Blockchain Transaction Verification Using State Snapshots and Read-Write Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blockchain systems face inefficiencies in verifying transactions due to the need for synchronization of all data, causing resource overheads and prolonged start-up times for block generation nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize transaction verification information from a full node, including state read and write sets, initial transaction results, and block identifiers, to expedite legitimacy checks by block generation nodes, reducing the need for full data synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a block generation node reads all state data from genesis block to current latest block to check transaction legitimacy, then the legitimacy check can be performed, but the start-up time increases and resource overheads rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having full nodes pre-calculate and store state snapshots at different block heights, and pre-compute state read sets and write sets for transactions. When a block generation node needs to verify transactions, it can directly use these pre-computed results without reading all state data from genesis block, thus reducing start-up time while maintaining verification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary state data (state read sets and write sets) required for transaction verification from the complete blockchain state. Instead of reading all state data from genesis block to current latest block, the system extracts and transmits only the specific state portions needed for legitimacy checking, reducing resource overheads and start-up time
2Reliability
If a block generation node reads all state data from genesis block to current latest block to check transaction legitimacy, then the legitimacy check can be performed, but resource overheads for read and write operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
Full nodes pre-compute and store state snapshots and pre-calculate state read sets and write sets for transactions at different block heights. This preliminary computation eliminates the need for block generation nodes to perform resource-intensive reading and writing operations on all state data during transaction verification, significantly reducing resource overheads while maintaining verification reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the specific state data portions (state read sets and write sets) needed for transaction verification from the complete blockchain state. This extraction approach minimizes the amount of data that needs to be read and written during legitimacy checks, reducing resource overheads for read and write operations
3Reliability
If all state data is synchronized for transaction verification, then complete verification can be performed, but the complexity of data synchronization increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete blockchain state into discrete state snapshots at different block heights, and further segments transaction state requirements into state read sets and write sets. This segmentation allows block generation nodes to synchronize and verify only the relevant state portions rather than managing complete data synchronization, reducing system complexity while maintaining verification completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces state snapshots and state read/write sets as intermediary data structures between the complete blockchain state and transaction verification. These intermediaries simplify the verification process by providing pre-processed, organized state information that blocks generation nodes can use without directly managing complex full data synchronization
Data Source
AI summary
A transaction transmitted by a user node in a blockchain network and transaction verification information corresponding to the to-be-verified transaction are acquired. The transaction verification information includes a state read set, a state write set, an initial transaction execution result, and a block identifier of a target block. A first block header of the target block includes the block identifier. A second block header is determined from a block header chain of a light node in the blockchain network. The state read set and the state write set are checked based on a first state snapshot in the second block header. The transaction service is executed to obtain a target transaction execution result corresponding to the transaction service and to-be-written state data. Legitimacy of the to-be-verified transaction is checked based on the initial transaction execution result, the target transaction execution result, the state write set, and the to-be-written state data.