Charles H. Miller
Long gone are the days when we associated Sony with TVs and mobile phones; today, when we say Sony, we think of high-end cameras, PlayStation and its movie business. Of those three, we tend to think that PlayStation has the highest chances of “being blessed” with blockchain technology.
And guess what? A recent patent by the Japanese firm indicates they want to rely on a public ledger for user authentication purposes…
Blockchain-based user login
Sony has filed for a blockchain-based user authentication system patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) which has released it on October 26th.
The filing outlines a platform that would use two different blockchain platforms in conjunction with each other as part of a multi-factor authentication system (MFA).
Said system works by giving users two different credentials to log into a website or program. After the user enters a standard username and password, an authentication token generates a code, which should then be submitted to gain access.
One of the two blockchain platforms would create these authentication codes, while the other would receive them to confirm a user’s identity. The system would also enable transactions such as “transfer, contract generation and asset transfer,” which we can clearly see being adopted by and incorporated into the PlayStation Network.
But that’s not all when it comes to Sony and blockchain…
Securing education data with blockchain
Beyond user authentication, Sony is also looking to use blockchain for education purposes. The company is apparently working with IBM on a new educational platform that would rely on blockchain to secure and share student records.
Through its subsidiary Sony Global Education, it plans to launch the new service at some point next year, enabling educators to exchange information on student progress and achievements. Said platform is targeting primary and higher educational institutions, and we can make an educated guess it will initially be rolled out in Sony’s home turf of Japan (and eventually be launched in other parts of the world).
In addition, the company is also looking to develop additional education services, with blockchain serving as a data-sharing layer beneath it all.
“Blockchain technology has the potential to impact systems in a wide variety of industries, and the educational sphere is no exception when educational data is securely stored on the blockchain and shared among permissioned users,” Masaaki Isozu, president of Sony Global Education, said in a statement.
And more…
Like many other global players, Sony is looking for other ways to benefit from blockchain-based technologies, including using it in the areas of supply chain and logistics.
“Sony Group is also considering innovative ways to make use of blockchain technology,” the company said. “It will continue evaluating this system going forward as it works towards the creation of appealing products and services in a host of different fields.”
And we’ll be watching every step it makes in this [blockchain] field. Stay tuned…
