Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledger technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. Computer-implemented methods for smart contract outcome determination are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network, which may be, for example, a Bitcoin blockchain. A set of conditions is determined between counterparties, with the set of conditions having a plurality of possible outcomes that includes a first possible outcome associated with a first distribution of a digital asset and a second possible outcome associated with a second distribution, different from the first distribution, of the digital asset. A counterparty transaction is created that includes, as output, the set of conditions encoded into computer-executable instructions and the digital asset. An outcome is received from a third party, with the outcome corresponding to the first possible outcome or the second possible outcome.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes encrypting a plaintext message to a cryptographic public key in accordance with an identity-based encryption scheme using at least a congress public key to generate an encrypted message, wherein the congress public key is associated with members of a congress, respective members of the congress having access to private key shares usable in a threshold decryption scheme in which at least a threshold of private key shares are sufficient to derive a decryption key through the combination of partial contributions to the decryption key on behalf of the congress, generating, using at least a cryptographic private key corresponding to the cryptographic public key, a digital signature over a first set of instructions to perform cryptographic operations upon an occurrence of an event; and broadcasting one or more transactions to a proof-of-work blockchain network, the one or more transactions comprising the encrypted message, the cryptographic public key.

Abstract: Techniques are presented to enable recovery of one or more digital assets held on a blockchain after a private key is lost. The computer implemented method comprises setting access for the one or more digital assets held on the blockchain under the public key Pk and accessible using the corresponding private key Sk of the user such that the one or more digital assets are also accessible using a private key x shared by a congress on the blockchain network, each member of the congress having a private key share xi to be used in a threshold signature scheme used to generate a valid signature. As a result of the private key Sk being lost, the congress accesses the one or more digital assets on behalf of the user in response to the user proving their identity to the congress by providing a recovery password.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain such as, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The computer-implemented method includes: i) joining a congress by transferring, by a node operating in a proof-of-work blockchain network, one or more digital assets to a congress pool having one or more other digital assets associated with other members of a congress; ii) detecting, by the node, a special transaction of digital assets on the proof-of-work blockchain network to an address associated with the congress pool, the special transaction satisfying determined criteria; and iii) minting, by the node, one or more digital assets on a proof-of-stake blockchain network in response to detecting the special transaction.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain such as, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The computer-implemented method includes: i) joining a congress by transferring, by a node operating in a proof-of-work blockchain network, one or more digital assets to a congress pool having one or more other digital assets associated with other members of a congress; ii) detecting, by the node, a special transaction of digital assets on the proof-of-work blockchain network to an address associated with the congress pool, the special transaction satisfying determined criteria; and iii) minting, by the node, one or more digital assets on a proof-of-stake blockchain network in response to detecting the special transaction.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention includes: providing to a hub, from an enclave associated with a TEE at a node, an enclave public key; establishing a channel with the hub by broadcasting to a blockchain network a funding transaction which encumbers a digital asset with a first public key, a second public key and a third public key such that the encumbrance of the digital asset may be removed by: 1) both a first signature generated from a first private key corresponding to the first public key and a second signature generated from a second private key corresponding to the second public key; or 2) a third signature, valid for the third public key, the third public key associated with a group; receiving a commitment transaction encrypted with the enclave public key; detecting a failure; issuing a failsafe activation request to the group using data from the enclave.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method for use with a blockchain. The computer-implemented method includes: broadcasting a first deposit transaction configured to allow a first digital asset to be unlocked after a defined period of time through generation of a signature which is valid for a first public key and unlocked at any time through generation of a signature which is valid for a second public key; before expiration of the defined period of time, broadcasting a first funding transaction which encumbers a second digital asset with the first public key, the second public key and a third public key; and after expiration of the defined period of time, broadcasting a transaction unlocking the first digital asset with a signature which is valid for the first public key.

Abstract: This invention relates to distributed systems, and more particularly to methods and systems for event-locked operations in transactions using a blockchain network. The method includes: detecting, by a first node that is a member of a congress comprising a plurality of nodes, malicious activity by a malicious node that is also a member of the congress; providing, by the first node, a partial signature on a confiscation transaction to transfer portion of digital asset(s) deposited by the malicious node to an unspendable address, wherein the digital asset(s) deposited by the malicious node; determining, by a threshold number of members of the congress, that the digital assets of the malicious node should be confiscated, and then confiscating the at least portion of digital asset(s) of the malicious node by generating a valid signature for the confiscation transaction and suspending the malicious node from further participation in the congress.

Abstract: A computer system is provided and is programmed to: (1) receive a document; (2) execute a hash function to generate a hash of the document; (3) compare the hash of the document to the plurality of hashes for the plurality of documents; (4) determine if an exact match exists between the hash of the document and the plurality of hashes for the plurality of documents; (5) if an exact match exists, indicate that the received document is a duplicate; and (6) if no exact match exists, the at least one processor is programmed to: (a) perform similarity analysis on the document to compare the document to the plurality of stored documents; (b) determine a similarity measure for the document based on the comparison; (c) compare the similarity measure for the document to a threshold; and (d) indicate that the received document is a potential duplicate based upon the comparison.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method for use with a blockchain. The computer-implemented method includes: broadcasting a first deposit transaction configured to allow a first digital asset to be unlocked after a defined period of time through generation of a signature which is valid for a first public key and unlocked at any time through generation of a signature which is valid for a second public key; before expiration of the defined period of time, broadcasting a first funding transaction which encumbers a second digital asset with the first public key, the second public key and a third public key; and after expiration of the defined period of time, broadcasting a transaction unlocking the first digital asset with a signature which is valid for the first public key.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bus clock line handover are disclosed. In one aspect, a clock line in a bus is driven continuously during bus handover without having contentious or contradictory drive signals being provided. After arbitration, an original bus master will drive the clock line to a predetermined value until detecting a state change on a data line. An incoming bus master will begin driving the clock line to the predetermined value and then drive a state change on the data line. This state change is the state change detected by the original bus master that causes the original bus master to stop driving the clock line.

Abstract: A method of digitally signing a message is disclosed. The method comprises distributing first shares of a first secret value among a plurality of participants, wherein the first secret value is a private key accessible by means of a first threshold number of the first shares, and is inaccessible to less than the first threshold number of the first shares; distributing second shares of a second secret value among the participants, wherein the second secret value is an ephemeral key, wherein said ephemeral key is inaccessible to less than said first threshold number of said second shares; and distributing third shares of a third secret value among the participants, wherein each third share is adapted to be applied to a message to generate a respective fourth share of a fourth secret value, wherein the fourth secret value is the message signed with the private key and using the ephemeral key.

Abstract: There is described a computer-implemented method of outputting a transmission to a second node of a blockchain, the method being performed by a first node of the blockchain, the method comprising: identifying a deposit associated with a further node of the blockchain, the deposit comprising a deposit of an asset that is substantially uncorrelated with the blockchain; and determining, based on the deposit: the influence of the further node on a consensus mechanism of the blockchain; and/or a reward for the further node; and outputting a transmission to the second node of the blockchain in dependence on the influence and/or the reward.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention includes: providing to a hub, from an enclave associated with a TEE at a node, an enclave public key; establishing a channel with the hub by broadcasting to a blockchain network a funding transaction which encumbers a digital asset with a first public key, a second public key and a third public key such that the encumbrance of the digital asset may be removed by: 1) both a first signature generated from a first private key corresponding to the first public key and a second signature generated from a second private key corresponding to the second public key; or 2) a third signature, valid for the third public key, the third public key associated with a group; receiving a commitment transaction encrypted with the enclave public key; detecting a failure; issuing a failsafe activation request to the group using data from the enclave.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bus clock line handover are disclosed. In one aspect, a clock line in a bus is driven continuously during bus handover without having contentious or contradictory drive signals being provided. After arbitration, an original bus master will drive the clock line to a predetermined value until detecting a state change on a data line. An incoming bus master will begin driving the clock line to the predetermined value and then drive a state change on the data line. This state change is the state change detected by the original bus master that causes the original bus master to stop driving the clock line.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method that includes: broadcasting, by a node in a blockchain network, a transaction to transfer one or more digital assets to a public group address associated with a congress public key, the public group being associated with one or more other digital assets associated with other members of a congress; generating a private key share to be used in a threshold signature scheme in which at least a threshold of private key shares must be used to generate a valid signature through combination of partial signatures on behalf of the congress, wherein other holders of the private key shares are the other members of the congress who have joined the congress by transfer of respective digital assets to the public group address; and using the private key share to cooperatively generate a valid signature for a transaction from the public group address.

Abstract: Provided herein are a process, an apparatus, and an article of manufacture for confiscating a digital asset due to malicious members or malicious attacks. A process in the form of a computer-implemented method includes: i) detecting malicious activity by a malicious party, wherein the malicious party is one of the other members of the a congress; and ii) confiscating at least a portion of digital assets previously transferred to the a public group address by the malicious party. Security mechanisms disclosed herein for confiscating a digital asset leverage the use of a congress that is secured, in part, through distributed generation of private key share. The security mechanisms further allow a self-governing, decentralized group to be formed, with the threshold signature scheme allowing the group to control digital assets encumbered by a public key associated with the group.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain such as, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The computer-implemented method includes: i) joining a congress by transferring, by a node operating in a proof-of-work blockchain network, one or more digital assets to a congress pool having one or more other digital assets associated with other members of a congress; ii) detecting, by the node, a special transaction of digital assets on the proof-of-work blockchain network to an address associated with the congress pool, the special transaction satisfying determined criteria; and iii) minting, by the node, one or more digital assets on a proof-of-stake blockchain network in response to detecting the special transaction.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain such as, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The computer-implemented method includes: i) joining a congress by transferring, by a node operating in a proof-of-work blockchain network, one or more digital assets to a congress pool having one or more other digital assets associated with other members of a congress; ii) detecting, by the node, a special transaction of digital assets on the proof-of-work blockchain network to an address associated with the congress pool, the special transaction satisfying determined criteria; and iii) minting, by the node, one or more digital assets on a proof-of-stake blockchain network in response to detecting the special transaction.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention includes: providing to a hub, from an enclave associated with a TEE at a node, an enclave public key; establishing a channel with the hub by broadcasting to a blockchain network a funding transaction which encumbers a digital asset with a first public key, a second public key and a third public key such that the encumbrance of the digital asset may be removed by: 1) both a first signature generated from a first private key corresponding to the first public key and a second signature generated from a second private key corresponding to the second public key; or 2) a third signature, valid for the third public key, the third public key associated with a group; receiving a commitment transaction encrypted with the enclave public key; detecting a failure; and issuing a failsafe activation request to the group using data from the enclave.