Secure multiparty computations using the 15 puzzle

Abstract

This paper first considers the use of the "15 puzzle," which is one of the most famous sliding-block puzzles, to provide secure multiparty computations. That is, we design a class of 15-puzzle-based protocols for securely computing Boolean functions. Specifically, we show that any function of 4 variables (or less) and any symmetric function of 14 variables (or less) can be securely computed by a 15-puzzle-based protocol; furthermore, we present a 5-variable function and a 15-variable symmetric function, both of which cannot be securely computed by any protocol in the class. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.