Asset-backed digital security tokens

Abstract

A rights server system comprises a combination of digital fingerprint authentication techniques, processes, programs, and hardware that facilitate the creation, assignment, management, and enforcement of rights related to a physical object. An unspoofable, secure linkage is created between a physical object and an associated digital file through a digital fingerprint of the object. The digital fingerprint must be unambiguously derived from the object. The rights server manages interests in the physical object through issuing digital tokens which are linked to the associated digital file. Digital tokens linked to and backed by the physical object can serve as a type of currency or medium of exchange of real value.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 inducting a physical object into a rights management system by:   acquiring a digital fingerprint of the physical object;   creating an associated digital file (“ADF”) of the physical object in a secure datastore;   storing the digital fingerprint of the physical object in the ADF, so as to securely and uniquely link the ADF to the physical object as a digital counterpart in an unspoofable manner;   initializing a digital ledger stored in or linked to the ADF, the digital ledger storing at least one asset-backed token representing an interest in or transaction affecting the physical object; and   updating the digital ledger to realize transactions that utilize the token to exchange real value backed by the physical object.