--- begin forwarded text X-Authentication-Warning: blacklodge.c2.net: majordom set sender to owner-cryptography@c2.org using -f From: tamaster@technologist.com Date: Fri, 7 Nov 1997 10:14:46 -0600 (CST) To: cryptography@c2.net Subject: [patent] Secure electronic message transfer and voting scheme X-Sender: Private Idaho 2.8b3 Sender: owner-cryptography@c2.net Secure anonymous message transfer and voting scheme (Assignee -- NEC Research Institute, Inc.) November 7, 1997 Assignee: NEC Research Institute, Inc. Patent Number: 5682430 Issue Date: 1997 10 28 Inventor(s): Kilian, Joseph John{#buSako, Kazue#} Abstract: A number-theoretic based algorithm provides for secure anonymous message transfer and electronic voting. A voter or sender may cast an encrypted vote or message that is processed through n centers in a manner which prevents fraud and authenticates the votes. Any interested party can verify that each vote has been properly counted. The invention can be realized by current-generation personal computers with access to an electronic bulletin board. Ex Claim Text: A method of secure anonymous message transfer from a plurality of senders by use of a plurality of mixing centers comprising the steps of: (a) choosing constants which are posted for senders S.sub.1, S.sub.2, . . . S.sub.l and mixing centers, C.sub.1, C.sub.2, . . . C.sub.n ; (b) each sender S.sub.k constructing an encrypted message which is posted; (c) a first mixing center C.sub.1 processing the posted messages from each sender S.sub.k which processed messages are then posted for use by the next center; (d) each mixing center C.sub.2 through C.sub.n-1 sequentially processing the processed messages from the previous center, which sequentially processed messages are then posted for use by the next center; (e) the last mixing center C.sub.n processing messages from the previous center C.sub.n-1 and posting the result; (f) each mixing center proving the validity of its processing, which proof is posted; and (g) channel checker verifying correctness of the execution from posted messages when necessary. from posted messages when necessary. --- end forwarded text ----------------- Robert Hettinga (rah@shipwright.com), Philodox e$, 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' The e$ Home Page: http://www.shipwright.com/ Ask me about FC98 in Anguilla!: <http://www.fc98.ai/>