Atomic Digital Asset Transfers with Locks and Execution Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed ledger systems, the risk of non-performance by intermediary nodes during token or digital asset transfers along a chain of nodes is a significant issue, leading to potential failures and incomplete transactions due to system outages, human errors, or intentional non-delivery, especially in multi-party transactions.

Innovation Solution

A computer system and method that utilize digital locks and computational nodes to ensure atomic transactions by verifying cryptographic authorization and sufficient asset availability among nodes, enabling simultaneous recording of component transactions on a distributed ledger with common timestamps, and using execution nodes to unlock and transfer assets atomically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If intermediary nodes are used to facilitate transactions between multiple nodes, then transaction routing and asset transfer capability are improved, but the number of failure points and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction routing capabilityVSAvoidtransaction completion reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of cryptographic authorization and sufficient asset balance for all participating nodes before the transaction is executed. Digital locks are placed on assets in advance to prevent double-spending or unauthorized transfers. This preliminary action ensures that even if intermediary nodes fail, the transaction can be completed atomically without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a coordinator node that acts as a mediator to manage the atomic transaction process. This coordinator orchestrates the verification, locking, and execution steps across multiple nodes, ensuring that all participants are ready before execution begins. The intermediary coordinator reduces overall system risk by centralizing the transaction management logic while maintaining distributed asset custody.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cryptographic verification and digital locks are implemented for all nodes, then transaction security and integrity are improved, but computational overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidtransaction processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Cryptographic verification of node authorization and checking of asset balances are performed in advance before the actual transaction execution. Digital locks are established beforehand on the assets involved. This preliminary verification ensures that when the transaction executes, the time-consuming security checks have already been completed, reducing the perceived processing time while maintaining high security standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transaction process is segmented into distinct phases: verification phase, locking phase, and execution phase. Each phase handles specific computational tasks independently. The verification phase checks cryptographic authorization, the locking phase places digital locks on assets, and the execution phase transfers assets. This segmentation allows parallel processing of independent verification tasks across multiple nodes, improving overall throughput while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3688703B1Method and apparatus for execution of atomic transactions
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 DIGITAL ASSET SWITZERLAND GMBH
  • EP3688703B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3688703B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3688703B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems to settle a transaction involving a plurality of digital assets (7), comprising receiving a notification of a proposed transaction (5) comprising a plurality of proposed component atomic transactions that atomically transfer at least a portion of the plurality of digital assets from one or more transferring nodes to one or more receiving nodes (9, 11, 17). The method further comprises at least in part determining or verifying that each transferring and receiving computer node (9, 11, 17) is cryptographically authorized to receive and/or transfer at least some of the plurality of digital assets (7), and that each transferring and receiving computer node (9, 11, 17) has a sufficient amount of the plurality of digital assets. The method further comprises sending an authorization notification to at least one execution node (19) to transfer the plurality of digital assets (7) from the transferring computer nodes to the receiving computer nodes to settle the proposed transaction.