Blockchain Media Obfuscation via P2P 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 immutability, security, and decentralized storage, allowing for seamless media access and rights management on a peer-to-peer network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a centralized database is used to store data at one location, then data redundancy is minimized and management is simplified, but the system has a single point of failure and is highly dependent on network connectivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedatabase management complexityVSAvoidsystem availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

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 while maintaining data integrity through cryptographic hashing and consensus mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer that coordinates data storage and access across distributed nodes. Smart contracts automatically manage data placement, retrieval, and access control without requiring centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If all data is stored in a single centralized location, then data access control is simplified, but bottlenecks occur during high traffic and access speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control managementVSAvoiddata access speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into multiple chunks distributed across numerous peer-to-peer nodes. This allows simultaneous access from multiple locations without creating bottlenecks, as users can retrieve data from any node that holds the required chunks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized storage model to a multi-dimensional distributed network architecture. Data can be accessed through multiple pathways and nodes simultaneously, dramatically increasing throughput and eliminating single-point bottlenecks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

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

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoiddata recovery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements different quality levels for different portions of data across the distributed network. Critical data chunks are replicated across multiple nodes with varying redundancy levels, while less critical data uses more efficient storage. This local differentiation optimizes both storage efficiency and recovery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cryptographic hashing and redundant data chunks distributed across multiple nodes before any data loss occurs. This preemptive approach ensures that if any node fails, the data can be reconstructed from remaining nodes without manual intervention or backup restoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Productivity

If media content is shared on a public P2P network, then seamless access and reduced governing costs are achieved, but tracking media access and rights management becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia delivery efficiencyVSAvoidaccess tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each data access, transfer, and modification event is automatically recorded on the blockchain. This creates an immutable audit trail that tracks media usage throughout the P2P network, enabling accurate rights management and royalty distribution while maintaining seamless user access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses smart contracts as intermediaries between content owners and users. These automated contracts enforce licensing terms, track usage, and manage rights without requiring manual monitoring, combining the efficiency of public P2P sharing with accurate rights management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11310311B2Media obfuscation
Publication Date: 2022.04.19 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US11310311B2 patent drawing
  • US11310311B2 patent drawing
  • US11310311B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An example operation may include one or more of receiving a request to access a file from a user node, by a file processor node, generating, by the file processor node, a file storage plan based on a distribution of file chunks throughout a peer-to-peer network, authenticating, by the file processor node, the user node based on blockchain credentials, acquiring, by the file processor node, a permission to access the file from a file owner node, and sending the file storage plan to the user node.