Blockchain Smart Contract Correction via Compensation Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blockchain technologies face challenges in making changes, such as corrections, to smart contracts recorded in a ledger without compromising the immutability of the blockchain record.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that identify a decision to retrospectively change a smart contract by adding a new block to the blockchain, re-executing operations according to the changed contract and other relevant contracts, while maintaining the immutability of existing blocks, using cryptographic key pairs for voting and prioritizing supported changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If existing blocks of the blockchain are changed to correct a smart contract, then the smart contract can be corrected, but the immutability of the blockchain record is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correction process into two independent parts: (1) the original blockchain blocks remain unchanged and immutable, and (2) a separate compensation block is created to record the corrective operations. This segmentation allows smart contract corrections without compromising the immutability of the original ledger records.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a compensation block as an intermediary element that mediates between the immutable original blockchain and the need for corrections. The compensation block contains reference information to the original block and records the corrective operations, serving as a bridge that preserves both immutability and correctness.
2Ease of repair
If all subsequent blocks are changed to correct one block in the chain, then the smart contract can be corrected, but the computational resources and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by creating a compensation block that references the original block and contains the corrective operations. This preliminary structure is established before actual corrections are needed, allowing for efficient execution of corrections without requiring recomputation of subsequent blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a compensation block that is a separate copy/representation of the corrective operations, rather than modifying the original blocks. This copying approach allows corrections to be recorded without triggering the computationally expensive process of changing all subsequent blocks in the chain.
3Reliability
If a new block is added to record corrected operations, then the immutable record is preserved, but the complexity of the blockchain structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the compensation block contains reference information nested within it that points to the original block. The compensation block is nested in the blockchain chain as a new block, creating a hierarchical structure that preserves immutability while managing complexity through organized reference relationships.
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
Enables efficient correction of smart contracts without altering existing blocks, maintaining a complete and immutable record of changes, reducing computational resources required and ensuring the integrity of the blockchain.
Implementation Method 1
a first class of node provided with one or more cryptographic key pairs for voting on decisions to change a smart contract recorded in the blockchain
Data Source
AI summary
A technique, comprising: identifying, at a node forming part of a group of nodes operating a distributed ledger comprising a block chain, a decision to retrospectively change a first smart contract prescribing one or more changes in the ledger already recorded in one or more existing blocks of the blockchain; and, without changing any existing blocks of the blockchain, updating the ledger by adding to the current end of the blockchain a new block indicating a new state of the ledger determined by a re-execution of all operations, according to the first smart contract and one or more other smart contracts, recorded in one or more blocks of the blockchain after a block recording an operation of the first smart contract, while taking into account the change to the first smart contract.