Renewal Controller Smart Contract for Crypto Domain Rental
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) protocol faces challenges in trust and pricing for domain name renewal, particularly in the rental of crypto domains, where users must rely on the parent-level domain owner to renew subdomains at reasonable prices, and there is a risk of unreasonable price increases or technical lock-in due to locked renewal managers.
Innovation Solution
A system is introduced that allows for a third-party-controlled renewal controller to be assigned to each crypto domain, enabling secure and fair rental of crypto domains by separating the renewal responsibility from the parent-level domain owner, using a Subname Wrapper smart contract to manage subnames and a Renewal Controller to set and maintain renewal prices, ensuring 'unruggable' names that cannot be revoked or priced unreasonably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a parent-level domain owner controls renewal of subdomains, then renewal management is simplified, but trust risk and price gouging increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the renewal control function by introducing separate RenewalController contracts for each subdomain, independent of the parent domain owner. This allows the renewal process to be managed autonomously without requiring trust in the parent domain owner, resolving the contradiction between simplified management and trust risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RenewalController contracts as intermediary entities that mediate between subdomain renters and the ENS registry. These controllers enforce predetermined pricing and prevent price gouging, eliminating the need for renters to trust parent domain owners while maintaining automated renewal management.
2Reliability
If renewal manager is locked to prevent changes, then security is improved, but adaptability and upgradeability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the renewal management system dynamic by allowing RenewalController contracts to be upgraded through a governance process. The controllers can be modified to implement new features or fix bugs while maintaining security through controlled access and governance mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between security and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary governance structures and access controls in the RenewalController contracts that allow for future upgrades and modifications. By building in governance mechanisms from the start, the system maintains security while enabling adaptability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If subnames are emancipated for independent ownership, then user autonomy is improved, but parent name control and coordination are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RenewalController contracts as intermediaries that coordinate between emancipated subnames and parent domains. These controllers manage renewal payments and expiration logic, allowing subnames to be independently owned while maintaining systematic coordination through the controller layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimensional layer (the RenewalController) between the traditional parent-subname relationship. This transforms the direct hierarchical control into a multi-layered structure where controllers manage the coordination complexity, enabling user autonomy without losing coordination efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A solution for renting crypto domains is developed using a special type of smart contract called a renewal controller that is assigned to each crypto domain upon registration. In the system a crypto domain that is registered in blockchains is used as an alias for a crypto address where it is possible to assign a renewal controller to each name in such a way that it cannot be unassigned for the life of the name, e.g., until the name expires.