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Control Layer

The OpenETR control layer interprets signed Nostr events as a control history for a controlled object.

Controlled Object

A controlled object is identified by a cryptographic digest, normally SHA-256.

The object may be:

  • a PDF;
  • a JSON artifact;
  • a signed document bundle;
  • a verifiable credential;
  • another canonical electronic record.

OpenETR does not need to parse the object to track its control history. It needs the digest.

Origin Event

An origin event brings the object into the OpenETR scheme.

It binds:

  • object digest;
  • issuer profile;
  • event kind;
  • event id;
  • event signature;
  • structured metadata tags.

Control Events

Control events express later control-relevant actions concerning the same object.

Current actions include:

Action Meaning
initiate Initiate a transfer.
accept Accept a transfer.
encumber Record a pledge, lien, restriction, or other encumbrance.
discharge Release a prior encumbrance.
redeem Present or redeem the object.
terminate Complete or end the active lifecycle.
attest Publish an attestation about an object, actor, or context.

Graph Reconstruction

The control graph is reconstructed from signed events:

  • o identifies the controlled object;
  • e links to a prior event;
  • p identifies an action-specific participant;
  • action identifies the control-event subtype;
  • action-specific tags such as enc, type, and ref add structured context.

The graph is evidence. Verifier policy decides what effect to give the evidence.

Source Specs