Granted Patent B2

US 12,278,806 · App. 17/381,880 · Granted Apr 15, 2025

Inventors: Craig Steven Wright (London, GB); Stephane Savanah (London, GB)

Assignee: NCHAIN LICENSING AG

H04L63/0442G06F21/305G06F21/602G06F21/74G06Q10/06G06Q20/3678G06Q20/3821G06Q20/3829G06Q20/401H04L9/085H04L63/0823H04W4/70H04W12/03G06Q20/389G06Q2220/00H04L9/50H04L67/12H04L2209/56H04L2209/805

Abstract

Claims (36)

1. A computer-implemented control system for controlling a device, the system comprising:

a device configured for communication with a network and having an IP address and a public-private key cryptographic key pair associated with the device;

a software-implemented control component arranged to monitor the state of a blockchain network and/or transmit blockchain transactions to the blockchain network, wherein the control component is arranged to access a set of instructions from a stored location which is separate to the device; and

the set of instructions arranged for execution by the control component to control the functionality of the device; wherein the set of instructions is stored in a Distributed Hash Table (DHT) and accessed for download and installation by the control component from the DHT, and the location of the DHT is indicated or provided using metadata provided within a blockchain transaction, wherein the blockchain transaction comprises an embedded XOR test including at least one condition, wherein the control component is arranged to influence or control the activities of the device based upon detection of a valid blockchain transaction, wherein the valid blockchain transaction is a blockchain transaction in which the embedded XOR test has passed the at least one condition.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the control component is arranged to receive an input signal from an input source, and wherein the input source is:

a further device;

and/or a computer-based resource or agent.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the set of instructions is accessed by the control component using a look-up key which is related to a cryptographic key pair.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the control component is provided on or in the device.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein the control component is provided in an off-device location and arranged for wireless communication with the device.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein the control component is arranged to:

perform cryptographic calculations;

access its associated private/public key pair;

have an associated Bitcoin or other blockchain-related address;

operate the device via an API; and

perform secret sharing protocol operations.

7. A computer-implemented control method for controlling a device, the method comprising the steps:

providing a device configured for wireless communication with a network and having an IP address and a public-private key cryptographic key pair associated with the device;

providing a software-implemented control component arranged to monitor the state of a blockchain network and/or transmit blockchain transactions to the blockchain network, wherein each blockchain transaction comprises an embedded XOR test including at least one condition;

providing a set of instructions arranged for execution by the control component to control the functionality of the device; and

wherein:

i) the control component is arranged to access the set of instructions from a stored location which is separate to the device and wherein the control component is arranged to influence or control the activities of the device based upon detection of a valid blockchain transaction, wherein the valid blockchain transaction is a blockchain transaction in which the embedded XOR test has passed the at least one condition;

ii) the set of instructions is stored in a Distributed Hash Table (DHT) and accessed for download and installation by the control component from the DHT; and

iii) the location of the DHT is indicated or provided using metadata provided within a blockchain transaction.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the control component is arranged to receive an input signal from an input source, and wherein the input source is:

a further device; and/or

a computer-based resource or agent.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the set of instructions is accessed by the control component using a look-up key which is related to a cryptographic key pair.

10. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the control component is provided on or in the device.

11. A method according to claim 7 wherein the control component is provided in an off-device location and arranged for wireless communication with the device.

12. A method according to claim 7 , wherein the control component is arranged to:

perform cryptographic calculations;

access its associated private/public key pair;

have an associated Bitcoin or other blockchain-related address;

operate the device via an API; and

perform secret sharing protocol operations.

Assignments (2)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (39)