Blockchain Pointer Database for Searchable Biometric Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blockchain databases face challenges with large size, requiring substantial bandwidth and storage, and lack of searchability, making them unsuitable for mobile devices and posing security risks due to exposure of sensitive data.
Innovation Solution
Combining blockchain databases with pointer databases, specifically using a text-based domain name system (DNS) to store encrypted biometric information, allowing for secure and searchable data storage by linking blocks in the blockchain with searchable text descriptors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If blockchain databases are used for information storage, then data immutability and decentralized verification are improved, but database size and storage requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the database system into two distinct components: a blockchain database for storing immutable verification records and a traditional pointer database for storing searchable information. This segmentation allows each database type to fulfill its optimal function - the blockchain maintains data integrity while the pointer database provides efficient storage and retrieval, thereby reducing overall storage requirements while preserving immutability guarantees.
2Reliability
If blockchain databases are used for information storage, then decentralized verification is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the verification function from the information storage function. The blockchain database exclusively handles verification of data integrity and authenticity, while the pointer database handles information storage and retrieval. This extraction allows the system to maintain decentralized verification capabilities without requiring the entire system to consume blockchain-level bandwidth, as only verification-related data needs to be distributed across the blockchain network.
3Ease of operation
If traditional databases are used for information storage, then searchability is improved, but data security and immutability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary relationship between the two databases where the pointer database stores references (pointers) to data stored in the blockchain database. These pointers enable efficient searching and retrieval of information without compromising the security and immutability of the actual data, which remains stored in the encrypted and immutable blockchain environment. The intermediary pointer system bridges the gap between accessibility and security.
4Reliability
If encrypted data is stored in blockchain databases, then data security is improved, but searchability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the storage architecture by creating a separate searchability layer through the pointer database. Instead of attempting to make encrypted blockchain data searchable directly, the system creates pointers in a separate, searchable database that reference the encrypted data locations in the blockchain. This dimensional separation allows both encrypted storage and searchable access to coexist without compromising either function.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for information storage using blockchain and pointer databases, comprising a computer with a blockchain manager and datastore manager, and blockchain data input, which connects over a network to a distributed blockchain ledger containing information such as personally-identifying data and a datastore system containing searchable information such as a DNS system on the persons entered into the blockchain, the datastore system also containing reference numbers for each searchable block in the blockchain, such that verification or identification can both be accomplished swiftly and securely of data in the blockchain such as for data verification to verify or identify persons submitting data to such a system.