In a move that underscores its ongoing innovation in digital asset management, Tencent has filed a new patent aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of virtual resource transactions. The technology giant’s latest intellectual property submission highlights its strategic focus on blockchain-based solutions for managing complex digital assets—particularly in gaming, metaverse environments, and decentralized platforms.
The patent, titled "Method, Apparatus, Electronic Device, and Readable Medium for Information Querying", was submitted by Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. in January 2024 and made public on July 4, 2025, under publication number CN120256459A through the China National Intellectual Property Administration.
How the Patent Works: A Technical Overview
At its core, this patent introduces an advanced information query mechanism designed to streamline how users access data about composite virtual resources—digital assets made up of multiple sub-components. These could include in-game items, NFT bundles, or tokenized digital collectibles.
Here's how it functions:
- Request Initiation: The system receives an information query request containing a composite resource identifier—a unique tag representing a bundled digital asset.
- Blockchain Data Retrieval: Using this identifier, the system queries a blockchain ledger to retrieve the corresponding target composite resource data. This data includes one or more virtual resource identifiers, each pointing to a specific type of digital asset.
- Sub-Resource Breakdown: For each virtual resource identifier, the system fetches share composition information from the blockchain. This breakdown reveals the individual virtual sub-resources—including their types (e.g., gold coins, skins, power-ups) and quantities.
- Response Delivery: Finally, the detailed composition is returned to the requesting party, enabling full transparency into what makes up a complex digital asset.
This approach ensures secure, tamper-proof verification of digital ownership and composition—all without relying on centralized databases.
Why This Matters for Virtual Economies
As virtual worlds grow more complex, so do the assets within them. Players and users now own layered digital items—such as a "legendary armor set" composed of five individual pieces, each with different attributes and rarity levels. Managing these through traditional systems can be inefficient and prone to errors.
Tencent’s solution addresses key challenges in virtual resource trading, including:
- Transparency: Buyers can verify exactly what they’re purchasing.
- Interoperability: Standardized querying allows different platforms to interpret asset compositions consistently.
- Security: By leveraging blockchain, the system minimizes fraud and duplication risks.
- Scalability: Automated queries reduce manual processing in large-scale ecosystems like multiplayer games or metaverse marketplaces.
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Blockchain Integration: The Foundation of Trust
One of the most significant aspects of this patent is its deep integration with blockchain technology. Unlike conventional databases, blockchain offers immutable records—once data is written, it cannot be altered retroactively. This makes it ideal for tracking high-value virtual assets.
Each virtual resource and its components are recorded as on-chain data, ensuring authenticity and traceability. When a user wants to trade or appraise a composite item, the system pulls verified data directly from the ledger, eliminating reliance on potentially unreliable third parties.
This aligns with broader industry trends toward decentralized asset ownership, where users truly control their digital possessions across games, social platforms, and financial applications.
Tencent’s Broader Strategy in Digital Innovation
Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Shenzhen, Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. operates at the forefront of software and information technology services. With a registered capital of $2 million USD, the company has expanded aggressively into emerging tech domains.
According to public business intelligence data:
- Tencent holds over 5,000 patents
- It owns 5,000+ trademark registrations
- It has participated in 260+ bidding projects
- It maintains 469 administrative permits
- It has invested in 15 external enterprises
These figures reflect a company deeply committed to R&D and long-term technological leadership—not just in social media and entertainment but increasingly in infrastructure-level innovations like this query system.
Applications Beyond Gaming
While gaming is an obvious use case—given Tencent’s dominance in the global games market through titles like Honor of Kings and investments in companies like Riot Games—the implications extend far beyond.
Potential applications include:
- Metaverse Platforms: Users can verify the contents of digital fashion bundles or virtual real estate packages.
- NFT Marketplaces: Buyers gain clearer insights into multi-part NFT collections or generative art sets.
- Digital Identity Systems: Composite credentials (e.g., licenses + certifications) can be securely queried and validated.
- Enterprise Asset Management: Companies managing digital licenses or cloud resources could use similar logic for inventory tracking.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a composite virtual resource?
A: A composite virtual resource is a digital asset made up of two or more individual sub-resources. For example, a "game starter pack" might include coins, weapons, and avatar skins—all tracked as one bundle with internal structure.
Q: How does blockchain improve virtual resource queries?
A: Blockchain provides a secure, transparent, and unchangeable record of ownership and composition. This prevents fraud and ensures that query results reflect accurate, real-time data.
Q: Can this system work across different platforms?
A: Yes—by standardizing identifiers and query protocols, the system supports cross-platform compatibility, especially when integrated with open or interoperable blockchains.
Q: Is this patent only relevant to Tencent’s internal products?
A: While initially developed for internal use, such patents often influence broader industry standards. Third-party developers may adopt similar architectures for compatible ecosystems.
Q: Does this mean Tencent is building its own blockchain?
A: There’s no direct evidence in this patent suggesting a proprietary chain. Instead, it describes a method applicable to existing blockchain infrastructures, focusing on data querying rather than consensus mechanisms.
Q: How does this affect everyday users?
A: End users benefit from faster, more reliable verification of digital purchases. It also paves the way for easier trading, lending, or gifting of complex virtual items.
The Road Ahead: Toward Smarter Digital Ecosystems
Tencent’s latest patent isn’t just about querying data—it’s about building trust in digital environments where intangible assets carry real-world value. As virtual economies expand, technologies like this will become foundational infrastructure.
By enabling precise, automated access to layered digital inventories, Tencent is helping shape a future where:
- Digital ownership is clear and enforceable
- Marketplaces operate with greater integrity
- Users have full visibility into their assets
This innovation fits within a larger shift toward user-centric digital experiences, where control, transparency, and security are paramount.
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Final Thoughts
Tencent’s new patent represents more than a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic step toward smarter, more transparent virtual economies. As digital assets continue to blur the line between entertainment and investment, solutions like this will be critical for maintaining trust and usability.
With strong R&D momentum and deep expertise in both software and blockchain integration, Tencent is positioning itself not just as a content provider but as a key architect of tomorrow’s digital infrastructure.
Core Keywords:
- Virtual resource trading
- Blockchain-based query system
- Composite virtual resources
- Digital asset transparency
- Information query patent
- Tencent technology innovation
- Share composition information
- Decentralized asset management