Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a technique excellent in processing speed and security, related to correctness discrimination using a token on a block chain.SOLUTION: A second token is issued, with respect to a first token as a non-fungible token managed on a block chain (S130). The issued second token is associated with information on the first token, and stored in a storage unit (S150). It is determined whether or not the first token corresponding to the second token is present on the block chain, by searching the storage unit for the second token (S220, S230).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] A technology for managing the usage rights of an object using a blockchain is already known (see Patent Document 1). A token is issued to prove the ownership of the object, and when the owner of the object changes, the owner information of the token is updated.

[0003] There is also known a system that issues a token to a user and controls the user's entry into a restricted area by determining the validity of the user using the token. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-149906 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, it takes time to search and refer to tokens on a blockchain. In addition, tokens managed on a blockchain are usually fixed information. Therefore, in an environment where the ownership of tokens changes, there is a possibility that the previous owner may misuse the token based on information that he or she knew in the past.

[0006] Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a technology that is excellent in terms of processing speed and security of token use for determining legitimacy using tokens on a blockchain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an information processing system. The information processing system includes an issuing unit, a storage unit, and a determination unit. The issuing unit is configured to issue a second token for a first token that is a non-fungible token managed on a blockchain.

[0008] The storage unit is configured to store the second token issued by the issuing unit in association with information about the first token. The determination unit is configured to determine whether or not a first token corresponding to the second token exists on the blockchain by searching the second token in the storage unit.

[0009] According to this information processing system, it is possible to quickly determine whether a non-fungible token exists on the blockchain by referring to the storage unit without referring to the blockchain. Furthermore, the second token can be used as a variable token that has one-to-one correspondence with one non-fungible token. Furthermore, security can be improved by issuing a new second token to counter a security degradation caused by information leakage of the second token.

[0010] Therefore, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing system that is excellent in terms of processing speed and security of token use when determining legitimacy using tokens on a blockchain.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the determination unit may be configured to determine whether a non-fungible token corresponding to the specified token exists on the blockchain by searching for a second token identical to the specified token in the storage unit.

[0012] According to this information processing system, it is possible to determine whether a non-fungible token exists on a blockchain based on the designation of a second token, without designating a corresponding non-fungible token.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the blockchain that manages the non-fungible token may be a public blockchain. Searching for a token in a public blockchain takes time. Therefore, applying the above-mentioned information processing system to a non-fungible token managed in a public blockchain is advantageous in terms of processing speed. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the blockchain that manages the non-fungible token may be a private blockchain.

[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing system may further include a display control unit. The display control unit may be configured to control a display device to display an information screen explaining a second token associated with the first token when an instruction to display an information screen regarding the first token is received.

[0015] By selectively displaying only the second token without displaying the first token, it is possible to provide the user with the identification information of the token by displaying the second token while keeping the first token secret. This effect is significant in terms of security, for example, in an environment where the owner of a single non-fungible token may change.

[0016] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there may be provided an information processing method, which may include issuing a second token for a first token as a non-fungible token managed on a blockchain.

[0017] The information processing method may further include storing the issued second token in a storage unit in association with information of the first token.

[0018] The information processing method may further include determining whether a first token corresponding to the second token exists on the blockchain by searching the second token in the storage unit. The information processing method may be an information processing method executed by a computer.

[0019] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method may be provided. The computer program may be recorded in a non-transitory recording medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a non-fungible token, a reference token, and a two-dimensional code. [Diagram 3] 11 is a flowchart showing a registration-related process executed by a processor of the information processing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration of a token management database. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart illustrating a request-related process executed by a processor. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart showing update-related processing executed by a processor. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between ownership transfer and tokens. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a registration-related process in the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a token management database in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an exemplary information screen configuration. [Figure 12] 11 is a flowchart showing a display control process executed by a processor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] 1 is configured to determine the validity of a request from a user by using a non-fungible token. The information processing system 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 13, a storage 15, and a communication interface 17.

[0022] For simplicity of explanation, an example will be described in which the information processing system 10 is configured from one server. However, it goes without saying that the hardware configuration of the information processing system 10 is not limited to this.

[0023] That is, the information processing system 10 may be configured with one or multiple redundant servers. Examples of the multiple servers include a front-end server, a back-end server, and a database server. The operation of the information processing system 10 described below may be understood to be realized by multiple servers.

[0024] The processor 11 of the information processing system 10 executes processing in accordance with a computer program stored in the storage 15. The memory 13 is used as a work area when the processor 11 executes processing. The communication interface 17 is configured to be capable of communicating with an external system via a wide area network such as the Internet.

[0025] The information processing system 10 is particularly configured to be able to communicate with a blockchain 20 as an external system that manages non-fungible tokens through a communication interface 17. The blockchain 20 may be a public blockchain or a private blockchain. Hereinafter, a non-fungible token is referred to as an NFT.

[0026] The information processing system 10 is further configured to be able to communicate with a security gate system 30 that performs door lock management and the like, via the communication interface 17. The security gate system 30 is a system that controls the entry of users into restricted areas by locking / unlocking doors or opening / closing gates. The information processing system 10 is configured to determine the legitimacy of an entry request from a user, using a reference token shown in FIG. 2 associated with an NFT.

[0027] The security gate system 30 includes a reader (not shown) capable of reading two-dimensional codes. The security gate system 30 is configured to read two-dimensional codes displayed on a user terminal 40, which is an information terminal carried by a user, and transmit the read two-dimensional code to the information processing system 10 via a wide area network.

[0028] Each user who has the authority to enter the restricted area is assigned an individual NFT (see FIG. 2). In this embodiment, a reference token is issued based on this NFT. A two-dimensional code for entry is issued to the user who has the authority to enter based on the reference token. The issued two-dimensional code is transmitted to the corresponding user terminal 40.

[0029] The user can transmit an entrance request to the information processing system 10 through the security gate system 30 by holding the two-dimensional code displayed on the user terminal 40 over the reader.

[0030] The security gate system 30 can read the two-dimensional code that is held up using the reader, and transmit the read two-dimensional code together with an entrance request to the information processing system 10.

[0031] The information processing system 10 is configured to search for a reference token corresponding to the two-dimensional code received along with the entrance request by referring to the token management database 15A stored in the storage 15, and to determine the validity of the entrance request, in other words, the validity of the user who made the entrance request, based on the presence of the reference token.

[0032] When the entry request is valid, the information processing system 10 notifies the security gate system 30 of the acceptance of the request as a response to the entry request. The security gate system 30 controls the locking / unlocking of the door or the opening / closing of the gate so as to permit the entry of the user only when the information processing system 10 receives the acceptance of the request.

[0033] In order to register data of users who have entry authority, the processor 11 of the information processing system 10 executes the registration-related process shown in Fig. 3 for each user. The processor 11 can start the registration-related process in response to a registration request.

[0034] For example, the processor 11 can start the registration-related process when a registration request is input by an administrator through an operation device (not shown) connected to the information processing system 10. According to another example, the processor 11 can start the registration-related process when a registration request is received from a specific communication device through the communication interface 17.

[0035] The specific communication device may be, for example, an information terminal operated by an administrator. In another example, the specific communication device may be a website that sells the right to enter the restricted area. In this case, the specific communication device may be configured to transmit a registration request for the user to the information processing system 10 on the condition that the right is purchased by the user.

[0036] According to another example, the specific communication device may be an information terminal of a user who has the authority to enter the restricted area. The processor 11 can determine whether the registration request is a registration request from an information terminal of a user who has the authority to enter the restricted area by acquiring a password that is known only to a person who has the authority to enter the restricted area from the registration request source.

[0037] When the registration-related process starts, the processor 11 acquires user information from the registration request source (S110). The user information is information about a user who has the above-mentioned authority and is a data registration target. The user information may include terminal information for transmitting a two-dimensional code to the user terminal 40 of the data registration target user. The processor 11 may acquire the user information from the above-mentioned operation device or a specific communication device.

[0038] Then, the processor 11 assigns one NFT to the user (S120). The NFT may be generated in response to a registration request, or a predetermined number of NFTs may be generated.

[0039] In the following S130, the processor 11 issues a reference token, assuming the existence of the NFT. A unique value is assigned to each NFT as identification information of the token through the blockchain 20. The NFTs referred to below are non-fungible tokens issued and managed through the blockchain 20.

[0040] The processing of S130 is performed for the purpose of issuing, for the NFT, a reference token that can be managed by the information processing system 10 independently of the blockchain 20. Issuing a reference token in S130 corresponds to issuing, for the NFT, a token in a separate system that is independent of the tokens managed on the blockchain 20.

[0041] A reference token is a token that is not managed by the blockchain 20. A reference token is issued as a unique value for each NFT. A reference token corresponds to a second token that is different from the NFT.

[0042] The processor 11 issues a value as the reference token that is different from the corresponding NFT and cannot be calculated or estimated from the NFT. The value serves as identification information of the reference token. According to one example, the NFT is a 128-bit value and the reference token is a 256-bit value. However, tokens of different bit sizes may be defined.

[0043] In the next step S140, the processor 11 issues a two-dimensional code required for entering the restricted area to the user to whom the reference token is assigned. The two-dimensional code is issued as a unique value for each reference token, in other words, for each user.

[0044] Next, in S150, the processor 11 registers token management data that associates the reference token issued in S130, the NFT assigned to the user in S120, and the two-dimensional code issued in S140 in the token management database 15A shown in FIG. 4 stored in the storage 15.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the token management database 15A has token management data for each NFT. The token management data describes a corresponding reference token and a two-dimensional code in association with the value of the corresponding NFT. The token management data may further have additional information. The additional information may include additional information of the NFT. The additional information may include owner information of the token.

[0046] In the following S160, the processor 11 transmits the two-dimensional code issued in S140 to the user terminal 40 of the user identified from the user information acquired in S110. After that, the processor 11 ends the registration-related processing.

[0047] Next, details of the request-related process repeatedly executed by the processor 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The request-related process is a process for determining the validity of an entrance request from the security gate system 30.

[0048] When the processor 11 starts the request-related process, it waits until it receives an entrance request (S210). When it receives the entrance request, it searches the token management database 15A for a reference token associated with the two-dimensional code, using the two-dimensional code received together with the entrance request as a key (S220).

[0049] Based on the search result, the processor 11 determines whether a reference token associated with the two-dimensional code and further associated with an NFT is registered in the token management database 15A (S230). Through this determination, the processor 11 determines whether an NFT of the user who presented the two-dimensional code exists on the blockchain 20 without referring to the blockchain 20.

[0050] If the processor 11 determines that the reference token has been registered (Yes in S230), it transmits a response to the effect that the request has been accepted to the security gate system 30 (S240), and then ends the request-related processing.

[0051] On the other hand, if the processor 11 determines that the reference token is not registered (No in S230), it transmits a response to the effect that the request is rejected to the security gate system 30 (S250), and then ends the request-related processing.

[0052] In this way, when the processor 11 receives an entry request, it searches the token management database 15A for a reference token associated with the two-dimensional code received together with the entry request. Based on the search result, the processor 11 determines whether a corresponding NFT exists on the blockchain 20. Based on this determination, the processor 11 determines the legitimacy of the user who made the entry request and decides whether to accept or reject the request.

[0053] According to this embodiment, the above determination is made without referring to the blockchain 20. Therefore, the processor 11 can quickly respond to an entrance request.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the search for a reference token in the token management database 15A has the same meaning as the search for an NFT in the blockchain 20. To improve the reliability of this search, the processor 11 further executes the update-related process shown in Fig. 6 every time a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the processor 11 can periodically execute the update-related process.

[0055] In the update-related processing, the processor 11 refers to the block chain 20 and the token management database 15A, and determines the data difference between the block chain 20 and the token management database 15A (S310). Depending on the determination result, the processor 11 updates the data on the block chain 20 and / or the token management database 15A so as to eliminate the difference (S320).

[0056] For example, the processor 11 may update the token management database 15A to change the reference token of the corresponding NFT when the owner of the NFT is changed on the blockchain 20. After processing S320, the processor 11 ends the update-related processing.

[0057] According to this embodiment, the processor 11 determines whether an entry request is from a legitimate user based on the existence of a reference token on the token management database 15A, without searching for an NFT on the blockchain 20.

[0058] Meanwhile, the processor 11 refers to the blockchain 20 and updates the token management database 15A independently of the entry request. Therefore, by referring to the token management database 15A, the processor 11 can determine the legitimacy based on the existence of the NFT, that is, whether the source of the entry request is a legitimate user, with the same reliability as when searching for an NFT on the blockchain 20.

[0059] In this embodiment, the two-dimensional code may be a two-dimensional code with a time limit. In this case, when the processor 11 receives an update request for the two-dimensional code from the user terminal 40, the processor 11 determines the validity of the update request based on the value of the reference token input from the user terminal 40, and updates the two-dimensional code if the update request is valid. This also applies when the two-dimensional code is lost or leaked.

[0060] That is, the processor 11 can execute a two-dimensional code update process by referring to the token management database 15A and transmitting the updated two-dimensional code to the user terminal 40 having the two-dimensional code associated with the reference token when a reference token corresponding to the input value exists. The processor 11 can update the token management database 15A by overwriting the updated two-dimensional code onto the two-dimensional code described in the corresponding token management data.

[0061] According to this example, when updating a two-dimensional code, a reference token is required to determine the validity of an update request, but an NFT is not required. The NFT is kept secret from the user. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress unauthorized use of the NFT. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a technology that is excellent in terms of processing speed and security with respect to validity determination using an NFT on the blockchain 20.

[0062] [Second embodiment] Next, an information processing system 60 according to a second embodiment will be described. The information processing system 60 according to the second embodiment is configured to be able to communicate with a user terminal 40 as shown in FIG. 7. The information processing system 60 according to the second embodiment has a similar hardware configuration to the information processing system 10 according to the first embodiment. In the following, the operation of the information processing system 60 according to the second embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

[0063] The information processing system 60 of this embodiment is configured to change the owner information of the NFT related to the object from the transferor to the transferee when an object such as digital art is transferred.

[0064] An NFT can be used as a token that proves ownership of an object. The substance of an NFT is a value that functions as identification information for the token, and this NFT is associated with additional information, such as a uniform resource identifier (URI) as identification information for the object and an owner ID as owner information, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 8. The additional information is recorded in the ledger of the blockchain 20. An example of an owner ID can include the ID of a blockchain wallet.

[0065] 8 shows that when ownership of an object is transferred from a first user (Mr. A) to a second user (Mr. B) through the transfer of the object, the information processing system 60 accesses the ledger of the blockchain 20 and changes the owner ID described in the NFT of the object from the first user's ID (0x*****0aa) to the second user's ID (0x*****0bb). According to FIG. 8, the identification information of the NFT is 0x*****011, and is not changed even when the owner information is changed.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the information processing system 60 is configured to issue a reference token for the NFT, similar to the first embodiment. The NFT is hidden from the user. The reference token is associated with the NFT. The reference token is used as a token that substitutes for the NFT.

[0067] In this embodiment, information on the reference token is provided to the owner of the object, and from a security standpoint, the reference token can be updated every time the owner changes.

[0068] Figure 8 explains that when a first user (Mr. A) is the owner of the object, the reference token associated with the NFT is 0x*****a11, but when ownership of the object is transferred to a second user (Mr. B), the reference token is updated to 0x*****b12.

[0069] The processor 11 changes the owner of the NFT and issues a new reference token in response to the transfer of the object by repeatedly executing the transfer-related process shown in Fig. 9. Then, the processor 11 discards the old reference token associated with the NFT and updates the token management database 15C.

[0070] When the processor 11 starts the transfer-related process, it waits until it receives a transfer request from the user terminal 40 corresponding to the transferee, who is the user who has received the object (S410). It can be determined whether the transfer request is from the user terminal 40 corresponding to the transferee by requesting the source of the transfer request to input a password. The password can be notified to the transferee in advance.

[0071] Upon receiving a transfer request (Yes in S410), the processor 11 records the transfer of the NFT owner through the blockchain 20 so as to update the owner of the NFT associated with the object to the transferee in accordance with the transfer request (S420).

[0072] The transfer request may include identification information of the object or information of the reference token. The transfer request may further include identification information of the user corresponding to the transferee. Alternatively, the user may log in to the information processing system 60 through the user terminal 40 and then input the transfer request to the information processing system 60 through the user terminal 40.

[0073] To record the transfer of ownership of the NFT, the processor 11 can identify a reference token corresponding to the NFT of the object based on the information included in the transfer request. The processor 11 can further refer to the token management database 15C to determine the NFT associated with the reference token. The processor 11 can access the NFT of the object on the blockchain 20 based on the determined NFT and record the transfer of ownership.

[0074] In the next step S430, the processor 11 issues a new reference token for the NFT. The processor 11 updates the token management database 15C stored in the storage 15 so as to associate the issued reference token with the corresponding NFT (S440).

[0075] According to this embodiment, the storage 15 stores a token management database 15C shown in Fig. 10. The token management database 15C has, for each NFT, token management data that associates a reference token with the NFT.

[0076] The token management data may have additional information related to the NFT in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The additional information may include the identification information (URI) of the object and the owner information. The additional information may include the identification information of the user corresponding to the assignee.

[0077] In the next S450, the processor 11 transmits display data for displaying an information screen regarding the owned items and tokens to the user terminal 40 corresponding to the transferor. As a result, the processor 11 causes the user terminal 40 to display an information screen regarding the objects and tokens owned by the transferor.

[0078] 11 illustrates an example of an information screen where the object is digital art. This information screen displays information about the digital art and tokens owned by the user, including a thumbnail image of the digital art, a reference token for the digital art, and a URI for the digital art.

[0079] The processor 11 can identify the digital art and tokens owned by the user by referring to the token management database 15C and searching for token management data associated with the corresponding user's identification information. In order to obtain a thumbnail image, the token management data can include a URL from which the thumbnail image can be obtained as additional information.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the NFT is not displayed on the information screen. That is, the processor 11 controls the user terminal 40 as a display device to display an information screen on which only the reference token is selectively displayed as a token of digital art owned by the user, among the NFT and the reference token, by transmitting the display data to the user terminal 40 (S450). After displaying the information screen on the user terminal 40, the processor 11 ends the transfer-related processing shown in FIG. 9.

[0081] In addition, the processor 11 repeatedly executes a display control process shown in Fig. 12. In the display control process, the processor 11 waits until a request to display belongings is received from the user terminal 40 of the user who has logged in to the information processing system 60 (S510).

[0082] When a display request is received (Yes in S510), the processor 11 refers to the token management database 15C without referring to the blockchain 20 to obtain the reference token and URI of each object owned by the user (S520), and based on the obtained information, displays on the user terminal 40 an information screen regarding the user's owned items and tokens shown in FIG. 11 (S530).

[0083] That is, similarly to the process at S450, the processor 11 transmits the display data to the user terminal 40. As a result, the processor 11 causes the user terminal 40 to display an information screen based on the received display data.

[0084] The processor 11 can further execute the update-related process shown in Fig. 6 to determine the data difference between the blockchain 20 and the token management database 15C (S310) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Depending on the result of this determination, the processor 11 can update the information on the blockchain 20 and / or the token management database 15C so as to eliminate the difference (S320).

[0085] According to the information processing system 60 of the present embodiment described above, a reference token is reissued for the NFT every time a transfer of the owner of the NFT is recorded in association with the transfer of the object. The value of the NFT is kept secret from the user. As described above, when displaying information on the object and the token, the information processing system 60 does not display the NFT to the user, but displays only the reference token.

[0086] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent inconveniences caused by the owner being informed of the NFT, which is maintained as a fixed value even when the owner changes. For example, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the NFT by the previous owner, etc.

[0087] As in the first embodiment, the information processing system 60 of this embodiment does not refer to the blockchain 20 in response to a display request, but refers to the token management database 15C stored in the storage 15 to display information on the corresponding token on the screen. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an information processing system 60 that is excellent in processing speed and security with respect to validity determination using NFTs on the blockchain 20.

[0088] [Other embodiments] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can adopt various aspects. For example, the technology disclosed herein can be used for a variety of purposes, not just for using NFTs to control security gates or prove ownership of digital art.

[0089] The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components. The functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. At least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. All aspects included in the technical idea identified from the wording of the claims are embodiments of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 10,60...information processing system, 11...processor, 13...memory, 15...storage, 15A...token management database, 15C...token management database, 17...communication interface, 20...blockchain, 30...security gate system, 40...user terminal.

Claims

1. An issuing unit configured to issue a second token in response to a first token as a non-fungible token managed on a blockchain; A storage unit configured to store the second token issued by the issuing unit in association with information of the first token; A determination unit configured to determine whether the first token corresponding to the second token exists on the blockchain by searching the second token in the storage unit; An information processing system comprising:

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the blockchain that manages the non-fungible tokens is a public blockchain.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the blockchain that manages the non-fungible tokens is a private blockchain.

4. a display control unit configured to control a display device to display an information screen explaining the second token associated with the first token when an instruction to display an information screen regarding the first token is received.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. 1. A computer-implemented information processing method, comprising: Issuing a second token for the first token as a non-fungible token managed on a blockchain; storing the issued second token in a storage unit in association with information of the first token; determining whether the first token corresponding to the second token exists on the blockchain by searching the second token in the storage unit; An information processing method comprising:

6. A computer program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method according to claim 5.

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