Method for tracking digital information elements in a computer system

Abstract

A method for tracking digital information elements in a computer system is disclosed. The invention relates to a method for tracking digital information elements (2) in a computer system (1), the computer system (1) comprising electronic devices (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) of users and a system (3) for archiving digital information elements (2), the system (3) comprising a blockchain-type distributed database (5a), the method comprising: - a step of making a digital information element (2) from an electronic device (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f) of one of the users, - a step of archiving the digital information element (2), the archiving step comprising a sub-step of generating an identification element (6) of a version of the digital information element (2), the method comprising a step of adding in the distributed database (5a) an identification element (6) signed by means of a security element associated with the user and / or his electronic device (4a to 4f), the adding step comprising a sub-step of encrypting the identification element (6) according to an encryption algorithm and a security element, the encryption algorithm comprising at least one measurement variable associated with the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for tracking digital information elements in a computer system, the computer system comprising a user electronic device connected to a system for archiving digital information elements.

[0002] The invention also relates to a computer program. Background Art

[0003] Methods for tracking digital information elements are conventionally implemented in computer systems in order to learn about the use of these digital information elements, and in particular about the evolution of this use over time. These digital information elements are digital files that include information such as technical information or text, audio or video information. As an example, when a digital information element includes technical information related to a timepiece, the traceability of this information element allows tracking the evolution of the technical information related to the design of the timepiece over time. In this example, the technical information may cover one or more conceptual (multiple) plans of the timepiece.

[0004] Computer systems comprising distributed databases of the blockchain type that participate in implementing such traceability methods are known in the prior art. In these systems, these databases contribute in particular to protecting the storage of such digital information elements, and this is achieved by systematically encrypting these digital information elements according to an encryption algorithm.

[0005] However, with the advancement of quantum computers provided with increasing high computing power capable of processing quantum volumes that may reach 64 qubits, such protection of these digital information elements may be compromised.

[0006] In this context, it is understood that there is a need to find a solution, in particular a solution which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a safe, reliable, trustworthy and robust solution for tracking digital information elements.

[0008] To this end, a method for tracking digital information elements in a computer system, the computer system comprising an electronic device of a user and a system for archiving digital information elements, the system for archiving digital information elements comprising a blockchain-type distributed database, the method comprising:

[0009] - a step of producing a digital information element from an electronic device of one of the users,

[0010] - a step of archiving said digital information element, said archiving step comprising the sub-step of generating an identification element of the version of the digital information element,

[0011] The method includes the step of adding an identification element signed with the aid of a security element associated with the user and / or his electronic device into the distributed database, the adding step including the sub-step of encrypting the identification element according to an encryption algorithm and the security element, the encryption algorithm including at least one measurement variable associated with the user.

[0012] In other embodiments:

[0013] - said generation sub-step comprises a phase of calculating a hash value for said digital information element;

[0014] - said archiving step comprises a sub-step of storing the digital information element associated with the identification element in a further database of an archiving system to which the user's electronic device is connected;

[0015] - said at least one metric variable of the encryption algorithm is an environmental variable related to an environmental characteristic of the user;

[0016] - said at least one metric variable of the encryption algorithm is a location variable related to a geo-location characteristic of the user;

[0017] - said at least one measurement variable of the encryption algorithm is a biometric variable related to a biological characteristic of the user; and / or

[0018] - said at least one metric variable of the encryption algorithm is a time variable related to the date on which the adding step is initiated;

[0019] - Environmental variables include values ​​related to temperature, humidity levels or atmospheric pressure measured in the environment in which the user is located;

[0020] - Location variables include values ​​related to geographic coordinates or location codes measured by a geolocation device carried by the user;

[0021] - the method comprises the steps of accessing the system for archiving digital information elements through an electronic device of one of the users according to access elements associated with the electronic device and / or the user, and

[0022] - The security element is a private key and the access element is a certificate or a public key.

[0023] The invention relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the method when said program is executed by a control unit of an archiving system and an electronic device of a user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Referring to the schematic diagram of the implementation of the present invention Figure 1Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following description which is provided for illustrative and non-limiting purposes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] exist Figure 1 , a method for tracking digital information elements 2 in a computer system 1 is illustrated, the computer system 1 comprising electronic devices 4a to 4b of a user and a system 3 for archiving digital information elements 2. These digital information elements 2 are digital files comprising digital information, such as technical information, text, audio or video information, or information related to a computer application (e.g. source code). As an example, the digital information may relate to technical data about a timepiece (e.g. a conceptual plan of a clock movement or clock assembly), cadastral data, bank transaction data, medical data of a patient, digital identity data, etc.

[0026] In the computer system 1, the system 3 for archiving digital information elements 2 includes a first database 5a and a second database 5b, which are respectively a blockchain-type distributed database 5a and another non-relational or relational database 5b. The blockchain 5a is a distributed and secure database in which successive identification elements 6 made by the user's electronic devices 4a to 4f are archived in chronological order in the form of blocks 7 associated with each other. These identification elements 6, which we will describe in more detail later, relate to different versions of the digital information elements 2. Therefore, the blockchain 5a can be a register that is recorded and synchronized simultaneously on a computer network, which is developed by the addition of new identification elements 6 that are previously confirmed by the entire network and are intended to never be modified or deleted. Therefore, the distributed register is a large number of identification elements 6 distributed on several computers. In other words, the register allows the production of a database in which the identification elements 6 constituting the data are dispersed among the users acting on the blockchain 5a. Therefore, the blockchain 5a can be distributed to different computers via a peer-to-peer mechanism. The blockchain 5a is provided with a management mechanism that allows to always ensure a satisfactory confidence level in the non-falsification of the identification elements 6.

[0027] The archiving system 3 comprises a control unit 9, which comprises at least one microcontroller. The control unit 9 is connected to the electronic devices 4a to 4b, thereby enabling users to interact with the archiving system 3 of the computer system 1. Each electronic device 4a to 4f comprises a processing unit 8, which comprises software and hardware elements (processor, memory element) and a human-machine interface. In a non-restrictive and non-exhaustive manner, the electronic devices 4a to 4f can be computers, smart phones or tablet computers or smart watches. It should be noted that, depending on the nature and characteristics of the digital information elements 2, these users can be employees of companies such as watch manufacturers, employees or consumers of engineering offices, online merchants (whether professional or not), commodity sellers or service providers, legal or management entities, etc.

[0028] In this case, the method comprises a step of accessing the system 3 for archiving digital information elements 2 through the electronic device 4a to 4f of one of the users according to an access element associated with the electronic device 4a to 4f and / or the user. The access element is associated with the electronic device 4a to 4f and / or the user because it has been generated specifically for the electronic device 4a to 4f and / or its user in the case of the user associated with the archiving system 3. Such an access element can be archived in a memory element of a processing unit 8 of the electronic device 4a to 4f used by the user to connect to the archiving system 3 and interact with the archiving system 3. The access element can also be included in a data medium, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive or a magnetic card or chip card. Such a data medium is adapted to be connected to the electronic device 4a to 4f. It should therefore be understood that access to the archiving system 3 means access to the first database 5a and the second database 5b and therefore in particular to the blockchain 5a.

[0029] The method then comprises a step of making a digital information element 2 from the user's electronic device 4a to 4f. This step may be performed before or after the accessing step. During this making step, the user's electronic device 4a to 4f generates a digital information element 2 from its processing unit 8. As we have seen before, this digital information element 2 consists of a file comprising technical information related to the timepiece in the form of text and graphics / drawings.

[0030] Next, the method comprises a step of archiving said digital information element 2. This archiving step comprises a sub-step of generating an identification element 6 of a version of said digital information element 2. More specifically, this generating sub-step comprises a phase of calculating a hash value for said digital information element 2. This hash value associated with the digital information element 2 is unique. During this calculation phase, the processing unit 8 of the user's electronic device 4a to 4f implements one or several (multiple) calculation operations which provide for the application of a hash function to said digital information element 2 in order to obtain the hash value.

[0031] Afterwards, the archiving step comprises the sub-step of storing the information element 2 in a further database 5b (also referred to as the second database 5b) of the archiving system 3 to which the user's electronic device 4a to 4b is connected, in association with the identification element 6 of the version of this information element 2. In other words, the information element 2 and the identification element 6 are archived together in this second database 5b, and this is achieved by being associated with each other.

[0032] The method comprises a step of adding in a first database 5a (in this example, a distributed database 5a) an identification element 6 signed by means of a security element associated with the user and / or their electronic device 4a to 4f. The addition of the identification element 6 is performed by the user by means of a processing unit 8 of an electronic device 4a to 4f enabling the user to connect to the distributed database 5a.

[0033] In this method, the security element is a private key and the access element, which we have already mentioned before, is a certificate or a public key. An electronic certificate (also referred to as a digital certificate or a public key certificate) can be incorporated into a digital identity card of the user and / or their electronic device 4a to 4f. Its participation in accessing the archiving system 3 and in particular accessing the blockchain 5a enables the identification and / or authentication of the user and / or their electronic device. Therefore, the access element thus enables the user and / or their electronic device to access the chain and in particular access the identification element 6 included in the block 7 of the chain 5a. The access element also enables the user and / or their electronic device to add a new identification element 6 in the blockchain 5a. It should be noted that alternatively in other embodiments, the security element can be a certificate or a public key and the access element can be a private key.

[0034] This adding step comprises a sub-step of encrypting said identification element 6 according to an encryption algorithm and a security element. More specifically, the identification element 6 that has been generated to identify the version of the digital information element 2 made by the user is then subjected to encryption by the algorithm, which implements security elements and measurement variables related to the individual. These measurement variables are associated with values ​​related to the environment, location and / or biometric characteristics of the user. In other words, these measurement variables (also called "real-time measurement variables" or "instantaneous measurement variables") are therefore used by the encryption algorithm and may be:

[0035] -Environmental variables related to the user's environmental characteristics;

[0036] - location variables related to the user's geo-location characteristics, and / or

[0037] -Biometric variables related to the user's biological characteristics.

[0038] In this case, the environmental variables include, for example, values ​​relating to the temperature, humidity level, or atmospheric pressure measured in the environment in which the user is located.

[0039] When it consists of position variables, this includes those related to geographical coordinates measured by a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) geolocation device carried by the user and associated with a GPS device such as GLONASS TM (Global Navigation Satellite System), Galileo TM ,QZSS TM (quasi-Zenith satellite system) or Beidou TM Alternatively, the location variable may include a location code corresponding to the user's exact location. This may be a short code consisting of 6 or 7 numbers and / or letters. Such a code may be obtained through an online mapping technology platform known in the prior art (such as Google Maps, which belongs to the company Google) TM Pluscode TM ” platform).

[0040] With respect to biometric variables, this includes values ​​relating to measured biological characteristics of the user, such as skin temperature, pulse, respiration rate, blood oxygen saturation, skin impedance, respiratory arrhythmia, sweat rate, blood oxygen saturation, or blood flow rate.

[0041] It should be noted that the metric variable may also be a time variable associated with the date when the adding step was initiated.

[0042] Afterwards, the step of adding comprises the sub-step of storing the signed identification element 6 in a new block 7 of the chain 5a. This block 7 is thus added to the chronological order of the blocks 7 of the chain 5a.

[0043] In particular, such a method involves building a system 3 for archiving digital information elements 2 with a unique random encryption function using a security element that is almost tamper-proof (and even tamper-proof). Thus, the digital information elements 2 are stored in the archiving system while being associated with a date and an hour. Thus, in particular thanks to the distributed database 5a, the points in time at which the operations of modifying and saving the digital information elements 2 are performed are therefore recorded.

[0044] The invention also covers a computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the method when said program is executed by the control unit 9 of the archiving system 3 and the electronic device 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4f of the user.

Claims

1. A method for tracking digital information elements in a computer system, the computer system comprising electronic devices of a plurality of users and an archiving system for archiving digital information elements, the archiving system comprising a blockchain-type distributed database, the method comprising: - receiving a digital information element from an electronic device of one of the plurality of users, wherein the digital information element comprises digital information of technical information in the form of text and drawings of a timepiece, - archiving the digital information element, the archiving comprising generating an identification element indicating a version of the digital information element, wherein the archiving comprises storing the digital information element associated with the identification element in a further non-relational or relational database of the archiving system to which the user's electronic device is connected, and - adding the generated identification element in the blockchain-based distributed database for access by the user and / or the electronic device, the generated identification element having been signed using a security element associated with the user and / or the electronic device, the adding comprising encrypting the generated identification element using an encryption algorithm and a security element, the encryption algorithm comprising encrypting the generated identification element using at least one metric variable associated with the user, Wherein at least one measurement variable used by the encryption algorithm comprises a biometric variable related to a biometric characteristic of the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The generating includes calculating a hash value for the digital information element to generate an identification element.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The at least one metric variable used by the encryption algorithm further comprises: - environmental variables related to environmental characteristics of the user; - a location variable related to the geo-location characteristics of the user; and / or - A time variable related to the date when said addition was initiated.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The environmental variables include values ​​related to temperature, humidity levels, or atmospheric pressure measured in an environment in which the user is located.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: The location variable comprises a value associated with a geographic coordinate or location code measured by a geo-location device carried by the user.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further comprises accessing, by an electronic device of one of the plurality of users, the archiving system for archiving digital information elements according to access elements associated with the electronic device and / or the user.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The security element is the private key and the access element is the certificate or public key.

8. A computer program product comprising program code instructions for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when the computer program product is executed by a control unit of an archiving system and an electronic device of a user.

Images