Secure Ledger Data Logging via Merkle Root Condensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data security and backup mechanisms are vulnerable to various compromises and manipulations, necessitating a need for secure systems and methods to obtain, log, store, and retrieve data effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a processor and memory with programmable instructions to log data to a secure distributed ledger (blockchain) by receiving component data from sensors, calculating a root value, aggregating data, and linking it to the ledger, while authenticating sensors and storing raw data for secure retrieval based on user search queries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional data security mechanisms are used, then data storage is simple, but data security and integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into raw data and condensed data, storing only condensed data (hashes/roots) on the blockchain while keeping raw data in traditional storage. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from blockchain's security for critical data verification while avoiding the complexity and cost of storing entire datasets on the distributed ledger.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces condensed data (Merkle roots or hash values) as an intermediary between raw data and blockchain storage. This intermediary serves as a verification mechanism that proves data integrity without requiring the actual raw data to be stored on the blockchain, thus resolving the contradiction between security and complexity.
2Reliability
If all raw data is stored on blockchain, then data integrity is maximized, but storage cost and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential verification element (condensed data/hash) from the complete dataset and stores it on the blockchain. This extraction approach maintains data integrity verification capability while dramatically reducing the amount of data that needs to be processed and stored on the distributed ledger, thus reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing all raw data on the blockchain (excessive action), the patent stores only the condensed verification data (partial action). This partial approach is sufficient to maintain data integrity while avoiding the performance penalties of storing complete datasets on the blockchain.
3Quantity of substance
If data aggregation is performed before logging, then storage efficiency improves, but data retrieval complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condensed data acts as an intermediary that links aggregated data to individual raw data records. By storing this intermediary reference on the blockchain with the aggregation record, the system enables efficient retrieval of specific raw data records without compromising storage efficiency gains from aggregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary aggregation of data before blockchain storage, condensing multiple raw data records into a single aggregated record with an associated condensed data hash. This preliminary action reduces storage requirements while the preserved hash links enable later retrieval of individual records when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for processing data using blockchain technology. The system includes a memory having programmable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the system to: authenticate one or more sensors in anticipation of receiving component data; receive component data, upon successful authentication; store the component data locally or to a cloud-based server and/or calculate a root value for the component data; store or embed the root value with the stored component data; condense the component data and link the condensed component data to the stored component data via the root value. The system further includes instructions to log the condensed data, including the root value, to a ledger, and to identify a tag or transaction id corresponding to the logging event for subsequent retrieval of the condensed data using the tag or transaction id.