Patents by Inventor Steven A. Wright

Steven A. Wright has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11244292
    Abstract: A method and system of recording multiple transactions between a multiple of users on a blockchain (9), including a first transaction (22) from a first user (5) to a second user (7) and a second transaction (24) from the second user (7) to the first user (5). The blockchain may be, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The method may include receiving (110) a first request from a first node (15) associated with the first user (A) to transfer a first quantity of cryptocurrency associated with the first transaction (22) and receiving (120) a second request from a second node (17) to transfer a second quantity associated with the second transaction (24). The first transaction (22) is conditional on receiving (120) the second request and the second transaction (24) is conditional on receiving (110) the first request. The method also includes verifying (130) the first request and second request that includes determining both the conditional steps of receiving the first request and second request are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: nChain Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Publication number: 20220027905
    Abstract: A method of enabling access to data stored on a blockchain is disclosed. The method comprises generating at least one first blockchain transaction of a blockchain, wherein the first data is stored in at least one first blockchain transaction and is inaccessible to a first participant in the absence of first access data. The method further comprises generating a second blockchain transaction of the blockchain, wherein the second blockchain transaction contains means for causing the first access data to be made available to the first participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Owen Vaughan, Jack Owen Davies, Chloe Ceren Tartan
  • Publication number: 20220029817
    Abstract: A method of storing data on a blockchain, such as the Bitcoin blockchain, is disclosed. The method comprises generating a plurality of blockchain transactions, wherein a plurality of the blockchain transactions each store therein a respective part (<Content chunk 1>, <Content chunk 2>) of first data to be stored on the blockchain and second data (<Metanet Flag>) indicating that the parts of the first data are related to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Jack Owen Davies, Chloe Ceren Tartan, Owen Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20220029827
    Abstract: A computer implemented method is provided, which comprises the steps of: broadcasting a request for location data; receiving from a plurality of nodes location data comprising a distance and a public key corresponding to an area proximal to that node; selecting a public key which is common to a set of the plurality of nodes; and requesting the set of nodes to participate in threshold secret sharing to obtain a cryptographic signature associated with the common public key. The method makes use of a blockchain for communicating and verifying data, and includes transferring control of a transaction using the cryptographic signature obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven WRIGHT, Daniel JOSEPH
  • Publication number: 20220027492
    Abstract: The disclosure provides improved methods and systems for processing, storing, sharing, retrieving, writing and accessing data (content) on a blockchain e.g. Bitcoin. The invention may form part of a protocol for storing, searching and accessing the data. In particular, improved efficiency and also enhanced access control permissions are provided. An embodiment of the disclosure comprises the step of processing at least one blockchain transaction (Tx) comprising: a protocol flag; a discretionary public key (DPK); and a 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 the present invention. This combination of features enables portions of data to be identified, retrieved and shared on a blockchain, and also to be linked/associated with one another when provided in a plurality of transactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Owen Vaughan, Jack Owen Davies, Chloe Ceren Tartan
  • Publication number: 20220027903
    Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and systems for storing, sharing, accessing and processing data (content) on a blockchain. In one embodiment, there is provided a method of identifying a target transaction on a blockchain e.g. Bitcoin, comprising the steps of using a search path to identify the target transaction, the search path comprising: 1) a root transaction index (RTIndex) comprising a public key (RTPK) associated with the root transaction and an ID (RTID) associated with the root transaction; and 2) at least one attribute associated with the root transaction and/or the target transaction. This enables the creation and use of a search path analogous to that known in relation to the internet, but for the blockchain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Owen Vaughan, Jack Owen Davies, Chloe Ceren Tartan
  • Publication number: 20220027491
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for searching a blockchain (e.g. Bitcoin) for data/content stored in one or more blockchain transactions, and accessing that data/content. It may be used in conjunction with a protocol for searching the blockchain. An embodiment of the invention can be arranged to enable a user to search for, access, view, write and/or retrieve a portion of data provided in at least one blockchain transaction (Tx), and also arranged to identify the at least one transaction (Tx) based on a transaction index (TXindex) comprising a transaction ID and a public key associated with the transaction (Tx). The system may comprise a search facility which is either provided within the blockchain search system; or arranged to interface and/or communicate with the blockchain search system. It may also comprise at least one cryptocurrency wallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Owen Vaughan, Jack Owen Davies, Chloe Ceren Tartan
  • Publication number: 20220021662
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Patent number: 11223608
    Abstract: An implementation of the present application provides a computer—implemented method to increase the security of a blockchain—implemented transaction, the transaction including participation from a plurality of participating nodes, each participating node participating as a message originator, selector, and propagator. The method, implemented at a participating node, includes: receiving ciphertext from a prior node and determining whether the participating node is a selector node for said ciphertext received from the prior node. When the participating node is the selector node for said ciphertext, the method includes selecting a subset of said ciphertext, decrypting the selected subset of said ciphertext to provide opted ciphertext and transmitting said opted ciphertext to the next node. When the participating node is other than the selector node for said ciphertext, the method includes decrypting said ciphertext received from the prior node and transmitting the decrypted ciphertext to the next node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Silvia Bartolucci, Pauline Bernat, Daniel Joseph, Craig Steven Wright
  • Publication number: 20220006615
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of distributing a shared secret, such as a transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain among a plurality of participants is disclosed. The method comprise a mapping step wherein a plurality of inputs to the mapping step are mapped to respective elliptic curve points of an elliptic curve of an elliptic curve cryptography system common to the participants. In a first encryption step, a plurality of said elliptic curve points are encrypted by means of a public key of a public-private key pair of the elliptic curve cryptography system to provide an output adapted to be decrypted by means of the corresponding private key of the public-private key pair, and in a second encryption step wherein a plurality of parts of at least one input to said second encryption step are multiplied by respective terms of a series known to said participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: Craig Steven WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11210372
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method (600) and system (1) for verifying ownership 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 blockchain 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: nChain Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Stephane Savanah, Craig Steven Wright
  • Publication number: 20210399898
    Abstract: A method of storing data on a blockchain, such as the bitcoin blockchain, is disclosed. The method comprises generating a blockchain transaction having at least one first input and/or at least one first output containing first data (<Content 1>) to be stored on the blockchain, and at least one second input and/or at least one second output containing second data (<Attribute 1>,<Attribute 2>) representing at least one attribute of the first data. At least one second input and/or at least one second output is separate from the or each first input and/or first output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Jack Owen Davies, Chloe Ceren Tartan, Owen Vaughan
  • Patent number: 11194898
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to blockchain implementations and is suited for, but not limited to, use with the Bitcoin blockchain. It can be used for the implementation of automated processes such as device/system control, process control, distributed computing and storage and others. The invention provides a solution which uses a blockchain to control a process executing on a computing resource. In a preferred embodiment, the 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. It is stored as a hash within the transaction's metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: nChain Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Publication number: 20210374214
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Publication number: 20210377050
    Abstract: A method of obtaining digitally signed data is disclosed. The method comprises sending first data (e2) from at least one of a plurality of first participants to at least one second participant, wherein the first data is based on second data (e) accessible to at least one said first participant, and the second data is inaccessible to the or each said second participant. A digital signature (s1) of the first data is received from at least one said second participant, and the digital signature of the first data is processed, by a plurality of the first participants, to provide shares of a digital signature (s) of the second data, wherein the digital signature of said second data is accessible by means of a threshold number of said shares and is inaccessible to less than said threshold number of shares.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventor: Craig Steven WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20210367772
    Abstract: A method of sharing a first common secret among a plurality of nodes (A, B, C) for enabling secure communication for blockchain transactions such as on the Bitcoin blockchain is disclosed. The method comprises determining, for at least one first node (A) a plurality of second common secrets (SAPC, SAPB), wherein each second common secret is common to the first node and a respective second node (B), is determined at the first node on the basis of a first private key of the first node (SA) and a first public key of the second node (PC, PB) and is determined at the second node on the basis of the first private key of the second node (SB, SC) and the first public key of the first node (PA). A third common secret (SBPC, SCPB) common to the second node (B) and a third node (C) is determined for the second node. The method comprises encrypting, at the first node, shares of the first common secret known to the first node, and sending the encrypted shares to the second nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventor: Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11182782
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention there may be provided a method and corresponding system for controlling the performance of a process conducted via a blockchain. The blockchain may or may not be the Bitcoin blockchain. The process may be a lending process. Advantageously, the invention provides a mechanism which enables the ultimate owner of a property or other asset to borrow funds against that asset, and sets out how this can be achieved in a manner which does not require the return to the investor(s) to be determined through the payment of interest. This makes it compliant with non-interest forms of lending. The invention provides a blockchain-implemented method (and corresponding system) of embedding data in a blockchain transaction (Tx). The method comprises the steps of deriving a public-key-private key cryptographic pair for the data; deriving a signature for the data using the public key-private key cryptographic pair; codifying the data to generate codified metadata for the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: nChain Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Publication number: 20210344510
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes providing a blockchain transaction comprising a public key combination verification function. The blockchain transaction is configured to be redeemable to permit access to, or transfer control of, a resource by providing to the blockchain transaction an input comprising: a plurality of public keys; a gradient value (k) related to two of the plurality of public keys; and a group public key derived from a combination of the public keys and the gradient value (?). The blockchain transaction is configured to apply the public key verification function to the input to verify, upon successful redemption of the transaction, that the group public key is derived from the combination of the plurality of public keys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Craig Steven WRIGHT, Owen VAUGHAN
  • Patent number: 11128607
    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 (IOT) 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Patent number: 11126976
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: nChain Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah