Patent Publication Number: US-2021174351-A1

Title: Blockchain structure for an intellectual property exchange including a pointer to an oracle and user interface therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a U.S. Continuation Application which claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/035468, entitled “BLOCKCHAIN STRUCTURE FOR AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EXCHANGE INCLUDING A POINTER TO AN ORACLE AND USER INTERFACE THEREFOR,” filed Jun. 4, 2019 (docket number 3063-001-04). International Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/035468 claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/681,364, entitled “BLOCKCHAIN STRUCTURE FOR AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY EXCHANGE INCLUDING A POINTER TO AN ORACLE AND USER INTERFACE THEREFOR,” filed Jun. 6, 2018, now expired (docket number 3056-023-02). U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/681,364 and International Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/035468 are, to the extent not inconsistent with the disclosure herein, incorporated by reference. 
     The present application is related to U.S. patent application entitled “METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL”, (docket number 3063-002-03), filed contemporaneously herewith. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a computer method for presenting remotely stored information about a transaction related to a blockchain-tracked topic may include a computer method for presenting official information about a proprietary rights asset. According to an embodiment, the computer method for presenting official information about the proprietary rights asset includes presenting summary information about the proprietary rights asset via a user interface on an electronic display and receiving a graphical command from a user via the user interface to obtain detailed information about the proprietary asset. The computer method includes accessing and decrypting data in a computer memory corresponding to the proprietary rights asset and reading corresponding data from a remote information address, such as an Internet address, from the decrypted data. Accessing and decrypting data in a computer memory may include accessing a block chain transaction using a public or private key. The Internet address may be hosted by a government patent and/or trademark office. The computer method includes displaying information from the Internet address to the user on the electronic display. 
     According to an embodiment, a computing system includes one or more processors and at least one computer readable memory having instructions therein, which, when executed by the one or more processors, perform a process including presenting summary information about a proprietary rights asset to a user via a user interface of a proprietary rights assets exchange system. The process includes receiving, from the user via the user interface, a command to obtain detailed information about the proprietary rights asset. The process includes reading, from one or more blockchains, data corresponding to an Internet address associated with the proprietary rights asset. The process includes displaying, to the user, additional information associated with the proprietary rights asset from the Internet address. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of production environment including proprietary rights assets exchange system, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a user interface of a proprietary rights assets exchange system, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a computer method for presenting official information about an intellectual property asset, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing a computer method for presenting information about an intellectual property asset, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of a production environment  100  for facilitating the exchange of proprietary rights assets, according to one embodiment. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a proprietary rights assets exchange system. The proprietary rights assets exchange system enables users to buy and sell interest in proprietary rights assets utilizing blockchain technology. The proprietary rights assets exchange system provides a user interface that the users can interact with to view information about and obtain interest in the proprietary rights assets listed on the proprietary rights assets exchange system. 
     In one embodiment, the user can view summary information about the proprietary rights asset listed on the proprietary rights assets exchange system. If the user wishes to view further details about the proprietary rights asset, the user can select to view detailed information about the proprietary rights asset. The proprietary rights assets exchange system accesses one or more blockchains that include an encrypted address associated with the proprietary rights asset. The proprietary rights assets exchange system decrypts the address and accesses further details regarding the proprietary rights asset from a location indicated by the decrypted address. The proprietary rights assets exchange system displays the additional details about the proprietary rights asset to the user. 
     In one embodiment, a proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  is implemented in the production environment  100 . The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  enables users to exchange proprietary rights assets. The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  records transactions corresponding to the exchanges of proprietary rights assets in one or more blockchains to ensure the security and efficiency of the transactions. 
     In one embodiment, the production environment  100  includes the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , user computing environments  104 , one or more blockchain systems  106 , and proprietary rights assets information databases  108 . The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , the user computing environments  104 , the blockchain systems  106 , and the proprietary rights assets information databases  108  are connected by one or more networks  101 . The networks  101  can include one or more of the Internet, satellite communication networks, cellular communication networks, wireless area networks, local area networks, or other types of networks that can enable computing systems to communicate with each other. 
     In one embodiment, the user computing environments  104  correspond to computing environments by which the users of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  access the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The user of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can utilize one or more of a laptop computer, a tablet, a desktop computer, a smartphone, a wearable smart device, a personal electronic assistant, or other types of computing devices that can communicate with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . Accordingly, the user computing environments  104  can include any computing devices or computing systems by which individuals or organizations access the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the user of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can include an individual, multiple individuals, or an organization. A single individual can create an account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  in order to list the proprietary rights assets for others to obtain an interest in, and/or to view the proprietary rights assets listed by other users. The user can include a group of individuals that have an account by which they can enable others to obtain an interest in their proprietary rights assets and by which they can obtain an interest in the proprietary rights assets of others that have listed their proprietary rights assets on the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The user can also include an organization that has an account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  by which the organization can enable others to obtain an interest in its proprietary rights assets and by which the organization can attain interest in the proprietary rights assets of others that have listed their proprietary rights assets on the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  utilizes an interface module  116  to enable communication with the users of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The users may access the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  via the user computing environments  104 . The interface module  116  can provide one or more graphical user interface(s) to the user. The graphical user interface can enable the user to navigate through menus, options, and services provided by the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The graphical user interface can be displayed on a display of an electronic device of the user. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  uses a user account service  110  to establish and maintain user accounts with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . When the individual or the organization wishes to establish an account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , the user first accesses the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  via a computing device of the user. The interface module  116  provides an interface that enables the user to either log in to the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , or to create an account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The user can select to create an account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . When the user selects to create an account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , the interface module  116  can guide the user through the process of creating an account by requesting personal information from the user, or by prompting the user to select a username and a password. 
     In one embodiment, the user account service  110  receives registration information of the user from the interface module  116 . The user account service  110  establishes the user&#39;s account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . When the user account service  110  has established the account of the user, the user can then utilize the services of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the user account service  110  includes a database of all user accounts. The database can include, for each user, login credentials, personal information, payment information, contact information, or other types of data that may be associated with the account of the user of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the user account service  110  may link one or more payments accounts of the user to the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . For example, the user account service  110  may link one or more cryptocurrency wallets of the user to the user&#39;s account with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can then prompt the user to utilize one of the linked cryptocurrency wallets when making a transaction to obtain an interest in the proprietary rights asset. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  enables users to list proprietary rights assets for exchange on the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . When the user wishes to list the proprietary rights asset on the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , the user can upload summary information of the proprietary rights asset. Information about the proprietary rights asset is recorded in one or more blockchains associated with the blockchain systems  106 . The information recorded in the one or more blockchains can include data related to ownership of the proprietary rights asset, and an address (or address label which obfuscates or otherwise makes it substantially impossible to determine the actual address from reading the blockchain data), such as an Internet address, corresponding to a storage location from which further details regarding the proprietary rights asset can be accessed. 
     In one embodiment, a proprietary rights assets listings database  114  includes listings of various proprietary rights assets available for exchange on the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The users can utilize the graphical user interface provided by the interface module  116  to view information from the proprietary rights assets listings database  114 . In this way, the users can see which proprietary rights assets are listed for exchange. 
     In one embodiment, the user can select a proprietary rights asset from the proprietary rights assets listings database  114 . When the user selects the proprietary rights asset, the graphical user interface provides summary information about the proprietary rights asset. The summary information can include data that summarizes the proprietary rights asset. 
     In one embodiment, if the user wishes to obtain more complete details regarding the proprietary rights asset, the user can select to view additional details regarding the proprietary rights asset via the graphical user interface. When the user selects to view more complete details regarding the proprietary rights asset, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  reads, from the one or more blockchains supported by the blockchain systems  106 , an address associated with the proprietary rights asset. The address can include an Internet address. When the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  has read the address associated with the proprietary rights asset, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  accesses the more complete details from the storage location and displays the more complete details to the user. 
     In an embodiment where it is desired to obscure an actual storage location or address where the more complete details are stored, the blockchain may include an address label. During a read operation, the information retrieval module  118  may decode the address label to determine the storage location address. 
     In one embodiment, the more complete details regarding the proprietary rights asset are stored in association with the proprietary rights assets information databases  108 . The address corresponds to a storage location or web address hosted by the proprietary rights assets information databases  108 . The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  accesses the more complete details from the proprietary rights assets information databases  108  and provides them to the user. The proprietary rights assets information databases  108  can include websites associated with government proprietary rights assets offices, such as government patent and/or trademark offices. 
     In one embodiment, a proprietary rights asset includes an intellectual property asset. The intellectual property asset can include a patent asset. In one embodiment, the patent asset can include an issued patent. In one embodiment, the patent asset can include a published patent application. In one embodiment, the patent asset can include a patent application. In one embodiment, the patent asset can include a provisional patent application. In one embodiment, the patent asset can include a description of an invention for which a patent application has not yet been filed. Additionally or alternatively, the proprietary rights asset can include a trademark or copyright asset. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets information databases  108  include government intellectual property databases where official information regarding intellectual property assets, including patent and trademark information, are stored. The government intellectual property databases can include government patent and trademark websites that provide access to complete information regarding patent and trademark assets. The government patent and trademark websites can enable users to view full versions of issued patents, patent applications, and published patent applications. 
     In one example, in accordance with one embodiment, a user of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  views summary information regarding a patent asset listed on the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The user selects, via the graphical user interface, to view further details about the patent asset. The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  receives the user selection and accesses one or more blockchains associated with the patent asset and reads an address. The address includes an Internet address associated with a government patent office website. In particular, the Internet address is an address associated with that particular issued patent. The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  accesses the patent asset and displays the patent asset to the user. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can display the patent asset to the user in the graphical user interface. Additionally or alternatively, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can display the patent asset in a new window or tab of a web browser. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  utilizes an information retrieval module  118  to retrieve the information regarding the proprietary rights assets. When the user views summary information regarding the proprietary rights asset and selects to view full details or more complete information regarding the proprietary rights asset, the information retrieval module  118  accesses the blockchain systems  106  and reads, from the one or more blockchains, the address associated with the proprietary rights asset. The information retrieval module  118  then retrieves the detailed information by accessing the address. The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  then displays the more complete information to the user. The information retrieval module may further include masking logic configured to mask information from which a viewer could deduce an actual information storage location address. Because proprietary rights documents use a limited number of formats, such masking logic may be coded to check the format, and then apply masking such as redactions at locations corresponding to the particular format. For example, masking can be used to display salient facts related to an anonymized patent application. 
     In one embodiment, the user can access the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  via a dedicated software application stored on and executed, at least in part, by the computing device of the user. The software application presents the user interface to the user on the display of the electronic device of the user. The software application can present the summary information and the additional information in the user interface. Some modules, services, or systems of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  may be stored on and executed by the user computing device. 
     In one embodiment, the user can access the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  via a web browser. In this case, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  provides the user interface in the web browser. The user can access the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  by navigating to a web address associated with the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  and logging into the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can present the summary information and the additional detailed information via a user interface momentum with a website of the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can present the additional information to the user by opening an additional window or tab of the web browser. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  utilizes a transaction moderation module  112  to execute transactions for exchanging tokens issued by the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 . For example, if a first user has listed a proprietary rights asset for exchange, a second user can view the proprietary rights asset and can elect to obtain tokens representing an interest in the proprietary rights asset. The second user can exchange a selected amount of a cryptocurrency or proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  tokens for a corresponding number of the tokens representing the proprietary rights asset, in accordance with an exchange rate. The transaction moderation module  112  executes the transaction. When the transaction moderation module  112  executes the transaction, the cryptocurrency is transferred to a wallet of the first user and the tokens representing the proprietary rights asset are transferred to a wallet of the second user. 
     In one embodiment, one transaction moderation module  112  executes the transaction, while the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  communicates with the one or more blockchain systems  106 . The transactions are recorded in one or more blockchains. 
     In one embodiment, obtaining an interest in a listed proprietary rights asset can include obtaining full or partial ownership of the listed proprietary rights asset. In another embodiment, in which a proprietary rights asset is a patent asset, obtaining an interest in a listed proprietary rights asset can include obtaining a license to practice the claimed subject matter of the listed patent asset. Additionally or alternatively, obtaining an interest in the listed patent asset can include obtaining ownership of any patents that issue from the listed patent asset, when the listed patent asset includes a patent application that has not issued or when the listed patent asset includes a description of the invention for which a patent application has not yet been filed. 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a screen of a graphical user interface  202  presented on a computing device of a user of a proprietary rights assets exchange system  102 , according to one embodiment. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the graphical user interface  202  includes a summary information display field  204 , a view asset button  206 , a detailed information display field  208 , and an obtain interest button  210 . Those of skill in the art will recognize, in light of the present disclosure, that a graphical user interface in accordance with principles of the present disclosure can include differing types and arrangements of objects, selection fields, display fields than those shown in the graphical user interface  202  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In one embodiment, the summary information display field  204  displays summary information regarding a proprietary rights asset. The user can click on or otherwise select the view asset button  206  in order to view additional, more complete information regarding the proprietary rights asset. When the user selects the view asset button  206 , the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  reads, from one or more blockchains, an address associated with the proprietary rights asset. The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  then retrieves the more complete details regarding the proprietary rights asset from the address. The proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  displays the more complete details in the detailed information display field  208 . 
     In one embodiment, the user can select to view the detailed information regarding the proprietary rights asset by merely clicking on or selecting the summary information displayed in the summary information display field  204 . In one embodiment, the graphical user interface  202  can display the detailed information in the same display field as the summary information. In one embodiment, the graphical user interface  202  can display the detailed information by navigating to a separate page of the graphical user interface  202 . In one embodiment, the proprietary rights assets exchange system  102  can display the detailed information by opening a window or tab of a web browser. 
     In one embodiment, if the user wishes to obtain an interest in the proprietary rights asset, the user can click on or otherwise select the obtain interest button  210 . When the user selects the obtain interest button  210 , the graphical user interface  202  can display additional information and provide additional functionality by which the user can take steps to obtain the interest in the proprietary rights asset. In one embodiment, the user obtains the interest in the proprietary rights asset by exchanging cryptocurrency for tokens associated with ownership interest in the proprietary rights asset. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a computer method  300  for presenting official information about a proprietary rights asset, according to an embodiment. The computer method  300  may include several steps. 
     According to an embodiment, step  302  may include presenting information about a proprietary rights asset to a user via a user interface on an electronic display. The proprietary rights asset can include an intellectual property asset such as a patent, a published patent application, a non-published patent application, an invention, or a trademark asset. 
     According to an embodiment, step  304  may include receiving a graphical command from the user via the user interface to buy a blockchain token corresponding to the proprietary rights asset. 
     According to an embodiment, step  306  may include swapping the blockchain token into a user wallet for a cryptocurrency coin received into an asset wallet. 
     According to an embodiment, step  308  may include receiving a graphical command from the user to obtain detailed information about the proprietary rights asset. 
     According to an embodiment, step  310  may include accessing and decrypting blockchain data stored in a computer memory responsive to receiving the graphical command to obtain detailed information about the proprietary rights asset. 
     According to an embodiment, step  312  may include reading an Internet address from the decrypted blockchain. The Internet address may be posted by a proprietary rights office, such as a patent and/or trademark office. 
     According to an embodiment, step  314  may include opening a viewing window, tab, or screen in the user interface. 
     According to an embodiment, step  316  may include displaying information from the Internet address to the user on the user interface. In an embodiment, the displayed information includes text from the proprietary rights asset, such as a patent or a patent application. In an embodiment, the displayed information includes a full image of the patent or the patent application. In an embodiment, the displayed information includes a list of related patents. In an embodiment, the displayed information includes a list of patents and/or patent applications naming a common inventor. In an embodiment, the displayed information may include a patent file history. In an embodiment, the displayed information includes a trademark file history. 
     According to an embodiment, step  302  may include presenting summary information about an intellectual property (IP) asset via a user interface (UI) on an electronic display. 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  310 , accessing the blockchain data in the computer memory includes decrypting blockchain data. In one embodiment, decrypting the blockchain data includes decrypting some or all of the blockchain data. According to an embodiment, decrypting some or all of the blockchain data includes decrypting at least a portion of a side chain. According to an embodiment, decrypting the blockchain data includes decrypting one transaction carried by the blockchain. As an alternative to a blockchain data structure per se, step  310  may include decrypting some or all of a distributed ledger. In one embodiment, decrypting the blockchain data can include decrypting the blockchain data with a public key or a private key. 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  312 , reading the Internet address from the decrypted blockchain data may include reading blockchain transaction data. According to an embodiment, reading the Internet address from the decrypted blockchain data may include reading a uniform resource locator (url). According to an embodiment, reading the Internet address from the decrypted blockchain data may include reading an Internet Protocol (IP) address. 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  316 , displaying information from the Internet address may include displaying a full text image of the patent or the published patent application. According to an embodiment, with reference to step  316 , displaying information from the Internet address may include displaying information from a public or private Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) page corresponding to the proprietary rights asset. 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  316 , displaying the information from the Internet address includes displaying the information in the opened viewing window, tab or screen in the user interface of step  314 . 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  304 , receiving the graphical command from the user via the user interface includes swapping a cryptocurrency for a blockchain token corresponding to the proprietary rights asset. 
     According to an embodiment, step  306  may include swapping the blockchain token into a user wallet for the cryptocurrency received into an IP asset wallet. Either or both of the cryptocurrency or the blockchain token may be a fractional portion of a respective coin or token, according to an embodiment. 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  310 , accessing and decrypting the blockchain data in the computer memory may include accessing a blockchain carrying the swap transaction. 
     According to an embodiment, with reference to step  316 , displaying the information from the Internet address may include displaying an image of a patent. Additionally or alternatively, displaying the information from the Internet address may include displaying an image of a published patent application. According to an embodiment, step  316  may include displaying an assignment corresponding to the proprietary rights asset. According to an embodiment, step  316  may include displaying a prosecution history of the proprietary rights asset. According to an embodiment, displaying the information from the Internet address may include displaying an image of a trademark. According to an embodiment, step  316  may include displaying a record of a Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) proceeding. According to an embodiment, step  316  may include displaying a public record from a court proceeding. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing a computer method  400  for presenting information about a proprietary rights asset, according to an embodiment. The computer method  400  may include several steps. 
     In one embodiment, step  402  includes presenting summary information about a proprietary rights asset to a user via a user interface of a proprietary rights asset exchange system. 
     In one embodiment, step  402  includes receiving, from the user via the user interface, a command to obtain detailed information about the proprietary rights asset. 
     In one embodiment, step  406  includes reading, from one or more blockchains, an Internet address associated with proprietary rights asset. 
     In one embodiment, step  408  includes displaying, to the user, additional information associated with the proprietary rights asset from the Internet address. 
     In one embodiment, the proprietary rights asset is a patent asset. 
     In one embodiment, the summary information includes one or more of an abstract of a patent application or issued patent, a title of a patent application or issued patent, a patent number or a patent application number. 
     In one embodiment, the additional information includes a complete patent application. Additionally or alternatively, the additional information includes a complete issued patent. In one embodiment, the additional information includes text of a patent application or an issued patent. In one embodiment, the additional information includes figures from a patent application or an issued patent. In one embodiment, the additional information includes claims from a patent application or an issued patent. 
     In one embodiment, reading the Internet address includes decrypting the Internet address. 
     In one embodiment, decrypting the Internet address includes decrypting the Internet address with a private key. In one embodiment, decrypting the Internet address includes decrypting the Internet address with a public key. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.