Homomorphic Encryption for Anonymous Blockchain Voting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic voting systems face risks of hacking, manipulation, and sybil attacks, which compromise the integrity and anonymity of user opinions, making it difficult to ensure that opinions are accurately reflected in decisions.

Innovation Solution

A method using homomorphic encryption and a blockchain-based system that generates unique identification information for users, encrypts random values, and performs arithmetic operations to verify opinions, preventing sybil attacks while maintaining user anonymity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If block chain technology is applied to electronic voting to prevent manipulation and hacking, then security and integrity are improved, but sybil attacks become possible where one person generates multiple IDs to manipulate voting results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrity of voting processVSAvoidsybil attack

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a random value as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's secret key and the voting process. This random value, encrypted via homomorphic encryption, serves as a binding mechanism that prevents sybil attacks while maintaining the integrity of the block chain system. The random value acts as a mediator that connects the user's identity to their vote without exposing the secret key.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the voting system by changing the parameter of encryption from traditional methods to homomorphic encryption. This parameter change allows mathematical operations to be performed on encrypted data, enabling the verification of votes without decrypting them. The homomorphic encryption parameter enables the system to compute proofs of vote validity while preserving secrecy and preventing sybil attacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If user private information is collected to specify users uniquely and prevent sybil attack, then uniqueness is improved, but privacy and anonymity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniqueness of user identificationVSAvoiduser privacy and anonymity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses homomorphically encrypted random values as intermediaries that bind users to their votes without revealing their identities. The random value serves as a mediator that provides uniqueness for preventing sybil attacks while the homomorphic encryption ensures that no private information is exposed, thus preserving anonymity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of collecting and storing user private information with a cryptographic system based on homomorphic encryption and random values. Instead of mechanically storing user data to ensure uniqueness, the system uses mathematical proofs and encrypted random values to verify user identity without exposing private information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traditional encryption methods are used to protect user data, then security is improved, but arithmetic operations on encrypted data become impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of user dataVSAvoidarithmetic operation on ciphertexts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the encryption parameter from traditional encryption schemes to homomorphic encryption schemes. This parameter change enables arithmetic operations to be performed directly on ciphertexts while maintaining security. The homomorphic property allows the system to compute sums, products, or other mathematical operations on encrypted data without decryption, thus improving ease of operation while preserving security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11303427B2Method for verifying opinion by use of block chain which guarantees anonimity and prevents sybil attack

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 KOREA SMART AUTHENTICATION CORP

AI summary

The method of verifying an opinion includes, by an account module, receiving a request for identification information of the opinion (Ballot Stamp) from the user terminal; requesting a first random value to the user terminal; receiving a first homomorphic ciphertext from the user terminal; generating a second random value; storing a first value; generating a second homomorphic ciphertext from the Ballot Stamp; receiving a third homomorphic ciphertext obtained from a tag from an opinion verifying program module; and transmitting the second homomorphic ciphertext and the third homomorphic ciphertext to the user terminal. The method further includes, by the opinion verifying program module, receiving the tag obtained by decrypting the third homomorphic ciphertext, Ballot Stamp, and the opinion message, from the user terminal; and determining the opinion as being verified if the value calculated by the first arithmetic operation to the random value and Ballot Stamp is identical to the tag.