Patent ID: 8397058
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: G06Q,G07F

Abstract:
1. A method for determining an approximate current time using a first portable device and a second portable device, the first portable device having a first storage device, the second portable device having a second storage device, the first storage device storing thereon a first sequence number, the second storage device storing thereon a second sequence number, wherein the first and second sequence numbers comprise information on a first and a second trusted time embedded in the respective storage devices, the method comprising the steps of: comparing the first sequence number to the second sequence number, the first sequence number being indicative of a the first trusted time provided on the first portable device, the second sequence number being indicative of a the second trusted time provided on the second portable device; and if the first trusted time is older than the second trusted time, setting the first sequence number to have a value of the second sequence number and conversely, if the second trusted time is older than the first trusted time, setting the second sequence number to have a value of the first sequence number so that the older trusted time information embedded on one of two portable devices is mutually replaced with the newer trusted time information embedded on the other portable device.