value of a distributed hash tree infrastructure having as input nodes a plurality of digital input records during a respective calendar interval. 
     
     
         3 . The clock as in  claim 2 , further comprising a conversion module for generating each NDT value as a function of a sub-set of the digits of the corresponding calendar value. 
     
     
         4 . The clock as in  claim 1 , in which the NDT time values are presented to a user as a time zone. 
     
     
         5 . The clock as in  claim 1 , configured to display physical time as well as the NDT time values. 
     
     
         6 . The clock as in  claim 1 , further comprising a conversion module for generating each NDT value as a function of a sub-set of the digits of the corresponding calendar value. 
     
     
         7 . The clock as in  claim 6 , in which the conversion module is provided for creating the NDT value as a verbal representation of the corresponding calendar value. 
     
     
         8 . The clock as in  claim 7 , in which the conversion module includes a dictionary, said verbal representation being chosen as respective sets of words selected from the dictionary. 
     
     
         8 . The clock as in  claim 6 , in which the conversion module is provided for creating the NDT value as an audible representation of the corresponding calendar value.