Blockchain Tree Structure for Privacy-Preserving Anomaly Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centralized databases face issues such as single points of failure, dependency on network connectivity, limited access, and lack of data redundancy, while blockchain systems struggle with anonymous data tracking due to visibility of information to all participants.

Innovation Solution

A blockchain-based system utilizing a tree structure with anonymous behavior data stored in nodes, employing zero-knowledge proofs to add new data anonymously, ensuring privacy and preventing conflicts through a queue mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If centralized database is used to store and maintain data, then data management and control are simplified, but the system has single point of failure and limited access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata managementVSAvoidsystem availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized database into multiple distributed nodes across a peer-to-peer network. Each node maintains a copy of the data, eliminating the single point of failure. The data is segmented and stored hash-wise across multiple devices, allowing the system to remain operational even if some nodes fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of data storage from centralized to distributed architecture. By transforming the system from a single-location storage model to a multi-node peer-to-peer network, it simultaneously improves reliability through redundancy and maintains ease of operation through automated consensus mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If blockchain stores information visible to all participants, then transparency and trust are improved, but participant privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata trustworthinessVSAvoidparticipant privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts personally identifiable information (PII) from the blockchain data structure. Instead of storing raw data that reveals participant identities, the system stores only hashed representations and behavioral patterns. This extraction of identifying information maintains transparency for anomaly detection while preserving participant privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses cryptographic hashing to create copies of data in transformed form. The original sensitive data is replaced with hash values that preserve the ability to detect anomalies in behavior patterns while making it impossible to reverse-engineer or identify the original participant information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If centralized database maintains single copy of data, then data redundancy is minimized, but data loss recovery becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata storageVSAvoiddata recovery capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements prior cushioning by creating multiple redundant copies of data across the peer-to-peer network before any potential data loss occurs. Each node maintains copies of the data, and the system uses consensus mechanisms to ensure data integrity. This beforehand redundancy cushioning allows for easy data recovery if any node fails or data is lost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If blockchain tracking reveals participant behavior data, then anomaly detection capability is improved, but participant anonymity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanomaly detectionVSAvoidparticipant anonymity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct behavioral tracking with a cryptographic substitution system. Instead of tracking actual participant actions and identities, the system uses hashed representations and statistical patterns to detect anomalies. This substitution maintains anomaly detection capability while preserving anonymity through mathematical transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11176273B2Privacy-preserving anomalous behavior detection

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

An example operation may include one or more of storing a tree structure via a blockchain storage, the tree structure comprising anonymous behavior data of a plurality of blockchain participants stored in a plurality of nodes in a hierarchical structure, receiving a request to add new anonymous behavior data to the tree structure, the request comprising a zero-knowledge proof generated by a blockchain participant, identifying an active leaf on the tree structure which stores previously recorded anonymous behavior data of the blockchain participant associated with the request based on the zero-knowledge proof, generating a new active leaf for the blockchain participant based on the new anonymous behavior data and the previously recorded anonymous behavior, and storing the new active leaf as a leaf node on the tree structure in the blockchain storage.