Patent ID: 7783041

Claim:
An apparatus comprising a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform the following: forming a commitment to a first data value, including applying a hash function to a message including a selected first random value to thereby form a first check string, and directing transmission of the first check string to another apparatus; receiving a selected second random value from the other apparatus; thereafter, opening the commitment to the first data value, including directing transmission of the first random value to the other apparatus to enable the other apparatus to check the first data value based upon a comparison between the first check string and a second check string having been formed from application of the hash function to another message including the first random value, the other apparatus being configured to thereafter apply the same or a different hash function to a message including the first data value and the first and second random values to thereby form a third check string; applying the same or the different hash function to a message including a second data value and the first and second random values to thereby form a fourth check string, the fourth check string being formed without the other apparatus forming a commitment to the second data value or opening a commitment to the second data value; and comparing or facilitating comparison between the third and fourth check strings, data agreement between the first and second data values being authenticated based upon the comparison, wherein the comparing or facilitating comparison between the third and fourth check strings occurs when the other apparatus successfully checks the first data value.