U.S. Patent 10671599 was awarded to Alibaba Group Holding Limited on June 02, 2020 and is entitled “Consensus system and method.” The first named inventor is Dayi Yang of Hangzhou, . The abstract contains an overview of the patent disclosure:

Consensus methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, are provided. One of the methods is to be implemented on a blockchain maintained by a number (N) of nodes. One of the nodes acts as a primary node and the other (N−1) nodes act as backup nodes. The method includes: detecting a change in a current height H of the blockchain; determining the primary node based on a parameter P and the number of nodes N, wherein the parameter P is proportional to the current height H of the blockchain; in response to determining that the one of the N nodes is the primary node, executing a PBFT normal operation protocol as the primary node; and in response to determining that the one of the N nodes is not the primary node, executing the PBFT normal operation protocol as one of the backup nodes. Link to Full Patent

This blockchain patent was originally filed on December 17, 2019  as U.S. Patent Application 16/716932 at the United Stated Patent and Trademark Office. The application was them awarded a patent grant and published as U.S. Patent 10671599. The primary examiner was Jeff A Burke.

Alibaba Group Holding Limited, who is the original assignee of this patent, has at least 1834 total granted patents in the United States as of the date of this article. This blockchain patent has been cited 2 times by other U.S. patents according to our law firm research, and can be considered an innovative patent in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Select IP monitors top patents and patents which have been allowed and granted worldwide. We are experts in patent law with experience blockchain technology and IP law and intellectual property law as it pertains to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency patents. If you are interested in connecting with an IP law attorney or patent law attorney, please contact us via the contact form.

Patentability Searches – Determine the patentability of your inventions.
Freedom to Operate Searches & Opinions – Identify patents may give you potential infringement issues (including in the recording, communication or information retrieval equipment field).
Non-Infringement Opinions – Determine if your product infringes a competitor’s patent.
Patent Invalidity Searches & Opinions – Find prior art to invalidate a competitor’s patent.
U.S. Provisional Patent Applications – Receive cost-effective “patent pending” status for your invention.
U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Applications (Utility) – Apply for patent protection on the structural and functional aspects of your invention.
U.S. Design Patent Applications – Apply for patent protection on the ornamental appearance of your invention.