Blockchain Media Obfuscation via Distributed Chunking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized databases face issues such as single points of failure, dependency on network connectivity, bottlenecks during high traffic, and challenges in tracking media access and rights within peer-to-peer networks, which hinder efficient media storage and access.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain-based system that divides files into chunks, stores them on multiple nodes, and uses smart contracts for permissioned access, ensuring secure, decentralized, and tamper-proof storage and tracking of media access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized database is used to store data at one location, then data management and control are simplified, but the system creates a single point of failure and bottleneck during high traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata management and controlVSAvoidsingle point of failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized database into multiple distributed nodes across a peer-to-peer network. Each node stores portions of the data, eliminating the single point of failure. The data is segmented into chunks that can be independently stored and retrieved from different nodes, maintaining reliability while distributing control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer that manages the distributed file system. Smart contracts act as automated intermediaries that handle authentication, authorization, and data retrieval coordination between users and storage nodes, simplifying control while maintaining decentralization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If data is stored in a centralized database with minimal redundancy, then storage efficiency is improved, but data loss becomes difficult to retrieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoiddata retrieval after loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements different quality levels for different portions of data across the network. Critical data segments are replicated across multiple nodes with varying redundancy levels, while less critical data uses minimal redundancy. This local quality differentiation maintains overall storage efficiency while protecting against data loss for important information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes redundant copies of data across multiple nodes before any data loss occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that if any node fails or data is lost, recovered copies are already available in the network, eliminating retrieval difficulties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users access data simultaneously from a centralized database, then collaboration is enabled, but bottlenecks occur during high traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous user accessVSAvoidaccess speed during high traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into distributed chunks stored across multiple nodes, allowing multiple users to simultaneously access different segments in parallel. This eliminates the centralized bottleneck by enabling concurrent data retrieval operations from various nodes without interfering with each other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a single-dimension centralized access model to a multi-dimensional distributed access model. Data can be accessed from multiple spatial dimensions (different nodes) simultaneously, and the blockchain layer adds a temporal dimension for tracking and auditing access patterns, thereby increasing overall system throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If a public P2P network is used for file sharing, then access cost is reduced, but tracking media access and rights becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess costVSAvoidmedia access tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through blockchain where every data access, transfer, and modification is automatically recorded and tracked. Smart contracts monitor and report access patterns back to the system, enabling complete audit trails for media rights management while maintaining the low-cost P2P network structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain acts as an intermediary tracking layer that operates transparently over the P2P network. It mediates between the decentralized file sharing and the need for access tracking, recording all interactions without adding significant cost to the underlying network operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11379594B2Media obfuscation

Publication Date: 2022.07.05 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An example operation may include one or more of receiving a file from a content owner node, by a file processor node, dividing the file into a plurality of chunks by the file processor, placing, by the file processor, the plurality of chunks on blockchain nodes, and generating a file storage plan comprising locations of the plurality of the chunks.