We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 38
GD INT
NATIONAL APPLICATION PUBL
D UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
World Intellectual Property >
era Z AAO A
International Burau
ional Publication Number
2 (10) Interna
26 March 2020 (26.03.2020) = WIPO|PCT eed
(1) International Patent Classificatio (72) Inventors: ABRAMSON, Dustin; Microsoft Technology
G60 2006(2012.01) 60.3002 (2012.01) Licensing. LLC, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Was
G06Q 2082(2012.01)——-GOGN 3/08 (2006.01) ington 98052-6399 (US). FU, Derriek: Microsoft Tec
HAL 9/32 (200601) nology Licensing, LLC, One Microsoft Way, Redmond,
Washington 98152-6599 (US). JOHNSON, Joseph Ed
win, JR. Microsoft Tecliology Licensing, LLC, One Mi-
crosofi Way, Redmond, Washington 9805246399 (US).
(74) Agent: MINHIAS, Sandip S. et al: Microsoft Technology
Licensing, LLC, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washing
(25) Filing Language: English ton 98052-6399 (US),
English (80
1) International Application Number:
PCT/US2019/038084
(2) International Filing Date:
20 June 2019 (20.06.2019)
(26) Publication Languas
(G0) Priority Data:
Designated States uiless otherwise indicated, fo
ind of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BN, BR, BW, BY, BZ,
16/138,518 21 September 2018 (21.09.2018) US Patan tentenlcntentcatce ae aviae aniacl
(1) Applicant: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY — LI- DZ, EC. BE. EG. ES, Fl, GB. GD. GE, GH, GM, GT, HN,
CENSING, LLC [USIUS}; One Microsoft Way. Redmond, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IR, 1S, 10, JB, KE, KG, KH, KN, KP.
Washington 98052-6399 (US) KR, KW, KZ, LA, LC.LK,LR, LS, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME,
MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ,
(OM, PA, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, QA, RO. RS, RU, RW, SA.
WoO 2020/060606 A1 lll
(G4) Title: CRYPTOCURRENCY SYSTEM USING BODY ACTIVITY DATA
0
ae aa
SS cryptocurrency
Cc System )
a 5
° eo tbo FIG.1
(67) Abstract: Human body activity associated with a task provided to a user may be used in a mining process of a exyplocurrency
system, A server may provide a tsk toa device ofa user which is communicatively coupled to the server, A sensor connnunicatively
‘coupled to or comprised in the device of the user may sense body activity ofthe user. Body activity data may be generated based on
the sensed body activity of the use. The exyprocurrency system communicatively coupled tothe device ofthe user may verify ifthe
‘body activity data satisfies one or more conditions set by the eryplocurrency system, and award cryptocurrency tothe user whose body
activity data is verified.
[Continued on next page}WO 2020/060606 A. MITT TN NH 000 1 AA i
SC, SD, SE, SG, 8K, SL, SM, ST, SV. SY, TH, TJ, TM.TN,
TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW,
(84) Designated States fsless otherwise indicated, for every
ind of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, Gli,
GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, RW, SD, SL, ST, SZ, TZ,
UG, ZM, ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, RU, TI,
‘TMD, European (AL, AT, BE, BG. CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK.
EE, ES, Fl, FR, GB, GR, HR. HU, IE, 1S, TT, LT, LU, LV,
MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM,
‘TR), OAPI (BF, BI, CF, CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
KM, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TO),
Declarations under Rule 4.17:
= a8 to applicant's entulement to apply for ned be granted a
pent ule 4.174)
= as:a the applicant's emitlement to claim the priority of the
earlier application (Rule 4.17(ii)
Published:
= with international search report (Art. 213)10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
(CRYPTOCURRENCY SYSTEM USING BODY ACTIVITY DATA
BACKGROUND
[0001] A virtual curreney (also known as a digital currency) is a medium of exchange
implemented through the Internet generally, not tied to a specific government-backed
“flat” (printed) currency such as the U.S. dollar or the Euro, and typically designed to
allow instantaneous transactions and borderless transfer of ownership. One example of
virtual currency is cryptocurrency, wherein cryptography is used to secure transactions
and to control the creation of new units
[0002] Several cryptocurrencies exist. Among these, the most well known is a blockehain-
based eryptocurrency. Most blockchain-based eryptocurrency is decentralized in the sense
that it has no central point of control. However, blockchain-based cryptocurrency can also
bbe implemented in a centralized system having a central point of control over the
cryptocurrency. Bitcoin is one of the examples of blockchain-based cryptocurreney. Itis
described in a 2008 article by Satoshi Nakamoto, named “Bitcoin: A peer-to-Peer
Electronic Cash System”.
[0003] A blockchain is a data structure that stores a list of transactions and can be thought
of as a distributed electronic ledger that records transactions between source identifier(s)
and destination identifier(s). The transactions are bundled into blocks and every block
(except for the first block) refers back to or is linked to a prior block in the blockchain
‘Computer resources (or nodes, etc.) maintain the blockchain and cryptographically validate
each new block and the transactions contained in the corresponding block. This validation
process includes computationally solving a difficult problem that is also easy to verify and
is sometimes called a “proof-of-work”. This process is referred to as “mining”. The mining
may be a random process with low probability so that @ lot of trial and error is required to
solve a computationally difficult problem, Accordingly, the mining may require enormous
amounts of computational energy
[0004] It is with respect to these and other general considerations that the following
embodiments have been described. Also, although relatively specific problems have been
discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving
the specific problems identified in the background
SUMMARY
[0005] Some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may use human body
activity associated with a task provided to a user as a solution to “mining” challenges in10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
cryptocurrency systems. For example, a brain wave or body heat emitted from the user
when the user performs the task provided by an information or service provider, such as
viewing advertisement or using certain internet services, can be used in the mining
process. Instead of massive computation work required by some conventional
cryptocurrency systems, data generated based on the body activity of the user can bea
proof-of-work, and therefore, a user can solve the computationally difficult problem
unconsciously. Accordin,
certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
may reduce computational energy for the mining process as well as make the mining
process faster
[0006] Systems, methods, and hardware aspects of computer readable storage media are
provided herein for a cryptocurreney system using human body activity data. According
to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a server may provide a task to a device
of a user which is communicatively coupled to the server. A sensor communicatively
coupled to or comprised in the device of the user may sense body activity of the user.
Body activi
cryptocurrency system communicatively coupled to the device of the user may verify
ry data may be generated based on the sensed body activity of the user. A
whether or not the body activity data satisfies one or more conditions set by the
ctyptocurrency system, and award cryptocurrency to the user whose body activity data is
verified,
10007] Examples are implemented as a computer process, a computing system, or as an
article of manufacture such as a device, computer program product, or computer readable
medium, According to one aspect, the computer program product is a computer storage
medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computer program comprising
instructions for executing a computer process.
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form
that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended
to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended
to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
10009] Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described
with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0010] FIG. | illustrates an example environment in which some exemplary embodiments
of the present disclosure may be practiced;
[0011] FIG. 2 shows a system diagram of a decentralized cryptocurrency system according10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a computer-implemented method according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0013] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of an operation for generating body activity data
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0014] FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of an operation for verifying body activity data
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a blockchain and two exemplary blocks of the blockchain
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
[0016] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a computer-implemented method using a vector or
embedding according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and
[0017] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computer or processing system
in which processes involved in the system, method, and computer program produet
described herein may be implemented
[0018] Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to
corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate
the relevant aspects of the embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific
‘embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described
in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and itis to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical
changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The
following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope
of the invention is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Like
numbers in the figures refer to like components, which should be apparent from the context
of use.
[0020] The term “cryptocurrency” may mean a digital currency in which encryption
techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of
funds. Many cryptocurrencies include the use of a blockchain to provide security and
prevent fraud as double spending. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be used
in altemate cryptocurrency mechanisms other than a blockchain, The system, method, and
computer program products described herein may be applied to both centralized and10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
decentralized cryptocurrency networks or databases.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an example environment 100 in which some exemplary
‘embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced. The example environment 100
includes, but is not limited to, at least one of task server 110, communication network 120,
user device 130, sensor 140, and eryptocurrency system 150.
[0022] Task server 110 may provide one or more tasks to user device 130 over
communication network 120. For example, task server 110 may be at least one of a web
server delivering or serving up web pages, an application server handling application
operations between users and applications or databases, a cloud server, a database server, a
file server, a service server, a game server implementing games or services for a game, and
a media server delivering media such as streaming video or audio, The tasks provided by
task server 110 will be discussed in more detail below.
[0023] Alternatively, cryptocurrency system 150 may provide one or more tasks to user
device 130. For example, in a decentralized cryptocurrency network, the tasks may be
proposed to user device 130 by miners (e.g. compute resources or nodes 210 of FIG. 2). In
another example, in a centralized cryptocurrency system, a cryptocurrency server may send
the tasks to user device 130
[0024] Communication network 120 may include any wired or wireless connection, the
internet, or any other form of communication. Although one network 120 is identified in
FIG. 1, communication network 120 may inelude any number of different communication
networks between any of the server, devices, resource and system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
mn
and/or other servers, devices, resourcé bed herein. Communi
and systems des
network 120 may enable communication between various computing resources or devices,
servers, and systems. Various implementations of communication network 120 may employ
different types of networks, for example, but not limited to, computer networks,
telecommunications networks (e.g, cellular), mobile wireless data networks, and any
combination of these and/or other networks.
[0025] User device 130 may include any device capable of processing and storing
dat
information and communicating over communication network 120, For example, user
device 130 may include personal computers, servers, cell phones, tablets, laptops, smart
devices (e.g, smart watches or smart televisions). An exemplary embodiment of user device
130 is illustrated in FIG. 6.
10026] Sensor 140 may be configured to sense the body activity of user 145. As illustrated
in FIG. 1, sensor 140 may be a separate component from user device 130 and be operably10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
and/or communicatively connected to user device 130. Alternatively, sensor 140 may be
included and integrated in user device 130, For example, user device 130 may bea wearable
device having sensor 140 therein. ‘The sensor 140 may transmit information/data to user
device 130, Sensor 140 may include, for example, but not limited to, functional magnetic
resonance imaging (fMRI) scanners or sensors, electroencephalography (EEG) sensors, near
infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors, heart rate monitors, thermal sensors, optical sensors,
radio frequency (RF) sensors, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, or any other sensor or scanner
that can measure or sense body activity or scan human body. For instance, the fMRI may
measure body activity by detecting changes associated with blood flow. The {MRI may use
‘a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body (e.g. blood flow in
the brain to detect areas_-—of—_activity). The material
(http://news berkely.edu/2011/09/22/brain-movies/) shows one example of how the fMRI
‘can measure brain activity associated with visual information and generate image data
[0027] Cryptocurrency system 150 may include one or more processors for processing
commands and one or more memories storing information in one or more cryptocurrency
data structures. In some embodiments, cryptocurrency system 150 may be a centralized
cryptocurrency system or network, for example, but not limited to, a server which may be
privately run by a third party entity or the same entity that is running the task server 110, In
other embodiments, cryptocurrency system 150 may be a publically accessible network
system (e.g, a distributed decentralized computing system).
[0028] For example, cryptocurrency system 150 may be a decentralized network 200, such
as a decentralized blockchain network, including one or more compute resources 210, as
shown, for example, in FIG. 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, there may be no central
authority controlling cryptocurrency network 200. The data stored on blockchain network
200, ie, the public ledger, may not be stored at a central location in its entirety. Blockchain
network 200 may include a plurality of processors for processing commands and a plurality
of memories storing information in one or more blockchain data structures. Blockchain
network 200 may maintain one or more blockchains of continuously growing lists of data
blocks, where each data block refers to previous blocks on its list. The requirement for each
block to refer to all previous blocks in the blockchain, yields a chain of blocks that is
hardened against tampering and revision, such that the information stored in the blockchain
is immutable
that
[0029] Compute resources 210 may include any device, computer, system or otherwi
has joined blockchain network 200 and forms a node in blockchain network 200. Compute10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
resources 210 may include, for example, but not limited to, personal computers, servers, cell
phones, tablets, laptops, smart devices (e.g, smart watches or smart televisions), or any other
device capable of storing information and communicating over communication network 120.
In some embodiments, compute resources 210 may be unaffiliated with or unknown to each
other where, for example, compute resources 210 remain anonymous. Each compute
resource 210 may include memory 220 that stores a copy of at least a portion of public
ledger 230 of blockchain network 200. Compute resources 210 may also execute one or
more programs to perform various functions associated with maintaining blockchain
network 200 including, for example, updating public ledger 230, generating new blocks, or
any other similar function,
[0030] For illustration purposes, FIG. 1 illustrates user device 130 as not included in
blockchain network 200, However, user device 130 may be part of blockchain network 200
and be implemented as one of the compute resources 210 in FIG. 2.
10031] Public ledger 230 may store any transactions performed over blockchain network
200 including but not limited to, for example, any transaction related to and occurring on
blockchain network 200. Because each compute resource 210 stores a copy of at least a
portion of the public ledger 230 of blockchain network 200, public ledger 230 may be
independently verified for accuracy at any time by comparing the stored copies of multiple
compute resources 210.
[0032] Communication between compute resources 210 may occur via communication
network 120. Communication network 120 of FIG. 2 may be the same network as, or be a
different network from, communication 120 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, each compute
resource 210 may communicate directly with each other compute resource 210. In some
embodiments, some compute resources 210 may not be able to communicate directly with
each other. For example, they are not connected to the same communications network 120.
In this case, communications related to blockchain network 200 between the compute
resources 210 may occur by using one or more of the remaining compute resources 210 as
an intermediary. In some embodiments, one or more of compute resources 210 may not
maintain a continuous connection to blockchain network 200 at all times, For example, a
‘compute resource 210 may only be connected to blockchain network 200 during a certain
period of time each day or may only be connected to blockchain network 200 intermittently
throughout the day. Due to the decentralized nature of blockchain network 200, such an
intermittent connection by one or more compute resources 210 does not affect the overall
operation of blockchain network 200 since copies of public ledger 230 are stored on multiple10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
compute resources 210. Once the disconnected compute resource 210 reconnects to
blockchain network 200, the disconnected compute resource 210 may receive updated
copies of the public led:
er 210 from one or more of the compute resources 210 that have
been connected to blockchain network 200,
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a computer-implemented method according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure
[0034] Method 300 begins at operation 310 illustrated in FIG. 3, where task server 110
provides one or more tasks to device 130 of user 145 over communication network 120,
The tasks include, for example, but not limited to, watching or listening information (e.g.
advertisement) for a certain time, using services (e.g. search engine, chat bot, e-mail, social
media/networking service and any internet or web service), uploading or sending
information/data to a website, a server or a network (e.g. content sharing website, and cloud
network or server), or any other information or service which may produce effects on users.
In the blockchain, the task(s) may be included as a transaction in the public ledger 230.
[0035] Furthermore, the task(s) provided by task server 110 can include solving a test for
distinguishing human from machine input so that humans but not computers are able to pass
it, such as, Computer Automated Program to Tell Computers and Humans Apart
(CAPTCHA) and reCAPTCHA which is a CAPTCHA-like system designed to establish
that a computer user is human, The task may require user 145 to solve a verification
challenge, for example, but not limited to, an image based challenge including instructions
prompting user 145 to solve the challenge through interaction with one or more images.
[0036] At operation 320, when or after user 145 performs the task(s) provided by task server
110, sensor 140 may sense the body activity of user 145 that is a body response related to
the task provided by task server 110, and then transmit the sensed body activity of user 145
touser device 130. The body activity may include, for example, but not limited to, radiation
emitted from human body, brain activities, body fluid flow (e.g, blood flow), organ activity
‘or movement, body movement, and any other activities that can be sensed and represented
by images, waves,
signals, texts, numbers, degrees, ot any other form of information or data
Examples of body radiation emitted from human body may include radiant heat of the body,
pulse rate, or brain wave. Brain waves may comprise, for example, but not limited to, (?)
gamma waves, involved in learning or memory tasks, (ii) beta waves, involved in logical
thinking and/or conscious thought, (iii) alpha waves, which may be related to subconscious
thoughts, (iv) theta waves, which may be related to thoughts involving deep and raw
ns, (v) delta waves, which may be involved in sleep or deep relaxation, or (vi)10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
electroencephalogram (EEG), which may be measurement used to evaluate the electrical
activity in the brain, such as deep concentration. Examples of the body movement may
include eye movement, facial movement or any other muscular movements, Furthermore,
brain activity can be sensed using the {MRI. The fMRI measures brain activity by detecting
changes associated with blood flow. ‘This technique relies on the fact that cerebral blood
flow and neuronal activation are coupled. When an area of the brain is in use, blood flow
to that region also increases,
10037] At operation 330, user device 130 generates body activity data based on the body
activity sensed by sensor 140, Operation 330 may be part of a mining process which is a
process for solving a computationally difficult problem, One exemplary embodiment of
operation 330 is shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, operation 330 may comprise
operations 410 and 420.
[0038] At operation 410, the body activity sensed by sensor 140 may be codified in
symbolic forms, such as letter(s), numeral(s), symbol(s), and a string comprising sequence
of characters. In one example, the body activity can be codified by extracting one or more
values from the sensed body activity, such as minimum and/or maximum amplitude(s) or
frequency(ies) of a body activity signal (e.g, brain waves). In another example, user device
130 may window and sample the sensed body activity over time and calculate the average
of the sampled values. In still another example, user device 130 may generate raw data of
the body activity. In still another example, user device 130 may filter a raw signal of the
body activity using one or more filters to apply the filtered body activity signal to an audio
hash function or algorithm at operation 420. Alternatively, any statistic value(s) associated
with human body activity can be codified from the body activity sensed by sensor 140.
10039] At operation 420, the codified body a
ity may be converted into an encrypted
‘output by using an encryption algorithm, such as a hash algorithm or function. For example,
hash functions include functions that map an initial input data set of an output data set,
Generally, the hash function may be any function that can be used to map data of arbitrary
size to data of fixed size. ‘The hash function allows one to easily verify that some input data
maps to a given hash value, but if the input data is unknown, it is deliberately difficult to
reconstruct it (or any equivalent alternatives) by knowing the stored hash value. The hash
algorithm or function may be included in the mining software or program of the
cryptocurrency system or database
[0040] For example, operation 420 may use audio hash function, where the histogram of
frequencies of the codified body activity are summed up, or bit manipulation, such as XOR10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
function of each histogram bucket with the next or a modulus of a prime number,
performed on the codified body activity
[0041] In some embodiments, an analog hash function where the body activities themselves
are hashes can be used, For example, waves or signals sensed by sensor 140, for example,
but not limited to, alpha, beta, delta or gamma waves from the EEG sensor, may be
transformed to a histogram using a transforming algorithm or formula, such as Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT) or any other algorithm or formula that can convolve, add or multiply
‘waves or signals to produce a histogram. The hash may be the histogram itself. For example,
the hash may be the output of the FFT where each component is a frequency band and the
value is counts corresponding to each frequency band. In another example, the desired
properties may be that the first two frequency histograms are as close to zero as possible,
for instance, provided some statistical guarantee exists that this cannot happen easily.
[0042] However, operation 420 is optional. In certain embodiments, user device 130,
without encrypting or hashing the codified body activity, may transmit the codified body
activity generated at operation 410 to cryptocurrency system 150.
[0043] Although FIG. 3 illustrates that operation 330, including operation 410 and 420,
s
processed by user device 130, at least one of operations 410 and 420 can be processed by
another device(s), server, resource or system, such as task server 110, eryptocurrency system
150 or any other server. For example, the user device 130 may generate raw data of the
sensed body activity, transmit it to cryptocurrency system 150, task server 110 or any other
server, and then cryptocurrency system 150, task server 110 or any other server may codify
or hash the raw data of the sensed body activity
[0044] Referring back to FIG. 3, at operation 340, cryptocurrency system 150 verifies if the
body activity data of user 145 generated by user device 130 satisfies one or more conditions
set by an algorithm of cryptocurrency system 150. The conditions may be set by simulating
human body activity across all of body activities that can constitute hashes, Machine
learning algorithms may be used to simulate body activities and set the conditions for valid
body activities, for example, but not limited to, usi erative adversarial networks.
[0045] in some embodiments, cryptocurreney system 150 verifies whether the body activity
data of user 145 (e.g. the code of the body activity generated at operation 410 or the hash of,
the body activity generated at operation 420) may represent that the body activity of user
145 is within a target range. The target range may be determined using the amount of
cognitive effort that user 145 requires to perform the task provided by task server 110. For
example, to verify if the hash of the body activity of user 145, cryptocurrency system 15010
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
may determine, for example, but not limited to, (i) whether the hash of the body activity of
user 145 has a specific certain pattem, repeated patterns, a mathematical properties or the
number of leading numbers, characters or strings (e.g, leading zeroes) set by cryptocurrency
system 150, or (ii) whether the hash of the body activity of user 145 is less than a current
target value. Examples of the numerical patterns set by cryptocurrency system 150 may be
a pattern that first certain digits of the hash form a prime number, or a pattern that a number
that is calculated by applying first certain digits of the hash to a preset formula forms a prime
number (For example, a number calculated by adding or subtracting a predetermined
number or a number set by cryptocurrency system 150 to the first four digits of the hashing
forms a prime number) The repeating number patterns may include a repeating number
(eg, leading zeros, ones in the middle of the hash, twos in the last four digits of the hash,
and any repeating numbers included in the hash) and a repeating number sequence (e.g
leading repeating digit pairs, such as “121212”, or triplets “123123"). If the hash of the
body activity of user 145 has the desirable pattern(s) or is within the target range, then the
proof of work or proof of stake is considered solved, and that hash can be a new block. The
target range or value may be changed periodically to maintain a preselected level of
difficulty, although it is not required. For example, the target value may be inversely
proportional to the difficulty. By varying the difficulty, a roughly constant rate of block
generation may be kept.
10046] The target range of valid body activity may be set using statistical data so that normal
body activity, activity that can easily happen, or faking body activity cannot be validated
For example, the target range of valid body activity may be selected from a range that human
miners cannot fake their own body activity to satisfy the target range to prove and validate
the proof-of-work
[0047] Additionally, the verification at operation 340 may include filtering out invalid tasks,
‘malformed data (syntax errors) or data sent from an unauthorized user or generated by a
machine leaning system, For example, cryptocurrency system 150 may receive, from user
device 130, data of the body activity generated before the hash algorithm is applied, rehash
that data, and then compare the rehashed data with the hash received from user device 130
to check whether the body activity data is generated based on human, not random computer
generated data. Voxel(s) of the image of the {MRI may be an example of the data of the
body activity generated before the hash algorithm is applied.
10048] One exemplary embodiment of operation 340 is shows
FIG. 5. At operation $10,
cryptocurrency system 150 may check whether the hash of the body activity, received from
1010
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
user device 130, is within the target range set by cryptocurrency system 150, or comprises
a desirable pattern set by eryptocurreney system 150, If the hash of the body activity is
within the target range or has a desirable pattern set by cryptocurrency system 150,
eryptocurrency system 150 rehashes data of the body activity, generated before the hash
algorithm is applied and transmitted with the hash of the body activity from user device 130
(Operation 520), and then compare the rehashed data with the hash of the body activity,
received from user device 130 (Operation 530). If the rehashed data is identical to the hash
of the body activity, received from user device 130, cryptocurrency system 150 proceeds to
‘operation 350. However, if determining in operation 510 that the hash of the body activity
data is out of the target range or does not include the desirable pattern set by cryptocurrency
system 150 or if determining in operation 530 that the rehashed data does not match the
hash of the body activity, operation 310 or 320 may be proceeded
[0049] At operation 350, when the body activity data transmitted from user device 130
satisfies one or more conditions set by cryptocurrency system 150, cryptocurrency system
150 awards cryptocurrency to user 145. For example, cryptocurrency system 150 awards
to user 145 an amount of cryptocurrency corresponding to the task accomplished by user
145, Additionally, eryptocurrency system 150 may award cryptocurrency to an owner or
operator of task server 110 as a reward for providing services, such as, search engines,
cchatbots, applications or websites, offering users access for free to paid contents (e.g. video
and audio streaming or electric books), or sharing information or data with users
[0050] For example, in the blockchain cryptocurrency system, at operation 340, at least one
of compute resources 210 of FIG. 2 verifies if the hash of the body activity data of user 145
is valid. At operation 350, when the hash of the body activity data of user 145 is validated
at operation 340, the compute resource 210 of FIG. 2 can add a new block to the blockchain,
The new block may contain the number of cryptocurrency units assigned to the user's
address, ‘The new blockchain with the additional added block is broadcasted around the
cryptocurrency network 150, ‘The compute resource 210, which performed operations 340
and 350, may be also rewarded with transaction fees and/or eryptocurrency
[0051] FIG. 5 depicts a blockchain 500 and two exemplary blocks 510, 520 of blockchain
500 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Typically a
“blockchain” is understood as being a data structure comprising a series of blocks, where
each block includes data corresponding to one or more transactions, hashed together with
linking data, such as the hash of an immediately preceding block. In the embodiment of the
present disclosure, the transaction may be the task performed by user 145, The chain can
i10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
then be used to create a ledger, which is typically an append-only database. Once dat:
centered into a block of the chain, the entry is essentially irrefutable, since any tampering
with the data would be reflected in the chained hash calculations and is thus easily detected
[0082] The blockchain 500 may represent the publicly distributable transactions ledger,
such as ledger 230 of FIG. 2, and may include a plurality of blocks. Each block, such as
block 510 and block 520 may include data regarding recent transactions. For example, the
task performed by user 145 and the number of eryptocurrency units awarded to user 145,
and/or contents linking data that links one block 520 to a previous block $10, and proof-of-
work data, for example, the validated hash of the body activity, that ensures that the state of
the blockchain 500 is valid and is endorsed/verified by a majority of the record keeping
system. Exemplary embodiments of block 520 of blockchain $00 may include a current
hash, a previous hash of previous block 510, transaction. ‘The previous hash is a hash from
the immediately preceding block, which ensures that each block is immutably tied to
previous block. The hash of previous block 510 may be included in block 520, thereby
linking block 520 to previous block 510.
[0053] Transaction information cannot be modified without at least one of compute
resources 210 noticing, thus, the blockchain 500 can be trusted to verify transactions
‘occurring on blockchain 500,
[0054] In some embodiments, vectors or embeddings may be used for body activity data
FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a computer-implemented
method using vectors (or embedding). As described in detail above with respect to FIG. 3,
task server 110 or eryptocurrency system/network 150, such as a central eryptocurrency
server or compute resource (or node) 210, may perform operation 310 where one or more
tasks are proposed to user device 130 over communication network 120, and sensor 140
may perform operation 320 where sensor 140 senses or measures the body activity of user
145, Sensor 140 (or user device 130) may generate data of the body activity in the form of
images, waves, signals, numbers, characters, strings or any other form that can represent the
body activity
[0055] At operation 710, user device 130 produces one or more vectors (or embeddings),
such as an array of floating point numbers, from the data of the body activity generated by
sensor 140 (or user device 130). An algorithm stored in user device 130, or any device,
server, system or network communicatively connected to user device 130 over
communication network 120, may transform the data of the body activity generated by
sensor 140 (or user device 130) into one or more vectors, For example, the brain image
R10
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
generated by the fMRI scanner may be fed into a computer vision machine learning
algorithm, for example, but limited to, a convolution neural network, and the machine
learning algorithm may generate one or more vectors from one or more voxels of the brain
image. In some embodiments, one single vector may be generated at operation 710. In
other embodiments, a series of vectors may be produced by sampling over time when user
145 is performing the task(s). The data of the body activity (e.g. voxels of a brain image)
and/or the vectors (or embeddings) may generate a “proof of work” and be transmitted to
cryptocurrency system/network 150,
[0056] In addition, the vectors may optionally include one or more vectors related to the
task(s), for example, but not limited to, search terms that user 145 used or identifier(s) of
advertisement that user 145 viewed.
[0057] At operation 720, the vector(s) generated at operation 710 may be converted into an
encrypted output by using an encryption algorithm, such as @ hashing algorithm or funetion,
as explained above with respect to operation 420 of FIG. 4. For example, the vector(s) can
be hashed as bytes with the hashing algorithm, such as Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA)-1,
SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512, and Message Digest (MD)-S
[0058] However, operation 720 is optional, In some embodiments, user device 130 can
transmit the vector(s) of the body activity produced at operation 710 to cryptocurrency
system 150 without enerypting or hashing them
10059] At operation 730, cryptocurrency system 150 receives, from user device 130, the
data of the body activity of user 145 (e.g. voxels of a brain image) and/or the vector(s) (or
the hash) of the body activity of user 145.
[0060] At operation 740, cryptocurrency system 150 checks if the vector(s) received from
user device 130 have one or more mathematical properties set by cryptocurrency
system/network 150. For example, cryptocurrency system 150 may determine whether the
vector(s) of the body activity have similarity (or relationship) with a legitimate vector (or a
baseline vector) set by an algorithm of cryptocurrency system 150. The similarity may be
‘measured or calculated using, for example, but not limited to, a cosine similarity, the
Euclidean distance, the Manhattan distance, the Minkowski distance, and the Jaccard
similarity. The legitimate vector may be set based on the assumption that the vectors of
body activities of people who are performing the same task have a certain degree of
similarity. Cryptocurrency system 150, such as a central eryptocurrency serverinetwork or
compute resource (or node) 210 of FIG. 2, can decide the legitimate vector and similarity
For example, miners like compute resources (or nodes) 210 of FIG. 2 can share their proof
1310
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
of work including, for example, but not limited to, vectors of body activities, with
eryptocurrency network 150, and decide the legitimate vector and similarity by calculating
the average of the proof of work (e.g. a centroid or weighted average of the vectors and a
standard deviation)
10061} If the vector(s) received from user device 130 have the mathematical property(ies)
set by cryptocurrency system/network 150, cryptocurrency system/network 150 rehashes
the data of the body activity, transmitted from user device 130 (Operation 750), and then
‘compares the rehashed output with the vectors (or the hash) received from user device 130
(Operation 760). For example, computer resource (or node) 210 of FIG. 2 may rehash the
AMIRI voxels, transmitted from user device 130, to a vector, and then compare the rehashed
vector with the vector received from user device 130 to check whether the body activity data
is generated based on human, not random computer generated data. If determining in
operation 740 that the vector(s) received user device 130 do not satisfy the mathematical
property (ies) set by eryptocurreney system/network 150 or if determining in operation 760
thatthe rehashed output does not match the vector(s) (or the hash) received from user device
130, operation 310 or 320 may be proceeded.
[0062] 1f the rehashed output is identical to the vector(s) (or the hash) received from user
device 130, cryptocurrency system/network 150 awards cryptocurrency to user 145 as
described in detail above with respect to operation 350. For example, in the blockchain
cryptocurrency system, a miner, such as one of compute resources (or nodes) 210 of FIG. 2,
which performed the validation of the body activity data, may add a new block, which
includes the data of the body activity, the vector(s) (or the hash) and/or the number of
cryptocurrency units assigned to the user’s address, to the blockchain, broadcast a new
blockchain with the new block around eryptocurrency network 150, and may be rewarded
with transaction fees and/or cryptocurrency.
[0063] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic of an example computer or processing system that may,
implement any of the systems, methods, and computer program products, such as task server
110, user device 130, eryptocurreney system 150 and compute resources 210, described
herein in one embodiment of the present disclosure, The computer system is only one
tation as to
example of a suitable processing system and is not intended to suggest any lis
the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the methodology described herein. The
processing system shown may be operational with numerous other general purpose or
special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-
known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
410
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
with the processing system shown in FIG. 8 may include, but are not limited to, personal
computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop
devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes,
programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe
computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the
above systems or devices, and the like.
[0064] The computer system may be described in the general context of computer system
executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system
Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic,
data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data
types. The computer system may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments
where tasks are performed by remote proc
1g devices that are linked through a
‘communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules
may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory
storage devices.
[0065] The components of computer system 800 may include, but are not limited to, one or
more processors or processing units 810, system memory 820, and bus 830 that couples
various system components including system memory 820 to processor 810. Processor 810
‘may include software module 815 that performs the methods described herein, The module
815 may be programmed into the integrated circuits of processor 810, or loaded from
‘memory 820, storage device 840, or network 850 or combinations thereof.
[0066] Bus 830 may represent one or more of any of several types of bus structures,
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics
port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of
‘example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics
Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PC!)
bus.
[0067] Computer system 800 may include a variety of computer system readable media
Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system, and it may
include both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media
[0068] System memory 820 can include computer system readable media in the form of
volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) and/or cache memory or others.
Computer system 800 may further include other removable/non-removable volatile/non-
1510
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage device 840 can
be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media
(eg. a “hard drive”), Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and
writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (¢g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical
disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can
be connected to bus 630 by one or more data media interfaces.
10069] Computer system 800 may also communicate with one or more external devices 860
such 2s a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 870, ete, one or more devices that enable a
user to interact with computer system; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, ete )
that enable computer system to communicate with one or more other computing
Such communication can occur via Input/Output (1/0) interfaces 880.
[0070] Still yet, computer system 800 can communicate with one or more networks 850
such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public
network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 855. As depicted, network adapter 855
communicates with the other components of computer system via bus 830. It should be
understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be
used in conjunction with computer system. Examples include, but are not limited to
microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, extemal disk drive arrays, RAID
systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, ete
[0071] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may
be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of
the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely
software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, ete.) or an
embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to
herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure
may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer
readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon
[0072] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The
computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer
readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but
not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor
system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific
examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include
1610
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM),
a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or
Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage
device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the
context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium
that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution
system, apparatus, or device.
10073] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with
computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of
a carrier wave, Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but
not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer
readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer
readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for
use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
10074] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using
any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable,
RF, etc,, or any suitable combination of the foregoing,
[0075] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present
invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages,
including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like
and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming
language or similar programming languages, a scripting language such as Perl, VBS or
similar languages, and/or functional languages such as Lisp and ML and logic-oriented
languages such as Prolog. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,
partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's
computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In
the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through
any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN),
or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider).
10076] Aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference to flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program
products according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of
710
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by
‘computer program instructions, These computer program instructions may be provided to a
processor of a
eneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable
data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute
via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create
means for implementing the flinctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram
block or blocks.
10077] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable
medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other
devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer
readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement
the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0078] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational
steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to
produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the
computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the
functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks
[0079] The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture,
functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer
program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this re
each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or port
‘of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the
specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative
implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the
figures, For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon
the functionality involved, It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or
flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart
itlustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform
the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer
instructions,
[0080] The computer program product may comprise all the respective features enabling
the implementation of the methodology described herein, and which - when loaded in a
1810
1s
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
computer system - is able to carry out the methods. Computer program, software program,
program, or software, in the present context means any expression, in any language, code
or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information
processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both
of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; and/or (b)
reproduction in a different material form.
[0081] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments
only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms
2”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or
‘comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,
and/or groups thereof.
[0082] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step
plus function elements, if any, in the claims below are intended to include any structure,
‘material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as
specifically claimed, The description of the present invention has been presented for
purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to
the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention
The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the
invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited
to the particular use contemplated.
[0083] Various aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a program, software,
or computer instructions embodied in a computer or machine usable or readable medium,
which causes the computer or machine to perform the steps of the method when executed
‘on the computer, processor, and/or machine. A program storage device readable by a
machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to
perform various functionalities and methods described in the present disclosure is also
provided.
[0084] The system and method of the present disclosure may be implemented and run on a
general-purpose computer or special-purpose computer system. The terms “computer
1910
15
20
25
30
WO 2020/060606 PCT/US2019/038084
systen
” and “computer network” as may be used in the present application may include a
variety of combinations of fixed and/or portable computer hardware, software, peripherals,
and storage devices. The computer system may include a plurality of individual components
that are networked or otherwise linked to perform collaboratively, or may include one or
more stand-alone components. The hardware and software components of the computer
system of the present application may include and may be included within fixed and portable
devices such as desktop, laptop, and/or server. A module may be a component of a device,
software, program, or system that implements some “functionality”, which can be embodied
as software, hardware, firmware, electronic circuitry, or etc
[0085] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will
be understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent
to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not
tobe limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended
claims.
CONCEPTS
[0086] Concept 1. A cryptocurrency system, comprising: one or more processors; and
memory storing executable instructions that, if executed by the one or more processors,
body
activity data which is generated based on body activity of the user, wherein the body activity
configure the cryptocurrency system to: communicate with a device of a user, rect
is sensed by a sensor communicatively coupled to or comprised in the device of the user;
verify if the body activity data of the user satisfies one or more conditions set by the
cryptocurrency system; and award cryptocurreney to the user whose body activity dat
verified.
[0087] Concept 2. The system of any preceding and/or succeeding Concept(s), wherein the
body activity sensed by the sensor comprises at least one of body radiation emitted from the
user, body fluid flow, a brain wave, pulse rate or body heat radiation.
10088] Concept 3. The system of any preceding and/or succeeding Concept(s), wherein the
‘one or more conditions are set based on an amount of human body activity associated with
a task which is provided to the device of the user.
10089] Concept 4. The system of any preceding and/or succeeding Concept, wherein the
‘one or more conditions comprise a condition that the body activity data represents that the
user performs a task provided to the device of the user.
10090] Concept 5. The system of any preceding and/or succeeding Concept(s), wherein the
body activity data is generated using a hash algorithm converting human body activity into
20
Coding For Beginners Blockchain Development A Step-By-step Guide To Create Your Own Blockchains, Cryptocurrencies and NFTs... (Davis, Elliot) (Z-Library)