Abstract: A first data center receives a request, from a tenant, to access a first service. Responsive to determining that the tenant is not associated with a delegation contract, the first data center records a delegation contract for the tenant. A second data center receives a request, from the tenant, to access a second service, where the second data center is physically separate from the first data center. Responsive to determining that the tenant is associated with the delegation contract recorded in the blockchain database, the second data center causes an update of the delegation contract in the blockchain database; causes the second service to provide access to the tenant; transmits, to the tenant, a confirmation that the second service can be accessed, and transmits an update to the first data center indicating that the delegation contract has been updated to include a second service offer.

Abstract: A performer lift has abase portion (10) and an extension portion (12). The base portion (10) comprises a platform (16) and a lifting mechanism (18). The extension portion (12) is attachable to the base portion (10) to extend the height of the performer lift. The extension portion (12) allows a performer lift to be provided having a desired height. The performer lift can therefore be adapted to be used in different stage sets, by reusing the same base portion (10) and attaching different extension portions (12), having different heights.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes an IoT access control exchange for IoT devices. Verifiable credentials can be generated and used to grant access to IoT devices definitively identified using a Decentralized Identifier (DID). DIDs for IoT devices are registered by the IoT exchange hub acting as an Identity Hub. An organization interested in obtaining data from a collection of devices, the IoT Access Customer, contacts the IoT device owner agent via their mutual agents and obtains a verifiable credential with a request for access. The access request is submitted to the IoT exchange hub. The IoT exchange hub either enforces the access request itself if the devices do not have enough resources or submits the verifiable credential with the access request to the devices for them to enforce access. The IoT access customer agent, IoT device owner agent, and IoT exchange hub similarly identify themselves and prove authentication using DIDs.

Abstract: A method is implemented by one or more network devices to identify an originating point of failure in a composite service executed in a cloud computing environment. The execution of the composite service includes execution of a plurality of atomic services in an ordered sequence, where for each atomic service that is executed, an execution trace for that atomic service is stored in a blockchain to form an ordered sequence of execution traces, where the execution trace for a given atomic service is signed using the private key associated with that atomic service and analyzing one or more of the ordered sequence of execution traces to determine which of the plurality of atomic services originated the failure, where each execution trace that is analyzed is authenticated using the public key that corresponds to the private key associated with the atomic service that generated that execution trace.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for verifying virtualized network functions (VNFs) using Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs). For example, a system includes an orchestrator configured to obtain, using a Decentralized Identifier (DID) that is associated with a virtualized network function (VNF) image for a VNF, a DID document associated with the DID, verify, based on the DID document associated with the DID, the VNF image, and deploy the VNF image as a VNF instance on a Network Functions Virtualization infrastructure (NFVi). The system also includes one or more consensus networks that store the DID document associated with the VNF image in a distributed ledger.

Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing a distributed blockchain transaction processing element in a data center are described. A call to a function is received. The call for the function is dispatched to a first runtime environment of a first server. Code is fetched from the blockchain database. The code is executed in the first runtime environment resulting in a blockchain transaction. A copy of the blockchain transaction is written in a storage medium that is locally accessible by the first server. The blockchain transaction is added to a first block. A consensus mechanism is used to determine whether the first block is to be added to the blockchain database; and responsive to determining that the first block is to be added to the blockchain database, the first block is caused to be stored in a persistent storage as part of the blockchain database.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the nuclear spin polarization of target molecules (10) uses a hyperpolarized source material (12) that is co-confined with the target molecules (10) in a porous molecular matrix (20). The matrix (20) may be a D4R-polysiloxane copolymer such as polyoligosiloxysilicone number two (PSS-2) that has recesses of an appropriate diameter. A source material (12), such as parahydrogen, is transferred to the matrix (20) together with the target molecules (10), and an external pressure is applied to force them into the recesses of the matrix (20). The nano-confinement of the source material (12) and target molecules (10) together enables or enhances a transfer of spin polarization from the source material (12) to the target molecules (10). When the target molecules (10) are removed from the matrix (20), the enhanced spin polarization greatly enhances the signal strength of the target molecules (10) in any subsequent magnetic resonance measurement.

Abstract: A method and a spectrum owner system are described. The spectrum owner system records, in a distributed ledger network, a list of spectrum resources licensed from a regulatory authority system to the spectrum owner system. The spectrum owner system receives an authorization request for a spectrum allocation of spectrum resources, where the spectrum allocation includes at least a desired interval of time for usage of the spectrum resources by a radio access network of a spectrum renter, a desired location for usage of the spectrum resources by the radio access network, and additional characteristics of the spectrum resources. The spectrum owner system negotiates agreement terms for the desired spectrum allocation; and records, in the distributed ledger network, a hash of the spectrum allocation, where the spectrum allocation enables the radio access network of the spectrum renter to provide radio access services to wireless network devices.

Abstract: A method and a network node for managing access, by a device, to a blockchain. The network node receives, a first request for creation of a first account. The first request includes information relating to a user of the device and a first hash value. The network node creates, based on the information and the first hash value, the first account on the blockchain, whereby a first address is obtained. The network node receives, a second request for recovering account information of the first account. The second request includes the first address of the first account, a source value from which the first hash value is derived and a second address of a second account. The network node generates a second hash value based on the source value. The network node initiates transfer of the account information of the first account to the second account.

Abstract: A method and system for service image deployment in a cloud computing system based on distributed ledger technology are described. A first signed message including a request to authorize installation of a service image, a service image identifier, a service installer account identifier, and one or more hashes of the service image is received. Responsive to determining, based on the service installer account identifier and a distributed ledger, that the service installer is authorized to install a service image identified with the service image identifier in a cloud computing system: the one or more hashes of the service image are recorded in a list of valid service images of the distributed ledger; and a first message is transmitted to the service installer. The message includes a first service installation token and the service image identifier, that cause the service installer to install the service image in the cloud computing system.

Abstract: A method and a network device in a cloud computing system, including a first blockchain component that is one of a plurality of blockchain components forming a blockchain system, of dynamic discovery of another blockchain component of the blockchain system are described. A multicast address including a multicast group identifier is generated. The multicast group identifier is generated at least in part based on a genesis block identifier that uniquely identifies a blockchain serviced by the blockchain system. The network device joins a multicast group identified by the multicast group identifier; and transmits a message destined to the multicast address, where the message includes a request for a unicast address of another component of the blockchain system.

Abstract: A method and a spectrum owner system are described. The spectrum owner system records, in a distributed ledger network, a list of spectrum resources licensed from a regulatory authority system to the spectrum owner system. The spectrum owner system receives an authorization request for a spectrum allocation of spectrum resources, where the spectrum allocation includes at least a desired interval of time for usage of the spectrum resources by a radio access network of a spectrum renter, a desired location for usage of the spectrum resources by the radio access network, and additional characteristics of the spectrum resources. The spectrum owner system negotiates agreement terms for the desired spectrum allocation; and records, in the distributed ledger network, a hash of the spectrum allocation, where the spectrum allocation enables the radio access network of the spectrum renter to provide radio access services to wireless network devices.

Abstract: Techniques for a secure device registration and software update using Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs). For example, a method includes sending, by a device and to a data store, a request for a software update published by a software publisher, wherein the request includes a verifiable credential for the device including a DID of the device; receiving, by the device and from the data store, a verifiable credential for the software update, wherein the verifiable credential includes a DID of the software publisher; determining, by the device, whether the software update is newer than software on the device; obtaining, by the device, the software update from the software publisher from a location specified by the verifiable credential; verifying, by the device, the software update based on the verifiable credential; and in response to verifying the software update based on the verifiable credential, installing, by the device, the software update.

Abstract: Methods and systems for authorizing the access of a service are described. A server is operative to receive a request to subscribe to a service. The server is to receive from the requestor a selected service offer from the set of service offers, where the selected service offer is cryptographically signed with the private key of the requestor and the private key of the service. The server is further to record a delegation contract into a blockchain database, where the delegation contract includes an identification of the service, an identification of the requestor, and the service offer that is cryptographically signed with the private keys of the requestor and the service. The server is to transmit, to the requestor, a confirmation that the service can be accessed based on the selected service offer; and transmit to the service the delegation contract causing the service to provide access to the requestor.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing cloud services using smart contracts to facilitate various functions, such as tenant login, tenant enrollment, service registration, tenant usage charging, tenant usage tracking, tenant quota management, and tenant rights revocation. The proposed techniques allow tenant and service accounts to be represented as smart contracts, and for services to delegate authorization for bundles of service attributes to tenants and other services, for which the tenants and services are then charged. The business logic is implemented on a permissioned, distributed ledger (e.g., a private blockchain) and therefore is easily customized for specific classes of tenants and services.

Abstract: An end unit (100) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly comprises a first frame (110) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (120). The second frame (120) comprises a rotatable body (130) for supporting a conveyor belt (300), and is arranged to pivot with respect to the first frame (110), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). An intermediate unit (200) for a conveyor (1000) for use in a stage assembly is configured to be disposed between a pair of end units (100), and comprises a first frame (210) installable in the stage assembly and a second frame (220) comprising a support surface (223) for supporting a conveyor belt (300). The second frame (220) is pivotally attached to the first frame (210), so as to open in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the conveyor belt (300). A conveyor (1000) comprises a pair of end units (100), and optionally one or more of the intermediate units (200).

Abstract: A method is implemented by one or more network devices to identify an originating point of failure in a composite service executed in a cloud computing environment. The execution of the composite service includes execution of a plurality of atomic services in an ordered sequence, where for each atomic service that is executed, an execution trace for that atomic service is stored in a blockchain to form an ordered sequence of execution traces, where the execution trace for a given atomic service is signed using the private key associated with that atomic service and analyzing one or more of the ordered sequence of execution traces to determine which of the plurality of atomic services originated the failure, where each execution trace that is analyzed is authenticated using the public key that corresponds to the private key associated with the atomic service that generated that execution trace.

Abstract: A performer lift has abase portion (10) and an extension portion (12). The base portion (10) comprises a platform (16) and a lifting mechanism (18). The extension portion (12) is attachable to the base portion (10) to extend the height of the performer lift. The extension portion (12) allows a performer lift to be provided having a desired height. The performer lift can therefore be adapted to be used in different stage sets, by reusing the same base portion (10) and attaching different extension portions (12), having different heights.

Abstract: A first data center receives a request, from a tenant, to access a first service. Responsive to determining that the tenant is not associated with a delegation contract, the first data center records a delegation contract for the tenant. A second data center receives a request, from the tenant, to access a second service, where the second data center is physically separate from the first data center. Responsive to determining that the tenant is associated with the delegation contract recorded in the blockchain database, the second data center causes an update of the delegation contract in the blockchain database; causes the second service to provide access to the tenant; transmits, to the tenant, a confirmation that the second service can be accessed, and transmits an update to the first data center indicating that the delegation contract has been updated to include a second service offer.

Abstract: A method and a spectrum owner system are described. The spectrum owner system records, in a distributed ledger network, a list of spectrum resources licensed from a regulatory authority system to the spectrum owner system. The spectrum owner system receives an authorization request for a spectrum allocation of spectrum resources, where the spectrum allocation includes at least a desired interval of time for usage of the spectrum resources by a radio access network of a spectrum renter, a desired location for usage of the spectrum resources by the radio access network, and additional characteristics of the spectrum resources. The spectrum owner system negotiates agreement terms for the desired spectrum allocation; and records, in the distributed ledger network, a hash of the spectrum allocation, where the spectrum allocation enables the radio access network of the spectrum renter to provide radio access services to wireless network devices.