Blockchain Replacement Blocks for Transaction Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blockchains lack the ability to safely cancel transactions without compromising the immutability of the blockchain, as blocks are typically immutable and cannot be altered.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a blockchain management device that utilizes symmetric hash functions to compute a consensus proof, allowing for the creation of blocks that can be modified to cancel transactions by replacing prior blocks with replacement blocks that maintain the same consensus proof, while using ordering to indicate cancellations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blocks are made immutable to ensure security and integrity, then the blockchain's reliability is improved, but the ability to cancel transactions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockchain integrityVSAvoidtransaction cancellation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the blockchain into replaceable blocks where each block can be independently replaced by a replacement block. The segmentation allows the system to maintain the overall chain structure while enabling localized modifications for transaction cancellation without compromising the entire blockchain's integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of block immutability by introducing replacement blocks that have the same hash as the original block but contain different transaction data. This parameter change enables transaction cancellation while maintaining the cryptographic chain structure, as the replacement block's hash matches the expected hash from the previous block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If blocks are made modifiable to enable transaction cancellation, then the adaptability is improved, but the security and integrity protection is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction cancellation capabilityVSAvoidblockchain integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates replacement blocks that are cryptographic copies of the original blocks, sharing the same hash value. This copying mechanism allows the system to present an identical block to the network (maintaining integrity) while the replacement block contains modified transaction data (enabling cancellation). The copy is indistinguishable from the original at the hash level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces replacement blocks as intermediaries between the original immutable blockchain and the need for transaction cancellation. The replacement block acts as a mediator that satisfies both requirements: it maintains the cryptographic chain integrity (like the original block) while enabling transaction modification (fulfilling the cancellation need).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If replacement blocks are introduced to cancel transactions, then the transaction cancellation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction cancellation capabilityVSAvoidblockchain management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by making replacement blocks the standard mechanism rather than treating immutability as the exception. Instead of allowing modifications and seeking exceptions, the system is designed from the outset to use replacement blocks as the primary method for block updates, simplifying the overall architecture despite the apparent added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3695360B1Blockchain with transaction cancellation

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 KONINK KPN NV

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AI summary

Some embodiments are directed to a blockchain management device (100) configured to apply a symmetric hash function over multiple transactions received over the communication interface thus obtaining a hash value, and to generate a consensus proof over at least the hash value, and to assemble a new block (240) for inclusion in the blockchain.