Memory Blockchain Integration for Data Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Memory devices are vulnerable to data faults and unauthorized changes, such as hacking, which can lead to significant financial loss and security issues, as existing technologies lack effective methods for validating the integrity of stored data.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating memory as a block in a blockchain data structure, where each block includes a cryptographic hash of the previous block and the stored data, with a digital signature to ensure data authenticity and prevent unauthorized alterations, without requiring additional components or circuitry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If memory devices are used to store data without additional validation mechanisms, then storage capacity and simplicity are maintained, but data integrity and security are compromised due to vulnerability to faults and unauthorized changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines memory storage functionality with blockchain validation functionality into a single integrated system. The memory device stores both data and cryptographic hash values, and performs blockchain validation operations internally without requiring separate external validation hardware or software components. This merging approach enhances data integrity while avoiding the complexity of adding separate validation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The memory device is designed to perform multiple functions: traditional data storage and blockchain-based data integrity validation. By making the memory device universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated separate validation devices, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If cryptographic validation is implemented in memory devices, then data security and authenticity are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata authenticityVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges cryptographic validation circuits with standard memory cell arrays into a single integrated circuit structure. The memory device includes memory cells for storing data and additional memory cells for storing cryptographic hash values, along with circuitry that performs hash calculations and validation. This integration approach enables cryptographic validation functionality to be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication processes without requiring complex assembly of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If blockchain validation is implemented in memory devices, then protection against unauthorized changes is improved, but device complexity and operational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized data modificationVSAvoidvalidation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines data storage and blockchain validation operations within the same memory device architecture. The memory device stores data in first memory cells and corresponding cryptographic hash values in second memory cells, and performs validation by calculating hashes of stored data and comparing them with the stored hash values. This merging eliminates the need for separate validation hardware or external validation processes, thereby protecting against unauthorized modifications without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If additional circuitry is added to memory devices for data validation, then security against faults and hacking is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against faultsVSAvoidcircuit integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges validation circuitry with standard memory cell arrays into a single integrated structure. The memory device includes memory cells for storing data, additional memory cells for storing cryptographic hash values, and circuitry for performing hash calculations and validation comparisons. All these elements are integrated into a single memory device that can be manufactured using standard semiconductor fabrication processes, avoiding the need for complex assembly of separate components and thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while improving security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12143519B2Using memory as a block in a block chain
Publication Date: 2024.11.12 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US12143519B2 patent drawing
  • US12143519B2 patent drawing
  • US12143519B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present disclosure includes apparatuses, methods, and systems for using memory as a block in a block chain. An embodiment includes a memory, and circuitry configured to generate a block in a block chain for validating data stored in the memory, wherein the block includes a cryptographic hash of a previous block in the block chain and a cryptographic hash of the data stored in the memory, and the block has a digital signature associated therewith that indicates the block is included in the block chain.