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Publication Number
US-12118541-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
A personal blockchain is generated as a cloud-based software service in a blockchain environment. The personal blockchain immutably archives usage of any device, perhaps as requested by a user. However, some of the usage may be authorized for public disclosure, while other usage may be designated as private and restricted from public disclosure. The public disclosure may permit public ledgering by still other blockchains, thus providing two-way public/private ledgering for improved record keeping. Private usage, though, may only be documented by the personal blockchain.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes a cloud-based personal blockchain service that immutably archives device usage and supports privacy controls. Usage information is collected from multiple apps and devices into device-specific personal blockchains, with optional inclusion of timestamps and location. The service uses a blockchain data layer that distinguishes public data records and private data records.
A privacy parameter is used to mark selected usage as private so it is withheld from public publishing. When privacy is indicated, the service suppresses publication of corresponding blockchain data records. When privacy is not indicated, the service can publish public data records and optionally anchor cryptographic proofs in a public blockchain.
Privacy automation is implemented using mappings among a recipient, device, user, and usage, and a privacy database that stores privacy determinations. The disclosure describes privacy determination based on matching parameters or hashed usage values, and uses identifiers including a device identifier, a user identifier, and a chain identifier. Cryptographic hash values and cryptographic proofs are used to generate and handle public and private processing of blockchain data records.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a system that uses private blockchain recordation to prevent public disclosure of an electronic social post, including user-selectable privacy via a blockchain privacy file extension and hashing of associated usage information. The claim set further refines recordation by associating blockchain data with device and user identifiers, accessing a log for an electronic social post, and specifying additional operations around retrieving and handling the blockchain privacy file extension.
Private blockchain recordation to prevent public disclosure of an electronic social post
The system sends an electronic social post to an Internet protocol address associated with a social network, records the sending to a blockchain block of data, and displays a private blockchain recordation icon for the private blockchain recordation to prevent public disclosure of the electronic social post.
User selection of private blockchain recordation and privacy file extension identification
The system receives a user's input selecting the private blockchain recordation icon, and in response identifies a blockchain privacy file extension associated with the private blockchain recordation.
Hash-based privacy mechanism incorporated into a modified blockchain block with privacy file extension
Based on the user input, the system retrieves usage information associated with the electronic social post, generates a hash value by hashing the usage information, generates a modified blockchain block of data by incorporating the hash value, appends the blockchain privacy file extension to the modified blockchain block of data, and sends the modified blockchain block of data with the appended extension to a third party server, where the blockchain privacy file extension notates the modified blockchain block of data as a privacy mechanism.
Device identifier association for blockchain recordation
The system further associates the blockchain block of data with a device identifier.
Log access for an electronic social post
The system accesses a log storing an electronic social post.
Retrieval of the blockchain privacy file extension
The system includes additional operations that retrieve the blockchain privacy file extension.
Privacy hash value derived from hashing the blockchain privacy file extension
The system generates a privacy hash value by hashing the blockchain privacy file extension.
User identifier association for blockchain recordation
The system further associates the blockchain block of data with a user identifier.
Across the independent and dependent claims, the core inventive coverage is a privacy mechanism for social-post handling that combines user-selected private blockchain recordation, identification of a blockchain privacy file extension, retrieval and hashing of usage information, incorporation of the hash into a blockchain block, appending the privacy file extension, and sending the modified block to a third party server; dependent claims additionally refine the recordation by associating blockchain data with device and user identifiers, accessing a log, and further specifying retrieval and hashing operations involving the blockchain privacy file extension.
Stated Advantages
Prevents public disclosure of an electronic social post.
Documented Applications
Preventing public disclosure of an electronic social post via private blockchain recordation and a blockchain privacy file extension sent to a third party server.
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