Abstract: Validator nodes and methods of operating a validator node to process blockchain transactions. The validator node provides a plurality of mining nodes with access to a set of unconfirmed transactions, typically by providing a hash of those transactions, in exchange for a token from each of the mining nodes. If one of the plurality of mining nodes successfully mines a block containing the set of unconfirmed transactions, the validator node refunds the token to that mining node and retains the remaining tokens. If a miner other than one of the plurality of mining nodes successfully mines a block before any of the plurality of mining nodes is able to mine a block containing the set of unconfirmed transactions, then the validator node transfers to each of the plurality of mining nodes a modified token.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided which are suitable for implementation in transaction validation nodes of a blockchain network. Modified blockchain node structures, network architectures, and protocols for handling large numbers of transactions and large transaction blocks are described. The invention is particularly suited, but not limited, to use with the Bitcoin blockchain. A computer-implemented method is provided which includes: (i) receiving transactions from the blockchain network; (ii) validating transactions received from the blockchain network; (iii) maintaining a distributed, decentralized storage of validated transactions with other transaction validation nodes in the blockchain network; and (iv) distributing data corresponding to said validated transactions to the blockchain network for mining.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel and advantageous solution for controlling or influencing use of and/or access to a resource. This resource may be a device, such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a process. The invention is implemented via a distributed ledger (blockchain). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or some alternative blockchain platform/protocol. In an illustrative embodiment, the controlled resource is a parking meter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for two nodes to authenticate each other as credentialed by a group of autonomous specialized nodes, without involving the group or involving a centralized certificate manager or authenticator. The method may involve a first node and a second node using bilinear pairing operations involving their respective identifiers and secret points to derive the same session key. Provided the secret points and identifiers were obtained from the group using the group private key, the bilinear pairing operation leads to generation of the same session key at each of the two nodes, thereby authenticating their respective credentials and enabling trusted communications between the two nodes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for a node of a blockchain network comprising receiving or generating data for distribution in the blockchain network, said node having a plurality of interfaces, said data corresponding to an object such as a transaction or a block. The transaction can be a Bitcoin transaction for recordal in a blockchain. The method determines a correlation matrix having correlation coefficients representing the correlation between data processed at each interface of said node. From the correlation matrix a correlation index for each interface is determined. A threshold or indicator is calculated and data or objects such as Bitcoin transactions are relayed from nodes via interfaces according to a set of correlation coefficients of interface receiving the data. An indicator or threshold can derived from the correlation matrix and data is relayed if the correlation between the receiving interface and the other interface is lower than the indicator.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to techniques that allow for multiple parties to jointly generate or jointly agree upon the parameters for generation of a smart contract, such as a verification key. Execution of the smart contract may be performed by a third party, for example, a worker node on a blockchain network. Techniques described herein may be utilised as part of a protocol in which parties of a smart contract share powers of a secret in a manner that allows each party to determine an identical common reference string, agree on parameters for a smart contract, agree and/or make proportionate contributions the smart contract, and combinations thereof. The smart contract may be published to a blockchain network (e.g., Bitcoin Cash). The protocol may be a zero-knowledge protocol.

Abstract: Techniques described herein may be utilized to serialise and de-serialise arithmetic circuits that are utilized in the execution of computer programs. The arithmetic circuit may be utilized to build a Quadratic Arithmetic Problem (QAP) that is compiled into a set of cryptographic routines for a client and a prover. The client and prover may utilize a protocol to delegate execution of a program to the prover in a manner that allows the client to efficiently verify the prover correctly executed the program. The arithmetic circuit may comprise a set of symbols (e.g., arithmetic gates and values) that is compressed to produce a serialised circuit comprising a set of codes, wherein the set of symbols is derivable from the set of codes in a lossless manner. Serialisation and de-serialisation techniques may be utilized by nodes of a blockchain network.

Abstract: A specialized network (“merchant”) node to facilitate fast distribution of blockchain transactions over a network of interconnected nodes, as subset of which are merchant nodes interconnected by an overlay network. The merchant node includes a memory storing an assigned portion of a distributed mempool structured as a distributed hash table, the distributed mempool containing pending transactions awaiting confirmation. The merchant node operates by receiving a transaction, including a transaction identifier; hashing the new transaction identifier to obtain a key; determining, using the key, whether the transaction is stored in the distributed mempool or not and, if not, then storing the transaction in the distributed mempool as a pending transaction; and sending the transaction to a set of nodes other than merchant nodes using peer-to-peer connections. The invention may be used in conjunction with the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative.

Abstract: The computer-implemented invention provides a method and corresponding system for controlling access to and/or use of an internet-enabled resource. The invention uses an electronic ledger such as, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The resource may be an IoT device or system. Access to the resource is permitted or enabled upon provision of a cryptographic key e.g. a private key which corresponds to a public key which has been stored in memory. In one embodiment, the public key is stored in a DHT. Access to the resource is prevented or disabled by removing the public key from memory, and using a redeem script of a second blockchain Transaction to spend a tokenised output of a first blockchain Transaction. The second transaction detokenizes the token (or ‘coloured coin’) contained within the first Transaction. In order to prevent further access to the resource, an encrypted message is sent to the internet-enabled resource, wherein the message communicates a public key and the redeem script.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for adjusting the minimum and maximum number of peer nodes that a node on the blockchain network will connect with. The adjustment takes in to account the bandwidth and processing capability of the node. Bandwidth capacity of a node is determined based on a maximum data amount processable by the node over a time period. Data is monitored passing through interfaces of the node, to and from peer nodes, and a profile factor of the node is determined from the difference between the input data to output data. Over a plurality of time periods monitoring said data the data analysed is used to set a minimum number of peer nodes and a maximum number of peer nodes connectable to the node according to said monitored data and the maximum number of peers connectable to the node. The method enables a node to adjust the number of connections according to performance limitation factors, such as bandwidth availability and processing performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for a node of a blockchain network, the computer-implemented method comprising receiving or generating, at a node, data for distribution in the blockchain network, said node having a plurality of interfaces, said data corresponding to an object such as a transaction or a block. The transaction can be a Bitcoin transaction for recordal in a blockchain. The method determines a correlation matrix having correlation coefficients representing the correlation between data processed at each interface of said node. From the correlation matrix a correlation index for each interface is determined. A threshold or indicator is calculated and data or objects such as Bitcoin transactions are relayed from nodes via interfaces according to a set of correlation coefficients of interface receiving the data. An indicator or threshold can derived from the correlation matrix and data is relayed if the correlation between the receiving interface and the other interface is lower than the indicator.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel and advantageous solution for controlling or influencing use of and/or access to a resource. This resource may be a device, such as an IoT (Internet of Things) device or a process. The invention is implemented via a distributed ledger (blockchain). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or some alternative blockchain platform/protocol. In an illustrative embodiment, the controlled resource is a parking meter.

Abstract: Methods and devices for two nodes to authenticate each other as credentialed by a group of autonomous specialized nodes, without involving the group or involving a centralized certificate manager or authenticator. The method may involve a first node and a second node using bilinear pairing operations involving their respective identifiers and secret points to derive the same session key. Provided the secret points and identifiers were obtained from the group using the group private key, the bilinear pairing operation leads to generation of the same session key at each of the two nodes, thereby authenticating their respective credentials and enabling trusted communications between the two nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to techniques that allow for multiple parties to jointly generate or jointly agree upon the parameters for generation of a smart contract, such as a verification key. Execution of the smart contract may be performed by a third party, for example, a worker node on a blockchain network. Techniques described herein may be utilised as part of a protocol in which parties of a smart contract share powers of a secret in a manner that allows each party to determine an identical common reference string, agree on parameters for a smart contract agree and/or make proportionate contributions the smart contract, and combinations thereof. The smart contract may be published to a blockchain network (e.g., Bitcoin Cash). The protocol may be a zero-knowledge protocol.

Abstract: The computer implemented invention provides a method, corresponding systems and arrangement within a network for detecting changes in the topology, ordering those changes by occurrence and constructing a new topology reflecting the changes. The invention addresses problems with keeping the knowledge of the network topology at each network node current, particularly when the network topology is dynamic, i.e. when links fail and recover at arbitrary times. The topology updating is event driven, as it is activated when some change in the network, particularly with nodes and links occurs. Events cause topology changes to be reported to other nodes in the network. Timestamping of messages allows the messages to be correctly applied as the most recent update or discarded. An algorithm is provided that allows each merchant node to maintain a correct view of the network topology despite link and node failures.

Abstract: The invention relates to blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin blockchain. The invention uses a novel technique to decompose the functionality of a blockchain transaction script into several chunks or functional parts, and to use the output of a chunk as the input of the next chunk. Advantageously, this allows the blockchain to be used for ever complex tasks and computations while minimising script size, and also provides a novel architecture for the distributed execution of computational processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to the execution of locking transactions in a blockchain system. In the context of smart contracts, it may be advantageous to have a public record (e.g., recorded on a blockchain) of a proof of correct execution of a circuit published by a worker and the verification key, thereby allowing anyone (e.g., nodes of the blockchain) to verify validity of the computation and proof. However, there are challenges to recording large blocks of data (e.g., large keys that may comprise multiple elliptic curve points) on the blockchain.

Abstract: The invention relates to method for adjusting the minimum and maximum number of peer nodes that a node on the blockchain network will connect with. The adjustment takes in to account the bandwidth and processing capability of the node. Bandwidth capacity of a node is determined based on a maximum data amount processable by the node over a time period. Data is monitored passing through interfaces of the node, to and from peer nodes, and a profile factor of the node is determined from the difference between the input data to output data. Over a plurality of time periods monitoring said data the data analysed is used to set a minimum number of peer nodes and a maximum number of peer nodes connectable to the node according to said monitored data and the maximum number of peers connectable to the node. The method enables a node to adjust the number of connections according to performance limitation factors, such as bandwidth availability and processing performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin blockchain. The invention uses a novel technique to decompose the functionality of a blockchain transaction script into several chunks or functional parts, and to use the output of a chunk as the input of the next chunk. Advantageously, this allows the blockchain to be used for ever complex tasks and computations while minimising script size, and also provides a novel architecture for the distributed execution of computational processes.

Abstract: In a distributed system, a first computer system may require computationally verifiable assurances of the authenticity and integrity of computations (e.g., performed as part of the execution of a program) performed by a second computer system. Methods described herein may be utilized to enforce and/or ensure the correct execution of a program. The first computer system may delegate execution of a program to a second computer system and a protocol may be employed to constrain the second computer system to perform a correct execution of the program. The protocol may include mitigation and correction routines that mitigate and/or correct the incorrect execution of a program. In various systems and methods described herein, the protocol may utilize a blockchain network such as a Bitcoin-based blockchain network.