Blockchain Account Private Key Management with User-Controlled Encryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for storing blockchain account private keys are unreliable, requiring users to remember storage locations and are vulnerable to unauthorized access if the storage location is compromised.

Innovation Solution

A private key management program encrypts and stores blockchain account private keys using a user-specified encryption key, decryptable only with a corresponding decryption key, ensuring secure access and preventing unauthorized use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users store account private keys in their local disks, then users can access the private keys when needed, but the reliability and security of private key storage is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivate key storage reliabilityVSAvoidunauthorized access vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a key management service as an intermediary between users and their private keys. The service provides encrypted storage and controlled access mechanisms, mediating the interaction between users and sensitive cryptographic materials to enhance security while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms private keys from plaintext to encrypted form by applying encryption algorithms. This parameter change in the data state (from readable to encrypted) protects against unauthorized access while allowing legitimate users to retrieve and decrypt keys through authenticated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If users manually manage and remember storage locations of private keys, then users have direct control, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to remember storage locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprivate key access convenienceVSAvoidstorage location memory burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The key management service enables users to store, retrieve, and manage their private keys without needing to remember storage locations. The system automatically handles key persistence, encryption, and retrieval processes, making the service self-sufficient for key management tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The key management service provides multiple functions including key generation, encrypted storage, secure retrieval, and key rotation capabilities. This multi-functional approach consolidates various key management operations into a single unified service, improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3852042B1Method and apparatus for storing and invoking private key of block chain account

Publication Date: 2025.08.13 ANTCHAIN TECHNOLOGY PTE LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for storing or invoking blockchain account private keys. A private key management program is installed on a user device of a user. The private key management program is responsible for encrypting and storing a blockchain account private key of the user. An encryption key used to encrypt the blockchain account private key of the user is specified by the user. When the user wants to use the blockchain account private key of the user, the user needs to provide a decryption key corresponding to the encryption key to the private key management program, so that the private key management program can provide a decrypted account private key to the user for use.