System and Methods for Creating Non-Fungible Tokens

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”), preferably of medical imagery, automates the creation of NFTs utilizing a software application integrated with an imaging device. In preferred embodiments, the imaging device is a medical imaging device, a device associated with the imaging device, or otherwise resident on a computing device. In other embodiments, the software application is associated with medical record systems. Thus, the software application automatically creates an NFT based on imagery created by the imaging device and incorporates associated image, owner and/or software identifiers.

Claims

1. A system for creating and claiming a non-fungible token (NFT) of a individual's medical data, the system comprising: a medical device configured to create medical data in the form of internal imagery of an individual's body wherein the internal imagery is selected from the group of a still image, audio, video, and combinations thereof, and record the medical data; and a processor comprising a communication module and a memory controlled by the processor, the memory including instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform the steps of: opening a communication with a secure cryptocurrency wallet of the individual; receiving the recorded medical data of the individual's body; compiling additional information with the medical data of the individual forming compiled information; digitizing the compiled information and forming a digital file with the compiled information; generating a smart contract comprising the digital file; minting a non-fungible token of the digital file by loading the digital file onto a blockchain forming a transaction; confirming the transaction on a blockchain node; transmitting the non-fungible token of the digital file to the secure cryptocurrency wallet; storing the non-fungible token of the digital file in a staking pool with searchable information relating to the non-fungible token of the digital file; transferring the medical data of the non-fungible token to a party; and transferring yield to the secure cryptocurrency wallet when the medical data of the non-fungible token is transferred to the party.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor receives the recorded medical data of the individual and the additional information via the communication module.

3. (canceled)

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the additional information is selected from the group of: a unique identification number, a timestamp, an institution identification, a machine identification, a technician identification, a doctor's review of the medical data, and combinations thereof.

5. (canceled)

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the medical device is selected from the group of: an electronic medical record system, an electronic health record system, an ultrasound machine, a Doppler ultrasound machine, an echocardiography machine, an MRI machine, a CAT scan machine, an X-ray machine, a computed tomography (CT) machine, a nuclear medical imaging machine, a positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a fluoroscope, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a brachytherapy apparatus, a myelogram machine, a mammogram machine, and combinations thereof.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is a component of the medical device.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is a component of a personal communication device.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the personal communication device comprises a graphical user interface through which a user of the personal communication device instructs the processor to create the non-fungible token using the individual's medical data.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the graphical user interface allows the user to instruct the processor to claim the non-fungible token.

11. A method for creating and claiming a non-fungible token (NFT) of a user's medical data, the method comprising the steps of: providing a medical device; creating, by the medical device, medical data in the form of internal imagery of an individual's body wherein the internal imagery is selected from the group of a still image, audio, video, and combinations thereof; recording the medical data; communicating with a processor comprising a communication module and a memory controlled by the processor; sending the recorded medical data to the processor; opening a communication using the communication module of the processor with a secure cryptocurrency wallet of the individual; compiling additional information with the medical data of the individual forming compiled information; digitizing the compiled information and forming a digital file with the compiled information; generating a smart contract comprising the digital file; minting a non-fungible token of the digital file by loading the digital file onto a blockchain forming a transaction; confirming the transaction on a blockchain node; transmitting the non-fungible token of the digital file to the secure cryptocurrency wallet: storing the non-fungible token of the digital file in a staking pool with searchable information relating to the non-fungible token of the digital file; transferring the medical data of the non-fungible token to a party; and transferring yield to the secure cryptocurrency wallet when the medical data of the non-fungible token is transferred to the party.

12. (canceled)

13. The method of claim 11 wherein the recorded medical data includes additional information, wherein the additional information is selected from the group of: a unique identification number, a timestamp, an institution identification, a machine identification, a technician identification, a doctor's review, and combinations thereof.

14. (canceled)

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the medical device is selected from the group of: an electronic medical record system, an electronic health record system, an ultrasound machine, a Doppler ultrasound machine, an echocardiography machine, an MRI machine, a CAT scan machine, an X-ray machine, a computed tomography (CT) machine, a nuclear medical imaging machine, a positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a fluoroscope, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a brachytherapy apparatus, a myelogram machine, a mammogram machine, and combinations thereof.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the processor is a component of the medical device.

17. The method of claim 11 wherein the processor is a component of a personal communication device.

18. A method for creating and claiming a non-fungible token (NFT) of individual's medical data, the method comprising the steps of: providing a processor with a communication module and a memory; receiving, at the processor, recorded medical data of a user from a medical device via the communication module, wherein the recorded medical data comprises internal imagery of an individual's body wherein the internal imagery is selected from the group of a still image, audio, video, and combinations thereof; opening a communication with a secure cryptocurrency wallet of an individual; compiling additional information with the medical data of the individual forming compiled information; digitizing the compiled information and forming a digital file with the compiled information; generating a smart contract comprising the digital file; minting a non-fungible token of the digital file by loading the digital file onto a blockchain forming a transaction; confirming the transaction on a blockchain node; transmitting the non-fungible token of the digital file to the secure cryptocurrency wallet: storing the non-fungible token of the digital file in a staking pool with searchable information relating to the non-fungible token of the digital file; transferring the medical data of the non-fungible token to a party; and transferring yield to the secure cryptocurrency wallet when the medical data of the non-fungible token is transferred to the party.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the processor is a component of a personal communication device, wherein the personal communication device comprises a graphical user interface through which a user of the personal communication device instructs the processor to create the non-fungible token using the user's medical data.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the graphical user interface allows the user to instruct the processor to claim the non-fungible token using the user's medical data and record the non-fungible token in a smart contract that is stored in the user's secure smart wallet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0046] FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart showing a method of generating NFTs from medical data in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates a continuing flow chart showing a method of staking NFTs generated from medical data in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The present invention relates to systems and methods for creating non-fungible tokens (“NFTs”), preferably of medical imagery. Specifically, the present invention automates the creation of NFTs utilizing a software application integrated with an imaging device. In preferred embodiments, the imaging device is a medical imaging device, a device associated with the imaging device, or otherwise resident on a computing device. In other embodiments, the software application is associated with medical record systems. Thus, the software application automatically creates an NFT based on imagery created by the imaging device and incorporates associated image, owner and/or software identifiers.

Definitions

[0049] Blockchain: A system in which a record of transactions/data are maintained across several computers that are linked in a peer-to-peer network.

[0050] Mint: The software function that executes a new record on the blockchain that creates a non-fungible piece of data (a “token” or “NFT”) within a blockchain.

[0051] Wallet: A unique address within the blockchain, controlled by a user or group of users, that can store tokens and authorize actions and executions of functions within smart contracts.

[0052] Burn: Invalidation of data and/or tokens from being used any further on the blockchain.

[0053] Claim: A smart contract function to take tokens from the contract and move them to a wallet.

[0054] Staking: Depositing a blockchain token in exchange for yield.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present invention, the systems and methods of the present invention are accomplished via one or more pieces of hardware and software that coordinate to provide the advantages and objectives disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the software may be in the form of an application that is generally associated with a medical imaging device, such as electronic medical record system, an electronic health record system, a standard ultrasound machine, a Doppler ultrasound machine, an echocardiography machine, an Mill machine or CAT scan machine, an X-ray machine, a computed tomography (CT) machine, a nuclear medical imaging machine, a positron emission tomography (PET) machine, a fluoroscope, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a brachytherapy apparatus, a myelogram machine, a mammogram machine, or any other like apparatus or medical imaging devices that may be used to create and/or store internal imagery of a body, wherein the imagery may be in the form of video, still images, audio, or any other like imagery. In a preferred embodiment, the software application may be resident on medical imaging devices or medical record systems and may be utilized to create an NFT from the medical imagery created thereby. Thus, when a medical imaging device is used to create the medical imagery in the form of a digital file, the software application may automatically generate the NFT, as disclosed in more detail below.

[0056] Alternatively, the software application may be resident on a computing device separate from the medical imaging device or medical records system (such as on a separate server, the Cloud, or other like device) but having access to the medical imagery, such that the computing device, via the software application, may communicate with the medical imaging device or medical records system and automatically generate an NFT from the medical imagery generated by the medical imaging device. Therefore, the software application may obtain the medical imagery in the form of a digital file and create the NFT automatically upon receipt of the digital file. For example, the software application may be an application for download onto a smart device, such as a smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer, wearable computing devices, such as a smart watch or the like, or any other like computing device apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0057] It should be noted that the software application as described herein may be resident on or otherwise connected to, in communication with, or otherwise associated with any imaging device that creates or generates imagery, such that the software application may automatically create an NFT therefrom, as detailed below. For example, the present invention may be resident on, connected to, in communication with or otherwise associated with a personal computing device, such as a smart phone or tablet computer, and may automatically generate an NFT from a digital file created by or otherwise generated from the personal computing device. For example, the software application as described herein may automatically create an NFT from imagery created by the personal computing device. Moreover, the present invention may further provide automatic creation of any kind of digital asset utilizing blockchain technology. The present invention should not be limited as described herein.

[0058] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the software application automatically compiles pertinent information relating to medical imagery and generates an NFT from the NFT, including the compiled pertinent information. In a first step of the present invention, the software application, as described above, may link to a user's cryptocurrency wallet. Once linked, the software application may remain linked so as not to prompt a user again, or for security may continuously prompt identity of the user each time the software application is used for security purposes. In a second step, the software application may provide options for which blockchain to create the NFT.

[0059] The software application may, in a third step, compile data from various sources for association with the digital file. For example, the software may compile information such as medical information that may include the medical provider's name, the imaging technician, the medical device manufacturer, the medical device manufacturing number, the date of the medical image, the time of the medical image, the medical record system. Moreover, other information relating to the patient or user, such as identifying information including the patient's name, birthdate, or any other like information. Further, information concerning the software utilized to generate the NFT may be compiled, such as the identity of the software used to generate the NFT, the manufacturer of the software, the software version, and/or any other like information relating to the software, the blockchain format, or the smart contract code.

[0060] In a next step, the software application may digitize the compiled information and automatically add the digitized information to the digital file. Using the smart contract, the software application may then create the digital file on the blockchain, thereby creating the NFT of the combined medical imagery and the compiled information. The digital file, having the combined medical imagery and the compiled information may then be sent or otherwise provided to the user or patient thereof, and the software application may, in a final step, settle all mining fees generated by creating the NFT as described above.

[0061] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary methodology associated with the present invention. Specifically, the methodology may start at step 10, wherein user medical data in a form disclosed above may be generated via step 12. The user medical data 12 may include the medical data itself and may further have other data associated therewith, such as a unique identification, a timestamp, institution identification, machine identification, technician identification, and other like information. At the creation of the user medical data, the user may be presented with an option to claim the medical data and associated information and convert the same into an NFT via step 14. Thus, the option to claim and create an NFT may be presented to the user via the user's communication device, such as the user's smartphone, and the user may opt to claim and create the NFT by responding affirmatively on the user's communication device, where the medical data and associated information is subsequently automatically converted into an NFT. If a user responds negatively to the option to claim and create the NFT, then the medical data and/or associated data may be transferred to legacy workflow, step 16. Legacy workflow may include the methods of handling user medical data done prior to the present invention.

[0062] In an embodiment, creation of the NFT may be done via an application directly associated and/or resident on the medical device that may have created the medical data or within a system tied directly to the medical device. As such, the medical data and associated information may be transferred to an application for processing into an NFT. Alternatively, once the option to claim and create an NFT is affirmatively selected by the user on his or her communication device, the medical data and associated information may be transferred directly to the user's communication device or other system directly controlled by the user. The medical data and associated information may then be converted into an NFT.

[0063] In either case, once the user opts to claim and create an NFT from the medical data and the associated information, the medical data and associated information may be minted into an NFT via a Smart Contract, which is a collection of functions/code that may be executed to perform automatic functions related to certain types or subsets of tokens. At the same time, the medical data and associated information may be loaded onto a blockchain via step 20. At the minting of the NFT, the transaction may be confirmed on blockchain nodes via step 22, and if not the process for minting the NFT via the Smart Contract may be repeated. Likewise, after loading the image onto the blockchain via step 20, the transaction may be confirmed on blockchain nodes via step 24, and if not the process for loading the image on the blockchain may be repeated. Once the minting and loading of the NFT is confirmed, the NFT created thereby may be stored in the Smart Contract via step 26. Unclaimed NFTs may be pruned and burned via step 27.

[0064] Subsequent to the creation of the NFT after opting to do so by the user, the user may utilize his or her unique information to claim the NFT via steps 28, 30, 32. Step 28 involves utilizing user unique user information and opting to claim the NFT via step 30. The option to claim the NFT may be made by the user via his or her communication device or other application. Thus, upon creation of the NFT, the NFT and associated Smart Contract may be presented to the user for claiming the same via step 30 and, therefore, claimed via step 32. Again, unclaimed medical imagery may cause the NFT associated therewith to be burned via step 27.

[0065] Once claimed, the user identification information may be incorporated and stored in the Smart Contract with the NFT via step 34 and subsequently transferred to the user-controlled wallet via step 36, whereupon fees may be settled with respect to the creation and claiming of the NFT by the user. Once stored in a user's wallet via step 36, the user may stake the NFT and derive yield therefrom via step 38.

[0066] The staking process (step 38 in FIG. 1) is further shown in detail in FIG. 2, whereupon a user may decide to exchange the NFT for yield. The minted NFT 40 (i.e., the created and claimed NFT stored within the user's smart wallet) may opt to stake the minted NFT 40 via step 42, whereupon the NFT may be stored within a database (called a “staking pool”) via step 44 that may be accessible by a research team or third-party team 46. As such, the research or third party team 46 may request access to the database of stored and staked NFTs containing the user's medical data via step 48. The research or third-party team 46 may transfer payment to the staking pool via step 50. Typically, a research or third-party team 46 may be in search of medical data relating to specific conditions. The staking pool may compile the medical data and provide searchable or retrievable NFTs relating to the condition sought. Upon finding medical data in the form of the user's NFT in the staking pool related to the condition sought by the research or third-party team 46, the medical data and associated information of the user's NFT may be transferred to the research or third-party team 46 via step 52. Rewards in the form of payment of yield to the user may then be transferred to the user and retained in the user's smart wallet via step 54.

[0067] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.