Compressed Blockchain Epochs for Scalable Distributed Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The scalability of blockchain systems is hindered by their ever-growing size due to the recording of every transaction, leading to storage and computational burdens.
Innovation Solution
Introducing compressed blocks that represent equivalent final states of transactions, allowing for the creation of new chain epochs and the removal of earlier blocks based on predetermined conditions, thereby reducing the size of the blockchain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If every transaction is recorded in the blockchain, then the auditability and completeness of transaction history is improved, but the storage size and computational burden increase continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain into epochs, where each epoch contains a limited set of transactions. By dividing the continuous transaction stream into discrete epoch blocks, the system maintains complete auditability within each epoch while preventing unbounded growth of the entire blockchain structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a mechanism where completed epochs are discarded from the active blockchain after their transactions have been validated and recorded. The essential state information is recovered and preserved, while the detailed transaction data of completed epochs is removed, thus maintaining auditability of essential history while controlling storage growth.
2Loss of information
If all transaction data is retained in the blockchain, then the completeness of transaction history is improved, but the storage requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting transactions into epochs with defined start and end points, the system processes and validates transactions in manageable batches rather than continuously. This reduces the time required for nodes to validate and process the entire transaction history, while still maintaining complete records within each epoch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic epoch creation and completion cycles. Transactions are collected over a defined period, then processed and sealed into an epoch block. This periodic processing rhythm reduces continuous computational burden while ensuring that transaction history is maintained complete within each periodic cycle.
3Reliability
If the blockchain grows continuously with new transactions, then the auditability of all transactions is improved, but the scalability of the network deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blockchain into discrete epochs with predetermined limits on the number of transactions or time duration. This segmentation prevents continuous unbounded growth while maintaining auditability within each epoch, thereby improving network scalability without sacrificing the ability to audit transactions within the epoch structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by recording and retaining only the essential state changes and summary information of transactions within each epoch, rather than retaining every single transaction detail indefinitely. This partial retention strategy maintains sufficient auditability for network consensus and security while enabling the blockchain to scale by limiting the total size growth.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving an input ordered set of transactions after a genesis block or a preceding compressed block in a chain of blocks, generating a compressed block on the basis of the input ordered set of transactions, wherein processing of the compressed block results to an equivalent final state as processing of the input ordered set of transactions, and providing the compressed block to a distributed network for establishing a new chain epoch and replacing a set of uncompressed blocks associated with the input ordered set of transactions.