Blockchain Access Control for Authorized Digital Asset Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Digital assets face challenges in unauthorized access and excessive use due to the lack of effective control over rendering and usage, particularly in decentralized systems.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a decentralized sequential transactional database, such as a blockchain, to control access to digital assets by verifying transactions, authorizing renderers based on criteria, and securely communicating assets to authorized renderers, ensuring compliance with security and performance characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If digital assets are made accessible for rendering, then productivity and utility of the digital asset increases, but the risk of unauthorized access and excessive use increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of digital assetVSAvoidprotection from unauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a decentralized transactional database (blockchain) as an intermediary between the digital asset and renderers. This mediator records and verifies access transactions, ensuring that only authorized renderers can access the digital asset while maintaining a transparent and immutable record of all access events. The blockchain acts as a trusted third party that enables controlled accessibility without centralization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If access control mechanisms are implemented, then protection from unauthorized use improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service access control where the decentralized transactional database automatically verifies renderer credentials and manages access permissions without requiring manual intervention. The smart contracts encoded in the blockchain autonomously enforce access rules, track usage limits, and record transactions, reducing the need for complex centralized authorization systems while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If rendering access is monitored and controlled, then prevention of excessive use improves, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with usage limitsVSAvoidmonitoring infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the decentralized transactional database continuously monitors rendering transactions and provides real-time feedback on usage status. The system tracks each access event, compares it against predefined usage limits, and automatically prevents further access when limits are reached. This automated feedback loop ensures compliance with usage restrictions without requiring complex manual monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3714386B1Access control for digital assets
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP3714386B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3714386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer implemented method of controlling access to a digital asset specifying how an artefact is to be rendered, the method comprising: receiving the digital asset and an indication of a first transaction in a decentralised sequential transactional database; verifying the digital asset by evaluating a digital hash of the asset to compare with a hash stored in the first transaction and, responsive to the verification, securely storing the digital asset; generating a second transaction in the database to indicate the availability of the digital asset for rendering the artefact; receiving a request to access the digital asset by a requesting renderer, the request including an indication of a third transaction in the database; accessing the third transaction and responsive to a determination that the third transaction indicates that the requesting renderer is authorised to access the digital asset for rendering the artefact, securely communicating the digital asset to the requesting renderer.