Blockchain Immutability via Remote Cryptographic Signing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blockchain validation techniques rely on recalculating hash values, which are computationally intensive and do not adequately prove the immutability of blockchain history, especially in centralized private blockchains where alterations can be more feasible.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates and validates blockchain blocks using a hash pointer system, where block information including a timestamp, block ID, and blockchain ID is transmitted to a remote computing device for signing and validation, allowing for verification without accessing user data and using a smaller, less complex data set compared to traditional hash value validation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional hash value validation is used, then blockchain block validation can be performed, but the computational complexity is high and immutability cannot be adequately proven

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmutability proofVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the blockchain validation process into two independent components: (1) cryptographic signing of block information by a remote device, and (2) verification of the signature against the block information. This segmentation allows the system to prove immutability through signature validation rather than computationally intensive hash recalculation, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the remote computing device sign the block information (including hash pointer, timestamp, block ID, and blockchain ID) at the time of block creation. This pre-signing allows future validation to simply verify the signature without re-computing hash values, thereby proving immutability with minimal computational effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If hash value recalculation is used for validation, then block integrity can be checked, but the process is computationally intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock validationVSAvoidcomputational energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a cryptographic copy (digital signature) of the block information that serves as proof of integrity. Instead of recalculation, the system verifies this signature copy against the original block information. This copying approach provides reliable validation while consuming minimal computational energy compared to hash recalculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If centralized control structure is used in private blockchain, then easier control is achieved, but immutability becomes harder to prove

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentralized controlVSAvoidimmutability proof

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote computing device as an intermediary that independently signs block information. This intermediary provides cryptographic proof of immutability without requiring decentralized consensus, thus maintaining ease of centralized control while establishing reliable immutability proof through the intermediary's digital signature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient and trustworthy validation of blockchain blocks, reducing computational complexity and ensuring the immutability of blockchain data without requiring access to underlying user data, thus enhancing trust and security in blockchain systems.

Implementation Method 1

The remote computing device may receive the block information and sign the block information using a private key or other cryptographic technique

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCryptographic signing:

Implementation Method 2

The computing device may apply a public key (e.g., a public key corresponding to the private key used to generate the signed block information) to the sign block information to obtain validation data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPublic key cryptography:

Data Source

PatentUS11570005B2Systems and methods for proving immutability of blockchains

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 PARALLELCHAIN LAB PTE LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media having functionality to prove immutability of blockchains without accessing user data. A user may submit data for storage to a data management server and the data management server may generate one or more data records corresponding to the data at a database and one or more blocks at a blockchain, each block corresponding to of the data records. Block information associated with the generated blocks may be transmitted to a remote computing device for storage at a database. Prior to storing the block information, the remote computing device may sign the data using a private key or other cryptographic technique. To validate a block, raw block information may be retrieved from the blockchain and compared to the signed block information. If the signed block information matches the raw block information, the block may be determined to be valid (e.g., unchanged).