A brand new patent utility by Microsoft particulars a approach to make use of bodily features, similar to mind exercise, to mine cryptocurrency.
The application, entitled “Cryptocurrency System Utilizing Physique Exercise Knowledge” explains how a “mind wave or physique warmth emitted from the person when the person performs the duty offered by an info service supplier, similar to viewing an commercial or utilizing sure web providers, can be utilized within the mining course of.”
By monitoring brainwaves when somebody watches an advert, Microsoft hopes to make use of the info generated as a “proof-of-work.” That is the validation of a transaction, or the completion of a process, in a blockchain system, and the best way by which creation of foreign money is validated in a cryptocurrency mannequin.
“As an alternative of huge computation work required by some standard cryptocurrency methods, knowledge generated based mostly on the physique exercise of the person may be proof-of-work, and subsequently, a person can remedy the computationally tough drawback unconsciously,” the patent continues. With a view to entry this validation knowledge, the human person would wish to have a sensor hooked up to, or put in in, their physique. Microsoft envisages customers being rewarded for permitting their our bodies to be monitored on this approach by paying them in cryptocurrency for performing particular duties.
In addition to mind waves and warmth, the patent additionally suggests utilizing “physique fluid circulation” and “organ exercise and motion” to trace a variety of duties together with utilizing social media, serps, electronic mail, visiting web sites, or utilizing chatbots. It stays to be seen what is going to occur with this patent; though it was printed a month in the past, it is nonetheless to be granted. Even then, as The Register notes, giant tech firms predominantly use patents as a way to defend in opposition to future copyright infringement, somewhat than straight turning them into merchandise, so it’s attainable this won’t see the sunshine of day within the client area.
