Heterogeneous Indicia Engine for Transaction Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack effective methods to detect and prevent computational errors caused by hardware, firmware, or software faults, as well as malware infections in transaction processing systems, which can lead to data inconsistencies and system failures, especially in online transaction processing systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Heterogeneous Indicia Engine (HIE) that uses multiple computing subsystems of different manufacture to verify the integrity of transaction processing by comparing indicia, allowing only valid transactions to proceed and enabling self-diagnostic tests to identify faulty subsystems, thereby eliminating the need for a central Logical Synchronization Unit (LSU).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central Logical Synchronization Unit (LSU) is used to compare outputs of subsystems, then detection of computational errors is improved, but device complexity and single point of failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the error detection function from a central LSU and distributes it to individual Indicia Engines embedded in each subsystem. Each subsystem independently computes indicia and compares them with others, eliminating the need for a central synchronization unit and reducing single point of failure risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the error detection function into separate Indicia Engines within each subsystem rather than consolidating it in a central LSU. This segmentation allows parallel independent operation and eliminates the bottleneck and single point of failure associated with a central unit.
2Productivity
If multiple subsystems process transactions in parallel, then processing speed is improved, but detection of malicious operations becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where each subsystem continuously compares its indicia with those from other subsystems. This feedback loop enables real-time detection of malicious operations or computational errors while maintaining parallel processing, as discrepancies are immediately identified and reported.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses indicia as a form of digital signature or marker that changes based on the computational results. By comparing these indicia across subsystems, the system can detect malicious operations or errors without disrupting the parallel processing flow, effectively using these markers as a detection mechanism that operates transparently in the background.
3Reliability
If subsystems are manufactured by different companies, then detection of design or implementation faults is improved, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent standardizes the indicia computation and comparison parameters across different subsystems manufactured by different companies. By defining common interfaces and data formats for indicia exchange, the system enables fault detection across heterogeneous systems without requiring complex custom integration for each manufacturer combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal Indicia Engine interface that can operate across subsystems from different manufacturers. This standardized interface allows the same indicia comparison mechanism to function regardless of the specific hardware or software vendor, reducing integration complexity while maintaining the ability to detect design or implementation faults.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to verify the computational results of a transaction processing system. A transaction is allowed to modify an application's state only if the validity of the result of the processing of the transaction is verified. Otherwise, the transaction is aborted.