Tech Giant Microsoft Patents New Bitcoin (BTC) Mining System

Tech giant Microsoft has patented a new crypto mining solution that uses human bodily activity data to reward people with digital currency when they perform certain tasks. The firm says the new system aims to reduce computational energy consumed during mining while also making the mining process faster, according to a report released April 6, 2020.

Innovative Crypto Mining System

As stated in its patent document, Microsoft has patented a new system that records the human bodily data such as brain wave or body heat generated by people when they carry out certain tasks provided to them such as viewing an ad or using certain internet services and rewards them with cryptos.

Unlike conventional cryptocurrency systems like the Bitcoin blockchain where miners use expensive hardware equipment to mine bitcoin (BTC), the new system uses the data generated based on the body activity of a user as a proof-of-work (PoW), thereby making it possible for users to solve the computationally difficult problem unconsciously.

The system aims to reduce computational energy required to mine digital assets, while also accelerating the mining process.

Microsoft said:

“Some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may use human body activity associated with a task provided to a user as a solution to mining challenges in cryptosystems. Instead of massive computation work required by some conventional cryptocurrency systems, data generated based on the body activity of the user can be a proof-of-work, and therefore, a user can solve the computationally difficult problem unconsciously.”

What’s more, the document further explains that the system will be made up of sensors, servers and hardware which will all work together to record the bodily data of the user when they perform an assigned task.

The team added:

“A server may provide a task to a device of a user which is communicatively coupled to the server. A sensor communicatively coupled to or comprised in the device of the user may sense body activity of the user. A cryptocurrency system integrated into the device of the user may verify whether or not the body activity data meets one or more conditions set by the cryptosystem and award cryptocurrency to the user whose body activity data is verified.”

In related news, earlier in March 2020, Microsoft, ConsenSys and EY joined forces to launch a privacy-protecting blockchain protocol.