Externally Verifiable Proof of Work via Commitment Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
In blockchain implementations like WO2020/120933A1, the proof of work (PoW) for appending a block record is not externally verifiable, leading to a reliance on authority servers for validation, which undermines the decentralized nature of blockchain.
Innovation Solution
Mining nodes generate metadata commitment values using a cryptographic commitment scheme, which are posted to a commitment database, allowing for external verification of computational work without revealing private data outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mining nodes rely on authority servers for validation, then the proof of work can be verified, but the decentralized nature of blockchain is undermined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a commitment database as an intermediary component that enables external verification of proof of work without requiring reliance on authority servers. The commitment database stores commitment values that can be independently queried and verified by any node in the network, facilitating decentralized validation while maintaining verification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service verification by allowing any mining node to independently verify the proof of work by querying the commitment database with the required parameters (data package identifier, mining node identifier, and timestamp). This eliminates the need for authority server intervention in the verification process, reinforcing the decentralized nature of the blockchain.
2Reliability
If private data outputs are revealed for verification, then external verification is enabled, but data privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the verification process into two independent parts: the commitment value (which is publicly stored and verifiable) and the private data output (which remains confidential). By separating these components, the system enables external verification of the proof of work while preserving the privacy of the underlying data, as only the commitment value needs to be revealed for verification purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The commitment database acts as an intermediary that stores only the commitment values rather than the private data outputs. This intermediary structure allows verification to proceed using only the commitment values and public parameters, while the private data outputs remain hidden and inaccessible to external observers, thus maintaining data privacy during the verification process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for establishing an externally verifiable proof of work comprises receiving signal information to be kept private; storing the signal information as one or more data packages in a data package store; and receiving a request for a first data package from a first mining node and a request for a second data package from a second mining node. The method further comprises randomly selecting a data package awaiting processing from the data package store and sending the selected data package to the first mining node and to the second first mining node. The method further comprises receiving a first private data output from the first mining node and receiving a second private data output from the second mining node. The method further comprises accessing a commitment database and cross checking that a database entry for a first data package identifier and a second data package identifier are validated.