Intelligent system for improving data integrity through blockchain-based contracts

Abstract

A system for improving data integrity through blockchain-based smart contracts, consisting of: a data input module configured to receive transaction data from at least one external source; a hashing unit coupled with the data input module and configured to generate a cryptographic hash of the transaction data; a smart contract execution engine that is operationally connected to the hashing unit and configured to execute predefined conditions associated with the transaction data, wherein the smart contract execution engine is configured to trigger automated processes based on compliance with these predefined conditions; a blockchain node interface in communication with a blockchain network, configured to validate and record the hashed transaction data, with the blockchain node interface transmitting validated data entries to be appended to a decentralized ledger; a verification module configured to check the integrity and authenticity of the attached data within the blockchain network; and A data retrieval unit with an interface to the blockchain network, configured to allow authorized users to access and retrieve validated transaction data from the decentralized ledger, with permissions governed by the terms of the smart contract.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The innovative concept relates to the field of data security and integrity management, specifically to systems based on blockchain technology and smart contracts to guarantee data provenance. The invention is particularly useful in environments requiring highly reliable and secure data, such as financial services, healthcare systems, or environments subject to strict regulatory control over data integrity (e.g., medical devices), supply chain management sectors, and many other types of sensitive or high-value transactions involving IoT / reporting infrastructures. The decentralized and tamper-proof method for ensuring data integrity will be a very powerful solution, as the invention leverages blockchain's distributed ledger capabilities along with smart contracts to automate most processes. Background of the invention

[0002] Data integrity and security measures are becoming increasingly important as more and more data is exchanged in this digital age, with its numerous e-commerce activities. Traditional data management systems rely on centralized databases that can be vulnerable to unauthorized access, data tampering, and single points of failure. In a decentralized approach, blockchain technology offers additional features such as improved security and transparency that can mitigate these problems. The underlying properties of immutability and the use of distributed ledgers make blockchain an exciting option for data integrity management. However, current forms of blockchain are often hampered by scalability and slow processing times, which can make high-frequency data transactions impractical.Furthermore, blockchain offers a use case for secure data storage, while integration with smart contracts brings automation and trust to transaction processing and ensures compliance with predefined conditions. This proposed solution overcomes the problems just mentioned by proposing a blockchain system that is solely concerned with immediate integrity based on smart contracts. By using smart contracts, the system is capable of providing a secure and largely automated, tamper-proof method for managing data transactions (in our case, this project, securing device health) with out-of-the-box security efficiency.

[0003] The importance of data integrity has increased rapidly in recent years due to digitalization, globalization, and data-driven organizations. Data integrity: Data must be accurate, consistent, and reliable throughout its entire lifecycle. Data integrity is also critical for organizations in industries such as finance, healthcare, supply chain management, and government services, where any tampering or corruption of data can lead to significant financial losses, with regulatory sanctions endangering human lives. Detecting data inconsistencies in the traditional sense can be achieved through a centralized database, manual audits, and regular checks. This has created a need for better solutions that offer greater automation, security, and scalability in data durability.

[0004] Data has traditionally been stored in centralized databases, where a single server handles all storage, access, and validation. While this model offers a certain degree of efficiency and control, it also has its own weaknesses. Centralized systems are single points of failure (SoFs). If a centralized system fails, the data is lost. Centralized databases are also vulnerable to unauthorized access and data tampering, with a single access point compromising the entire database. Centralized systems also typically require a high level of regular maintenance, as well as security patches and backup procedures necessitated by centralization (to reduce the risk of lost or corrupted data). These manual processes are expensive and time-consuming, incurring additional costs for businesses.

[0005] The limitations of mainstream databases have given rise to a new generation: distributed systems. In distributed systems, data is spread across multiple servers / nodes, meaning there are fewer single points of failure and the data is highly available. But distributed systems also have disadvantages. They are either managed using complex synchronization protocols to maintain consensus between nodes (which also introduces latency and computational overhead), or asynchronously, where data records may not be guaranteed the same level of visibility. Furthermore, distributed systems can also improve data availability, but they don't automatically provide data immutability or keep out unauthorized individuals. In such an environment, data must be kept safe and secure, so these limitations make distributed systems vulnerable to tampering or data corruption.

[0006] One solution to these problems in distributed systems is blockchain technology. Blockchain, as a distributed ledger, is used to record and track data transactions across a network of nodes. It records each transaction as a block, linked to the previous block because the data cannot be tampered with due to cryptographic links. Due to its decentralized nature, blockchain reduces dependence on a central authority or administrator, minimizing one-point failure and improving data security. Furthermore, since a blockchain ledger is immutable (non-modifiable), this means that once entered, data can never be changed or deleted, making it essentially impossible to record.

[0007] Although blockchains have many advantages, this technology currently sees little adoption due to the following limitations. The biggest challenge is scalability. In such situations, validation is performed through mechanisms such as Proof of Work (PoW) or PoS. In large networks with high transaction volumes, such processes can be computationally intensive and time-consuming. This can lead to slow transaction processing times and low throughput, making blockchain networks unsuitable for high-frequency data transactions. Scalability suffers significantly, especially when processing real-time data, as is the case in financial services or some supply chain management applications, where delays caused by incorrect implementation and delayed verification can be costly.

[0008] Energy consumption of blockchain technology: One drawback of blockchain technology can be its high energy costs. For PoW and other resource-intensive consensus mechanisms, this translates to high energy consumption. This raises questions and highlights the environmental costs of blockchain, especially as these decentralized networks grow larger and must accommodate more and more users on their network. While alternative consensus mechanisms such as PoS (Proof of Stake) offer cleaner alternatives in terms of energy consumption, their design also introduces potential compromises in security and centralization, potentially undermining the validity of the network. This puts organizations in the precarious position of having to weigh the potential benefits of blockchain against their goals of minimizing environmental and operational impacts.

[0009] Whether you're ready or not, regulatory compliance is now a concern: In addition to scalability and energy consumption issues, blockchain also faces regulatory compliance challenges. Data protection and privacy regulations: Many industries, especially those that work with sensitive or regulated data, are subject to strict laws regarding how organizations can use their data. The caveat here is that the immutability of records on a blockchain can be a double-edged sword, as data cannot (currently) be edited or deleted, making flexible compliance with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation difficult.While some blockchain networks have already implemented solutions to these problems, including off-chain storage or permissioned blockchains, this compromises the transparency and decentralization that are at the core of what makes a blockchain valuable. Therefore, organizations in highly regulated industries may find it difficult to benefit from blockchain technology, as they also have the responsibility to comply with existing laws and regulations.

[0010] Smart contracts are self-executing contracts where the terms of the agreement between buyer and seller are written directly into lines of code. They are considered pioneers in enterprise blockchain initiatives. Thinking about it, they could initiate the execution of a transaction based on predefined conditions, automating manual interventions and streamlining data management. Specifically, smart contracts could be used in supply chain management, so payments are automatically triggered when goods are delivered, or in healthcare, for example, to enable the exchange of patient information between providers based on consent. But smart contracts are not without their problems. Smart contracts are only secure if the code for them is accurate and robust enough.This allows the code to be exploited by malicious actors, granting them access beyond their authorization or allowing data within your corresponding database structure. Furthermore, a smart contract's code typically becomes immutable (unchangeable) upon deployment, making errors in the logic similarly difficult to fix. If a smart contract crashes or is exploited by malicious actors, it can result in massive financial losses and significant operational disruption.

[0011] Smart contracts have another problem related to their reliance on oracles, external data providers for the blockchain. Smart contracts require oracles to interact with off-chain data such as market prices, weather conditions, and other external factors. However, oracles are a burden because they provide the data that feeds into the smart contract, and they must be trusted, which is not always justified. Furthermore, oracles run off-chain, which weakens some of the value propositions of a distributed ledger, such as decentralization and security. Although some blockchain networks have integrated decentralized oracles to avoid these risks, few users make use of them. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention relates to a blockchain-centric system for ensuring data integrity using smart contracts. The system comprises a decentralized blockchain network that stores and authenticates data transactions in a distributed ledger without the use of an intermediary. One of the crucial features that enables this system is smart contracts. These are self-executing digital contracts with terms between the parties written directly in lines of code. Rules apply that define how such information can or cannot be transmitted. The latter are enforced by smart contracts that perform operations on data subject to predefined restrictions, ensuring that only recognized and authorized transactions enter the blockchain.The system has multiple processors and access to the blockchain interface of any public distributed ledger. It also includes a data integrity verification module that tracks all transactions and compares them with specified data integrity parameters. The system must also have a secure and efficient way to verify whether written data has been tampered with, using cryptographic methods such as cryptographic hashing techniques, which allow us to verify that write operations guarantee the aspect of immutability on both sides. Furthermore, the invention has a fault-tolerance feature that can make the blockchain network even more secure and ensure its continuous smooth operation as data becomes available.

[0013] The primary focus of the present invention is to increase data credibility in digital transactions through the use of blockchain technology with smart contracts. Due to the decentralized and tamper-proof nature of blockchain, this invention is intended to be more trustworthy than a centralized collection of data transactions, which could mislead many people into gaining advantages through unauthorized access or single-point failure. The present invention also aims to solve scalability issues in traditional blockchains by using fast consensus algorithms and processing units capable of handling large numbers of transactions per second, such as the Bitcoin network.The protocol is energy-efficient and therefore environmentally friendly: it would require significantly fewer resources compared to a Proof of Work-based blockchain network while sacrificing significant security properties.

[0014] The present invention also proposes implementing and executing applicable preemptive processing rules for data-driven transactions through automation that can verify smart contracts that adhere to predetermined integrity constraints without requiring human intervention. This automation ensures that only validated transactions that meet certain criteria are written to the blockchain, establishing trust and veracity between each party. Another goal is to develop a fault-tolerant system that enables uninterrupted data transmission, making it always available and resilient so that even if one node fails, the others can continue to do what they are supposed to do. Below, you can understand how we achieve this through error and attack handling.The distributed nature of the network helps ensure that data is located on multiple nodes at all times, reducing the likelihood of propagation disruption.

[0015] It also seeks to address the recurring challenges of regulatory compliance by providing data integrity mechanisms that operate under a range of industry-specific regulations. The system can use smart contracts to automatically enforce compliance with legal requirements regarding the treatment of data within the relevant legal frameworks. Finally, another theme of the invention is to verify and secure processed data in a blockchain system that adheres to cryptographic hashing methods to validate each transaction. In line with this overall goal, the invention provides a strong, easy-to-use, and secure protocol for data provenance in distributed systems that can be utilized by industries where reliable data management is critical. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout. Fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for improving data integrity through blockchain-based smart contracts.

[0017] In Fig.Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for improving data integrity through blockchain-based smart contracts. The system 100 includes: a data entry module 102 configured to receive transaction data from at least one external source; a hashing unit 104 connected to the data entry module and configured to generate a cryptographic hash of the transaction data, thereby ensuring data integrity by uniquely identifying the transaction; a smart contract execution engine 106 operatively connected to the hashing unit and configured to execute predefined conditions associated with the transaction data, wherein the smart contract execution engine is capable of triggering automated processes based on compliance with these predefined conditions;a blockchain node interface 108 in communication with a blockchain network and configured to validate and record the hashed transaction data, wherein the blockchain node interface transmits validated data entries to be appended to a decentralized ledger; a verification module 110 configured to check the appended data within the blockchain network for integrity and authenticity and ensure that any discrepancy or unauthorized modification is detected and flagged; and a data retrieval unit 112 connected to the blockchain network and configured to allow authorized users to access the validated transaction data and retrieve it from the decentralized ledger, with permissions governed by the smart contract terms.

[0018] In one embodiment, the data input module 102 comprises: a plurality of data collectors, each configured to interface with different external sources such as IoT devices, databases, or external servers to aggregate transaction data from multiple channels; a data preprocessing unit within the data input module configured to standardize and filter the transaction data prior to hashing, wherein the standardization includes formatting the data into a predefined schema to ensure compatibility with the hashing unit.

[0019] In one embodiment, hash unit 104 further comprises: a cryptographic processor configured to execute hash functions based on SHA-256 or another secure hash algorithm, wherein the cryptographic processor is configured to ensure that each hash output is unique for the specific transaction data, thereby avoiding duplication; a redundancy checker operatively connected to the cryptographic processor and configured to detect and handle hash collisions, wherein each hash collision triggers an alarm that prevents the data from being recorded on the blockchain until it is resolved.

[0020] In one embodiment, the smart contract execution engine 106 comprises: a condition parser that interprets the predefined conditions encoded in the smart contracts and enables dynamic execution paths based on variable inputs; an automation module configured to initiate certain actions, such as fund transfers, access control updates, or notifications, based on the results of the condition parser's evaluations, wherein the automation module communicates directly with external application programming interfaces (APIs) to execute these actions.

[0021] In one embodiment, the blockchain node interface 108 further comprises: a consensus validator configured to interact with other nodes within the blockchain network to achieve consensus on the transaction data entries before they are permanently recorded, wherein the consensus validator uses Proof of Stake (PoS) or Proof of Work (PoW) mechanisms; a timestamp generator coupled to the consensus validator that provides an accurate timestamp for each validated transaction, thus ensuring the chronological integrity of the recorded data within the decentralized ledger.

[0022] In one embodiment, the verification module 110 comprises: a checksum validator configured to periodically revalidate the integrity of the hashed data by recalculating checksums and comparing them to the recorded hash values ​​in the blockchain; an alerting mechanism operatively connected to the checksum validator that initiates a predefined response sequence upon detection of an integrity violation, wherein the response sequence includes notifying relevant stakeholders and logging the incident for audit purposes.

[0023] Data is stored in transaction order from external sources (IoT devices, databases, or even external servers). In this module, an incoming data preprocessing unit standardizes and filters all incoming data into a predefined schema, making it applicable for subsequent hashing operations. This normalization step is important to ensure data fidelity and provide sufficient opportunity for the hashing process. After the data is formatted, a cryptographic hash function (usually SHA-256 in this case) is used, and then a dedicated secure hash unit processor is used to generate unique hashes for all transactions entering that block. This hash is essentially a 62-character fingerprint of the transaction data, and cannot be reversed or tampered with to know what the original raw data was.The hash unit also features a redundancy checker and triggers search alerts in case of hash collisions (when different data generate the same hash value), so that no further data with the conflicting key can be stored during resolution, thus ensuring consistently queryable data integrity.

[0024] A smart contract execution engine receives the hash data retrieved by message processing and applies and enforces the programmatic conditions from the contracts for each transaction. This engine has a condition parser that reads the encoded conditions in the smart contracts, allowing it to dynamically make decisions with variable inputs. When these conditions are verified, the engine's automation module triggers appropriate actions (e.g., credit card payments, notifications of access control policy changes). This allows the system to seamlessly switch between other applications while simultaneously performing automated transactions using direct interaction with external application programming interfaces (APIs).

[0025] The data is then sent through a smart contract execution engine and finally to the blockchain node interface to connect it to the TehHolo network and thus support the creation of a transaction. From this interface, a consensus validator communicates with the other nodes about whether this transaction is valid, and if so, it is written to an immutable blockchain. Depending on the network, PoS (Proof of Stake) or PoW (Proof of Work); this game uses a consensus mechanism to validate this transaction with the participation of all participating nodes. The blockchain node interface contains a timestamp generator that adds the correct time regardless of which direction the input comes from, ensuring historically consistent entries and increasing the overall consistency of the decentralized ledger.

[0026] It also features a validation module to continuously check that new transactions are not corrupted, match all previously publicly available data, and adhere to network rules. Examples include size limits and prior credit checks of the sender. Checksum validator - this module is responsible for calculating checksums, which are used to evaluate the periodically selected data entries and compare them with the original hash in the blockchain to determine if they have been modified. Any discrepancies trigger an alert mechanism that initiates a defined response workflow. This process includes alerting the involved parties of integrity violations and providing a recorded entry for auditing, leaving no room for false positives or fraudulent intent.This adds an additional layer of security and verifies the integrity of the blockchain ledger.

[0027] Finally, the blockchain's network-based data retrieval unit provides verified transaction data to authorized users. Such a unit runs on the smart contract's permission controls and ensures that only appropriate users can retrieve specific data entries. Access control is tightly integrated with the smart contract execution engine, enabling flexible, efficient retrieval operations. The retrieval process ensures that all data is always synchronized with its state when it was written to the blockchain. This ensures that no unauthorized changes can be made and guarantees the immutability of the transaction origin throughout its lifecycle within a system.

[0028] By combining the power of smart contracts and blockchain technology, this system is capable of creating a first-class process in terms of data security. The combination of cryptographic hashing, consensus-based validation, and scheduled integrity validations ensures that the data recorded on a blockchain is kept up-to-date over time in an immutable state, accessible only to authorized users, yet tamper-evident when stored on decentralized networks.

[0029] The invention is divided into a decentralized blockchain network that records every transaction in data and grants access only to authorized parties. The Symbiosis system features a blockchain interface designed to ensure direct integration with the Bixa protocol by facilitating the addition or verification of data through the creation of smart contracts in a standardized manner. A consensus mechanism verifies every transaction in this system, which, depending on the application, is likely a form of Proof of Work (POW) or Proof of Stake (PoS). It uses the blockchain interface as a key gateway for data, input, and output, to connect users to the blockchain network.

[0030] The key to this system are smart contracts, which can automatically enforce the conditions under which data transactions are conducted. These smart contracts contain certain prerequisites that must be met before a data transaction is executed, which is written and added to the blockchain. This forms a trustless, automated environment for data exchange where all transactions are independently verified to meet integrity requirements. This can include important things like the data format, where the data came from, and when it was generated, ensuring that each event passing through a given pipeline has all the necessary context. The smart contracts are built using imitable programming languages ​​​​such as Solidity or Chaincode to provide a unified and integrated development environment with the blockchain network.

[0031] Another important aspect of my invention is ensuring the highest possible data integrity. To this end, the system is equipped with a data integrity verification module that applies cryptographic hashing techniques to create a unique hash for each transaction. Essentially, the hash serves as a digital fingerprint for data, and whenever a change is made to it, the hash is also recalculated. By recording the corresponding hashes in the blockchain, a secure and immutable record of all actions that have ever taken place with the data is thus created, allowing independent verification of each operation by any other party in the network. Furthermore, the data integrity verification module is coupled with real-time monitoring that continuously checks incoming transactions for compliance with preset integrity rules.If it detects deviations or irregularities, it either presents the corresponding transaction for review or automatically rejects it in serious cases. To further improve the reliability and availability of the blockchain network, the invention also features a fault-tolerant mechanism, allowing nodes to manage a distributed blockchain network. If a node fails, the system automatically and without interruption transfers the process to the remaining, uncompromised nodes. Furthermore, this solution not only increases the reliability of the system but also prevents data loss and reduces vulnerability to potential cyberattacks.

[0032] The system is equipped with a device structure consisting of multiple interconnected hardware components. It features multiple processing units that process data and execute smart contracts. A collection of these units is connected to the blockchain interface, allowing them to communicate and exert pressure with a specific networked regional branch. The system also includes a data storage unit for managing local copies of transactions taking place within the distributed ledger network and / or at least one cryptographic engine for hashing / verification / signature operations. Neuro Chain is a brand-new distributed trust engine that leads to solutions to real-world problems that significantly impact the entire data-driven trading environment, while enabling strong governance mechanisms and addressing reliability constraints.

[0033] This application generally relates to the field of data security and integrity, particularly to systems that use blockchain technology and smart contracts to improve the reliability and authenticity of transaction data. Specifically, the invention addresses problems related to securing data in decentralized networks where traditional methods of verification and storage may be considered inadequate. The invention also encompasses the integration of blockchain-based smart contracts, which enable the automation of transaction processes and the transparent recording of data in an immutable ledger.This technology is used in areas where secure data processing is required, be it in finance, supply chain management, healthcare or in any area where high quality data integrity and security are required through the use of a decentralized architecture. REFERENCES 100 system for improving data integrity through blockchain-based smart contracts. 102 Data entry module 104 hashing units 106 Smart Contract Execution Engine 108 Blockchain node interface 110 Verification module 112 A data retrieval unit

Claims

[1] A system for improving data integrity through blockchain-based smart contracts, consisting of: a data entry module configured to receive transaction data from at least one external source; a hashing unit coupled to the data input module and configured to generate a cryptographic hash of the transaction data; a smart contract execution engine operatively connected to the hashing unit and configured to execute predefined conditions associated with the transaction data, wherein the smart contract execution engine is configured to trigger automated processes based on compliance with these predefined conditions; a blockchain node interface in communication with a blockchain network and configured to validate and record the hashed transaction data, wherein the blockchain node interface transmits validated data entries to be appended to a decentralized ledger; a verification module configured to verify the attached data within the blockchain network for integrity and authenticity; and a data retrieval unit with an interface to the blockchain network, configured to allow authorized users to access and retrieve validated transaction data from the decentralized ledger, with permissions governed by the terms of the smart contract. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the data input module comprises: a plurality of data collectors, each configured to interface with different external sources such as IoT devices, databases, or external servers to aggregate transaction data from multiple channels; a data preprocessing unit within the data input module configured to standardize and filter the transaction data prior to hashing, wherein the standardization comprises formatting the data into a predefined schema to ensure compatibility with the hashing unit. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein the hashing unit further comprises: a cryptographic processor configured to perform hash functions based on SHA-256 or another secure hash algorithm, the cryptographic processor configured to ensure that each hash output is unique for the specific transaction data, thereby avoiding duplication; a redundancy checker operatively connected to the cryptographic processor and configured to detect and handle hash collisions, each hash collision triggering an alarm that prevents the data from being recorded on the blockchain until it is resolved. [4] The system of claim 1, wherein the smart contract execution engine comprises: a condition parser that interprets the predefined conditions encoded in the smart contracts and enables dynamic execution paths based on variable inputs; an automation module configured to initiate certain actions, such as fund transfers, access control updates, or notifications, based on the results of the condition parser evaluations. [5] The system of claim 1, wherein the blockchain node interface further comprises: a consensus validator configured to interact with other nodes within the blockchain network to achieve consensus on the transaction data entries before they are permanently recorded, the consensus validator using Proof of Stake (PoS) or Proof of Work (PoW) mechanisms; a timestamp generator coupled to the consensus validator and providing an accurate timestamp for each validated transaction, thus ensuring the chronological integrity of the recorded data within the decentralized ledger. [6] The system of claim 1, wherein the verification module comprises: a checksum validator configured to periodically revalidate the integrity of the hashed data by recalculating checksums and comparing them with the recorded hash values in the blockchain; an alert mechanism operatively connected to the checksum validator that initiates a predefined response sequence upon detection of an integrity violation.

Images