New patents are issued by the USPTO on Tuesdays. Today's Spotlight Patents continue the theme of blockchains (smart contracts, distributed ledgers) and rights management broadly construed. Assigned to Alibaba (CN), the first of today's patents addresses techniques for verifying integrity of data stored in a consortium blockchain using a public sidechain. Assigned to Visa, the second patent addresses techniques for using digital signatures to create trusted digital asset transfers.
10,691,835, "Verifying integrity of data stored in a consortium blockchain using a public sidechain," assigned to Alibaba (CN).
Abstract
Implementations of the present specification include storing a data item in a consortium blockchain; generating a first data digest based on the stored data item; sending the first data digest to verification nodes to cryptographically signs it and stores the signed first data digest in a public blockchain; receiving a request to retrieve the stored data item; retrieving the requested data item from the consortium blockchain; generating a second data digest based on the retrieved data item; sending the second data digest to verification nodes so that each verification node signs the second data digest; receiving the signed second data digests from the plurality of verification nodes; retrieving the signed first data digests from the public blockchain; determining that the signed first data digests match the signed second data digests; and sending a response indicating the stored data item is unchanged to the request to retrieve the stored data item.
10,693,658, "Methods and systems for using digital signatures to create trusted digital asset transfers," assigned to Visa.
Abstract
A method and system are provided for transferring digital assets in a digital asset network. Network users can be centrally enrolled and screened for compliance. Standardized transfer processes and unique identifiers can provide a transparent and direct transfer process. Digital assets can include sufficient information for ensuring that a value will be provided, including one or more digital signatures, such that value can be made immediately available to recipients.
