Blockchain Sub-ledger Sharding for Scalable Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blockchain-based ledger systems face scalability issues due to the need for all entities to agree on the current state of the blockchain, leading to delays and inefficiencies in processing large numbers of transactions, particularly in systems requiring quick data transfer and secure ownership verification.
Innovation Solution
The system decomposes the blockchain into sub-ledgers, allowing transactions to be processed in parallel across multiple servers, with a sharding function that directs each transaction to the appropriate sub-ledger, and uses cryptographic verifiable data and digital signatures to ensure integrity and scalability, leveraging the Guardtime KSI infrastructure for timestamping and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed ledger system is used to track single-instance data sets, then security and verifiability are improved, but system complexity and processing delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single global ledger into multiple independent sub-ledgers, each tracking a specific subset of data units. This segmentation allows parallel processing across different servers while maintaining the security benefits of distributed ledger technology, thereby reducing system complexity and processing delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sharding function as an intermediary that directs transactions to the appropriate sub-ledger. This mediator component simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a clear routing mechanism, reducing the complexity of coordinating across multiple distributed ledgers while maintaining security through cryptographic verification.
2Reliability
If a global blockchain ledger is used to verify transactions, then data integrity is improved, but processing speed and scalability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the global blockchain into multiple independent sub-ledgers, each capable of parallel processing. This allows transactions to be processed simultaneously across different servers rather than sequentially through a single global ledger, dramatically improving processing speed while maintaining data integrity through cryptographic verification in each sub-ledger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional global ledger to a multi-dimensional architecture with multiple sub-ledgers organized by data unit subsets. This dimensional change enables parallel processing paths while maintaining the integrity verification capabilities of blockchain technology, thereby improving scalability and processing speed.
3Reliability
If consensus mechanisms are implemented across distributed systems, then agreement on blockchain state is improved, but transaction delays and network overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the consensus requirement into smaller, independent consensus groups for each sub-ledger. This allows parallel consensus processes to occur simultaneously across multiple servers rather than requiring all nodes to reach consensus sequentially on the entire blockchain, thereby reducing transaction delays while maintaining state agreement within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial consensus within each sub-ledger rather than requiring full global consensus for every transaction. This partial action approach allows transactions to be processed and confirmed more quickly within local sub-ledgers, reducing delays while maintaining sufficient agreement on state for each data unit subset.
4Reliability
If blockchain technology is used for single-instance data transfer, then security against duplication is improved, but scalability and bandwidth requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain data structure into multiple sub-ledgers that store different subsets of data units. This segmentation distributes the bandwidth requirements across multiple servers rather than concentrating all data transfer through a single global ledger, improving scalability while maintaining security against duplication through cryptographic verification in each segment.
Data Source
AI summary
Exclusive ownership of data units, such as monetary units, is transferred by inputting a request from a transferor, to transfer to a transferee at least a designated one of the data units, said request including an identifier of the transferor, an identifier of the designated data unit, and an identifier of a transferee. The identifier of the transferor is verified and the absence of any other request to transfer the designated data unit during an update period is confirmed. A designation of ownership of the designated data unit is then changed from the transferor to the transferee in a ledger, which is comprised of a group of subledgers, each configured as a blockchain. Ownership is thereby processed per-unit instead of per-account.