Patents by Inventor Benedikt Bunz

Benedikt Bunz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240095728
    Abstract: Blockchain-based, smart contract platforms have great promise to remove trust and add transparency to distributed applications. However, this benefit often comes at the cost of greatly reduced privacy. Techniques for implementing a privacy-preserving smart contract is described. The system can keep accounts private while not losing functionality and with only a limited performance overhead. This is achieved by building a confidential and anonymous token on top of a cryptocurrency. Multiple complex applications can also be built using the smart contract system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicants: VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATIN, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shashank Agrawal, Karl Benedikt Bünz, Mahdi Zamani, Dan Boneh
  • Publication number: 20240074004
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed. The method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can then query a full node for a random sampling of block headers from the full node. The client device can receive the random sampling of block headers from the full node, and verify the random sampling of block headers. The client device can then determine that the blockchain maintained by the full node is valid after verifying the random sampling of block headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Loi Luu, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Patent number: 11871485
    Abstract: A node in a plurality of nodes can perform an identity set generation process. The node can then determine a leader node. The node may diffuse an identity set from each node of the plurality of nodes to the plurality of nodes. The node can then determine a majority set including identities occurring in at least one half of the identify sets, wherein the leader node diffuses the majority set of the leader node to the plurality of nodes. The node can verify the majority set of the leader node. The node may then update the identity set based on the majority set of the leader node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Loi Luu, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Patent number: 11861606
    Abstract: Blockchain-based, smart contract platforms have great promise to remove trust and add transparency to distributed applications. However, this benefit often comes at the cost of greatly reduced privacy. Techniques for implementing a privacy-preserving smart contract is described. The system can keep accounts private while not losing functionality and with only a limited performance overhead. This is achieved by building a confidential and anonymous token on top of a cryptocurrency. Multiple complex applications can also be built using the smart contract system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Visa International Service Association, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shashank Agrawal, Karl Benedikt Bünz, Mahdi Zamani, Dan Boneh
  • Patent number: 11799660
    Abstract: The method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can compare samplings of block headers received from two or more full nodes. The client device can then, based on the comparing, verify at least one block header of the samplings of block headers. The client device can determine that a blockchain maintained by at least one of the two or more full nodes is valid in response to verifying the at least one block header of the samplings of block headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Karl Benedikt Bunz, Loi Luu
  • Publication number: 20230283474
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch
  • Patent number: 11677556
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Chia Network Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch
  • Patent number: 11621847
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Chia Network Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch
  • Patent number: 11468044
    Abstract: A method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier and generating a random sampling of a number of block headers. The random sampling according to a random distribution generated based on a probability density function. The client device can query two or more full nodes for random samplings of block headers. The client device can receive the random samplings of block headers from the two or more full nodes and compare samplings of block headers received from two or more full nodes. The samplings of block headers are the random samplings of block headers. The client device can verify at least one block header of the samplings of block headers, then determine that a blockchain maintained by at least one of the two or more full nodes is valid in response to verifying the at least one block header of the samplings of block headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: Visa International Service Association, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Publication number: 20220311619
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed. The method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can then query a full node for a random sampling of block headers from the full node. The client device can receive the random sampling of block headers from the full node, and verify the random sampling of block headers. The client device can then determine that the blockchain maintained by the full node is valid after verifying the random sampling of block headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Loi Luu, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Publication number: 20220129884
    Abstract: Blockchain-based, smart contract platforms have great promise to remove trust and add transparency to distributed applications. However, this benefit often comes at the cost of greatly reduced privacy. Techniques for implementing a privacy-preserving smart contract is described. The system can keep accounts private while not losing functionality and with only a limited performance overhead. This is achieved by building a confidential and anonymous token on top of a cryptocurrency. Multiple complex applications can also be built using the smart contract system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Shashank Agrawal, Karl Benedikt Bünz, Mahdi Zamani, Dan Boneh
  • Publication number: 20220116223
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed. The method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can then query a full node for a random sampling of block headers from the full node. The client device can receive the random sampling of block headers from the full node, and verify the random sampling of block headers. The client device can then determine that the blockchain maintained by the full node is valid after verifying the random sampling of block headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Loi Luu, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Patent number: 11257077
    Abstract: Blockchain-based, smart contract platforms have great promise to remove trust and add transparency to distributed applications. However, this benefit often comes at the cost of greatly reduced privacy. Techniques for implementing a privacy-preserving smart contract is described. The system can keep accounts private while not losing functionality and with only a limited performance overhead. This is achieved by building a confidential and anonymous token on top of a cryptocurrency. Multiple complex applications can also be built using the smart contract system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Visa International Service Association, The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Shashank Agrawal, Karl Benedikt Bünz, Mahdi Zamani, Dan Boneh
  • Publication number: 20220045860
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch
  • Publication number: 20220029816
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed. The method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can compare samplings of block headers received from two or more full nodes. The client device can then, based on the comparing, verify at least one block header of the samplings of block headers. The client device can determine that a blockchain maintained by at least one of the two or more full nodes is valid in response to verifying the at least one block header of the samplings of block headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Publication number: 20220029811
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch
  • Patent number: 11177962
    Abstract: The method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier. The client device can compare samplings of block headers received from two or more full nodes. The client device can then, based on the comparing, verify at least one block header of the samplings of block headers. The client device can determine that a blockchain maintained by at least one of the two or more full nodes is valid in response to verifying the at least one block header of the samplings of block headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Patent number: 11165582
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Chia Network Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch
  • Publication number: 20210157790
    Abstract: A method comprises a client device receiving a verification request comprising an interaction identifier and generating a random sampling of a number of block headers. The random sampling according to a random distribution generated based on a probability density function. The client device can query two or more full nodes for random samplings of block headers. The client device can receive the random samplings of block headers from the two or more full nodes and compare samplings of block headers received from two or more full nodes. The samplings of block headers are the random samplings of block headers. The client device can verify at least one block header of the samplings of block headers, then determine that a blockchain maintained by at least one of the two or more full nodes is valid in response to verifying the at least one block header of the samplings of block headers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Mahdi Zamani, Lucianna Kiffer, Karl Benedikt Bunz
  • Publication number: 20200389312
    Abstract: Disclosed are aspects of an untrusted decentralized computing platform that includes an untrusted decentralized database which participant computing systems within the platform reach consensus on an accepted representation thereof. Some aspects of the databased include one or more directed acyclic graphs, which may include cryptographic hash pointers. Some aspects include an untrusted decentralized database architecture that includes two constituent chains. Some aspects of a consensus layer of the untrusted decentralized computing platform alternate a proof of space with a verifiable delay function to reduce compute resource waste relative to systems reliant on compute sources for proofs of work. In some aspects of a consensus layer alternating the proof-of-space and the proof-of-time, a single difficulty factors may be determined by multiplying their difficulty factors together to generate a single variable which accounts for difficulty for both proofs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Dan Boneh, Krzysztof Pietrzak, Bram Cohen, Lipa Long, Richard Kiss, Alex Wice, Mariano Sorgente, Benedikt Bunz, Ben Fisch