Blockchain-implemented method and system

Abstract

The computer-implemented invention provides a method and corresponding system for controlling access to and/or use of an internet-enabled resource. The invention uses a distributed electronic ledger such as, for example, the Bitcoin blockchain. The resource may be an IoT device or system. Access to the resource is permitted or enabled upon provision of a cryptographic key e.g. a private key which corresponds to a public key which has been stored in memory. In one embodiment, the public key is stored in a DHT. Access to the resource is prevented or disabled by removing the public key from memory, and using a redeem script of a blockchain Transaction to spend a tokenised output of a further blockchain Transaction. The process of communicating the requisite cryptographic keys and transferring funds is performed via the blockchain. The keys are communicated as tokens in the metadata of transactions scripts. In use, when access is requested by the user, an encrypted message is sent to the resource. The message has been encrypted using the user's private key. If the resource can use the previously communicated public key to decrypt the message, access can be granted. The invention is particularly suited for use in situations where temporary access or use of the resource is to be granted eg rental scenarios.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.