Blockchain Code Distribution via Intermediary Servers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network connected devices face challenges in verifying the trustworthiness of received code due to vulnerabilities in existing security mechanisms, especially in non-persistent network connections, where hashing and signing can be susceptible to spoofing and interception.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method using a blockchain data structure to securely distribute code, where a base station generates transactions with hash values for code and devices, stores them as blocks, and broadcasts the blockchain state to target devices for verification, ensuring the code's authenticity and suitability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional hashing and signing mechanisms are used for code distribution, then code verification is simplified, but security is compromised due to susceptibility to spoofing and interception

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode verification securityVSAvoidverification mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces distribution servers as intermediaries between the base station and target devices. These servers maintain blockchain data structures that store verified code hashes and device information, acting as trusted mediators that enable secure verification without requiring direct complex cryptographic operations at each device level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates distributed copies of the blockchain data structure across multiple distribution servers. Each server maintains an identical copy of the blockchain containing code hashes and device lists, allowing any server to verify code authenticity without centralized single-point-of-failure complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If blockchain data structure is implemented for secure code distribution, then code authenticity and device suitability verification are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecode origin verificationVSAvoiddistribution system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the code distribution system into distinct functional components: base station for code generation, distribution servers for blockchain maintenance and verification, and target devices for code reception. Each component has simplified responsibilities, with the blockchain data structure organizing verification information into manageable blocks containing code hashes and device lists

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing and storing code hashes and device information in the blockchain data structure before actual code distribution. Distribution servers maintain ready-to-verify blockchain states with all necessary verification data预先 prepared, eliminating the need for complex real-time cryptographic computations during code delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If blockchain state broadcasting is implemented, then real-time verification capability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification speedVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential verification information (blockchain state with code hashes and device lists) from the complete blockchain data and broadcasts selectively. Distribution servers send minimal necessary data updates to target devices rather than transmitting entire blockchain histories, reducing network overhead while maintaining verification speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11153091B2Untrusted code distribution
Publication Date: 2021.10.19 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • US11153091B2 patent drawing
  • US11153091B2 patent drawing
  • US11153091B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer implemented method for code distribution by a base station to a target device via a network, the distribution being made via one or more distribution servers arranged between the base station and the target device on the network, is disclosed.