Method and apparatus for creating, supporting, and using travelling programs

A method and apparatus for creating, supporting and using a travelling program is disclosed. A "travelling program" is a digital data structure which includes a sequence of instructions and associated data and which has the capability of determining at least one next destination or recipient for receiving the travelling program and for transmitting itself together with all relevant data determined by the program to the next recipient or destination. The travelling program can compute, according to any algorithm whatsoever, the digital material which is to be signed, and also, as needed, the digital material which is to be verified. The present invention also allows the program to conditionally decide, based on any known criteria, which users should participate in the signature process. The present invention also uses digital signatures to allow the travelling program to provide other types of valuable authentication. For example, as a security convenience the present invention allows for the digital signature authentication of the entire transmission from one user to another. This includes the travelling program itself, its variables, and any ancillary data or files. The present invention provides a unique mechanism for automating data collection among a group of users. The travelling program may be sent to one user, attach (or detach) relevant data files and move on to the next user. Data or files, collected from one or more users can be deposited with another user, or accumulated for batched processing as desired. This methodology eliminates the need for individual users to be counted on to transmit all the required data in the required format. The present invention also efficiently performs electronic document interchange (EDI) in the context of a travelling program which sends itself from user to the next within an organization, collecting, editing and approving data.