API Counter Tracking With Blockchain Usage Records
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional billing models for computing resources face challenges such as inflexibility in tracking usage and security issues, leading to potential inaccuracies and vulnerabilities in recorded data.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a decentralized blockchain system to securely record computing resource usage by scanning APIs for labels with key-value pairs that dynamically track and increment counters, ensuring tamper-resistant storage and flexible adjustment of tracking rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a decentralized blockchain system is implemented to securely record computing resource usage, then data integrity and security are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain network as an intermediary layer between the computing resource usage tracking and billing systems. This mediator provides tamper-proof recording of usage data through distributed consensus mechanisms, ensuring data integrity without requiring direct trust between billing authorities and resource consumers. The blockchain acts as a neutral third party that both sides can verify independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic counter tracking is implemented through API labels, then tracking flexibility is improved, but implementation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic counter tracking by associating increment counters with API labels that can be dynamically configured. The counters automatically increment based on API interaction events, allowing the tracking rules to adapt to different usage patterns without manual intervention. This dynamic approach enables flexible billing models where tracking parameters can change based on real-time conditions while maintaining automated operation.
3Measurement precision
If usage-based billing tracking is implemented with dynamic counters, then billing accuracy is improved, but development time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring increment counters and API labels during system setup. The tracking infrastructure is established in advance with predefined rules for counting API interactions, resource usage events, and billing metrics. This preliminary configuration enables accurate usage-based billing from the outset without requiring complex custom development for each billing scenario, as the system can handle various billing models through the pre-built counter mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
According to examples, an apparatus includes a processor and a memory on which is stored machine-readable instructions that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to scan an application programming interface (API) for a specified label in the API, in which the specified label includes a counter that increments based on an API interacting with a computing resource for a caller of the API. The processor also reads a value of a counter in the specified label and records the read value of the counter and an identifier of an entity associated with the caller of the API onto a decentralized blockchain. The computing resource usage by the entity may thus be securely recorded, such that the computing resource usage may be used for any of a number of purposes, such as invoicing, usage tracking, and/or security.