Filter Unit for Blockchain Data Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a risk of inadvertently transmitting sensitive or unapproved data to open or public blockchain platforms due to unauthorized access or misuse, which can lead to irreversible data processing and transaction validation issues.

Innovation Solution

A system with a filter unit is introduced to selectively permit data from a first network to a blockchain-based second network, allowing for flexible authorization checks and data filtering independent of blockchain logic, ensuring only valid transactions are processed, and enabling secure use of open or public blockchain infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is transmitted to an open blockchain platform, then transaction processing and sharing are enabled, but sensitive or unapproved data may be inadvertently published and cannot be deleted or reversed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblockchain transaction processingVSAvoidirreversible data processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit performs preliminary filtering of data before it is transmitted to the blockchain platform. This preliminary action checks and validates data according to filtering criteria, preventing sensitive or unapproved transactions from being published to the blockchain in the first place, thus avoiding the irreversible publication problem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit acts as an intermediary component between the company network and the open blockchain platform. It mediates the data transmission by selectively permitting or blocking transactions based on filtering criteria, thereby protecting the company network from inadvertently publishing sensitive data while still enabling legitimate blockchain transactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a filter unit is introduced to selectively permit data, then data security and control are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the company network, the filter unit with its filtering criteria, and the blockchain platform. This segmentation isolates the filtering logic in a dedicated component, making the system easier to manage and maintain despite the added complexity, as each component has a specific responsibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple filtering criteria and transaction types. It provides multi-functional data validation and security checks in a single component, reducing the overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each security concern

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3451608B1Filter unit based data communication system including a blockchain platform
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3451608B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3451608B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3451608B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An object of the present application is to provide a system and a respective method for performing data communication in between a first network and a second, blockchain-based network, wherein the communication is adapted to prevent invalid and/or unwanted data traffic. According to this, a system adapted for performing data communication is provided. The system comprises a first interface adapted to communicate with a first network, a filter unit and a second interface. The second interface is adapted to communicate with a second network connected to the first network via the filter unit, and the second network is adapted to operate as a blockchain platform. The filter unit is adapted to selectively permit data received from the first network via the first interface to be transmitted to the second network via the second interface.