System and Methods for Asset Management

Abstract

In summary, the present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to digital and physical assets security and, more specifically, but not exclusively, to systems and methods for registration, validation, and distribution of assets digitally. The invention describes a system and method to establish an asset management system that registers, hosts, and validates submitted digital assets or digital representations of physical assets using cryptographically secured assets, such as digital non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Claims

1. A cryptographic asset management system comprising one or more hardware processors configured by machine-readable instructions to: receive a digital asset; generate a copy of received digital asset; embed a unique watermark on the generated copy of received digital asset using a watermarking algorithm; obtain a hash value of the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark using a hashing algorithm; encrypt the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark using an encryption algorithm, and; generate a cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark, wherein the cryptographically secured asset comprises the hash value obtained from the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cryptographically secured asset comprises the cryptographic hash value obtained from the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital asset is a representation of a physical asset.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the digital asset is a non-fungible token registered on a blockchain.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising machine-readable instructions to: receive an encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark; decrypt the received encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark using a decryption algorithm; obtain a hash value from the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark using the hashing algorithm; compare the obtained hash value with the hash value of the corresponding cryptographically secured asset registered on a blockchain to assert the validity and/or ownership.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising machine-readable instructions to generate and register a plurality of cryptographically secured assets on a blockchain, each cryptographically secured asset representing an encrypted unique modified copy of the digital asset embedded with a unique watermark.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising machine-readable instructions to: receive an encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a first unique watermark; decrypt the received encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first unique watermark using a decryption algorithm; embed a second unique watermark on the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first unique watermark using a watermarking algorithm; obtain a hash value from the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermark using the hashing algorithm; encrypt the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks using an encryption algorithm, and; generate a cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising machine-readable instructions to: receive an encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks; decrypt the received encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks using a decryption algorithm; obtain a hash value from the decrypted encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks using the hashing algorithm; compare the obtained hash value with the hash value of a corresponding non-fungible token registered on the blockchain to assert validity and/or ownership.

9. A computer implemented method for generating cryptographically secured assets, the method comprising of: receiving a digital asset; generating a copy of received digital asset; embedding a unique watermark on the generated copy of received digital asset using a watermarking algorithm; obtaining a cryptographic hash value of the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark; encrypting the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with a unique watermark using a hashing algorithm; encrypting the copy embedded with the unique watermark using an encryption algorithm, and; generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark, wherein the cryptographically secured asset comprises the hash value obtained from the generated copy of received digital asset embedded with the unique watermark.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the digital asset is a representation of a physical asset.

11. The method as in claim 9, wherein the digital asset is a non-fungible token registered on a blockchain.

12. The method as in claim 9, further comprising: receiving an encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark; decrypting the received encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark using a decryption algorithm; obtaining a hash value from the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark using the hashing algorithm; comparing the obtained hash value with the hash value of a corresponding cryptographically secure asset registered on a blockchain to assert the validity and/or ownership.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising generating and registering a plurality of cryptographically secured assets on a blockchain, each representing an encrypted unique modified copy of the digital asset embedded with a unique watermark.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising: receiving an encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a first unique watermark; decrypting the received encrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a first unique watermark using a decryption algorithm; embedding a second unique watermark on the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with a first unique watermark using a watermarking algorithm; obtaining a cryptographic hash value from the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks using the hashing algorithm; encrypting the decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks using an encryption algorithm, and; generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: receiving an encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks; decrypting the received encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermarks using a decryption algorithm; obtaining a hash value from the decrypted encrypted decrypted copy of a digital asset embedded with the first and second unique watermark using the hashing algorithm; comparing the obtained hash value with the hash value of a corresponding cryptographically secure asset registered on the blockchain to assert validity and/or ownership.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0014] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the illustrative embodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative embodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of one or more illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1a of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark.

[0016] FIG. 1b of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of validating a generated cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark.

[0017] FIG. 2 of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of generating a plurality of cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copies of a digital asset, each embedded a unique watermark.

[0018] FIG. 3a of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark.

[0019] FIG. 3b of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of validating a decrypted cryptographically secured asset, representing a decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark.

[0020] FIG. 4 of the diagrams illustrates the generating of a plurality of cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copies of a digital asset, each embedded a unique watermark.

[0021] FIG. 5 of the diagrams illustrates an algorithm for the specifying the generating of a plurality of cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copies of digital assets embedded a unique watermark.

[0022] FIG. 6 of the diagrams is a process flow of generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark.

[0023] FIG. 7 of the diagrams is a process flow of validating a decrypted cryptographically secured asset, representing a decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terminologies or words used in the description and the claims of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited merely to their common and dictionary meanings. On the contrary, they should be interpreted based on the meanings and concepts of the invention in keeping with the scope of the invention based on the principle that the inventor(s) can appropriately define the terms in order to describe the invention in the best way.

[0025] It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown and described herein is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, so it does not express the technical spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

[0026] In the first exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark. In the diagram is an exemplary digital asset 1, a copy of said asset is represented as 2 in the figure, wherein said copy of digital asset is embedded with a unique watermark 11. A hash value 10 may be obtained from the copy of the digital asset (2) that is embedded with a unique watermark 11. The copy of digital asset is embedded with a unique watermark 11 may be subsequently encrypted, to form an encrypted unique copy of digital asset 2 embedded with a unique watermark, 3. Further, a cryptographically secure asset 4 representing the uniquely watermarked and encrypted copy of the digital asset with obtained hash value is generated, whereby it may be possible to decipher the hash value 10 from said cryptographically secure asset 4.

[0027] The digital asset 1 could be a digital representation of a physical asset, a digital asset, a non-fungible token or any such assets that can be represented in a digital format.

[0028] In a second exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1b of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration the validation of an encrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark represented by a generated cryptographically secured asset. Illustrated on the figure is an encrypted asset 3 which comprises of a copy of a digital asset embedded with a unique watermark. The encrypted asset 3 is decrypted, to obtain unique copy of digital asset 2 embedded with a unique watermark 11, and from which the hash value 10 may be obtained. The obtained hash value 10 may then be validated by comparing it with the hash of the cryptographically secure asset 4 to assert the validity/ownership.

[0029] It should be understood that the hash value 10 obtained from an asset modified with a unique watermark may form part of a cryptographically secure asset 4, or may be obtained from it.

[0030] In a further embodiment according to the FIG. 2 of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration of generating a plurality of cryptographically secured assets representing the encrypted unique modified copies of a digital asset, each embedded with a unique watermark. Starting with a digital asset 1, the FIG. 2 teaches of the process of generating copies of a digital asset that can be validated using respective cryptographically secure assets. As an example, a first copy 1a of the digital asset 1 is made, whereby said copy 1a of digital asset is embedded with a unique watermark 11a, to generate a unique first copy 2a of the digital asset 1. A hash value, for instance, 10a may be obtained from the unique first copy 2a of the digital asset 1. Further, the unique first copy 2a of the digital asset 1 may be subsequently encrypted, to form an encrypted asset 3a of the unique first copy 2a of the digital asset 1. Thereafter, a cryptographically secure asset 4a representing the uniquely watermarked and encrypted copy of the digital asset 1 with obtained hash value is generated, whereby it may be possible to decipher the hash value 10a from said cryptographically secure asset 4a.

[0031] In another example, a second copy 1b of the digital asset 1 is made, whereby said copy 1b of digital asset is embedded with a unique watermark 11b, to generate a unique second copy 2b of the digital asset 1. A hash value, for instance, 10b may be obtained from the unique second copy 2b of the digital asset 1. Further, the unique second copy 2b of the digital asset 1 may be subsequently encrypted, to form an encrypted asset 3b of the unique second copy 2b of the digital asset 1. Thereafter, a cryptographically secure asset 4b representing the uniquely watermarked and encrypted copy of the digital asset 1 with obtained hash value is generated, whereby it may be possible to decipher the hash value 10b from said cryptographically secure asset 4b.

[0032] As a further example, a third copy 1c of the digital asset 1 is made, whereby said copy 1c of digital asset is embedded with a unique watermark 11c, to generate a unique third copy 2c of the digital asset 1. A hash value, for instance, 10c may be obtained from the unique third copy 2c of the digital asset 1. Further, the unique third copy 2c of the digital asset 1 may be subsequently encrypted, to form an encrypted asset 3c of the unique third copy 2c of the digital asset 1. Thereafter, a cryptographically secure asset 4c representing the uniquely watermarked and encrypted copy of the digital asset 1 with obtained hash value is generated, whereby it may be possible to decipher the hash value 10c from said cryptographically secure asset 4c.

[0033] Further still, as an example, a fourth copy 1d of the digital asset 1 is made, whereby said copy 1d of digital asset is embedded with a unique watermark 11d, to generate a unique fourth copy 2d of the digital asset 1. A hash value, for instance, 10d may be obtained from the unique fourth copy 2d of the digital asset 1. Further, the unique fourth copy 2d of the digital asset 1 may be subsequently encrypted, to form an encrypted asset 3d of the unique fourth copy 2d of the digital asset 1. Thereafter, a cryptographically secure asset 4d representing the uniquely watermarked and encrypted copy of the digital asset 1 with obtained hash value is generated, whereby it may be possible to decipher the hash value 10d from said cryptographically secure asset 4d.

[0034] It should be understood that the exemplary illustration provides for the establishing of a digital representation of copyright or ownership right for digital or physical assets using a cryptographically secured asset, embedding a cryptographically secured asset in representation of digital asset or digital representation of physical asset, establishing a digital representation of distribution right for digital or physical assets using the cryptographically secured asset, embedding the cryptographically secured asset representing distribution right in representation of digital asset or digital representation of physical asset, establishing a digital representation of tokenized ownership of digital or physical asset, and embedding cryptographically secured asset representing tokenized ownership in representation of digital asset or digital representation of physical asset.

[0035] Preferably, the exemplary illustration of FIG. 1a, 1b and FIG. 2 are performed by a system that enables the upload of a digital asset. Preferably, the cryptographically secured asset that is a representative of the copy uploaded digital asset is generated and stored in a blockchain network. The said cryptographically secured asset may represent one or more properties, such as but not limited to rights of the uploaded digital asset. The rights may be indicative of ownership, tokenized ownership, copyright, distribution right, or others. The rights may be restricted by law, countries, geographical regions, income, culture, religion, or time. Properties of the digital asset, such as the date/time of the upload, information on the digital asset, information on the creator/owner, information on rights, may be associated with the said cryptographically secured asset.

[0036] In some embodiments, the uploaded digital asset may be transformed into an updated digital asset with the cryptographically secured asset or a representation of the cryptographically secured asset. The transformation may be driven by a computer algorithm. The transformation may not be detectable by the naked eyes. The presence of the cryptographically secured asset embedded in the updated digital asset may be detected and validated by computer algorithm. The updated digital asset may serve as a proof of ownership of one or more rights. The cryptographically secured assets representing the uploaded digital asset may be structured. In one embodiment, one cryptographically secured asset may contain information of another cryptographically secured asset. The structure may be detected and validated by a computer algorithm.

[0037] In a non-limiting embodiment, the digital asset for which a cryptographically secured asset is generated may embody a digital representation of a physical asset, a digital asset, a non-fungible token or any such assets that can be represented in a digital format.

[0038] In a subsequent embodiment illustrated by FIG. 3a of the diagrams is an exemplary illustration that teaches of generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark. A first encrypted digital asset 2 represented by a first cryptographically secured asset is provided, whereby said encrypted digital asset is decrypted to reveal a decrypted unique modified copy of a first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark. Thereafter, a unique watermark 12 is embedded onto the decrypted unique modified copy of a first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark, to generate a unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset by embedding a unique watermark in the first decrypted digital asset 5. Thereafter, it is obtained a hash value 10 of the digital asset 5. The subsequent phase in the method is to encrypt the unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark to produce a second encrypted digital asset 6 and store it in a suitable storage device. Finally, we generate a second cryptographically secured asset 404 representing the second encrypted asset and containing the hash value of the unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark and the hash value of the unique watermark.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the storage device comprises of a blockchain.

[0040] In the embodiment exemplified by the FIG. 3b of the diagrams is an illustration of validating a decrypted cryptographically secured asset, representing a decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark. The validation begins with an encrypted digital asset 6, which is an encrypted unique modified copy of a first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark. The said asset is decrypted to reveal an asset 5 with a unique watermark 12 embedded onto a decrypted unique modified copy of a first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark, and for which a hash value 10 may be obtained. Thereafter, the hash value 10 obtained from the decrypted asset 5 with a unique watermark 12 embedded onto a decrypted unique modified copy of a first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark is validated from the cryptographically secured asset 404 representing the asset 5 with a unique watermark 12 to asset the authenticity, validity or ownership, wherein the hash value 10 is compared with the hash value contained/that can be obtained in the second cryptographically secured asset.

[0041] A subsequent embodiment according to FIG. 4 of the diagrams illustrates the generating of a plurality of cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copies of a digital asset, each embedded a unique watermark. The method begins with a digital asset, which may be a digital asset uploaded to a suitably configured system in a step 40. The step 41 is the generation of a first cryptographically secured asset representing a first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with a first watermark. There is a further subsequent step 42 for generating a second cryptographically secured asset representing a second encrypted unique modified copy of the first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with a second watermark. The next step 43 entails generating a third cryptographically secured asset representing a third encrypted unique modified copy of the second encrypted unique modified copy of the first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with a third watermark. A further step 44 involves generating an n.sup.th cryptographically secured asset representing an nth encrypted unique modified copy of the n?1.sup.th encrypted unique modified copy of the first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with an n.sup.th watermark.

[0042] According to an exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 5 of the diagrams, it is illustrated an algorithm for the specifying the generating of a plurality of cryptographically secured asset representing the encrypted unique modified copies of digital assets embedded a unique watermark. The algorithm performs a method beginning with digital asset, for which a specified n iterations is given as in 50. In a step 51, it is generated a first cryptographically secured asset representing a first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with a first watermark. In a step 52, it is generated a cryptographically secured asset representing a second encrypted unique modified copy of the first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with a second watermark. In a step 53, it is generated a third cryptographically secured asset representing a third encrypted unique modified copy of the second encrypted unique modified copy of the first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with a third watermark. In a step 54, it is generated an n.sup.th cryptographically secured asset representing an n.sup.th encrypted unique modified copy of the n?1 encrypted unique modified copy of the first encrypted unique modified copy of the uploaded digital asset embedded with an n.sup.th watermark, where n is the specified number of iterations as provided in 50.

[0043] According to an exemplary embodiment as in FIG. 6 of the diagrams is a process flow of generating a cryptographically secured asset representing the decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark. The process begins at 60, wherein it is decrypted a first encrypted digital asset represented by a first cryptographically secured asset. In the step 61, it is generated a unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset by embedding a unique watermark in the first decrypted digital asset. In the step 62, it is obtained a hash value of the unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark and a hash value of the unique watermark. In the step 63, it is encrypted the unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark to produce a second encrypted asset, which is subsequently stored in a suitable storage device, preferably a blockchain in 64. In 65, it is generated a second cryptographically secured asset representing the second encrypted asset and containing the hash value of the unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset embedded with a unique watermark and the hash value of the unique watermark.

[0044] In a last shown exemplary embodiment according to the FIG. 7 of the diagrams is a process flow of validating a decrypted cryptographically secured asset, representing a decrypted unique modified copy of a digital asset having a unique watermark, and embedded with a unique watermark. The process begins at 70, which entails the decryption of a second encrypted asset represented by the second cryptographically secured asset to produce a second decrypted asset. In the step 71, it is obtained a hash value of the second decrypted asset. The step 72 is the comparison of the hash value of the second decrypted asset with the hash value of the unique modified copy of the first decrypted digital asset contained in the second cryptographically secured asset. In the step 73, a hash value of the watermark embedded in the second decrypted asset is obtained. The step 74 is the comparison of the hash value of the watermark embedded in the second decrypted asset with the hash value of the unique watermark contained in the second cryptographically secured asset. Finally, in the step 75, the authenticity and/or ownership of the second encrypted asset is verified.

[0045] In some preferred aspects, the digital watermarking techniques described in the present invention may specify the use of imperceptible watermarks embedded in the digital assets. As used herein, an imperceptible watermark may refer to a watermark that is cryptographically embedded within the digital data in such a manner that it is not perceptible to the human eyes, or other senses and cannot be detected or deciphered without specialized algorithms and keys.

[0046] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

[0047] The current invention technology is applicable in the cryptography industry.