IBM Files Patent for Blockchain-Based AR Helper System

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IBM has filed a patent for a blockchain-based system which will prevent players of augmented reality games entering physical spaces that are undesirable.

They cite as examples “high-risk locations, culturally sensitive locations, locations marked by property owners.” Augmented reality is a technology which adds layers to physical reality. An example is Zombie GO, an AR game which places zombie in real life or perhaps the most famous example, Pokemon Go. AR can have other applications than games, however, such as displaying historical views of locations.

The aim of the technology IBM seeks to patent is to improve the political and actual use of AR in physical space, in an effort to prevent collisions of AR with locations that are not desirable by either party. An attack vector in location-based AR games is when “actors or users may maliciously profile a location for different purposes (e.g., misleading game players by falsifying the profile of a location where the ARC can be placed).”

IBM Uses Blockchain to Keep AR Players Out of Trouble

Blockchains will be used in the patented system to accurately document information about locations used in such games and systems.

Thus, it is important for the system to verify/validate any location related transaction. Accordingly, the method 300 includes tracking 310 or verifying recommended locations, labels, or tags using a location/label/tag blockchain-based system. The blockchain system securely tracks, stores, and maintains location related transactions along with other location metadata. A blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously-growing list of data records hardened against tampering and revision. It consists of data structure blocks–which hold exclusively data in initial blockchain implementations, and both data and programs in some of the more recent implementations–with each block holding batches of individual transactions and the results of any blockchain executables. Each block contains a timestamp and information (e.g., a hash of a previous block) that links it to a previous block.

The system will also include a neural network which will learn the results of interactions in various locations and record the data in the blockchain used.

Thus, risk prediction can occur based on rules learned by the cognitive neural network from past transactions in the blockchain, for example, a pattern of many user movements combined with discrete results such as incident reports, complaints against users, etc. By running the learned rules on more recent patterns of user movements, it is possible for the cognitive neural network to identify potential risks to users with varying degrees of confidence.

The patent process can be lengthy and it could be years before IBM releases a product based on the new patent. IBM has for years been involved in the blockchain space to varying degrees, targeting mostly enterprise clients, but its involvement in entertainment has been rare.

Featured image from Shutterstock.

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