Abstract: A computer-implemented method (600) and system (1) for verifying ownership of a computer software after installation and prior to execution using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative implementation. The method includes determining (610) a second user public key associated with a second user (24) from a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). A second public key associated with the second user may be determined (620) from an entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (630) the second user public key and the second public key, and verifying (640) the ownership of the computer software based on the comparing of the second user public key and the second public key.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a blockchain-implemented system and method of controlling the transmission and/or distribution of digital content. A first user transfers a deposit quantity of cryptocurrency to a common address. A first node associated with the first user: sends a request to the second node to provide an episode of digital content from a series of digital content; determines a payment transaction to transfer a payment quantity of cryptocurrency to the second user based on a quantity of episodes of digital content in the series; and signs and sends the payment transaction to a second node. The second node associated with the second user: receives the request and the payment transaction; verifies the payment transaction; and based on a result of verifying: provides access to the episode of digital content to the first node; and co-signs and sends the payment transaction to a distributed ledger.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (900) and system (1) for verifying the integrity of a computer software for installation using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative implementation. The method includes determining (910) a metadata associated with a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). An indication of an entry stored on the distributed hash table (13) may be determined (920) from the metadata. The method further includes determining (930) a third hash value based on the computer software and determining (940) a fourth hash value from the entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (950) the third hash value and the fourth hash value and verifying (960) the integrity of the computer software based on the comparing of the third hash value and the fourth hash value.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems which enable additional functionality to be inserted into blockchain scripts with ease and in an effective and manner. According to one embodiment, the invention provides a blockchain-implemented method comprising the steps of arranging a plurality or selection of scripting language primitives to provide, upon execution, the functionality of a high-level scripting language primitive, wherein the scripting language is associated with a blockchain protocol; inserting the plurality of scripting language primitives at least once into a script; and inserting the script into blockchain transaction (Tx). The high-level scripting language primitive may perform, for example, an arithmetic operation such as multiplication or division. The scripting language primitives may be called op_codes, words, or commands, and are native to the scripting language. The scripting language may be Script, and the blockchain protocol may be a version of the Bitcoin protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a flow execution of a generated script transaction according to a blockchain protocol are disclosed. The method comprises using a software resource to determine how a logic is to be controlled and stored as a portion of code, generate an input by a computing resource as a result of a computation, retrieve the stored portion of code, and insert, based on the input, the stored portion of code into a transaction script associated with a blockchain transaction such that, upon execution of the transaction script. Embodiments allow the generation of a more complex blockchain script, control how the script will execute when implemented on the blockchain, and control how or when an output of the transaction is unlocked.

Abstract: The invention provides a secure method for exchanging entities via a blockchain. The invention incorporates tokenisation techniques, and also techniques for embedding metadata in a redeem script of a blockchain transaction. Embodiment(s) provide a method of: generating a first script, the first script comprising: a first set of metadata associated with a first invitation for the exchange of a first entity by a first user, the first set of metadata comprising an indication of the first entity to be offered for exchange and a first location condition for the exchange, a first user public key (P1A) associated with the first user, wherein the first user public key (P1A) is part of an asymmetric cryptographic pair comprising the first user public key (P1A) and a first user private key (V1A).

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a computing resource to oversee handling and execution of a looping process, comprising: the computing resource monitoring a state of the blockchain to cause one or more transactions to be written to a blockchain, wherein execution of the looping process comprises the computing resource managing and running a loop, the loop having an index representing a current iteration and a limit indicating a total number of iterations of the loop, wherein an iteration of the loop comprises: incrementing the index by one, and executing a code block of the loop containing an if condition then action statement; storing the cryptographic hash in a blockchain transaction and broadcasting the blockchain transaction to the blockchain network to record the execution of the iteration of the loop; and repeating the loop steps until the limit is reached.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided that provides functionality of a portion of source code, written in a high-level language (HLL), on a blockchain platform. The method and system comprise the steps of receiving a portion of source code as input, wherein the portion of source code is written in a high-level language, HLL; and generating an output script comprising a plurality of op_codes selected from and/or native to a blockchain scripting language such that, when executed, the output script provides, at least in part, a functionality specified in the portion of source code, the blockchain scripting language restricted from supporting recursive programming constructs.

Abstract: A method of encrypting data at an electronic device where the electronic device is associated with a key device. Each device is associated with an asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a first private key and a first public key. Respective second private and public keys may be determined based on the first private key, first public key and a deterministic key. A secret may be determined based on the second private and public keys. The data at the electronic device may be encrypted using the determined secret or an encryption key that is based on the secret. Information indicative of the deterministic key may be sent to the key device where the information may be stored.

Abstract: An event detecting, monitoring and/or counting mechanism is disclosed. The event may be, for example, a vote, decision or selection which is made by a given entity. A counting solution is provided in which a computing resource, running simultaneously and in parallel to a blockchain, manages a loop-based operation. The computing resource continuously monitors the state of the blockchain as well as any other off-blockchain input data or source. The execution of the loop is influenced by the state of the blockchain. Each iteration of the loop that is executed by the computing resource is recorded in a transaction that is written to the blockchain. It is stored as a hash within the transaction's metadata. If the computing resource finds a transaction which contains a hash relating to the loop it accesses the relevant portion of code.

Abstract: The invention provides a generic operating system for coordinating, controlling and/or influencing the activities of a device. The invention is implemented using a blockchain platform with which the operating system is arranged to interact. The blockchain may be the Bitcoin blockchain. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an Internet of Things (TOT) device. The invention provides a computer-implemented control system and corresponding method for controlling a device, the system comprising a device configured for wireless communication with a network and having an IP address and a public-private key cryptographic key pair associated with the device; a software-implemented control component arranged to monitor the state of a blockchain network and/or transmit blockchain Transactions to the blockchain network; and a set of instructions arranged for execution by the control component to control the functionality of the device.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for the implementation of automated processes, such as device/system control, process control, distributed computing and storage, and event detecting, monitoring and/or counting mechanism. The event may be, for example, a vote, decision or selection which is made by a given entity. A counting solution is presented in which a computing resource, running simultaneously and in parallel to the blockchain, manages a loop-based operation. The computing resource continuously monitors the state of the blockchain as well as any other off-blockchain input data or source. The execution of the loop is influenced by the state of the blockchain. Each iteration of the loop that is executed by the computing resource is recorded in a transaction that is written to the blockchain.

Abstract: The invention relates to blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin blockchain, and the tokenisation of assets or entities. It is particularly suited for implementing a payroll on a blockchain platform and comprises a method (100) and system (1) of transferring cryptocurrency from a first node (3) to a second node (7). Both nodes (3, 7) are associated with a payroll and have a respective asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a master private key and a master public key. Respective additional private and public keys may be determined based on the master private key, master public key and a generator value at each node. The additional private and public keys may form a hierarchical structure. A common secret may be determined at each of the nodes (3, 7) based on the additional private and public keys. The common secret may be used to securely transmit confidential information across a communications network (5).

Abstract: The invention provides a secure method for exchanging entities via a blockchain. The invention incorporates tokenisation techniques, and also techniques for embedding metadata in a redeem script of a blockchain transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (100) and system (1) for determining a metadata M for securing a controlled digital resource such as computer software using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This is a blockchain such as the Bitcoin blockchain. The method includes determining (110) a data associated with the computer software and determining (120) a first hash value based on the computer software. A second hash value based on the data and the computer software may be determined (130). The method further includes sending 140, over a communications network (5), the data, the first hash value and the second hash value to an entry for storage in a distributed hash table (13). The second hash value may be a key of a key-value pair. The data and the first hash value may be a value in the key-value pair. A metadata (M) that is based on the second hash value may be determined (150) for storage on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14).

Abstract: Techniques are presented for securely transmitting a output script or information associated with a payroll and a user between a first node and a second node. The method comprises: determining a symmetric-key based on a common secret, based on a first node second private key and a second node second private key, wherein the second node has the same common secret based on a first node second public key and a second node second private key; encrypting at least part of the output script or information associated with the payroll and the second node with the symmetric-key, to an encrypted output script or encrypted information associated with the payroll and the second node; and sending the encrypted output script or encrypted information associated from the first node to the second node.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (100) and system (1) for controlling the performance of a smart contract. The method includes storing a contract on or in a computer-based repository. The contract is associated with a licence between a first user (U1) and a second user (U2). The method further includes receiving, over a communications network, a transaction comprising a transfer of a token from an agent (A) to the first user (U1) or the second user (U2). The transaction comprises metadata that includes an identifier indicative of a location where the contract is stored. The method further includes querying a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (i.e. blockchain) to determine whether the transaction comprises at least one unspent output (UTXO). The method further includes, responsive to querying the peer-to-peer distributed ledger, determining whether to modify performance of the contract. The blockchain may be the Bitcoin blockchain.

Abstract: Techniques are presented to control the performance of a process conducted via a blockchain. The method comprises the steps of deriving a public-key-private key cryptographic pair for a portion of data related to a smart contract associated with an asset, wherein the smart contract is stored in a computer-based resource that is separate to the blockchain; deriving a signature for the portion of data using the public key-private key cryptographic pair; and codifying the portion of data to generate codified metadata for the data, wherein the codified metadata is arranged to reference or provide access to the smart contract; transmitting the codified metadata to the blockchain; and receiving a signature and a script from at least one user to enable access to embedded data, wherein the script comprises a public key of a signatory.

Abstract: Techniques are presented of embedding data in a blockchain transaction. The method comprises the steps deriving a public-key-private-key cryptographic pair for a digital asset; deriving a signature for the data using the public key-private-key cryptographic pair; and codifying the data to generate codified metadata for the digital asset.

Abstract: The invention provides a secure method for exchanging entities via a blockchain. The invention incorporates tokenisation techniques, and also techniques for embedding metadata in a redeem script of a blockchain transaction.