Patents by Inventor Duncan James Westland

Duncan James Westland 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).

  • Patent number: 12021991
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy, efficiency, convenience and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy, ease and efficiency to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: EYGS LLP
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy Konda, Duncan James Westland, Paul Richard Brody
  • Patent number: 11972420
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclose the use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to prevent or at least mitigate privacy compromises that can occur to transactions conducted on distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs). In particular, some embodiments disclose methods and systems where ZKPs can be used to keep confidential or at least mitigate public revelation of private transaction data due to the analyses of the transaction fee or gas paid to facilitate the transaction on the DLN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventor: Duncan James Westland
  • Patent number: 11921705
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method for the ownership transfer and tracking of tangible assets using a blockchain is described. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a root node associated with a tangible asset via a processor. The root node has a first hash value that represents a storage location of the root node, data associated with a tangible asset, and a second hash value that represents a storage location of the subsidiary node. The method also includes storing a hierarchical hash-linked tree structure in a non-transitory, processor-readable memory. The hierarchical hash-linked tree structure can include multiple nodes. The multiple nodes include the root node and the subsidiary node. The subsidiary node has the second hash value, and data associated with a tangible sub-asset of the tangible asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP, EYGS LLP
    Inventors: Paul Richard Brody, Duncan James Westland, Chaitanya Reddy Konda
  • Patent number: 11528141
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy, efficiency and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy and efficiency to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy Konda, Duncan James Westland, Paul Richard Brody
  • Publication number: 20220197894
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method for the ownership transfer and tracking of tangible assets using a blockchain is described. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a root node associated with a tangible asset via a processor. The root node has a first hash value that represents a storage location of the root node, data associated with a tangible asset, and a second hash value that represents a storage location of the subsidiary node. The method also includes storing a hierarchical hash-linked tree structure in a non-transitory, processor-readable memory. The hierarchical hash-linked tree structure can include multiple nodes. The multiple nodes include the root node and the subsidiary node. The subsidiary node has the second hash value, and data associated with a tangible sub-asset of the tangible asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP
    Inventors: Paul Richard BRODY, Duncan James WESTLAND, Chaitanya Reddy KONDA
  • Patent number: 11316691
    Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure include methods and systems directed at providing enhanced security and privacy to multiple party communications that occur on zero knowledge proof (ZKP)-enabled distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs). In particular, the methods and systems include subject matter related to the deployment, and approval, of a multi-party document or instrument for consideration and approval by multiple participants of the DLN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Duncan James Westland
  • Publication number: 20220108310
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclose the use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to prevent or at least mitigate privacy compromises that can occur to transactions conducted on distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs). In particular, some embodiments disclose methods and systems where ZKPs can be used to keep confidential or at least mitigate public revelation of private trasaction data due to the analyses of the transaction fee or gas paid to facilitate the transaction on the DLN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventor: Duncan James WESTLAND
  • Patent number: 11232439
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclose the use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to prevent or at least mitigate privacy compromises that can occur to transactions conducted on distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs). In particular, some embodiments disclose methods and systems where ZKPs can be used to keep confidential or at least mitigate public revelation of private transaction data due to the analyses of the transaction fee or gas paid to facilitate the transaction on the DLN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Duncan James Westland
  • Patent number: 11216448
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method for the ownership transfer and tracking of tangible assets using a blockchain is described. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a root node associated with a tangible asset via a processor. The root node has a first hash value that represents a storage location of the root node, data associated with a tangible asset, and a second hash value that represents a storage location of the subsidiary node. The method also includes storing a hierarchical hash-linked tree structure in a non-transitory, processor-readable memory. The hierarchical hash-linked tree structure can include multiple nodes. The multiple nodes include the root node and the subsidiary node. The subsidiary node has the second hash value, and data associated with a tangible sub-asset of the tangible asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP
    Inventors: Paul Richard Brody, Duncan James Westland, Chaitanya Reddy Konda
  • Publication number: 20210326815
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method for the ownership transfer and tracking of tangible assets using a blockchain is described. In an embodiment, the method includes generating a root node associated with a tangible asset via a processor. The root node has a first hash value that represents a storage location of the root node, data associated with a tangible asset, and a second hash value that represents a storage location of the subsidiary node. The method also includes storing a hierarchical hash-linked tree structure in a non-transitory, processor-readable memory. The hierarchical hash-linked tree structure can include multiple nodes. The multiple nodes include the root node and the subsidiary node. The subsidiary node has the second hash value, and data associated with a tangible sub-asset of the tangible asset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicants: Ernst & Young U.S. LLP, Ernst & Young Services (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Paul Richard BRODY, Duncan James WESTLAND, Chaitanya Reddy KONDA
  • Patent number: 11146399
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at facilitating access to and retrieval of data concealed on a distributed ledger-based network (DLN) with the use of zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) techniques. The methods and systems allow for the encryption, using an encryption key, of data related to a transaction between participants of the DLN, the encryption of the encryption key using a public key of an auditor of the transaction, and the generation of a ZKP that the encryption key used to encrypt the data corresponds to the encryption key encrypted using the public key such that the encrypted encryption key and/or the encrypted data are available to the auditor after the ZKP is verified by a self-executing code segment of the DLN. The ZKP also includes a proof that the encrypted data includes the transaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventors: Duncan James Westland, Chaitanya Reddy Konda, Paul Richard Brody
  • Patent number: 10951409
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request that is configured to cause a transfer of a combined asset from a sender to a recipient, the combined asset including a first asset and a second asset. The method includes generating and sending to a self-executing code segment on a distributed ledger-based network (DLN) a zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) that a plurality of leaf nodes of a hierarchical tree structure representing the combined asset includes the plurality of leaf nodes of the hierarchical tree structure representing the first asset and the plurality of leaf nodes of the hierarchical tree structure representing the second asset. The method also includes receiving, in response to verification of the ZKP by the self-executing code segment, a confirmation confirming a representation of the combined asset on the DLN by a third token associated with the root node of the third hierarchical tree structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy Konda, Duncan James Westland, Paul Richard Brody
  • Publication number: 20210042746
    Abstract: Some embodiments disclose the use of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) to prevent or at least mitigate privacy compromises that can occur to transactions conducted on distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs). In particular, some embodiments disclose methods and systems where ZKPs can be used to keep confidential or at least mitigate public revelation of private transaction data due to the analyses of the transaction fee or gas paid to facilitate the transaction on the DLN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: Duncan James WESTLAND
  • Publication number: 20200328893
    Abstract: Embodiments of the instant disclosure include methods and systems directed at providing enhanced security and privacy to multiple party communications that occur on zero knowledge proof (ZKP)-enabled distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs). In particular, the methods and systems include subject matter related to the deployment, and approval, of a multi-party document or instrument for consideration and approval by multiple participants of the DLN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventor: Duncan James WESTLAND
  • Publication number: 20200322154
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy, efficiency and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy and efficiency to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy KONDA, Duncan James WESTLAND, Paul Richard BRODY
  • Patent number: 10721069
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy, efficiency and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy and efficiency to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: EYGS LLP
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy Konda, Duncan James Westland, Paul Richard Brody
  • Publication number: 20200127833
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request that is configured to cause a transfer of a combined asset from a sender to a recipient, the combined asset including a first asset and a second asset. The method includes generating and sending to a self-executing code segment on a distributed ledger-based network (DLN) a zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) that a plurality of leaf nodes of a hierarchical tree structure representing the combined asset includes the plurality of leaf nodes of the hierarchical tree structure representing the first asset and the plurality of leaf nodes of the hierarchical tree structure representing the second asset. The method also includes receiving, in response to verification of the ZKP by the self-executing code segment, a confirmation confirming a representation of the combined asset on the DLN by a third token associated with the root node of the third hierarchical tree structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy Konda, Duncan James Westland, Paul Richard Brody
  • Publication number: 20200127834
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at facilitating access to and retrieval of data concealed on a distributed ledger-based network (DLN) with the use of zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) techniques. The methods and systems allow for the encryption, using an encryption key, of data related to a transaction between participants of the DLN, the encryption of the encryption key using a public key of an auditor of the transaction, and the generation of a ZKP that the encryption key used to encrypt the data corresponds to the encryption key encrypted using the public key such that the encrypted encryption key and/or the encrypted data are available to the auditor after the ZKP is verified by a self-executing code segment of the DLN. The ZKP also includes a proof that the encrypted data includes the transaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Duncan James WESTLAND, Chaitanya Reddy KONDA, Paul Richard BRODY
  • Publication number: 20200059364
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy, efficiency, convenience and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy, ease and efficiency to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Chaitanya Reddy KONDA, Duncan James WESTLAND, Paul Richard BRODY
  • Publication number: 20200059362
    Abstract: One or more embodiments described herein disclose methods and systems that are directed at providing enhanced privacy and security to distributed ledger-based networks (DLNs) via the implementation of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) in the DLNs. ZKPs allow participants of DLNs to make statements on the DLNs about some private information and to prove the truth of the information without having to necessarily reveal the private information publicly. As such, the disclosed methods and systems directed at the ZKP-enabled DLNs provide privacy to participants of the DLNs while still allowing the DLNs to remain as consensus-based networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Richard BRODY, Duncan James WESTLAND, Chaitanya Reddy KONDA, Quentin DROUOT, Xavier De BOISSIEU