Abstract: A method of recording a target transaction in a blockchain, comprising: obtaining an updated version of the target transaction, being updated relative to a pre-existing first version; and instead of the first version, sending the updated version to be propagated through a network of nodes to be recorded in the blockchain. The target transaction comprises an input comprising an unlocking script and a pointer to an output of a first transaction, the output of the first transaction comprising a locking script specifying a plurality of alternative conditions for unlocking that output. The unlocking script of the first version of the target transaction is configured to unlock the first output of the first transaction based on a first of said alternative conditions, and the unlocking script of the updated version is configured to unlock it based on a second one of said alternative conditions.

Abstract: Methods and devices to enable the splitting of storage and validation functions from mining function in a blockchain network. The storage and validation nodes create candidate blocks and collect block rewards from successfully mined blocks. The mining nodes provide hash power for mining the candidate blocks and received resources from the storage and validation node for successful mining of a candidate block. Atomic exchange mechanisms are described for preventing loss and fraud and minimizing the use of bandwidth by mining nodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for storing, sharing, retrieving, writing and accessing data (content) on a blockchain such as, for example, the Bitcoin ledger. Embodiments of the method may comprise the step of processing at least one blockchain transaction (Tx) comprising: a protocol flag; at least one discretionary public key (DPK); and at least one discretionary transaction ID (DTxID). These are discretionary in the sense that they are not required as part of the underlying blockchain protocol but in accordance with present disclosure. The at least one transaction (Tx) also comprises a plurality of inputs, each input having: i) a parent public key (PPK) and ii) a signature (S) generated using the parent public key (PPK). Thus, the transaction forms an indexed node in a graph or hierarchical tree of logically associated nodes at least some of which include or reference portions of data. The nodes in such a tree can have multiple parents and/or children.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure proposes methods, devices, systems, and data structures for implementing an ordered, append-only data logging system. In particular a method comprises creating a transaction of a first type comprising an input associated with a transaction output from a latest transaction in the set of transactions. Then creating a transaction of a second type. Finally submitting both the transaction of the second type and the transaction of the first type to the blockchain.

Abstract: A method comprising, at an attesting node of a network: receiving a sequence of data items from one or more client nodes of the network, determining an order of the sequence of data items, and attesting to the order by: including an indication of a respective set of one or more of the data items in each of a series of blockchain transactions. Each successive transaction comprises a respective input pointing to an output of the respective preceding transaction, wherein the output of the respective preceding transaction comprises a locking script, and the input of the respective successive transaction includes an unlocking script comprising a respective signature based on a respective key in a series of keys. The respective signature in each successive transaction signs a portion of the respective successive transaction including at least the indication of the respective set of data items.

Abstract: A method of managing an overlay network overlaid on data-storage transactions of a blockchain, whereby data content of the overlay network is stored in payloads of the data-storage transactions and overlay-layer links are defined between the data-storage transactions. The method comprises identifying a graph structure of the overlay network, wherein nodes corresponds to different ones of the data-storage transactions and edges correspond to the links. Each node is associated with a respective first key for signing an input of a child data-storage transaction to authorise writing the child to the blockchain. The method further comprises using a child key derivation, CKD, function to determine a hierarchical set of second keys having the same graph structure as the overlay network, wherein the second keys enable an additional function other than signing inputs of the data-storage transactions.

Abstract: A method of executing a transaction of a blockchain. The transaction comprises at least one output comprising a locking script, and the locking script comprises an instance of a first opcode and one or more instances of a second opcode. Each instance of the second opcode separates portions of the locking script. Upon calling the instance of the first opcode, a first data element is read from at least one stack, the first data element being generated during execution of the locking script with an unlocking script of a different transaction. A first part of the locking script that follows an instance of the second opcode corresponding to the first data element is output.

Abstract: A method of executing transactions of a blockchain network. A first transaction comprises at least a first output comprising a first locking script of a stack-based scripting language, the first locking script comprising a portion of the first locking script to be executed before a first instance of an opcode is executed. A second transaction comprises a first unlocking script that references the first output in the first transaction. Upon executing the first instance of the opcode, execution of the first locking script is terminated whilst not invalidating the first transaction. A first data element is read from at least one stack, wherein the first data element is generated during execution of the first unlocking script and the portion of the first locking script. The first data element as read from the at least one stack is supplied to an off-chain function, wherein the function is configured to generate a result based on at least said first data element.

Abstract: A procedure comprising: a) formulating a proposed instance of a first transaction and sending it to the second party over a side channel, the proposed instance being formulated according to a transaction protocol recognized by the nodes of a blockchain network for validating transactions, and specifying a set of one or more values of a respective one or more parameters of the transaction including at least said amount of the digital asset, b) upon the second party not accepting the proposed instance of the first transaction, receiving back over the side channel a counter-proposed instance of the first transaction, the counter-proposed instance also being formulated according to the transaction protocol, but specifying a modified set of one or more values of the one or more transaction parameters, and c) the first party selecting whether to accept the counter-proposed instance received in b).

Abstract: A method of validating transactions for recordal in a blockchain comprises receiving one or more transactions at a node of a blockchain network. For each received transaction a protocol for validating the transaction is applied. The protocol is configured to allow a termination opcode to be included in an output script of the transaction. The termination opcode is configured to, upon being executed by the node, a) terminate execution of the output script, and b) not to invalidate the transaction based only on the inclusion of the termination opcode in the output script. The protocol is also configured to disallow any instance of the termination opcode from being included in an input script of the transaction, said disallowing comprising the node at least invalidating the transaction if any instance of the termination opcode is included in the input script.

Abstract: A method for recording a target transaction in a blockchain. The method comprises: streaming a sequence of data portions to the first party over a side channel; and in response to each data portion, receiving back over the side channel an instance of a first transaction from the first party. The target transaction comprises an output pointing to an output of the first transaction, and the target transaction comprises an output specifying an amount of digital asset to transfer from the output of the first transaction to the second party, wherein the amount increases in each successive instance of the target transaction. The method comprises causing the latest instance of the first transaction and a corresponding version of the target transaction to be propagated through the network and recorded in the blockchain.

Abstract: A method of recording a target transaction in a blockchain, comprising: obtaining an updated version of the target transaction, being updated relative to a pre-existing first version; and instead of the first version, sending the updated version to be propagated through a network of nodes to be recorded in the blockchain. The target transaction comprises an input comprising an unlocking script and a pointer to an output of a first transaction, the output of the first transaction comprising a locking script specifying a plurality of alternative conditions for unlocking that output.

Abstract: A method comprising: providing a first transaction specifying an output amount of a digital asset to greater than pointed to by its inputs, wherein an output of the first transaction comprises a locking script specifying a condition; over a side channel, receiving an input from each of multiple users, and adding each received input to the first transaction; and once a target is reached, whereby the total input amount pointed to by the inputs of the first transaction is equal to or exceeds the output amount, causing the first transaction and a second transaction to be published to a blockchain network to be recorded in a blockchain. The second transaction comprises an input pointing to the output of the first transaction and comprising an unlocking script meeting said condition. The condition requires the unlocking script to include a media key enabling the users to access the item of media content.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a secondary transaction identifier of a target transaction which enables a querying user to determine whether the target transaction comprises a candidate data field. The method comprises identifying a set of data fields of the target transaction, each data field comprising respective data of the transaction; and generating a transaction hash tree. Each data field is hashed to generate a respective one of a plurality of leaf hashes of the transaction hash tree. The root hash of the transaction hash tree comprises the secondary transaction identifier.

Abstract: A hole repair assembly includes a support. A connector is fastenable to the support. A closure can connect to the support with the connector. The support, connector and closure are configured so that the support and the closure can be connected and spaced from each other with the connector. One or more retaining members are arranged on one or both of the support and the connector to extend from the connector.

Abstract: A hole repair assembly includes a support. A connector is fastenable to the support. A closure can connect to the support with the connector. The support, connector and closure are configured so that the support and the closure can be connected and spaced from each other with the connector. One or more retaining members are arranged on one or both of the support and the connector to extend from the connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a three-part ammunition cartridge casing body comprising a head or base portion, a case portion and a cap portion. The cartridge casing body further comprises: the base portion, made of metal or polymeric resin, having a closed end and an open end; a substantially cylindrical case portion, open on both ends, joined to the open end of the base portion and comprising a nanocomposite material of a nanoclay dispersed in a polyamide resin matrix; and a cap portion, made of a nanocomposite material of a nanoclay dispersed in a polyamide resin matrix and further comprising glass fibers, joined to the other end of the case portion, wherein the case portion is more ductile than the cap portion.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a biodegradable polyamide-based composition comprising glycine substantially uniformly dispersed into a polyamide matrix, the method comprising: first mixing more than 2 weight percent glycine, at least one polyamide-producing monomer, and optionally water or other additives, to form a suspension wherein the glycine is substantially uniformly dispersed therein; then polymerizing the at least one polyamide-producing monomer with the glycine substantially uniformly dispersed in situ to provide a polyamide matrix wherein the glycine remains substantially uniformly dispersed in the resulting polyamide matrix to form the biodegradable polyamide-based composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a three-part ammunition cartridge casing body comprising a head or base portion, a case portion and a cap portion. The cartridge casing body further comprises: the base portion, made of metal or polymeric resin, having a closed end and an open end; a substantially cylindrical case portion, open on both ends, joined to the open end of the base portion and comprising a nanocomposite material of a nanoclay dispersed in a polyamide resin matrix; and a cap portion, made of a nanocomposite material of a nanoclay dispersed in a polyamide resin matrix and further comprising glass fibers, joined to the other end of the case portion, wherein the case portion is more ductile than the cap portion.