3D Print Authorization Verification Using NFT Blueprints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing technologies face challenges in verifying the authorization of users to utilize digital building plans, leading to potential piracy and illegal use, which jeopardizes the intellectual property rights of architects and builders.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing system that utilizes non-fungible tokens (NFTs) associated with a blockchain to verify user authorization by querying the blockchain to confirm the association between the user and the digital blueprint, ensuring only authorized users can print structures based on the blueprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional 3D printing systems are used without blockchain verification, then printing operation is simple and fast, but intellectual property rights cannot be protected and unauthorized printing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain network as an intermediary between the 3D printing system and the authorization verification process. The blockchain serves as a decentralized mediator that stores and verifies NFT tokens representing building plan ownership, enabling automatic authorization checks without requiring complex centralized verification systems. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliable IP protection through the blockchain intermediary while keeping the printing system itself relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses NFT (Non-Fungible Token) copies of building plans stored on the blockchain as verification credentials. Instead of requiring complex licensing systems, the system creates digital token copies that represent ownership rights. These NFT copies can be easily verified by the 3D printing system through blockchain queries, providing IP protection without significant system complexity increases.
2Reliability
If NFT verification is implemented in the 3D printing system, then authorization security is improved, but processing time increases due to blockchain queries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring users to obtain and store their NFT tokens in advance before initiating the 3D printing process. The authorization verification is performed as a quick query check during the printing initiation phase rather than during the actual printing process. This allows the system to verify authorization security through blockchain queries without significantly impacting the main printing operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual authorization verification systems with automated blockchain-based digital verification. The blockchain network automatically validates NFT tokens and authorization status through cryptographic proofs, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual verification processes while maintaining high authorization security.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If blockchain verification is added to verify NFT association with device identifier, then piracy prevention is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the blockchain network as a decentralized intermediary to handle the complex verification tasks of piracy prevention. Instead of building complex verification infrastructure into the 3D printing system itself, the system leverages the blockchain's inherent security and verification capabilities. This allows effective piracy prevention through NFT verification while keeping the printing system architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain system provides self-service verification capabilities where the network automatically validates NFT tokens and authorization status without requiring complex external verification systems. The 3D printing system simply queries the blockchain for verification, and the blockchain autonomously handles the complex security checks, thereby preventing piracy without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimensional (3D) printing system for printing 3D structures includes an extruder configured to layer material along a surface during a printing process. The 3D printing system also includes a processor configured to receive an identifier from a device associated with a user and receive a non-fungible token (NFT). The NFT includes a blueprint of a structure. The processor is also configured to query a blockchain to confirm the NFT is associated with the identifier and, in response to determining that the user owns the NFT, cause the extruder to print a physical structure based on the blueprint.