Decentralized Self-Sovereign Identity System for Secure IoT Interactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decentralized blockchain systems face challenges in providing secure and anonymous electronic interactions, particularly in peer-to-peer networks, due to latency issues and vulnerabilities related to centralized identity management and device security in IoT devices.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized autonomous self-sovereign identity system utilizing a private blockchain tree within a peer-to-peer network, where connected devices generate self-identities through public-key infrastructure and manage permissions on private blockchains, while data is shared on public blockchains via consensus, ensuring anonymity and resistance to attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized servers are used for access control and identity management, then authorization and verification can be efficiently performed, but the system becomes vulnerable to attacks and creates single points of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized identity management system into distributed autonomous devices, each maintaining its own identity credentials and authorization logic. Instead of one central server holding all identities, each device becomes an independent node with self-sovereign identity capabilities, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining security functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer that enables trustless verification between devices without requiring centralized identity providers. The blockchain serves as a decentralized mediator that records and verifies authorization decisions, allowing devices to authenticate and authorize each other peer-to-peer without exposing central servers to attack
2Reliability
If permission-less blockchains are used to maintain anonymity, then user privacy is protected, but transaction speed suffers due to consensus latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain network into private and public components. Private blockchains handle time-sensitive transactions among trusted devices with faster consensus, while public blockchains maintain the anonymous ledger for record-keeping. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to operate at different speeds based on their security and anonymity requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic permissioning where devices can switch between permission-less anonymous mode and permissioned efficient mode based on transaction requirements. The system adapts its consensus mechanism and permissioning level in real-time, allowing fast transactions when anonymity is less critical and slower but more private transactions when needed
3Speed
If permissioned private blockchains are used to improve transaction speed, then real-time execution is achieved, but user anonymity is lost as identities must be linked to public keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetric cryptography differently for different purposes: public keys are used for fast transaction signing and verification, while separate anonymous credentials and zero-knowledge proofs are used for identity protection. This asymmetric approach to cryptography allows the system to achieve both speed (through efficient public key operations) and anonymity (through cryptographic proof systems that don't reveal identities)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces zero-knowledge proofs and anonymous credentials as intermediary mechanisms that allow devices to prove their identity and authorization without revealing who they are. These cryptographic intermediaries enable permissioned fast transactions while maintaining anonymity, as the blockchain verifies cryptographic proofs rather than examining actual identity information
4Adaptability or versatility
If digital identities are fragmented across multiple service providers, then each provider can maintain its own security policies, but overall system security decreases and password reuse becomes common
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service identity management where each autonomous device generates, stores, and manages its own identity credentials without relying on external identity providers. Devices autonomously create cryptographic key pairs, manage their own authorization tokens, and control their digital identities independently, eliminating the need for centralized identity management while improving security through distributed control
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for utilizing connected devices to enable secure and anonymous electronic interaction in a decentralized manner without the need for usernames and passwords. The method comprises Blockchain, Merkle Trees and Public Key infrastructures and methods that utilize peer-to-peer network protocols. The methods include interactions of two self-sovereign identity groups; persons and devices, with each having their own authorization layer. The devices employ two domains of identity and authorization with each said device having its own self-assigned machine identity. There are three domains of Identity, Authentication and Authorization employed for persons. The final linking of the two groups requires access to be granted by the device in a distributed autonomous manner.