NFT Asset Certificates for Tamper-Proof Ownership Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for certifying the authenticity, origin, and traceability of complex assets like motorcycles and cars are inadequate, as paper certificates are easily falsifiable and lack centralized platforms for recording asset history, leading to potential undervaluation due to improper maintenance or use of non-original parts.

Innovation Solution

A method using non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to associate a digital identity with tangible assets, storing data in a deep web and notarizing it on a blockchain, ensuring the authenticity and transferability of maintenance and ownership records.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paper certificates are used to certify asset authenticity and origin, then the certification process is simple and accessible, but the certificates are easily falsifiable and lack reliable traceability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecertification process accessibilityVSAvoidcertificate authenticity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical paper certificates with digital certificates stored on a blockchain. The blockchain creates an immutable digital copy of the certification data, ensuring authenticity while maintaining accessibility. The digital certificate can be verified by any user without requiring physical handling of the original document.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical paper-based certification system with a digital blockchain-based system. The blockchain uses cryptographic hashing and distributed ledger technology to replace physical certificate verification, eliminating the possibility of falsification while maintaining ease of access through digital means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If centralized registers are implemented to record asset history, then reliable traceability and authenticity can be guaranteed, but system complexity and implementation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset traceabilityVSAvoidsystem implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blockchain system operates as a self-verifying distributed ledger where each node independently validates and stores certification data. The system automatically ensures traceability through cryptographic linking of blocks, eliminating the need for complex centralized authentication mechanisms while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain platform serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores asset history, verifies authenticity, provides traceability, and enables decentralized verification. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex systems, achieving reliable traceability through a single unified platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If digital certificates are stored on blockchain, then tamper-proof record and authenticity are ensured, but storage and access requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecord tamper-proof natureVSAvoiddata storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential certification data (hash values, timestamps, verification metadata) and stores this minimal information on the blockchain rather than the complete asset history. The full certificate documents are stored off-chain in decentralized storage systems, reducing blockchain storage requirements while maintaining tamper-proof verification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a nested structure where the blockchain stores condensed verification data (the 'shell'), and off-chain storage systems hold the complete certificate documents (the 'content'). This nesting allows the blockchain to maintain its tamper-proof nature with minimal data storage, while full documents are accessible through references stored on the chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260081790A1Method and system for recording data relating to a tangible asset in association with a subject through the creation of a non-counterfeitable digital certificate adapted to certify ownership or possession, usage and maintenance of the asset

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 CENTRO RICERCHE FIAT SCPA

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and a system for recording data relating to a tangible asset (V) in association with a subject (U) are described, which are based on acquiring (120) data related to the asset (V) from a central asset management entity (S) adapted to store asset-related data comprising at least one unique asset identifier data and at least one among asset ownership or possession data, asset usage data, asset maintenance data, asset biographical data; on generating (140) a digital certificate associated with the asset; on storing (160) the digital certificate in a non-indexed way in at least one storage resource accessible in a public access communication network (W) via a respective unique identifier associated with the digital certificate; and on creating (220), in the digital register, a non-fungible token, NFT, including the unique identifier associated with the digital certificate, by means of the private key of a pair of cryptographic keys adapted to define the identity of the subject (U) in a blockchain digital register (B) replicated in a plurality of nodes of a computer network.