Abstract: The invention provides a computer-implemented method for performing an exchange via a blockchain, comprising the step of submitting a funding transaction to the blockchain network, wherein the funding transaction i) comprises a tokenised contract relating to an asset to be transferred from a second user to a first user; and ii) is signed by the first user. It also comprises the step of sending, from the first user to the second user, one or more subsequent transactions wherein each said subsequent transaction spends an output of the funding transaction and is signed by the first user. It includes the step of submitting one of the subsequent transactions to the blockchain network, the submitted transaction having been signed by the second user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing images for extracting information about known objects comprises the steps of receiving an image containing a view of a known object at a scale dependent on an object distance of the known object from an image capture location of the image; determining, from a world model representing one or more known objects in the vicinity of the image capture location, an object location of the known object, the object location and the image capture location defined in a world frame of reference; and based on the image capture location and the object location in the world frame of reference, applying image scaling to the image, to extract a rescaled image containing a rescaled view of the known object at a scale that is substantially independent of the object distance from the image capture location.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledger technologies such as consensus-based blockchains, for example, a Bitcoin blockchain. Computer-implemented methods for a trustless, deterministic state machine that is embodied by the locking script of a spending transaction are described. The spending transaction transfers control of at least one digital asset or portion thereof. The spending transaction references a previous transaction that includes a locking script with a bytecode sequence. The spending transaction also includes a locking script with the same bytecode sequence. The spending transaction can be validated by verifying that the bytecode sequences of the locking scripts of the spending and previous transactions match one another. Control of the at least one digital asset or portion thereof can be transferred as a result of execution of the locking script. For example, the locking script can impose a set of conditions for validation of the spending transaction.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method enables the selection of improved algorithms that solve technical problems, such as data processing problems, computational science problems, inverse problems, and optimisation problems, using a data network of connected nodes. The technical problem is an optimisable proof of work problem (OPOW) deployed at a network node as part of a protocol requiring OPOW to be performed. An algorithm implementation is run on the node to generate a solution to the OPOW problem, and the solution is sent for verification. Reward tokens are sent to the ‘innovator’ entity that creates or publishes the algorithm that solves the instance of the problem, as an incentive to create and publish improved algorithms. Reward tokens are also sent to the ‘benchmarking’ entity that runs the algorithm implementation to generate a solution to the instance of the problem, as an incentive to identify or select an improved algorithm.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods are provided that create and validate a spending blockchain transaction created by a node in a blockchain network and including a locking script representing an instance of an execution thread joined from a plurality of execution threads represented at least one previous blockchain transaction. The spending blockchain also represents an execution thread joined from the execution thread instances pointed to by the spending blockchain transaction. Once created and validated, the spending blockchain transaction can be communicated on a blockchain network for storage in a blockchain ledger. The blockchain transactions can implement thread-specific locking scripts and associated fork, join and barrier constructs for concurrent or asynchronous threads of execution. The blockchain transactions can be validated according to constraints of a smart contract that encodes the terms for the blockchain transactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledger technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. Computer-implemented methods for locking and unlocking blockchain transactions are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network. A first unlocking script of the unlocking blockchain transaction is configured to unlock a first locking script, wherein the first locking script is configured, when executed together with the first unlocking script, to determine, based on the first locking script and a constraint for verifying the unlocking blockchain transaction. Verifying the unlocking blockchain transaction is based on a set of constraints and corresponding field of the unlocking blockchain transaction, wherein data is based on the set of constraints. Providing data at the corresponding field of the unlocking blockchain transaction. Finally, making the unlocking blockchain transaction available to one or more nodes of a blockchain network.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledger technologies such as consensus-based blockchains, for example, a Bitcoin blockchain. Computer-implemented methods for a trustless, deterministic state machine that is embodied by the locking script of a spending transaction are described. The spending transaction transfers control of at least one digital asset or portion thereof. The spending transaction references a previous transaction that includes a locking script with a bytecode sequence. The spending transaction also includes a locking script with the same bytecode sequence. The spending transaction can be validated by verifying that the bytecode sequences of the locking scripts of the spending and previous transactions match one another. Control of the at least one digital asset or portion thereof can be transferred as a result of execution of the locking script. For example, the locking script can impose a set of conditions for validation of the spending transaction.

Abstract: Trustless deterministic state machines can be implemented using a blockchain infrastructure and state machines can run concurrently over more than one blockchain transaction. The transactions can be done in a Bitcoin blockchain ledger. A first set of constraints on a first unlocking transaction output is determined. A second set of constraints on a second unlocking transaction output is determined. An initial transaction is created to include at least one initial locking script that includes the first set of constraints and the second set of constraints and at least one redeemable value, with unlocking the at least one redeemable value being contingent upon the first set of constraints being satisfied, at least in part, by validating that a unlocking transaction includes the first transaction output, and the second set of constraints being satisfied, at least in part, by validating that the unlocking transaction includes the second transaction output.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain network such as, for example, the Bitcoin network. The computer-implemented method includes: i) receiving, at a node in a blockchain network, a first transaction associated with a digital asset, the first transaction including a first script that specifies a set of constraints on a second transaction to transfer control of the digital asset, the set of constraints including a constraint that a set of data obtained by the node includes information obtained from a blockchain associated with the blockchain network; ii) obtaining the second transaction, the second transaction including a second script that, as a result of being executed, causes the node to obtain the set of data; and iii) validating the second transaction by executing the first script and the second script.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledger technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. Computer-implemented methods for locking blockchain transactions are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network. A first locking script is configured in a blockchain network. The first locking script is executed together with a first unlocking script, based on data obtained by executing the first unlocking script and a set of constraints. Verification that a first set of field values of the unlocking blockchain transaction is obtained by executing the first unlocking script and the set of constraints against the unlocking blockchain transaction. Validating the unlocking blockchain transaction according to the set of constraints. Finally, making the locking blockchain transaction available to one or more nodes of the blockchain network.

Abstract: Trustless deterministic state machines can be implemented using a blockchain infrastructure and state machines can run concurrently over more than one blockchain transaction. Disclosed herein are processes, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture to create, at a node, a first transaction that includes 1) a first output having a first spendable value and a first locking script and 2) a second output having a second spendable value and a second locking script. Included, in the first locking script, is a first set of constraints on a first selected transaction output. Included, in the second locking script, a second set of constraints on a second selected transaction output. Furthermore, either the first set of constraints or the second set of constraints is configured to impose a constraint on a locking script of a spending transaction having as a spending transaction output the first selected transaction output or the second selected transaction output.

Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented using a blockchain network. The computer-implemented method includes: i) receiving, at a node in a blockchain network, a first transaction associated with a digital asset, the first transaction including a locking script that specifies a set of constraints on a second transaction to transfer control of the digital asset, one of the constraints being associated with a set of data; ii) obtaining the second transaction, the second transaction including an unlocking script that, as a result of being executed, causes the node to obtain the set of data; and iii) validating the second transaction by executing the locking script and the unlocking script.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for causing an injection of a serialized set of field values of an unlocking transaction into a locking script are described. The methods and systems are implemented using a blockchain network. A first transaction to validate is received at a node in the blockchain network. The first transaction includes a first script that includes a set of field values of the first transaction and, as a result of being executed, causes the node to obtain a set of field values. A second transaction is obtained, with the second transaction having been validated. The second transaction includes a second script that, as a result of being executed, causes the node to generate a signature based at least in part on the set of field values supplied as a result of execution of the first script.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes: i) receiving, at a node in a blockchain network, a first transaction associated with a digital asset, the first transaction specifying at least: a) a first set of constraints on a second transaction to transfer control of the digital asset, the first set of constraints including one or more constraints that cause the second transaction to contain a set of data from the blockchain network; and b) a second set of constraints on the second transaction, the second set of constraints including a constraint that the set of data includes a block that includes the first transaction, the block included in a blockchain associated with the blockchain network; ii) verifying that the first set of constraints and the second set of constraints are satisfied; and iii) transferring control of the digital asset based at least in part on the verifying.

Abstract: Techniques presented are related to distributed ledge technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. The methods and systems of the present disclosure are provided for causing receiving, at a node in a blockchain network, a first transaction to validate, the first transaction including a first script that at least: includes a set of field values of the first transaction; and causes, as a result of being executed, the node to obtain the set of field values; obtaining a second transaction, the second transaction having been validated and including a second script that, as a result of being executed, causes the node to at least generate a signature based at least in part on a private cryptographic key and a mask number; and validating the first transaction by executing the first script and the second script.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method using a blockchain network includes: i) receiving, at a node in a blockchain network, a first transaction associated with a digital asset, the first transaction specifying at least: a) a first set of constraints on a second transaction to transfer control of the digital asset, the first set of constraints including one or more constraints that cause the second transaction to contain a set of data from the blockchain network; and b) a second set of constraints on the second transaction, the second set of constraints including a constraint that the set of data includes a block that includes the first transaction, the block included in a blockchain associated with the blockchain network; ii) verifying that the first set of constraints and the second set of constraints are satisfied; and iii) transferring control of the digital asset based at least in part on the verifying.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledge technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. Computer-implemented methods for a secure random number generation within blockchain scripts are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network, which may be, for example, a Bitcoin blockchain. A first transaction that includes a puzzle is validated at a node in a blockchain network, with the first transaction being associated with a digital asset, and with a solution to the puzzle being indeterminable at a time of validation of the first transaction. A pseudorandom number, based at least in part on a solution to the puzzle that is included in a second transaction, is generated at least in part by validating the second transaction, the second transaction created to transfer control of the digital asset associated with the first transaction. Control of the digital asset is transferred based at least in part on the pseudorandom number.

Abstract: The invention relates to distributed ledge technologies such as consensus-based blockchains. Computer-implemented methods for a trustless, deterministic state machine are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network, which may be, for example, a Bitcoin blockchain. A first transaction validate is received at a node in a blockchain network. The first transaction includes a first script that, as a result of being executed, causes the node to at least obtain a first set of field values of the first transaction, a second set of field values of a second transaction, and an input. The second transaction is obtained.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling an external process or system and allowing a modification of blockchain transaction outputs, the method comprising one or more steps to generate a blockchain transaction comprising at least one signed input which comprises a value and at least one modifiable output, extract one or more values from one or more signed inputs associated with one or more combination locks, provide one of the values to a portion of logic to obtain a result, and use the result to modify at least one modifiable output of the transaction, wherein the transaction represents the result, wherein the values are extracted external from the blockchain transaction, and wherein the transaction are submitted to the blockchain.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for locking a blockchain transaction based on undetermined data are described. The invention is implemented using a blockchain network. This may, for example, be the Bitcoin blockchain. A locking node may include a locking script in a blockchain transaction to lock a digital asset. The locking script includes a public key for a determined data source and instructions to cause a validating node executing the locking script to verify the source of data provided in an unlocking script by: a) generating a modified public key based on the public key for the determined data source and based on data defined in the unlocking script; and b) evaluating a cryptographic signature in the unlocking script based on the modified public key. The blockchain transaction containing the locking script is sent by the locking node to the blockchain network. The lock may be removed using a cryptographic signature generated from a private key modified based on the data.