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: 11941381
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Publication number: 20240091630
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel dice game device. The device is a modified dice game in which players roll different combinations of dice to enter into different areas of a scoresheet. Players earn points based on the combinations they roll to try and win the game. The game introduces the concept that five-of-a-kind numbers, (i.e., 2 thru 5), can be five-of-a-kind and/or a player can split the difference to achieve five-of-a-kind. The game introduces the concept that four-of-a-kind numbers (2 thru 6) with three of the same number can add the two remaining dice together to equal the same number as the three-of-a-kind number already scored to equal four-of-a kind. The game introduces the concept of wild cards that can be entered in any available score area for the maximum point available in that score area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Wright, Mahala Carol Wright
  • Patent number: 11936774
    Abstract: A method (300) and system (1) of determining a common secret for two nodes (3, 7). Each node (3, 7) has a respective asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a master private key and a master public key. Respective second private and public keys may be determined based on the master private key, master public key and a deterministic key. A common secret may be determined at each of the nodes based on the second private and public keys. In one example, a node (3, 7) may determine the common secret based on (i) a second private key based on the node's own master private key and the deterministic key; and (ii) a second public key based on the other node's master public key and the deterministic key. The invention may be suited for use with, but not limited to, digital wallets, blockchain (e.g. Bitcoin) technologies and personal device security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Patent number: 11934494
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Publication number: 20240078538
    Abstract: A system is provided for performing transaction mixing between a plurality of users on a blockchain. The system is configured to carry out the steps of: selecting an initiator node to calculate a deterministic hash function using a chosen random number; distribute the deterministic hash function to a plurality of users on the blockchain; choose an amount of time each user is given to construct a payment channel, retrieve the random number, and submit an execution transaction to a blockchain network; choose a second time for when a payment to a user is submitted to the blockchain network; and establish a one-way payment channel between every pair of users in an ordered set of the plurality of users to establish a transaction chain linking all users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel JOSEPH, Craig Steven WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11922149
    Abstract: A method and system for generating a transaction for a blockchain protocol are disclosed. The method comprises using a software resource to receive, generate, or derive at least one data item, insert, at least once, a portion of code into a script associated with the transaction, where the script is written in a language that is functionally restricted. Upon execution of the script, the portion of code provides functionality of a control flow mechanism controlled or influenced by the at least one data item. The method further comprises using the software resource to generate the blockchain transaction comprising the script and submit the blockchain transaction to a blockchain network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Patent number: 11924325
    Abstract: Techniques are presented 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. Techniques include a method comprising generating a blockchain transaction (TxA) indicative of a condition on use of, or access to, the resource for a specified period of time, the blockchain transaction comprising a multi-signature script requiring a plurality of signatures for completion of the blockchain transaction; providing a first subset of the plurality of signatures to the blockchain transaction (TxA) to generate a partially signed signature script to partially complete the blockchain transaction (SI 14); and responsive to the condition on the use of, or access to, the resource being satisfied, providing a second subset of the plurality of signatures (S204) to the blockchain transaction to fully complete the blockchain transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Stephane Vincent, Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11917051
    Abstract: A computer-implemented access method is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a verification data item of a one-way function chain of data items; (ii) submitting, to a blockchain (such as the Bitcoin blockchain), an access blockchain transaction comprising a data item of the chain; (iii) applying the one-way function to the data item to provide an output; (iv) comparing the output of step (iii) to the verification item to provide an outcome; and (v) based on the outcome of step (iv): (a) allocating the output as a further verification data item for verifying a further data item of the chain; and (b) granting access to a resource associated with the data item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventor: Craig Steven Wright
  • Publication number: 20240064008
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of transferring control of a digital asset on a blockchain network. The method described in one of the embodiments provides an advantage of enabling easy increase of the number of participants in the signature scheme. The method comprises the steps of distributing a version of cryptographic key, encrypted by means of cryptography system, to a plurality of second participants, wherein a homomorphic property enables derivation of a second public key from a first public key and said version of said cryptographic key. The shares communicated to each a first and/or second participant may be inaccessible to each other said first and/or second participants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventor: Craig Steven Wright
  • Publication number: 20240062200
    Abstract: A method, system and program enabling a third party to determine whether a first party and a second party agree on membership of a set of blockchain transactions transacting between the first and second party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Craig Steven WRIGHT, Liuxuan PAN, Owen VAUGHAN
  • Patent number: 11902441
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method to validate a block at a node within a network of nodes implementing a blockchain conforming to a blockchain protocol. This may be the Bitcoin protocol or an alternative. The method includes determining, serially, that each unspent transaction output referenced as an input in each of the plurality of transactions is unique and, based on that determination allocating each transaction in the plurality of transactions to one of two or more parallel processors, and verifying, in parallel, by the two or more parallel processors, that the transactions in the plurality of transactions comply with transaction-level validation criteria. The node also determines that the block meets block-level validation criteria. If the transactions comply with transaction-level validation criteria and the block complies with block-level validation criteria, the block is deemed valid and the node forwards the block to one or more peer nodes in the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Patrick Motylinski, Stephane Vincent, Giuseppe Destefanis, Simone Madeo, Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11902371
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Giuseppe Destefanis, Patrick Motylinski, Stephane Vincent, Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11900363
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for establishing information on a state of a machine-executable contract in the context of unspent transactions (UTXOs), blockchain and deterministic finite automaton implementation of contracts, and determination of states within those. Stages of a method include determining information of interest and codes or tags identifying that information, constructing metadata associated with those codes or tags, and combining the metadata with a public key for an agent associated with the information. ScriptPubKey values of each script are used to provide keys for constructing a database and mapping the keys from the scriptPubKey values, linked to the information. A derivation of script hash addresses from the scriptPubKey values is used to populate a digital wallet. A search and match algorithm is used to find UTXOs with matching script hash addresses on a blockchain. The database is populated with UTXOs that match the script hash addresses and keys to complete the combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Pedro Jimenez-Delgado, Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11900364
    Abstract: The invention presents a solution in which blockchain Transactions are created to implement the functionality of a logic gate. The invention may be implemented on the Bitcoin platform or an alternative blockchain platform. The transaction includes a locking script which comprises instructions selected so as to implement the functionality of a logic gate such as OR, AND, XOR, NOT and so on. In some examples, the instructions may be provided in a hashed form. When the script is executed (because a second transaction is attempting to spend the output associated with the locking script) the inputs will be processed by the conditional instructions to provide an output of TRUE or FALSE. The second transaction is transmitted to the blockchain network for validation and, if determined to be valid, it will be written to the blockchain. Validation of the second transaction can be interpreted as a TRUE output. Thus, the locking script of the first transaction provides the functionality of the desired logic gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Stephane Savanah
  • Patent number: 11902439
    Abstract: Techniques are presented relating to security of blockchain transactions that transfer digital assets or entities from one resource to another. Techniques provide a computer-implemented method for improving the security, anonymity and/or control of a value-mixing blockchain transaction having a plurality of participating nodes, each node having a respective output address to which the transaction is to allocate value. The method includes encrypting by a node its output address using that node's public key, adding the encrypted output address to a set of output addresses for the transaction, shuffling the order of the encrypted output addresses in the set. Each participating node identifies its encrypted output address in the set, and replaces its encrypted output address with its unencrypted output address. The result is a shuffled set of output addresses that cannot be linked to a particular input. with its unencrypted output address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Daniel Joseph, Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11893074
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of accessing data from one or more destination transactions stored on a blockchain, wherein the method comprises selecting one or more hyperlinks linking to the destination transaction(s). According to a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a request-response protocol for requesting access to data from a destination transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Brock Doiron, Craig Steven Wright
  • Patent number: 11893009
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure proposes methods, devices and systems and devices for providing a new structured data pertaining to blockchain transactions to implement a new data structure. This new data structure is provided to implement a distributed database. In another aspect, a new distributed data management system (DBMS) is provided, that can manage data associated with the new data structure. However, unlike a conventional DBMS for traditional databases, the present disclosure provides a blockchain DBMS that is configured to managed data associated with one or more blockchain transactions, said data being stored in the new data structure. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for generating or providing one or more blockchain transactions for implementing one or more standard database commands that are received for accessing or manipulating a database, where the data is stored on the new data structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Craig Steven Wright, Brock Gilles Doiron
  • Publication number: 20240039742
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of alerting users to on-chain events, wherein a primary user is associated with a primary user public key, and wherein the method is performed by an alerting entity and comprises: identifying one or more event transactions, wherein each event transaction comprising respective event data; generating a primary alert transaction, wherein the primary alert transaction comprises a first output locked to the primary user public key, and a second output comprising alert data, and wherein the alert data comprises a respective identifier of each identified event transaction; and transmitting the primary alert transaction to the blockchain network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Liuxuan PAN, Chloe TARTAN, Craig Steven WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11886420
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for transferring a total data record from an input node to an output node using a blockchain. The total data record may be a total payment, in some cases, such as using Bitcoin. The output node shares public key material and the input node selects unspent transaction outputs to use in paying the total value, and determines a plurality of outputs payable to the output node in fixed denominations. The input node generates an output address for each output using the public key material and a respective random number, and mixes the inputs and outputs in one or more coin mixing transactions. A nonce public key for each output, generated based on the respective random number, is shared with the output node either separately or through the blockchain, and the output node can derive the corresponding private key for each output address, enabling it to search for and identify the outputs to which it can then claim ownership.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: nChain Licensing AG
    Inventors: Martin Sewell, Daniel Joseph, Craig Steven Wright
  • Publication number: 20240028702
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Craig Steven WRIGHT, Stephane SAVANAH