High-Level Blockchain Operations via Low-Level Script Primitives

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blockchain scripting languages, such as Bitcoin's Script, are functionally restricted and lack support for certain operations like multiplication and division, leading to limitations in the functionality of blockchain applications.

Innovation Solution

A mechanism to emulate high-level operations like multiplication and division by decomposing them into low-level primitives and combining them in a specific sequence, allowing insertion into blockchain transactions without modifying the scripting language or protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the blockchain scripting language is modified to include high-level arithmetic operations, then the functionality and versatility of blockchain applications is improved, but the security and stability of the blockchain protocol may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality of blockchain applicationsVSAvoidsecurity of blockchain protocol
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments high-level arithmetic operations into multiple low-level primitive operations that can be executed within the existing blockchain scripting framework. By breaking down complex operations like multiplication and division into sequences of basic stack operations, the system enables advanced functionality without modifying the core protocol, thus maintaining security while improving versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer of custom scripting code that acts as a mediator between the existing blockchain protocol and desired high-level arithmetic operations. This intermediary scripting layer translates high-level operation requests into sequences of low-level primitive operations, allowing functionality expansion without direct protocol modification and preserving the original protocol's security properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If custom scripting code is used to emulate high-level operations, then the functionality is improved, but the complexity of script arrangement and execution control increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearithmetic operations availabilityVSAvoidscript arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-arranging sequences of low-level primitive operations that correspond to high-level arithmetic operations. These pre-defined operation sequences are stored and can be inserted into scripts as needed, eliminating the need to manually arrange complex sequences each time a high-level operation is required, thus reducing script arrangement complexity while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating reusable templates of low-level operation sequences that emulate high-level operations. These templates can be copied and inserted into different scripts as needed, standardizing the implementation of arithmetic operations and reducing the complexity of arranging custom scripting code for each specific case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of low-level primitives inserted into the script is increased to provide high-level operation functionality, then the arithmetic capability is improved, but the script size and execution time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearithmetic operation capabilityVSAvoidscript execution time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by inserting only the necessary number of low-level primitive operations required to achieve the desired arithmetic result, rather than always using complete pre-defined sequences. This allows optimization of script size and execution time by including only the minimal required operations while still providing full arithmetic capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4325351B1Methods and systems for providing high-level operations on a blockchain
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 NCHAIN LICENSING AG
  • EP4325351B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4325351B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4325351B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides methods and systems which enable additional functionality to be inserted into blockchain scripts with ease and in an effective and manner. According to one embodiment, the invention provides a blockchain-implemented method comprising the steps of arranging a plurality or selection of scripting language primitives to provide, upon execution, the functionality of a high-level scripting language primitive, wherein the scripting language is associated with a blockchain protocol; inserting the plurality of scripting language primitives at least once into a script; and inserting the script into blockchain transaction (Tx). The high-level scripting language primitive may perform, for example, an arithmetic operation such as multiplication or division. The scripting language primitives may be called op-codes, words or commands, and are native to the scripting language. The scripting language may be Script, and the blockchain protocol may be a version of the Bitcoin protocol.