Nchain Licensing Ag

Nchain Holdings Limited

Gavin Allen

Craig Steven Wright

A method and corresponding system is presented for controlling a blockchain transaction output and/or specifying the recipient of the output. It also provides a method of controlling and/or generating an electronic communication. The unlocking script is provided in order to spend an output from a further transaction (Tx) on the blockchain. The input of the transaction (Tx) and/or the output of the further transaction (Tx) may be associated with a tokenised asset represented on, or referenced via, the blockchain. The notification address may be associated with an asset or resource represented on the blockchain, or a controller of an asset or resource represented on the blockchain. The notification address may be a network address, a cryptographic key, a uniform resource locator (URI), email address or any other address or identifier which can be represented in the metadata of a transaction script and used as a destination for an electronic communication.

Blockchain-based method and system for specifying the recipient of an electronic communication

This invention relates generally to distributed ledger technology (including blockchain related technologies), particularly a method and corresponding system for providing a blockchain transaction comprising a redeem script for an output that comprises: i) a plurality of public keys, each associated with a corresponding private key, wherein each public key is uniquely associated with a potential state of at least one data source; and ii) logic arranged to provide a result based on: A) a determination of which of the plurality of associated private key(s) is/are used to sign the unlocking script, so as to provide an interim result: and B) a comparison of a parameter supplied via the unlocking script against the interim result, and further attempting to spend the transaction output more than once, each attempt supplying a different parameter.

Blockchain-implemented control method and system

Techniques are provided for emulating or otherwise executing the functionality of a logic gate via a computer-based distributed ledger or blockchain. The method comprises the steps of automatically generating a blockchain transaction comprising a locking script for an output, wherein a corresponding redeem script: i) specifies a plurality of public keys, each associated with a corresponding private key; and wherein each public key is uniquely associated with a potential state of at least one data source; and ii) comprises logic arranged to provide a result based on which of the plurality of associated private key is used to sign an unlocking script, wherein a minimum number of said private keys must be used to sign the unlocking script of a further blockchain transaction in order to spend the output.

Blockchain-implemented method and system

The invention provides a computer-implemented control method and corresponding system. The method may control or influence a device, system or other resource such as a technical process. The invention can provide a mechanism for emulating or otherwise executing the functionality of a logic gate via a computer-based distributed ledger (blockchain). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative network/protocol. The invention provides logic embedded within a redeem script such that it determines which particular private keys have been used to sign an unlocking script, and then interprets the provision of those keys in accordance with a predetermined function. In a preferred embodiment, the method may comprise the steps of providing a blockchain Transaction comprising a redeem script for an output, wherein the redeem script: i) specifies a plurality of public keys, each associated with a corresponding private key; and wherein each public key is uniquely associated with a potential state of at least one data source; and ii) comprises logic arranged to provide a result based on which of the plurality of associated private key(s) is used to sign the unlocking script; wherein a minimum number of said private keys must be used to sign an unlocking script of a further blockchain Transaction in order to spend the output. Preferably, the logic is arranged to implement the functionality of a logic gate such as a NOT, AND, OR, NOR, XOR, IMPLY, NAND, NONIMPLY or XNOR gate.

The invention provides a method and corresponding system for controlling the generation of a blockchain transaction, and/or the recipient of a transaction output. It can also be used to control and record the ownership of an asset represented on the blockchain without the need for a separate registry of ownership. The ownership and transfers thereof can be handled and recorded without the need for knowledge of the parties involved or their identities. According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of identifying at least one transaction (Tx) on a blockchain which comprises: an unspent transaction output (UTXO) relating to a tokenised asset associated with an asset controller; and an input which spends an output from a previous transaction that is locked by a redeem script hash. For each identified transaction (Tx), an incomplete blockchain transaction is generated comprising: a first output comprising a copy of the redeem script hash; and a second output which is modifiable such that only the asset controller is able to specify a recipient for the second output. The incomplete blockchain transaction is communicated to the controller of the asset. The incomplete blockchain transaction is incomplete in that it is missing a required cryptographic signature. Thus, payment of income relating to the asset can be re-directed by the controller to a destination of their choice.

Method and system for directing an exchange associated with an anonymously held token on a blockchain

According to one perspective, the invention provides a technical arrangement to calculate, register and/or apportion costs and/or generate income in proportion to the current ownership of an asset. One or more embodiments also comprise a novel technique for generating cryptographic sub-keys. Thus, one benefit provided by the invention is that it allows the secure distribution of costs and income for an asset registered and maintained on the Blockchain. In turn, this increases the capability of such assets to meet the real-world needs of various entities such as the asset itself and investing parties. In one embodiment the invention provides a computer-implemented system for controlling a transfer made via a blockchain in respect of an asset, the system comprising an asset having a plurality of private cryptographic keys, each private key being associated with an owner of the asset; a registry comprising a plurality of public cryptographic keys wherein each public key corresponds to a private key in the asset's plurality of private keys, and is associated with a redeem script hash that can be identified within an unspent blockchain transaction; a smart contract comprising at least one rule relating to the automated generation of one or more blockchain transactions to enable a transfer to be made in respect of the asset; and a computing agent arranged to evaluate and/or execute the at least one rule of the smart contract. In some embodiments, a hierarchy of computing agents is managed by a master agent to carry out the asset related tasks defined in the smart contract. The master and subordinate agents communicate to execute discrete tasks.

System and method for controlling asset-related actions via a block chain

The invention provides a method and corresponding system for controlling a blockchain transaction output and/or specifying the recipient of the output. It also provides a method of controlling and/or generating an electronic communication. The invention is a blockchain-implemented solution, which may or may not be the Bitcoin blockchain. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method may comprise the step of sending an electronic notification to a notification address which is provided as metadata within an unlocking script of an input of a transaction (Txi) on a blockchain. The unlocking script is provided in order to spend an output from a further transaction (Tx2) on the blockchain. The input of the transaction (Txi) and/or the output of the further transaction (Tx2) may be associated with a tokenised asset represented on, or referenced via, the blockchain. The notification address may be associated with an asset or resource represented on the blockchain, or a controller of an asset or resource represented on the blockchain. The notification address may be a network address, a cryptographic key, a uniform resource locator (URI), email address or any other address or identifier which can be represented in the metadata of a transaction script and used as a destination for an electronic communication.

This invention relates generally to distributed ledger technology (including blockchain related technologies), and in particular the use of a blockchain in implementing, controlling and/or automating a task or process. It may relate to the use of a blockchain or related technology for recording or representing the execution of a portion of logic. This portion of logic may be arranged to implement the functionality of a logic gate, or plurality of logic gates, such as AND, XOR, NOT, OR etc. . . . . An embodiment of the invention may comprise the steps of: providing a blockchain Transaction comprising a redeem script for an output, wherein the redeem script comprises: i) a plurality of public keys, each associated with a corresponding private key; and wherein each public key is uniquely associated with a potential state of at least one data source; and wherein a minimum number of said private keys must be used to sign an unlocking script of a further blockchain Transaction in order to spend the output; and ii) logic arranged to provide a result based on: A) a determination of which of the plurality of associated private key(s) is/are used to sign the unlocking script, so as to provide an interim result: and B) a comparison of a parameter supplied via the unlocking script against the interim result. The method also comprises the step of attempting to spend the transaction output more than once, each attempt supplying a different parameter.

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London, United Kingdom

Gavin Allen