Today's Spotlight Patents continue our theme of blockchains (smart contracts distributed ledgers) and rights management broadly construed. Assigned to Visa, the first of today's patents addresses techniques for tracking multiple classes of records in a single blockchain. Assigned to AT&T, the second patent addresses techniques for authenticating media based on tokens.
10,972,287, "Systems and methods for creating a universal record," assigned to Visa International Service Association.
Abstract
A method for tracking multiple classes of records in a single blockchain is disclosed, the method comprising: by the administrative node computer, receiving, from a first node computer, a request for a class identifier for a certain class, the request including an address identifier associated with the first node computer; generating the class identifier; creating an association between the class identifier and the address identifier; receiving a data element from the first node computer, the data element including the address identifier, the class identifier, and record update information; verifying that the class identifier is associated with the address identifier; verifying that the record update information is permitted according to the class identifier; and creating, a block for a blockchain, the block including the data element. Class identifiers can used for each record entry to distinguish between classes within the blockchain.
10,972,777, "Method and apparatus for authenticating media based on tokens," assigned to AT&T.
Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining a content item, receiving a first token that comprises an identification of a date and a time when a first portion of the content item is obtained, a location where the first portion of the content item is obtained, or a combination thereof, and transmitting the content item and the first token to a database. Other embodiments are disclosed.
