Decentralized Ledger Protocol Framework Reduces Node Resource Usage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blockchain systems face inefficiencies in recording and verifying transactions, especially when dealing with complex transactions that require redundant execution of computer code across multiple nodes, leading to high computational and storage resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A decentralized distributed ledger system that uses a protocol framework to support protocol flows, allowing parties to record transactions without relying on a blockchain, by executing computer code specific to each party's role and utilizing a notary for verification and notarization, thus reducing the need for redundant verification and storage across nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If blockchain systems use redundant execution of computer code across multiple nodes to ensure transaction verification, then transaction security and reliability are improved, but computational and storage resource usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction verification securityVSAvoidcomputational resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the redundant code execution requirement from the traditional blockchain model. Instead of requiring every node to execute and verify the same smart contract code, the system separates verification responsibilities: executing nodes run the code while other nodes trust the execution results through cryptographic proofs and consensus mechanisms. This eliminates the need for redundant execution across all nodes while maintaining verification security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification layer between transaction execution and consensus. Rather than requiring direct verification of code execution by all nodes, the system uses cryptographic signatures, state proofs, and consensus algorithms as intermediaries to validate transaction outcomes. This mediator layer reduces computational overhead while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blockchain systems store complete transaction ledgers redundantly across multiple nodes, then data integrity and security are improved, but storage resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidstorage resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ledger data storage responsibilities across different node types. Instead of requiring all nodes to store complete ledger copies, the system divides nodes into full nodes (storing complete ledgers), light nodes (storing only essential verification data), and archive nodes (storing historical data). This segmentation maintains data integrity through distributed verification while dramatically reducing total storage requirements across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses selective copying of critical data elements rather than complete ledger replication. Light nodes and mobile devices store only essential verification data (such as Merkle roots, account headers, or state proofs) rather than full transaction histories. This allows verification of data integrity without requiring complete copies of the entire ledger, reducing storage consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If blockchain systems require all nodes to execute and verify complex transaction protocols, then transaction security is improved, but transaction processing speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidtransaction processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial verification action where not all nodes perform complete transaction verification. Instead of requiring every node to execute and validate every transaction, the system uses a subset of executing nodes to perform verification while other nodes accept results through consensus. This partial action approach maintains security through cryptographic verification while improving processing speed by avoiding redundant full verification cycles across all nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If blockchain systems use cryptographic verification of all transactions by all nodes, then transaction authenticity is improved, but computational overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction authenticityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary cryptographic verification through pre-computed proofs and signatures. Transaction data is pre-signed with cryptographic keys, and verification data (such as Merkle proofs, state proofs, or commitment schemes) is pre-computed and attached to transactions. This preliminary action allows receiving nodes to verify authenticity efficiently without performing complex cryptographic operations on the full transaction data, reducing computational overhead while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3549080B1Secure processing of electronic transactions by a decentralized, distributed ledger system
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 R3 LTD
  • EP3549080B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549080B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3549080B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system are provided to support a decentralized distributed ledger in which transactions are recorded by parties to the transactions without the use of a blockchain. A distributed ledger system provides a protocol framework that supports the development of protocol flows. A protocol flow is computer code that controls the performance of a transaction by the party or parties to the transaction. Protocol flows can be developed for different types of transactions. The distributed ledger system allows transactions to be proposed, accepted, and notarized by a notary and stored without the use of a blockchain ledger. The distributed ledger system can avoid the expense of the computational and storage resources needed to redundantly verify a transaction and store evidence on the many nodes of a blockchain distributed ledger.