NFT Provenance Tracking With Layered Authorization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems lack robust security and authorization checks, making assets and data vulnerable to manipulation and compromise during transfer, particularly in computer networked environments.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) encapsulated within secure control structures to restrict metadata output, with authorization controls at both smart contract and container layers, ensuring assets and data integrity by limiting access to authorized geographic locations or computing environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing asset tracking systems are used, then asset transfer can be monitored, but security and authorization checks are insufficient making assets vulnerable to manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested security structures where control structures encapsulate NFTs, which in turn encapsulate metadata objects. This nested architecture allows multiple authorization checks at different layers (smart contract level and container level) without creating a single complex monolithic system. Each nested layer provides independent security functions, improving overall reliability while managing complexity through modular organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is segmented into distinct functional components: metadata objects for data storage, NFTs for representation and transfer, control structures for authorization, and smart contracts for execution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system by distributing security functions across multiple independent modules rather than a single complex system.
2Reliability
If robust security controls are implemented, then asset manipulation is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces control structures as intermediary components between the NFTs and the metadata objects they represent. These control structures act as mediators that enforce authorization policies and manage access rights. By placing authorization logic in these intermediary control structures rather than directly in the NFTs or metadata, the system achieves robust security controls while maintaining cleaner separation of concerns and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary security checks and authorization validations before allowing any asset transfer or data access operations. Control structures evaluate authorization policies in advance and prevent unauthorized operations from reaching execution stage. This preliminary action approach ensures data integrity is maintained without requiring complex real-time security analysis during transaction processing, thereby reducing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If metadata output is restricted to authorized locations, then unauthorized access is prevented, but flexibility in data access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control structures implement dynamic authorization policies that can adapt to different access scenarios. Rather than static access controls, the system dynamically evaluates authorization requests based on context such as geographic location, device identity, and user permissions. This allows the system to maintain strong security by restricting metadata output to authorized locations while preserving flexibility through context-aware authorization decisions that can be adjusted based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality principles by implementing location-specific and device-specific authorization controls. Different metadata objects or NFTs can have different access policies applied locally based on their characteristics and requirements. This allows the system to restrict access where necessary while maintaining flexibility in authorized scenarios, as each local context can have customized access rules rather than a single uniform policy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media to track provenance of assets utilizing non-fungible tokens (NFTs). One method includes receiving a provenance request, generating a first non-fungible token (NFT) encapsulated with a first control structure, generating a second NFT encapsulated within a second control structure, and tracking provenance of assets utilizing the first NFT and second NFT.