Distributed Ledger Using Digital Signatures to Eliminate Proof of Work

Solution Overview

Problem

Blockchain systems are vulnerable to centralization of processing power and have significant power and infrastructural costs, and they rely on a 'proof of work' system that is inefficient and prone to concentration of resources.

Innovation Solution

A distributed digital ledger system that uses a network of trust with each member having a digital ledger to store information and certify the integrity of other ledgers, employing a cryptographic system that eliminates the need for a 'proof of work' system by using digital signatures and key pairs to create and verify records, ensuring the integrity and ownership of the ledger without branching or forming a tree structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a proof of work security system is used in blockchain, then the ledger becomes resistant to tampering and forgery, but the processing power and infrastructural costs become concentrated in the hands of a few entities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper resistanceVSAvoidprocessing power concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cryptographic verification function from the proof-of-work consensus mechanism. Instead of requiring computational puzzles to be solved, the system uses digital signatures and hash functions to verify record integrity. Each record contains a hash of the previous record and cryptographic signatures, allowing verification without the resource-intensive proof-of-work process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical proof-of-work system (requiring brute-force computational power) with a cryptographic verification system. The security relies on mathematical properties of hash functions and digital signatures rather than computational difficulty, substituting a resource-intensive mechanical process with a mathematically secure but computationally efficient alternative.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a proof of work security system is used in blockchain, then the ledger becomes resistant to tampering and forgery, but the power and infrastructural costs become significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper resistanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cryptographic verification function from the proof-of-work consensus mechanism. Instead of requiring computational puzzles to be solved, the system uses digital signatures and hash functions to verify record integrity. Each record contains a hash of the previous record and cryptographic signatures, allowing verification without the resource-intensive proof-of-work process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical proof-of-work system (requiring brute-force computational power) with a cryptographic verification system. The security relies on mathematical properties of hash functions and digital signatures rather than computational difficulty, substituting a resource-intensive mechanical process with a mathematically secure but computationally efficient alternative.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If cryptographic puzzles are solved by brute force trial and error, then security is achieved, but the time required to add blocks becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidblock addition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical proof-of-work system (requiring brute-force computational power) with a cryptographic verification system. The security relies on mathematical properties of hash functions and digital signatures rather than computational difficulty, substituting a resource-intensive mechanical process with a mathematically secure but computationally efficient alternative.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary cryptographic work during record creation. Each record is pre-signed with digital signatures and contains pre-computed hash values linking to previous records. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-creation verification through brute-force solving, allowing rapid validation of subsequent records.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10541820B2Distributed digital ledger

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 CHINO FABIO JUN TAKADA

AI summary

Methods and systems for generating a new record in a digital ledger include hashing a payload, public key, and signature of a parent record to generate a hash value. A new record is created with a new payload and a new public key. The hash value is combined with the new payload and the new public key to generate a message value. A signature of the new record is generated using the message value and a private key corresponding to the public key of the parent record. The signature of the new record is added to the new record.