Physical Tag NFT Verification via Intermediary Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for authenticating physical tags associated with digital NFTs lack a means to verify the authenticity of the physical tags, making it difficult to ensure the ownership and origin of physical articles linked to their digital counterparts.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that verifies the physical tag by incorporating a URI with a network address, contract, and token ID, allowing user devices to read and validate the information, and uses a unique UUID encrypted with a private key to authenticate the owner, providing different service levels based on ownership verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If physical tags are coupled to articles to provide NFT information, then ownership information is provided, but the physical tags cannot be verified for authenticity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveownership verification capabilityVSAvoidphysical tag authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that acts as a mediator between the physical tag and the NFT. The system includes a verification server that receives verification requests containing tag information, queries the blockchain for corresponding NFT data, and returns verification results. This intermediary layer enables authentication of physical tags without requiring direct trust in the tag itself, resolving the contradiction between providing ownership information and ensuring tag authenticity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system implements a feedback mechanism where the verification server sends queries to the blockchain network and receives responses about NFT ownership status. This feedback loop allows the system to continuously verify whether the physical tag corresponds to a valid, currently-owned NFT, ensuring ongoing authenticity verification rather than a one-time check.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If NFTs are minted for each physical article with certificates, then digital ownership proof is provided, but the connection between physical and digital cannot be verified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedigital ownership proofVSAvoidphysical-digital link verification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The verification server acts as an intermediary that bridges the physical and digital domains. It receives physical tag information, queries the blockchain for corresponding NFT data, and returns verification results about the physical-digital link. This mediator enables reliable connection verification between physical articles and their digital NFT counterparts without compromising the security of digital ownership proof.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual verification methods with an automated electronic verification system. Instead of physically comparing certificates or manually checking ownership, the system uses electronic communication between user devices, verification servers, and blockchain networks to automatically verify the physical-digital connection, making the process more reliable and scalable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If physical tags contain NFT information, then article origin information is provided, but the tags lack authentication means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearticle origin informationVSAvoidauthentication mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than embedding complex authentication mechanisms directly in the simple physical tag, the patent uses an intermediary verification server that handles the complex authentication logic. The tag itself remains simple, containing only basic identification information, while the server performs the complex verification by querying blockchain networks and comparing data, thus preserving tag simplicity while enabling robust authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system enables self-service authentication where users can verify their own physical tags by scanning them with mobile devices and receiving instant verification results. The system automatically performs the verification without requiring manual intervention from authentication authorities, making the authentication process accessible and user-friendly while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240346482A1System and method for managing paired a physical tag and a non-fungible token.
Publication Date: 2024.10.17 BODENMILLER TIMOTHY CHRISTOPHER
  • US20240346482A1 patent drawing
  • US20240346482A1 patent drawing
  • US20240346482A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for managing a combination of a physical tag and a non-fungible token (NFC), the physical tag can be applied to an article for which the NFT is generated. The system can verify the authenticity of the physical tag and current ownership of the article. The contract and/or wallet address and the token ID can be incorporated into the physical tag applied to the article in the form of a URI. For the verification, the URI can be read by a used device, and the validity and association of the contract and/or wallet address and the token ID can be checked by the system in published NFT transactions.