DAG Blockchain Consensus via Temporal Order Transformations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blockchain consensus protocols, especially in directed acyclic graph (DAG) formats, face challenges in determining a sequential order of blocks efficiently, leading to slow processing speeds and increased vulnerability to attacks due to complex block relationships and lack of mandated coordination among peers.

Innovation Solution

A system that receives a chain of blocks from a blockchain in DAG format, identifies temporal relationships based on the structure of the blocks, and determines a sequential linear order using transformations such as parent, cycle, and path transforms, allowing for parallel addition of blocks without proof-of-work or endorsement protocols, thereby improving consensus protocol efficiency and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a DAG format is used to allow blocks to be added without proof-of-work or voting, then block addition speed is improved, but determining consensus order becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblock addition speedVSAvoidconsensus order determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the block addition process into two independent phases: (1) block submission and validation, where blocks are added to the DAG without consensus requirements, and (2) consensus order determination, where temporal relationships are identified through graph transformations. This segmentation allows blocks to be added at high speed while separating the complexity of order determination into a post-processing step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary transformation process that converts the DAG structure into a linear sequence through graph transformations (parent transform, cycle transform, path transform). This intermediary step mediates between the parallel block additions and the sequential consensus order, making the complex relationship management tractable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional consensus protocols (proof-of-work or voting) are used, then security and integrity are improved, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockchain securityVSAvoidblock processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary validation of blocks against the DAG structure before final consensus order determination. Blocks are pre-processed and added to the DAG without requiring full consensus, then later transformed into a linear order. This preliminary action separates security validation from consensus speed requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical consensus mechanisms (proof-of-work computational puzzles or voting processes) with a graph-theoretic approach using DAG transformations. The security and ordering functions are achieved through structural relationships in the graph rather than computational or voting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If blocks are added without hindrance in DAG format, then productivity is improved, but the blockchain becomes a random tangle difficult to manage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblock addition rateVSAvoidconsensus order management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic transformations to the DAG structure to convert it from a static random tangle into a dynamic linear sequence. Through parent transform, cycle transform, and path transform operations, the system dynamically reorganizes the block relationships to produce a manageable linear order while preserving the parallel addition benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the structural parameters of the blockchain from a parallel DAG arrangement to a sequential linear order through graph transformations. By transforming the connectivity parameters and temporal relationships, the system maintains high block addition rates while producing an ordered structure that is easy to manage and process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4035050B1Consensus protocol for blockchain DAG structure
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • EP4035050B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4035050B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4035050B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An example operation may include one or more of receiving a chain of blocks from a blockchain comprising a directed acyclic graph (DAG) format in which blocks are independently hash-linked to multiple blocks, identifying temporal relationships between blocks in the chain of blocks based on a structure of the chain of blocks in the DAG format, determining a sequential linear order of the chain of blocks in the DAG format based on the identified temporal relationships, and storing the sequential linear order of the chain of blocks.