U.S. Patent 10785167 was awarded to NEC CORPORATION on September 22, 2020 and is entitled “Method for controlling access to a shared resource.” The first named inventor is Ghassan Karame of Heidelberg, . The abstract contains an overview of the patent disclosure:

A method for controlling access to a shared resource for a plurality of collaborative users includes securely providing, on a storage and device entity, the shared resource. The shared resource is created by a resource owner entity. The method further includes specifying access control rules for the shared resource, translating the access control rules into a smart contract, including the smart contract into a blockchain, and if a second user requests access to the shared resource, performing access decisions for the shared resource by evaluating the smart contract with regard to the access control rules. Link to Full Patent

This blockchain patent was originally filed on July 26, 2016  as U.S. Patent Application 16/320114 at the United Stated Patent and Trademark Office. The application was them awarded a patent grant and published as U.S. Patent 10785167. The primary examiner was Sargon N Nano.

NEC CORPORATION, who is the original assignee of this patent, has at least 32150 total granted patents in the United States as of the date of this article. This blockchain patent has been cited 0 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.