Blockchain Broker Synchronizes Publish-Subscribe Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information exchange systems, particularly those using the Internet, often result in unfair access to time-sensitive information due to differences in latency and bandwidth, favoring early receivers over late ones, and lack mechanisms for ensuring synchronized delivery across a global network.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a blockchain-based publish-subscribe system that utilizes a proof-of-work (PoW) function to synchronize message delivery among broker nodes, ensuring that all subscribers receive information at approximately the same time by accounting for latency and bandwidth variations, and using a distributed ledger to maintain a shared record of transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional Internet information exchange systems are used, then information can be transmitted quickly, but early receivers gain an unfair advantage over late receivers due to latency and bandwidth differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having all broker nodes compute proof-of-work functions and prepare for message delivery before the actual information is published. This synchronization mechanism ensures that all nodes are ready simultaneously, preventing any single node from gaining an early advantage. The PoW computation acts as a preliminary barrier that equalizes the starting position of all participants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces broker nodes as intermediaries that mediate between publishers and subscribers. These brokers use proof-of-work functions to synchronize message delivery timing, acting as a mediating layer that prevents direct early access by any subscriber. The intermediary brokers ensure fair distribution by controlling the release timing based on PoW verification.
2Reliability
If synchronized message delivery is implemented using proof-of-work functions, then fairness among subscribers is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proof-of-work function serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it synchronizes message delivery timing, prevents spam and abuse, and creates a fair competition mechanism for message priority. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving multiple goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of message delivery timing from being determined by network latency to being determined by PoW computation results. This parameter transformation allows the system to achieve fairness without requiring complex coordination protocols, as the PoW mechanism inherently provides the necessary synchronization and ordering.
3Reliability
If proof-of-work computation is used to synchronize delivery, then message delivery reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial PoW computation rather than requiring full synchronization for all messages. The PoW function is used selectively to determine message priority and timing, rather than requiring every node to perform equal computation for every message. This partial application reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining the synchronization benefit.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to facilitate information exchange using publish-subscribe with blockchain. An example apparatus includes a broker including a processor and a distributed ledger module. The example distributed ledger module stores a message to be relayed by the broker from a publisher to a subscriber. The example processor is to at least compute, triggered by receipt of the message by the broker, a proof-of-work (PoW) function. The example processor is to at least verify the computation of the PoW function. The example processor is to at least transmit, upon verifying the computation of the PoW function, the message to the subscriber. The example processor is to at least process feedback received by the broker to update the PoW function.