I have a patent pending method dealing with data compression and encryption.
At the moment, I am attempting talks with various companies in the technology sector. But due to difficulties in even getting them to respond to simple requests to talk, I am considering the use of a challenge.
I would like to provide contacted companies a sample product of the method, which in this case is a data encrypted and compressed file, and then proceed to ask them to decrypt and un-compress the file.
Doing this, would I interfere with my chance to get a non-provisional patent here in the US or in foreign countries? My understanding is that I would not, due in part that I already have a patent-pending on the method, and the challenge would be extended through private communication. I do realize that there is always the risk they may break the method and have a clear understanding of it. I am willing to take that risk.
My second question is that I am considering doing the same for a crowd funding event. In that case, the product (challenge) is then put into the public disclosure. Would such a challenge, in such a public manner, bar my chance to get a non-provisional here in the US or in foreign countries, despite having a patent pending already in place?