ChippedArt is built upon two core technologies:
- NEAR Blockchain
- ARWeave global file system
Blank tags are programmed with several attributes:
- A unique, publicly visible ID
- A random ID protected by AES encryption
- A tap counter
When a tag is scanned by a modern mobile phone, it launches a unique request to the ChippedArt service. Upon seeing the request the ChippedArt web server collects, via secure, air-gapped technology, the AES key for this tag. All tags are individually programmed with different keys. The key is used to decrypt the random ID from the tag and uses this to check for NFT’s on the NEAR blockchain that have this ID.
If no matching art pieces are found, the website passes a ‘blank tag’ message back to the web browser on the phone, along with a link to allow the tag owner to upload details.
Typically, the tag owner will take a picture of the art piece being tagged, enter a title, description and upload some paperwork associated with the creation. An NFT is then minted on the NEAR blockchain
If there is already an NFT that references the decrypted Tag ID, then details will be retrieved from ARWeave and presented to the user.
The URL generated by the Tag can only, thanks to the auto tap counter, be used once. This ensures that the person tapping the tag to retrieve details of the art piece has to be physically close to it, and that the URL cannot simply be cloned onto a standard static tag.
If the ChippedArt tag is scanned by the tag blockchain owner there is an option to attach further digital artefacts and other information to the original NFT. This is done by minting another NFT and linking it to it’s predecessor.