Distributed Key Storage Node Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secure storage of authentication information, such as private keys for cryptocurrency wallets, faces challenges where heightened security reduces accessibility and convenience, leading to risks of lost or stolen values and identities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for distributed key storage that involves a requesting device communicating with multiple storage nodes, authenticating and selecting trusted nodes using authorization tokens, and transmitting confidential data with retrieval verification data to ensure secure and convenient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If authentication information is stored with heightened security measures, then security is improved, but accessibility and convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments authentication information into multiple parts and distributes them across multiple storage nodes. Each node stores only a portion of the authentication data, and no single node has complete access. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high security (requiring multiple nodes for access) while preserving accessibility (through distributed redundancy and fault tolerance).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including a distributed ledger blockchain that mediates between the user and storage nodes. The blockchain provides a trusted, decentralized coordination layer that enables secure multi-party computation and consensus, allowing the system to achieve both security (through cryptographic verification) and accessibility (through automated smart contract execution).
2Reliability
If authentication information is stored with heightened security measures, then security is improved, but risk of data loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different security characteristics to different storage nodes. Each node can have varying levels of security, redundancy, and geographic distribution. This allows the system to optimize for both security (through nodes with enhanced protection) and data loss prevention (through geographically distributed redundant copies with appropriate durability characteristics).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning through redundant storage across multiple nodes and the use of erasure coding or similar fault-tolerant schemes. Before any data loss can occur, the system has already distributed copies and verification mechanisms in place, providing a cushion against potential loss events while maintaining security through cryptographic protection of all copies.
3Ease of operation
If distributed storage nodes are used for key storage, then security and accessibility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing storage nodes that perform multiple functions: they store authentication data, verify cryptographic proofs, participate in consensus protocols, and provide redundancy. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing complexity while achieving both security and accessibility goals through a unified distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through automated consensus protocols and smart contracts that manage the distributed storage system without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically handles node selection, data distribution, verification, and recovery processes, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high security and accessibility through decentralized autonomous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for distributed key storage, comprising a requesting device communicatively connected to a plurality of distributed storage nodes, the requesting device designed and configured to receive at least a confidential datum, select at least a distributed storage node of a plurality of distributed storage nodes, whereby selecting further comprises receiving a storage node authorization token from the at least a distributed storage node, querying an instance of a distributed authentication listing containing authentication information using at least a datum of the storage node authorization token, retrieving an authentication determination from the instance of the authentication listing, and selecting the at least a distributed storage node as a function of the authentication determination, generate at least a retrieval authentication datum, and transmit the at least a confidential datum and the at least a retrieval verification datum to the at least a distributed storage node.