System for providing levels of security access to a process data network

Embodiments enable a system to determine, authorize, and adjust access, writing, retrieval, and validation rights of users and entities associated with one or more distributed block chain networks. The system is capable of receiving an authorization request from a user to conduct an action associated with the block chain distributed network, determine a security level associated with the user, and either authorize or screen the user from conducting the action based on the determined security level. The system may adjust the security level of the user by requesting and receiving additional authorization credentials from the user. Furthermore, the system may adjust the security level of one or more users based on security or functionality needs of the block chain distributed network.

BACKGROUND

Distributed block chain networks can be an efficient and reliable mode of recording information. However, the type of information and the desired security levels associated with different types of information make it difficult to maintain a normal distributed block chain network with equal authorization rights for every entity associated with the block chain network. Instead, some users or entities associated with a block chain network may desire particular additional protections of some data stored in the distributed block chain network, such that only certain users or entities are authorized to perform one or more actions associated with a type of data.

For these reasons and others, there is a need for improved systems of private distributed block chain networks for facilitating a security protocol for the system that controls the authorization rights of individual users of a block chain network to meet the security needs of the block chain network.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a summary of certain embodiments of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present certain concepts and elements of one or more embodiments in a summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.

Embodiments of the present invention address the above needs and/or achieve other advantages by providing apparatuses (e.g., a system, computer program product and/or other devices) and methods for providing a block chain distributed network for facilitating a rights management protocol to ensure information security. The system embodiments may comprise one or more memory devices having computer readable program code stored thereon, a communication device, and one or more processing devices operatively coupled to the one or more memory devices, wherein the one or more processing devices are configured to execute the computer readable program code to carry out the invention. In computer program product embodiments of the invention, the computer program product comprises at least one non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions for carrying out the invention. Computer implemented method embodiments of the invention may comprise providing a computing system comprising a computer processing device and a non-transitory computer readable medium, where the computer readable medium comprises configured computer program instruction code, such that when said instruction code is operated by said computer processing device, said computer processing device performs certain operations to carry out the invention.

For sample, illustrative purposes, system environments will be summarized. The system may involve receiving an authorization request from a user to conduct an action associated with a block chain distributed network. Additionally, the system may determine a security level associated with the user. If the system determines that the desired action of the user is allowed under the determined security level of the user, then the system may authorize the user to conduct the action. If the system determines that the desired action of the user is not allowed under the determined security level of the user, then the system may not authorize, or otherwise shield, the user from conducting the action.

In some embodiments, the system includes screening the user from information and actions associated with the block chain distributed network that are not allowed under the determined security level associated with the user.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the security level associated with the user comprises one or more of the following rights or privileges associated with the block chain distributed network: full read and write privileges for data; validation rights for one or more nodes; data retrieval rights; data viewing rights; and the like.

In some embodiments, the security level associated with the user is different from a security level associated with one or more other users of the block chain distributed network.

Some embodiments of the system are further configured to prompt the user to provide additional authorization credentials based on the determined security level associated with the user. The system may then receive the additional authorization credentials from the user and determine that the additional authorization credentials are valid. Based on the valid additional authorization credentials, the system may authorize the user to conduct the action.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the system is further configured to prompt the user to provide an access amount (e.g., an access payment) based on the determined security level associated with the user. The system may then receive the access amount from the user and authorize the user to conduct the action in response to receiving the access amount from the user.

In some embodiments, the system is further configured to authorize the user to conduct the action for a predetermined period of time when the action is allowed under the determined security level associated with the user. In some such embodiments, the system is further configured to authorize the user to conduct the action a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time when the action is allowed under the determined security level associated with the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the terms “financial institution” and “financial entity” include any organization that processes financial transactions including, but not limited to, banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, investment companies, stock brokerages, assess management firms, insurance companies and the like. In specific embodiments of the invention, use of the term “bank” is limited to a financial entity in which account-bearing customers conduct financial transactions, such as account deposits, withdrawals, transfers and the like.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for facilitating a rights management protocol to ensure information security within a block chain distributed network. Embodiments of the invention allow a financial institution to manage the access, generation, editing, retrieval, and validation rights of one or more users of the block chain distributed network, based on security levels of each user. The rights management protocol may grant certain rights and restrictions to specific individuals or groups of users, ensuring that the appropriate users are utilizing the block chain distributed network in their authorized manner. The security of the overall block chain distributed network can be altered by the rights management protocol, thereby changing at least a portion of the authorization rights for one or more of the users associated with the block chain distributed network. Such a system allows a financial institution to control the security and functionality levels of one or more private distributed block chain networks.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a block chain distributed network arrangement for facilitating a tiered dedicated block chain configuration. Embodiments of the invention allow a financial institution or a group of financial institutions and/or third party systems to establish a plurality of separate, dedicated block chains comprising varied levels of security and/or functionality. Embodiments of the invention also allow a financial institution to receive transaction information at a process data network connected to the plurality of dedicated block chains and determine one or more transaction factors of the transaction data to determine which dedicated block chain should receive the transaction information. Transaction factors may include, but are not limited to, a dollar amount of the transaction, a transaction type, a merchant type, a net worth of the merchant, an affinity program associated with the customer and/or the merchant, an asset chain associated with the customer and/or the merchant, and the like. Once the transaction factor of the transaction data is matched with a dedicated block chain network, embodiments of the invention allow the financial institution to generate a new block at a transaction node of the matched dedicated block chain network. Such a system allows a financial institution, or a group of financial institutions, to maintain transaction data in reliable, validated databases with an appropriate level of security for each dedicated block chain. For example, the described system provides a way for the financial institution to maintain transaction data for a very large transaction in a similarly very secure dedicated block chain, and separate from smaller, day-to-day transactions that may not require the same security standards as the large transaction does.

FIG. 1provides a block diagram illustrating a block chain system and environment100, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the environment100includes a first user110and/or a second user120where the users represent customers of one or more financial institution(s). A user of the system may be a person, but may also be a business (e.g., a merchant) or any other entity.

The environment100also may include a mobile device200and a personal computing device300for use by the first user110and second user120, respectively. The personal computing device300may be any device that employs a processor and memory and can perform computing functions, such as a personal computer or a mobile device. As used herein, a “mobile device”200is any mobile communication device, such as a cellular telecommunications device (i.e., a cell phone or mobile phone), personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile Internet accessing device, or other mobile device.

The mobile device200and the personal computing device300are configured to communicate over a network150with a financial institution system(s)400and, in some cases, one or more other financial institution systems170and with the block chain, as represented by the block chain distributed network systems500. The first user's mobile device200, the second user's personal computing device300, the financial institution system(s)400, the block chain distributed network systems500, and any other participating financial institution systems170are each described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 2-5. The network150may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and/or a global area network (GAN). The network150may provide for wireline, wireless, or a combination of wireline and wireless communication between devices in the network. In one embodiment, the network150includes the Internet. In one embodiment, the network150includes a wireless telephone network152.

In general, a mobile device200is configured to connect with the network150to log the first user110into a block chain interface492of the financial institution system(s)400and/or the block chain distributed network systems500(i.e., “block chain systems500). A user, in order to access the first user's account(s), online banking application and/or mobile banking application on the financial institution system(s)400must authenticate with the financial institution system(s)400and/or another system. Similarly, in some embodiments, in order to access the distributed ledger(s) of the block chain systems500, a user must authenticate with the financial institution system(s)400and/or another system, such as one of the block chain systems500. For example, logging into the financial institution system(s)400generally requires that the first user110authenticate his/her identity using a user name, a passcode, a cookie, a biometric identifier, a private key, a token, and/or another authentication mechanism that is provided by the first user110to the financial institution system(s)400via the mobile device200.

The financial institution system(s)400are in network communication with other devices, such as other financial institutions' transaction/banking systems170, block chain systems500, and a personal computing device300that is configured to communicate with the network150to log a second user120into the financial institution system(s)400. In one embodiment, the invention may provide an application download server such that software applications that support the financial institution system(s)400can be downloaded to the mobile device200.

In some embodiments of the invention, the application download server is configured to be controlled and managed by one or more third-party data providers (not shown inFIG. 1) over the network150. In other embodiments, the application download server is configured to be controlled and managed over the network150by the same entity or entities that maintains the financial institution system(s)400.

In some embodiments of the invention, the block chain systems500are configured to be controlled and managed by one or more third-party data providers (not shown), financial institutions or other entities over the network150. In other embodiments, the block chain systems500are configured to be controlled and managed over the network150by the same entity that maintains the financial institution system(s)400.

FIG. 2provides a block diagram illustrating a user's mobile device200ofFIG. 1in more detail, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, the mobile device200is a mobile telephone. However, it should be understood that a mobile telephone is merely illustrative of one type of mobile device200that may benefit from, employ, or otherwise be involved with embodiments of the present invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of embodiments of the present invention. Other types of mobile devices200may include portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders, audio/video player, radio, GPS devices, or any combination of the aforementioned.

Some embodiments of the mobile device200include a processor210communicably coupled to such devices as a memory220, user output devices236, user input devices240, a network interface260, a power source215, a clock or other timer250, a camera280, and a positioning system device275. The processor210, and other processors described herein, generally include circuitry for implementing communication and/or logic functions of the mobile device200. For example, the processor210may include a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, and various analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, and/or other support circuits. Control and signal processing functions of the mobile device200are allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor210thus may also include the functionality to encode and interleave messages and data prior to modulation and transmission. The processor210can additionally include an internal data modem. Further, the processor210may include functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in the memory220. For example, the processor210may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser application222. The web browser application222may then allow the mobile device200to transmit and receive web content, such as, for example, location-based content and/or other web page content, according to a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and/or the like.

The processor210is configured to use the network interface260to communicate with one or more other devices on the network150. In this regard, the network interface260includes an antenna276operatively coupled to a transmitter274and a receiver272(together a “transceiver”). The processor210is configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the transmitter274and receiver272, respectively. The signals may include signaling information in accordance with the air interface standard of the applicable cellular system of the wireless telephone network152. In this regard, the mobile device200may be configured to operate with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. By way of illustration, the mobile device200may be configured to operate in accordance with any of a number of first, second, third, and/or fourth-generation communication protocols and/or the like. For example, the mobile device200may be configured to operate in accordance with second-generation (2G) wireless communication protocols IS-136 (time division multiple access (TDMA)), GSM (global system for mobile communication), and/or IS-95 (code division multiple access (CDMA)), or with third-generation (3G) wireless communication protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), CDMA2000, wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and/or time division-synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA), with fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols, with LTE protocols, with 3GPP protocols and/or the like. The mobile device200may also be configured to operate in accordance with non-cellular communication mechanisms, such as via a wireless local area network (WLAN) or other communication/data networks.

The network interface260may also include a block chain network interface270. The block chain network interface270may include software, such as encryption software, and hardware, such as a modem, for communicating information to and/or from one or more devices on a network150and connected with or that are part of the block chain systems500. For example, the mobile device200may be configured so that it can be used as an interface for interacting with the block chain for inputting information about one or more transactions. For example, the mobile device may200wirelessly communicate encrypted activity information to a terminal of the network150or the block chain systems500.

As described above, the mobile device200has a user interface that is, like other user interfaces described herein, made up of user output devices236and/or user input devices240. The user output devices236include a display230(e.g., a liquid crystal display or the like) and a speaker232or other audio device, which are operatively coupled to the processor210. The user input devices240, which allow the mobile device200to receive data from a user such as the first user110, may include any of a number of devices allowing the mobile device200to receive data from a user, such as a keypad, keyboard, touch-screen, touchpad, microphone, mouse, joystick, other pointer device, button, soft key, and/or other input device(s). The user interface may also include a camera280, such as a digital camera.

The mobile device200may also include a positioning system device275that is configured to be used by a positioning system to determine a location of the mobile device200. For example, the positioning system device275may include a GPS transceiver. In some embodiments, the positioning system device275is at least partially made up of the antenna276, transmitter274, and receiver272described above. For example, in one embodiment, triangulation of cellular signals may be used to identify the approximate location of the mobile device200. In other embodiments, the positioning system device275includes a proximity sensor or transmitter, such as an RFID tag, that can sense or be sensed by devices known to be located proximate a merchant or other location to determine that the mobile device200is located proximate these known devices.

The mobile device200further includes a power source215, such as a battery, for powering various circuits and other devices that are used to operate the mobile device200. Embodiments of the mobile device200may also include a clock or other timer250configured to determine and, in some cases, communicate actual or relative time to the processor210or one or more other devices.

The mobile device200also includes a memory220operatively coupled to the processor210. As used herein, memory includes any computer readable medium (as defined herein below) configured to store data, code, or other information. The memory220may include volatile memory, such as volatile Random Access Memory (RAM) including a cache area for the temporary storage of data. The memory220may also include non-volatile memory, which can be embedded and/or may be removable. The non-volatile memory can additionally or alternatively include an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or the like.

The memory220can store any of a number of applications which comprise computer-executable instructions/code executed by the processor210to implement the functions of the mobile device200and/or one or more of the process/method steps described herein. For example, the memory220may include such applications as a conventional web browser application222and/or a block chain security level application221. These applications also typically provide a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display230that allows the first user110to communicate with the mobile device200, the financial institution system(s)400, and/or other devices or systems. In one embodiment of the invention, when the first user110decides to enroll in the block chain program, the first user110downloads, is assigned, or otherwise obtains the block chain security level application221from the financial institution system(s)400, from the block chain systems500or from a distinct application server. In other embodiments of the invention, the first user110interacts with the financial institution system(s)400or the block chain systems500via the web browser application222in addition to, or instead of, the block chain security level application221.

The memory220can also store any of a number of pieces of information, and data, used by the mobile device200and the applications and devices that make up the mobile device200or are in communication with the mobile device200to implement the functions of the mobile device200and/or the other systems described herein. For example, the memory220may include such data as user authentication information, and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the personal computing device300associated with the second user120also includes various features, such as a network communication interface310, a processing device320, a user interface330, and a memory device350. The network communication interface310includes a device that allows the personal computing device300to communicate over the network150(shown inFIG. 1). In one embodiment of the invention, a network browsing application355provides for a user to establish network communication with a financial institution system(s)400and/or the block chain systems500(shown inFIG. 1) for the purpose of providing a rights management protocol for a block chain arrangement, providing a tiered dedicated block chain system, and the like, in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

As used herein, a “processing device,” such as the processing device320, generally refers to a device or combination of devices having circuitry used for implementing the communication and/or logic functions of a particular system. For example, a processing device320may include a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, and various analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and other support circuits and/or combinations of the foregoing. Control and signal processing functions of the system are allocated between these processing devices according to their respective capabilities. The processing device320may further include functionality to operate one or more software programs based on computer-executable program code thereof, which may be stored in a memory. As the phrase is used herein, a processing device320may be “configured to” perform a certain function in a variety of ways, including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuits perform the function by executing particular computer-executable program code embodied in computer-readable medium, and/or by having one or more application-specific circuits perform the function.

As used herein, a “user interface”330generally includes a plurality of interface devices and/or software that allow a customer to input commands and data to direct the processing device to execute instructions. For example, the user interface330presented inFIG. 3may include a graphical user interface (GUI) or an interface to input computer-executable instructions that direct the processing device320to carry out specific functions. The user interface330employs certain input and output devices to input data received from the first user110or second user120or output data to the first user110or second user120. These input and output devices may include a display, mouse, keyboard, button, touchpad, touch screen, microphone, speaker, LED, light, joystick, switch, buzzer, bell, and/or other customer input/output device for communicating with one or more customers.

As used herein, a “memory device”350generally refers to a device or combination of devices that store one or more forms of computer-readable media for storing data and/or computer-executable program code/instructions. Computer-readable media is defined in greater detail below. For example, in one embodiment, the memory device350includes any computer memory that provides an actual or virtual space to temporarily or permanently store data and/or commands provided to the processing device320when it carries out its functions described herein.

FIG. 4provides a block diagram illustrating the financial institution system(s)400, in greater detail, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. As illustrated inFIG. 4, in one embodiment of the invention, the financial institution system(s)400include one or more processing devices420operatively coupled to a network communication interface410and a memory device450. In certain embodiments, the financial institution system(s)400are operated by a first entity, such as a financial institution, while in other embodiments, the financial institution system(s)400are operated by an entity other than a financial institution.

It should be understood that the memory device450may include one or more databases or other data structures/repositories. The memory device450also includes computer-executable program code that instructs the processing device420to operate the network communication interface410to perform certain communication functions of the financial institution system(s)400described herein. For example, in one embodiment of the financial institution system(s)400, the memory device450includes, but is not limited to, a network server application470, an authentication application460, a customer account data repository480which includes customer authentication data480and customer account information484, a mobile banking application490which includes a block chain interface492, a mobile web server application493, a block chain rights management application494, a tiered dedicated block chain application495, and other computer-executable instructions or other data. The computer-executable program code of the network server application470, the authentication application460, or the mobile banking application490may instruct the processing device420to perform certain logic, data-processing, and data-storing functions of the financial institution system(s)400described herein, as well as communication functions of the financial institution system(s)400.

In one embodiment, the customer account data repository480includes customer authentication data482and customer account information484. The network server application470, the authentication application460, and the mobile banking application490are configured to invoke or use the customer account information484, the customer authentication data482, and the block chain interface492when authenticating a user to the financial institution system(s)400and/or the block chain systems500.

As used herein, a “communication interface” generally includes a modem, server, transceiver, and/or other device for communicating with other devices on a network, and/or a user interface for communicating with one or more customers. Referring again toFIG. 4, the network communication interface410is a communication interface having one or more communication devices configured to communicate with one or more other devices on the network450, such as the mobile device200, the personal computing device300, the other financial institution banking systems170, and the block chain systems500. The processing device420is configured to use the network communication interface410to transmit and/or receive data and/or commands to and/or from the other devices connected to the network150.

FIG. 5provides a block diagram illustrating block chain network systems500, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. As discussed with reference toFIG. 6Bbelow, embodiments of the block chain may include multiple systems, servers, computers or the like maintained by one or many entities.FIG. 5merely illustrates one of those systems that, typically, interacts with many other similar systems to form the block chain. In one embodiment of the invention, the block chain network systems500are operated by a second entity that is a different or separate entity from the first entity (e.g., the financial institution) that, in one embodiment of the invention, implements the financial institution system(s)400. In some embodiments, the financial institution system(s)400are part of the block chain. Similarly, in some embodiments, the block chain network systems500are part of the financial institution system(s)400. In other embodiments, the financial institution system(s)400are distinct from the block chain network systems500.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the one of the block chain network systems500generally includes, but is not limited to, a network communication interface510, a processing device520, and a memory device550. The processing device520is operatively coupled to the network communication interface510and the memory device550. In one embodiment of the block chain network systems500, the memory device550stores, but is not limited to, a mobile banking system interface560and a distributed ledger570. In some embodiments, the distributed ledger570stores data including, but not limited to, transaction information (e.g., price information, transacting parties, time and date of transaction, products associated with the transaction, interested parties to the transaction, description of the goods or services of the transaction, and the like), authorization requirements for interacting with the transaction data, block chain network rules or requirements, block miner information, validation information, authentication information, and the like. In one embodiment of the invention, both the mobile banking system interface560and the distributed ledger570may associate with applications having computer-executable program code that instructs the processing device520to operate the network communication interface510to perform certain communication functions involving the distributed ledger570described herein. In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code of an application associated with the distributed ledger570may also instruct the processing device520to perform certain logic, data processing, and data storing functions of the application associated with the distributed ledger570described herein.

The network communication interface510is a communication interface having one or more communication devices configured to communicate with one or more other devices on the network150. The processing device520is configured to use the network communication interface510to receive information from and/or provide information and commands to a mobile device200, a personal computing device300, other financial institution systems170, other block chain network systems500, the financial institution system(s)400and/or other devices via the network150. In some embodiments, the processing device520also uses the network communication interface510to access other devices on the network150, such as one or more web servers of one or more third-party data providers. In some embodiments, one or more of the devices described herein may be operated by a second entity so that the second entity controls the various functions involving the block chain network systems500. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, although the financial institution system(s)400are operated by a first entity (e.g., a financial institution), a second entity operates one or more of the block chain network systems500that store various copies of the distributed ledger570.

As described above, the processing device520is configured to use the network communication interface510to gather data, such as data corresponding to transactions, blocks or other updates to the distributed ledger570from various data sources such as other block chain network systems500. The processing device520stores the data that it receives in its copy of the distributed ledger570stored in the memory device550.

As discussed above, in some embodiments of the invention, an application server or application download server (not shown) might be provided. The application download server may include a network communication interface, a processing device, and a memory device. The network communication interface and processing device are similar to the previously described network communication interface410and the processing device420previously described. For example, the processing device is operatively coupled to the network communication interface and the memory device. In one embodiment of the application download server, the memory device includes a network browsing application having computer-executable program code that instructs the processing device to operate the network communication interface to perform certain communication functions of the application download server described herein. In some embodiments of the invention, the application download server provides applications that are to be downloaded to a qualified user's mobile device or personal computing device.

Block Chain Configuration/Architecture

Rather than utilizing a centralized database of transaction information as discussed with reference to some embodiments above and as shown inFIG. 6A, other various embodiments of the invention may use a decentralized block chain configuration or architecture as shown inFIG. 6Bin order to facilitate a rights management protocol in a block chain distributed network or a tiered dedicated block chains network. Such a decentralized block chain configuration ensures accurate mapping transaction data to financial institutions, merchants, third parties, and/or customers. Accordingly, a block chain configuration may be used to maintain an accurate ledger of transaction data, security levels of entities associated with the block chain configuration and to provide validation of transaction data and security levels involving the entities associated with the block chain network.

A block chain or blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a list of data records, the security of which is enhanced by the distributed nature of the block chain. A block chain typically includes several nodes, which may be one or more systems, machines, computers, databases, data stores or the like operably connected with one another. In some cases, each of the nodes or multiple nodes are maintained by different entities. A block chain typically works without a central repository or single administrator. One well-known application of a block chain is the public ledger of transactions for cryptocurrencies such as used in bitcoin. The data records recorded in the block chain are enforced cryptographically and stored on the nodes of the block chain.

A block chain provides numerous advantages over traditional databases. A large number of nodes of a block chain may reach a consensus regarding the validity of a transaction contained on the transaction ledger. Similarly, when multiple versions of a document or transaction exits on the ledger, multiple nodes can converge on the most up-to-date version of the transaction. For example, in the case of a virtual currency transaction, any node within the block chain that creates a transaction can determine within a level of certainty whether the transaction can take place and become final by confirming that no conflicting transactions (i.e., the same currency unit has not already been spent) confirmed by the block chain elsewhere.

The block chain typically has two primary types of records. The first type is the transaction type, which consists of the actual data stored in the block chain. The second type is the block type, which are records that confirm when and in what sequence certain transactions became recorded as part of the block chain. Transactions are created by participants using the block chain in its normal course of business, (e.g., when someone sends cryptocurrency to another person), and blocks are created by users known as “miners” who use specialized software/equipment to create blocks. Users of the block chain create transactions that are passed around to various nodes of the block chain. A “valid” transaction is one that can be validated based on a set of rules that are defined by the particular system implementing the block chain. For example, in the case of cryptocurrencies, a valid transaction is one that is digitally signed, spent from a valid digital wallet and, in some cases, meets other criteria. In some block chain systems, miners are incentivized to create blocks by a rewards structure that offers a pre-defined per-block reward and/or payments offered within the transactions validated themselves. Thus, when a miner successfully validates a transaction on the block chain, the miner may receive rewards and/or payments as an incentive to continue creating new blocks.

As mentioned above and referring toFIG. 6B, a block chain600is typically decentralized—meaning that a distributed ledger620(i.e., a decentralized ledger) is maintained on multiple nodes610of the block chain600. One node in the block chain may have a complete or partial copy of the entire ledger or set of transactions and/or blocks on the block chain. Transactions are initiated at a node of a block chain and communicated to the various nodes of the block chain. Any of the nodes can validate a transaction, add the transaction to its copy of the block chain, and/or broadcast the transaction, its validation (in the form of a block) and/or other data to other nodes. This other data may include time-stamping, such as is used in cryptocurrency block chains.

Various other specific-purpose implementations of block chains have been developed. These include distributed domain name management, decentralized crowd-funding, synchronous/asynchronous communication, decentralized real-time ride sharing and even a general purpose deployment of decentralized applications.

Referring now toFIG. 6C, multiple dedicated (i.e., distinct) block chain networks660,670, and680similar to the block chain600ofFIG. 6Bare provided in an arrangement601with a process data network650, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Each dedicated block chain network660,670, and680, is completely separated from the others, and may each be configured to provide varying levels of functionality and security. As such, transaction information received or identified by the process data network650may be directed to one or more of the dedicated block chain networks660,670, and680based on their respective functionality and security protocols. For example, the dedicated block chain network660may have the highest security protocol of the arrangement601, and therefore may receive the most security-sensitive transaction data from the process data network650. Additionally, the dedicated block chain network670may have the fastest processing and validation time of the arrangement601, and therefore may receive the most time-sensitive transaction data from the process data network650.

Each dedicated block chain network660,670, and680may have its own set of allowed users (e.g., users or entities that operate one or more nodes), allowed transaction types, allowed transaction amounts, allowed security measures, allowed validation measures, and the like. The dedicated block chain networks660,670, and680may comprise a different numbers of nodes; may have different numbers of associated users or entities; may be private, public, or a combination of private and public networks; and the like. In this way, the dedicated block chain networks660,670, and680can maintain separated, specialized block chains within a larger arrangement601.

FIG. 7illustrates a tiered arrangement700of the dedicated block chains, like the dedicated decentralized block chain networks660,670, and680ofFIG. 6C, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The dedicated block chains710may be configured in a tiered format based on a ranking scale720that lists the dedicated block chains710in descending order from block chains with high functionality and/or security to block chains with low functionality and/or security. As shown inFIG. 7, Dedicated Block Chain 1 is currently ranked highest in the tiered arrangement700, due to the fact that it has a higher functionality and/or a higher level of security than Dedicated Block Chains 2-5.

Routing Data to a Tiered Dedicated Block Chain Network Arrangement

Turning now toFIG. 8, a flowchart is provided to illustrate a process800for providing multiple tiers of dedicated decentralized block chains to provide differing combinations of functions and security, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The process800may begin as shown in block802by the system establishing a plurality of dedicated block chains comprising varied levels of security. In some embodiments, the plurality of dedicated block chains may be in the form of the dedicated decentralized block chain networks660,670, and680, as discussed with regard toFIG. 6C. Each dedicated block chain may have its own set of rules and requirements that may be different from the other dedicated block chains. In this manner, the system may organize multiple dedicated block chains that do not interact directly with each other, into a tiered or otherwise organized arrangement for transaction information processing.

Additionally, the plurality of dedicated block chains may be configured in a similar manner to the dedicated block chains710ofFIG. 7, where each dedicated block chain is ranked against the other dedicated block chains based on the functionality and/or the level of security associated with the dedicated block chain. In some embodiments, the dedicated block chains may be grouped or ranked based on other factors, such as the number of nodes in each dedicated block chain, the length of time each dedicated block chain has been active, the number of entities currently associated (e.g., authorized to read and write blocks, and the like) with each dedicated block chain, and the like.

The dedicated block chains may also be tiered based on transaction amounts. For example, each dedicated block chain may be associated with a particular range of transaction amounts, where a financial institution enters all relevant information associated with a transaction into a new block in the specific dedicated block chain that contains transactions of a similar amount. In such embodiments, the dedicated block chains that contain ranges of higher transaction amounts may be configured with more stringent access and security requirements than dedicated block chains that contain ranges of lower transaction amounts.

In some embodiments, the plurality of dedicated block chains are tiered based on customer service levels associated with each dedicated block chain. For example, a dedicated block chain associated with a high customer service level will have a higher level of functionality and/or security than a dedicated block chain associated with a lower customer service level. Therefore, transaction information associated with customers of a financial institution that have the highest customer service level may be sent by the system to the dedicated block chain with the highest functionality and/or security. Likewise, transaction information associated with a customer that has a mid-level customer service level may be sent by the system to a different dedicated block chain with less security or a different amount of functionality.

In some embodiments, the dedicated block chains are separated based on the functionality of each dedicated block chain, or based on the type of transaction information associated with each dedicated block chain. For example, a distinct, dedicated block chain may be generated for an affinity relationship between one or more merchants and their customers. As such, a financial institution may set up a dedicated block chain for a rewards program or other affinity program for a first merchant, populating the blocks and/or the ledgers of the dedicated block chain with customer information for every customer that has signed up for the affinity program. As new customers enter the program, the system may add a block to one or more nodes in the block chain that can be validated to confirm the authenticity of the registration and to store one or more portions of the customer's information in an associated ledger.

In some embodiments, multiple merchants with similar affinity programs (or affinity programs that utilize similar customer information data) may be included in the same dedicated block chain network. As such, the customer information may also include which merchant affinity programs the customer has agreed to join, and which customer information is available to which merchant. The multiple merchants may have different rights or restrictions regarding the data stored in the dedicated block chain, based on the merchant's level of involvement, the merchant's customer service level held with the financial institution, and the like.

The financial institution may organize a plurality of these affinity program based dedicated block chain networks, with each dedicated block chain network comprising information pertaining to specific merchants, specific merchant types, and/or types and amounts of customer data held in each dedicated block chain. Therefore, different affinity programs may have their own, distinct dedicated block chain network, but the financial institution may be able to write in certain customer information into multiple dedicated block chain networks, based on the rights and requirements of each dedicated block chain network.

The dedicated block chain networks may also be organized based on individual, or groups of customers of the financial institution. For example, a financial institution may establish a dedicated asset block chain to hold business asset information for one or more businesses. Each associated business may either actively provide asset information (e.g., equipment purchased, real estate owned, stock information, cash reserve information, and the like) to the financial institution, or the financial institution may record the asset information as part of a transaction process with a business (e.g., the financial institution finances the purchase of a tractor for a business and therefore records the asset along with the terms of the finance agreement in an associated dedicated block chain network). In this manner, a business customer of the financial institution, and the financial institution can keep secure, reliable, and time-stamped records of the assets of the business.

Similarly, the financial institution may establish dedicated block chains that are organized based on individual or groups of non-business customers to track and maintain records of identity information for each customer, asset chain information of each customer, and other personal and financial information of the customer. Such an embodiment may allow the financial institution to easily and securely access a customer's pertinent information when determining whether the customer is eligible or authorized to receive an offer for a product or service of the financial institution or for a business customer of the financial institution.

The security features of decentralized block chain networks reside in the legitimacy of node miners, the node validation requirements, the user identity requirements, and the like. The legitimacy of miners, that generate and maintain nodes for storing blocks and ledgers, can be improved by provide greater incentives for creating and maintaining the nodes. The miners can be incentivized by offering pre-defined “per-block” rewards, where the miner is paid a reward for every block properly generated and/or maintained. Additionally, miners can be incentivized by offering a payment or reward per transaction that either goes through one of the miner's nodes, or is authorized within the entire block chain network. Furthermore, identity checks, background checks, and the like can be performed to confirm the legitimacy of miners in the block chain network. Users, whether they be individual customers or other financial institutions, can be validated in person or through unique signatures to ensure that the entity bringing a transaction into the block chain network, or the entity validating a transaction, is in fact the expected entity. Node validation requirements such as the number and/or percentage of validations for each transaction are directly proportional to the security of the system.

In some embodiments, the process800may include block804, where the system receives transaction information associated with a transaction. The transaction information may be received from a merchant system, from an electronic device of the user, from a third-party system (e.g., a clearing house), and the like. The system may receive the transaction information at a process data network like the process data network650discussed in relation toFIG. 6C. The process data network may have at least partial read and write privileges to each of the plurality of dedicated block chains, and the process data network may be associated with at least one node in each of the dedicated block chains.

The transaction information may be any financial information of a customer of the financial institution, including a product price, a product type, a time and date of purchase, a merchant associated with the purchase, a geographic location of the purchase, payment vehicle information associated with the purchase, a customer service level associated with the customer, a customer service level associated with the merchant, and the like. The customer of the financial institution may be an individual, an organization, a business, another financial institution, and the like.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the process800includes block806, where the system determines a transaction factor from the transaction information. Transaction factors are factors of the transaction that will help the system determine which of the dedicated block chain networks to send at least a portion of the financial information. Transaction factors include, but are not limited to, a dollar amount of the transaction, a transaction type, a merchant type, a net worth of the merchant, an affinity program associated with the customer and/or the merchant, an asset chain associated with the customer and/or the merchant, and the like. The transaction factor may be determined from a receipt of the transaction (electronic or otherwise), from customer input, from merchant input, from third party input, and the like.

In some embodiments, the process800may include block808, where the system identifies a dedicated block chain associated with the transaction factor from the plurality of dedicated block chains. As described above, the dedicated block chains may be tiered or otherwise organized such that each dedicated block chain is configured to receive, log, and store a certain type of transaction information. Additionally, each individual dedicated block chain may comprise unique or specialized organizational structures, access protocols, retrieval protocols, and validation protocols, based on the desired security and/or functionality level of the dedicated block chain. Therefore, each dedicated block chain is specialized to receive transaction information comprising a specific transaction factor, or a specific grouping of transaction factors.

As such, the system may match the identified financial transaction factors to their respective dedicated block chain network. Additionally, the system may also prohibit at least a portion of the transaction information from being matched with, or associated with, one or more other dedicated block chain networks.

Finally, in some embodiments, the process800may include block810, where the system generates a new block for the transaction at a node in the identified dedicated block chain. Once the system has matched the transaction factor(s) to an appropriate dedicated block chain, the system may log the transaction information at one or more nodes of that appropriate dedicated block chain by generating or originating a new block in the block chain. The logging process also includes a time stamp step to help the dedicated block chain maintain a sequencing of the recorded transactions over time.

In some embodiments, the system may also write one or more portions of the transaction information into the ledger, including notes and other information that is not commonly or easily recorded in a block.

Providing a Rights Management Protocol to Ensure Information Security

Referring now toFIG. 9, a flowchart is provided to illustrate a process900for providing a rights management protocol within a decentralized block chain network to ensure informational security, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The process900may begin with block902, where the system receives an authorization request from a user to conduct an action associated with a block chain distributed network. The requested action may be any action associated with the creation, editing, maintenance, and review of a block chain network. Examples of actions that the user may conduct include, but are not limited to, writing data to a block, reading data from a block and/or a ledger, validating a node, challenging a validation of a block, editing a block or ledger, inviting a new entity to join the block chain, removing an entity from a block chain, and the like. When the user attempts to conduct the action, the system may receive the attempt as a request from the user to be authorized to carry out the action.

Each user may be associated with a certain security level, as designated by the financial institution, or a group of financial institutions that are associated with the same decentralized block chain network. The security level may be associated with a customer service level of the user, a trustworthiness of the customer, the business and/or personal needs of the customer, and the like. The security level of a customer is directly associated with the rights and restrictions of the user in accessing and manipulating information from the block chain network. Therefore, in some embodiments, the process900includes block904, where the system determines a security level associated with the user.

In some embodiments, each node of a block chain network is associated with one or more entities, where each entity is confirmed by the other entities of the block chain network. As such, when a first entity wishes to access or otherwise interact with data on a block chain at a node of a second entity, the second entity can authorize access to its data based on who the first entity is, and based on how trustworthy the second entity believes the first entity to be. For example, if the first entity is a large, well-known entity with a close business relationship with the second entity, then the second entity may provide a relatively low security level for the first entity's interaction with its data on the node. However, if a third entity wishes to interact with the second entity's data, and the third entity is a smaller business and does not have a close business relationship with the second entity, then the second entity can provide a strict security level to the third entity. In this manner, each entity of the same block chain network can set their own security levels, requirements, and parameters based on that entity's security and/or business policies. As each entity maintains their own security measures, their data is not affected by any lower security levels held by other entities.

The security level of each user, or entity, may be based on the node from which a user or entity submits a request for data. The entity or user associated with the requested node(s) can identify the requesting node and, based on this identification, determine which security level to associate with the requesting user or entity. In this manner, the security roles can be stored on the block chains themselves, where the identities, security levels, and any additional associated parameters can be securely stored and managed.

Some embodiments of the invention include private, or hybrid block chain networks where multiple financial entities and related entities are all parties to a block chain network, where each entity is associated with one or more nodes of the block chain network. Based on the security practices of the associated parties, the collective group may not need to require the maintenance of certificates for the use of block chain nodes, as the parties will be known and not expected to change. Because the security levels may still be stored within the block chain network and/or simply associated with the requesting node, entities of the block chain network can maintain a block chain network with unique security levels for multiple entities of the block chain network.

In some embodiments, the security level of the user may be identified by matching the user to account and/or user information stored in a database with the financial institution or a third party. Additionally, the system may prompt the user to provide one or more pieces of identification and/or business information to assess the user's proper security level. Examples of possible security levels include, but are not limited to full read and write privileges, the right to block validation at one or more nodes, the right to retrieve at least a portion of the data in the block chain network, and the like.

Some users may have specialized security levels, where the user is only authorized to perform a specific function. For example, a single user may be authorized to validate nodes within the block chain network, but that user may not be authorized to generate a new block within the same block chain network.

In some embodiments, a single user may have different security levels for different types of information. For example, the user may have a right of access and retrieval to transaction price information in the block chain network, but the user may only have a right of access to the rest of the transaction information (e.g., parties involved, time and date of the transaction, validators of the transaction, and the like).

A rights management protocol of the system may be utilized to take one or more actions in response to the received authorization request and the user's determined security level. The rights management protocol may determine whether the user is authorized to conduct the desired action based on the security level, and can adjust or change the security level of the user based on additional input.

Therefore, the process900may include block906, where the system authorizes the user to conduct the action when the action is allowed under the determined security level associated with the user. By authorizing the user, the system allows the user to conduct only the authorized action(s) within the block chain network. For example, when a user is authorized to generate a new block at a node, the system allows the user to generate the new block at one or more of the nodes in the block chain network, extending the block chain for that node.

In some cases, the user is authorized to conduct an action on only a portion of the data and/or nodes within the block chain distributed network. In such embodiments, the system may screen the user from information, nodes, tasks, other users, and the like, when the user is not authorized to interact with these things. In this manner, the user may be granted limited access to the block chain distributed network.

In some embodiments, the system may place time and/or frequency limitations on the user's access to the block chain network. For example, the system, based on the security level of the user, may determine that the user is only allowed to access the block chain network for the purpose of conducting the desired action for a certain predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 2 hours, 1 week, and the like). Once the predetermined time is up, the system may kick the user out of the block chain network or otherwise restrict the user's access to the block chain network until the user is re-authorized to conduct the action.

Similarly, the system may determine, based on the security level of the user, that the user is only allowed to access the block chain network to conduct the action a certain number of times within a predetermined period of time (e.g., twice in 30 minutes, 60 times in 1 week, and the like). In such embodiments, the system will kick the user out of the block chain network as soon as the user hits either the allotted number of actions or once the allotted predetermined period of time has passed.

Alternatively, the process900may include block908, where the system does not authorize the user to conduct the action when the action is not allowed under the determined security level of the user. The system is therefore able to maintain a desired level of security for the block chain network by appropriately managing the rights of certain users in accessing the block chain network.

However, in some scenarios, the security level associated with the user may include a provision that the user may be authorized to view certain data by providing additional authorization credentials and/or by paying an access payment. For example, the system may prompt the user to provide additional authorization credentials based on the determined security level associated with the user. In some embodiments, the system prompts an electronic device, such as a user's mobile device, to present the request for additional authentication credentials on a user interface of the electronic device. The user may then send the authorization credentials to the system, where the system can validate the authentication credentials. In some embodiments, the user may enter the additional authentication credentials into the electronic device, which may transmit the authentication credentials to a computing device of the system. Once further authorized, the user may be granted access to the block chain network to conduct the desired action.

Similarly, the system may prompt the user to provide an access payment to view or extract certain information from the block chain network (e.g., pull data from a ledger). Once the system receives the access payment from the user, the system will then authorize the user to conduct the desired action.

In some embodiments, the rights management protocol of the system may alter either the security levels of one or more users or the authorizations associated with each security levels of the users. For example, the rights management protocol may determine that additional validators are needed in the system to maintain a timely and efficient validation of new blocks at block chain nodes. Therefore, the system may provide at least temporary validation rights to one or more users that previously did not have validation rights as part of their security level clearance.

Additionally, the rights management protocol of the system may determine that the block chain network may be compromised, and therefore the rights management protocol may reduce or remove authorizations for one or more users on at least a temporary basis until the rights management protocol determines that the block chain network is no longer compromised. In a similar embodiment, the rights management protocol of the system may alternate the rights of each user, or groups of users, and monitor the actions of each user to determine one or more users that may be associated with the compromised block chain network. For example, if the system determines that one or more users are adding improper transaction information into blocks, the system may cycle through groups of users that normally have writing authorization, turning off each group's writing authorization for a period of time. The system may then analyze the occurrence and/or frequency of potentially improper transactions during the each cycled time period to determine that the improper transactions occurred less (or not at all) when the writing authorizations for one or more users was turned off. The system may then look into this group of individuals and possibly request additional authentication credentials before renewing their authorizations to write new blocks into the system.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE