Cooperative encoding of data by pluralities of parties

Abstract

Methods and apparatus include cooperatively encoding digital data between collaborating parties. By prior agreement, the parties take turns encoding portions of a given payload (e.g., document), until all portions have been encoded, thereby transforming the payload from a native encoding to a new, composite encoding. Choreography rules facilitate the process. Each party is free to use its own processing scheme. The use of a lookback or chaining step enables each party to impart a quality of informational entanglement to the output during its construction. By virtue of these features and attendant synergies, the resultant jointly encoded digital data enjoys certain novel cryptographic properties in addition to serving as a record of interaction between parties. To decode the data, the process is reversed. Third parties are optionally employed to mediate aspects of the process. Noise and padding, such as watermarks or copyrights, may be added variously to the encoded digital data. Encoding schemes include encryption or compression algorithms.