Blockchain Query Accountability via Off-Chain Hash Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blockchain systems lack accountability for query operations, as queries are not typically recorded, allowing malicious actors to deny access without evidence, which can lead to disputes without resolution.
Innovation Solution
A method to identify and record blockchain queries by storing query results outside the blockchain, using a hash of the results, and transmitting this hash to the client, ensuring that the query is later confirmed through a transaction with a bit 'X' set, allowing actual results to be forwarded only after confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If queries are not recorded in the blockchain, then query operations can be performed efficiently without storing all query results on-chain, but accountability and evidence of query access are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the query result data from the blockchain storage and stores it externally in a database. Only the hash of the query results is stored on-chain, while the actual results are maintained outside the blockchain. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining accountability through hash verification while avoiding the performance penalty of storing all query results on-chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the query results stored externally while maintaining only the hash reference on the blockchain. This allows the system to provide accountability through the hash verification mechanism without requiring the full query results to be stored on-chain, thus maintaining both efficiency and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the transactor can drop query messages without submission, then query processing flexibility is maintained, but dispute resolution capability is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the blockchain provides verification of query submission through hash verification. The system feedbacks to the transactor that their query has been recorded and can be verified, creating an accountable system where disputes can be resolved by checking the blockchain record against the external database.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing the hash of query results on the blockchain before the transactor can deny access. This preliminary recording creates evidence that cannot be erased, ensuring that when disputes arise, there is already a record available for verification without requiring additional action from either party.
3Reliability
If query results are stored outside the blockchain, then blockchain integrity and immutability are maintained, but query result accessibility and verification complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using cryptographic hashes as a bridge between the blockchain and external query results. The hash acts as a mediator that maintains the integrity link between on-chain and off-chain data without requiring direct storage on the blockchain, simplifying the verification process while maintaining integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data storage from full query results on-chain to only hash values on-chain. This parameter change maintains blockchain integrity while reducing the complexity of query verification, as users only need to verify the hash rather than manage full result datasets on the blockchain.
Data Source
AI summary
An example operation may include one or more of identifying a query from a client device to locate blockchain data stored in a blockchain, performing the query and storing a query result outside the blockchain, and transmitting a query response message to the client device including a hash of the query result data.