Blockchains (smart contracts, distributed ledgers) and rights management broadly construed are the themes of today's Spotlight Applications. Assigned to Ericsson, the first application discloses techniques for network slice providers and resource providers in a communication network that are configured to cause various records related to a smart contract for one or more resources to be stored in a permissioned blockchain. Assigned to nChain Holdings (AG), the second application discloses techniques for agent-based Turing complete transactions integrating feedback within a blockchain system.
20220166667, "Methods and devices for resource sharing using smart contracts ," assigned to Ericsson (SE).
Abstract
Network slice providers and resource providers in a communication network are configured to cause various records related to a smart contract for one or more resources to be stored in a permissioned blockchain. The records include an allocation, a deallocation and monitoring records related to the resource(s). When the resources are released, the blockchain records ease settling slice beneficiaries' financial obligations.
20220164435, "Agent-based Turing complete transactions integrating feedback within a blockchain system," assigned to nChain Holdings Limited (AG)
Abstract
This invention relates generally to blockchain implementations and is suited for, but not limited to, use with the Bitcoin blockchain. It can be used for the implementation of automated processes such as device/system control, process control, distributed computing and storage and others. The invention provides a solution which uses a blockchain to control a process executing on a computing resource. In a preferred embodiment, the computing resource, running simultaneously and in parallel to the blockchain, manages a loop-based operation. The computing resource continuously monitors the state of the blockchain as well as any other off-blockchain input data or source. The execution of the loop is influenced by the state of the blockchain. Each iteration of the loop that is executed by the computing resource is recorded in a transaction that is written to the blockchain. It is stored as a hash within the transaction's metadata. If the computing resource finds a transaction which contains a hash relating to the loop it accesses the relevant portion of code. The loop contains a conditional statement which enables the computing resource to decide which action to take. The condition may be dependent upon the state of the blockchain or any other data source. The action can be any type of action, on or off the blockchain. Thus, the combination of the computing resource and blockchain provide a solution which is (at least partially) Turing-complete.
