Patent ID: 11956366
Assignee: nan
Field: Digital communication (Electrical engineering)
Classification: CPC H | IPC H

Claim 5:
6. A computer implemented method for zero-trust authentication utilizing the Bitcoin Lightning Network layered atop the Bitcoin Proof-of-Work Network, the method comprising:
a user requests access to a resource from a service provider via an access management interface; and
the service provider receives the user's request for access; and
a Hash-Time-Locked-Contract (HTLC) function is initiated to generate a pre-image hash for the creation of a HTLC Hold Invoice, whereby the pre-image functions as a smart contract script that provides instructions to the user; and
the user receives instructions to leverage Bitcoin to meet conditions of the HTLC Hold Invoice; and
the user pre-authorizes movement of Bitcoin into the HTLC Hold Invoice to meet the conditions of the HTLC Hold Invoice; and
the HTLC Hold Invoice holds the Bitcoin; and
the user is prompted to initiate an authentication attempt by inputting authentication material; and
when a successful authentication is achieved, the HTLC Hold Invoice is canceled, releasing the Bitcoin back to the user, and at the same time an access token is issued to the user by the service provider, via the access management interface, which access token allows the user to log into the service provider resource; or
when an unsuccessful authentication occurs, whereby the access management interface is not able to verify the authentication material and issue an access token, the pre-image of the HTLC Hold Invoice is revealed, transferring the Bitcoin to the service provider as a settled payment transaction, and at the same time the user is denied access to service provider resource; and
the zero-trust authentication method ends.