Consortium Blockchain Segmentation for Management Consensus and User Data Privacy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consortium chain data structure networks face inefficiencies in reaching management consensus and maintaining user data privacy, as centralized management nodes can compromise security and do not support dynamic membership changes.

Innovation Solution

A method where a consortium chain data structure network is divided into two networks: one for management data and another for user data, with a management node accessing only the management network, using digital signatures and smart contracts to verify and process requests, ensuring immutability and traceability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a centralized management node is used to coordinate among nodes in the network, then the efficiency of reaching management consensus is improved, but the privacy and security of user data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of reaching management consensusVSAvoidsecurity of user data

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The consortium chain data structure network is divided into two separate networks: a first network for management data and a second network for user data. The management node only accesses the first network, while user data nodes access the second network. This segmentation allows efficient centralized management for consensus while protecting user data privacy and security in the isolated second network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a centralized management node is used to coordinate among nodes in the network, then the efficiency of reaching management consensus is improved, but the vulnerability to hacking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of reaching management consensusVSAvoidvulnerability to hacking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into a management network (first network) and a user data network (second network). The management node operates exclusively in the first network, so even if it is compromised, the attacker cannot directly access user data stored in the isolated second network, thereby reducing the harmful impact of potential hacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the management node verifies management request messages through digital signatures and smart contracts before processing. This intermediary verification layer adds security checks that prevent malicious operations even if the management node is compromised.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If nodes are configured by organizations to form a consortium chain data structure network, then the network structure is established, but the efficiency of consortium establishment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork structure establishmentVSAvoidefficiency of consortium establishment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring management nodes with authority to verify and process join requests. When new organizations want to join the consortium, the management node can efficiently verify their credentials and add them to the network without requiring complex coordination among all existing members, thereby improving establishment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If existing members have the right to refuse access to new nodes, then data security is protected, but the adaptability of the consortium deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoiddynamic membership change

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through smart contracts that automatically verify management request messages and update network membership. Existing members can express their stance (approve or refuse) on new node access, and the smart contract systematically processes these feedbacks to maintain security while enabling dynamic membership changes according to consensus rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12003653B2Method for managing consortium chain data structure network, management node, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2024.06.04 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A method for managing a consortium chain data structure network, a management node, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium are provided. The consortium chain data structure network includes a first network that maintains a first chain data structure for recording management data, and a second network that maintains a second chain data structure for recording user data. A management node for management consensus of the consortium chain data structure network only accesses the first network. In the method, the management node receives a management request message sent by a requesting node, verifies the management request message, and processes the management request message in response to successful verification on the management request message. A data block in the first chain data structure is generated based on a result of the processing.