CH719502A2 - Process for managing rights associated with an object. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for managing rights associated with an object, such as a timepiece or piece of jewelry, the method comprising the following steps: – creation of a first digital token associated with a first right, in particular property right, on the object, the first digital token being stored and authenticated using a first blockchain protocol, – creation of a second digital token, in particular a non-fungible digital token, associated with a second right, in particular a right of access to digital content, in particular multimedia content, associated with the object, the second digital token being stored and authenticated using a second blockchain protocol, – creation of a smart contract linking the rights on the first and second digital tokens such that the ownership right in one of the first and second digital tokens cannot be transferred without the ownership right in the other of the first and second digital tokens.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for managing rights associated with an object. The invention also relates to the use of such an object in a method of managing the rights attached to this object. The invention also relates to a device for managing rights associated with such an object. The invention also relates to a program product for managing rights associated with such an object. The invention also relates to a data recording medium dedicated to the implementation of the method for managing rights associated with such an object. The invention finally relates to a signal from a data carrier, carrying such a computer program product

State of the prior art

[0002] In certain fields, particularly in the field of luxury products, there is a need to keep a register of products manufactured and sold. There may also be an interest in following the chain of ownership throughout the life of the products. However, such monitoring cannot be guaranteed once the product is placed on the market. A register can only be kept if the different owners of the product make themselves known to the keeper of the register, in particular to the manufacturer keeping the register.

Presentation of the invention

[0003] The aim of the invention is to provide a method for managing rights associated with an object remedying the disadvantages mentioned above and improving the management methods known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a method for managing rights associated with an object which makes it possible to guarantee traceability and authenticity while also making it possible to manage rights associated with products and/or services ancillary to the object.

Summary of the invention

[0004] According to the invention, a method makes it possible to manage rights associated with an object, such as a timepiece or piece of jewelry. The method comprises the following steps: – creation of a first digital token associated with a first right, in particular the right of ownership, on the object, the first digital token being stored and authenticated using a first blockchain protocol, – creation of a second digital token, in particular a non-fungible digital token, associated with a second right, in particular a right of access to digital content, in particular multimedia content, associated with the object, the second digital token being stored and authenticated using a second blockchain protocol, – creation of a smart contract linking the rights to the first and second digital tokens such that the ownership right to one of the first and second digital tokens cannot be transferred without the right of ownership to the other of the first and second digital tokens.

[0005] The first block chain protocol and the second block chain protocol are advantageously of the same type or the first block chain protocol and the second block chain protocol are advantageously the same block chain protocol .

[0006] The smart contract may involve the creation, using a blockchain protocol, of a third digital token including information comprising: – at least one piece of information contained in the first digital token, such as in particular information of the 'object and/or a serial number of the object and/or an identifier of the transaction of creation of the first digital token and/or the date of activation of the certificate of authenticity and/or the date of sale of the product and/or an identifier of the first digital token, and – at least one piece of information contained in the second digital token, such as in particular an identifier of the second digital token.

[0007] Preferably, the smart contract is configured so that the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token involves the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the third token digital, and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token involves the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token, and/or the transfer of ownership rights to the third digital token involves the transfer of ownership rights to the first digital token and/or the transfer of ownership rights to the second digital token.

[0008] The first digital token and/or the second digital token can be associated with digital portfolios of crypto-assets, in particular with the same digital portfolio of crypto-assets.

[0009] The digital crypto-asset wallet or one of the digital crypto-asset wallets can be associated with: – a public key, or – a code associated with the public key, the public key or the code being written on : – the object, in particular on a component of a timepiece, in particular on a barrel or on a barrel ratchet of a timepiece, or – on a material support sold with the object, or – in a digital document, such as a computer file or a message, in particular an MMS (English Multimedia Messaging Service) or an SMS (English Short Message).

[0010] The public key or the code associated with the public key can be registered by printing or by engraving or by sticking a label.

[0011] The code associated with the public key may be a machine-readable code, such as an NFC label or a barcode, in particular such as a matrix code or a QR code.

[0012] The digital crypto-asset wallet or one of the digital crypto-asset wallets can be associated with: – a private key, or – a code associated with the private key, the private key or the code associated with the private key being registered: – on a material medium attached to the object, in particular on a card, on a label or on a physical document, and/or – in a digital document, such as a computer file or a message, in particular an MMS or an SMS.

[0013] The code associated with the private key may be a machine-readable code, such as an NFC tag or a barcode, in particular such as a matrix code or a QR code.

[0014] The invention also relates to a use of an object or a material support attached to the object and/or an accessory, in particular a timepiece, in particular a barrel or a barrel ratchet of a timepiece as support for a public key or a code associated with a public key of a digital wallet of crypto-assets.

[0015] According to the invention, a device, in particular a distributed computer architecture, makes it possible to manage rights associated with an object, the device comprising hardware and/or software elements implementing the method defined above, in particular hardware and /or software designed to implement the process defined above.

[0016] According to the invention, a device comprises means for implementing steps of the method defined above.

[0017] According to the invention, a computer program product comprises program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium to implement the steps of the method defined above when said program operates on a computer.

[0018] The invention also relates to a computer program product downloadable from a communications network and/or recorded on a data medium readable by a computer and/or executable by a computer. The program product includes instructions which, when the program is executed by the computer, lead it to implement steps of the method defined previously.

The invention also relates to a data recording medium, readable by a computer, on which a computer program is recorded comprising program code instructions for implementing the method defined above.

[0020] The invention also relates to a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead it to implement steps of the method defined above.

The invention also relates to a signal from a data medium, carrying the computer program product defined above.

Presentation of figures

The objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention are explained in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment made on a non-limiting basis in relation to the attached figures.

[0023] Figure 1 is a view of a timepiece whose rights are managed according to one mode of execution of the method according to the invention.

detailed description

The mode of execution of the management method described below is explained in application to an object 1 being a timepiece 1. However, this method can be applied to any type of physical or intangible object, produced or service. It can also be applied to a piece of jewelry.

The object is the main element whose rights are managed according to the process. The object can be marketed with an additional element or an auxiliary element which can also be of any type such as a physical or intangible object, product or service.

[0026] In the embodiment described, while the main element is the timepiece, the auxiliary element comprises a data access service, in particular multimedia data which may contain images, sound content , videos. This data can, for example, trace the history of the creative project which gave rise to the placing of the object on the market. This data may, for example, contain testimonials from people involved in the project, such as the testimony of an artistic director or the testimony of a technical director speaking directly to the owner of the timepiece.

[0027] The auxiliary element can also contain a digital or physical work of art sold with the timepiece and produced for example by an artist who has collaborated with the manufacture, in particular having collaborated with the manufacture in the creation process of the timepiece. The auxiliary element can also consist of an accessory object such as for example a case for the timepiece.

[0028] Once the main element (for example, the object constituted by the timepiece) and the auxiliary element (for example, the data access service) produced by the manufacture, a mode of execution of the process which is the subject of the invention is implemented.

[0029] The method makes it possible to manage rights on the main element. In particular, it is possible to manage the property right on the main element. This property right can be divided into bare ownership and usufruct. The management of any other rights associated with the main element may be considered.

[0030] The method also makes it possible to manage rights on the auxiliary element. In particular, it is possible to manage the property right on the auxiliary element. This property right can be divided into bare ownership and usufruct. The management of any other rights associated with the auxiliary element may be considered. These rights on the auxiliary element can be seen as rights associated with the main element, the auxiliary element being associated with the main element.

[0031] The association between the auxiliary element and the main element can be of any nature such as functional, commercial, conceptual, or artistic. The association can also be only the consequence of the implementation of the rights management process.

[0032] In a first step of the management process, a first digital token (in English “token”) is created or minted (in English “to mint”) associated with a first right, in particular the right of ownership, on the timepiece. The first digital token is for example of the non-fungible type (in English “NFT” for non-fungible token). The first digital token is stored and authenticated using a first blockchain protocol. The first protocol is for example the AURA blockchain protocol.

[0033] In a second step of the management method, a second digital token associated with a second right is created or minted, in particular a right of access to digital content, in particular multimedia content, associated with the document. watchmaking. As seen previously, the second right can be a right on an auxiliary element. The second digital token is for example of the non-fungible type. The second digital token is stored and authenticated using a second blockchain protocol. The second protocol is for example the POLYGON blockchain protocol.

[0034] For example, the second right may be a right of access to digital content located on a website which belongs to the manufacturer. The second right can therefore be a usufruct right over the website while bare ownership of the website remains held by the manufacturer.

[0035] The first block chain protocol and the second block chain protocol may be of the same type, or even the first block chain protocol and the second block chain protocol may be the same chain protocol. of blocks.

The second step can be implemented in different ways.

[0037] For example, in a first mode of execution, the manufacture triggers the operation of creating the second digital token as soon as the timepiece is completed or during the sale of the timepiece from the manufacture to the first customer or first owner.

[0038] For example, in a second mode of execution, it is the first customer or the first owner who triggers the operation of creating the second digital token after he has taken possession of the timepiece.

[0039] In order to implement this second mode of execution: – a public key, or – a code associated with the public key, is written on the timepiece 1, in particular on a component 2 of the timepiece. watchmaking, in particular on a barrel 2 or on a ratchet 3 of barrel 2 of the timepiece 1.

Alternatively, the timepiece can be provided with a material support such as a document, a label, a certificate, a case or any accessory on which the public key or the code associated with the public key is written. Alternatively, the timepiece can be provided with a digital document, such as a computer file or a message, in particular an MMS or an SMS, containing the public key or the code associated with the public key. This digital document can be given or sent when purchasing the timepiece.

[0041] In addition, when selling the timepiece, – a private key, or – a code associated with the private key, can be provided with a material support such as a document, a label, a certificate, a box or any accessory on which the private key or the code associated with the private key is written. Alternatively, the timepiece may be provided with a digital document, such as a computer file or a message, in particular an MMS or an SMS, containing the private key or the code associated with the private key. This digital document can be given or sent when purchasing the timepiece. Preferably, the delivery of the private key or the code associated with the private key is secure. For example, when the private key or the code associated with the private key is affixed to a document or more generally to any physical medium, it is covered with a covering masking it so that only the first owner will be able to see it after removal of the coating.

One and/or the other of the keys and/or one and/or the other of the codes associated with the keys can be registered by printing or by engraving or by sticking a label.

[0043] Preferably, one and/or the other of the codes associated with the keys is a code readable by radio frequencies or optically by a machine, such as an NFC label (in English "near field contact"), a bar code , especially like a matrix code or QR code.

[0044] Thus, after purchasing the timepiece, the first owner of the timepiece can, by having access to the public key and the private key, trigger the creation of the second digital token. To do this, he can go to a dedicated website and enter the public and private keys to start creating the second digital token.

[0045] Upon their creation, the first and second digital tokens are associated with one or two digital wallets of crypto-assets (in English “wallet”). From their creation, they are associated with a digital wallet of the first owner or transferred from a digital wallet of the manufacture to a digital wallet of the first owner during the sale of the timepiece. The first digital token and the second digital token may be associated with digital wallets of different crypto-assets. Advantageously, the first digital token and the second digital token can be associated with the same digital portfolio of crypto-assets.

[0046] The public and private keys mentioned above are advantageously the public and private keys of the digital portfolio of crypto-assets of the first owner and containing, after sale of the timepiece from the manufacture to the first owner, the first digital token and the second digital token.

[0047] Advantageously, in a third step of the management process, a smart contract is created (in English “smart contract”) linking the rights to the first and second digital tokens so that the right of ownership to one of the first and second digital tokens cannot be transferred without ownership of the other of the first and second digital tokens. That is, the first and second digital tokens cannot be transferred without each other. More preferably, assuming that the first and second digital tokens are originally associated with a first digital wallet, they can only be transferred together to be associated with a second digital wallet following a transfer.

[0048] Preferably, the smart contract involves the creation or minting, using a third blockchain protocol, of a third digital token. The third blockchain protocol is preferably the same protocol as the first blockchain protocol or the second blockchain protocol

[0049] The third digital token advantageously contains information comprising: – at least one piece of information contained in the first digital token, such as in particular information about the timepiece and/or a serial number of the timepiece and /or an identifier of the transaction creating the first digital token and/or the date of activation of the certificate of authenticity and/or the date of sale of the timepiece and/or an identifier of the first digital token, and – at least one piece of information contained in the second digital token, such as in particular an identifier of the second digital token.

[0050] Alternatively, the first digital token and the second digital token (and possibly the third digital token) can be created simultaneously or almost simultaneously. In such a case, the first digital token can be created by including data relating to the second digital token, just as the second digital token can be created by including data relating to the first digital token. Thus, the first and second tokens can be linked as soon as they are created.

[0051] Preferably, the smart contract is configured so that: – the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token implies the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token, and/or – the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token involves the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token, and/or – the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token involves the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token.

[0052] In practice, when we trigger the transfer of one of the digital tokens from a digital wallet of crypto-assets to another digital wallet of crypto-assets, we automatically trigger the transfer of the other digital tokens or other digital tokens. Advantageously, in a software application allowing this transfer, when the transfer of one of the digital tokens is ordered, the application sends a message alerting the consequences of the transfer on the other digital tokens.

[0053] Still advantageously, the smart contract can be configured to limit the transfer of the digital token(s), for example to: – condition the transfer of the digital token(s) to the authorization of a third party, such as for example manufacturing, – limit the frequency of transfer of the digital token(s), for example limit the transfer of digital tokens to one transfer per year, – prohibit the transfer of the digital token(s).

[0054] In particular, one or other of these limitations can be implemented in the event of loss or theft of the timepiece.

[0055] In the case of a ban on the transfer of the digital token(s), it may be envisaged that the entire digital portfolio of crypto-assets containing the digital tokens may be transferred from one owner to another.

[0056] Thanks to the methods described above, it is possible to manage the rights to a main element such as a timepiece. In particular, it is possible to authenticate and trace the various transactions made on blockchain protocols.

[0057] Advantageously, all transactions on blockchain protocols can be saved by the manufacturer. To this end in particular, the factory can manage network nodes of the architecture making it possible to carry out construction processing of the blockchains involved in the storage and authentication of digital tokens.

[0058] As a side note, the code associated with the public key and affixed to the timepiece itself is advantageously used by the owner to connect to a website offering the digital content already mentioned previously. For example, reading, using a smartphone, the QR code affixed to the timepiece automatically connects the phone to the website offering the content.

[0059] The invention also relates to the use of an object and/or a material support annexed to the object and/or an accessory, in particular of the timepiece 1, in particular of the barrel 2 or the ratchet 3 of barrel 2 of the timepiece 1, as support for the public key or the code 4 associated with the public key of the digital crypto-asset wallet.

[0060] One embodiment of a device, in particular a distributed computing architecture, makes it possible to manage the rights associated with the object. This embodiment comprises hardware and/or software elements implementing the method described above.

[0061] One embodiment of a computer program product comprises program code instructions recorded on a computer-readable medium for implementing steps of the method described above when said program operates on a computer.

[0062] An example of program product code used to implement the management method described is detailed below.

[0063] The invention also relates to a data recording medium, readable by a computer, on which a computer program is recorded comprising program code instructions for implementing the method described above.

The invention also relates to a signal from a data carrier, carrying the computer program product described above.

Claims (14)

1. Method for managing rights associated with an object (1), such as a timepiece (1) or jewelry, the method comprising the following steps: – creation of a first digital token associated with a first right, in particular the right of ownership, on the object, the first digital token being stored and authenticated using a first blockchain protocol, – creation of a second digital token, in particular a non-fungible digital token, associated with a second right, in particular a right of access to digital content, in particular multimedia content, associated with the object, the second digital token being stored and authenticated using a second blockchain protocol, – creation of a smart contract linking the rights to the first and second digital tokens such that the ownership right to one of the first and second digital tokens cannot be transferred without the ownership right to the other of the first digital tokens and second digital tokens. 2. Management method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first blockchain protocol and the second blockchain protocol are of the same type or the first blockchain protocol and the second blockchain protocol Blocks are the same blockchain protocol. 3. Management method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the smart contract involves the creation, thanks to a blockchain protocol, of a third digital token including information comprising: – at least one piece of information contained in the first digital token, such as in particular information about the object and/or a serial number of the object and/or an identifier of the transaction for creating the first digital token and/or the date of activation of the certificate of authenticity and/or the date of sale of the product and/or an identifier of the first digital token, and – at least one piece of information contained in the second digital token, such as in particular an identifier of the second digital token. 4. Management method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the smart contract is configured so that: – the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token implies the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token, and/or – the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token involves the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token, and/or – the transfer of the right of ownership to the third digital token involves the transfer of the right of ownership to the first digital token and/or the transfer of the right of ownership to the second digital token. 5. Management method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first digital token and/or the second digital token are associated with digital portfolios of crypto-assets, in particular with the same digital portfolio of crypto-assets. 6. Management method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the digital crypto-asset wallet or one of the digital crypto-asset wallets is associated with: – a public key, or – a code (4) associated with the public key, the public key or code being written on: – the object, in particular on a component (2) of a timepiece (1), in particular on a barrel (2) or on a ratchet (3) of the barrel (2) of a timepiece (1), or – on a material support sold with the object, or – in a digital document, such as a computer file or a message, in particular an MMS or an SMS. 7. Management method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the public key or the code associated with the public key is registered by printing or by engraving or by sticking a label. 8. Management method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the code associated with the public key is a machine-readable code, such as an NFC label or like a barcode, in particular like a matrix code or a QR code. 9. Management method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digital crypto-asset wallet or one of the digital crypto-asset wallets is associated with: – a private key, or – a code associated with the private key, the private key or the code associated with the private key being registered: – on a material support attached to the object, in particular on a card, on a label or on a physical document, and/or – in a digital document, such as a computer file or a message, in particular an MMS or an SMS. 10. Management method according to claim 9, characterized in that the code associated with the private key is a machine-readable code, such as a barcode, in particular such as an NFC label or such as a matrix code or a QR code . 11. Use of an object (1) or a material support attached to the object and/or an accessory, in particular a timepiece, in particular a barrel (2) or a ratchet (3) of the barrel (2) of a timepiece (1) as support for a public key or a code associated with a public key of a digital portfolio of crypto-assets. 12. Device, in particular distributed computing architecture, making it possible to manage rights associated with an object (1), the device comprising hardware and/or software elements implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 10, in particular elements hardware and/or software designed to implement the method according to one of claims 1 to 10. 13. Computer program product comprising program code instructions recorded on a computer readable medium for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 when said program operates on a computer. 14. Data recording medium, readable by a computer, on which is recorded a computer program comprising program code instructions for implementing the method according to one of claims 1 to 10.