Digital Twin Offloading for Constrained IoT Blockchain Participation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained devices, such as IoT devices with limited computing power and poor network connectivity, are unable to participate in blockchain networks due to requirements for complex calculations, storage of distributed ledgers, and consistent connectivity, which prevents them from completing smart transactions within the necessary time frame.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a digital twin for the constrained device, which has sufficient computing power, storage, and connectivity to perform blockchain operations on its behalf, allowing it to participate in the blockchain network and attribute actions to the original device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constrained devices (IoT devices with limited computing power) attempt to perform blockchain operations directly, then they can maintain device autonomy and direct participation, but they cannot complete smart transactions within the required time frame due to limited computing capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital twin as an intermediary entity that performs blockchain operations on behalf of the constrained IoT device. The digital twin has sufficient computing power to execute complex smart contract transactions within required time frames, while the original constrained device maintains autonomy by initiating and controlling transactions through the digital twin, thus resolving the contradiction between transaction speed and device computing limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (digital twin) of the constrained device that replicates its identity and capabilities but operates with enhanced computing resources. This copy performs the computationally intensive blockchain operations while the original device maintains its simple hardware architecture, resolving the contradiction between maintaining device simplicity and achieving high transaction processing speed
2Adaptability or versatility
If constrained devices with intermittent connections attempt to participate in blockchain networks, then they can reduce connectivity requirements, but they cannot reliably complete transactions due to poor network connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The digital twin serves as a reliable intermediary that maintains persistent connections with the blockchain network, handling all network communications and transaction submissions. The constrained device can operate with intermittent connections since the digital twin ensures reliable transaction completion, thus resolving the contradiction between connectivity flexibility and transaction reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the digital twin pre-establish and maintain reliable network connections and transaction states before the constrained device needs to interact with the blockchain. This allows the constrained device to join or rejoin the network at any time without compromising transaction reliability, as the digital twin has already prepared and maintained the necessary network presence
3Ease of manufacture
If devices with limited storage resources attempt to join blockchain networks, then they can reduce hardware requirements, but they cannot store distributed ledgers adequately
Solution Approach 1:
The digital twin creates and maintains a complete copy of the blockchain ledger and transaction history in its own storage space, while the constrained device maintains only minimal local data. This allows the constrained device to participate in blockchain operations without requiring sufficient storage capacity, as the digital twin handles all storage-intensive operations, resolving the contradiction between hardware simplicity and adequate storage capacity
Data Source
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AI summary
Performing blockchain operations on behalf of a capability limited device that is unable to perform the blockchain operations. The method includes hosting a digital twin for the capability limited device on a system capable of performing the blockchain operations. The capability limited device includes a unique device identifier. The digital twin also includes the unique device identifier, such that actions performed by the digital twin are attributable to the capability limited device. The method further includes receiving input for a set of blockchain operations at the system capable of performing the blockchain operations, from the capability limited device. The method further includes performing the set of blockchain operations at the system capable of performing the blockchain operations using the digital twin and the unique device identifier, such that performance of the set of blockchain operations is attributed to the capability limited device.