Homomorphic Encryption Key Updates for Blockchain Data Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blockchain technologies face challenges in performing privacy-preserving computations on encrypted data while maintaining ownership rights and non-repudiation, especially in permissioned settings, where sensitive data cannot be shared due to trust and regulatory concerns, leading to restricted data analysis and ownership transfer.

Innovation Solution

A somewhat homomorphic encryption scheme using Clifford Geometric Algebra enables computations on encrypted data within a distributed ledger system, allowing for key updates and secure data ownership transfer without decrypting the data, by generating and managing secret and public keys for encryption and decryption operations, and utilizing smart contracts for homomorphic operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional encryption methods (RSA, AES) are used to protect data privacy in blockchain, then data confidentiality is improved, but computational operations on encrypted data cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata confidentialityVSAvoidcomputational capability on encrypted data
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces homomorphic encryption as an intermediary mechanism that enables computations on encrypted data without decryption. The encryption scheme allows arithmetic operations to be performed directly on ciphertext, with the result being encrypted, thus serving as a mediator between data privacy requirements and computational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the mathematical parameters and algebraic structure used in encryption by employing geometric algebra and Clifford algebra frameworks. This allows the encryption scheme to support homomorphic operations while maintaining security, transforming traditional encryption parameters to enable both confidentiality and computation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If data is encrypted to maintain privacy and ownership rights, then data confidentiality and ownership protection are improved, but data analysis and processing capabilities are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveownership protectionVSAvoiddata analysis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Homomorphic encryption acts as an intermediary that preserves ownership protection while enabling data analysis. The encrypted data remains under the owner's control through key management, yet allows authorized computations to be performed on the data without compromising ownership rights or privacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The encryption scheme provides multi-functionality by simultaneously achieving data confidentiality, ownership protection, and enabling computational operations. The same encryption mechanism supports multiple functions including privacy preservation, ownership verification, and data processing capabilities.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If key updates are implemented to enable ownership transfer in blockchain, then adaptability and ownership flexibility are improved, but security and trust requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveownership transfer capabilityVSAvoidsecurity during key update
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The homomorphic encryption scheme provides an intermediary framework for secure key updates and ownership transfers. The encryption mechanism allows key management operations to be performed securely, with the homomorphic properties enabling verification and validation during the transfer process without compromising security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The encryption scheme incorporates feedback mechanisms for verifying key updates and ownership transfers. The homomorphic operations enable verification that the key update process maintains security requirements, providing feedback loops for ensuring trust and reliability during ownership transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11764943B2Methods and systems for somewhat homomorphic encryption and key updates based on geometric algebra for distributed ledger/blockchain technology
Publication Date: 2023.09.19 ALGEMETRIC INC
  • US11764943B2 patent drawing
  • US11764943B2 patent drawing
  • US11764943B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed are methods and systems to encrypt data with SomeWhat Homomorphic Encryption (SWHE) properties for submission to a distributed ledger/blockchain that allows further open operations retained in the distributed ledger/blockchain on the encrypted data that will be properly reflected when the encrypted result is decrypted by the data owner. The somewhat homomorphic properties include addition and scalar division. Also disclosed is an ability to update a secret key applied for a ciphertext such that a single piece of data may be provided on the distributed ledger/blockchain by a data owner to a new data owner without also exposing other data encrypted with the original secret key of the original data owner.