File Sharing Using Compressed Packages and Blockchain Root Hashes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing files on a blockchain face inefficiencies due to high network resource usage when handling large numbers of files, and security risks associated with centralized databases.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for sharing files by compressing multiple files into packages, uploading these packages on a blockchain, and using hash values to traverse a binary tree structure for secure file retrieval and sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all shared files are uploaded and broadcasted as transactions to achieve sharing, then file sharing can be achieved, but network resource usage rate becomes too high when the number of files is large, leading to decreased file uploading efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments files into compressed packages and organizes them in a binary tree structure, where only the root hash value needs to be uploaded and broadcasted. This segmentation reduces the number of transactions from individual file uploads to a single package upload, significantly lowering network resource usage while maintaining file sharing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hash values as digital fingerprints to represent files. Instead of uploading actual file data for each file, the system uploads hash values that serve as copies or references to the files. This allows the system to work with much smaller data representations (hash values) rather than the full file contents, reducing network bandwidth requirements.
2Productivity
If files are saved in a centralized database to achieve sharing, then file sharing can be implemented, but security risks exist when files have high security requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the centralized database system with a blockchain-based distributed system. Instead of relying on a single centralized authority to store and manage files, the system uses blockchain's distributed ledger to store hash values and transaction records. This substitution eliminates the single point of failure and centralization risks associated with traditional databases while maintaining file sharing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hash values as intermediaries between files and the blockchain. Rather than directly storing file contents in the blockchain or centralized database, the system uses hash values as mediators that represent files. This intermediary layer provides integrity verification and enables secure file sharing without requiring direct storage of sensitive file data in centralized locations.
3Productivity
If a binary tree structure is used to store hash values and upload compressed packages concurrently, then file uploading and sharing efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary compression of files into packages before uploading to the blockchain. By compressing files in advance and organizing them in a binary tree structure, the system prepares data in an optimized format that reduces subsequent processing requirements. This preliminary action simplifies the actual upload and retrieval operations, managing system complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method, apparatus and system for sharing files, and mainly relates to the technical field of computers. One specific implementation mode of the method comprises: acquiring files to be shared, and uploading, on a blockchain, formed compressed file packages; generating by calculation a root hash value in accordance with file names of the compressed packages and hash values thereof; and acquiring respective compressed file packages in a blockchain in accordance with the root hash value. The technical problem of an excessive burden of network resources caused by a large number of files is partially overcome by compressing a plurality of files into compressed file packages, and the file uploading and sharing efficiencies are increased by uploading the respective compressed file packages on the blockchain concurrently; the files are stored or updated, and the root hash value is shared by using data structures such as a binary tree structure, a multi-way tree structure, and a dynamic tree structure to acquire, by the root hash value and respective node hash values, the shared files, which improves the security of the files.