Biometric Blockchain Transaction Identity Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Blockchain systems face challenges in securely verifying the identity of transaction contributors without storing personally identifiable information (PII) and in protecting private keys from loss or theft, which affects the integrity and security of transactions.
Innovation Solution
The use of biometrics to encode and decode private keys, allowing contributors to verify their identity using unique biometric data, such as fingerprints, and optionally supplemental data like PINs, without storing sensitive information, thereby enhancing security and protecting against key loss or theft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biometric data is stored to verify contributor identity, then identity verification capability is improved, but security and privacy are worsened due to storage of sensitive information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the biometric data from the blockchain storage system entirely. Instead of storing biometric templates or data on the blockchain, the system uses biometric verification to prove ownership of a private key without ever storing the biometric data itself. The biometric verification occurs locally or in a secure environment, and only the cryptographic proof of verification is referenced in the blockchain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cryptographic proof mechanism as an intermediary between biometric verification and blockchain recording. The system generates a cryptographic proof that demonstrates successful biometric verification without revealing the biometric data itself. This proof serves as the intermediary that links the contributor's biometric identity to the blockchain transaction without storing sensitive information.
2Reliability
If private keys are stored securely, then transaction security is improved, but risk of loss or theft increases when keys are stored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service security where the contributor's biometric data serves as the key management mechanism. The private key is encrypted with the contributor's biometric data, creating a system where the contributor themselves controls key access through their biometric characteristics. This eliminates the need for external key storage systems that could be compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the storage parameter from storing private keys or biometric data to storing cryptographic proofs of biometric verification. The system transforms the security model from storing sensitive credentials to storing verification proofs, fundamentally changing how security is maintained without increasing exposure to theft or loss.
3Measurement precision
If PII is stored in blockchain transactions, then contributor identification is improved, but anonymity and privacy are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts personally identifiable information from the blockchain transaction data entirely. Instead of storing PII such as names, addresses, or identification numbers in the transaction ledger, the system uses pseudonymous identifiers and cryptographic proofs that do not reveal individual identities. The blockchain maintains only the necessary cryptographic references without storing PII.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pseudonymous identifiers as copies or representations of contributor identity that do not directly reveal PII. These pseudonyms serve as placeholders that can be linked to contributors through biometric verification mechanisms without exposing sensitive personal information in the blockchain transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A blockchain database employs cryptography and other methods to implement and protect a distributed, publicly-amendable ledger. Transactions in a blockchain ledger are intentionally anonymous; however, there are cases where it would be useful to be able to verify or disprove a claim of identity of a contributor of a blockchain transaction. Biometrics can be used to link a human being to digital information using their unique physical traits in a way that is analogous to a handwritten or digital signature. An exemplary embodiment disclosed herein describes methods to create and store data in a blockchain transaction such that it can be used in the future to biometrically verify the identity of the contributor of the transaction, and use encoded biometric data to determine whether the blockchain transaction was created or not created by a particular individual.