Auxiliary Index for Blockchain Data Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
In blockchain systems, direct information retrieval is inefficient due to the need to traverse the entire chain of data blocks, especially when querying for data elements without known IDs or block IDs, leading to time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of auxiliary indexes, created and updated through executable data elements, allows for efficient information retrieval by maintaining a separate database of subset data elements' indices, which can be queried independently of the blockchain, reducing the need to traverse the entire chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct information retrieval is performed by traversing the entire blockchain chain, then data integrity and security are maintained, but information retrieval efficiency deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary index structure as an intermediary layer between the blockchain and query operations. This index maintains mappings between data element keys and their corresponding block locations without compromising the blockchain's integrity. The index acts as a mediator that speeds up retrieval by providing direct access paths while the blockchain itself remains unchanged for security and integrity purposes.
2Productivity
If auxiliary indexes are implemented to speed up data retrieval, then information retrieval efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data retrieval function into two independent parts: the original blockchain structure for storing data elements and the auxiliary index structure for fast lookup. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the blockchain maintains its security properties while the index provides efficient access paths, reducing overall system complexity compared to redesigning the entire blockchain.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary index is essentially a copied and simplified representation of the blockchain's data element locations. Instead of storing complete data elements, the index stores only key-to-location mappings. This copying approach provides fast retrieval without duplicating the entire blockchain's complexity or data volume.
3Loss of information
If the entire blockchain chain is traversed to locate data elements, then complete data coverage is ensured, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary index performs preliminary organization of data element locations during blockchain construction and updates. By pre-computing and storing key-to-location mappings in the index, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming full-chain traversals during query operations. Data completeness is maintained because the index is built from the same data elements in the blockchain, just organized for faster access.
Data Source
AI summary
A secure data system facilitates efficient searching of extensive data storage layers, e.g., a blockchain. The system may create an index for data elements of a predefined type recorded in the blockchain. The system may generate the index by invoking executable instructions stored in an executable data element (e.g., a smart contract) recorded in the blockchain and associated with the predefined type of data elements. The index facilitates fast query into the blockchain for the data elements of the predefined type.