Distributed Ledger Incident Data Validation via Consensus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized databases are vulnerable to data corruption, loss, and modification, posing challenges in data management and security, particularly in public safety and utility agencies where maintaining a tamper-resistant record of incidents is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A distributed electronic ledger system that uses a blockchain to validate and store incident-related data, ensuring data integrity through consensus algorithms and secure validation processes, allowing multiple nodes to host a complete copy of the ledger, thus preventing single points of failure and unauthorized modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If centralized databases are used to store incident-related data, then data management is simplified and ease of operation is improved, but data security and reliability deteriorate due to vulnerability to corruption, loss, and unauthorized modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized database into multiple distributed nodes across a network. Each node maintains a copy of the ledger, eliminating the single point of failure. This segmentation improves reliability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated consensus mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple identical copies of the data ledger across different nodes in the network. Each node stores a complete copy, ensuring data availability and integrity even if some nodes fail or are compromised. This copying mechanism directly addresses the reliability concern while preserving ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If centralized databases are used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but resilience and reliability worsen due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into multiple independent nodes distributed across the network. Each node operates autonomously but contributes to the overall system functionality. This segmentation increases resilience by eliminating single points of failure while managing complexity through standardized node architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple independent nodes are merged into a unified distributed ledger system. The nodes collectively provide the same data storage and validation functions as a centralized database, improving resilience while maintaining manageable complexity through consistent protocols and consensus mechanisms.
3Reliability
If distributed electronic ledger is implemented, then data integrity and reliability are improved through validation and consensus, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to multiple nodes and consensus algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed ledger system performs self-validation through automated consensus algorithms. Nodes independently verify data integrity and reach agreement without requiring centralized arbitration. This self-service mechanism improves data integrity while managing complexity through automated rather than manual processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters from centralized control to distributed consensus. By adjusting the validation threshold and consensus rules, the system achieves high data integrity while keeping complexity manageable through configurable parameters rather than fixed complex structures.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If distributed electronic ledger is used, then resistance to harmful factors is improved through tamper-proof validation, but ease of operation deteriorates due to validation criteria and consensus requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary validation checks and consensus requirements before data is added to the ledger. This preliminary anti-action prevents tampering and ensures integrity upfront, making the system resistant to harmful factors. The automated nature of these checks minimizes the impact on ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributed ledger system implements feedback loops where nodes continuously validate and verify data integrity. This feedback mechanism provides tamper resistance by detecting and rejecting unauthorized modifications. The automated feedback process maintains ease of operation by eliminating manual verification requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer apparatus, such as a validator node, for validating incident-related data records in a distributed electronic ledger is configured to receive a request from an agent to add a proposed incident-related data record associated with an incident to the distributed electronic ledger. In response to the proposed incident-related data record, the computer apparatus determines, from the distributed electronic ledger, one or more attributes of the agent or incident. The computer apparatus determines whether the proposed incident-related data record satisfies validation criteria based at least partially on the one or more attributes of the agent or incident. Once validated, the computer apparatus may then append the proposed incident-related data record to the distributed electronic ledger. Alternatively, the proposed incident-related data record may be appended regardless of validity, but an indication of validity may be appended if the proposed incident-related data record is validated.