U.S. patent application number 14/660331 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-17 for bitcoin private key splitting for cold storage.
This patent application is currently assigned to Coinbase, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Coinbase, Inc.. Invention is credited to Brian D. Armstrong, Fred E. Ehrsam, Julian Langschaedel.
Application Number | 20150262171 14/660331 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54069270 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150262171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Langschaedel; Julian ; et
al. |
September 17, 2015 |
BITCOIN PRIVATE KEY SPLITTING FOR COLD STORAGE
Abstract
A system and method for transaction bitcoin is described.
Bitcoin can be sent to an email address. No miner's fee is paid by
a host computer system. Hot wallet functionality is provided that
transfers values of some Bitcoin addresses to a vault for purposes
of security. A private key of a Bitcoin address of the vault is
split and distributed to keep the vault secure. Instant exchange
allows for merchants and customers to lock in a local currency
price. A vault has multiple email addresses to authorize a transfer
of bitcoin out of the vault. User can opt to have private keys
stored in locations that are under their control. A tip button
rewards content creators for their efforts. A bitcoin exchange
allows for users to set prices that they are willing to sell or buy
bitcoin and execute such trades.
Inventors: |
Langschaedel; Julian;
(Essen, DE) ; Armstrong; Brian D.; (Beaverton,
OR) ; Ehrsam; Fred E.; (San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Coinbase, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Coinbase, Inc.
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
54069270 |
Appl. No.: |
14/660331 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61954434 |
Mar 17, 2014 |
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61990017 |
May 7, 2014 |
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62042676 |
Aug 27, 2014 |
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62056100 |
Sep 26, 2014 |
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62086669 |
Dec 2, 2014 |
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62099992 |
Jan 5, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/71 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/04 20130101;
G06Q 20/36 20130101; G06Q 20/3829 20130101; G06Q 20/065 20130101;
G06Q 20/40 20130101; G06Q 20/382 20130101; G06Q 20/363 20130101;
H04L 51/08 20130101; G06Q 20/388 20130101; G06Q 20/4014 20130101;
G06Q 20/16 20130101; G06Q 20/386 20200501; G06Q 20/0658 20130101;
G06Q 20/381 20130101; G06Q 20/3825 20130101; G06Q 20/384 20200501;
G06Q 20/3678 20130101; G06Q 2220/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 20/38 20060101
G06Q020/38; G06Q 20/36 20060101 G06Q020/36; G06Q 20/06 20060101
G06Q020/06 |
Claims
1-36. (canceled)
37. A host computer system for transacting bitcoin comprising: a
processor; a computer readable medium connected to the processor; a
local storage on the computer readable medium; and a set of
instruction on the computer readable medium that are executable by
the processor, including: a register; a Bitcoin address and an
associated private key and value stored in the register; a local
controller transferring a private key for a Bitcoin address of a
vault, to a local storage connected to a processor and transferring
the value of the Bitcoin address in the register to the vault; a
splitter that splits the private key of the Bitcoin address of the
vault into a plurality of codes; an offline distribution module
distributing the codes to remote distributed storage locations,
removing the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault from
the local storage, and removing the private key for the Bitcoin
address of the register from the Bitcoin address of the register;
at least one restoration interface receiving at least some of the
codes into which the private key for Bitcoin address of the vault
has been split; and an assembler that assembles the codes that have
been received into the private key of the Bitcoin address of the
vault, the local controller restoring the private key of the
Bitcoin address of the vault from the local storage, and restoring
the value for the Bitcoin address in the register from the
vault.
38. The host computer system 37, wherein the value is transferred
from the register to the vault after the codes have been
distributed.
39. The host computer system 37, further comprising: a wallet
establishment module establishing a plurality of wallets in the
local storage, the local controller storing at least one Bitcoin
address for a value in association with each wallet, the local
controller selecting at least a subset of the Bitcoin addresses in
all the wallets, and storing the values of the subset of Bitcoin
addresses to the vault.
40. The host computer system 37, further comprising: an encryption
algorithm encrypting each code before being distributed; and a
decryption algorithm decrypting the code after receiving the
code.
41. The host computer system 37, wherein the number of codes that
are distributed is more than the number of codes that are received
before assembling the private key of the Bitcoin address.
42. The host computer system 41, wherein a minimum number of codes
is required before the private key of the Bitcoin address can be
assembled.
43. The host computer system 37, wherein the Bitcoin address for
the register is a first Bitcoin address for the register, the codes
are first codes, and the vault is a first vault, wherein the local
controller transfers a private key for a second Bitcoin address of
a second vault to the local storage connected to the processor,
transfers the value of the second Bitcoin address in the register
to the second vault, splits the private key for the Bitcoin address
of the second vault into a plurality of second codes, the offline
distribution module distributing the second codes to remote
distributed storage locations, and the local controller removing
the private key of the Bitcoin address of the second vault from the
local storage, removing the private key for the second Bitcoin
address of the register from the Bitcoin address of the register,
the restoration interface receives at least some of the second
codes into which the private key for Bitcoin address of the second
vault has been split, the assembler assembles the second codes that
have been received into the private key of the Bitcoin address of
the second vault, and the local controller restores the private key
of the second vault from the local storage, and restores the value
for the second Bitcoin address in the register from the second
vault.
44. A method of transacting bitcoin comprising: transferring, by
the processor, a private key of the Bitcoin address of a vault to a
local storage connected to the processor; splitting, by the
processor, the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault into
a plurality of codes; distributing the codes to remote distributed
storage locations; transferring, by the processor, a value of a
Bitcoin address in a register to the vault; receiving, by the
processor, at least some of the codes into which the private key of
the Bitcoin address of the vault has been split; assembling, by the
processor, the codes that have been received into the private key
of the Bitcoin address of the vault; restoring, by the processor,
the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault to the vault;
and restoring, by the processor, the value of the Bitcoin address
in the register from the vault.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the value is transferred from
the register to the vault after the codes have been
distributed.
46. The method of claim 44, further comprising: establishing, by
the processor, a plurality of wallets in the local register;
storing, by the processor, at least one Bitcoin address for a value
in association with each wallet; selecting, by the processor, at
least a subset of the Bitcoin addresses in all the wallets; and
storing, by the processor, the values of the subset of Bitcoin
addresses in the vault.
47. The method of claim 44, further comprising: encrypting, by the
processor, each code before being distributed; and decrypting, by
the processor, the code after receiving the code.
48. The method of claim 44, wherein the number of codes that are
distributed is more than the number of codes that are received
before assembling the private key.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein a minimum number of codes is
required before the private key of the Bitcoin address can be
assembled.
50. The method of claim 44, wherein the Bitcoin address for the
register is a first Bitcoin address for the register, the codes are
first codes, and the vault is a first vault, further comprising:
transferring, by the processor, a private key of the Bitcoin
address of a second vault to a local storage connected to the
processor; splitting, by the processor, the private key of the
Bitcoin address of the second vault into a plurality of second
codes; distributing the second codes to remote distributed storage
locations; transferring, by the processor, a value of a second
Bitcoin address in the register to the vault; receiving, by the
processor, at least some of the second codes into which the private
key for Bitcoin address of the second vault has been split;
assembling, by the processor, the second codes that have been
received into the private key for Bitcoin address of the second
vault; restoring, by the processor, the private key of the second
vault to the vault; and restoring, by the processor, the value of
the second Bitcoin address in the register from the second
vault.
51. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon
a set of instructions that are executable by a processor to carry
out a method of transacting bitcoin comprising: transferring, by
the processor, a private key of a Bitcoin address of a vault to a
local storage connected to the processor; splitting, by the
processor, the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault into
a plurality of codes; distributing the codes to remote distributed
storage locations; transferring, by the processor, a value of a
Bitcoin address in a register to the vault; receiving, by the
processor, at least some of the codes into which the private key of
the Bitcoin address of the vault has been split; assembling, by the
processor, the codes that have been received into the private key
of the Bitcoin address of the vault; restoring, by the processor,
the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault to the vault;
and restoring, by the processor, the value of the Bitcoin address
in the register from the vault.
52-141. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/954,434, filed on Mar. 17,
2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/990,017, filed on
May 7, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/042,676,
filed on Aug. 27, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/056,100, filed on Sep. 26, 2014; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/086,669, filed on Dec. 2, 2014 and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/099,992, filed on Jan. 5,
2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1). Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a computer system and method for
transacting bitcoin.
[0004] 2). Discussion of Related Art
[0005] The Bitcoin network is a peer-to-peer payment system having
a plurality of nodes that are connected to one another. Bitcoin
exchange computer systems allow for users to exchange local
currency into or out of bitcoin. Users send payments by
broadcasting digitally signed messages to the Bitcoin network.
Users may, for example, send and receive payments using mobile
applications on mobile devices, client software or a web
browser.
[0006] Transactions do not explicitly identify the payor and payee
by name or wallet. Instead, a bitcoin transaction transfers
ownership to a new address, referred to as a "Bitcoin address". The
Bitcoin address is derived from the public portion of one or more
cryptographic key pairs. The private portion of a key pair is not
disclosed to the public. To send bitcoin sent to an address, a user
broadcasts a payment message that is digitally signed with the
associated private key.
[0007] Participants known as "miners" at miner computer systems
verify and timestamp transactions into a shared public database
called a "block chain". The miners are rewarded with transaction
fees and newly minted bitcoin for their effort. The miner computer
systems are specialized computers that append blocks of
transactions to the block chain. Solving a cryptographic puzzle
required to append a block carries a reward plus fees included in
transactions in the block.
[0008] Host computer systems reside at various nodes and may host
accounts or "wallets" that allow users to make and accept payments
using bitcoin. The wallet stores the public key of the Bitcoin
address and its associated private key.
[0009] The transfer of bitcoin may be an onerous task if the entire
public key of the Bitcoin address has to be copied and
transmitted.
[0010] When a transaction is made between two wallets at the same
or different host computer systems, the transaction is broadcast to
the Bitcoin network for block chain verification. Such a block
chain verification may take a long time to complete. Miner fees are
also associated with such a transfer and have to be paid by a host
computer system requesting the transfer.
[0011] It may be a security concern for users that their Bitcoin
addresses may be stolen from their wallets. Existing systems do not
provide a solution for maintaining security of Bitcoin addresses
while still allowing the users to use Bitcoin addresses within
their wallets for transacting with other users.
[0012] A merchant computer system often has an online store and a
website. A customer at a customer computer system may use a browser
to access the online store via the website. Items are displayed for
purchase in a local currency. Exchange rate between bitcoin and
local currency changes over short periods of time. The price in
local currency may thus change between the time that the local
currency is displayed to the customer and the time that the
customer decides to make the purchase. As a result, the customer or
the merchant may incur a loss in local currency. The customer or
merchant may then be reluctant to purchase using bitcoin.
[0013] In order for a user to access their wallet, the user may log
into their account through the website using a user name and
password. If the user name and password become compromised then it
may be possible for bitcoin to be stolen out of the wallet. Users
may therefore be reluctant to store bitcoin in their wallets
without any additional security features.
[0014] Bitcoin transacting requires the use of a public key and a
private key. The private key is used to sign an authorization and
the public key is used to verify the signature. Some users may
require control over their private keys in order to ensure to such
users that bitcoin transacting will not take place without their
express authorization.
[0015] Content creators often put a lot of time and energy into
their blog posts. These efforts are rarely rewarded because
efficient technology does not exist for rewarding bloggers for
their efforts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The invention provides a host computer system for
transacting bitcoin including a processor, a network interface
device connected to the processor, a computer readable medium
connected to the processor, a data store on the computer readable
medium and a set of instructions on the computer readable medium
that are executable by the processor. The set of instructions
includes a wallet establishment module, a login module, a hosted
email module and a wallet management. The wallet establishment
module establishes a first wallet in the data store, stores login
details for the first wallet and storing a value representative of
an amount of bitcoin held by the first wallet. The login module
receives login credentials over the network interface device for
the first wallet from a first user device, verifies whether the
login credentials match the login details for the first wallet, and
if the login credentials match the login details then logs the
first user device into the first wallet. The hosted email module,
if the first user device is logged into the wallet, permits
transmission of an email by a user of the first user device to an
email address of a second user device. The wallet management
module, in response to the transmission of the email, records a
transfer in the first wallet for an amount of bitcoin from the
first wallet to a second wallet identified by the email
address.
[0017] The invention also provides a method of transacting bitcoin.
A processor establishes a first wallet in a data store connected to
the processor. The processor stores login details for the first
wallet. The processor stores a value representative of an amount of
bitcoin held by the first wallet. The processor receives login
credentials for the first wallet from a first user device. The
processor verifies whether the login credentials match the login
details for the first wallet. The processor, if the login
credentials match the login details then, logs the first user
device into the first wallet. The processor, if the first user
device is logged into the wallet, permits transmission of an email
by a user to the first user device to an email address of a second
user device and in response to the transmission of the email. The
processor records a transfer in the first wallet for an amount of
bitcoin from the first wallet to a second wallet identified by the
email address.
[0018] The invention further provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of
instructions that are executable by a processor to carry out a
method of transacting bitcoin. The processor establishes a first
wallet in a data store connected to the processor. The processor
stores login details for the first wallet. The processor stores a
value representative of an amount of bitcoin held by the first
wallet. The processor receives login credentials for the first
wallet from a first user device. The processor verifies whether the
login credentials match the login details for the first wallet. The
processor, if the login credentials match the login details then,
logs the first user device into the first wallet. The processor, if
the first user device is logged into the wallet, permits
transmission of an email by a user to the first user device to an
email address of a second user device and in response to the
transmission of the email. The processor records a transfer in the
first wallet for an amount of bitcoin from the first wallet to a
second wallet identified by the email address.
[0019] The invention further provides a first host computer system
for transacting bitcoin including a processor at a first node of
the Bitcoin network, a network interface device connected to the
processor, a computer readable medium connected to the processor, a
data store on the computer readable medium and a set of
instructions on the computer readable medium that are executable by
the processor. The set of instructions includes a wallet
establishment module. The wallet establishment module establishes a
first and second wallets in the data store and stores a value
representative of an amount of bitcoin held by the first wallet.
The wallet management module receives, over the network interface
device, a first transfer instruction for an amount of bitcoin from
the first wallet and an identifier of the second wallet, in
response to the first transfer instruction, records a transfer in
the first wallet for the amount of bitcoin in the first transfer
instruction out of the first wallet and a transfer in the second
wallet, identified by the identifier of the second wallet, for the
amount of bitcoin in the first transfer instruction into the second
wallet without paying a miner's fee for the first transfer. In
order to execute a subsequent on-block chain transaction, the
wallet management module receives, over the network interface
device, a second transfer instruction for an amount of bitcoin from
the first wallet and a bitcoin address associated with a second
node of the Bitcoin network, and in response to the second transfer
instruction, records a transfer in the first wallet for the amount
of bitcoin in the second transfer instruction out of the first
wallet, broadcasts a message to the Bitcoin network, including to
the second node, to record a transfer associated with the bitcoin
address associated with the second node, for the amount of bitcoin
in the second transfer instruction, and pays a miner's fee for the
second transfer.
[0020] The invention further provides a method of transacting
bitcoin including. A processor of a first host computer system at a
first node of the Bitcoin network establishes first and second
wallets in a data store connected to the processor. The processor
stores a value representative of an amount of bitcoin held by the
first wallet. The processor receives a first transfer instruction
for an amount of bitcoin from the first wallet and an identifier of
the second wallet. The processor, in response to the first transfer
instruction, records a transfer in the first wallet for the amount
of bitcoin in the first transfer instruction out of the first
wallet and a transfer in the second wallet, identified by the
identifier of the second wallet, for the amount of bitcoin in the
first transfer instruction into the second wallet without paying a
miner's fee for the first transfer. The processor receives a second
transfer instruction for an amount of bitcoin from the first wallet
and a bitcoin address associated with a second node of the bitcoin
network. The processor, in response to the second transfer
instruction records a transfer in the first wallet for the amount
of bitcoin in the second transfer instruction out of the first
wallet, broadcasts a message to the Bitcoin network, including to
the second node, to record a transfer associated with the bitcoin
address associated with the second node, for the amount of bitcoin
in the second transfer instruction and pays a miner's fee for the
second transfer.
[0021] The invention further provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of
instructions that are executable by a processor of a first host
computer system at a first node of the Bitcoin network to carry out
a method of transacting bitcoin. The processor establishes first
and second wallets in a data store connected to the processor. The
processor stores a value representative of an amount of bitcoin
held by the first wallet. The processor receives a first transfer
instruction for an amount of bitcoin from the first wallet and an
identifier of the second wallet. The processor, in response to the
first transfer instruction, records a transfer in the first wallet
for the amount of bitcoin in the first transfer instruction out of
the first wallet and a transfer in the second wallet, identified by
the identifier of the second wallet, for the amount of bitcoin in
the first transfer instruction into the second wallet without
paying a miner's fee for the first transfer. The processor receives
a second transfer instruction for an amount of bitcoin from the
first wallet and a bitcoin address associated with a second node of
the bitcoin network. The processor, in response to the second
transfer instruction records a transfer in the first wallet for the
amount of bitcoin in the second transfer instruction out of the
first wallet, broadcasts a message to the Bitcoin network,
including to the second node, to record a transfer associated with
the bitcoin address associated with the second node, for the amount
of bitcoin in the second transfer instruction and pays a miner's
fee for the second transfer.
[0022] The invention also provides a host computer system for
transacting bitcoin including a processor, a computer readable
medium connected to the processor, a local storage on the computer
readable medium and a set of instructions on the computer readable
medium that are executable by the processor. The set of
instructions includes a register, a Bitcoin address and an
associated private key and value stored in the register, a local
controller, a splitter, an offline distribution module, at least
one restoration interface, and an assembler. The local controller
transfers a private key for a Bitcoin address of a vault, to a
local storage connected to a processor and transfers the value of
the Bitcoin address in the register to the vault. The splitter
splits the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault into a
plurality of codes. The offline distribution module distributes the
codes to remote distributed storage locations, removes the private
key of the Bitcoin address of the vault from the local storage, and
removes the value for the Bitcoin address of the register from the
Bitcoin address of the register. The restoration interface receives
at least some of the codes into which the private key for Bitcoin
address of the vault has been split. The assembler assembles the
codes that have been received into the private key of the Bitcoin
address of the vault. The local controller restores the private key
of the Bitcoin address of the vault from the local storage, and
restores the value for the Bitcoin address in the register from the
vault.
[0023] The invention further provides a method of transacting
bitcoin. A processor transfers a private key of the Bitcoin address
of a vault to a local storage connected to the processor. The
processor splits the private key of the Bitcoin address of the
vault into a plurality of codes. The processor distributes the
codes to remote distributed storage locations. The processor
transfers a value of a Bitcoin address in a register to the vault.
The processor receives at least some of the codes into which the
private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault has been split. The
processor assembles the codes that have been received into the
private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault. The processor
restores the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault to the
vault. The processor restores the value of the Bitcoin address in
the register from the vault.
[0024] The invention also provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of
instructions that are executable by a processor to carry out a
method of transacting bitcoin. A processor transfers a private key
of the Bitcoin address of a vault to a local storage connected to
the processor. The processor splits the private key of the Bitcoin
address of the vault into a plurality of codes. The processor
distributes the codes to remote distributed storage locations. The
processor transfers a value of a Bitcoin address in a register to
the vault. The processor receives at least some of the codes into
which the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault has been
split. The processor assembles the codes that have been received
into the private key of the Bitcoin address of the vault. The
processor restores the private key of the Bitcoin address of the
vault to the vault. The processor restores the value of the Bitcoin
address in the register from the vault.
[0025] The invention further provides a host computer system for
transacting bitcoin including a processor, a network interface
device connected to the processor, a computer readable medium
connected to the processor, a local storage on the computer
readable medium and a set of instructions on the computer readable
medium that are executable by the processor. The set of
instructions includes a wallet, a plurality of Bitcoin addresses
stored in the wallet, a first vault, and a local controller. The
local controller is executable for selecting a first transfer set
of the Bitcoin addresses for cold storage in the first vault,
transferring at least a portion of each of the Bitcoin addresses of
the first transfer set to a first vault while keeping the portions
a first transaction set in the register, and restoring at least the
portion of the Bitcoin addresses of the first transfer set from the
first vault to the wallet and a wallet management module
transacting using the Bitcoin addresses of the first transacting
set without permitting transacting with the Bitcoin addresses of
the first transfer set due to the portions thereof being restored
to the first vault, and transacting using the Bitcoin addresses of
the first transfer set due to the portions thereof being restored
from the first vault to the wallet.
[0026] The invention also provides a method of transacting bitcoin.
A processor stores a plurality of Bitcoin addresses in a wallet.
The processor selects a first transfer set of the Bitcoin addresses
for cold storage in a first vault. The processor transfers at least
a portion of each of the Bitcoin addresses of the first transfer
set to the first vault while keeping the portions a first
transaction set in the register. The processor transacts using the
Bitcoin addresses of the first transacting set without permitting
transacting with the Bitcoin addresses of the first transfer set
due to the portions thereof being transferred to the first vault.
The processor restores the portion of the Bitcoin addresses of the
first transfer set from the first vault to the wallet. The
processor transacts using the Bitcoin addresses of the first
transfer set due to the portions thereof being restored from the
first vault to the wallet.
[0027] The invention further provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of
instructions that are executable by a processor to carry out a
method of transacting. A processor stores a plurality of Bitcoin
addresses in a wallet. The processor selects a first transfer set
of the Bitcoin addresses for cold storage in a first vault. The
processor transfers at least a portion of each of the Bitcoin
addresses of the first transfer set to the first vault while
keeping the portions a first transaction set in the register. The
processor transacts using the Bitcoin addresses of the first
transacting set without permitting transacting with the Bitcoin
addresses of the first transfer set due to the portions thereof
being transferred to the first vault. The processor restores the
portion of the Bitcoin addresses of the first transfer set from the
first vault to the wallet. The processor transacts using the
Bitcoin addresses of the first transfer set due to the portions
thereof being restored from the first vault to the wallet.
[0028] The invention also provides a method of effecting payment
including receiving, by a host computer system, a request for
payment from a merchant computer system, including an amount in a
currency, determining, by the host computer system, a first
exchange rate, wherein the first exchange rate fluctuates and the
first exchange rate is determined at a first moment in time,
converting, by the host computer system, the amount in the currency
to an amount in bitcoin using the first exchange rate at the first
moment in time, receiving, by the host computer system, a send
instruction from the customer computer system, wherein the send
instruction is at a second moment in time later than the first
moment in time and the exchange rate at the second moment in time
is a second exchange rate that is different than the first exchange
rate at the first moment in time, receiving, by the host computer
system, payment in bitcoin from the customer in an amount that is
based on the amount in bitcoin and transmitting, by the host
computer system, in response to receiving the send instruction from
the customer computer system, a payment instruction to pay currency
to the merchant, wherein the currency paid to the merchant is for
an amount that is at least in part based on the amount in the
currency that is converted to bitcoin at the first moment in time
even though the exchange rate is different at the second moment in
time.
[0029] The invention further provides a host computer system for
effecting payment including a processor, a computer readable medium
connected to the processor and a set of instructions on the
computer readable medium that are executable by the processor. The
set of instructions includes an application programmable interface
(API) receiving a request for payment from a merchant computer
system, including an amount in a currency, a currency converter
determining a first exchange rate, wherein the first exchange rate
fluctuates and the first exchange rate is determined at a first
moment in time, and converting, by the host computer system, the
amount in the currency to an amount in bitcoin using the first
exchange rate at the first moment in time, transaction processor
receiving a send instruction from the customer computer system,
wherein the send instruction is at a second moment in time later
than the first moment in time and the exchange rate at the second
moment in time is a second exchange rate that is different than the
first exchange rate at the first moment in time, and receiving a
payment in bitcoin from the customer in an amount that is based on
the amount in bitcoin and a bank transfer module transmitting in
response to receiving the send instruction from the customer
computer system, a payment instruction to pay currency to the
merchant, wherein the currency paid to the merchant is for an
amount that is at least in part based on the amount in the currency
that is converted to bitcoin at the first moment in time even
though the exchange rate is different at the second moment in
time.
[0030] The invention also provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of
instructions that are executable by a processor to carry out a
method of transacting bitcoin including receiving, by a host
computer system, a request for payment from a merchant computer
system, including an amount in a currency, determining, by the host
computer system, a first exchange rate, wherein the first exchange
rate fluctuates and the first exchange rate is determined at a
first moment in time, converting, by the host computer system, the
amount in the currency to an amount in bitcoin using the first
exchange rate at the first moment in time, receiving, by the host
computer system, a send instruction from the customer computer
system, wherein the send instruction is at a second moment in time
later than the first moment in time and the exchange rate at the
second moment in time is a second exchange rate that is different
than the first exchange rate at the first moment in time,
receiving, by the host computer system, payment in bitcoin from the
customer in an amount that is based on the amount in bitcoin and
transmitting, by the host computer system, in response to receiving
the send instruction from the customer computer system, a payment
instruction to pay currency to the merchant, wherein the currency
paid to the merchant is for an amount that is at least in part
based on the amount in the currency that is converted to bitcoin at
the first moment in time even though the exchange rate is different
at the second moment in time.
[0031] The invention further provides a method of managing bitcoin,
including establishing, by a host computer system, a vault and
storing first and second electronic communication addresses in
relation to the vault, storing, by the host computer system,
bitcoin in the vault, receiving, by the host computer system, a
request to transfer an amount of the bitcoin out of the vault,
transmitting, by the host computer system, in response to the
request, first and second messages over a network to the first and
second addresses, detecting, by the host computer system, whether
first and second authorization instructions are received due to one
or more users reacting to the first and second messages sent to the
first and second addresses and transferring, by the host computer
system, the amount of bitcoin out of the vault only if both the
first and second authorization instructions are detected.
[0032] The invention also provides a non-transitory
computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of
instructions which, when executed by a processor, executes a method
including establishing, by a host computer system, a vault and
storing first and second electronic communication addresses in
relation to the vault, storing, by the host computer system,
bitcoin in the vault, receiving, by the host computer system, a
request to transfer an amount of the bitcoin out of the vault,
transmitting, by the host computer system, in response to the
request, first and second messages over a network to the first and
second addresses, detecting, by the host computer system, whether
first and second authorization instructions are received due to one
or more users reacting to the first and second messages sent to the
first and second addresses and transferring, by the host computer
system, the amount of bitcoin out of the vault only if both the
first and second authorization instructions are detected.
[0033] The invention further provides a bitcoin management system,
including a processor, a computer-readable medium connected to the
processor and a set of instructions on the computer readable medium
that are executable by the processor. The set of instructions
includes a vault establishment wizard establishing a vault and
storing first and second electronic communication addresses in
relation to the vault, transaction processor storing bitcoin in the
vault and a vault management module receiving a request to transfer
an amount of the bitcoin out of the vault, transmitting, in
response to the request, first and second messages over a network
to the first and second addresses, detecting whether first and
second authorization instructions are received due to one or more
users reacting to the first and second messages sent to the first
and second addresses, and instructing the transaction processor to
transfer the amount of bitcoin out of the vault only if both the
first and second authorization instructions are detected.
[0034] The invention also provides a method of transacting bitcoin
including storing, by a host computer system, a public key,
receiving, by the host computer system, a request from a user
computer system to transact using a bitcoin address, transmitting,
by the host computer system, a verification script to the user
computer system, the verification script including an authorization
and a signature algorithm that is executable on the user computer
system to sign the authorization with a private key to obtain a
signed authorization that includes the signature and transmit the
signed authorization to the host computer system, receiving, by the
host computer system, the signed authorization including the
signature from the user computer system, verifying, by the host
computer system, the signature of the signed authorization received
from the user computer system using a public key; and transacting,
by the host computer system, with the bitcoin address, the
transacting being permitted due to a successful verification of the
signature but not upon an unsuccessful verification of the
signature.
[0035] The invention further provides a host computer system
including a processor, a set of data and instructions on the
computer-readable medium that are executable by the processor that
are executable by the processor, a public key, a transaction
processor receiving a request from a user computer system to
transact using a bitcoin address, a verification script that is
transmitted to the user computer system, the verification script
including an authorization and a signature algorithm that is
executable on the user computer system to sign the authorization
with a private key to obtain a signed authorization that includes
the signature and transmit the signed authorization to the host
computer system, the host computer system receiving the signed
authorization including the signature from the user computer
system, and a verification module verifying the signature of the
signed authorization received from the user computer system using a
public key, the transaction processor transacting with the bitcoin
address, the transacting being permitted due to a successful
verification of the signature but not upon an unsuccessful
verification of the signature.
[0036] The invention also provides a host computer system including
a processor, a network interface device connected to the processor,
a computer readable medium connected to the processor and a set of
instructions on the computer readable medium that are readable and
executable by the processor. The set of instructions include an
embedded code generator generating an embedded code for inclusion
within a website of a partner computer system, the embedded code
including a startup caller causing transmission of a startup call
from the sender computer system to the host computer system, a
startup call responder receiving the startup call from the sender
computer system and transmitting, in response to the startup call,
a tip button and a session script to the sender computer system,
the session script being executable by the sender computer system
to transmit a session call to the host computer system and a
session responder transmitting, in response to the session call, at
least one payment button and a payment script to the sender
computer system, the payment button being selectable by the user of
the sender computer system to execute the payment script, the
payment script transmitting an instruction to a transaction
processor to transfer funds from a sender account to a receiver
account.
[0037] The invention further provides a method of transferring
funds including generating, by a host computer system, an embedded
code for inclusion within a website of a partner computer system,
the embedded code including a startup caller causing transmission
of a startup call from the sender computer system to the host
computer system, receiving, by the host computer system, the
startup call from the sender computer system, transmitting, by the
host computer system in response to the startup call, a tip button
and a session script to the sender computer system, the session
script being executable by the sender computer system to transmit a
session call to the host computer system and transmitting, by the
host computer system in response to the session call, at least one
payment selection and a payment script to the sender computer
system, the payment selection being selectable by the user of the
sender computer system to execute the payment script, the payment
script transmitting an instruction to a transaction processor to
transfer funds from a sender account to a receiver account.
[0038] The invention also provides a method of transacting bitcoin
including executing, by a host computer system, a trading
algorithm, including receiving sell offers for bitcoin from a
sellers, receiving a buy offers for bitcoin from a buyers, creating
respective matches wherein each match includes one of the buy
offers and one of the sell offers, broadcasting each respective
match over a multicast pipeline, receiving each respective match
with a clearing module and clearing the respective match by
updating an exchange database to reflect the respective match by
transferring a representation of bitcoin from the seller to the
buyer and transferring a representation of currency from the buyer
to the seller.
[0039] The invention further provides a system for transacting
bitcoin including an order gateway receiving sell offers for
bitcoin from a sellers and receiving a buy offers for bitcoin from
a buyers, a matching engine creating respective matches wherein
each match includes one of the buy offers and one of the sell
offers, a multicast pipeline, the matching engine broadcasting each
respective match over the multicast pipeline, an exchange database;
and a clearing module receiving each respective and clearing the
respective match by updating the exchange database to reflect the
respective match by transferring a representation of bitcoin from
the seller to the buyer and transferring a representation of
currency from the buyer to the seller, thereby executing a trading
algorithm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The invention is further described by way of example with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0041] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a network environment that
includes the Bitcoin network and a number of systems forming part
thereof or connected thereto;
[0042] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a first host computer system
and a first and second user devices connected thereto;
[0043] FIG. 2 is diagrammatic view of a first wallet that is held
within a first host computer system in FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, further illustrating a
second wallet that has been established within the first host
computer system;
[0045] FIG. 4 is a view of an email that is received by the second
user device in FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 5 is a view of a browser displaying a user interface
with fields for creating login details for the second wallet;
[0047] FIGS. 6 to 30 are views similar to FIG. 5 that step a user
of the second user device through a wallet set up;
[0048] FIGS. 31 to 33 are views of the browser wherein the user
interface discloses various tools that can be used by the user;
[0049] FIGS. 34 to 37 are views of the browser wherein the user
interface is used by the user to purchase bitcoin from the first
host computer system;
[0050] FIG. 38 is an email that is received by the second user
device to confirm the purchase of the bitcoin from the first host
computer system;
[0051] FIG. 39 is an email that is received by the second user
device with a notification that bitcoin has been added to their
wallet as part of a referral bonus system;
[0052] FIG. 40 is a view of the browser wherein the user interface
displays "Limits and Verifications" associated with the second
wallet;
[0053] FIG. 41 is a view similar to FIG. 3 displaying transfer of
bitcoin from the second wallet to the first wallet;
[0054] FIGS. 42 and 43 are views of the browser when the user
interface steps the user through the transfer of bitcoin from the
second wallet to the first wallet;
[0055] FIG. 44 is a view of the browser wherein the user interface
displays Bitcoin addresses associated with transactions that have
been completed;
[0056] FIG. 45 is a view similar to FIG. 40 further showing the
transfer of bitcoin from the second wallet to a third wallet that
is connected to a second host computer system;
[0057] FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating splitting of a
private key of a vault and offline distribution;
[0058] FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating removal of the
private key of the vault;
[0059] FIG. 48 is a block diagram illustrating offline or "cold"
storage of values of Bitcoin addresses of a wallet in the
vault;
[0060] FIG. 49 is a block diagram illustrating isolation of the
vault with its private key removed;
[0061] FIG. 50 is a block diagram illustrating how the private key
of the vault and the value of the Bitcoin addresses are
restored;
[0062] FIGS. 51a to 51d are block diagrams that illustrate how
values of certain Bitcoin addresses in a wallet are removed and
others are maintained;
[0063] FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating how the wallet is maintained
within a range so that only a portion of the wallet is "hot" in the
sense that a user of the wallet can use the "hot" portion for
transacting with another user;
[0064] FIG. 53 is a block diagram that shows how an intermediate
hot wallet is used to collect value from multiple wallets before
transfer to a vault;
[0065] FIG. 54 is a block diagram of a network environment that
includes a customer computer system and merchant computer
system;
[0066] FIG. 55 is a block diagram illustrating functioning for
purposes of locking an exchange rate in when processing a
transaction made by the customer computer system on the merchant
computer system in FIG. 54;
[0067] FIG. 56 is a flow chart illustrating the establishment of a
personal vault;
[0068] FIG. 57 is a flow chart illustrating how bitcoin is
transferred into and out of the vault;
[0069] FIG. 58 is a block diagram of the first host computer system
illustrating components that are used for establishing the vault
and transferring bitcoin into and out of the vault;
[0070] FIG. 59 is an email that is transmitted to verify a
secondary email address;
[0071] FIG. 60 is a view of a browser wherein a user interface
displays options for transferring bitcoin out of a vault;
[0072] FIGS. 61 and 62 are emails that are transmitted to primary
and secondary email addresses to approve a withdrawal;
[0073] FIG. 63 is a view of the browser with the user interface
displaying a transaction status window;
[0074] FIG. 64 is a block diagram illustrating the establishment of
a user-controlled vault;
[0075] FIG. 65 is a block diagram illustrating the user of the
user-controlled vault for authorizing a transaction;
[0076] FIG. 66 is a block diagram of an address generator that is
used by the user-controlled vault;
[0077] FIG. 67 to FIG. 71 are a block diagrams illustrating the
functioning of a tip button;
[0078] FIG. 72 is a block diagram of a system for transacting
bitcoin according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0079] FIGS. 73a to 73f illustrate the use of the system of FIG. 72
for executing transfer-in, trading and withdrawal algorithms;
and
[0080] FIG. 74 is a block diagram of a machine in the form of a
computer system forming part of the network environment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0081] FIG. 1A of the accompanying drawings illustrates a network
environment 10, including the Bitcoin network 12, a first host
computer system 14 within which the invention manifests itself, a
second host computer system 16, first and second user devices 18
and 20 connected over the Internet 22 to the first host computer
system 14, a third user device 24 connected to the second host
computer system 16, a bitcoin exchange computer system 26 and a
miner computer system 28.
[0082] The Bitcoin network 12 includes a host node 30 and a
plurality of remote nodes 32A to D that are connected to one
another. The first host computer system 14 is connected to the host
node 30. The bitcoin exchange computer system 26 is connected to
the remote node 32A. The second host computer system 16 is
connected to the remote node 32B. The miner computer system 28 is
connected to the remote node 32D or could reside on the same
computer system.
[0083] The first host computer system 14 is used primarily for
transacting bitcoin and, as shown in FIG. 1B, includes a website 34
having a user interface 36, a login module 38, a wallet
establishment module 40, a plurality of wallets 42, a wallet
management module 44 and a hosted email module 46. The login module
38 is connected to the website 34 and the hosted email module 46 is
connected to the login module 38. The wallet establishment module
40 is connected to the wallets 42. The hosted email module 46 is
connected via the wallet management module 44 to the wallets 42. As
illustrated in the drawing, the first user device 18 is connected
over the Internet 22 and the user interface 36 to the login module
38. As further illustrated in the drawing, the hosted email module
46 is connected over the Internet 22 to the second user device 20
and the second user device 20 is connected over the Internet 22 and
the user interface 36 to the wallet establishment module 40.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 2, the first host computer system 14
already has one wallet (Wallet A) stored among the wallets 42
corresponding to the first user device 18. The first wallet (Wallet
A) includes an email address (email address A) and login details
for the wallet. The first wallet (Wallet A) also includes a number
of Bitcoin addresses (Bitcoin address 1; Bitcoin address 2) that
have been created due to respective transfers or purchases
(Transfer 1; Transfer 2). The first Bitcoin address (Bitcoin
address 1) is created due to a purchase (Transfer 1) from a master
wallet of the first host computer system 14 (First Host) and is
recorded for a value in an amount in bitcoin. The second Bitcoin
address (Bitcoin address 2) is created due to a transfer (Transfer
2) from another location within the Bitcoin network 12 having a
network address outside of the first host computer system 14 and is
recorded for a particular amount in bitcoin. The first wallet
(Wallet A) was originally established by the wallet establishment
module 40 in FIG. 1B. The email address (email address A) and login
details of the first wallet were also recorded by the wallet
establishment module 40. The wallet establishment module 40 and
wallet management module 44 were used to record the transfers and
purchases (Transfer 1; Transfer 2), their Bitcoin addresses
(Bitcoin address 1; Bitcoin address 2), their values and other
details within the wallet.
[0085] A user of the first user device 18 in FIG. 1B may use a
mobile application on the first user device 18 to communicate over
the Internet 22 directly with the login module 38 or may use a
browser on the first user device 18 to communicate via the Internet
22 and the website 34 with the login module 38. A browser
application on the first user device 18 transmits a user interface
request over the Internet 22 to the website 34. The website 34
responds to the user interface request by transmitting the user
interface 36 over the Internet 22 to the first user device 18. The
user interface 36 is then displayed on the first user device 18.
The user interface 36 includes fields for entering login
credentials, which are then transmitted from the first user device
18 over the Internet 22 to the login module 38. The login module 38
verifies whether the login credentials match the login details for
the wallet (Wallet A). If the login credentials match the login
details, then the login module 38 logs the first user device 18
into the wallet (Wallet A) in FIG. 2. If the login credentials do
not match the login details, then the first user device 18 is not
logged in to the wallet.
[0086] If the first user device 18 in FIG. 1B is logged in to the
wallet, the login module 38 also provides access for the first user
device 18 to the hosted email module 46 and transmission of an
email by a user of the first user device 18 to an email address of
the second user device 20. The user interface 36 provides a field
for entering the email address of the second user device 20. The
user interface 36 also includes a field for entering an amount in
bitcoin (or an amount in local currency that is converted to
bitcoin using an exchange rate) that is being transferred from the
wallet (Wallet A) corresponding to the first user device 18 to a
respective wallet among the wallets 42 corresponding to the second
user device 20 that has not yet been established at this point in
time. The user of the first user device 18 then uses the hosted
email module 46 to send an email at 50 to the second user device
20. The hosted email module 46 simultaneously at 52 instructs the
wallet establishment module 40 to establish a wallet corresponding
to the email address within the wallets 42. The hosted email module
46 simultaneously instructs the wallet management module 44 to
record the amount of bitcoin that is being transferred from the
wallet (Wallet A) within the wallet corresponding to the email
address.
[0087] FIG. 3 illustrates further activity within the wallets 42
due to the email represented by a third transfer (Transfer 3). When
the user of the first wallet (Wallet A) transmits the email, the
system uses an existing Bitcoin address (Bitcoin address 2) to
which the outgoing transfer is charged. Associated with the
transfer (Transfer 3) are the email address to which the email has
been transmitted, the amount in bitcoin, a miner's fee of zero
bitcoin that is paid by the first host computer system 14 to any
miner computer system such as the miner computer system 28 in FIG.
1A, and a host fee of zero bitcoin that are charged to the wallet
(Wallet A) for the transfer. A second wallet (Wallet B) is
established by the wallet establishment module 40 and the email
address (email address B) of the second user device 20 is recorded
as an identifier of the wallet (Wallet B). A Bitcoin address
(Bitcoin address 3) is recorded within the second wallet (Wallet B)
for the transfer (Transfer 3). Within the second wallet (Wallet B),
the transfer (Transfer 3) has the Bitcoin address (Bitcoin address
3), the identifier of the wallet (Wallet A) from where the funds
are transferred associated therewith, and the amount in bitcoin
that has been transferred. The amount in bitcoin corresponding to
the transfer (Transfer 3) of both wallets (Wallet A; Wallet B) is
the same, consistent with double entry accounting principles. The
second wallet (Wallet B) so far has no login details or any other
user information and has not been accessed by a user of the second
user device 20 at this point in time.
[0088] FIG. 4 illustrates the email when it is received at the
second user device 20 in FIG. 1B. The email is received and viewed
within an email application on the second user device 20. The email
includes a link ("Click here to sign in and claim this amount")
that, when selected by the user of the second user device 20,
transmits a user interface request from the browser on the second
user device 20 over the Internet 22 to the website 34. The website
34 responds to the user interface request to transmit the user
interface 36 over the Internet 22 to the second user device 20 for
viewing within the browser.
[0089] FIG. 5 illustrates the user interface 36 as displayed on the
second user device 20 in FIG. 1B. The user interface 36 includes a
plurality of fields for the user of the second user device 20 to
enter login details for the second wallet (Wallet B), including a
password and a confirmation of the password. After the user has
entered a password, the user can access their wallet by selecting
the button "Access My Wallet". The wallet establishment module 40
in FIG. 1B stores the login credentials in association with the
second wallet (Wallet B). The login module 38 also logs the second
user device 20 into the second wallet (Wallet B). If the user is
logged out, the user can be provided with a login page where the
user can enter login credentials that are compared with the login
details in the second wallet (Wallet B) and then log into the
second wallet (Wallet B) following a favorable match between the
login credentials and the login details.
[0090] FIG. 6 shows a view that is displayed on the second user
device 20 in FIG. 1B. The user is already logged into the wallet,
as shown in the top right. The user can accept or decline an
agreement. FIG. 7 displays the first page that is displayed to the
user following acceptance of the agreement. The page shows the
current balance corresponding to the amount of bitcoin at the
Bitcoin address (Bitcoin address 4) in FIG. 3. The user can select
various tools down the left margin, including sending or requesting
bitcoin, buying or selling bitcoin, account settings and various
merchant tools. FIG. 8 illustrates a view that is displayed to the
user if the user selects the "Buy/Sell" link in FIG. 7. The user is
prompted to add a bank account. FIGS. 9 through 15 step the user
through the entry of bank account details and verification of the
bank account. The user can also select a credit card as a backup
payment. FIGS. 16 to 19 step the user through the entry of a credit
card number and a billing address, and FIGS. 20 and 21 step the
user through a verification process to verify that the user is in
control of the credit card account. FIGS. 22 and 23 request
additional information from the user. FIG. 23 also allows the user
to verify a phone at a phone number and FIGS. 24 through 27 step
the user through a process for verifying their phone and phone
number. FIGS. 28 through 30 illustrate a process for verifying an
identity of the user of the second user device 20. As illustrated
in FIGS. 31 to 33, the top margin within the account settings allow
for additional tools such as referrals (FIG. 31), viewing of
Bitcoin addresses (FIG. 32), and integration with an application
programmable interface (FIG. 33).
[0091] FIG. 34 illustrates a process that is initiated by the user
to purchase bitcoin from a wallet of the first host computer system
14. In the present example, the user selects one (1) bitcoin (BTC)
to purchase. FIGS. 35 and 36 step the user through the process of
purchasing the bitcoin. Once the bitcoin is purchased, the user can
select on "History" tab in the top margin to display a view as
shown in FIG. 37 wherein the transaction is displayed and is marked
as "PENDING".
[0092] FIG. 38 shows an email that is transmitted by the hosted
email module 46 in FIG. 1B to the second user device 20 to confirm
the purchase of the bitcoin following selection of a "Confirm"
button in FIG. 35. The email also has a link that, when selected by
the user, opens the browser on the second user device 20 and allows
the user to login to their wallet and view the transaction.
[0093] FIG. 39 shows an email that is transmitted by the hosted
email module 46 in FIG. 1B to the second user device 20 with a
notification that bitcoin has been added to their wallet as part of
a referral bonus system.
[0094] FIG. 40 illustrates a view that is displayed when the user
selects a "Limits and Verifications" tab in the top margin of the
"Buy/Sell" page.
[0095] When the user selects the "Send/Request" link in the left
margin in FIG. 40, the user is provided an option to send bitcoin
from their wallet (Wallet B) in FIG. 3 to another wallet (e.g. the
first wallet (Wallet A)) in FIG. 3.
[0096] FIG. 41 illustrates further transfers or purchases (Transfer
4; Transfer 5; Transfer 6). The fourth transfer (Transfer 4)
represents the purchase of bitcoin from the first host computer
system's 14 master wallet.
[0097] The fifth transfer (Transfer 5) represents the transfer of
bitcoin from the second wallet (Wallet B) to the first wallet
(Wallet A). The second wallet (Wallet B) now has login details
stored therein. If the second user device 20 in FIG. 1B has been
logged out of the second wallet (Wallet B), then the second user
device 20 is first directed to the login module 38 which receives
login details for the second wallet (Wallet B) from the second user
device 20, verifies whether the login credentials for the second
wallet (Wallet B) match the login details for the second wallet
(Wallet B). If the login details match the login credentials, then
the login module 38 logs the second user device 20 into the second
wallet (Wallet B).
[0098] The login module 38 then provides the second user device 20
with access to the hosted email module 46. The user of the second
user device 20 then enters the email address (email address A) of
the user of the first wallet (Wallet A) and an amount of bitcoin
that the user of the second user device 20 wishes to transfer from
the second wallet (Wallet B) to the first wallet (Wallet A). The
user of the second user device 20 then uses the hosted email module
46 to send an email via the Internet 22 to the first user device
18. As soon as the email is sent, a transfer (Transfer 5) is
recorded within the second wallet (Wallet B). Because one of the
Bitcoin addresses (Bitcoin address 4) has funds associated
therewith, it can be charged for the transfer (Transfer 4). Within
the second wallet (Wallet B) the transfer (Transfer 4) has the
email address (email address A) to which the email has been sent
and the amount in bitcoin associated therewith.
[0099] As indicated, the miner's fee that is paid by the first host
computer system 14 and the host fee that is charged for the
transfer are zero bitcoin because the first wallet (Wallet A) is
stored within the wallets 42 of the first host computer system 14.
The user of the first user device 18 receives the email indicating
the transfer of bitcoin to their wallet (Wallet A). A Bitcoin
address (Bitcoin address 5) is recorded within the first wallet
(Wallet A) for the transfer (Transfer 5) together with the
identifier of the second wallet (Wallet B) from which the transfer
has been made and the amount in bitcoin. The amount in bitcoin
corresponding to the transfer (Transfer 4) in the second wallet
(Wallet B) is the same as the amount in bitcoin as in the first
wallet (Wallet A).
[0100] As illustrated by the next transfer (Transfer 6), the user
of the second wallet (Wallet B) can opt to send bitcoin to a
Bitcoin address of the first wallet (Wallet A). The transfer
(Transfer 6) is the same as the preceding transfer (Transfer 5) in
all other respects.
[0101] FIG. 42 shows a view that is displayed to the user of the
second user device 20 in FIG. 1B in order to make the transfer from
their wallet (Wallet B) to the first wallet (Wallet A). The view
includes a field for the user to enter the email address (email
address A) and fields for entering either an amount in bitcoin
(BTC) or an amount in a local currency (USD--United States Dollar).
The exchange rate between bitcoin and the local currency is shown
in the top left corner. The view also includes a button "Send
Money" which, when selected by the user, initiates the transfer of
bitcoin.
[0102] FIG. 43 is a view that is displayed to the user indicating
transactions that have been initiated or completed. The purchase of
bitcoin discussed with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37 is shown as
"PENDING". A block chain verification notice has to be broadcast by
the miner computer system 28 and be received by the first host
computer system 14 in FIG. 1A before a determination is made to
change the marker "PENDING" to "COMPLETE". The other transactions
representing transfers between the first and second wallets (Wallet
A and Wallet B) in FIG. 41 are shown as completed because they do
not need block chain verification outside of the first host
computer system 14. No block chain verification notice is thus
required for these transactions to be marked "COMPLETE". FIG. 44
shows a view that can be selected by the user by selecting a tab in
the top margin wherein the user is shown the Bitcoin addresses
associated with transactions that have been completed.
[0103] FIG. 45 illustrates a further transaction (Transfer 7)
wherein bitcoin is transferred from the second wallet (Wallet B) to
a third wallet (Wallet C) held by the second host computer system
16 in FIG. 1A. The user of the second user device 20 enters a
bitcoin address (Bitcoin address 6) that is located in the third
wallet (Wallet C) and an amount of bitcoin to be transferred to the
third wallet (Wallet C). A transfer (Transfer 7) is recorded within
the second wallet (Wallet B). Associated with the transfer
(Transfer 7) are the Bitcoin address (Bitcoin address 6), the
amount in bitcoin that is being transferred and a miner's fee that
is charged for the transfer and has to be paid by the first host
computer system 14 to the miner computer system 28 in FIG. 1A. No
fee is charged by the first host computer system 14 for a transfer
to another Bitcoin address.
[0104] When the user of the second user device 20 in FIG. 1A
completes the purchase, a transfer instruction is created and is
broadcast via the host node 30 to all remote nodes 32A-D within the
Bitcoin network 12. The transfer instruction thus traverses the
first node and the second remote node 32B to reach the second host
computer system 16. The second host computer system 16 and all
other computer systems connected to the remote nodes 32A-D record
the transfer (Transfer 7) with respect to the Bitcoin addresses
(Bitcoin address 4; Bitcoin address 6). The transfer (Transfer 7)
has associated therewith the amount in bitcoin.
[0105] The transfer instruction that results in the transfer
(Transfer 5) thus results in no miner's fee being charged to and
paid by the first host computer system 14. No host fee is charged
to the second wallet (Wallet B) because the transfer (Transfer 7)
is made to another wallet (Wallet A) within the wallets 42 of the
first host computer system 14. By contrast, the transfer
instruction that results in the transfer (Transfer 7) representing
the transfer to the Bitcoin address (Bitcoin address 6) in the
third wallet (Wallet C) results in a miner's fee that is paid by
the first host computer system 14 to the miner computer system 28.
The miner computer system 28 is responsible for verifying transfers
of bitcoin over the Bitcoin network 12. In the present scenario,
the miner computer system 28 verifies the transfer of bitcoin from
the second wallet (Wallet B) to the third wallet (Wallet C).
[0106] Another transfer may comprise that bitcoin is sent to one of
the nodes, e.g. node 32C. The node 32C could be a fourth user
device which is owned by the recipient of the bitcoin transfer
having its own bitcoin address.
[0107] FIG. 46 illustrates components that are used for cold
storage of value of bitcoin, including a local storage 56, a local
controller 58, a vault 64, a splitter 66, one or more encryption
algorithms 68 and 70 and an offline distribution module 72.
[0108] The vault 64 has a Bitcoin address 80 with a private key 79.
The private key 79 is, for purposes of illustration, shown as a
nine digit sequence of characters that are provided to the splitter
66. For purposes of illustration, the splitter 66 splits the nine
digits of the private key 79 into seven overlapping codes (Codes 1
to 7). The encryption algorithm 68 encrypts the first code (Code 1)
into an encrypted code (Encrypted Code 1). In a similar manner, the
second code (Code 2) is encrypted by an encryption algorithm (not
shown) into an encrypted code (Encrypted Code 2). Each one of the
seven codes is encrypted into a separate encrypted code. A separate
key may be used for each one of seven codes. Alternatively, a
separate encryption algorithm may be used for each one of the seven
codes.
[0109] Once all the codes have been encrypted, the offline
distribution module 72 transmits each one of the encrypted codes
(Encrypted Code 1 to 7) to a separate location. The locations are
remote locations that are geographically separated from one
another. The offline distribution module 72 may also be used to
print one or more of the encrypted codes for paper delivery to
respective remote locations.
[0110] FIG. 47 illustrates functioning of the offline distribution
module 72 following distribution of the encrypted codes in FIG. 46.
The offline distribution module 72 removes the private keys 79 of
the Bitcoin address 80 of the vault 64. The offline distribution
module 72 also removes the private key 79 of the Bitcoin address 80
within the local storage 56.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 48, a local register 60 includes a
plurality of wallets 42, one of which is shown. The wallet 42 has a
plurality of Bitcoin addresses 74, 76 and 78 associated therewith.
Each Bitcoin address 74, 76 and 78 has a respective value and a
respective private key. The local controller 58 transfers the
entire value of the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 into the vault 64.
The value relating to the Bitcoin address 74 is not transferred
into the vault 64. The local controller 58 calculates the total
value of the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 that have been transferred
into the vault 64 and records the total value in the local storage
56 in association with the Bitcoin address 80.
[0112] As shown in FIG. 49, following removal of the value of the
Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 within the wallet 42, the value of the
Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 are only held within the vault 64 and
the local storage 56. The private key 79 is only held in a split
and encrypted form at the distributed locations where the offline
distribution module 72 in FIG. 46 has distributed them to. Unless
access can be gained to the private key 79 that has now been split
and distributed, it is not possible to access the value of the
Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78. It is now possible for a user to which
the wallet 42 is registered to use the Bitcoin address 74 for
transacting with another user via the wallet management module 44
in FIG. 1B. The Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 are not usable by the
wallet management module 44 for purposes of transacting with
another user at this time because their values, within the wallet
42, have been removed.
[0113] FIG. 50 shows how the private keys of the vault 64 and the
Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 that were removed in FIG. 46 are
restored. Components that are provided for restoration include a
plurality of restoration interfaces 82, 84 and 86, one or more
decryption algorithms 88, 90 and 92 and an assembler 94. The holder
of the first encrypted code (Encrypted Code 1) is called upon to
enter the encrypted code into the restoration interface 82. The
restoration interface 82 may for example be a web page with a field
for entry of the first encrypted code. Alternatively, the
restoration interface 82 may be an application programmable
interface (API) and the first encrypted code can be entered into
the API with or without human involvement.
[0114] In the given example, the second, third, fifth and sixth
encrypted codes are not received at this time. The fourth and
seventh encrypted codes are received through the restoration
interfaces 84 and 86, similar to the first encrypted code.
[0115] The decryption algorithm 88 decrypts the first encrypted
code (Encrypted Code 1) into the first code (Code 1). In the given
example, the decryption algorithms 90 and 92 decrypt the fourth and
seventh encrypted codes (Encrypted Code 4 and Encrypted Code 7)
into the fourth and seventh codes (Code 4 and Code 7) respectively.
In the given example, three codes are the minimum number of codes
that are required in order to reassemble the private key 79. The
minimum number of codes required for reassembly in FIG. 48 is thus
less than the total number of codes into which the private key 79
has been split in FIG. 46. The assembler 94 assembles the private
key 79 when the minimum number of codes has been received.
[0116] The private key 79 of the Bitcoin address 80 in the local
storage 56 is used to access the vault 64. The local controller 58
then restores the private key 79 from the local storage into the
vault for association with the Bitcoin address. The block chain
will know whether the private key 79 that has been restored is the
same private key 79 that was previously associated with the Bitcoin
address. Only upon confirmation from the block chain will it be
possible to transfer the value from the vault 64 to the local
register 60.
[0117] The local controller 58 restores the respective value of the
Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 in the vault 64 to the Bitcoin
addresses 76 and 78 in the wallet 42. Because the values have been
restored to the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 in the wallet 42 they
are usable for transacting with other users.
[0118] FIGS. 51a to 51d illustrate the use of a "hot" wallet in
combination with "cold storage". As shown in FIG. 51a, the wallet
42 has the Bitcoin addresses 74, 76, 78 and a further Bitcoin
address 98, each having a respective value associated therewith.
The local storage 56 has first, second and third Bitcoin addresses
80A to 80C for first, second and third vaults 64A to 64C,
respectively. The Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 form a first transfer
set that is selected for cold storage. The Bitcoin addresses 74 and
98 form a first transacting set. The values of the Bitcoin
addresses 76 and 78 of the first transfer set are transferred into
the first vault 64A, as represented by "Value" in the first vault
64A.
[0119] The private key of the Bitcoin address 80A of the first
vault 64A is then transferred into the local storage 56 and is
stored in association with the first Bitcoin address 80A. As
hereinbefore described with reference to FIG. 46, the private key
of the Bitcoin address 80A in the local storage 56 is then split
and distributed. As hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS.
47 and 48, the private keys of the Bitcoin address 80 and the value
of the Bitcoin address 76 and 78 are then removed. It is then not
possible for a user of the wallet 42 to use the Bitcoin address 76
and 78 for transacting with another user. The user can still
transact with another user using the Bitcoin addresses 74 and 98 of
the first transacting set because their values are still associated
with them within the wallet 42.
[0120] FIG. 51b shows the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 within the
wallet 42 with their values removed and the Bitcoin address 80A
within the local storage 56 with its private key removed. The
private key of the Bitcoin address 80B of second vault 64B is
transferred into the local storage 56 and associated with the
second Bitcoin address 80B within the local storage 56. The private
key of the second Bitcoin address 80B in the local storage 56 is
split and distributed and then removed from the local storage 56.
The Bitcoin address 98 is selected as part of a second transfer set
of one or more Bitcoin addresses. The value of the Bitcoin address
98 is transferred from the wallet 42 into the second vault 64B, as
represented by "Value" in the second vault 64B. The value of the
Bitcoin address 98 within the wallet 42 is thus removed. The user
of the wallet 42 can now not use the Bitcoin address 98 for
purposes of transacting with another user because the value of the
Bitcoin address 98 has been removed from the wallet 42. The Bitcoin
address 74 forms part of a second transacting set that may include
one or more Bitcoin addresses that can be used for transacting with
another user.
[0121] FIG. 51c shows the Bitcoin address 98 having its value
removed and the second Bitcoin address 80B within the local storage
56 having its private key removed. At this stage it may be
desirable to restore the values of the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78.
The private key of the first Bitcoin address 80A within the local
storage 56 is restored to the vault 64 as hereinbefore described
with reference to FIG. 50. The respective values of the Bitcoin
addresses 76 and 78 are then restored from the vault 64A to the
Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 in the wallet 42. Because the values of
the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 are restored within the wallet 42,
the Bitcoin addresses 76 and 78 of the first transfer set can, at
least for the time being, be used together with the second
transacting set for transacting with another user.
[0122] The same Bitcoin addresses 74, 76, 78 and 98 that are shown
in FIG. 51a are also shown in FIGS. 51b and 51c. It should be
understood that the Bitcoin addresses may change between the
figures. The system allows for the value that was previously
associated with one Bitcoin address to be restored to another
Bitcoin address if necessary.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 51d, the first vault 64A is discarded after
the value therein is restored. The first Bitcoin address 80A within
the local storage 56 and the first vault 64A will never be used
again.
[0124] The Bitcoin address 78 is selected as a third transfer set.
The private key of the Bitcoin address 80C of the third vault 64C
is transferred into the local storage 56 and stored in association
with a third Bitcoin address 80C. The value of the Bitcoin address
78 is transferred from the wallet 42 to the third vault 64C. The
user of the wallet 42 can now not use the Bitcoin address 78 for
transacting with another user. The Bitcoin address 76 forms part of
a third transacting set that could include one or more Bitcoin
addresses. The Bitcoin address 76 can be used by the user of the
wallet 42 for transacting with another user because the value of
the Bitcoin address 76 is associated therewith within the wallet
42. The second and third transacting sets can thus be used by the
user for transacting with another user. The second and third
transfer sets are unusable for transacting with another user
because their private keys have been removed.
[0125] FIG. 52 illustrates how the local controller 58 (see FIGS.
46 to 50) maintains transaction sets of a wallet 42 within a target
range 101. Should all the Bitcoin addresses of the wallet 42 have
values associated therewith, the wallet 42 is said to be 100% hot
and 0% cold. If all the Bitcoin addresses in a wallet 42 have their
values removed, the wallet 42 is to be 0% hot and 100% cold. The
target range 101 for the total bitcoin value within the wallet may
for example be 5% to 10% hot. At 102, the values of the first
transacting set are transferred from the wallet 42 as described
with reference to FIG. 51a. At 104, the user transacts with some of
the Bitcoin addresses and the total value within the wallet 42 of
the Bitcoin addresses that are hot is reduced. At 106, the values
of the second transfer set are removed from the wallet 42 as
described with reference to FIG. 51b. At 108, the values of the
first transfer set are restored as described with reference to FIG.
51c. At 110, the user transacts and gains further Bitcoin addresses
for additional value within their wallet 42. At 112, values of the
third transfer set are transferred out of the wallet 42 as
described with reference to FIG. 51d. It can thus be seen that the
local controller 58 in FIGS. 46 to 50 adjusts the total value of
bitcoin that is not within the target range 101. The local
controller 58 typically recalculates the hot/cold value ratio of
each wallet on a daily basis and automatically adjusts the value to
the target range 101.
[0126] FIG. 53 illustrates the use of an intermediate hot wallet
114 that is used to collect bitcoin values from a plurality of
wallets 42A to C. The wallet 42A is that same as the wallet 42 as
described above. The wallet 42B has bitcoin addresses 120, 122, 124
and 126 associated therewith. The wallet 42C has bitcoin addresses
128, 130, 132 and 134 associated therewith. Each wallet 42A, B or C
is held within the target range 101 in FIG. 50. The values of the
bitcoin addresses 76, 78, 120, 122, 128 and 130 are identified for
transfer to the vault 64A and are first transferred or "swept" to
the intermediate hot wallet 114 from where they are transferred to
the vault 64A.
[0127] FIG. 54 illustrates a network environment 136 that, in
addition to the first host computer system 14, includes a customer
computer system 138 and a merchant computer system 140 that are
connected to one another over the Internet 142. The merchant
computer system 140 has an online store 144 and a website 146. The
customer computer system 138 has a browser 148. A customer at the
customer computer system 138 can use the browser 148 to access the
website 136 over the Internet 142. The website 136 is then
displayed on the browser 148. The website 136 allows for the
customer to make purchase on the online store 144. The customer
may, for example, purchase real goods, virtual goods or services
from the online store 144.
[0128] The first host computer system 14 includes an application
programmable interface (API) 150, a reference code generator 152, a
transaction processor 154, a currency converter 156 and merchant,
and customer and host wallets 158, 160 and 162. The wallets 158,
160 and 162 may be of the kind as hereinbefore described.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 55, the customer is shown a shopping cart
with several payment options, including "Pay with Credit Card" and
"Pay with bitcoin." Prior to being displayed the shopping cart, the
customer has traveled through the shopping flow of the merchant
computer system 140, has selected one or more items to be purchased
and has selected a shopping or checkout cart, which causes the
display of the view shown in FIG. 55. When the user selects the
button "Pay with bitcoin" the merchant computer system 140, at 166,
transmits an API call to the first host computer system 14. The API
call includes a request for payment. The request for payment
includes an amount in a currency, in the present example $14.00, an
order name (usually a number), order descriptions (usually items in
the checkout cart in a single line-item entry separated by commas),
and a success uniform resource locater (URL) if desired (a page to
which the customer is redirected at checkout if the order
completes).
[0130] When the first host computer system 14 receives the API call
at 166, the reference code generator 152 generates a unique
reference code for the specific order. The reference code is thus
uniquely generated for each API call. The first host computer
system 14 then stores the reference code in its database. At 168,
the first host computer system 14 responds to the API call received
at 166 to transmit the reference code to the merchant computer
system 140. The merchant computer system 140 then receives the
reference code as reference code 170. The merchant computer system
140 stores the reference code as reference code 172 within its
accounting system 173 and associates the reference code 172 with
the particular order shown in the shopping cart. The merchant
computer system 140 also creates a URL 174. The reference code 170
is used as a reference code 176 within the URL 174 when the URL 174
is created.
[0131] The first host computer system 14 creates a URL 180 that
includes a reference code 182. The reference code 182 and the
reference code 176 are the same.
[0132] The merchant computer system 140 at 178 redirects the
browser 148 (FIG. 54) using the URL 174. The browser is then
redirected to the URL 180 of the first host computer system 14.
[0133] The URL 180 may, for example, be the URL of a landing page,
iFrame or modal window 184. The landing page, iFrame or modal
window 184 presents checkout options to the customer, including to
pay with the customer wallet 160 if one exists, to pay with bitcoin
using an external account, or to create a wallet at the first host
computer system 14 for purposes of completing the purchase. In a
different embodiment, instead of being automatically redirected by
the merchant computer system 140 to the first computer system 14,
the customer may be redirected to a different page at the merchant
computer system 140, which will then contain a link for the
customer to navigate to the landing page, iFrame or modal window
184.
[0134] When the browser 148 of the customer computer system 138
downloads the landing page, iFrame or modal window 184, the first
host computer system 14 automatically generates a bitcoin address
186 specifically for the customer's order within the merchant
wallet 158.
[0135] The first host computer system 14 also creates a bitcoin
price based on the price in local currency and displays the bitcoin
price within the landing page/iFrame or modal window 184 within the
browser 148. The graph illustrates a fluctuating bitcoin to dollar
exchange rate. In the present example, the exchange rate at minute
0 is used at 190 to calculate the exchange rate. The local currency
price in the present example is $14.00 which gives a bitcoin price
of 0.02 BTC. The price of 0.02 BTC that is based on the exchange
rate at minute 0 is maintained for a select period of time, in the
present example 10 minutes, before it resets. The customer may not
wish to immediately send the bitcoin, but may do so at any time
before the price resets at minute 10 and the exchange rate remains
locked in and the bitcoin price thus remains unchanged at 0.02 BTC
during that time.
[0136] An option is displayed to the customer to send the bitcoin
together with the price in bitcoin at minute 0. When the customer
selects the option to send the bitcoin, the customer computer
system 138 transmits a send instruction to the first host computer
system 14. The first host computer system 14 receives and at 192
detects the send instruction. The customer may for example request
to send bitcoin from the customer wallet 160 or via another path as
hereinbefore described. The first host computer system 14 responds
to the send instruction to transmit an order status message that
includes the reference code for the transaction to the merchant
computer system 140. The merchant computer system 140 receives the
reference code as reference code 194. The merchant computer system
140 then matches the reference code 194 to the reference code 172
within its accounting system 173 and marks the transaction as
complete.
[0137] In the present example, the send instruction is processed at
minute 6. The exchange rate has in the present example changed
between minute 0 and minute 6. Should the bitcoin price of 0.02 BTC
be converted to local currency at this time it would result in a
different price in local currency than the original transaction.
The difference between the original price at minute 0 and minute 6
represents either a loss or a gain for the first host computer
system 14. The loss and gain is used to calculate bitcoin
replacement costs on a periodic basis.
[0138] In the present example the first computer system 14 responds
to the send instruction received at 192 to transmit 0.02 BTC to the
bitcoin address 186 associated with the merchant wallet 158. When
the bitcoin reaches the bitcoin address 186, the first host
computer system 14, at 196, immediately purchases the bitcoin from
the merchant wallet 158, resulting in a transfer of the bitcoin
from the merchant wallet 158 to the host wallet 162. The first host
computer system 14 purchases the bitcoin at the exchange rate
locked in at minute 0.
[0139] Periodically, for example daily, the first host computer
system 14 calculates the total amount of bitcoin sold by the
merchant wallet 158 that day at the locked in prices. The first
host computer system 14 has a bank transfer module 200 that, at
202, transmits a payment instruction to a bank for the first host
computer system 14. The bank for the first host computer system 14
communicates with a bank of the merchant computer system 140. Such
communication, at 204, results in transfer of funds from a host
bank account 206 to a merchant bank account 208.
[0140] In the present example, the customer uses their customer
wallet 160 to transfer funds in the form of bitcoin from the
customer wallet 160 to the merchant wallet 158 and the funds are
then transferred in the form of bitcoin from the merchant wallet
158 to the host wallet 162. In another embodiment, the merchant
wallet 158 can be bypassed such that the customer transfers funds
in the form of bitcoin from the customer wallet 160 directly into
the host wallet 162. In either embodiment the funds that are
received by the host wallet 162 are used as a basis for calculating
the amount of money in local currency that is transferred by the
bank transfer module 200, minus a fee that is held back by the
first host computer system 14 for purposes of processing the
transaction.
[0141] Referring again to FIG. 54, the API 150 sends and receives
API calls at 166, 168 and the order status message in response to
the send instruction 192 in FIG. 55. The currency converter 156 is
responsible for receiving and maintaining exchange rate for bitcoin
to local currency and for calculating the bitcoin price based on
the local currency price and the exchange rate at any particular
moment in time. The transaction processor 154 is responsible for
transferring funds in the form of bitcoin or local currency from
one wallet or bank account to another.
[0142] In the embodiment above, the exchange rate is locked in when
the customer accesses the landing page, iFrame or modal window 184
and is locked for ten minutes. In such an embodiment the merchants
typically create a payment "button" or using the API, specifically
the button API, of the first host computer system. Selection of the
button by the customer results from the process described above
wherein the customer is directed to the landing page, iFrame or
modal window 184. Such a button does not need to look any different
from the merchant's standard "submit order" button and the button
API is linked into the standard "submit order" button of the
merchant computer system 140, which when clicked will direct the
user directly to the landing page, iFrame or modal window 184. When
the user hits the landing page the exchange rate is locked. The
merchant "order" is thus not created--i.e., with locked in exchange
rate--until the user clicks the payment button to land on our
landing page.
[0143] Another embodiment is used in white-label solutions. In
these instances, the user is not directed away from the merchant
domain to a landing page such as the landing page, frame or modal
window 184 to complete payment. Instead, the checkout information
that would have otherwise shown on the landing page is displayed
inside the merchant's browser checkout tool. Such an embodiment may
not allow "one-click" checkout for users who are already signed
into their customer wallet 160; a user can only pay by QR code scan
and/or manual entry of a bitcoin address. In order for this
information to be incorporated into the merchant's webpage, the
merchant (1) creates a "button" when they post an item for sale to
the website (the button includes the price in local currency, but
not a bitcoin price and can be created at any time--e.g., weeks
before a purchase); and (2) when the customer wishes to pay, e.g.,
by clicking on a "Place Order" button, the merchant computer system
140 sends an API call to the first host computer system 14 which
responds by sending back a locked in exchange rate, which again is
good for ten minutes. The merchant then displays the checkout
information to the user--i.e., the proper bitcoin address and
amount. This embodiment differs in that: (1) the "order" is created
earlier in time, and the exchange rate follows on as a separate API
call; and (2) the checkout information is hosted within the
merchant's domain.
[0144] FIG. 56 illustrates a method of managing bitcoin wherein a
personal vault is created for a user. At 220, the user already has
an account that the user can log into using a website. The account
has a first email (electronic communication) address. The first
email address may be john.smith@gmail.com. The account also has a
phone number associated therewith and one or more wallets as herein
before described. The website provides the user with a link to
create a vault. At 222, the user is provided an option to create an
individual vault or a group vault. In an individual vault the user
will be required to respond to two emails in order to transfer
bitcoin out of the vault. In a group vault multiple users are
required to respond to emails in order for the user of the account
represented at 220 to transfer the bitcoin out of the vault.
[0145] The user may, at 224, select an individual vault. At 226, an
interface of the website is presented with a field for the user to
enter a second email address. The second email address may for
example be john.smith@hotmail.com. The user enters the second email
address and selects a button to transmit the second email address
from their device to the first host computer system 14. When the
first host computer system 14 receives the second email address,
the first host computer system 14, at 228, transmits a confirmation
email with a confirmation link to the second email address. The
purpose of the email that is transmitted at 228 is to confirm the
second email address. At 230, the first host computer system 14
waits for the confirmation. The first host computer system 14 does
not proceed to create a vault if the confirmation is not received.
At 232, the user selects the confirmation link, which causes
transmission of the confirmation from the device of the user to the
first host computer system 14. When the first host computer system
14 receives the confirmation, the first host computer system 14
proceeds at 232 to register a vault within the same account shown
at 220. The vault includes the first and second email addresses.
The vault also includes the phone number of the account.
[0146] At 236, the first host computer system 14 updates the
interface of the website to provide a summary. The summary
indicates that, in order to transfer bitcoin out of the vault,
emails will be sent to the first and second email addresses, and
the summary includes the phone number associated with the vault and
that the bitcoin will not be transferred out of the vault for a
period of 48 hours. The interface also includes a "Finish" button.
When the user selects the "Finish" button, the browser used by the
user, at 238, lands in the vault. The vault looks like a wallet,
but has a security feature that limits transfer of bitcoin out of
the vault.
[0147] The user may, at 240, select a group vault. At 242, the
first host computer system 14 provides the user with an option
whether 2 out of 3 confirmations are required or 3 out of 5
confirmations are required. If the user selects that 2 out of 3
confirmations are required, then the user is required to enter two
email addresses in addition to their own email address shown in the
account at 220. If the user selects that 3 out of 5 confirmations
are required, then the user is required to enter four email
addresses in addition to their email address shown in the account
at 220.
[0148] At 224, the interface of the website is updated to request
the additional email addresses from the user. The interface
typically includes fields for the user to enter the additional
email addresses.
[0149] At 246, the first host computer system 14 makes a
determination whether all the additional email addresses are
associated with other accounts within the first host computer
system 14. If all the additional email addresses are associated
with other accounts, then the first host computer system 14
proceeds at 248 to update the account represented at 220 with a
vault that includes the first email address, the additional email
addresses and the phone number associated therewith.
[0150] If one or more of the additional email addresses are not
associated with any accounts within the first host computer system
14, then the first host computer system 14, at 250, transmits an
email to the additional email address that is not associated with
an account to create an account. A user receiving the email
transmitted at 250 can proceed at 252 to create an account with the
second email address associated with the account. Only after all
the additional email addresses are associated with accounts does
the first host computer system 14, at 248, proceed to register a
vault.
[0151] The first host computer system 14 then at 254 provides a
summary through the interface of the website. The summary shows
that in order to transfer bitcoin, emails will be sent to and
confirmations will be required from the first email address and the
minimum of the additional email addresses. The summary also
includes the phone number associated with the vault and states the
waiting period before the bitcoin is transferred. The website also
includes a "Finish" button which, when selected by the user at 238,
lands the browser used by the user in the vault.
[0152] FIG. 57 illustrates how bitcoin is transferred into and out
of the vault. At 260, the user first transfers bitcoin into the
vault. The user may transfer the bitcoin from one of their wallets
associated with their account into the vault or may transfer the
bitcoin into the vault from an external source. The bitcoin is then
stored within the vault.
[0153] At 262, the user requests a transfer out of the vault using
the website. The user includes the amount of bitcoin to be
transferred, the reason for the transfer and selects a wallet to
which the bitcoin is to be transferred. The user also includes a
two-factor code which the user may obtain through a mobile
application or via SMS communication with the first host computer
system 14.
[0154] At 264, the first host computer system 14 determines whether
the two-factor code is correct. If the two-factor code is
incorrect, then the first host computer system 14, at 266, makes no
change to the website interface.
[0155] If the determination is made at 264 that the two-factor code
is correct, then the first host computer system 14 proceeds at 268
to transmit all emails. In the case of an individual vault, emails
are sent to the first and second email addresses represented in the
account at 234 in FIG. 56. In the case of a group vault, then
emails are transmitted to the first email address and the
additional email addresses represented in the account at 248 in
FIG. 56. At 270, the first host computer system 14 updates the
transaction list within the website to represent that approval is
being awaited.
[0156] Each one of the emails has a respective link that can be
selected by a recipient. At 272, a user receiving one of the emails
reacts to the email by clicking on the link. Selection of the link
causes an authorization instruction to be transmitted from a device
of the respective user to the first host computer system 14. At
274, the first host computer system 14 detects the authorization
instruction received in response to one of the emails that have
been transmitted. Selection of the link on the email opens a
browser on the recipient's device and displays a message that the
authorization has been successfully approved.
[0157] At 276, the recipient of a second one of the emails reacts
to the email by clicking the link on the second email to send an
authorization instruction. At 278, the first host computer system
14 detects the authorization instruction transmitted at 276 and
displays a web page indicating that the authorization has been
successfully approved.
[0158] When all the predetermined approvals have been received, the
first host computer system 14 proceeds, at 280, to update the
transaction list to indicate that clearance is being awaited. At
282, only if the minimum number of approvals are detected, the
first host computer system 14 starts a countdown timer and sends an
email to the user of the account informing the user that the
bitcoin will be transferred after 48 hours. Block 284 represents
the transmission of three email reminders to the user during the 48
hour waiting period. Each email includes the time remaining before
the 48 hours will have elapsed and the amount of bitcoin that will
be transferred out of the vault. Each email also includes a
"Cancel" link. The user can select the "Cancel" link, which caused
the transmission of a cancel instruction to the first host computer
system 14. The cancel instruction will cancel the transfer of the
bitcoin and therefore the request that was transmitted at 262.
[0159] At 286, the first host computer system 14 detects an end of
the time period. The first host computer system 14 then transfers
the amount of bitcoin out of the vault and in to the destination
selected at 262. The first host computer system 14 also updates the
transaction list on the website to indicate that the transaction
has been cleared.
[0160] FIG. 58 illustrates components of the first host computer
system 14 that are used for carrying out the method shown in FIGS.
56 and 57, including an account 290 of a user, a website 292, a
vault establishment wizard 294, a vault management module 296 and
the transaction processor 154 hereinbefore described. The vault
establishment wizard 294 is programmed to execute the establishment
of the vault as described with reference to FIG. 56. The vault
management module 296 is programmed to manage the vault as
described with reference to FIG. 57. A user accesses the website
292 and downloads an interface so as to interact via the website
292 with the vault establishment wizard 294 and the vault
management module 296. The vault management module 296 provides
instructions to the transaction processor 154 to transfer the
bitcoin out of the vault.
[0161] FIG. 59 shows the email that is transmitted at 228 in FIG.
56. FIG. 60 shows an interface of the website 292 in FIG. 58 when
the user requests a transfer out of a vault at 262 in FIG. 57.
FIGS. 61 and 62 show the emails that are transmitted at 268 in FIG.
57. FIG. 63 shows the interface of the website after the minimum
number of approvals are received and the countdown clock has been
started at 282 in FIG. 57.
[0162] Email addresses are used in the exemplary embodiment for
electronic communication via email. Another embodiment may make use
of other electronic communication addresses such as text messages
to phone numbers or messages through social networks. Such messages
may include authorization links as described or authorization may
be obtained otherwise such as sending a reply message and including
"Y" or "Yes" in the reply message. A secondary electronic
communication address may be an individual address or a group
address.
[0163] FIG. 64 illustrates the establishment of a user-controlled
vault. At 302, a user at the first user device 18 transmits a
request for a user-controlled vault to the first host computer
system 14. At 304, the first host computer system 14 responds to
the request to initiate key generation.
[0164] At 306, the first host computer system 14 generates a seed
for a master key. At 308, the first host computer system 14 uses
the seed generated at 306 to generate a master key. The master key
includes a public key for the master key and a private key for the
master key. At 310, the first host computer system 14 stores the
public key for the master key and, at 312, stores the private key
for the master key. The combination of the keys stored at 310 and
312 form a master key set 314.
[0165] A generation script 316 initially resides on the first host
computer system 14. At 318, the first host computer system 14
transmits the generation script 316 to the first user device 18.
The first user device 18 receives the generation script 316, which
is executable on the first user device 18.
[0166] At 320, the generation script 316 generates a seed for a
shared key. The generation script 316 includes a key generation
algorithm. At 321, the key generation algorithm uses the seed
generated at 320 to generate a shared key. The shared key includes
a public key and a private key.
[0167] The private key for the shared key is shown at 322. The
generation script 316 also includes an interface with a field for a
user to enter a password via a keyboard. At 324, the user enters
the password into the interface. The generation script 316 also
includes an encryption algorithm. At 326, the encryption algorithm
generates an encrypted seed from the private key shown at 322 and
the password entered at 324.
[0168] At 328 and 330, the key generation algorithm and encryption
algorithm respectively send the public key of the shared key and
the encrypted seed to the first host computer system 14. At 332,
the first host computer system 14 stores the public key for the
shared key and, at 334, stores the encrypted seed for the shared
key. The public key stored at 332 and the encrypted seed 334 can be
viewed as a shared key set 336. Additionally, the private key shown
at 322 forms part of the shared key set 336. The private key shown
at 322 is however never transmitted from the first user device 18
to the first host computer system 14.
[0169] At 338, the generation script 316 further generates a seed
for a user key. At 340, the key generation algorithm uses the seed
generated at 338 to generate a user key. The user key includes a
public key for the user key and a private key for the user key. At
342, the key generation algorithm transmits only the public key for
the user key to the first host computer system 14. At 344, the
first host computer system 14 stores the public key for the user
key.
[0170] At 346, the generation script 316 displays the private key
for the user key to the user. The user can then store the private
key manually on the first user device 18 or write it down for later
use. The first user device 18 never transmits the private key
displayed at 346 to the first host computer system 14. The
combination of the public key for the user key stored at 344 and
the private key for the user key displayed at 346 form a user key
set 348.
[0171] FIG. 65 illustrates how the user-controlled vault is used by
the user. At 360, the user of the first user device 18 creates and
transmits a request to transact using bitcoin of the
user-controlled vault. At 362, the request reaches the transaction
processor 154 hereinbefore described. At 364, the first host
computer system 14 creates an authorization for the
transaction.
[0172] The master key set 312, shared key set 336 and user key set
334 are replicated from FIG. 64 and the same reference numerals
apply. It should however be understood that these keys are stored
or displayed in FIG. 64 and that the stored and displayed keys are
not stored but only retrieved and used in FIG. 65.
[0173] At 366, the first host computer system 14 signs the
authorization 364 with the private key for the master key. Such
signature then allows for an authorization to transact at 368. As
shown in 370, two out of three authorizations are required in order
to transact and the authorization provided at 368 may form one of
the two authorizations.
[0174] A verification script 372 initially resides on the first
host computer system 14. At 373, the first host computer system 14
initiates key collection by transmitting the verification script
372 to the first user device 18. The verification script 372 is
executable on the first user device 18. Both the generation script
316 in FIG. 64 and the verification script 372 in FIG. 65 may be in
the form of JavaScript.TM. that is executable by a browser on the
first user device 18.
[0175] The encrypted seed stored at 334 on the first host computer
system 14 is transmitted together with the verification script 372
and is received at 374 by the first user device 18. The
verification script 372 further includes an interface with a field
for entering a password. At 376, the user enters the same password
that the user entered at 324 in FIG. 64 into the field provided in
the interface using a keyboard. The verification script 372 further
includes a decryption algorithm. At 378, the decryption algorithm
uses the encrypted seed and the password to decrypt the encrypted
seed and obtain the private key. The encryption at 326 in FIG. 64
and decryption at 378 in FIG. 65 may follow the BIP38 protocol
which is commonly understood by those skilled in the art of bitcoin
encryption.
[0176] The authorization 364 is transmitted together with the
verification script 372 to the first user device 18. The
verification script 372 further has a signature algorithm. At 380,
the signature algorithm signs the authorization with the private
key. The signature algorithm then transmits the signed
authorization (together with the signature) to the first host
computer system 14.
[0177] The first host computer system 14 has a verification module.
As will be commonly understood as those skilled in the art, a
verification module is an algorithm that verifies a signature that
was created with a private key using a public key. At 382, the
verification module verifies the signature using the same public
key stored at 332 for the shared key in the shared key set 336 that
also includes the encrypted seed stored at 334. At 384, the
verification module determines whether the signature is correct. If
the signature is not correct, then the first computer system 14
returns to 374 where the encrypted key is received and the user
enters a password. If, at 384, a determination is made that the
signature is correct, then the first host computer system 14
proceeds to 386 to provide an authorization due to the signature
being correct. The authorization at 386 may be one of the
authorizations required at 370 in order to authorize the
transaction.
[0178] The verification script 372 further includes an interface
for entering the private key of the user key that was previously
displayed at 346 to the user. At 390, the user enters the private
key into the field provided therefor. At 392, a signature algorithm
forming part of the verification script 372 signs the authorization
with the private key that has been entered by the user. The
signature algorithm then transmits the signed authorization
(together with the signature) to the first host computer system 14.
At 394, a verification module verifies the signature using the
public key that was stored at 344. At 396, the verification module
determines whether the signature is correct. If the signature is
incorrect, then the first host computer system 14 instructs the
verification script 372 to return to 390 where the user is again
asked for the private key for the user key. If the signature is
correct, then the first host computer system 14 proceeds to 398 to
provide an authorization for the transaction due to the signature
being correct. The authorization provided at 398 may be one of the
authorizations required at 370.
[0179] What should be noted this time is that the password entered
at 376 is never transmitted to the first host computer system 14.
Similarly, the private key entered at 390 is never transmitted to
the first host computer system 14. The user's control over the
password and private key effectively disallows the transaction from
being processed outside of the user's control.
[0180] After two out of the three authorizations have been received
at 370, the first host computer system 14 proceeds at 400 to
authorize the transaction with the transaction processor 154.
[0181] FIG. 66 illustrates an address generator 402 that is used to
generate addresses such as the bitcoin address that are used for
the transaction requested at 360 in FIG. 65. A master key seed 404,
shared key seed 406 and user key seed 408 are generated. The master
key seed 404 is used to generate a master public key 410 and a
master private key 412. The shared key seed 406 is used to generate
a shared public key 414 and a shared private key 416. The user key
seed 408 is used to generate a user public key 418 and user private
key 420.
[0182] Each one of the keys 410 to 420 may be used to generate
child keys M/0, M/1 . . . . The shared keys at each level may then
be combined to generate an address. For example, the M/0 keys of
the master public key 410, shared public key 414 and user public
key 418 may be used to generate an address (Address 0). The M/0
level may for example be the public keys stored at 310, 332 and 334
in FIG. 64. The address (Address 0) may for example be the bitcoin
address for the transaction. Similarly, the M/1 level keys of the
master public key 410, shared public key 414 and user public key
418 may be used to generate another address (Address 1). The
further addresses may be generated to create further bitcoin
addresses of for other purposes.
[0183] FIG. 67 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the first
host computer system 14, a partner computer system 422 and a
receiver computer system 424. The receiver computer system 424
includes a receiver browser 426. The partner computer system 422
has a website, in the present example a blog with a blog post 428
that has a blog post URL 430. At 432, a user of the receiver
computer system 424 uses the receiver browser 426 to create the
blog post 428.
[0184] The first host computer system 14 has a wallet in the form
of receiver account 434, an embedded code generator and a button ID
generator 438. At 440, the user of the receiver computer system 424
creates the receiver account 434. The receiver account 434 has
login details 442 and a receiver account identifier (ID) 444. At
446, the user of the receiver computer system 424 logs into the
receiver account 434 and enters the blog post URL 430 through the
user interface 36 (FIG. 1B). The blog post URL 430 is then stored
in association with the particular receiver account 434 with the
wallet management module 44 (FIG. 1B). At 448, the first host
computer system 14 provides the blog post URL 430 to the embedded
code generator and button ID generator 438. The embedded code
generator 438 then generates an embedded code 450 and, at 452,
transmits the embedded code 450 to the receiver browser 426. The
embedded code 450 includes the blog post URL 430, receiver account
ID 444 and a startup caller 454.
[0185] The blog post 428 on the partner computer system 422 has a
frame for pasting the embedded code 450 due to prior agreement
between operators of the first host computer system 14 and the
partner computer system 422. At 456, the user of the receiver
computer system 424 copies the embedded code 450 received at 452
and pastes the embedded code 450 into the frame of the blog post
428. The embedded code 450 is then embedded and forms part of the
HyperText Markup Language (HTML) of the blog post 428.
[0186] A blog post 428 is used herein to describe the invention by
way of example. It should however be understood that the invention
may have broader application. A URL of a page may for example have
a video, song or news article. Such a page will typically have a
frame for pasting the embedded code 450. Alternatively, media
content such as a video may not have a separate frame for pasting
the embedded code. Instead, another manner of activating payment
features of the invention may be provided, such as a separate URL
link, voice activation, detection of human gestures of a user,
etc.
[0187] The button ID generator (see 438) generates a unique button
ID. At 458, the button ID generator stores the button ID as button
ID 460 within a data store of the first host computer system 14. At
462, the button ID generator 438 stores the button ID 460 in
association with the particular receiver account ID 444 and
particular blog post URL 430. Multiple receiver accounts may exist
within the first host computer system 14. In addition, a receiver
account may have multiple blog post URL's associated therewith.
Each pair of a respective receiver account ID and respective blog
post URL have a unique button ID.
[0188] FIG. 68 shows the first host computer system 14, the partner
computer system 422 and a sender computer system 464. The sender
computer system 464 has a sender browser (not shown). At 466, the
sender browser downloads the blog post 428 from the partner
computer system 422. The startup caller 454 is a script, e.g.
JavaScript.RTM., that automatically executes on the sender computer
system 464. At 470, the startup caller 454 retrieves all sender
cookies 472 on the sender computer system 464. The startup caller
454, at 474, transmits a startup call to the first host computer
system 14. The startup call includes the cookies 472, the blog post
URL 430 and the receiver account ID 444.
[0189] The first host computer system 14 includes a startup call
responder 476 that receives the startup call 474. The startup call
responder 476, at 478, uses the blog post URL 430 and receiver
account ID 444 received in the startup call 474 to identify the
particular button ID 460.
[0190] The button ID 460 in storage may have bits 480 representing
all payments made in association with the button ID 460. At 482,
the startup call responder 476 retrieves the bits 480 associated
with the button ID 460 from the data store.
[0191] At 483, the startup call responder 476 transmits a startup
call response to the sender computer system 464. The startup call
response transmitted at 483 is in response to the startup call
received at 474. The startup call response includes a button 484,
the bits 480, a session script 486 and the button ID 460. A display
490 of the sender computer system 464 displays the blog post 428.
The embedded code 450 has added the button 484 and the bits 480 to
the blog post 428. The button 484 is a two-dimensional button that
is selectable by a user of the sender computer system 464. The
session script 486 is associated with the button 484 so as to be
executable when the user selects the button 484.
[0192] The embedded code 450, at 491, stores the button ID 460
within the sender cookies 472. The button ID 460 stored within the
sender cookies 472 can now be used to identify the button ID 460
within the first host computer system 14.
[0193] In FIG. 69, the user has selected the button 484 which, at
492, initiates the session script 486. The session script 486, at
494, retrieves the sender cookies 472 and, at 496, makes a session
call to the first host computer system 14. The session call 496
includes the cookies 472.
[0194] The first host computer system 14 includes a session
responder 498 that receives the session call 496. At 500, the
session responder 498 checks all data for the button ID 460 that
has been received in the session call 496. The data associated with
the button ID 460 may include a bitcoin address 502, although no
bitcoin address may be included within the cookies 472 of the
session call 496. At 504, the session responder 498 determines
whether a bitcoin address was received in the cookies 472 of the
session call 496. If no bitcoin address was received, the first
host computer system 14 executes a bitcoin address generator 506.
The bitcoin address generator 506 then generates a bitcoin address
and, at 508, stores the bitcoin address in association with the
button ID 460. The newly saved bitcoin address is represented as
bitcoin address 510. At 512, the session responder 498 transmits
the bitcoin address 510 that has been generated by the bitcoin
address generator 506 to the sender computer system 464. At 514,
the session script 486 stores the bitcoin address 510 in
association with the button ID 460 within the sender cookies 472.
Upon a browser refresh, the process started at 466 in FIG. 68 is
restarted and all cookies are stored from earlier browser sessions
are collected and transmitted by the startup caller 454.
[0195] At 516, the session responder 498 determines whether the
sender computer system 464 is signed into a sender account. The
determination is made based on whether a signed-in cookie is found
among the cookies transmitted in the session call 496. If no
signed-in cookie is found, then the session responder 498 proceeds
to 518. At 518, the session responder 498 sends a sign-in panel
520, a sign-in script 522, a listen code 524, a third party payment
script 526, and a pull code 528 to the sender computer system 464.
The session script 486 creates an overlay window that includes the
sign-in panel 520 with a sign-in button 530 having the sign-in
script 522 associated therewith. The user can select the sign-in
button 530 which, at 532, initiates the sign-in script 522. The
sign-in script 522 creates and opens a further window (not shown)
that allows the sender of the sender computer system 464 to enter
login details 534 of a sender account 536. At 540, the sign-in
script 522 signs the sender computer system 464 into the sender
account 536 using the login details 534. The sign-in script 522, at
548, stores a signed-in cookie 549 within the sender cookies 472.
The sign-in panel 520 further includes two payment selections,
including a third party wallet button 544, and a Quick Response
(QR) code 546. The third party payment script 526 is stored in
association with the third party wallet button 544. The listen code
524 and pull code 528 are stored in an executable manner within the
sender computer system 464. The session script 486 retrieves the
bitcoin address 510 from the sender cookies 472 and displays the
bitcoin address 510 within the sign-in panel 520.
[0196] As shown in FIG. 70, if the determination at 516 is made
that the sender computer system 464 is signed-in to the sender
account 436, or after the sender computer system 464 signs-in at
540 in FIG. 69, the session responder 498 proceeds to 550. At 550,
the session responder 498 transmits a signed-in panel 552, the
listen code 524, the third party payment script 526, the pull code
528 and a host account payment script 554 to the sender computer
system 464. The signed-in panel 552 is the same as the sign-in
panel 520 with the exception that it includes a host account button
556 instead of the sign-in button 530. The third party payment
script 526 is stored in association with the third party wallet
button 544. The host account payment script 554 is stored in
association with host account button 556.
[0197] Selection by the user of the host account button 556
initiates at 560 the host account payment script 554. The host
account payment script 554 transmits an instruction to the
transaction processor 154 of the selection. At 561, the transaction
processor 154 makes a payment out of the sender account 536 to the
receiver account 434 as hereinbefore described without going
through the bitcoin network or the block chain.
[0198] At 564, the transaction processor 154 updates the bits 480
by adding the bits of the present transaction to the bits 480
already stored within the data store. The bits 480 within the data
store thus represent an ongoing tally of all payments made in
association with the button ID 460. The bitcoin addresses 502 and
510 represent bitcoin addresses that are generated for different
sender computer systems 464 using the same button ID 460.
[0199] After the host account payment script 554 transmits the
instruction to the transaction processor 15, the host account
payment script 554 initiates the pull code 528. The pull code 528,
at 574, pulls the new bit count from the bits 480 in the storage of
the first host computer system 14. At 566, the pull code 528
updates the bits 480 in the blog post 428 based on the bits that
have been pulled by the pull code 528 in FIG. 70.
[0200] As shown in FIG. 71, the user selects the third party wallet
button 544 which, at 560, causes execution of the third party
payment script 526. The third party payment script 526 then
transmits a transaction (of bitcoin to the bitcoin address 510) to
a third party transaction processor 562. The third party
transaction processor 562 is hosted by a host computer system other
than the first host computer system 14. At 564, the third party
transaction processor 562 broadcasts the transaction to the bitcoin
network 12 and it is picked up by the blockchain.
[0201] The first host computer system 14 further includes a block
chain checker 567 and a bit updater 568. The block chain checker
567, at 570, periodically checks the block chain. For purposes of
this discussion, the block chain checker 567 checks the block chain
to determine whether there are any new transactions for the bitcoin
addresses 502 and 510 stored in association with the button ID 460.
If the block chain checker 567 finds any further transactions, the
block chain checker 567 notifies the bit updater 568. At 572, the
bit updater 568 updates the bits 480 that are associated with the
respective bitcoin address 502 or 510. The bits 480 are updated by
adding bits for any new transactions that have been picked up by
the block chain checker 567.
[0202] At 574, the bit updater 568 transmits a push update
notification to the sender computer system 464. The listen code 524
receives the push update notification. Websocket technology may for
example be used for the push update notification in order to open
an interactive communication link. The listen code 524 is
continuously active and therefore continuously listens for push
update notifications. When the listen code 524 receives the push
update notification, the listen code 524 initiates the pull code
528. The pull code 528, at 574, pulls the new bit count from the
bits 480 in storage. At 566, the pull code 528 updates the bits 480
in the blog post 428 based on the bits that have been pulled by the
pull code 528 in FIG. 70.
[0203] The QR code 546 may be scanned by an app on a mobile phone.
The bitcoin address 510 is encoded in the QR code 546. The app can
decode the QR code 546 to extract the bitcoin address 510 and
transmit a transaction (of bitcoin to the bitcoin address 510) to a
third party transaction processor such as the third party
transaction processor 562.
[0204] The button 484 shown in FIG. 69 can be used as a Tip button.
A user of the sender computer system 464 can use the button 484 to
make a small discrete payment to the user of the receiver computer
system 424. Such a payment may, for example, be as a reward for the
content of the blog post 428.
[0205] FIG. 72 shows a system 600 for transacting bitcoin. An
Internet interface 602 allows for user computers (user computers A
to C) to connect to the system 600 over the Internet. Order
gateways 604 are connected to the Internet interface 602 to receive
buy and sell offers via the Internet interface 602 from the user
computers A to C. A matching engine 606 is connected to the order
gateways 604. The matching engine 606 can receive the buy and sell
offers from the order gateways 604.
[0206] A feed generator 608 is connected to the Internet interface
602. The matching engine 606 provides an output to a multicast
pipeline 610. The feed generator 608 is connected to the multicast
pipeline 610. The feed generator 608 receives the buy and sell
offers from the multicast pipeline 610 and displays any buy and
sell offers via the Internet interface 602 to the user computers A
to C. Users can thus view any buy and sell offers already in the
system before making their own buy and sell offers.
[0207] The matching engine 606 can match buy and sell offers and
broadcast the matches to the multicast pipeline 610. The feed
generator 608 displays the matches via the Internet interface 602
to the user computers A to C.
[0208] An exchange database 612 includes records of bitcoin and
currency held by users A to C corresponding to the user computers A
to C. A clearing module 614 is connected to the multicast pipeline
610 and receives matches from the multicast pipeline 610. An
exchange 616 is connected to the clearing module 614. The exchange
616 is also connected to the Internet interface 602. Users at the
user computers A to C can provide instructions via the Internet
interface 602 to the exchange 616 to transfer bitcoin or currency.
The exchange 616 has a number of functions, including calculating
total amounts of bitcoin and currency as represented in the
exchange database 612, cross checking bitcoin and currency totals
between the exchange database 612 and an exchange user 618,
transferring bitcoin and currency between wallets A to C that
correspond respectively to the users A to C in the exchange
database 612, updating bitcoin and currency amounts of the users A
to C in the exchange database 612, and may receive and execute
instructions from the clearing module 614 to transfer bitcoin and
currency between the users A to C in the exchange database 612.
[0209] The exchange is connected to a ledger 620. The ledger 620
hold records of wallets A to C and further functions to cross-check
balances between the exchange database 612 and exchange user
618.
[0210] FIG. 73a shows the beginning of a transfer-in algorithm that
is executed by the system 600. A user at user computer A has $10 of
currency in the exchange database 612. For purposes of discussion,
no other users have any bitcoin or currency. The exchange 616
calculates the total amount of currency and bitcoin within the
exchange database 612 and records the total amount as $10 and 0
bitcoin. The exchange user 618 has $10, representing a previous
transfer from wallet A to the exchange user 618.
[0211] At 1a, a user at user computer B requests a transfer via the
Internet interface 602. The transfer may for example be to transfer
$20 from wallet B to the exchange user 618. At 1b, the Internet
interface 602 provides the transfer request to the exchange 616. At
2a, the exchange 616 sends a cross-check request to the ledger 620
and at 2b the ledger 620 cross checks the totals in the exchange
database 612 and the exchange user 618 before proceeding with a
transfer. In the present example, the exchange database 612 has $10
and 0 bitcoin and the exchange user 618 has $10 and 0 bitcoin. The
totals therefore match. If either the currency or bitcoin totals do
not match, the exchange 616 does not make any further transfers and
provides an alert to an operator. The operator will then remedy any
mismatches and then reactivate the exchange 616. Because the totals
match, the exchange 616 proceeds with the transfer.
[0212] As shown in FIG. 73b, the exchange 616, at 3, transfers $20
from wallet B to the exchange user 618. The exchange user 618
calculates the total amount held by the exchange user 618 as $30,
representing the $10 that was there before the transfer plus
another $20 because of the transfer.
[0213] At 4a, the exchange 616 records $20 for user B in the
exchange database 612. At 4b, the exchange 616 updates the totals
and records a total amount of $30, representing the $10 held by
user A and the $20 that has been added for user B.
[0214] FIG. 73c illustrates the totals in the exchange database 612
and the exchange user 618 after a further transfer wherein a user
at the user computer C has requested a transfer of 5 bitcoin from
wallet C to the exchange user 618. The exchange user 618 now holds
5 bitcoin and $30. User C, within the exchange database 612, now
holds 5 bitcoin. The totals held with the exchange database 612 are
$30 and 5 bitcoin. For purposes of discussion, this ends the
transfer-in algorithm that was started in FIG. 73a.
[0215] FIG. 73d shows a trading algorithm that is carried out after
the transfer-in algorithm if FIGS. 73a to 73c. At 5a, a user
(buyer) at user computer A submits a buy offer of 2 bitcoin at $5
each ($10 total). As noted previously, all offers are transmitted
via the Internet interface 602, one of the order gateways 604, the
matching engine 606 and the multicast pipeline 610 to the feed
generator 608 which displays the offers on the Internet interface
602. A user at user computer C can thus see the buy offer submitted
by the user at user computer A. At 5b, the user (seller) at user
computer C submits a sell offer for 2 bitcoin at $5 each to the
Internet interface 602. At 5c, the buy and sell offers are
submitted by the Internet interface 602 to one of the order
gateways 604. At 5d, the order gateway 604 provides the buy and
sell offers sequentially to the matching engine 606.
[0216] As mentioned, the user at user computer C can see the buy
offer of the user at user computer A before submitting the sell
offer. In another example, the user at user computer C can first
submit the sell offer and the sell offer can be seen by the user at
user computer A. The buy and sell offers will typically be received
by the matching engine 606 at different times.
[0217] Multiple users may submit one or more buy and sell offers.
The matching engine 606 attempts to match the buy and sell offers
to one another. At 6, the matching engine 606 has matched the buy
and sell offers received from users at the user computers A and
C.
[0218] The matching engine 606 then provides a broadcast of the
match over the multicast pipeline 610 discussed with reference to
FIG. 72. At 7a, the feed generator 608 receives a multicast that
includes the match. At 7b, the clearing module 614 receives the
same multicast that includes the match. At 8, the feed generator
608 provides a feed to the Internet interface 602 that includes the
match. As previously mentioned, the feed generator 608 also
provides a feed of buy and sell offers to the Internet interface
602.
[0219] At 9a, the clearing module 614 updates user A within the
exchange database 612 by adding 2 bitcoin and subtracting $10 from
user A. At 9b, the clearing module 614 updates user C by
subtracting 2 bitcoin from and adding $10 to user C. The clearing
module 614 makes the updates directly to the exchange database
612.
[0220] There is no need for recalculating the totals within the
exchange database 612 at this stage. The same amount of currency or
bitcoin that has been subtracted from one user has been added to
another user. The exchange database 612 thus still indicates totals
of $30 and 5 bitcoin.
[0221] FIG. 73e shows a withdrawal algorithm that can be carried
out after the trading algorithm in FIG. 73d. At 10a, a user at user
computer C requests a withdrawal of, for example, $10. The request
is received via the Internet interface 602 and is passed on to the
exchange 616 at 10b.
[0222] At 11a, the exchange 616 sends a cross-check request to the
ledger 620 and at 11b the ledger 620 cross checks the totals before
proceeding. In the present example, the amount of bitcoin in the
exchange user 618 and the total amount of bitcoin represented in
the exchange database 612 are the same and the total currency
amount in the exchange user 618 and in the exchange database 612
are the same. Should either of these two comparisons result in a
mismatch, the exchange 616 will not make any withdrawal and create
an alarm for an operator.
[0223] As shown in FIG. 73f, at 12, the exchange 616 transfers $10
from the exchange user 618 to the wallet C. The exchange user 618
now has $20, representing the $30 in FIG. 73e minus the $10 that
has been transferred out. At 13a, the exchange 616 adds a
representation for user C in the exchange database 612 showing a
withdrawal of $10. At 13b, the exchange 616 updates the totals.
Because user C has made a withdrawal of $10, the total currency
amount within the exchange database 612 amounts to $20. The amount
of bitcoin is still the same. The total amounts in the exchange
user 618 and in the exchange database 612 are thus the same.
[0224] Other users may submit similar withdrawal requests. For
example, a user at user computer A may request a withdrawal of 1
bitcoin. The exchange 616 then cross checks the total amounts,
makes a transfer of 1 bitcoin from the exchange user 618 to wallet
A and updates the exchange database 612 by deducting 1 bitcoin from
user A and updates the total amount of bitcoin to 4 bitcoin.
[0225] FIG. 74 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in
the exemplary form of a computer system 900 within which a set of
instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of
the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In alternative
embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may be
connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a network
deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or
a client machine in a server-client network environment, or as a
peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network
environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet
PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a
cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or
bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions
(sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that
machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the
term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of
machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple
sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the
methodologies discussed herein.
[0226] The exemplary computer system 900 includes a processor 930
(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit
(GPU), or both), a main memory 932 (e.g., read-only memory (ROM),
flash memory, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as
synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) or Rambus DRAM (RDRAM), etc.), and a
static memory 934 (e.g., flash memory, static random access memory
(SRAM, etc.), which communicate with each other via a bus 936.
[0227] The computer system 900 may further include a video display
938 (e.g., a liquid crystal displays (LCD) or a cathode ray tube
(CRT)). The computer system 900 also includes an alpha-numeric
input device 940 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 942
(e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 944, a signal generation device
946 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 948.
[0228] The disk drive unit 944 includes a machine-readable medium
950 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions 952 (e.g.,
software) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or
functions described herein. The software may also reside,
completely or at least partially, within the main memory 932 and/or
within the processor 930 during execution thereof by the computer
system 900, the memory 932 and the processor 930 also constituting
machine readable media. The software may further be transmitted or
received over a network 954 via the network interface device
948.
[0229] While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and
shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that
such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the
current invention, and that this invention is not restricted to the
specific constructions and arrangements shown and described since
modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
* * * * *