Blockchain Data Storage with Smart Contract Permission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data sharing platforms face challenges in ensuring data security and efficiency due to centralized data storage and limited query capacity, leading to potential tampering and low query efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain network is formed where each institution acts as a blockchain node, with data stored in a distributed manner and encrypted before storage, using smart contracts to manage permissions and facilitate secure and efficient data querying by allowing nodes to decrypt data only if permissions are verified.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If centralized data storage platform is used, then data sharing can be facilitated, but data security is compromised and tampering becomes possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata sharing capabilityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized data storage system into a distributed blockchain network where each institution operates as an independent node. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure and prevents centralized tampering while maintaining data sharing capabilities through the distributed ledger architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces smart contracts as intermediary mechanisms that automatically enforce data access permissions and sharing agreements. These self-executing contracts mediate between data providers and consumers, ensuring secure and compliant data sharing without requiring centralized authority.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If centralized data storage platform is used, then data access can be controlled, but query efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata access controlVSAvoiddata query efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-establishes data access permissions and sharing agreements through smart contracts before data queries are executed. This preliminary configuration of access control rules enables rapid query processing without requiring real-time authentication delays, as the permission framework is already in place and automatically enforced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If data is encrypted before storage, then data security is improved, but query processing becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidquery processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service decryption where the blockchain network automatically handles encryption and decryption operations through integrated smart contracts. When a node queries encrypted data, the system automatically verifies permissions and performs decryption without requiring manual intervention or complex external processing, thus maintaining security while simplifying the user experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11228425B2Data storage method, data query method and apparatuses
Publication Date: 2022.01.18 ADVANCED NEW TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD
  • US11228425B2 patent drawing
  • US11228425B2 patent drawing
  • US11228425B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A data storage method comprises receiving, from a first blockchain node associated with a blockchain, a query for encrypted data stored in the blockchain, wherein the encrypted data is shared by a second blockchain node; determining, through one or more smart contracts, whether the first blockchain node has a permission to decrypt the encrypted data; if the first blockchain node has the permission: sending the encrypted data to an encryption device to decrypt the encrypted data and return data obtained from the decryption to the first blockchain node; determining, through the smart contracts, a reward value to be added to an account of the second blockchain node; and sending a node identifier of the second blockchain node and the reward value to blockchain nodes of the blockchain, enabling each of the blockchain nodes to store the node identifier and the reward value in the blockchain.