Blockchain-implemented systems and methods for secure access control

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of enabling conditional access to resource. The condition is the performance of a task. The task can be performed by one party or entity on behalf of another party orentity. The person, device or system controlling access to the resource creates a task that includes the broadcast of a transaction on the blockchain. In particular the transaction (part of the task)has a plurality of outputs, including a locking-output. Additional transactions or mechanism are created that enable access to the resource only when the task has been completed. Access to the resource is achieved by (i) the initial broadcast of the resource that makes it conditionally available and (ii) the subsequent broadcast of the transaction, which fulfils or satisfies the condition that enables access to the resource. Multi-signatures and a refund mechanism are used by the parties to lock access to the resource. These multi-signatures are spread between the stages and transactions. Theinitial deposit broadcast makes the resource available, but access is prohibited because it is locked by a first multi-signature and allocated to a refund mechanism. The task, and the transaction tobe broadcast are created wherein the transaction has a locking-output secured by a second multi- signature and also allocated to the refund mechanism. Access to the resource, however, requires both multi-signatures of the refund mechanism to have been signed and the broadcast of the main transaction.

Description

Technical field [0001] This specification generally relates to computer-implemented methods and systems suitable for implementation in a computer processor (for example, a node in a blockchain network) or a group of such processors. An improved method is described that provides a mechanism for securely and conditionally accessing resources or outputs. The method and mechanism utilize blockchain to improve the security and efficiency of the process of providing performance-based access. The present invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, collaboration between two or more participants, where one participant can safely assign or delegate tasks to another participant in exchange for accessing resources through multiple collaboratively configured broadcasts. Background technique [0002] In this document, we use the term "blockchain" to include all forms of computer-based electronic distributed ledger (ledger). These ledgers include consensus-based blockchain and...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0013] Additionally, an agreement between two parties providing performance-based access to a resource may be vulnerable to interrogation and / or corruption

A third party, or even one of the parties, could be a malicious attacker and discover details about said protocol, thereby undermining the blockchain's intended security

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